Difference between revisions of "Camp for Climate Action 2008"

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Difference between revisions of "Camp for Climate Action 2008"

Revision as of 16:54, 22 July 2008

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-= Background - history and now =
+moved
-In previous years the alt media provision was not a climate camp working group at all but simply a bunch of people pitching in under the indymedia 'brand' and quite disconnected from camp process.
-After the first climate camp at Drax, elements of indymedia complained of feeling like they were treated like service providers and that people weren't taking on the whole "don't hate the media - be the media" ethos [https://docs.indymedia.org/pub/Local/ImcUkAtClimateCamp/MaquiIMCtextsmall.pdf] (https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/352449.html). Others were concerned that indymedia coverage focused on the conflict and spectacle in the same way as the mainstream coverage and rather than documenting all the amazing work that went in to the camp or the issues raised in the workshops. The following year thing more effort went into covering those aspects [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378480.html?c=on#c179106][http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378693.html][http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378306.html] (and saw the creation of the camp photo pool) but the alt media provision remained very disconnected from other elements of the camp despite a little bit more involvement from indymedia in camp processes.
-This year things have changed quite a bit, and not at all. The camp media(circus)team (which was previously part of the networking working group) is now a working group in its own right and consists of not just the media team but also the alt media provision - this time operating under the banner 'be the media'. Bringing it together should aid communication and the efficient flow of information with less duplication of effort and running back and forth.
-''(Speaking of working under the banner 'be the media', the huge banner used at the big green gathering last year is available. [[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2007/08/377650.jpg photo]] It needs collecting from the chiswick area of west london or it will go up to manchester and can come back down with the manchester neighborhood)
-''
-== Previous media provision at similar events ==
-* [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/FieldIMCHowTo Stirling Indymedia - Field IMC at Horizon Ecovillage during G8 protests]
-* [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/ImcUkG8TechReview  Edinburgh Media Centre Tech during G8 protests]
-* [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/BcnHOWTOMediaCenter Indymedia: HOWTO Mount a Media Centre]
-* [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/352449.html Indymedia at the Camp for Climate Action 2006: Report & Personal View]
-* [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378427.html Indymedia centre at Climate Camp (Sipson 2007)]
-* [http://www.escapegoat.org/2007/9/22/noborders-indymedia-center-tech-review No Borders Mobile tech set up]
-== What's Planned This Year ==
-Basically it's all the stuff expected from an Independent Media Centre, along with the facilities required by the media team to liaise with the main stream media. Provision includes an open access internet suite, space and facilities for audio and video editing, photo desk, reporting lines, camp radio, collection of daily newspapers etc.
-=== Reception Area ===
-In an attempt to address concern about previous years, there will be a reception area with somebody there on rota to greet people, find out what they want and advise them who to see, where to go or when to come back. This reception applies equally to the mainstream journalists on site needing help arranging interviews, people involved in alt media projects or individuals looking to check something online or upload photos.
-=== 'Staffed' Photo Desk ===
-Located near reception, a dedicated computer will be set up and staffed at specific times to ensure quick and efficient processing of people photos (although in theory it is possible for people to use the thin clients terminals to do this). The photo desk will be equipped with a card reader, bluetooth and other usb adapters to connect to mobile phones etc. Photos will be stored centrally (see network attached storage) and metadata/details taken from the contributor to ensure things credit and licensing conditions are retained with the images. Throughout the day, somebody will check contributions and select some suitable for uploading.
-=== Studio Spaces ===
-==== Camp Radio ====
-There will be a radio studio producing daily live and recorded content, streamed on the internet and broadcast throughout the camp so that people in neighborhoods can stay informed. The camp radio will operate from a separate tent adjacent to the main media tent. It will be used for live shows, editing and as a space for people to record audio interviews at other times.
-==== Video Studio ====
-The video studio will also be a separate tent close to the main media tent. It will be used for interviews to camera and perhaps also by people doing video editing at other times.
