[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Demo Day 99

[cbbrowne@godel.brownes.org]

On Sun, 15 Aug 1999 18:10:40 CDT, the world broke into rejoicing as
newsseeker <person at hex.net>  said:
> Chris,
> 
> A little off-topic:
> 
> How about setting up a booth at the NTPCUG's next meeting - 9/25/99?
> Maybe let them know that there are other things that run on PCs instead of
> that 'other' OS.  Actually I had more in mind to show up at every one of
> their meetings with some form of a Linux exhibit.  It might be
> interesting.

Given volunteers, many things become possible.  

It's certainly easier to do this when people giving suggestions offer
to help...

> As for Linux Demo Day, My vote is for in front of a Best Buy, Fry's, or a
> CompUSA.  I know you can argue that Linux might be known there, but I've
> never seen any machines on display actually running it there at these
> places....where a lot of computer buying people shop.
> 
> If Linux Demo Day for NTLUG is on a Saturday or Sunday, I might be able to
> help (I just need advance notice).

The problem with picking any of these arbitrarily is that they are nice
opportunities to get run off by store security.

If the plan is to do demos at (say) a CompUSA or one of the Fry's
locations (the other most logical location, to my mind), permission
must be gotten from store management, and the demo should be run inside
the store.  I would speculate that Fry's might be a preferable location;
they have a pretty sizable Linux section, and as the chain is small,
it may be easier to fight through bureaucracy to get that mystical thing
known as "permission."

I would suggest the thought that regardless of any of this, we should
consider trying to leave fliers, with permission of course, at each
location of one or more of the local establishments that have "Linux
sections."  Whether that is Fry's, CompUSA, Borders, Microcentre (is
that the name?) this could provide some added publicity.  A simple card
the size of a business card with:
- URL
- A penguin
- Meeting dates/locations
- A bit of "spiel" on what we help with
would allow a small "bin" of cards to go a *long* ways.

Ten thousand cards might cost a couple hundred dollars; this seems
to me to be potentially *well* worth doing...
--
We are Pentium of Borg.  Division is futile. You will be approximated.
(seen in someone's .signature)
cbbrowne at hex.net- <http://www.hex.net/~cbbrowne/lsf.html>