HANDS-ON LINUX DEMONSTRATIONS
What's a Hands-On Linux Demo?
History:
In September 1999, LUGOD held its first public demonstration of Linux
at the Davis Farmer's Market.
We've since held demos at other venues, such as
the Davis Food Co-Op,
and the Borders
bookstore in Davis.
What We Do At A Demo:
We call our event a "hands-on Linux demo" because it's precisely that!
We set up one more or computers running the Linux operating system and
a nice desktop environment, and let people try it out for themselves.
We show off popular Open Source applications, such as "The GIMP"
(digital artists and photographers want to check it out), "OpenOffice.org",
and "Firefox." We show games and K-12 educational programs. For people
who use UNIX and want to try Linux, we show various low-level tools that
are available.
Volunteers answer questions about Linux, Open Source, LUGOD, and
computers in general.
We also take the opportunity to advertise LUGOD. We'll have handouts
describing the club and our events, flyers for upcoming
meetings and installfest
workshops, and even plug our neighbor LUGs in
Sacramento and
Roseville.
Give-Aways
Along with information and flyers, we try to have CD-ROMs with software
(Linux install discs, live-CDs, Open Source software for Windows, etc.),
and sometimes books, magazines, or other 'swag' and goodies. We give these
items out for free! (If your company or organization wants to provide
give-aways for our demos or other events, contact
pr@lugod.org).
Who Comes To A Demo?
Some people learn about our demo events from notices in the local newspaper
or online, and make a specific effort to come to the event. Sometimes they
are people who participate in LUGOD but simply cannot make our regular
meetings (or think they're too technical... although that's
silly!)
For the most part, though, people from the general public who just happen to be
wandering by notice our exhibit and drop by to see what it is. Visitors
range from complete computer-'newbies' to Linux and UNIX gurus who are
surprised to learn about LUGOD. (Which is also
silly, after so many years!)
Why Do We Demo?
The reason for holding demos is three-fold:
- First, we aim to educate the public that there are good
alternatives to Microsoft. We want to show people what Linux and
Open Source are, and how well they work.
- Secondly, it serves as a very good way to advertise the LUG to
people who already run Linux but may not know that there is a
user group in the area.
- Thirdly, some people think LUGOD is "just a UCD organization."
We're not! We're our own 501(c)7 non-profit, and
our goal is to be a resource to the entire populace of Davis
and the surrounding region.
When Are Demos?
We try and hold demos once a month, typically on a Saturday.
This schedule isn't set in stone, though. Depending on volunteer
and venue availability, or other concurrent events (such as
Whole Earth Festival or
LinuxWorld Expo),
we often don't skip holding a demo.
Where Are Demos?
We hold Demos at different locations. Our favorite venue is the
Demo Kitchen at the Davis Food Co-Op.
Generally, they've been at one of the following locations:
Our Demo Computer
In June 2000, VA Linux Systems donated
a PC to LUGOD for our demos and InstallFests.
In January 2004, we received a mini-ITX system for a very reduced price
from Dave Margolis, which replaced the old VA system.
Help Us Demo!
If you'd like to show off some equipment running Linux, and/or volunteer
to man our booth, please contact the
Demo Coordinator (Henry House).
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