Add draft report of SFD activity

proceedings/2017-09-16.md

+September 16th, 2017: Software Freedom Day
+==========================================
+
+**DRAFT VERSION**
+
+```
+Venue : Manaveeyam Samskara Veedhi
+Time  : 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
+```
+
+## Volunteers Present
+- Aji Ahamed
+- Ashish Kurian Thomas
+- Aswin Babu Karuvally
+- Athul R T
+- Gokul Das B
+- Jithin Thankachan
+- Kannan V M
+- Madhav V
+- Tanzeem Mohammed Basheer
+- **ADD FULL NAMES OF ICFOSS AND SPACE MEMBERS** 
+
+## Public Outreach Session 
+As part of [Software Freedom Day](https://www.softwarefreedomday.org/), a stall
+was setup at the cultural heart of the city - Manaveeyam Samskara Veedhi, by
+FSUG in association with ICFOSS and SPACE to reach out to the common public to
+promote awareness about Free Software and hardware. The modest stall was manned
+by a combined team of FSUG members, ICFOSS and SPACE staff.
+
+### Exhibition and Promotion
+The stall had Laptops, Media Centre, Hardware and promotional handouts with the
+following themes:
+
+- General Desktop (Laptop)
+- Games (Laptop)
+- Software Development, Science & Research (Laptop)
+- Creativity Tools (Laptop)
+- Office Tools (Laptop)
+- Media Centre (RaspberryPi + large screen)
+- Open Hardware (Arduino, Raspeberry Pi, Papilio, BusPirate, STM32F3DISCOVERY)
+- Pamphlet about philosophies and advantages of free software
+
+The volunteers engaged the public on a wide range of topics, including:
+
+- Philosophies and advantages of Free software
+- General demonstration of all software
+- Detailed demonstration of software as requested by individuals
+- Guidance on specific software requirements
+- Awareness on software security and safety of free software
+- Demonstration of open hardware
+- Guidance for general public to join the community and avail help
+
+### Response from General Public and Outcome
+Visitors turned out in large numbers and in a steady flow despite occassional
+showers. Public was very enthusiastic in engaging the volunteers and learning
+about free software and open hardware. Many visitors were present at the stall
+for long time periods making queries, often on specific topics like media
+editing, DTP software, software security, programming, robotics and scientific
+stack. Many visitors came after seeing the news paper article. However, many
+visitors who happened to visit the stall just by chance expressed how long they
+were looking for help with free software.
+
+The participation and response of the public unassailably demonstrates the
+requirement for frequent public outreach and awareness campaigns on software
+freedom, open technology and technology in general. Considering the response,
+the activity should be considered an unequivocal success.
+
+### Planning, Execution and Credits
+**Planning:** The planning was done well in advance starting with the
+[last meeting](proceedings/2017-08-27.md). Initially planned as a multiple day
+campaign for Onam, it was later changed to a single day activity for software
+freedom day. The plan was made and tracked using the
+[plansheet](plansheets/2017-09-16.md).
+
+**Coordination:** Bulk of the coordination and arrangement was done by Athul,
+with a lot of invaluable arrangement and contact contributions from Aiswarya.
+Several other volunteers including Madhav, Ashish and Jithin got involved in
+coodination at various stages of the activity, without whom, the activity
+would have been nearly impossible. All the volunteers at the venue were
+enthusiastic to setup the scene and engage the public.
+
+**Pamphlet and Website:** A higlight of the campaign was a pamphlet that was
+beautifully designed at short notice by Kannan. The pamphlet detailed the
+advantages of free software, information about common free software
+applications and contact information. It was printed under supervision of
+Anirudh.
+
+Though the activity was planned at a short notice, the information was updated
+on our [website](https://tvm.fsug.in/index.html) with a quick action by Ashish.
+
+**Improvements:** The actvities were well executed despite being done at last
+moment. However, it should be considered as a learning opportunity and the
+following improvements may be made for the next event:
+
+1. Should inform media earlier with bigger news articles to attract more public
+2. More media attention should be sought for the event to reach a wider audience
+3. Should inform the nodal co-ordiantion agency for the event
+(The international software freedom day committee in this case)
+4. Should inform our higher level communities (like Free Software Community of
+India and GNULinuxLovers) well in advance
+5. Invite a few VIPs for public support
+6. Should ask for a tent covered from 3 sides to avoid rain related issues
+7. Should prepare and test exhibits in accordance to theme on the prior day
+8. Keep all highlighted applications running continuously at the venue
+9. Make a facility for immediate membership enrolment 
+
+**Special Thanks:** We are grateful to Director ICFOSS and Director SPACE, who
+were constantly motivating the members to proceed against odds, difficulties and
+uncertainites. ICFOSS and SPACE were also instrumental as sponsor and staging
+space. We also thank *Manaveeyam cultural group* for guiding us with the setup.