[Colchester] Re: Colchester Digest, Vol 46, Issue 6

[Toby Whaymand]

I would like to help out too if it okay... cant promise because of work

On Thu, 2008-02-14 at 12:15 +0000, colchester-request at mailman.lug.org.uk
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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Install party to help addicts quit Windows (Toby Whaymand)
>    2. Re: Linux Install party in Colchester (Phillip Sacre)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:12:53 +0000
> From: Toby Whaymand <toby.whaymand at ntlworld.com>
> Subject: [Colchester] Install party to help addicts quit Windows
> To: colchester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Message-ID: <1202980373.6564.7.camel at toby-desktop>
> Content-Type: text/plain
> 
> I find that hard core addicts knows who who be at Heroin level if we was
> talking about drugs always gives me or ask me to install a Windows games
> or application that just so happens does not seem to work on Wine or
> CrossOver.  However I know that my Linux skills are still very weak in
> some areas and when this happens I always tend to get the "Linux is
> rubbish" response and my attempts to explain then go on deaf ears....
> 
> I will try and get a Linux game from Linux Games Publishing this might
> help me promote Linux better in the future.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Toby
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:13:14 +0000
> From: "Phillip Sacre" <phillip.sacre at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colchester] Linux Install party in Colchester
> To: "Colchester Linux User Group Mailing List"
> 	<colchester at mailman.lug.org.uk>
> Message-ID:
> 	<491a76630802140113o172ee8aoc127bed93c40067 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Assuming I'm free on the date I would love to help out with this!
> 
> I'll try and be on IRC next Monday @ 7.
> 
> Cheers,
> Phill
> 
> On 14/02/2008, jack spratt <lord_spratt at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Plans for Colchester public install party
> >
> >  By Sam Tuke on 13.02.08
> >
> >
> > Contents:
> > 1. Whom this concerns
> > 2. Summary of planned activities
> > 3. Abbreviated minutes of relevant material from Colchester LUG meeting
> > 07.02.08
> > 4. Progress since LUG meeting
> > 5. Summary of current situation and next steps
> > 6. Meeting of those concerned
> >
> >
> > 1.
> >
> > This email concerns those associated with the Colchester LUG and Linux users
> > in general who have shown and now wish to show an interest in the
> > organisation of a local 'Install Party' of Linux on the machines of those
> > who attend.
> >
> > Members of the LUG who are not interested in the promotion of Linux amongst
> > the public need have no part in the proceeding described below, and should
> > not feel any compulsion to get involved.
> >
> > This is an open project, not exclusive to attendees of LUG meetings, and an
> > attempt will be made to make use of the help of anyone who volunteers
> > themselves.
> >
> > The more diversity of skill, opinion and experience we have in the
> > organisational team the better!
> >
> >
> > 2.
> >
> > The primary purpose of holding the 'install party' is to increase awareness
> > and use of the Linux Operating system amongst the general public of
> > Colchester. All details of the install party are designed with this in mind.
> >
> > Loosely then, we intend to hold an install party:
> > -that is at a public location
> > -that is open to the public
> > -that promotes Linux and free software
> > -that provides an opportunity for the public and their computer to be
> > introduced to Linux by 'experts'
> > -that is completely free for the public, where possible
> > -that is entirely run and organised voluntarily by free software enthusiasts
> >
> > Hopefully the above points are basic and uncontentious. They are nonetheless
> > open to revision.
> >
> >
> > 3.
> >
> > Having established the foundational conception of the 'install party',
> > discussion and commentary about this event which occurred at the latest CLUG
> > meeting will now be reproduced. Talk and note taking at this event was not
> > in any particular order, I'll try and group together points of a similar
> > nature.
> >
> > Abbreviated, (Unattributed) Minutes:
> >
> > ~ The meeting should be held in a 'public' place because of i. legal
> > implications and responsibilities (health and safety etc.); ii. easy public
> > access, problems locating the premises etc.; public acceptability and
> > image/presentation of the group/'party'
> >
> > ~ The chosen meeting location will ideally be well known to the public, or
> > at least be easily findable (have its own website with map possibly, e.g.