-The plan is to run three cameras through a video mixing desk with the output captured directly onto hard drive. The aim will be a fast throughput of people being interviewed throughout the day and the use of real-time mixing between cameras will reduce the need to edit with just topping and tailing left to do.
-Due to power constraints, people editing video on their own laptops may be restricted in terms of time to ensure sufficient power for other users.
-The other relevant constraint is bandwidth and data capping so it is possible that if the video people want to produce huge hi res output then they will have to upload off site.
-=== Open Access Internet Suite ===
-Something like eight computers will be set up for general web access use. Although this is a thin client system designed to consume relatively low power, it will still be necessary to restrict opening times to specific time slots depending on the power situation. Times will be advertised on a notice by the entrance. The space is intended for people writing reports and other uses will be discouraged if necessary.
-* [http://flakey.info/hesfes05/ Bristol Wireless LTSP suite]
-= Infrastructure Planning =
-== Marquee Spaces ==
-The original plan was to bring things together as much as possible for things are better integrated, less complicated and prevent the geeks from hiding away in private spaces while the proles thrash about unsupervised on the public terminal checking their hotmail.
-With this in mind we spoke about having a single large public space sufficient the house all or most of the following:
-* public internet space
-* photo/video/news desk for grass roots media groups
-* contact point for camp media
-* meeting space / daily news papers
-However it now appears that there is a need/desire to separate things off to some degree and now we seem to have loads of separate structures, even more complicated than last year!!
-Camp structures group have agreed to supply the following:
-* Offsite structure: Gazeebo (for mainstream media to shoot from if raining etc)
-* Main Structure 30ft x 45ft ("bigger than what I promised you: aren't you lucky!")
-* Video Studio: 12ft x 24ft
-Additionally we have two 12ft x 24ft (6m x 4m) 'party' tents, one of which will be the radio studio...
-* Radio Studio: 12ft x 24ft
-The other could be a private area for meetings, workshops, interviews, or sleeping place, kitchen and place to get pissed. Alternatively it could a media liaison 'lounge' (a kind of reception space I guess, to meet journalists and reduce the chance of them wandering around our working spaces)
-I (ben) am now of the opinion that we have too much space and that if we aren't careful we will end up with the same issues as last year. I therefore think we need to design our spaces around the single public entry point, perhaps a triangle or quadrangle of marquees around a central enclosed 'court yard'.
-In terms of distinct roles/spaces.
-* web suite : photo desk : news desk : reception
-* radio
-* video
-* court yard (good place to have discussions/workshops if weather nice)
-== Internet Connectivity ==
-* [https://en.wiki.aktivix.org/SquatTelecoms Background]
-Internet is to be provided by two way Satellite (supplied by from psand) and supplemented if possible by a 3G router (using three or t-mobile pay-as-you-go).
-If 3G works on site, we can load balance between the two connections during the day. During the night and periods of low use, we can shut off the satellite in order to save power (~70 watts) as the 3G router uses much less (about 15 watts).
-'''Transfer Speed '''
-* Downlink from the satellite is 2 mbp/s and uplink 512 kbp/s.
-* The 3G is very variable and depends on signal strength so it is impossible to guess what bandwidth will be available, if any. Needless to say, the figures quoted by the mobile companies are meaningless and never achieved. My experience, on a good day, is about 800 kbp/s down and 40 kbp/s up.
-'''Transfer Cap'''
-G connectivity is capped but if either of the two PAYG 3G networks are available on site then we won't worry about the cap, we'll just switch sims or buy more credit (as cheap as £5 for 2gb on Three.
-I'm not sure if the satellite is capped. Last year there were two, one capped and the other not.
-We may need to 'queue' big uploads like video files for the over night shift to avoid interfering with other users, or send them off site with somebody to upload on an ADSL link.
-== Power Requirements ==
-Previous years have proved that this space is by far the single biggest user of power on site.
