One of the biggest problems I've seen is the "what's next" after the install. We could start a series on Linux for the desktop&development the week after an installfest. The first one could be a quick orientation to KDE/Gnome and basic programs to do many of the tasks they're used to on Windows (Mozilla Firebird, Gaim, Xmms, OpenOffice.org), along with a few sample installations to demonstrate RPM/apt/tgz.
Another solution to the "what's next" problem may be to have a linux workshop day. We could offer 5 or 6 classes in the 30-45 min range on the topics you mentioned. Ideally the beginners could go to 2-3 classes to learn the basics above, there'd be 2-3 classes for intermediate (init, gcc/make/?, filesystems).
On the security topic: We have been improving and extending our security series for about 2 semesters now, and have had excellent feedback. The last few workshops were held in a EE lab, and we used User-Mode Linux and multicast networking to let them set up firewalls, nmap each other, configure SSH + disable telnet, things of that sort.
What does everyone else think on the weekly/monthly series vs a linux day for post-installfest?
Patrick
On Monday, September 1, 2003, at 01:00 AM, jeff strunk wrote:
The ACM meetings are not meant to be anything for SIGLinux at all. I like the idea of a monthly(or more often) meeting. The time a few of us went to Spiderhouse was lots of fun. Mojo's is also a good place. I don't know about Spiderhouse, but Mojo's has wireless.
Then again, maybe you were thinking about something on campus involving a technical talk. A different student group I was in held a lecture and then adjourned to Double Dave's for beer and pizza about once a month. Does anybody have anything they'd like to give a lecture on? A few I think would be good follow: * What do I do now that I have GNU/Linux on my desktop? * Description of init, generally applicable config files, filesystem hierarchy... * Securing your computer(a series?) * Effective advocacy
I think the first one should be done around the time of the installfests. On Sun, Aug 31, 2003 at 01:54:13PM -0500, Patrick Lang wrote:I think the best solution is to get a monthly meeting together, and
make every other one an installfest. I understand there are regular
ACM meetings, but I don't think those are generally inviting or useful
to people outside of CS. It would be good for new users to have that
group to talk to consistently. I don't know how many times I gave my
emails out to people at installfests and never heard back from them
directly or through the list. Personally I've converted more people to
Linux and Mac OSX at the IEEE ComSoc weekly meetings since we're always
there to help them in person along the way.
Patrick
-- Have a nice day, Jeff Strunk sigfree.utacm.org siglinux.utacm.org -- In a very real sense, *anyone* who makes a public issue out of the fact that they are involved with Linux in any way is seen as an advocate. (Derek Glidden)
_______________________________________________ Siglinux mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.utacm.org/mailman/listinfo/siglinux
