[Ubuntu Chicago] quiet around here

Sun Jan 27 08:02:08 GMT 2008

I've compiled some thoughts on this proposal, which are below:

- How can we expand from this simple training model to general Ubuntu
concentration, ie make sure that people come to the LoCo if they know, or
want to know, Ubuntu. there is much overlap to be sure, but that was just a
thought I had.

- in terms of the cost breakdown, how much do you project will be for the
initial investment? this can go torwards ads, print costs, extra parts (if
need be) etc.

- what is the potential for other non Ubuntu machines
(Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Edubuntu, and other linux distro just to compare commands,
etc. might be a good learning tool)

- what are the specs on these computers (maybe others can help in this
regard)

-if a company decided to use ubuntu and sent all their employees our way,
would 12 computers be enough. depending on the demand we get, a branch of
operations might be necessary. this can only be a good thing, although I
might be getting a bit ahead of myself in this regard.

-this brings about a larger issue of WHO will be teaching. the LoCo, a
business, etc. this might require paperwork/lawyers which could complicate
our lives quite a bit. there was some talk/controversy about LoCo's
incorporating, but we can talk to the community/Canonical more about this if
need be.

-I would like to propose that more than 1 person teach (in the long run) so
Patrick can spend time with his family as well. Or at least give parts of
the teaching to someone, so they can be sure that the information they know
from their own hacking is correct.

-The desktop Course is a good guide, and a good start. I would recommend
that we begin planning on a 'Advanced Ubuntu' section in tandem to the into
guide. Here we can do CLI stuff, setting up/configuring Samba, installing
ubuntu to a bootable drive, such as Fransisco's guide to booting Ubuntu on
the OLPC, VM's, nmap, etc.

My initial thought was to charge more for this course, because a basic
understanding of Ubuntu+fiddling+google would be enough to figure this stuff
out, but on further thought, it would really be a matter of demand.

-How would we separate the LoCo from this course? I'm using to going to
google and emailing 'this is broken, fix it', whereas it might be a
possibility that we would get flooded with 'help me' from people who don't
use the google properly. but then again, this might not happen.

-another question of seperation is how would we separate the CLC student
needs from that of the loco needs. this might be an organic extension, or
require planning/give and take. In this regard, if the school that will have
us, we should reciprocate. Patrick mentioned one way we could, are there
others?

- I was confused by the line "10 are paid and 2 are gifted (they will have
to buy the booklet). "

- Kevin beat me to it. Free Geek already uses Xubuntu in their computers.
let's talk to them.

My final deep thought is to look more at the costs breakdown of this and the
projections. In general it's good intelligence practices to 'scope out' the
area before we invest. with that said, I've seen more "Windows Office"
training centers in the city than I can count and I find it a bit strange
that I've only seen one Linux training center, and even that was just an ad.

-eddie m.

On Jan 27, 2008 1:28 AM, Patrick Green <patlgreen at gmail.com> wrote:

