[ale] Install Fest????

[Jeff Hubbs]

I got a call back from the woman at Perimeter Mall yesterday
("Lin...what?") - I explained who we were, what Linux was, and what we
were trying to do.  They do have tables and chairs, but they rent them
out (she was going to get back to me about details, incl. cost), so we
can't get away with it cost-free at Perimeter (what, no Open-Source
furniture???) - I guess its viability will hinge on the reasonableness
of the rent.

Cumberland Mall and North Point Mall might be other options.  I have
trouble imagining this happening at Lenox.

- Jeff

rob hoppe wrote:
> 
> Jeff Hubbs wrote:
> 
> > aaron wrote:
> > >
> > > Holding an Install Fest is a great idea and I plan to participate
> > > if the final date and location allows. However...
> > >
> > > I have to wonder at the effectiveness of doing this at a Mall. Are
> > > these shopping zombies a good target audience and opportunity for
> > > getting new users on board with Linux? Sure, there is visibility, but
> > > how much of this crowd will really take the time to look? Is this the
> > > best avenue for investing the time and effort?
> > >
> > > Its possible a Mall can be the ideal environment, especially if the
> > > Install Fest promotions are done from an angle like "The ultimate
> > > Anti-Virus Vaccine for your PC!"... ;-)
> > >
> > > ...but I have to wonder if the visible and technical system access
> > > provided by Linux is still daunting for the average home user, even with
> > > all the "freindly and familiar" enhancements and packaged software
> > > additions of the past few years. I think the majority of consumers have
> > > now been conditioned into limiting their computer expectations to the
> > > level of TV's and Game Consoles. Buy it, plug it in, surf the net, play
> > > solitaire, [reinstall winblows, get a Microshaft virus, reinstall
> > > winblows, <repeat>] throw it away after a year or two and buy a newer
> > > one, hoping that it might work beter: the marketroid dream of
> > > the disposable commodity consumer society in action (and what more
> > > ostentatious display of that than a modern shopping Mall).
> > >
> > > For several reasons, I would suggest that the most promising candidates
> > > for advancing the Linux choices are in high school and college
> > > audiences, and that these types of groups are where ALE efforts might
> > > be the most effective and successful. Not only do these young people
> > > generally have more open, flexible and curious minds for exploring new
> > > approaches to technology, but they are more likely to both see and
> > > -need- the economic advantages Linux can provide through recycled
> > > hardware and low cost software.
> > >
> > > I say forget the Malls and promote a "Back to School" Install
> > > Fest special event that hits on as many area college and high school
> > > campuses as possible. Give the promotion a full month of lead time and
> > > use as many free / public service announcement outlets as can be found
> > > for reaching GA Tech, GA State, Emory, Agnes Scott, et al. Then
> > > consider running the show for a full weekend at a "cool" central
> > > location like the Innovox lounge (which, BTW, is already familiar to a
> > > lot of students at the schools I named). And explore other support or
> > > sponsorship sources, too, like working with area computer Recyclers
> > > or Leasing companies to provide cheap hardware at the event to go
> > > along with the Linux software and expertise.
> > >
> > > Hope that inspires some other discussion and ideas. Unfortunately, I
> > > won't be available to participate or comment for a few days, but will
> > > look to see where this has lead next Wednesday.
> >
> > Actually, I quite like the school idea.  However, let's not fall in to
> > "preaching to the choir" too much at the techhier schools.  ALE could do
> > a lot more "damage" at Emory, Agnes Scott, Gwinnett Tech, or high
> > schools.  Innovox is going to have the PTTC problem as well, I
> > speculate.
> >
> > I have contact names at Gwinnett Tech and Rush Computer (leasing),
> > FWIW.  GwT's primary thing is cranking out $ofties, I think - when I
> > gave a talk on Linux there back in January, there were a number of
> > genuinely interested people.
> >
> > - Jeff
> >
> > - Jeff
> > --
> > To unsubscribe: mail majordomo at ale.org with "unsubscribe ale" in message body.
> 
> The object of the mall is people and publicity.  We need to show-off and that is
> why the mall but a high school or college might do.  Linux Today will post as well
> as other friendly sites.  The object is also based around fun.  Peter at clug said
> he was doing one in Athens in the next few months.
> 
> Rob
> 
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