[SC.LUG] Re: [linux-users] Re: Infopoints

[Jono Bacon]

Hi,

> I'd be interested in helping to promote Free
> Software and
> GNU/Linux at Bowlers and other Northern Computer
> Markets, and I rather suspect some of the other
> SC.LUG
> members would to - so I've cc'd them in.

Great!!

> This is a great idea, which could work well if
> enough volunteers
> can be found. An LTSP set-up would be ideal,
> enabling us to cope
> with whatever machines volunteers (or curious
> members of
> the public) bring along, and allowing us to present
> the
> possibilities of recycling old machines into use for
> school, charities and small businesses.

I think something you should consider is the
accessability of the fair and the target audience. I
suggest to not use LTSP and show how Linux can be used
for schools. These fairs are typically visited by
people who use computers at home and this should be a
primary focus. By all means include explain to people
how Linux can be used for schools/businesses, but I
suggest you really concentrate on the typical desktop
user.

The main thing with this project is making Linux as
accessible to fair goers as possible. This means not
dwelling too much on the politics of Linux but
concentrating on the software - that is what people
are initially attracted to. Definitly mention the free
ethics of Linux, but the software and features should
be the main focus.

> AFFS(1) should be happy to provide some information
> leaflets
> for this project, and we should perhaps produce some
> with a
> local slant. One point: you mention distributing
> Knoppix on your
> site. iirc Knoppix currently contains non-free
> software - perhaps
> we could look at the next release of Morphix, which
> should be OK.

Use whatever bootable distros you want to. The main
focus again is to keep it simple and accessible.
Ensure that the distro in question is easy to use for
the visitor. There is no point blinding them with
Debian and expecting them to understand. They need to
see a GUI with applications that could replace their
Windows applications.

As for a leaflet, thanks for the offer. I would like
to stress that the leaflet should be very much
pragmatic in its information and not just a sign up
point for the AFFS. You are welcome to to have some
AFFS leaflets to help sign up new people if you want,
but I doubt new people coming to see Linux will
consider joining the AFFS if they have never heard of
Linux before.

I will get a list of dates for the Bowlers fair and
get back to you to arrange a date.

Cheers,

  Jono


=====
Jono Bacon - http://www.jonobacon.org/
Professional Writer / Web Developer / Musician


	
		
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