[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Expo

[Patrick R. Michaud]

On Fri, Dec 30, 2005 at 04:04:17PM -0600, Leroy Tennison wrote:
> Where I'm coming from is this:
> 
> "What is our goal?"    Expose/educate the vast end-user base who could 
> take advantage of Linux and save significant money doing so.
> "What kind of audience would best help us reach that goal?"    One 
> consisting mainly of Joe and Jane Average.
> "Where can we get that audience?"    A larger general interest event.
> "What do we need to present once we have them?"    The basic things they 
> use: An office suite, games, email and the Internet.

Based on the above audience (Joe and Jane Average), I think a
very important presentation point is the reduced exposure to
viruses and other security threats that comes from using Linux.  
Lots of us have tales about how we greatly improved a non-technical 
relative's computing experience (and reduce frustration for them) 
by migrating them to a Linux platform.

In my case, I know that the parents and friends that haven't yet
switched over to Linux are all totally frustrated and confused
by the never-ending stream of "critical updates", virus updates,
firewall settings, and other items that go along with the care
and feeding of a Windows-based platform.  My dad often asks
me -- usually while I'm updating his system and cleaning up
whatever kruft/malware has accumulated on his system -- "How
is any normal person supposed to be able to keep up with all 
this stuff"?  (Answer:  Most of them don't.)

So, if we could show Joe and Jane Average that they can continue
to do the same tasks as before, but with far fewer headaches and
worries about viruses, worms, and trojans, that would tend to
push adoption.

As follow-ons, we can of course provide LiveCDs where they can
try it out on their system at home.  But there's another opportunity 
here...

But give Joe and Jane Average a Linux CD, and they're still not likely
to do the install.  So, perhaps NTLUG should provide installation
services as well.  Yes, I know we already do this on meeting days
before the meeting, but I'm thinking we can be a bit more thorough
(i.e., migrating any saved files and settings across in the process), 
and that we could charge for it, to somewhat reimburse people (or NTLUG)
for the effort in doing this.  I note that GeekSquad charges $150+
for many of its operating system cleanup/checkup services, so perhaps
we can say "Look, for $100 we'll convert your system to Linux, 
and as a result you'll be free of the constant security worries 
that come with Windows.  You also won't be constantly dinged with
software upgrade expenses in the future (although we'll be glad
to take your money for those if you want, too :-)."

Just some thoughts.

Pm