> > Colchester Central Library)
> >
> > ~The premises needs to be low cost (ideally free) due to the 'party's'
> > voluntary nature
> >
> > ~The premises must be open at times suitable to the 'install party's'
> > requirements
> >    -Suitable times for the 'party' will primarily need to meet the needs of
> > the 'installers', with the secondary goal of coinciding with periods outside
> > of common working hours to encourage public participation. Evenings or
> > weekends may be preferable
> >
> > ~ The premises needs to provide the opportunity for Internet connectivity
> > because of the need for:
> >     - Problem solving, and
> >     - Downloading (additional) software packages, such as drivers and other
> > user specific material
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ Prepared (pre-downloaded) software should be brought to the 'party' by
> > installers because this will:
> >     - Speed up the installation and configuration progress; no wait and
> > search for software online during the 'party' itself
> >     - Minimise bandwidth requirements of on-site Internet connection
> >
> > ~ These 'pre-cached' packages could be chosen and organised in a variety of
> > ways:
> >     -Likely critical updates and commonly used packages for the primary
> > supported distro could simply be downloaded and stored before hand
> >     - A simple server machine could be set up to host packages, and/or auto
> > cache any packages downloaded on the day, possibly via a python script, to
> > make the process more efficient.
> >     - For distros with smaller repositories, the repositories could be
> > downloaded before hand for optimum package availability (say, for those
> > which would fit on DL-DVD)
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ A variety of distributions on liveCD should be brought in case
> > demonstration is required for intermediate users or those with specific
> > tastes/requirements (say five or six?)
> >
> > ~ Demo machines should be provided for those completely unfamiliar with
> > Linux/KDE/GNOME to dispense with their fears. Ideally a selection of Distros
> > would be available to try on these demo machines
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ Whilst all types of prospective Linux user should be catered for, thought
> > needs to be given to the party's specific target audience. Advanced/capable
> > windows users curious about the 'unknown' of other operating systems may be
> > a good and receptive demographic to target in this way in advertising and
> > distro selection etc.. Narrowing our focus in this way can make our
> > advertising material more effective, and appealing to too wide an audience
> > presents several problems.
> >
> > ~ Advertising of the event will be key to its success or failure, good
> > material needs to be distributed widely (and in strategic places?)
> >
> > ~ Should the event have an associated website? This would present the
> > opportunity to:
> >    - Submit requests for help in advance of the meeting, guaranteeing time
> > slots etc.
> >    - Submit hardware information in advance of the 'party' to allow better
> > preparation; specific drivers downloaded, compatibility researched etc.
> >    - Download a script to quickly retrieve the client's crucial hardware and
> > diagnostic information (this idea has potential problems - suspicious
> > software to prospective attendee, too much effort for attendee, etc. etc.)
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ Liability policies need to be resolved before the 'party' - will attendees
> > need to agree to a waiver? Paper or verbal?
> >
> > ~ An external USB hard disk drive should be available to backup attendees
> > data before any dangerous procedures proceed. USB = wide compatibility,
> > external = mobile. Either one large or several smaller HDDs could be used.
> > The funding/sourcing of such a device was unresolved. Alternatively
> > attendees could be requested to backup all data before attending, although
> > some may not be able.
> >
> > ~ Attendees may be requested to partition their drives before attending to
> > speed up the installation process and minimise liability of the 'installers'
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ Activity at the 'party' should always be present: this provides an
> > encouraging and professional atmosphere for those arriving. In this regard,
> > the activity in question going on is not so critical as that there is
> > activity going on. Installers will thus appear occupied and receptive to
> > newcomers.
> >
> > ~ A certain level of presentability should be reached by 'installers' and
> > 'party' representatives - this helps ensure respect and trust from attendees
> > ("no beer stained shirts")
> >
> > =
> >
> > ~ Should help with any other operating systems that Linux be offered?
> >    - Benefits: potentially attracts greater interest and numbers; attending
> > is more desirable to public
> >    - Negative effects: may inspire antagonism from local IT firms,
> > potentially sidetracks interest away from free software, requires skills
> > irrelevant to CLUG
> >
> > End of Minutes
> >
> >
> > 4.
> >
> > I have made some inquiries regarding the location of the 'install party' I
> > mentioned no dates, and listed requirements as i. Power points (several);
> > ii. Space for 20-30 people (intended to represent need for equipment space),
> > and; iii. Internet access if possible. I have contacted:
> >
> > 1. Colchester Central Library
> > 2. Hole in the Wall Pub
> > 3. Colchester campus/institute
> > 4. Community and volunteers centre
> > 5. Greenstead Community Centre
> >
> > 1. In a message left on my voicemail a library representative said they
> > would be happy to host us, but were very busy with book festivals etc. and
> > said availability before April would be unlikely.