-This year we estimate the space will consume between 85w and 900 watts of power at any given time.
-Bristol Wireless say that a dozen thin clients working hard, plus the ltsp server, a switch and the psu's, would all draw under 240 watts in total. That's a third or perhaps even a quarter of the power per client compared to a modern hi spec laptop. People should be encouraged to use thin clients rather than powerful laptops when possible and practical. Just four people using their own laptops could equal the entire demand of the thin client suite and server.
-We should try to arrange our peak load to match our peak delivery of power, ie. assuming it's sunny, peak should happen around 1pm to 4pm. We should also try to stagger and prioritize different uses. For example, not have the open access suite in use when the live radio show is being broadcast as this not only means less noise and disturbance for them but also means they are a lot less likely to find the power going too low and disrupting the show.
-We should be very carefully about agreeing to charge peoples devices unless there really is power to burn.
-The power working group should be included in the loop on this.
-Note: I'm trying to do more useful and accurate power consumption estimate with time as well as just power, here...  http://hacktivista.net/hacktionlab/index.php?title=Camp_for_Climate_Action_2008_Extras
-= Guidelines, Codes of Conduct and the agreed camp media policy =
-There has been much dissatisfaction with the camp media policy in previous years (despite it be formulated and agreed by consensus). The main concern has always been striking a balance between providing decent access to enable both mainstream coverage and our own efforts to document the process, and respecting peoples right to privacy and desire not to be under scrutiny the entire time. It is clear that no single policy can please everyone ([http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/377840.html?c=all]). However, each year has seen the policy modified and most people would agree that each revision has bought improvements.
-The following considerations shaped the agreed policy:
-. It is balance between getting positive coverage and conveying our messages about climate change, and preventing the camp from turning into a zoo
-. Feedback indicated that half wanted about the same access and the other half wanted greater access.
-. Those attending the camp need to recognise that there is some degree of exposure just by attending.
-. Overly restrictive policies harm our ability to get our message across in a positive light.
-. Scummy journalists will never respect any access policy and everyone already acts as if a cop/undercover journo is in every public meeting.
-. Enforcement is difficult.
-There are two main parts to the policy relating to 'journalists' in the professional sense of the word. One is a retention of the two hour facilitated media tour from 11am to 1pm (Sunday the 3rd to Friday the 8th of August) during which time filming, take photos, and record interviews etc is acceptable (subject to some conditions). The other is that journalists can register, sign a code of conduct and stay on site for as long as they like (wearing a press badge with their name and affiliation at all times) but can not use cameras or recording equipment on site except as part of the daily tour.
-Of specific relevance to people involved in the 'be the media' space are the final two parts of the policy. One refers to a pool of Climate Camp photographers and videographers who will attempt to ensure that the Camp is well documented. The policy states that they will wear badges and there shall be a limited number of them at any one time. The other part relates to casual use of cameras by campers and really just asks that they respect others by asking permission of people who will be identifiable in the shot, and don't take photos in 'sensitive areas' such as the medic/wellbeing/legal tent etc.
-While it is not spelt out, it is reasonably to suppose that staying in the spirit of the media policy might mean alt media people should pretty much follow the code of conduct expected of mainstream journalists, avoiding the use of cameras or other recording equipment in public spaces on camp except during the hours of 11am till 1pm, or joining the camp photo or video pool.
-== drafts texts for camp welcome book ==
-The following are draft summaries of the media policy written up as guidance for journalists, campers and media activists to go in the welcome book.
-* [https://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/ImcUkClimateCampBook draft 'book' / text]
-=== Journalists On Site ===
-We welcome journalists to the Camp for Climate Action 2008. Facilitated tours of the camp will be available each day (3 - 8 August inclusive) from 11am to 1pm. A member of the camp media team will explain how the camp functions, provide interviews or find people who can answer specific queries. While participating in the tour journalist are welcome to film, take photos and use recording equipment.
