Software Freedom Day 2008 - a damp squib in England?

I have to admit Software Freedom Day has passed me by so far, but from the sound of it, I'm not alone.

The day is intended to promote and celebrate free and open source software, taking to the streets to give out CDs and educate people.

There's a fair amount of activities worldwide, but not much in England as far as I can tell. The biggest event in the UK looks to be in Dundee, while south of the border, there may be events in Birmingham and Colchester - though it is hard to distinguish this year's plans from last year's on the SFD Wiki.

Devon and Cornwall look like coming up trumps with a demonstration (I assume, as in "exhibition" rather than as in "protest") and a live link to Cameroon - which seems appropriate, since most of the energy in SFD'08 seems to be coming from the developing world.

And London? Well, Kingston-on-Thames has a plan (again, undated):
* Meet outside school or train station at around 1300.
* Go into Kingston town centre, make some noise and hand out many Ubuntu cds, flyers, balloons etc
* Unfortunately no speakers were able to speak, so no talks and straight into the social.
* End and begin a social evening in nearby public house, restaurant etc.

Blogger Fordiebianco says:

"Now, call me a notorious moaner, but is that all London has to offer? No install fest, no radio interviews, newspaper articles, tables on highstreets full of glittering compies?

"Sad. Very sad.

"P.S. And for those of you wondering why I’m not doing anything this year, I have not even been able to contact my local LUG. Apparently it’s extinct.I'm wishing all the best to those who go."

I have to agree. I've got other duties on Saturday, and hope the gallant Linux users of Kingston and elsewhere have a good day.