> Already thought of that.  A treasurer would need to be selected.  All
> deposits would need to be signed and verified by a person other than the
> treasurer and all checks written would require 2 designated signers.  To
> ensure availability, we would choose 3 people to be authorized signers.
>
>
> On Jan 27, 2008 1:21 AM, Kevin Harriss <special.kevin at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > One question I have is how is the money going to be handled.  Who is
> > going to be treasurer for the LOCO.  How are finances going to be
> > reported to the appropriate people?
> >
> > Just some things to think of before the project starts.
> >
> > Kevin
> >
> > On Jan 26, 2008 11:44 PM, Patrick Green <patlgreen at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > All right, all right.
> > >
> > > Here is the deal. In March I am picking up 10 used PC's in upper
> > Michigan.
> > > 1.7 ghz pentiums with 128 MB Ram including keyboards and mice, and CRT
> > > monitors.  I am getting these for $25 a pop.  I have extra ram sticks
> > to
> > > cover 3 of the systems and I have until March to get the other seven
> > sticks.
> > >
> > > Here is the master plan.  I am donating them to CLC on 3 conditions
> > they
> > > have agreed to (see?  I never give up).
> > > 1.  They get put in the dorms for the students to use freeing them
> > from the
> > > time restrictions on campus.
> > >  2.  They run Ubuntu.
> > > 3.  We of the Chicago Loco get to use them for our purposes.
> > >
> > > My idea?  We start small.  The LOCO training center.
> > >
> > > Using the Ubuntu Desktop Training guides and teach the course.  We
> > charge a
> > > fee and we market it.  We are not talking LPI, we are talking desktop
> > > training with modules and materials already provided for us.  I have
> > done
> > > training before and I teach.  We can do this.
> > >
> > > I have not come up with a final price.  The program suggests a 2 day
> > course
> > > assuming 2 full days.  I am thinking it may make more sense to make it
> > a 4
> > > half day or evening course.  Pretend we do it at $250 per person.  I
> > can get
> > > the manuals printed for $44 a pop.  I can better sell the school on
> > this if
> > > we offer them a 10% cut-so in this case, that is $25.  Offering coffee
> > and
> > > snacks to the class would be about $10 per student (nothing
> > fancy-coffee and
> > > donuts or snacks and soda).  From there, a small stipend should be put
> > in
> > > reserve for the LOCO volunteers who come in to instruct and assist.
> >  Not a
> > > lot of money.  Just something to cover our gas and tolls or train
> > ticket and
> > > a little extra in case you had to grab a sandwich.  Just for even
> > number
> > > sake..let's say we take another $11 out of each entry fee for this.
> > >
> > > That leaves $160 per person that goes directly to the Ubuntu LOCO
> > project.
> > > What do we do with this money?  Buy banners, get some materials
> > printed,
> > > booth fees, so forth.  Heck, we can even be good citizens and "tithe"
> > ten
> > > percent of what we net back to Ubuntu.  Max  donation of $160 a
> > session back
> > > to Ubuntu.
> > >
> > > There are other questions and other expenses and whatnot to discuss.
> >  I
> > > think to start we do one class a month.  Now for the class size.
> > >
> > > 12 per class.  2 students to a workstation.  10 are paid and 2 are
> > gifted
> > > (they will have to buy the booklet).  This is an opportunity for
> > contests.
> > > This is a max potential of $1600 per class for our LOCO and $250 a
> > month for
> > > the school.  We start off with once a month and if we build up demand
> > and a
> > > waiting list, then we go to twice a month.
> > >
> > > Now, we pimp this out via press releases up the wazoo.  What is the
> > point?
> > > This is an inexpensive alternative for small business people and IT
> > pros to
> > > get a basic glimpse of the Ubuntu and Linux thing and see if there is
> > > viability for them to take it to the next level.  We have
> > opportunities as
> > > well.  Companies or churches may want skilled people to help consult
> > them.
> > > We create a network of professionals to recommend them to.  Robert for
> > > hardware, me for migration planning, etc etc.  Now, to be a part of
> > the
> > > receiving end of such an opportunity, you have to be willing to give.
> >  The
> > > Ubuntu LOCO will promote advocacy by offering free consulting and
> > > configuration and whatnot to local chicago area charities and not for
> > > profits.  If a business wants to benefit from the recommendation of
> > the
> > > LOCO, they have to be willing to embrace the spirit of the meaning of
> > Ubuntu
> > > and the spirit of Free Software's philosophy of sharing.
> > >
> > > Been chewing on this for a spell.
> > >
> > > I think this is doable.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Jan 26, 2008 10:34 PM, Eddie Martinez <eddiemartinez at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Oops, I emailed this to Patrick and not the whole team. Apologies to
> > him
> > > for the double send. Thoughts below.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Patrick:
> > > >
> > > > I was going to an email along the same lines as this off tonight but
> > it
> > > seems you beat me to it. I will let the cat out of the bag for you
> > though!
> > > Strong arm bank robbery! Finally, I can live out my dream of a bank
> > robbery,
> > > just like in the movie Inside Man. Moving business other than 'the
> > LoCo
> > > can't stay out of trouble with the law'
> > > >
> > > > my strengths are in team organization , envelope stuffing, talking
> > to
> > > people, things along those lines. my weaknesses are programming,
> > networking,
> > > and server admin. As always I am highly aboard.
> > > >
> > > > -Eddie
> > > >
> > > > ps. This is a good venue for people with other potential team
> > projects to
> > > speak up.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Jan 26, 2008 9:54 PM, Patrick Green <patlgreen at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Okay,
> > > > >
> > > > > Since I have become the project coordinator typer guy, I guess it
> > is
> > > time to start a spreadsheet.
> > > > >
> > > > > Please use this thread of thought to express your strengths
> > (networking,
> > > partitioning, graphic arts, sales, writing, envelope stuffing),
> > weaknesses,
> > > comfort level with people, and interest level.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have an idea for a project that actually has value and could
> > raise
> > > money and exposure for the Chicago LOCO.
> > > > >
> > > > > Before I let the cat out of the bag, I need to see who is on
> > board.
> > > > >
> > > > > Cheers
> > > > >
> > > > > Patrick
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Ubuntu-us-chicago mailing list
> > > > > Ubuntu-us-chicago at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-chicago
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Encryption Key (GPG PID): 19983D83
> > > > This has been an Eddie Martinez production.
> > > > <Please exit in an orderly fashion>
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Ubuntu-us-chicago mailing list
> > > Ubuntu-us-chicago at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-chicago
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > - specialKevin
> > - Kevin Harriss
> > - http://www.specialkevin.com
> >
>
>

-- 
Encryption Key (GPG PID): 19983D83
This has been an Eddie Martinez production.
<Please exit in an orderly fashion>
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