Nicolai Rosen on Mon, 29 May 2000 23:00:08 -0400 (EDT)


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Re: [PLUG] Installfest


On Mon, 29 May 2000, Bill Jonas wrote:
> VENUE: Library
> PROS: Usually lots of tables; lots of space (usually) to set up, spread 
> out, and do work; members of the public will be there
> CONS: Libraries generally require quiet, so we might jeopardize our
> presence with our conversation; members of the public not necessarily
> the 'computing public'

If we could contact the library ahead of time and they were ok with us
being there and making noise & whatnot, then this could work. We'd just
have to make clear our power requirements (tripping their circuit breakers
would NOT be cool) and our noise level.

> VENUE: Computer store (my idea)
> PROS: People in a computer store are generally interested in computers,
> right?; convenient for getting supplies and stuff people forgot
> CONS: Ones that I've seen wouldn't generally have enough tables for us
> (if they cleared space for us, it would interfere with the sales staff)

I see this as a serious conflict of interest unless one of us works for a
computer store w/ large amounts of empty space (doubtful as space
generally gets filled w/ stuff computer stores want to sell, for like
money and stuff).

> VENUE: PLUG member's house
> PROS: Assuming enough space, we could basically do whatever the house's
> owner allows
> CONS: Since it's not public, it would be unlikely to generate interest
> from people not already interested enough to show up

Nobody should have a house big enough to house the kind of crowd we'll
want. I figure if this is to be a worthwhile thing, then we're going to
have to do it big. As in several dozen people being the bare
minimum. Also, a house would intimidate random strangers.

> VENUE: Bookstore (what SVLUG uses)
> PROS: Tables (if a B&N or Borders)?; would probably be more receptive to
> hosting it as they would be likely to sell at least a few books; public
> location; should have enough space for us
> CONS: Quiet? (ie, the library thing)

I like, if we can get them to agree and if we can satisfly power
requirements.

> VENUE: Computer show
> PROS: Computer-interested crowd; space (possibly)
> CONS: Admission fee; confusion created by all the computer show noise

Biggest thing I can think of is space. That and having a whole bunch of
people hauling their computers around at a computer show. Though we may
want to at some point in time staff a table w/ people giving out free or
selling cheap Linux CDs w/ Linux advocacy and not profit in mind. That
could work in a different way.

> Another thought: Maybe a university?  You'd have many of the advantages
> (along with some of the attendant disadvantages, or course) of a few of
> the above.  Maybe we could say it's the "PLUG Installfest hosted by Foo
> University CompSci Dept" and get a staff member to be there (for proper
> facilities access).

See this one I like. Universities are used to doing cool free stuff,
especially U Penn. I've seen an assload of really great speakers there.

Nicolai Rosen
nick@netaxs.com
Earthstation/Netaxs
http://laktar.dyndns.org/
http://www.netaxs.com/~nick/

Trying to learn to hack on a DOS or Windows machine or under MacOS is like trying to learn to dance while wearing a body cast.
	-Eric S Raymond, tuxedo.org/~esr




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