[GNUz] Promotional event for the average person

[Rik Tindall]

- viz "Do we have any annual events happening?" - yes:

Software Freedom Day <http://www.softwarefreedomday.org>

- since 2004, globally and in Christchurch / Canterbury.

More info: http://www.infohelp.co.nz/sfd9 (poster draft)

NB SFD event @ South Library,* *Beckenham - thanks for that CCC.

- Glad on any & all assistance.

Cheers, Rik

pp Free Software Group <gnuz at inode.co.nz>
*GNUz <http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/gnuz>*

PS South Library FOSS night classes recommence Weds 4 Feb, 7.30-9.30pm 
(SFD / Ubuntu training), in the South Learning Centre (use Library rear 
door).

Payne, Owen wrote:
> I agree, I recently had a comment from a sys admin of many years
> experience that he never bothers with FOSS as you don't get anything for
> nothing....People are still either unaware, suspicious or assume that it
> is limited or dodgy software. A free software disc for windows based
> software along with a Linux distribution disc at a software demo or
> event at a demo would do wonders to raise the profile in the right
> environment, and I don't just mean a room in the back of the computing
> department. A high profile event raising the awareness of FOSS as well
> as Linux would help. Problem is we start looking like Hare Krishna
> members or Jehovah witnesses when we normally try doing this, so it
> would need to be properly organised and professional in approach. 
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Mitchell [mailto:jeffmitchell at orcon.net.nz] 
> Sent: Thursday, 15 January 2009 11:24 am
> To: linux-users at it.canterbury.ac.nz
> Subject: Promotional event for the average person
>
> Hi all,
>
> I think that Ubuntu is an awesome computing solution, and I am very
> impressed with Compiz Fusion and the Emerald Theme Manager. Canonical
> does an amazing job of maintaining the community, and they also do an
> amazing job of creating partnerships (like the one they have with Dell).
>
> So anyway, it kind of bugs me how no-one knows what Linux is. What are
> we doing to inform the public? We have an excellent computing solution,
> but people know absolutely nothing about it. Neither do people in the IT
> industry. I studied at Electec College Of Technology in 2007, and the
> tutor there basically said that Linux didn't work well and that we
> didn't need to know anything about it.
>
> I heard something about an opensource software demonstration which
> apparently happened in 2006 - but what is happening this year? Do we
> have any annual events happening? Because I haven't heard of any, and I
> think that people aren't exactly thrilled about the basic concept of
> FOSS (I'm sure that plenty of people know what FOSS is, but don't really
> care). Why not run an event to specifically demonstrate Compiz Fusion
> and *buntu - along with some cool applications and games? That would be
> great for the average person. We could spread the word via radio,
> newspapers and word of mouth (also with promotional flyers).
>
> I'd like some opinions on this - just note that I'm not saying this
> should be done, I'm just saying it could be useful. The growth rate of
> the Ubuntu/Linux installation base is too slow, and we should be aiming
> to get more Windows users educated about alternatives. I only know one
> person in real life who uses Linux.
>
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