-Journalists are also welcome to take part in the camp outside the two hour media tour, after registering and signing a code of conduct at the gate. It is not be permitted to use cameras or other recording equipment on the site but a comfortable, covered space, with a good view into
-the camp, has been provided at the main entrance. While on site journalists are required to wear a press badge showing name and affiliation.
-For the duration of the camp this is people's home and workplace, so please respect people's right to privacy. For obvious reasons, some spaces such as the medics, well being and legal support tents, as well as some neighbourhoods, are off-limits (see code of conduct). The media team will aim to facilitate interviews with people working in these spaces if needed. When attending workshops, it is up to the facilitator to decide whether or not to allow journalists to attend.
-Please note that journalists are welcome to participate in the camp in a personal capacity without registering, as long as they do not later publish or broadcast reports about the camp. Journalists found to have done so without having registered will not be welcome to attend future Camp for Climate Action events.
-=== Camp Media Team ===
-The camp media team will try to ensure that timely information about the camp and associated actions is reaching the mainstream media. They will also assist journalists on site and provide or arrange interviews on request. Each day there will be training for anyone who would like to learn about working with the mainstream media, brush up on their interview skills, etc.
-=== Camp Documentation Group ===
-To ensure that the camp is well documented, there will be a pool people working to provide a daily pool of content for the camp website and radio project. A limited number will be working at any one time, and they will wear a badge identifying them as part of the documentation group while working.
-=== Be The Media ===
-To compliment the efforts of the media team and plug any gaps left by mainstream coverage, campers are invited to tell their own stories under the banner 'Be The Media'. Hopefully making the camp
-documentation group redundant, our grassroots media acts a counter-measure to the often simplistic and conflict-based accounts presented in the mainstream. The true story of climate camp is a rich and diverse exploration of positive action on climate change, and it doesn't get told enough!
-All activists who want to document the camp for any reason, be it legal, inspirational or artistic are positively encouraged to do so - write a daily blog, publish your photos or get involved with
-collaborative radio or video projects. During the day of action, please phone in reports so that the camp media team and websites can be kept up to date. You can also send photos in via e-mailed MMS (see reporting line details).
-Aspects of the camp that often goes undocumented is the informative and intelligent workshops and plenary sessions which take place during the camp, along with the collective processes and infrastructure that make the whole thing possible. Help ensure that all this amazing work on site is well documented but don't people's right to privacy in the process.
-Always get the consent of those who will be clearly identifiable in your pictures. Make sure you get the consent of anyone you record and if you want to record or film in workshops please ask the facilitator if it is okay. In public spaces, please only film or record between 11am and 1pm, or join the camp documentation group (see above).
-The 'Be The Media' space provides opportunities to met up with others to collaborate on coverage of the camp and action day and is open to everybody who wants to be involved in grassroots media production and documentation of the camp. As well as internet access, there will be a photo desk to help you get the images off your camera, a space for those working on video, and a studio where the camp radio team will produce a daily show.
-There will also be a series of training session and discussions (see workshop program) along with plenty of other opportunities to learn from each other how to publish reports and photos, or work with digital audio and video. When you go home, don't forget to continue to 'Be The Media', adding your experiences into global conversations on the most important issues of our times.
-== Possible Codes of Conduct ==
-=== Working Journalists On Site ===
-. You are required to sign in and out of the camp and wear a press badge showing your name and affiliation at all times. Additionally:
-a) In conversation you should make certain that all participants are aware you are working as a journalist.
-b) This does not apply to journalists only on site for, and participating in, the facilitated media tour.
-c) This does not apply to non working journalists participating in the camp exclusively in a personal capacity.
-. On site use of cameras or other recording equipment it is not permitted, with the following exceptions:
-a) While accompanying the facilitated media tours (11am till 1pm), cameras or other recording equipment may be used.
-b) At any time, cameras or other recording equipment may be used in the covered media space located the main entrance.
