Rogue Linux
Very excited about having the chance to organize a Software Freedom day.
Contact me at the email below or give me a call
John Statler
Computer Services Northwest
541-770-5524
I have been running a small computer company in my area for just now 10 years. I am a Medford City Council Member, taking office 2.5 years ago. I have over 15 years experience in community organizing in southern Oregon. I have been hoping to organize an event like this for at least six years. I discovered this event on Digg and it is an inspiration to "get on with it."
I have a lot of experience organizing community events, just not this type.
The event can be held in many places in the city, but I am hopeful we can use our Kids Unlimited facility since it has lots of open interior space, a kids computer lab, and of course, lots of connections to kids.
I will call and send mail invitations to all my customers and local suppliers as well technicians and community organizations I know.
I will get media coverage. I'm certain of at least a mention in the local paper, there are at least three talk shows to call into. Medford is a regional center so people might be attracted from as much as 30 miles away. Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College are also sources of participants (and team members). There is also a local group called "Senior Aces" who meet monthly and offer free help to people who ask.
My initial team can gather at least 10 workstations of varying capability. We will set up at least three workstations to network some games. We will recruit up to 7 additional team members.
We will offer installation help for folks bringing computers in. We will have some machines just for showing installation techniques. Some machines will be set up to demonstrate particular software sets like graphics, video, music, layout, office suites, accessibility etc.
We will prepare some introductory presentation materials for projection. We will provide some computers broken apart for those who are unfamiliar with the inner workings, and offer the opportunity to put them together and take them apart again.
Knowing that there are some local computer service providers who are strongly opposed to open-source and free software we will endeavor to provide materials addressing their concerns and offering opportunities for discussion.
We will offer some door prices, soliciting local users and vendors for donations.
We will prepare some nice banners and provide a celebratory atmosphere. We will provide a child care area and it will be handicapped accessible.
I could probably distribute up to 80 cds but since this is a first event I don't want to risk wasting any of your resources. We can burn additional disks that day if needed.
As described here this seems like a big project, but I have experience putting on fairs and community demostrations so it is not as intimidating to me as it might be to others.
Thanks to the Software Freedom Day team for getting some spark under my ass.
Medford is in southern Oregon, just a few tens of miles north of the California Border.
More details to come.
Email: <linux AT SPAMFREE systemsolver DOT com>
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