Tim Dobson is a council member of Manchester Digital - Manchester's independent trade association representing the digital sector.

About me:

I started school at Padfield County Primary before attending Manchester Grammar School for my secondary education and GCSE's. I then went on to do my A levels in Applied ICT, Geology and French at the Marple Campus of the Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College.

My professional life is rooted in Information Technology, I am currently employed as both a Systems Engineer for a small Internet Telephony consultants in Manchester, as well as being a contracted part-time systems administrator for a large corporation with responsibility for their Xen Web Cluster.

One of my passions is sailing, I succeeded in becoming a full RYA Dinghy Instructor at the age of 16, I then went on to organise the Glossop entries to the Southport 24 Hour Race for Glossop Sailing Club, which led to me being awarded the the High Peak Young Sports Leader award.

My interest in computing and digital rights grew after my introduction to free software whilst still at school. From there my ambitions for and involvement with the Manchester and later the UK technology scene grew to the point that I now travel widely to attend meetings and have given a variety of talks on many issues including "Engaging Young People in Technology" at BECTA's Open Source schools 'unconference'.

Long Biography

Tim Dobson is a council member of Manchester Digital - Manchester's independent trade association representing the digital sector.

Tim started school at Padfield County Primary before attending to Manchester Grammar School for his secondary education and GCSE's. He then went on to do A-levels in Applied ICT, Geology and French at the Marple Campus of the Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College.

Professionally, Tim is a Systems Engineer for Data Messaging & Communications Ltd, a role in which he is tasked with providing support for, maintaining and developing internal systems with a view to ensuring scalability. Tim is also a Contracted Xen Sysadmin for a large corporation with responsibility for their Xen Web Cluster.

In his spare time Tim is a keen sailor and activist for Digital rights and free software.

Sailing

At the age of 8 Tim learned to sail, under the tuition of the Glossop Sailing Club (GSC) he reached the level of RYA Assistant Instructor aged just 15 years and in 2007 Tim succeeded in becoming a full RYA Dinghy Instructor at the age of 16, the youngest one is allowed to qualify, at the National Watersports Centre for Wales.

In recognition of his efforts in organising the Glossop entries to the Southport 24 Hour Race, Glossop Sailing Club nominated Tim for a Sports Award in the High Peak. He went on to win the High Peak Young Sports Leader award. As a result of his efforts generally and his award specifically, Tim was invited by Tom Levitt, MP for the High Peak, to a Young Persons Reception at 10 Downing Street highlighting the achievements of young people in their local communities, where he was introduced to the Prime Minister.

Computing

Tim's interest in computing grew after his introduction to free software whilst still at school, indeed whilst completing his GCSE's Tim also built a commercial website for a Manchester clothing firm, essentially his first job. From there Tims ambition and involvement in the Manchester and later the UK technology scene grew.

Tim has been extensively involved in Manchester's business technology communities, organising events, assisting with conferences and is a familiar face at local networking evenings.

Free Software, Open Source, and Digital Rights.

In late 2007 Tim became a GNU Webmaster and started to actively participate in in Manchester's Free Software community, helping shape the first free software interest group in the UK, Manchester Free Software Group. Over the years Tim has attended many local, regional and national meetings relating to technology, innovation and Free software. He has spoken about "Engaging Young People in Technology" at BECTA's Open Source schools 'unconference' and helped with organisation of Barcamp Manchester 2.

He has made a commitment to promote free software, taking the position that it enables social development and technological development, removing the barriers and restrictions inherent in its its propriety and limited contemporaries.

However Tim's focus isn't only limited to the UK, he attended FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Software Developers Europe Meeting) in Brussels, Belgium, last February and worked to ensure that decision makers in the European Parliament were aware of the issues surrounding the now defunct IPRED public outcry.

Digital Rights

As a member of the Pirate Party UK Tim he believes that it is urgent that Parliament reform copyright and patent law, legalise non-commercial file sharing and reduce the excessive length of copyright protection. He wants to ensure that when creative works are sold, it’s the artists who benefit, not monopoly rights holders, a patent system that doesn’t stifle innovation or make life saving drugs so expensive that patients die.

Tim feels that there is a need to end the excessive surveillance, profiling, tracking and monitoring of innocent people by Government and big businesses.

Tim wishes to ensure that everyone has real freedom of speech and real freedom to enjoy and participate in our shared culture.

Digital Economy Act

Tim has organised protests against the Digital Economy Act. He felt that the Act had been written at the behest of the media industry with no regard for the interests of the public. Appalled by the fact that the Act was rushed through parliament without appropriate debate using a process known as "wash up" (which was intended for use on uncontroversial bills) and believes that it will have quite serious negative implications for Digital Industries in the UK. Whilst presented as a law about preventing copyright infringement, the bill has far reaching powers, allowing the government to block websites, (social networks, wikileaks, wikipedia), at will and potentially causing hardship to those who rely on shared or public internet access for essential services.

Local

Tim is working on a calendar of local and Manchester wide activities in the run up to the election campaign with the intention of getting his message out to voters and the public generally. His intention is to meet with local people, businesses as well as attend Neighbourhood Policing meetings so that he can properly represent the views of his constituents.

Tim also intends to take part in the Great Manchester Run on the 16th, part of the Great Run series of road races in the UK and is sponsored by BUPA. He has been in training for a number of months and is looking forward to the experience.