-. Be aware that some people are wary of cameras and respect their desire not to be photographed.
-a). Get the consent of those you wish to film or photograph.
-b). Filming or recording meetings and workshops requires the agreement of all participants.
-c). Covert use of cameras or recording equipment is not permitted at any time.
-. It is up to the facilitator of each workshop to decide whether or not to allow journalists to attend the workshop. Journalists will be asked to respect the facilitator’s decision.
-. There are spaces which are off-limits to journalists, this includes medics, well-being and legal tents.
-Note: If interested in off-limits spaces (eg. how well-being works, what a certain off-limits neighbourhood is like), the media team will do their best to facilitate interviews with any willing participants in those spaces (eg. an interview in a non-off-limits space with a well-being or neighbourhood participant.)
-'''Journalists who breech of these codes of conduct may be asked to leave and refused access at future events.
-'''
-=== General Camper Media Guidelines ===
-Please respect the camp media policy agreed by consensus in climate camp gatherings.
-If you are filming in public spaces within the camp then please do so only between 11am and 1pm or join the camp photo or video pool.
-When possible, seek the consent of those who will be clearly identifiable in your pictures.
-If you are in workshops please ask the facilitator if it is okay to film or record.
-Make sure you get the consent of anyone you record anyone and use your equipment overtly.
-During the day of action, please phone in reports so that the camp media team and websites can be kept up to date.
-Avoid taking incriminating photos and should you do so, delete them at the earliest opportunity.
-Consider carefully any photos which may identify people who might not wish to be identified. Either do not publish them or obscure identifying features.
-= Media related comms and online services =
-== Climate Camp Website ==
-* Feed of recent photos from the camp (via a Flickr account that will be editorially controlled)
-* Feed of recent videos from the camp (via blibtv)
-* Camp press releases (is there an rss feed for camp press releases?)
-* Camp Blog(s) (proposed to be Wordpress)
-* Mainstream media coverage feeds (possibly a feed of links using something like Asaph to generate them) - example of such links at the [Camp_for_Climate_Action_2008_News_Links] page.
-Below are some quickly cobbled together aggregated feeds of blogs which mention the climate camp, kingsnorth etc.
-http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=OnOjuf1U3RGbjmcgJphxuA# (&_render=rss)
-Here is similar thing for mainstream news coverage
-http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=pJBVggVV3RGtFgIoJphxuA (&_render=rss)
-* [[Camp for Climate Action 2008 News Links]]
-== Onsite Server ==
-The on site server is a relatively hi spec laptop running applications for the thin clients. We will also utilise it for other services to avoid the need for having additional hardware turned on...
-=== Web Portal ===
-A web portal will be served out on site from a web server running on the BW LTSP server laptop.  The idea is that we provide easy access to commonly required info for people on site without the need for needing any off site bandwidth. It also allows us to add things which are useful to activists but not suitable for the public website.
-The portal should contain everything provided by the climate camp website and add the following information, skinned to match the C4CA website itself:
-* Usual set of useful links: C4CA website, Indymedia UK, BW, other IMC sites and portals relating to climate change etc.
-* Indymedia UK newswire C4CA 2008 feed (http://indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2008/climatecamp/)
-* Climate IMC newswire (http://climateimc.org/en/frontpage/feed)
-* Important camp information feed (from camp twitter?)
-* Lastest share price ticker of E.ON (http://ir1.euroinvestor.com/irstaticcharts/eon_xetra.png)
-* Google search box (perhaps a google co-op search?)
-=== Caching Proxy ===
-The server should also provide a caching web proxy (squid) so that bandwidth demands are reduced and apparent speed increased. This might need fine tuning to ensure greatest efficiency with the indymedia site etc.
-=== Network attached storage / file server ===
-The photo and video pool (and probably other things) will make use of network attached storage kept in a safe place. We have a budget for drives and were thinking of mirroring the drive for additional security. We might also want to consider using an encrypted filesystem if possible.
