Re: [TCLUG:8631] Installfest - logistics questions / followup classes?

[Nate Carlson <natecars@infiniteloop.com>]

I have yet to attend an installfest (but I should be able to make the one
next week, unless there is a change of plans), but it sounds like it would
be a PAIN to just randomly pick who installs what on whichever machine..
at least if there are as many people at these things as I would expect.
Maybe we should have a pre-signup for the installers that think they are
going to be able to make it to the 'fest, which details what the installer
knows, and then use Fred's system to assign recipients to these installers
at the actual installfest. But then again, I haven't been to one of these
yet, so maybe there isn't the flood of people expecting to get Linux
install on their boxen that I would expect. 


The problem I see with follow-up classes and phone support is it could be
a fairly large inconvenience for the people who have to provide the
support or teach the classes. The nice thing about doing mailing lists is
the fact that people can answer questions when it is convenient for them,
so it is a very low-stress option. If we could set up classes and charge a
nominal fee to the attendees to reimburse the teacher, things might work
out better. Unless we have people in the group willing to donate time to
teach a class? Or maybe we could have a small "introduction to linux"
section at the beginning of each LUG meeting.. it may bore the people who
already know those parts, but hey, even the most experienced of us may be
able to learn something.


I know that I personally don't mind newbie questions on this list at all.
In my opinion, at least, this list is here for both the new users and the
experienced users; we may all be able to learn something from even the
most simple questions. I wouldn't mind seeing a list for newbie questions,
but I don't personally see a need..

Just my $.02.

----
Nate Carlson
the infinite loop
natecars@infiniteloop.com

On Sun, 26 Sep 1999, Fred H. Olson wrote:

> I got Linux installed at the Installfest last spring.  I have yet to use
> it much (see below).  
> 
> There were kind of two kinds folks present (among others):
> 
> People getting Linux installed on their computer ("recipients") 
> People actually doing installations ( "installers").  
> 
> At that installfest it seemed like the process of hooking up recipients
> with installers pretty random and at the initiative of the recipients.  I
> sort of walked around talking to folks, looking over shoulders etc and
> after a while has Peter Lukas do the install.
> 
> Has any consideration been made to streamline this process of getting
> recipients and installers started?  A first-come-first-serve system with 
> a que ("take a number") system, probably divided by flavor of Linux (etc)
> to be installed comes to mind.
> 
> With increasing visibility of Linux, publicity and a location at the UofM,
> I can imagine a lot of folks dragging their computers in...  It's hard to
> know but an oversupply of recipients could overwhelm installers..  A
> streamlined process could help and help predict who wont be able to be
> served.
> 
> SECOND...  (from personal experience...)
> 
> Getting Linux installed is just one step in the process of becoming a
> reasonably competent Linux user.  Some kind of followup classes and/or 
> forum for
> questions and advice (by phone as well as email?) seem like they would get
> a lot of folks beyond simply having an installed version of Linux.  Many
> of
> the folks on this list would be able to conduct a few sessions of
> introductory classes.  After a few classes I suspect many people would
> have enough background to get further assistance via email but initially 
> email is too cumbersome for all the trivial stuff ("what key do I hit to
> do...")  
> 
> BTW this list tends to discuss things that are over the heads of novices
> and that makes it feel awkward to ask novice type questions which all the
> experienced users can answer.  So it feels like wasting their time asking
> such questions here.  BTW I think the list has treated the novice
> questions that have been asked here quite adequately and respectfully (I
> know it's hard to be patient with newbies sometimes...)  Maybe a separate
> novice list (which of course would need a few experienced participants
> (maybe on a designated respondent, rotating basis). 
> 
> Fred
> 
> --
> Fred H. Olson  fholson@cohousing.org    Minneapolis,MN   55411  
> (612)588-9532  Amateur radio: WB0YQM          List manager of:
> Cohousing-L  See http://www.cohousing.org and Nbhd-tc --  Twin 
> Cities Neighborhood issues list.  See http://freenet.msp.mn.us
> 
> 
> 
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