Richard Rothwell from M6-IT Community Interest Company will be talking about about sustainable education solutions.

Schools and students have been caught up in a cycle of computer replacement and upgrade for the past two decades. The development of free software solutions offers a route out of this cycle. The talk will cover potential free software solutions for schools and families to setup sustainable solutions that will enable them to concentrate on their key purpose - that of educating the individual. The applicability of these solutions for community organisations will be discussed.

Two key projects will be covered in detail: the installation of an extensive LTSP system at Handsworth Grammar School and the Families On-Line project in Nottingham, where the regeneration funding is being used to provide computers, with free software, and an Internet connection to socially excluded families. Mention will also be made of the Birmingham Friends of the Earth smaller LTSP network.

We will be meeting on Tuesday 20th May, 19:00 at the Manchester Digital Development Agency on Portland Street (directions).