[Klug-general] Faversham Linux Users Group - workshops

[nic dan]

I'd like to dd my support to Karl's, as I felt similarly

When I first started trying linux I felt like an Alien, and the sort of reaction here reminds me of the many RTFM replies I got

Is there something about helping people don't get....?

Or is it just a geek thing?

Jake, I'll be happy to bring along some puppy linux stuff, though not sure if I can make all the meetings

Aitch :)
-----------------------------

> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:36:12 +0000
> From: karl at digital-end.com
> To: kent at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [Klug-general] Faversham Linux Users Group - workshops
> 
> I was halfway through writing a similar email to Dan when his message
> popped into my inbox. I'm surprised that people who support Linux are
> so upset about someone planning to introduce people to it, cover the
> basics in a structured manner and simply cover their own costs. If
> someone wants to pay (very little!) for that, then what is the
> problem?
> 
> This would have been extremely useful to me when I was starting out
> with Linux, because frankly having to learn things, even if Google is
> your friend, is a difficult and time consuming process. Anything to
> condense that process is good in my opinion. It also probably means
> that these beginners are more likely to stick with Linux than get
> stuck and not know how to proceed.
> 
> Frankly, even if the charge was higher and some profit was being made,
> I still fail to see the problem. People have to make a living and open
> source should still support that; You can get it for free if you want
> to invest the time, or you can pay a premium and get some help.
> 
> In my opinion, the attitude Jake has received with regards to this
> topic actually supports the need for these kinds of workshops. A lot
> of experienced Linux users are particularly unfriendly when it comes
> to doing things in a simple, beginner-friendly way.
> 
> Jake, I may be able to come along to one of the sessions and lend a
> hand. It'll be interesting to see how you do things and if I can give
> anyone some guidance when they're starting out then that would be
> great. Obviously if you can keep us updated with how many people you
> have attending (beginners, that is) that would be great.
> 
> Karl
> 
> On 17 February 2010 15:21, Dan Attwood <danattwood at googlemail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> By charging them for support? Why not just organise a car pool to the
> >> usual meets?
> >>
> > You're missing the point
> > What Jake is working on is a short introduction course to linux. Regular
> > sessions to cover the basic needs of a user either switch from windows to
> > linux or with very little computer experience to begin with. These are not
> > aimed at uber geeks or power users of either linux or windows. Think ECDL
> > but with a Linux slant.
> > The usual klug meets probably aren't the right place for this. Talks on xen,
> > hackable laptops and ebook formats are way over the head of users who just
> > what to check their email and play a movie.  IMHO mailing lists and IRC are
> > also pretty useless for this kind of user (I think their are several lurkers
> > on this list who will agree with me). It's a different target audience and
> > one that is growing thanks to the exposure of distros like ubuntu and mint,
> > and due to the popularity of netbooks.
> > If further down the line klug gets some more members as a result of this
> > then even better and certainly klug will try to support and help out were
> > possible.
> > Jake is charging to cover the room hire as finding suitable free places to
> > meet is incredibly hard. Anyone who has actually tried to find a room for
> > klug will agree with this.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Kent mailing list
> > Kent at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/kent
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> Kent at mailman.lug.org.uk
> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/kent
 		 	   		  
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