[Lancaster] Training

[Ken Walton]

Hi everybody, 

I know I never turn up to meetings, so my contribution has to be
somewhat dubious...

But I'd tend to agree with Andy on this. I use Linux for everyday
computing stuff -- word processing, email, web browsing, listening to
music, watching DVDs, and that's what most of the people I know use
their computers for. I have persuaded a few people to use Linux instead
of Windows, despite not being techy types. The things that seem to
impress them are that it's not really that different to use than
Windows, and that there's none of that faffing about with virus checkers
and defragging the hard drive and all that stuff -- it's a lot more
maintenance-free than Windows. You can just get on with what you want to
do, mostly. 

Most of the people I know who avoid Linux do so because of the
perception that it's all about typing arcane commands and being very
technical and geeky, when in fact, for the average (non-game playing)
user, a computer installed with (for instance) Linux Mint needs *less*
computer skills than a computer installed with Windows. 

Of course, the sort of people (like me) who use their computers for
ordinary everyday things are unlikely to want to sit around in pubs
talking about geeky things, so while you might get more people using
Linux, you wouldn't necessarily get any more members for the LUG. 

I guess it depends what you think the purpose of the meetings is. :-)

--
Ken (but not *the* Ken) Walton

On Wed, 2009-11-25 at 18:15 +0000, andy baxter wrote:
> Hi wayne,
> 
> Thanks for putting the time in to organise this, but I'm just wondering 
> if copying the RHCE is the right way to do it - that's meant more for 
> people who have been using linux a while and want to develop their 
> skills to the level where they can use them professionally. I reckon it 
> would be better to start with something for linux newbies - e.g.
> 
> - start by talking about what linux and free software are and why linux 
> is better than windows for a lot of things.
> - then show people a running linux system, with a few standard apps 
> installed (the gimp, open office, firefox, thunderbird etc.), and show 
> quickly what each does and how to use it.
> - then maybe give people a chance to play a bit with the applications if 
> there are enough machines to do that.
> 
> Starting from here seems more likely to attract a decent number of 
> people. Then we could do something more RHCE-like later on for the 
> people who are really interested.
> 
> What do you think?
> 
> andy
> 
> Wayne Ward wrote:
> > Cheers jonath / andy sounds good 
> > It'll be a bit more clear when I find out how long I can run the workshops
> > over
> > Hopefully get like 4/6 week couple of hour sessions
> > So can start from the beginning explaining linux and the file system and
> > its use and history
> > right through the install to the desktop probably gnome and show them it
> > can use alternative desktops 
> > then some basic software installs and alternative packages.
> > Some basic system administration - terminal - add users etc..
> > Thats enough for one session - that a easy introduction basically what you
> > would do on the RHCE
> >
> > Other sessions can be built from that like the next session would be like a
> > RHCT were you administer the system - install services such as ftp - mail
> > server - web server - DNS and get a bit more under the hood.
> >
> > I was told that there was laptops available and im not sure about internet
> > connections although using something like ubuntu the training should be
> > able to take place without a internet connection - ive never had it on any
> > training ive done so far it can take people of the real focus ;)
> >
> > The sound training could be actually run as a workshop andy! after the
> > introduction - we can offer a music workshop no problem - I would be
> > interested in putting a workshop together for this !!!
> >
> > Ill make the contact - make the meetings - get the information - put a
> > proposal for the workshops together and mail out the schedule see who would
> > be interested in running the 1st one with me :)
> >
> >   
> 
> 
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