[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Expo

[Leroy Tennison]

Larry D'Agostino wrote:

>I wouldn't mind offering the services of my blog for NTLUG.  
>
>Linuxblogger: Linux by larrydag
>http://linuxblogger.dyndns.org/weblog/
>
>In fact I would love to do a feature article after every monthly NTLUG 
>meeting.  I can do all the writing.  I would need help with someone to do the 
>correspondence and get me pictures in case I can't make the meeting.  
>Otherwise if I am there then I can do the writeup.
>
>Would this fancy anyone?  I can do writeups of past meetings.  You can email 
>me if you like.
>
>Larry
>
>
>On Wednesday 28 December 2005 06:32 am, Alvin Goats wrote:
>  
>
>>I think to maximize the effort, we should contact all of the other User
>>Groups in the DFW area and be inclusive of ALL open source. This would
>>gain such things as Python, Java, Linux and we should also include the
>>likes of the DFWUUG (many who are members of the many other User Groups
>>including NTLUG) and even the  Cisco User Group. If we do this, we can
>>enlarge the expo and gain more volunteers to help. Biggest problem with
>>anything is in finding VOLUNTEERS.
>>
>>While I've been a very long time member of the NTLUG, I'm also with the
>>DFWUUG as a SIG Leader and Mailman Admin. I'm pretty busy with the
>>volunteer work I'm doing now. However, I have no qualms with seeing if
>>the DFWUUG would be interested in such an endeavor.
>>
>>Alvin
>>
>>Dennis Rice wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Stan Gatchel wrote:
>>>Dennis,
>>>
>>>What is the offer from Novell?
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>Stan
>>>============================
>>>Chris Cox is really the best to answer this, but will give a try.
>>>Some time back, Chris met with Novell and they offered (?) to support
>>>various activities.  Several were proposed, such as an expo.  I
>>>personally really like the idea, and I think we could get a local
>>>(junior) college to provide space.  What we need is for someone to
>>>step up and take the lead in organizing an event.
>>>
>>>Dennis
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>https://ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>>      
>>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>https://ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>    
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>https://ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>
>  
>
I want to suggest a different direction for the "Expo" than I've been 
hearing.  My suggestion is to not put on our own "Expo" but rather be a 
part of a bigger event that someone else is hosting.   There are various 
events held in Dallas and Fort Worth that are "street" events meaning 
that various booths are set up along a few streets where the event is 
held.  We would be one of those booths.  The advantages I see are:

We don't bear the burden of organizing, staging and advertizing the 
event - "they" do.
We don't have to ask people to take their time and go out of their way 
to come to our event - they "come to us".
We expose people to Linux who aren't even looking for it.
We don't have to have as fancy a presentation because we are not bearing 
the brunt of being the whole motivation for attracting people.
We might have to put out some money but Novell is willing to help with that.

What we would face is some logistics (electricity, maybe some shade) 
but, again, a little money would go a long way in this regard (offer a 
local business $25-50 to plug into their electrical outlet).  Surely 
among us someone has a tarp or tent-like device we could set up along 
with a couple of tables and chairs.  Our theme could be simple, 
something like "Why pay big bucks for software when there's a good 
alternative?".  If we showed off a GUI, Open Office, games, maybe email 
and the Internet we would have presented everything 90 percent of the 
people passing by would want.  In cooperation with Novell let them know 
that, if they don't want to go to the effort to get it for free, they 
can have not only the OS but the Office Suite and games and a lot more 
for about $80.  Compared to Microsoft where you have to work to pay less 
than that just for a legal OS, it's a great deal.  We can also point out 
that there are none of the licensing gotcha's which come with OEM 
Windows (but I preach to the choir).