Responding to an email about the upcoming Central NH meeting:
Ed, (& other organizers),
I realize this is not your usual Linux meeting.
The reason that it sounds kind of strange, is that
it is *not* intended to sell Linux!
This is market research, not marketing!
I said for them to "say what they want", because I expect
to be listening, not talking.
<soapbox>
No matter what you think about the platforms, one of
the reasons that Apple, & Microsoft have the following they do,
is that they did their market research *before* they released their
products. Granted, both of them released early stuff that was
questionable, but they went back and *listened* to actual
people, then released better stuff.
I want Linux to meet needs, not be a
"solution in search of a problem to solve".
</soapbox>
Yes, I do want demo systems, showing both gnome, & KDE.
People want to see something, before they know what to ask for.
But, I want the emphasis on them, not us.
Comments? (He says, donning his asbestos underwear),
Bob Sparks
>>>> Ed Lawson said: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>> Forwarded material >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bob:
I am distressed. This is two weeks away. Has any planning been done?
The last thing we need is for people to "Come and say what you want."
It is one thing to have spur of the moment presentations among
ourselves, but I don't think it is a good idea to follow that path for
presenting to people who are curious or wondering if the "Linux thing"
is serious or just another curiosity of "techies".
Seems the Central Group has yet to walk and this is a significant
endeavor. If they leave shaking their heads, they will not be back.
They will not explore the LBS event nor the seminar that is part of
the Governor's Conference on Volunteerism in May.
Not trying to be negative, but these types of meetings are not ones
where people can blithely say and do what usually happens at
gatherings of the Linux faithful. These people will want to see
things working smoothly, they will want to see things that will work
for them and do things they need done. They do not care about who has
used what for how long or how bad MS is or that in a few minutes this
will be up and running or it really does work and all the rest of the
usual mantras.
I feel Linux is on the edge so to speak of becoming a recognized option
by nontech people..the PHBs. We should not forget the word in there
is Boss and what that entails in terms of responsibility and
authority.
Ed Lawson
