[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Expo

[Leroy Tennison]

Patrick R. Michaud wrote:

>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
>
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>
>  
>
Your point about malware is excellent.  Charging for Windows-to-Linux 
conversion?  That's not a bad idea, I just don't know if NTLUG wants to 
be the sponsor and I don't know if we would want to do it on 
"presentation day"  except as a demonstration of what's it's like. 
 Let's let others weigh in as well.