[Infopoint] The state of the (Infopoint)?

[Stephen Parkes]

I always thought that computer fairs were not the best places for
infopoints but they have the advantage that everyone there has a
computer (or is getting one) and they are fairly regular.  They aren't
generally good environments for a converstation these days unlike when
they first started because they are hard commercial environments which
makes casual infomation exchange a difficult matter and why most
people where more interested in what they could get for free and then
dispearing back into the crowd.  Like the majority of people when the
problem of where to hold infopoints has been bought up I have no idea
of a better place to hold regular infopoints than computer fairs but I
think better use could be made of the one off event.

Going back in time, way way back to a point before infopoint was even
imagined, (like star wars this isn't it), the day Windows 2000
launched Wolves LUG had an outing to Brum to try and convert a few
people outside computer shops with great success.  It just sort of
worked that day.  In fact it was the largest meeting of WolvesLUG to
date even if it was in a different city during the middle of a work
day.  I have no idea why we were successful that day (or why the
famous apathy didn't kick in given the fact it was the lugs most
apathic members plus jono (in crusader rather than apathic mode, he
has two modes as most people soon spot)).  Everyone had a great time
and we met some people who wanted to try linux, some people who had
tried linux and some regular linux users.  Several new people
subscribed to the Wolves LUG list, several to the South Brum list and
we met one of the members of the Staffs LUG (quiet place their list ;)
).  One off events like this seem to gain more popular support among
potential advocates than regular events which start to feel like a
chore.

That all said I am the least useful person to have at an infopoint
because I abuse people who are wrong and/or stupid which isn't the
best practise for advocating anything exp. not in these days when
freesoftware is about being nice to everyone ;)  Which is why I limit
my support to the mailing list rather than turning up and helping in
person.

The only fairs I have been to over the last ten years have been in
Wolverhampton and Brum and even on the quiet days they are hectic so I
would confirm Tonys suggestion that 3 is a sensible minimum.

The main problem with infopoint as it stands im(ns)ho is the lack of
focus.  By targeting indivuals at computer fairs who already have a
computer, know what they want to do with it and already have a means
of doing those things it's like introducing alien technology.  It's
different to what people know and they might not love what they know
but they know it and anything else is scary.  With those people you
can only target they FUD they have heard, the freind of a friend
stories about how difficult linux is, how games don't work, how you
can't open a word document or use your favourite tools.  This can only
go so far because unless you hold this persons hand after they leave
the stall and make sure they don't create their own FUD story to do
the rounds the success rate in converting a user of propritory
software to FOSS is probably so low it's zero for most events which
has to be disheartening to people donating time to support the effort.

I think a better person to target would be a business user.  Which
obviously means there's some money in it for the consultants working
the fairs which can only be a good thing for the longevity of the
project.  Normally I am against the commercialisation of such things
so I hope everybody appreachiates the leap I am making here.  I would
rather SME's heard about FOSS solutions from grassroots and went to
other SME's to get their solutions than hear about it from IBM or
worse the thousands of consultants who suck MS's collective dicks at
each meeting and can't see a solution past their MSCE cramming
sessions.  Convert the small business user and all their employees get
to see a working linux solution in the workplace each day and will
become immune to the FUD slinging.

sparkes

-- 
Steve 'sparkes' Parkes - blog http://zx-81.com