[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Expo

[Alvin Goats]

Leroy Tennison wrote:


 > "What is our goal?"    Expose/educate the vast end-user base who 
could take advantage of Linux and save significant money doing so.

This is the important one. I will assume for the moment that the goal is 
to penetrate the common user market by leveraging ALL possible avenues.

 > "What kind of audience would best help us reach that goal?"    One 
consisting mainly of Joe and Jane Average.

We better define just exactly who Joe and Jane are. What is their age 
group, what are their interestes, how can we show them that linux will 
do what they need and more?

If  Joe and Jane are elderly retired folk, their interests in the 
internet are typically e-mail, surfing and photos. Some do other things, 
like writing.

If Joe and Jane are the "Boomer" crowd, they're probably still working 
and in need of Tax software, web surfing, e-mail, Office Suite, remote 
access and more. Hobbies will be extremely varied.

 > "Where can we get that audience?"    A larger general interest event.

Channel 5's Technology Showcase,  the DFW Autoshow, the Entrepreneurs 
Fair, the education fairs (someone in education would have to let us 
know when they happen as they're typically closed to the public), 
library/librarian fairs (they have them too).

 > "What do we need to present once we have them?"    The basic things 
they use: An office suite, games, email and the Internet.

The key is to adjust the presentation to fit the format of the 
fair/showcase so it appeals to the visitors. Showing off auto links, 
fast internet, secure transfers et al at the DFW Autoshow would be an 
example.


To better penetrate the home base, consider other demographics: church, 
school, library, local charities and small local governments. These are 
the most cost conscious groups available. Secondary groups would be some 
of the other clubs and organisations: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, 
YWCA, and others who either have merit badges or other awards for 
achievement. Many churchs help many of their congregation with setting 
up a computer and getting internet access, particularly if they are 
disabled. This gets noticed by many of the church members who talk. Same 
goes for the scouts and other family based clubs.

Churchs use a variety of things including Powerpoint, Word, Excel and 
Acess (replace all of it with OpenOffice and save money for other things 
and PRESS the fact that OpenOffice has Sun Microsystems logos all over it).

There exist custom software for libraries and schools. Get them and show 
them off.

Alvin