[Infopoint] InfoPoint USA

[alan c]

David Goodwin wrote:
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> Hector Pomales wrote:
>> Hello, I was reading the Linux user and developer magazine and i ran into an
>> article talking about infopoint, as I was reading I got more interested in
>> helping out but when I went to the site infopointproject.org and did a
>> little research to see if there is one near me I felt bad. I have only been
>> on the open source community for only 5 years now and to this date I have
>> not heard anything about Linux information on book stores or computer fairs,
>> actually nowhere, i mean there is Linux magazines and books on the book
>> stores near me but nothing like what you guys do. I'm interested on helping
>> and delivering the information to the people on fairs near me, all I want to
>> know is if it's possible for me to do it. I live in Methuen, Massachusetts,
>> I have gone to some computer show in New Hapshire and Boston, but, I have
>> heard of near places besides does two I mention that run fairs and computer
>> shows.
> 
> 
> Hi Hector,
> 
> It's great you saw Katherine's article - as far as I know it's a concept
> that hasn't spread outside of the UK yet.
> 
> Anyone is free to 'join in' - it just requires time commitment
> (burning/sourcing cds* and spending hours manning a 'stall' like thing).
> 
> We're not sure computer fairs are the best venue for the infopoint - at
> least not in the form they tend to be in the UK; targetting public
> libraries etc could be better as people may not think you're trying to
> sell them something there.
> 
> thanks
> David.
> 
> * - The Ubuntu CDs always seemed to go down very well due to their nice
> packaging, and the fact Canonical would post large boxes to people for
> free :)
> 
> - --
> David Goodwin
> 
> [ david at codepoets dot co dot uk ]
> [ http://www.codepoets.co.uk       ]

Hi Hector
(Welcome!)

Probably I am regarded as one of the 'stalwarts' in uk at the present 
time.

I can heartily recommend showing at computer fairs as regularly as 
possible. I can usually have a table at a local one on a monthly 
basis. The attenders are 95% Windows junkies or helpless users, and it 
can be both an acquired tastes and an effort. Once people become 
aware, I find they are sick of using MS anyway, but are frightened to 
change! Fear is a significant issue. Very much a sharp end marketing 
event, and nothing like a LUG atmosphere.

I am quite sure that people *expect* a showing or marketing of a 
product  or product range nowadays, or they simply do not believe it 
exists.

'I advertise, therefore I exist' (apologies to Descartes).

However, I have no hesitation in also recommending any other, and many 
other, methods of showing a presence, offering information, and at a 
very very basic level offering advice and support. It helps to 
establish an awareness, a brand image where appropriate, and also some 
simple common sense initial support about starting linux use.

I organised a local event for 'Software Freedom Day (International)', 
and I also give talks when requested, to local computer clubs, about 
FOSS or - 'living without Windows' - these are quite popular at 
present, and a couple of clubs follow up with a club session of an 
actual install.

I distribute leaflets locally including libraries, on Free and Open 
Source Software. I note however, that while people attend computer 
fairs and clubs with an obvious interest in computers, the people who 
attend my local libraries have many interests, not primarily 
computers, and very few leaflets are taken from those locations. There 
is a truth though- If there is *no* leaflet there, then you can be 
sure that no one can take it! When there are leafelts in place, even a 
*single* person taking a leaflet can be important in a longer term, 
maybe they are a teacher.

A local shop specialising in printer cartridges replacements finds 
leaflets move ok, and a local adult learning classes organisation also 
is good for leaflets being taken too. The local college (senior 
school) is heavily MS and I am working on it long term....

I encourage you to do anything that you are attracted towards, and if 
I can answer questions to help I will be delighted to do my best.
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391