I think that the majority of our potential audience for free|OSS CDs would be newbies (new to free|OSS, not necessarily to computers), so the CDs that the PLLUG would make available should be full fledged distros, especially ones that are more popular. Here's a list of software and distros that I think should be available at a minimum:
1. RedHat 2. Mandrake 3. Suse 4. Debian 5. DemoLinux 6. FreeBSD What are your ideas on this list? These distros are more well known, therefore, the potential audience would recognize the names and consider tech support more widely available. In all of our scenarios, I think we should consider how a newbie will perceive the offerings. Also, the current structure of the PLLUG _depends_ on other free|OSS advocates (the lone geek, LUGs, etc.) downloading, md5summing, burning, labeling, and donating these CDs to their local public libraries. This is absolutely crucial, because the cost/labor must be distributed. There were 9074 public libraries in the US in 2000(1). Having any one group or company provide free|OSS to all those would be prohibitively expensive, as well as exclude the possibility for building a local free|OSS community (via LUGs, etc.). So, I don't think we could ask RedHat, Mandrake, et. al., to donate their software to public libraries any more than we could ask publishers to donate their books. _But_ because the GPL(2) exists, we can legally copy and share free|OSS with libraries. Public libraries are all about building communities (http://www.ala.org/celebrating/alaletter.html). And they are also dedicated to the freedom of information (http://www.ala.org/celebrating/freedom.html). The Free|OSS movement also holds these ideas in great regard. I imagine once the ALA really understands what free|OSS, they will demand it not only on their shelves but on their computers as well. After reading and thinking about all the discussion concerning PLLUG, I realize that our task consists of two things: 1. Educating public libraries (and the ALA?) about free|OSS and the PLLUG project. 2. Convincing advocates of free|OSS everywhere (especially *NIX user groups) to donate software via PLLUG guidelines. This will have the following effects: 1. Make free|OSS software available on public library shelves. 2. Build local free|OSS communities and advocacy via LUGs, as participating libraries and user groups can be quickly determined via a web-based PLLUG DB. Essentially, our task is to reach curious newbies via offline means and include them in the free|OSS community. Your thoughts? John Hebert (1) E.D. Tab: Public Libraries in the United States, Fiscal Year 2000: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/2002344.pdf ref: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2002344 (2) General Public License: http://www.fsf.org/licenses/licenses.html#GPL --- Kory Wnuk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I currently do not have a better suggestion. I will > spend a little time taking a look around to see what > is available, compare sizes, examine functionality, > and overall determine (my opinion) which > distribution > is best suited for the average user. I will also > keep > in mind that the user more than likely does not have > any experience in using an alternative operating > system. In fact, I believe that most users will not > have much knowledge of computers. Subsequently, a > plug & play approach to installation is a must. > > Sorry for the rambling...I am just thinking out > loud? > > -K > > --- "Banker, Craig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Kory, > > > > What would be your suggestions? > > > > Craig > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Kory Wnuk [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 6:33 AM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: Re: [brlug-general] plllug > > > > > > I guess that I would have to ask a few questions > > regarding your selection of a Debian distribution. > > > First, isn't Debian currently based on a 2.2 > version > > of the kernel? If so, what is the difference > > between > > 2.2 and 2.4 versions? Are we going to be lacking > > some > > hardware support by using the 2.2 version? > > Obviously > > I am asking these questions for my own > edification. > > However, if there is a significant difference in > > what > > I can do with a 2.2 kernel versus a 2.4 kernel I > > would > > want to know. I do not suspect that anyone would > > want > > to be limited in terms of what their particular > > kernel > > was capable. > > > > -K > > > > --- cmb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > OK PLLUG Folks (and anybody else), > > > > > > Sorry I've been gone so long...lightning and > > > cable-boxes dont mix, eh? > > > > > > Quick Poll ... > > > > > > I. If we could only deliver (up to) 5 pieces of > > open > > > source software to > > > local libraries (on one cd) ..what would those > > > pieces be? > > > > > > II. If we could summarise our mission in 5 > > sentences > > > or less, what would > > > a good example be? (for that matter, can we > > bullet > > > list our objectives > > > in order of their importance?) > > > > > > III. Suggest a catchy 1 to 5 word phrase that > kind > > > of frames our > > > intent.. ( a word logo of sorts ? ...examples > > > "Where do you want to go > > > today?", "Invent"... > > > > > > IV. When would be a good time to 'demo' the > > concept > > > to someone who could > > > make it happen (or not..)? > > > > > > > > > My Answers... > > > > > > I. Some small Debian Based Distro.. Star > Office > > > (windows), Python > > > (linux and windows), and a handful of addictive > > > linux games. > > > > > > II. We seek to make Open Source software as > freely > > > available as books. > > > > > > III. "Open Source - Check me out today!" > > > > > > IV ?? > > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > cmb > > > > > > > > > p.s. when're we gonna meet again? > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > General mailing list > > > [email protected] > > > > > > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > > > > ===== > > Failure is NOT an option! That is why I use > > Linux... > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes > > http://autos.yahoo.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > General mailing list > > [email protected] > > > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > > _______________________________________________ > > General mailing list > > [email protected] > > > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > ===== > Failure is NOT an option! That is why I use > Linux... > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes > http://autos.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > General mailing list > [email protected] > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com
