[ubuntu-uk] [marketing] Possible Training Events

alan c aeclist at candt.waitrose.com
Sun Jan 17 10:02:50 GMT 2010


Jon Spriggs wrote:
> I have forwarded the e-mail to the uk-hackspaces mailing list, as there are
> several regional hackspaces across the UK (London, Birmingham, Manchester,
> Liverpool, Leeds) who may be able to help - in some cases with venue and in
> others with knowledge.
> 

[...]

>useful for a few people just to run little local 'pilot' events, to
see what the issues really are, and what seemed to work.

I run a monthly Infopoint table (non trading) at the local computer
fair with much FOSS information including Ubuntu.

Local 'Ubuntu Clubs' would be useful,
and I do not mean existing LUGs which are great for more serious users.
They could be 'LUG Child' status, as long as it was ok to discuss lots
of non technical things too.

>I wondered if an
>option to deal with this might be to offer a short series of evening
>class at the local high school (many of which run 'recreational' evening
>classes)

I have talked to my local 'adult learning' person and it seems obvious
that it is expected that the teachers/trainers are qualified as
teachers  with few exceptions. They tend to be employed from existing
college staff, as part time, for example. The establishment.

The person herself has a lifetime investment of Microsoft product
knowledge with the consequent view of Free Software, and also, if her
clients started to use Open Office, she would have to learn it all
again. Not a motivator for her.

Not only that but her clients literally all use Windows so the
expectation for them is MS courses. Chicken and egg.

It needs someone to break the cycle and take the lead, although it
might be easier for this to be done outside of the established
educational organisations. Unless you know of a politician or
councillor or high ranking local gov official who already favours FOSS.

>or approach the University of the Third Age

This might be useful if it could be followed up.
The U3A national magazine has had a number of letters favouring Ubuntu.
I am in U3A in Bracknell. I run an online group for 'computers beyond
beginners'. Not FOSS, just computers generally. An online group is
pretty novel for U3a. The activities are traditionally sitting
listening to a central speaker. However, I have to say that of the
local membership of several hundred, my group has only a few members
and 'online' seems to be a concept which has not yet caught on.
I gave a talk on GNU/Linux and Ubuntu a while ago to the main computer
group. Even group members would be unlikely to re install their
(Windows) OS. With one or two exceptions in a group of around 30 members.
I included a short video of Eben Moglen. One of the group commented
Moglen was a 'rabid socialist'.

Apart from ignorance, even sheer prejudice, there is strong inertia to
continue with their existing OS whatever it is.

There is, surprising to me, little motivation for many people I know,
to move from Windows. However, as Ubuntu gains more coverage,
including magazines on shelves, people will become aware it is a choice.

Local Ubuntu Clubs sound like a good idea to me though.
-- 
alan cocks
Ubuntu user




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