> >
> > 2. The Hole in the wall were also very receptive, I spoke to the manager
> > about the hire of their small lower seating area in the rear right corner of
> > the pub facing its direction from the town centre (the same place we were
> > sat at the last CLUG meeting). He said that either evenings or Saturdays
> > would be fine, Saturdays they are open from 12-12. He gave the impression
> > that we could use the area for as long as we liked, and that attendees and
> > installers not consuming alcohol would not be a problem (I said tea and
> > coffees would likely be consumed). The manager also said that wireless
> > internet could be made available as they have their own network there, which
> > is not usually available for public use. This can be discussed with the team
> > there at a later date. The above is all available for free. However, for
> > those that haven't seen this seating area, I'll try and explain its
> > limitations. Firstly, its obviously in a pub, which is not necessarily a
> > good image for the meet and may turn off many potential attendees, also
> > children may not be very welcome. It is a small space, currently with four
> > fairly large wooden tables occupying it, and the management may not be
> > willing to change its layout at all. If we could rearrange the furniture the
> > space may prove sufficient. There is only one electric point from what I
> > could see, that appeared to have been installed 40 years ago or more.
> > Granted multi-sockets and extension cables can be used, but its not an ideal
> > situation by any means - pushing into several kilowatts may not be a good
> > idea on an old socket like this. The suitability of The Hole in the Wall
> > clearly needs more discussion.
> >
> > 3. I was referred to the Colchester Venues dept., who quoted a variety of
> > venues. The facilities I was offered were not however aimed at community
> > projects - meetings, but seemed designed to cater largely for business and
> > other commercial customers. I was offered loan of lecture theatres, hotel
> > 'function' suites (with included food) and conference halls. The university
> > facilities were priced at 81.90 per day plus 63 for computer facilities
> > and C.50 per hour for a technician to 'enable' the computer facilities.
> > Alternatively hotel prices started at 40 per person attending. None of the
> > facilities offered seemed suitable. However, I tried to make contact with
> > the 'Departmental Administrator of Computing and Electronics' who might be
> > help to offer other options or support, possibly as an education event.
> >
> > 4. This community centre is located near the Castle on Colchester high
> > street. They were quite receptive to my enquiries, but had reservations
> > about the capacity of the room they had to offer. No specific answer was
> > given to my inquiries about internet availability. Hire it not available in
> > at weekends (unless with 'CEO's' permission), or in the evenings. The rate
> > for the hire of the room by a voluntary organisation is 20. I was invited
> > to go and inspect the room in question to judge the suitability for myself,
> > which I have yet to do.
> >
> > 5. I received no reply from here on separate occasions on a Friday, and left
> > a message stating my interest. I have yet to hear back from them.
> >
> >
> > 5.
> >
> > Currently it seems we have no obvious choice of venue. Questions such as
> > dates, default distro, key installers, finance methods and others remain.
> > Assembling a list of individuals definitely wishing to participate in this
> > event would be a useful activity, and so I ask that such people make
> > themselves known either to me or to the recipients of the mailinglist
> > generally. We'll have a better idea of where we stand once this is
> > accomplished.
> >
> > Scouting of alternative venues should continue, and any suggestions would be
> > appreciated. Centrality and public awareness, as well as times of
> > availability are critical in this regard.
> >
> > Work on promotional material can begin immediately (posters, fliers). I
> > intend to do this as soon as I have time, and welcome any submissions from
> > others. I'm also happy to hand the project of poster design to anyone
> > sufficiently skilled (I'm a novice using svg)  again, let me know what you
> > have to offer.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 6.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I suggest that those wishing to participate in any way with this event, and
> > those who don't but have something to say about it, join together on the
> > CLUG IRC channel this Monday 18th at 7pm to further discuss the contents of
> > this communication and the upcoming 'install party'. If anyone has a problem
> > with this suggestion email me to let me know.
> >
> > Many thanks for reading this mail, and supporting the 'install party' 
> > together we can have a big impact on Linux awareness and usership in this
> > fine county!
> >
> > Contact me direct: samtuke [at] hotmail [dot] com
> >
> >  ________________________________
> >  Sent from Yahoo! - a smarter inbox.
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