-== On site phone system ==
-A system of hard wired phones will be installed in key spaces to compliment the onsite two way radio system. This will consist of phone extensions located in key central infrastructure spaces; comms, the gate, media space, legal support, and the site office etc Use of this system will reduce clutter and traffic on the two way radio which means less stuff for the cops to listen with and less crap the people with radios need to listen to which is irrelevant to them.
-There are no costs involved in using the on site radio unless we choose to provide facilities to dial an outside line in which case calls would be the same as whatever the cheapest pay as you go mobile phone tariff available.
-== Advertised phone numbers ==
-=== Press enquires numbers ===
-Already advertised are 07772 861099 and 07932 096677 (otherwise known as media mobile one and media mobile two).
-Also available to advertise is +44(0)7040 900390 which will forward to the mobiles of the media team.
-Sadly, this number can't forward multiple simultaneous incoming calls. It can be set to take messages and send them by email to press@climatecamp.org.uk
-The number is a premium rate number so that the caller (the corporate media) cover the cost of forwarding the call and the camp doesn't pick up any of the cost.
-=== Info line number ===
-This would most likely be most useful in the early days with recorded info such as directions to camp, shuttle bus locations and times. To make it useful throughout the camp will require more thought and the sms systems are probably better (certainly simpler) for dynamic up-to-date info.
-We'd use a local rate number and the caller would pay their standard call rate for making these calls. There would be no cost incurred by the camp.
-The system is currently still populated with info from last year as obviously we don't have the info for this year yet. It would be good to get input from people as to what they would like it to do.
-Last year it really didn't get promoted due to lack of consensus from indymedia concerned with being associated to anything that could be considering 'organising'. Being very last minute there was no chance to gain support or interest through pre-camp processes (so instead efforts were concentrated solely on promoting the sms alerts system which meant duplicating much of the work of indymedia dispatch).
-Current options on the info line (all open to change) :
-. Listen to the latest news (text to speech of the indymedia climate camp time news ticker).
-. Directions to the camp including mini bus shuttle info
-. Legal advice numbers from bust card
-. More useful numbers including site mobile, media contact number,
-. Info for journalists about access and contact numbers again.
-. Takes you to indymedia UK reporting functions so as to separate roles/functions.
-. Chat/Conference rooms
-. (Hidden option). Record a message/report/interview
-. (Hidden option). Transfer call to a human.
-I wont reveal the number that will be published yet but the line can be tested using the London Blasterisk access number '''0207 043 3783''' then pressing '''8'''.
-''It can also be accessed for testing using an IAX softphone client from your computer (and therefore no phone costs). The blasterisk server is blasterisk.blagblagblag.org, account name is blagger, password blagblag. Kiax (http://sourceforge.net/projects/kiax) or Zoiper (http://www.zoiper.com/) are easy to use free opensource softphones available for windows, osx or linux.''
-=== Reporting line number ===
-This number is used by activists in the field to report or update on actions/incidents during the days of action or any other time off camp. Incoming information is then used by alt media coverage, sms alerts and for keeping the media team informed etc.
-Callers have the option to leave a recorded message for publication on indymedia and use by the radio team etc. ie. audio reports/interviews. Callers may also hop across to the options provided by the info line. Additionally there would be the option to leave messages for the legal team for reporting arrests etc.
-This should be a local rate number to keep callers costs to a minimum.
-I've been struggling with coming up with a good way to connect these calls to the camp in a way that won't cost shot loads of money to us or the callers. The ideal way would have been VoIP but the high latency (delay) on the satellite connection and the uncertainty of having usable 3G connectivity means we will not be able to rely on VoIP. If it does work, great, but we need to plan for it not being available.
-So, I've been researching commerical and DIY call forwarding options and even bought a skypephone with 4000 free minutes to see if that could be used. Finally however, I think I've found a pretty neat solution.
-Here's how it could work...
