[Sussex] Fair's idea's

[Jim Noble]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "nik" <nik at reducedhackers.com>
To: "LUG email list for the Sussex Counties" <sussex at mailman.lug.org.uk>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 7:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Sussex] Fair's idea's


> Id like to see some comments from those whom joined the
> list having seen us at the show though !

That'd include me then :).

I'm chairman of a couple of West Sussex computer clubs at Pulborough and 
Walberton. Each meets twice a month and aims to instil some confidence and 
good practice into the terrified.

They aren't a substitute for basic education - that can be acquired far more 
effectively through the further education system. What they do do is play in 
the gaps that the education system leaves with such topics as backups, CD 
burning, genealogy software and resources. The Walberton club is rather more 
hands on and members there will learn how to change a PC power supply, add 
memory or install a new modem etc.

Both clubs are pretty well 100% PC running a variety of Windows OSs.

We're achieving our objectives - All members now understand the need for 
firewalls, decent AV and backups and the huge majority implement them.

So where does Linux come into this scenario?

Well some of us have flirted with it in the past with varying degrees of 
success/comfort and one club member is now almost completely Linux based. 
He'll be describing his experience at Walberton next Spring. The main issues 
seem to be the difficulty of getting devices up and running properly without 
needing a degree in arcane mysteries and the sacrifice of a virgin white 
goat.

The membership of both clubs is, how shall I put this, mature and in many 
cases on a limited budget. The idea of free software is attractive, but 
there's plenty of that around for Windows anyway. The idea of better 
security and relative freedom from malware is also enticing. In the main, I 
think the memberships would welcome  exposure to some Linux evangelising. If 
anyone would like to give a tutorial/demonstration at either club, I'm sure 
we can set a date in Spring 2005 for Pulborough and maybe one in Autumn 2005 
for Walberton. We have the use of a 1024x768 projector and 6' screen.

We aren't rich and the fee offered tends to be a bottle of wine and a round 
of applause.

Jim Noble
http://www.pulborough.freeuk.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/vcc//