Kevin, this is a great idea - San Diego is a great area to do this. I hope you find a good suitable location, this is always the challenge for organizing Linux events. I live too far North to consider driving out for weeknight-type schedules (two hours drive, one-way, for a two-hour meet is hard to figure ) For the same reason I haven't been able to make the Ubuntu night in O.C, and also the reason why we might have to make one for the Inland Empire :)
Regarding Bruce's comments on Barcamp, I'd really make the opposite recommendation. Barcamp is not Linux, it's not Ubuntu Linux, it's not open-source, it's not even actually about computing... barcamp is only about whatever barcamp is about. It's an "un"-conference. Here's the general impression (my OPINION only, your mileage may vary...) You go, you network, meet other individuals, look to generate some common interest for a meeting time slot (you'll see sticky notes on a wall next to time slots) so let's say you go and want to talk about Ubuntu Linux for 1 hour and you've found 4 or 5 other people who will do this too. So you write your name down on the sticky note for that time. Lets say then that there are 15 more people that want to talk about some ASP.Net program they want to sell for tracking your SEO stats. They can just walk over and put their sticky note on your time slot. Nobody cares. Nobody is in charge. It's an unconference. Additional concerns: - barcamp is loud, random, hectic... not the kind of place you could accomplish items #3 or #5 in your list below - as they need a quiet/dedicated environment where people can work on their laptops, etc. - Barcamp is supposedly by definition, a free event for everyone, but you end up seeing all the requests for (and prominently placed webbanners for) corporate sponsorship. Do you want to hold an Ubuntu event at a camp that is sponsored by Microsoft. I don't. (I don't believe the Ubuntu policies, in general, are open to corporate sponsorship/logos of even burning CD's, etc.) - A barcamp event may be lacking in proper network security. While you also don't know much about the setup (DSL connection, firewall settings or lack thereof, or Wi-Fi security settings) you find at a coffee house... at least the network was installed/paid/maintained through the efforts of the proprietor that you are supporting (and you should ask them basic questions about use of the wireless network if they allow your meeting there.) With any barcamp event, the network has to be established by someone who is an organizer or volunteer of the barcamp. I personally find this to be a security problem. At an event like Defcon I expect people to be probing laptops, capturing packets, etc. at a Linux-focused event where you are wanting to help people new to Ubuntu Linux, you want to know that nothing malicious is going on when you're helping them setup their PPA or something. Where is a barcamp network security on the scale between the friendly meetup you proposed and something like Defcon. Well, you don't know - and you won't. It's a relevant question to ask. OK - i've made my points. :) take them with a grain of salt, use as you wish. Best of luck with organizing an event. I hope you find San Diego a great place to start a Ubuntu Hour. I may try to make it to the OC one, or this one someday, (if it's not at a Barcamp of course) Thanks, David On 8/15/2010, "Bruce Mohler" <[email protected]> wrote: >Kevin, > >I'm interested. My only constraints are that I live in north Escondido and >am very busy. But I'd love to see something for Ubuntu start up. > >You might consider contacting the local San Diego Barcamp site ( >http://www.barcampsd.org/) as well and seeing if there are interested people >there. Barcamp has weekends twice a year and several of them tend to be >Linux oriented... > >Bruce > >On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 6:34 PM, Kevin DuBois <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Hey all, >> I'm looking into get a San Diego "Ubuntu Hour" going around the greater San >> Diego area! I'm thinking that we do this 'coffee house coder' style. We had >> similar events back in Michigan that seemed to always work out well. >> >> If you are in San Diego, and would be willing to meet once a month for an >> Ubuntu Hour, PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK! :) We need to get about half a 3-6 'core' >> people that would come every month. >> >> Why? >> 1. Getting a new open source pet project going >> 2. Getting involved in an existing OSS project >> 3. Getting started doing technical/translation/bug/community/documentation >> work for Ubuntu >> 4. Technical networking in meatspace! >> 5. Answering technical questions for people who are having trouble >> installing/configuring Ubuntu >> >> Where? >> I'm new to the area, so I'm scouting out decent coffee shops where the >> management would be open to this type of deal. I'm thinking a good place to >> meet would be the downtown area. >> >> When? >> I'm thinking once a month would probably be a good frequency at which to >> meet. Probably a Mon/Tues/Wed night after the workday would be a decent day >> to meet. (Doesn't interfere with social schedules as much) >> >> How? >> I have a few ideas to drum up interest, including fliers around downtown >> and the college campuses >> >> This plan is still in its infancy, suggestions/advice is always welcome. >> >> Cheers, >> Kevin DuBois >> [email protected] >> >> >> -- >> Ubuntu-us-ca mailing list >> [email protected] >> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: >> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ca >> >> > > >-- >Bruce Mohler - <>< >Software guy... >Of course my password is the same as my pet's name. >My dog's name is ull7&cks, but I change it every 90 days. -- Ubuntu-us-ca mailing list [email protected] Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ca
