[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Fair needs a new name

[Mike Hart]

Rationale for "Conference": 

I know going from a 'fair' to a 'conference' seems a little shocking, so here's my rationale. 

In Native Texan, "fair" means "elementary school magnetic fish pond and 100 yd dash"  or "deep fried ___,  freak show,  cow contest,  with concept cars". Since we don't want to associate linux with any of those things, it's best to use another word for it like "conference", "convention", "rally" or maybe 'symposium.' 

Conference says "we (a group, members) are going to get together to decide something."  Maybe you could find something to have an actual debate about (like coincide it with elections.)  It works, but the implied membership tends to exclude those on the OS fence right now. 

Convention says "we want to sell you (overpriced) knives, boats, and other stuff you didn't know you needed".  I like this one best, because the implied overprice/hard sell is a pun if you've done those. If we keep "FREE" in the title, then convention works well.  

Rally is PC for protest... don't even go that way. The MS Hater image is all you project.

Symposium says 'snooty eggheads running around in their own world', which is fine if we're trying to actually TEACH linux/FSF stuff to people, as it will keep out the riff-raff. But If you want to sell it, not a good lead-in. 



:-)  <-- Note the smile here, and remember this is a brainstorm session.  I'm trying to open this up some.