[kwlug-disc] "What Linux Distro Should I Use?"

Wed May 5 03:34:40 EDT 2010

I see what you mean.  In effect two meetings at the same time, one more basic.  However, nothing will be perfect.  Suppose in the "basic" group there is asked a non-basic question.

Also, we have to get people used to the RTFM principle and hope there is one that is relatively current. (One of my old problems).  Using my proposed method we give them some resources and hope they get the message. 
================It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

-----Original Message-----
From: unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca>
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 03:28:27 
To: KWLUG discussion<kwlug-disc at kwlug.org>
Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] "What Linux Distro Should I Use?"

Shane wrote, On 05/05/2010 3:09 AM:
> The idea behind this is to decide what to do and do it on our
> schedule. Answering direct questions does it on their schedule,
> gives us no idea what level they have reached and possibly bores a
> lot of people. 

Wouldn't work. These basic questions you talk about get answered 
quickly, or the computer's a paper weight. Which is to say, they've 
given up and are long gone by the time we get around to answering the 
question. Or they've answered it for themselves, and by the time it 
arrives the answer has become redundant.

The answers have to be on their schedule. And we don't know before 
hand what questions might be posed by whomever happens to show up that 
night.

Which is not to say we don't / can't have as part of the meeting 
announcement ... and in the back corner tonight, while the main 
presentation upon X internals occurs, the initial topic will be 
firefox addons (or whatever). [If the 'back corner' is even a good, or 
practical, idea.]

> -----Original Message----- From: unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> 
> Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 03:07:27 To: KWLUG
> discussion<kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] "What
> Linux Distro Should I Use?"
> 
> Is the time frame for this (we would like to see) and the next open
>  slot too long for this?
> 
> Shane wrote, On 05/04/2010 4:29 AM:
>> Presumably, most of th new people will be moving from MS as did. 
>> My biggest problem was how to get something done:  documents, 
>> spreadsheets, listen to and transfer music and videos and maybe 
>> movies and radio.
>> 
>> If you want to know what people want to learn - ask them.  At the
>>  beginning you ask if there is anything about which someone would
>>  like to learn.  Then, if there is anyone, you direct them write 
>> their name and email address on a slip of paper, you might even 
>> provide some, and someone will contact them.
>> 
>> That should give topics and numbers.  Then all you need are 
>> presenters.  Basic topics can alternate with more advanced or 
>> possibly both on the same night depending on space available and 
>> other logistical nightmares.
>> 
>> ================It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's
>> the size of the fight in the dog.
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- From: Raul Suarez <rarsa at yahoo.com> 
>> Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 23:02:41 To: KWLUG 
>> discussion<kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] "What 
>> Linux Distro Should I Use?"
>> 
>> I am all for new users presentations. e.g. My presentation on 
>> development languages and environments is meant as an
>> introduction to Linux programming (yes, I'll send the abstract
>> very soon). Personally I feel like a new user at most of the
>> presentations. That's what makes it interesting for me. Learning
>> things I didn't know before.
>> 
>> But how frequently do we want to have a presentation about "what
>> is Linux"?
>> 
>> I hope we have new/curious users every meeting but eventually the
>>  new users will become more experienced.
>> 
>> So the challenge is how to facilitate the integration of new
>> users; helping them understand the basic concepts that will, in
>> turn, help them understand the topics presented. This has to be
>> done on a regular basis as there will always be new users.
>> 
>> Here is some brainstorming (most have pros and cons: - Revive the
>>  6:00 - 7:00 slot? or maybe the 6:30 - 7:00 slot; - Implement
>> Bill's idea regarding having a volunteer every meeting go to a
>> separate area and introduce new users to "What is linux?"; - Add
>> a few pages to the KWLUG site with references and links to
>> videos, tutorials and documents for new users. (We don't need to
>> write them. there are enough resources available); - Have a
>> volunteer host a "post meeting" gathering with new users; - Team
>> with the Working Centre computer recycling program.  We can ask
>> if they have volunteers interested on presenting Beginner Linux
>> training classes. Or one of us could volunteer one hour once a
>> month. e.g. me. Or even train the trainers.
>> 
>> Do the people in the list have more ideas? Remember, it is 
>> brainstorming. We can narrow down them later.
>> 
>> Raul Suarez
>> 
>> Technology consultant Software, Hardware and Practices 
>> _________________ http://rarsa.blogspot.com/ An eclectic
>> collection of random thoughts
>> 
>> 
>> --- On Tue, 5/4/10, Paul Nijjar <paul_nijjar at yahoo.ca> wrote:
>> 
>>> From: Paul Nijjar <paul_nijjar at yahoo.ca> Subject: [kwlug-disc] 
>>> "What Linux Distro Should I Use?" To: kwlug-disc at kwlug.org 
>>> Received: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 12:12 AM
>>> 
>>> Over the past few meetings I have been getting a bit of
>>> feedback from new KWLUGgers. They have been telling me that
>>> while the meetings have been interesting, the content has been
>>> way over their heads.
>>> 
>>> That got me thinking about another question I have been running
>>>  into: what linux distro people should start with.
>>> 
>>> One direction this takes me is to suggest that we make an 
>>> explicit attempt to schedule some more newbie-friendly
>>> meetings, and label them as such on the website.
>>> 
>>> Another horrible direction is that I have been pondering
>>> whether to give a presentation on this topic. However, I don't
>>> know whether this is a terrible idea or just a really bad one.
>>> (Also, the next available KWLUG slot is November, assuming
>>> Khalid, Andrew, Brad or somebody else has not snapped it up
>>> already. I would present sooner if I spoke at Software Freedom
>>> Day or Ontario Linux Fest.)
>>> 
>>> Recently I heard Richard give this talk in five minutes. It was
>>>  pretty excellent. That leads me to believe that this might be
>>> a good final talk for the June meeting, if Richard or somebody
>>> was willing to risk his or her life by giving it.
>>> 
>>> Thoughts?
> 
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