[TriLUG] opportunity to promote linux to MBAs

[Michael Hrivnak]

Dear list,   I have an opportunity for someone to come speak to 20+ MBA students (who in 5 years will be making the management decisions in major corporations in North Carolina) about the open source community and how it interfaces with the business community.   Currently, I’m an MBA student at UNCG’s Bryan School and a member of the Bryan School’s MBA Association.   http://www.uncg.edu/bae/mba/mbaa/   We have periodic seminars in which a guest will speak to our members for approximately one hour about some topic that will be of benefit to them as aspiring managers.  Most of them probably know very little about linux.  Note that we also have a Masters of Science in Information Technology Management as well as an undergraduate degree in Information Systems Management, all of which would be invited to this event.  I think it would be beneficial and of interest to have someone make a presentation on what linux and open source software are, and more importantly, how they can make a difference for a business.  When is open source appropriate?  What about cost?  What about support?  What about training employees?  What about my current IT staff?  Does this change my hardware needs?  Etc.   I’ve been wanting to make it to one of these business roundtable meetings, but my schedule in Greensboro hasn’t allowed it.  Perhaps for name credibility in the interest of attracting an audience, it would be nice to have someone from Redhat.  Also, Redhat would stand to benefit from making such a presentation to a group of aspiring managers.  Since I am sure any number of members of this list and others would be qualified for such a presentation, I am open to other suggestions.  Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer as compensation for the time and trip to Greensboro beyond the satisfaction of helping out.  If scheduling allows, I’ll buy dinner.   So, I appeal to you for recommendations on who I might contact that would be interested and qualified to make this presentation.  Additionally, I would love to hear comments on the content I’ve suggested and experiences with any similar attempts to explain linux/open source to the masses.   Thank you, Michael Hrivnak

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