coffee.geek.nz

I enjoyed my time at girl guides, and while I can't commit to regular weekly meetings I still want to give back.

I wanted to contribute by teaching programming, or how to assemble a PC, or bring the OLPC sugar OS to a meeting, or maybe some smart crafting -- alas, i was told they can only do things that are on the programme, and contribute towards badges.

I then heard NZ girl guides were writing a new programme. I wanted to help -- especially in the technology and engineering areas. When I looked at a copy of their old programme, their technology badge included sending a fax, using a photocopy machine, and that's about it.

I especially love this badge, from the USA's girl scouts:
http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/practical/2006/fall/girls-and-negotiation-10...

Babcock's research focuses on the differences between men and women when it comes to initiating negotiations, as well as what factors hold women back from asking for what they want. So, she set out to teach girls at an early age the kind of negotiating that's taught in professional schools.

"It's not the stereotypical, macho I-win-you-lose approach, but the cooperative style that's more productive for both men and women," said Babcock.

Wouldn't it be great to have more technology, and some pay negotiation skills, in the NZ guide programme?

The following things are making me happy:

Finding I'm volunteering for One Laptop Per Child nearly every day and changing the world, and really enjoying it.

How the OLPC effort in Aotearoa is growing growing growing.

How many people came out to talk about how stupid Mark Shuttleworth's comment was (you know which one). "Girls" are among those that made open source what it is today, whether shuttleworth realises it or not.

Statusnet project going from strength to strength (and starting on the journey to world domination)

How Drupal is no longer this unheard of strange CMS that Brenda keeps pitching -- it's being used everywhere, for years now, in place in NZ that i've never been near. Clients turn up already wanting Drupal.

Public sector remix project gaining steam for being awesome.

How many amazing people are coming to Wellington for LCA2010 - including open source ninjas i've "known" for years and never met.

oh, and the thought that in about 2 months I will be able to see my own feet again.

hurrah for Mauricio - who arrived with a cdma <-> wifi router thingie and provided us with intartubes at the hotel.

Sunday involved lotsa slide preparation for my colleague (there really is nothing like the last minute) - for me i meet a lot of people, some i've only known online.

We picked up loot - the usual conference bag and paper spammage - a bottle of wine - shirts (not t-shirts, first noticable opensource/microsoft difference).

A thread on wellingtonista, a blog from my own city - skims the surface of "Are single gender events a good idea?" -- amongst the comments is a brilliant comment from Natalie Fergusson