-. We publish a number and tell people to let it ring twice and hang up
-. When they phone, we phone them back (using another phone).
-. That's it. simple
-You might ask what the point is. This concept is more clever than it might sound.
-* The caller pays nothing as their call isn't connected so they need not be worried about running out of credit or spending a fortune on their PAYG phone (often 20p/min or upto £1.50 p min if we used premium rate forwarding numbers).
-* We pay about 3p/min (using a sim only pay monthly deal like t-mobile Solo 30) rather than 10p to 15p/min if we had used a commerical call forwarding service as a non premium number.
-service.
-* The system handles the issue of multiple callers at the same time because we never phone out using the phone which we have advertised the number of. So if somebody calls while we are already speaking to somebody else, that's no problem, we either leave it till we have finished the current call or somebody else in the media tent phones them back using yet another phone.
-Using this system our workflow might look like this...
-. Phone rings - check the caller ID and log the number and time.
-. Call them back - ask them for their news, ensuring that they cover
-the who,what,where,when,why and how.
-. Type up and read back notes to them to check our interpretation.
-. We update their record on the log with their location.
-. Verify information - known person? suspect info? conflicting stories?
-. If need be, check log for others in that location and phone them to
-corroborate.
-. Expand notes and publish in time line / sms alerts as appropriate.
-We can also be a little more clever, making the reporting number and info line use the same single phone number. We set it up so that their call is answered after 10 seconds if they don't hang up first. Then they get the info line automated attendant thing (using blasterisk) and allows them to listen to the latest news updates etc or record reports/interviews for publication on indymedia etc. They would also be reminded about their option to make a dropped call next time if they want to speak to somebody in the media tent.
-== open SMS alerts ==
-These can be thought of as announcement only moderated mailing lists for sms users. The service we use is called twitter and is a commerical service. It costs us nothing to use and those that subscribe only pay for the text messages they send in order to sign up (standard text message rates apply). The messages that go out over the system have to be 140 characters or less. eg. "Around 300-400 people have moved off through Crawley shopping centre towards Brook House for the Transnational no border demo."
-People sign up by sending a simple text. Example:
-* To get news from the streets during the various protests text the message "follow streets" (without quotes) to 07624801423.
-* If your phone is not already registered on twitter you'll receive a confirmation txt and must reply with a username of your choice.
-* You will not be charged to receive the news alerts but you will pay for the two texts you send to sign up.
-* To stop receiving these sms updates, send another message to 07624 801423 saying 'leave streets'. Again, without the quotes.
-Over one hundred people signed up for 'news from the streets' (http://twitter.com/streets) and 61 updates were sent out during coverage of DSEi and the No Borders camp. (see http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/380691.html)
-The imcuk twitter (http://twitter.com/IMCUK), which is not actually connected to the indymedia uk network as such, was used for coverage of last years climate camp. It has 250 followers and 633 updates have been published since it was set up. (see http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378220.html?c=on#c178886)
-=== camp bulletins ===
-People sign up to this to receive bulletins relating to on site news such as changes to programme, emergency meetings, call outs for volunteers by working groups, etc. (http://twitter.com/c4cc)
-text 07624801423 with message "follow c4cc" (without quotes) to aign up then follow instructions in reply.
-=== action alerts ===
-People sign up to this to receive bulletins about actions / incidents taking place (mostly) outside of the camp. It would be useful to anyone needing to stay informed about the big picture during actions days, be it people on the media team, legal support, journalists, or anyone else to whom up-to-date information would be useful or desirable.
-text 07624801423 with message "follow imcuk" (without quotes) to aign up then follow instructions in reply.
-== working group sms systems ==
-There are private sms exchanges between members of specific working groups or affinity groups. It would probably use twitter although could be done using the free unlimited texts on our mobile contract.
-=== legal support ===
-An sms group for the legal observers and the legal team which would enable them to effectively contact each other with things like requests for help/replacements etc.
