[ubuntu-in] Plans for an installfest at college in New Bombay

[Roshan]

--- On Thu, 5/2/09, Easwar Hariharan wrote:

[snip]

> Demonstration:
> 
> On 27th,I plan to set up 4-5 machines with Ubuntu 8.04[LTS]

Since 28, is a Saturday, I can possibly be out there to help you, but I won't commit, since, it may not be one of my lucky days :)

> Explain the features vis-a-vis Windows,career possibilities
> and use of
> GNU/Linux in universities and companies abroad.

That's a very good idea in the 90% Windows-dominated world ;) 
My humble REQUEST: (Announce this ;) )
Please inform that "REDHAT LINUX 9.0" is equivalent to "Windows 98" in today's world. (in terms of timeline, performance, applications etc.) (not technically same -- for sure). Most Universities / Colleges / Professors / MCSE Professionals as AMC guys Lab instructors believe "REDHAT LINUX 9.0" as the only "Official" sort-of Linux. (Darn! Ubuntu is OFFICIAL :P)

Also it is very important to tell them that LINUX != WINDOWS ... seriously. MP3s and AVIs are hot media formats, and VLC is the best player on any distro to run them! (Mplayer, Xine guys, I don't use them, so they might be good too!) 

They should not expect everything to work the way it used to do in Windows. If you fail to tell them this, they'll want to go back to Windows. Also offer them the opportunity to take the trouble to go through the source code and change it, (sounds scary! :-o ) and make it work they want it to work. 

> If people can't
> bring their
> machines,ask them to check out the installation
> procedure,and hand out
> CDs.

This is one tough job to be done. Why? You need to tell them how they'll get SUPPORT when they run into TROUBLES while installing / configuring / maintaining. 

Support options such as Mailing Lists / IRC / Search engines (oh and not just Google!, perhaps www.blackle.com for power consuming CRTs)

Apart from them, which would at first sound like alien ways to get support with rule or language (syntax - No SMS slang) barriers in international channels, tell them about local contacts. 
Again this is tough, because, a "PERSONALIZED" support is VERY difficult. Nevertheless, not impossible, if the person is willing to spend some time to try out.

> Where I need help in this plan is to arrange for the
> machines for the
> first day.Ideally,I plan to have a range of specifications
> from low
> power to highly powered rigs.

This is really important. A major parameter in the success of the fest. Check the hardware which will be used while installing Ubuntu. You may want to ensure that most of them are Intel ones (M-boards, and other on-board hardware, plus none have some exotic hardware) and don't have any stupid LAN cards like Intex cards which might require additional configs / drivers. (This might be ruled out since distros do support a variety of hardware, but you really don't want to be "Eh? Why isn't that working ?" )

> And,last but
> not least,I
> need to be pointed out holes in the plan,and help with
> patching them.

Possible failure points - any one failing badly might cause problems
(In the order of more points / value) 

a. Hardware (college hardware as well as those who try at home) - the hardware should work without any additional work done.
b. SUPPORT (HOW DO I do this FOOBAR?)
c. Application Mapping to existing Windows apps (Refer the Wiki) 
d. Explaining GNU, FOSS, Linux as not just something "NEW" - but the most "Current" ongoing technology that help computers do things in a much better way - You'll need better speakers from GLUG-BOM / Ubuntu-IN 
e. Attendance-Compulsory AUDIENCE .. A big NO NO - Voluntarily ATTEND! 
f. Lack of Do-IT-Yourself attitude (not much to do with the fest, but with the impact of it) (I have almost started to let go these days :( )

I haven't conducted a installfest ever in my college and I really APPRECIATE your effort towards conducting it at your college. 

My opinions are mostly based on my attempts to install Redhat Linux 9.0 back in 2004/05 for few of my friends (which I assume, you too have - a different distro though) 

--
http://www.gnu.org.in


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