[NYLoCo] Successful Brooklyn Ubuntu Meeting

[Exa Byte]

Zach,

I agree with your premise, however, often (at least these days) many
users have a router at home and work with Laptops at the office and
would enjoy the benefit of being able to access their files at home,
and SSH is a great way to do that. I agree it's probably an
*intermediate* user skill to teach, but I was more thinking out loud
about topics, rather than insisting that SSH be forced upon newbies...

Perhaps to rephrase, I am looking to foster a guided, nurturing
environment of learning for users looking to explore Linux (Ubuntu or
others). I never liked running into the Linux Snobs that I have often
seen who just piss on anyone asking newbie questions and make RTFM
wisecracks... I'm looking to counter that experience with a positive
one.

As we all agreed at our Brooklyn Gathering @ the KDog, there HAS to be
a plethora of Linux users (or those interested in trying it) looking
for guidance... that's our niche.

Bossman.

On 10/7/07, Zach Stern <zach at wordrockets.com> wrote:
> The alternate network manager was wicd.
> http://wicd.sourceforge.net/
>
> They have a .deb repository.
>
> Again I can't help but disagree with you Exabyte, in that we should NOT be
> teaching the new users the basics of SSH. Well actually that depends.
>
> If we're talking about windows power users trying to learn linux that's one
> thing.
>
> But for NON-GEEKS, e.g. regular folks who just want to learn to use linux as
> a regular desktop/laptop OS to surf the web/compose documents/etc. teaching
> them SSH would be silly, and just further prolong the stereotype of linux
> being "too hard" or "too complicated". Regular users have no real need for
> SSH or the command line in any way, shape, or form. They might be able to be
> more productive with it, but they don't CARE. They want their computers to
> Just Work (tm).
>
> -Zach
>
>
> On 10/6/07, Exa Byte <exabyte at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I want to thank Zach and Nate and Lovestofail (my apologies I forgot
> > your first name! ahh!) for making the Brooklyn Ubuntu LUG meeting a
> > success overall -- we all got to know each other a bit and had some
> > very nice conversations about GrandCentral and Ubuntu in general.
> >
> > We found out that Nate likes KDE, while myself, Zach & lovestofail all
> > use Gnome. We also all agreed that the network manager that comes with
> > ubuntu doesn't work 100% and Zach recommended a replacement, what was
> > it Zach?
> >
> > We also talked about password managers
> > (http://oss.codepoet.no/revelation/) for Ubuntu, and
> about procuring a
> > projector for desktop-wall-displays for future meetings in the Brookly
> > public library that's near the KDog Cafe (the main branch of the
> > Brooklyn Public Library).
> >
> > Apparently, the meeting rooms in the Brooklyn Public Library are FREE
> > and available to anyone to use, so all we really have to do is call &
> > confirm this (which I'll do shortly, or perhaps Nate will do this) and
> > we can schedule a future date for another weekend meeting.
> >
> > We'd set up a projector or perhaps leverage terminal services to log
> > into a central ubuntu laptop which would then allow us all to use a
> > shared desktop.
> >
> > The goal would be to RSVP the attendees and query their skillsets so
> > we can figure out an appropriate topic to discuss/research live &
> > in-person while all looking at the same desktop (I think the projector
> > would be the easiest, and I will see if I can get one).
> >
> > I am most-interested in getting newbies (not noobs, which I think is
> > derogatory) who know enough to install Ubuntu, but can't handle all
> > the minor issues that come up after an install, or are afraid of
> > partitioning and getting them through to a stable & running desktop.
> > Also, I'd like to have an opportunity to give them the tools to get
> > through basic usage such as reaching windows shares, sharing their own
> > ubuntu directories, as well as the basics of SSH and dual booting.
> >
> > If a mixed group RSVP's (in terms of skillset) we can take the
> > newbie-portion aside and the rest and have split gatherings -- it can
> > be dynamic, provided we have the venue.
> >
> > The most important thing is to RSVP via the mail list as we did for
> > this gathering and discuss prior to the meeting via the mail list,
> > which topics to cover/discuss/research/lecture-about.
> >
> > Thank you all who came (including my buddy Brian who showed up a bit
> > late, but nevertheless was interested in coming to a more
> > instruction-style meeting in the future).
> >
> > This coming week I will try to confirm with the library if we can
> > indeed show up without a reservation and then we can set the next
> > gathering -- I think many are available saturdays, but if anyone is
> > interested in doing it sunday instead, please speak up.
> >
> > Also I am willing to discuss dates for the next meeting! I'd put forth
> > next Saturday 10/13 at 1pm (providing we can get a conference room in
> > the library).
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Bossmanbeta.
> >
> > --
> > Ubuntu-us-ny mailing list
> > Ubuntu-us-ny at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ny
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Zach Stern
> 347-531-8810
> wordrockets.com/blog
> --
> Ubuntu-us-ny mailing list
> Ubuntu-us-ny at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ny
>
>