[Colchester] Linux Install party in Colchester
Jai Harrison
jai at jaiharrison.com
Thu Feb 14 15:43:13 GMT 2008
Hey Jack,
Well done summarising all of this information and also on contacting
different venues and services that have the potential to host us. I'll
try my best to be available and in the LUG channel at the designated
time.
Even if I don't make it then I should be available to help with the
event at weekends, evenings or during the day on Tuesday or Thursday
and am happy to do so provided it doesn't cost me to do so (other than
the cost of those LUG shirts being made that we "agreed" on a while
back).
Jai
On 2/14/08, Sam Tuke <samtuke at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Phill,
>
> Great, thanks for your support! I look forward to hearing your ideas on monday.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Sam.
> ----------------------------------------
> > Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:13:14 +0000
> > From: phillip.sacre at gmail.com
> > To: colchester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > Subject: Re: [Colchester] Linux Install party in Colchester
>
> >
> > 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 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.
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Colchester mailing list
> >> Colchester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> >> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/colchester
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > web: http://phillsacre.me.uk
> > msn: phill at mooseofming.co.uk
>
>
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