[SLUG] Library display, a gathering and a push forward

[john at johnallsopp.co.uk]

Hi ppl

I've just spent a couple of hours wading through our discussions in
order to summarise where we are (lots of great ideas) and to highlight
what we need to do next.

Here's the result, take a look, and contribute answers where you can.

Cheers
J

The SLUG library display
========================

Dates and format:
-----------------

Bob has booked a library display from Tuesday November 29th to Sunday
December 11th. The photographs here
<http://www.johnallsopp.co.uk/slug/> (files starting imgp*) show a
three panel display, but we can have 6 freestanding boards (400mm x
600mm), possibly a header (200mm x 400mm) for the middle board and a
small table in front. We need to use velcro to attach our notices.


Our at-a-glance message:
------------------------

We need to deliver our message at a glance both front-on and as seen
from the entrance doorway. We wanted something that might work for all
our markets and so far this is the text:

Scarborough Linux User Group - Free/Open Source Software for everyone

Any improvement comments?


Display content:
----------------

The way the display is currently looking, we have essentially three
sides plus the backside facing the entrance (which will just display
our at-a-glance message).

The central panel will show our at-a-glance message at the top, and
then a main motivational poster, A3 or A2, which we'll get
commercially 'printed' and people will put in a £1 or so each to fund
that. Here, we'll answer the questions what is Linux, why does it
matter, and what can it do for you.

Underneath that will be a wrapped box with a 'letterbox' opening, and
a questionnaire. This is the Linux challenge. The idea is that someone
who is interested in Linux and wants to know more about what might be
suitable for them can complete a form about their needs (what they
want to do with their computer) and we'll collaboratively work out a
recommendation for them and respond by email in due course. JA is
prepared to organise this.

The left hand panel will contain pockets with A5 or trifold leaflets
about various aspects of Linux, for instance, 'choosing a
distribution', or 'Linux for school and study'. What subjects need to
be covered here? Let's decide subjects then share out the writing of
them.

The right hand panel (and I'm expanding a little on Al's thought) will
have a series of screenshots of our Linux machines together with a
paragraph about each of us (and a photo if you want). The idea is to
show Linux looking good and to show how we are real people not just
screenburned geeks. How many people are willing/able to produce an A5
like this about themselves, we need five at least?

Somewhere we should have something, whether it's a small 'card' or a
strip of tear-offs so people can take our contact details. Our website
address across the whole thing will be a variant on our normal
address, eg. http://www.scarborough.lug.org.uk/lib so we can see how
many people came to visit.


SLUG graphic design standards:
------------------------------

In an effort to show a unified display, JA is suggesting we come up
with a set of design standards, which would mean every document we
produce looks like it comes from the same organisation, and the
display as a whole looks good. JA will attempt to carve out some time
to look at this


Handling the resulting enquiries:
---------------------------------

Can we install Linux for people?

Steve's the only person who has put his hand up as feeling capable of
doing this, although JA will probably feel capable of that soon.

We find problems with installing at the person's home and with asking
them to bring their machine to one of our houses or to a meeting. Our
best bet seems to be an installfest style event at a venue which has
an Internet connection, the favourite being Scalby school.

Ideally, those wanting an install should prepare by backing up their
system and providing us with details of their hardware, so a sheet
explaining that and telling them how to get the information we need is
required. We can then prepare ahead of time, ideally letting them know
if anything they have is likely to pose a difficulty (eg. scanners,
sound cards). This suggests we would be able to book people into their
own hour-long (or whatever) slots.

We also need an easy to understand liability waver for them to sign.

There seems to be a consensus that we choose a distro that will suit
most people and get used to installing it and offer only that. We need
to choose a distribution and then our installers need to do at least a
trial installation. Who wants to recommend what? Let's have this
discussion and decide, since this is probably on the critical path.

HTH
J