[Sussex] Open day outline

[Steve Redshaw]

this sounds a really good idea, as a non-technical computer user, I just
want my computer to be reliable and run the software tools I need and am
familiar with, and I search out good value (freeware or reasonably costed
licences for shareware)

I have been using Mandriva for less than a year and find it very
satisfactory, I support the idea of open-source software as opposed to the
monopolies of big companies (mostly Microsoft!!) and file formats that can
be handled by several different programs

as a teacher I would like to see schools being able to use Linux as a
cheaper more flexible computer platform and pupils having a wider experience
of software (they tend to be channelled solely down the Microsoft route and
not shown viable alternatives)

I do get fed up with the continual upates necessary for Windows, the
increasingly intrusive way that Microsoft checks up on the validity of your
OS and the frequent reports of security vulnerabilities that are discovered
(though I don't know how immune from these Linux is or will be in the
future)

also Windows seems to get slower and slower over the course of a few months
of usage, though I don't understand why or what to do about it!!

I find forums absolutley vital and think they are a good example of people
freely sharing expertise and advice rather than users being dependant upon
commercial support (telephone help-lines, paying for support, emails that
are never answered etc!!) - so I think forums and how to use them should be
featured on this day

I don't know if I am a typical computer user or Linux discoverer, but for
what it's worth, this is my perspective on using Linux

I shall follow the development of this day with great interest and hopefully
be able to attend

Steve Redshaw

2009/5/10 Gavin Stevens <starshine at gavmusic.uklinux.net>

> Further to the discussion at the last moot, here is an outline for a
> possible "Open Day" designed to attract both newcomers to computers & those
> who are "Linux-curious" but need some idea of what Linux has to offer.
>
> Attendees to arrive at 9:30 for 10:00 start.
>
> Seminar 1:
>
> 1.1: Welcome - explain to those who are new to computers that Linux can
> offer them a low-cost & user-friendly passage into home computing.
>
> 1.2: What is Linux & where does it come from? Simple overview of the
> origins of the Linux kernel & the GNU OS - nothing too deep at this stage.
> (A compare & contrast of Windows & Linux will follow).
>
> 1.3: Compare & contrast Windows & Linux. A "translator" between Windows &
> Linux apps.(e.g: MS Office/OpenOffice.org; Image editing etc.) Finish this
> section by contrasting the licences for Windows & Linux. Informative but
> simple - doesn't need to be an in depth analysis of the GNU GPL or MS
> licence agreement.
> This first seminar sets the scene for subsequent seminars of the day which
> will deal with comparing & contrasting Windows & Linux apps for specific
> tasks.
>
> Seminar 2: Office applications: MS Office compared with OpenOffice.org for
> essential office tasks (maybe also mention AbiWord & Gnumeric).
>
> Seminar 3: Internet & E-mail applications: Should be fairly easy to compare
> Firefox on Windows with Firefox on Linux or Seamonkey with Seamonkey. Oh,
> did I forget Internet Explorer? Also, Outlook Express/Windows Mail compared
> to a Linux standalone like Claws Mail.
>
> Seminar 4: Image editing: Could be quite a popular one this, as most people
> have at least a semi-regular need, in this age of digital photography, to
> edit & print images. Compare a couple of Windows image editors with the GIMP
> &/or Inkscape.
>
> Seminar 5: Music listening & recording.
>
> Seminar 6: OK, I like this Linux thing - how do I install it? Maybe do a
> real installation of Ubuntu (which was agreed at the moot as a
> representative & popular distro).
>
> Notes: For all of the above, I would suggest only using a comparison with
> Windows apps briefly, the main purpose being to promote & demonstrate the
> Linux apps.
>
> Also point out that there are Windows versions of most of the apps
> mentioned as being for Linux. In fact most of them are equal in support for
> Windows & Linux. Suggest that the Windows version of an app that you would
> use on Linux is a good way to become familiar before installing Linux
> itself.
>
> I could spend all night noting little ideas & thoughts that keep popping
> into my head, but I will leave it there & offer the above as a rough
> outline. Discussion, debate, other ideas & questions are most welcome &
> indeed essential if this project is going to become reality.
>
> Gavin.
>
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