-------- Forward -------- Subject: Event Outreach: Open Source Tools for Open Content Translation, Q4 2007 Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:38:08 -0700 From: Allen Gunn <gunner @ aspirationtech.org>

Howdy iCommons friends,

Hope this finds you well. I'm happily in the Dubrovnik groove and digging the amazing job being done by the organizers. I think everyone here should buy Tom, Kerryn, and the whole host team the beverages of their choice in perpetuity :^)

I've been SO busy having fun in the Open Education track that I totally forgot to schedule a BOF session last night on a project near and dear to my heart, which I believe may be of interest to a number of you...

I run an NGO called Aspiration (www.aspirationtech.org), and our mission is to facilitate the creation of better software tools for the global NGO community. We have received a grant from the Open Society Institute to organize an event with the working title "Open Source Tools for Open Content Translation". We are still confirming our local partners, but at this point we are planning for the event to take place in Europe in late 2007.

The goals of the event are several:

* To convene practitioners who have interest, experience and passion around open source tools for open content translation * To map out the range of great work that's already being done, with the dual purpose of better connecting existing efforts and identifying gaps in the tool space * To brainstorm and prototype solutions to address gaps and better empower the broad spectrum of folks who have open content translation needs

While we'll consider all forms of translation software, the event focus will be on tools that support human translation of content, as opposed to machine translation (though there will be plenty of room for all interests). Aspiration organizes "user driven" technology events, so we'll prioritize the involvement of those with open content translation needs who can articulate those needs and their visions for better tools to developers and other implementors.

We are focusing on outreach and engagement at this point to get better acquainted with the broadest range of people and groups active in this rich community of practice, and to look for guidance in refining the goals of the gathering to meet the needs of the community. We very much want this event to complement the great efforts currently in play, rather than duplicating what's already being done.

I invite anyone who's interested to email me off list (or if you're here at iSummit, just look around for me; I look like http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksurman/548192646/, though not always that silly :^), and if possible join me for a pivo or three to discuss your thoughts on how this event could best serve the open content movement.

And if you just want to stay in the loop, email me off list and I'll make sure you hear when we announce the event details.

thanks & peace, gunner

Allen Gunn Executive Director, Aspiration +1.415.216.7252 www.aspirationtech.org

Aspiration: "Better Tools for a Better World"

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