-=== media team ===
-An sms group for the media team which would enable them to effectively contact each other with things like requests for somebody to speak to a camera crew at the main gate for example.
-=== police liaison ===
-An sms group for the police liaison team which would enable them to effectively contact each other with things like requests for liaison at an emerging confrontation/incident.
-=== spokescouncil sms ===
-An sms group of all the neighbourhood dedicated phones in order to alert on call spokes to come to a spokes meeting (this might be duplicated by the camp bulletin alerts).
-= Workshops & Training =
-Workshops will be run daily in the media space on the days of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
-These include the media training workshops run by the media team.
-== Workshop Times ==
-(some are run simultaneously hence a,b,c  )
-* 4th Monday
-:30 - 11:30
- a) Security, privacy and encryption.
-:00 - 13:00
- a) Reassessing our approach to media
-* 5th Tuesday
-:30 - 11:30
- a) 112 volt and renewables workshop/walkabout
- b) Meet up for Video activists
- c) Meet up for Photographers
-.00 - 13:00
- a) Phones as tools for change
-:00
- b) Meet up for radio media activists
-* 6th Wednesday
-:30 - 11:30
- a) Content of media - what we want
-.00 - 13:00
-:00 - 15:00
- a) Radio workshop
-* 7th Thursday
-:30 - 11:30
- a) Taking, editing & publishing better direct action photographs
-.00 - 13:00
-* 8th Friday
-:30 - 11:30
- a) Pre action day video activist meet up
- b) Putting your Media online
-.00 - 13:00
- a) Alternative Media Distribution Channels
-== Workshop Descriptions ==
-'''Security, privacy and encryption'''
-Facilitator: Mike Harris
-Length: 60 mins
-Description: a workshop to cover concepts such as computer security, logins, passwords, mailing lists, wikis and forums, what is and isn't private, how to encrypt your data using GNU Privacy Guard (GPG), secure connections using ssh and SSL.  Will focus on Linux, but also consider Windows and Mac.
-'''Reassessing our approach to media'''
-Facilitator: Ben
-Length: 60 mins
-Reassessing alternative media and activist relations with the
-mainstream - our goals and how well we've achieved them.
-'''12 volt and renewables workshop/walkabout'''
-Facilitator: Ray-Mundo
-Length: 1 hour approx
-Description: Ray will talk about solar panels, wind generators, different types of batteries, accessories, strategies for getting the charge-storage-usage equation right (e.g. how many panels, how many batteries, how much supply for how long).  This workshop may well involve a short introduction at the Be The Media tent followed by a walkaround site to look at the various installations from a practical viewpoint.
-'''Phones as tools for change '''
-Facilitator: Ben
-Length: 60 mins
-Mobile phones as a reporting, organising and communication tool,
-including SMS, and asterisk automated voice systems.
-'''Content of media - what we want'''
-Facilitator: Ben
-Length: 60 - 90 mins
-Content issues - spectacle, conflict and binary reporting in alt media vs
-depth, document ion, issues and solutions
-'''Taking, editing & publishing better direct action photographs.'''
-Facilitator: Gary
-Length 2 hours
-Description: Improving the quality of DA pics for Indymedia & other DIY sites & publications. How pics of even tame actions can, with more thought to composition, viewpoint, framing & technical camera knowledge can be turned into interesting & dynamic pics, avoiding common faults. Many examples of good & bad pics.
-'''Putting your media online '''
-Faciliator: mickfuzz
-Length: 60 mins
-Description: A short guide to capturing and getting your audio video online. Using Audacity Avidemux and other appropriate capturing tools.
-'''Alternative Media Distribution Channels'''
-Facilitator: mickfuzz
-Length: 60 mins
-Description: A short guide to distributing your video work with a Video podcast. Looking at the Miro player and Channel guide, RSS2 (with enclosures), Wordpress.com, Blip.tv, and Archive.org. We'll look at these free online resources and talk about strategy for getting video work more audience.