I have to agree with Sandi.  We are NOT selling a Linux/Open Source Solution that a business will use. HMSA (or any other local busines) is not going to switch to Linux/Open Source because what they see at our booth, but they hopefully will do more research into it.  We ARE showing products that businesses could use and showing users that Linux/Open Source is a realistic alternative.

Dusty

> 
> I think letting users install is a great idea.  If a few people learn that they can indeed go home and use linux themselves that would be great.  People manning the booth need to be sure to help out the installer if they have any problems, or this would backfire.
> 
> I think we are much more likely to convert some home users to linux at the show, than to convert a business.  We might give a business something to think about and look into further, however, actually converting some home users is probably likely.  
> 
> Sandi
> 
> On Wed, 05 September 2001, "Warren Togami" wrote:
> > 
> > That may be a good or bad idea, depending on the following:
> > 
> > How much time does one spend at the booth?  Do we want people hanging around
> > the booth for a very long period of time, cluttering the space and perhaps
> > hindering others from seeing the more effective business and educational
> > displays that will be the most important part in convincing people that
> > Linux is a powerful and cost effective platform for these usages?
> > (Think: Target audience and the target amount of time spent at the booth.)
> > 
> > Could we be spreading ourselves too thin?  We already have three big demos,
> > and not enough people to explain it all during all shifts.
> > (Note: We need more volunteers, especially as backups and supplemental
> > people.)
> > 
> > We only have 10x10 feet.  During the last planning meeting there was general
> > agreement that 3 demonstrations would be pushing the space limitations, but
> > I personally don't have an idea of what can realistically fit into such a
> > space and be effective.  Can anyone give any more input about this?
> > 
> > Can you please answer my questions from the previous e-mail?  They are all
> > addressed to you.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Warren Togami
> > warren@togami.com
> > 
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Deven Phillips" <dphillips@viata.com>
> > To: "Linux & Unix Advocates & Users" <luau@list.luau.hi.net>
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 11:05 PM
> > Subject: [luau] Re: ITEC Booth Shifts
> > 
> > 
> > > An Idea,
> > >
> > > As you said, many of us can be used more effectively by explaining the
> > > more esoteric functions of Linux as a server or as a workstation, so my
> > > idea is let the visitors perform the Linux installations. We ask
> > > visitors if they would like to see what it is like to install a Linux
> > > computer. I feel that this experience would be a very convincing
> > > argument for the usability of Linux. The installer could install
> > > Linux-Mandrake (very easy to install) and then log in and look around
> > > the newly installed system.
> > >
> > > What do you guys/gals think?
> > >
> > > Deven Phillips, CISSP
> > > Network Architect
> > > Viata Online, Inc.
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
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