[sclug] Re: Welcome to all new members, and looking towards Linuxday 2005

[Sandeep Varma]

I'd like to say welcome to all new members of this list. I'm fairly
new too to be honest, and still finding my feet in Linux, and I'm only
14 :D (15 on Monday). So if I can do it, frankly anybody can.


> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 12:57:55 +0100
> From: Simon Huggins <huggie at earth.li>
> Subject: [sclug] Linux Day + other plans
> To: sclug at sclug.org.uk
> Message-ID: <20041012115755.GQ8302 at paranoidfreak.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Just wanted to say thanks to those that organised this and also to those
> that came along.
> 
> It was interesting to see different people there than come along to the
> pub meets.  Speaking of which hopefully some of you will come along
> tomorrow to the Back of Beyond for 7:30/8pm ish onwards (the website has
> directions).
> 
> There were a few good ideas that came out of it that I think I should
> air here:
>         - some people were asking about repeating the day in a similar
>           format i.e. people bring along computers/laptops and get help
>           either installing from scratch or with the odd problem or two
>           that they have.
> 
>         - some others were talking about how the audience differed
>           between a pub meet and a non-pub meet and that perhaps some
>           sort of short talk to broaden people's knowledge would be
>           useful.
>           Not necessarily always about linux to be honest but also about
>           other interesting bits and bobs.  For instance I spoke with
>           Martin Hosken about his work with fonts for minority dialects
>           (about fonts, pango, where his work fits etc) and it was
>           really interesting but something I hadn't heard about before.
>           This could be combined with the other Reading computer
>           thingie.  Is it called RUG?
> 
> So maybe if we can steal the venue again we could get something like
> that happening or even alternate non-pub meetings a few short (say 20
> minute) talks on various subjects and then a "linux day" style event.
> Maybe do one talks event in a couple of months, then a linux day style
> thing a couple of months later etc?
> 
> I was impressed someone had found us via Linux Format so I guess the
> fact it was tied into an official event helped and that other meetings
> would need similar publicity.
> 
> I guess other things that might help are a little bit more structure in
> terms of who is there to help, and who is looking for help.  Badges
> perhaps?  Even if they're bits of paper or whatever they might help
> people that come in to break the ice and ask their questions.
> 
> Also getting some business cards printed up with the website address on
> and the mailing list subscribe form URL so you can give them a card and
> tell them to get on the list perhaps?  I think vistaprint.co.uk do
> free/cheap business cards (for some advertising space on the back which
> obviously works cos here I am recommending them ;)).
> 
> Just some random ideas.  They need people on the list (YES THAT'S YOU)
> to pipe up and say "Yes, that's a great idea" "No that's poo" (well
> preferably more than just that but hey ;))
> 
> I should be around a bit more now than I was before the Linux Day so I
> should be able to help organise some of this.
> 


It was the first one I attended, and to me, it looked like a success.
But to see it improve slightly more, here's what I would have liked to
see:-

-The idea of a short talk or speech on something Linux/Open Source
related would be good.

-There should have been slightly more cohesion across the entire room.
I know me and my friends stayed at the side with Lawrence (Yes what
kind of friends? One of them made you download Service Pack 2 for him
:@). No idea how this would be implemented, but I know that more
people talking to each other would be good.

-Perhaps dividing the room up into 'sectors', with demo
machines/tryout machines at one end, disc burning machines close by
and drinks/refreshments on the other side. I realise that this would
need slightly more planning and layout beforehand, but I'll be willing
to put in the extra hand for one.

-The nifty directions to the event were fantastic, had to be said.

All in all, for my first attendance, I was particularly amazed at the
scope of the event, and look forward to attending future ones.


------------------------------

Sandeep Varma, Slough, UK