[clug] Linux and City News Canberra

[Ian Bardsley]

On 08/04/14 18:57, bryan at netspeed.com.au wrote:
>  Scott:
>> A good opportunity for CLUG to offer a community service "Make the
>> transition from Windows XP to Linux and extend the life of your existing
>> Hardware"
> There is a difference between marketing and production. Novices will 
> want a structured tutorial.
>
> Whereas the recent club meetings have been relatively informal. And 
> also I think scarily technical from beginners' perspective.
Correct!!!..... In there, "lies the rub", to coin a phrase. However, 
from within the CLUG community there would be more that enough expertise 
to provide basic guidance in making the transition if there were 
sufficient will to make it happen.  After all how different is Linux 
Mint with the Cinnamon Desktop box from a Windows XP box from the 
Desktop Computer users perspective for example. I would suggest very 
little providing users don't have to "jump through hoops" to make 
hardware work which these days just doesn't happen.  Stuff just works.

I am a non technical, non IT industry Linux user of almost 10 years 
vintage.  I don't even notice the operating system I use any more 'cos 
it just works.  When family or friends visit and want to use a computer 
they do so on a Linux box and no one ever asks how to do X, Y or Z. They 
just use the computer.  It really isn't any different from what the use 
every day at home or work.

I don't attend CLUG Meetings because they are too technical for me and 
therefore of no real interest.  Stick a tutorial in how to better secure 
a LAMP server on the agenda however and I would be there in a heart beat.

 From the marketing perspective, the first shot has already been fired 
and quite eloquently I might add in this article.  The second shot would 
be to put together an "Install Fest" type event supported by a help line 
facility which could readily be communicated via the same media that 
suggested the transition in the first place.  Mr and Mrs Public might 
just take notice and make the transition.

Having spent some 6 hours a couple of days ago ridding my daughters 
laptop of the "PC Tools Virus" which had woven it's evil tendrils 
throughout the windows registry I am at a loss to understand why any one 
uses this MS rubbish but of course they do because they don't realise 
there is an alternative.  Only Linux users can reverse that perception.

Just my 2 bobs worth

Ian B