[Infopoint] Infopoint website

[alan c]

Ron Wellsted wrote:
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> alan c wrote:
>> Tony Whitmore wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I host the infopointproject.org website. I don't know what to do about
>>> it. On the one hand, upgrading mediawiki for each of the regular
>>> security releases is a pain. On the other hand, the stupor the project
>>> is currently in doesn't make me inclined to invest a lot of time in
>>> migrating the wiki to something more maintainable. (I've actually
>>> installed dokuwiki but haven't migrated any content.)
>>>
>>> I can complete the conversion if people think its worthwhile. But the
>>> front page is very out-of-date and AFAIK the only person doing anything
>>> under the infopoint "banner" is Alan Cocks. I'd love to have the time to
>>> do more in Hampshire, but really don't.
>>>
>>> I'm happy to keep the domain renewed for now but the options for the
>>> website are:
>>> 1) Keep it as it is. (I'd rather not do this due to all the mediawiki
>>> security upgrades.)
>>> 2) Move to another wiki engine or CMS. I'd suggest dokuwiki.
>>> 3) Replace the site with some static HTML pages.
>>> 4) Shut the site down.
>>>
>>> What do people think?
>>> Tony
>> 
>> Tony
>> I probably am the only 'Infopoint' thing that moves just now, but the
>> bracknell activity (regular monthly and for 2 years + and still
>> counting) is going from strength to strength, so whatever you do, it
>> would be important to maintain the 'branding' of Infopoint.The concept
>> and objectives are excellent. A second helper sometimes turns up now, too.
>> 
>> The great benefit that I find as an activist is that the Infopoint site
>> bestows a Project background, a branding, a point of reference, a
>> credibility.  Even as a static site it will allow other activists to
>> coalesce, hopefully the mailing list will be able to continue with
>> little effort?
>> 
>> With so few other Infopoint activists currently there is little benefit
>> in me keeping my activities up to date on the wiki, so I have not. I
>> would not miss loosing the wiki as such, however I think that loosing a
>> web based site would be a great disadvantage.
>> 
>> I appreciate that you will keep the domain renewed, thanks.
>> 
>> The Infopoint project is something which allows powerful action without
>> necessarily having the backing of a LUG. After all Infopoint is about
>> FOSS, not just Linux, and a significant part of the activity is related
>> to such as the open disc (for windows).
>> 
>> I would be happy to go for option
>> 3) Replace the site with some static HTML pages
>> if that would be less work. I would help if needed with some content
>> although my admin skills are still near ignorant level, but it would be
>> easy to feed some content to someone (yourself?)
>> 
>> The mailing list is potentially important, I hope it can endure.
>> 
>> As time goes on, it will be evident if the site continues to be useful,
>> as I believe it will be.
>> I believe that there is a large groundswell of use of FOSS and not
>> least, linux, and that this will be associated with more public
>> interest. As that phase develops, Infopoint will be an important and
>> convenient focus.
>> 
> 
> Option 3 sounds the best for ease/simplicity.
> 
> It could be a big mistake to let the domain go as it would be almost
> impossible to get it back if it was released. It is well worth keeping
> the Infopoint "brand" alive.
> 
> I feel guilty that I have not done more but it is inevitable that other
> commitments take my time.  I will attempt to get some new blood
> interested at the next LUG (next Weds) and see if Wolverhampton can get
> back on the Infopoint map.

Well said Ron. If I can help please let me know? Fwiw my own approach 
is one basically of marketing in a broad sense with basic, even crude, 
displays. I make no secret that I am an unpaid volunteer and not a 
trader. The fact of a presence has been important. Many people now (at 
computer fairs) are well aware that linux exists. The first objective 
  - of awareness - is achieved.

The next stage - whether they use it or not, takes longer. People 
return after months with the simplest of questions, and still have not 
installed it. It is fascinating that I hand out leaflets which include 
my email and on some also my phone number. Very very few people make 
use of this. The Windows monopoly has a very powerful effect. A local 
display place gives confidence to many nervous people about the 
alternative. They never had to install Windows themselves.

At the last fair on different occasions, IT rep. of two schools came 
for information, and said they had been given a 'directive' to review 
free software (!) I guess this is a result of becta reports recently. 
This is unheard of. Things are changing.

My infopoint table also acts somewhat as a pre-newbie discussion desk, 
sometimes there is a queue to talk.
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391