BarnCamp 2019 workshop proposals

See this page for an Example Barncamp Workshop Entry.

Avoiding paywalls to access academic research publications

Proposed by

Mark

Time

1-2 hours

Level

Ability to use Tor Browser

Resources

Projector and screen. All participants to provide own laptop

Number

5-10 people

You will:

• Explore some of the free repositories of scientific publications on the internet
  • sci-hub
  • libgen
• and tools like unpaywall
• discuss different ideas about ownership, propriety and freedom of information

• remember Aaron Swartz and some of the other people who have made this possible
• Could we set up a live link (or similar) with Alexandra Elbakyan to express our appreciation?
• if time permits, discuss how to carry out a systematic literature review using these resources

Ensuring Public Accountability Using Blockchain Technology

Proposed by

Darren Rhodes

Time

To be announced

Level

Anyone interested in politics and computing science. Anyone with political experience that they could share.

Resources

People with the technical skill to talk about block chain and the feasibility of the proposed project.: People with the political experience to suggest ways of campaigning to make this happen.

Number

Anyone who wishes to attend.

You will:

Here is where I need your suggestions as to how this should be done ...

• This is an initial call for expressions of interest.
• If you can contribute to this proposed discussion, please do so via this wiki.
• If you know someone who you think may be able to make a contribution, please forward this part of the wiki to them.
• If there is sufficient interest ... see you in Wales.

Background

• Local Council Accounts are available for inspection for two months in the year after they have been finalised by the local authority in question. The National Audit Office supplies a Rights Guide to Local Authority Accounts [pdf]detailing who has the right to inspect the accounts and what to expect.
• I think that by using blockchain technology we could produce access to local authority accounts in real time for anyone in the world. This transparency could and should be extended to other parts of public spending.

Scuttlebutt install fest

Proposed by

Sam

Time

1 hour

Level

All

Resources

Bring your own device - Mac/ Win/ Nix / Android (No iPhone client yet)

Number

up to 10 people all huddled round a couple of laptops

You will learn how to install a Scuttlebutt client on your phone or laptop https://www.scuttlebutt.nz/

• For Android there is https://www.manyver.se/
• For computers we'll use patchwork
• The adventurous may try other clients https://www.scuttlebutt.nz/applications