Re: [PLUG] The Next Step? -- was Community Service Project (Devil's advocate)

["Arthur S. Alexion" <arthur@alexion.com>]

Paul wrote:

> I'm thinking that this has already come to mind, but...as far as 
> getting sponsers goes, would it help to have a laptop configured as a 
> demo of what you wish to offer to the kids?
>
> I guess it wound't hurt to show an example of the type of computers, 
> if any, they currently have access to.  For example, on one side we 
> have an obsolete Apple or M$ computer, and on the other side we have a 
> sponsored PC running free, modern Open Source software.  While we ask 
> for help paying for hardware, we offer the software and expertise to 
> help the kids get the most out of the computers. 


Bad idea, IMO.  ( I have more experience with suits than technology 
which you can figure out by reading some of my posts. ;-) ) Alot of 
corporate types see Open Source as anti-capitalistic, if not downright 
socialistic.   We don't need to emphasize it.  We shouldn't hide it , 
either, because they are impressed when we have a well vetted solution 
to  the  cost of ownership issue. 

> Is the rest just statistics?  Or could we offer real stories of kids 
> who would benefit from this project? 

Stories of kids would work well, but PLUG, Jr. will be a great selling 
point.  Donors, like the Pew Trusts, want to see a viable plan (open 
source) and a long term committment from us (PLUG, Jr.), before they 
chip in.

A presentation has to balance the hard facts (we know what we are 
undertaking) with the warm and fuzzy (why these kids deserve it), and it 
helps to show that the corporate community will benefit from better 
prepared future employees.


--

_______________________________
Art Alexion
Arthur S. Alexion LLC
mailto:arthur@alexion.com
http://www.alexion.com


_________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group        --       http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug