Fwd: FW: InstallFest Press Release RC2

Sat, 1 Jun 2002 16:04:15 -0700

Here are Bill's changes to the Press Release for comment. This version is   
based on Victor's suggestion to make the press release more newsworthy.  

So, hwich version do we want to run with - this one? Or what's currently 
posted on the PLUG site? 

Judges, the envelope please. . . 

Dennis 

-----Original Message-----    
From: William Lindley [SMTP:wlindley@wlindley.com]    
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 16:43    
To: Dennis Kibbe    
Subject: InstallFest Press Release RC2    

Dennis -- Using Victor's suggestion, here's RC2.  Changes from Victor's     
text:    

* Title "GNU/Linux InstallFest"    
* My description "computer consultant"    
* Changed my <<quote>> slightly    
* Instead of "and external modems" a reference to the PLUG web page     
InstallFest Q&A (which we need to have ready when this is released).     
 Removed parentheses around that sentence.    
* Corrected spelling of my name    
* "PLUG Club members" --> "PLUG members"    

===    

On Saturday, June 22, the Phoenix Linux Users Group (PLUG) invites the     
public to a "GNU/Linux InstallFest" at Scottsdale Community College.     
 Attendees will receive expert help in installing Linux, a freely     
available operating system, on their personal computers.    

After the InstallFest, users who brought their computers along can in many     
cases go home with working systems installed on their machines, free of     
charge.  The package includes web browsers, word processors, and other     
usual tools that computer users expect.    

PLUG's organizer for the event is William Lindley, a computer consultant.     
 "This is what the Free Software community is all about - helping each     
other, and we'll be helping folks get started," Lindley explained. "We're     
all looking forward to this InstallFest."    

The software is an alternative to Windows and other proprietary systems.     
 Linux, GNU, FreeBSD and other "open source" and "free software" systems     
do not require any licensing or upgrade fees, and are said by many experts     
to be more efficient and secure than Windows systems.    

Businesses and home users alike are turning to free software which can be     
freely copied, modified, or examined, and which is considered by computer     
experts to be more robust and secure than proprietary systems.    

Though there is no charge, the term "free software" actually refers to     
freedom from license restrictions:  Users are never asked to click "I     
Agree" to a list of prohibitions before using it, and organizations need     
not store "Certificates of Authenticity" in their safe deposit boxes in     
case of an audit.    

The free software products are available at no charge through the Internet     
or as an inexpensive distribution at most local computer stores, but the     
InstallFest offers users a completed installation by experienced Linux and     
FreeBSD administrators. Computer users are invited to bring their     
computers to the event.  Usually, only the computer box, monitor, keyboard     
and mouse need be brought - see the PLUG web page for details.    

"Your old operating system can remain as an alternative, or we can replace     
it entirely," Lindley said, "depending on your plans for the machine and     
how much disk space you have to spare."    

"This is a really important next step in development of computers and the     
Internet -- making them more affordable and more secure," Lindley said.     
 "We are here to show how easy it can be for computer users to move up to     
the next level."    

The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the College's     
Turquoise Room, at 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale, AZ.  A map is     
available online at PLUG's web site, ( http://plug.phoenix.az.us ).    

PLUG members will be available to answer questions about Linux, Open     
Source software, and the Phoenix Linux Users Group as well.    

For more information about the InstallFest, email     
contact@plug.phoenix.az.us or call William Lindley at 480-947-6100    

PLUG is an informal group that holds several monthly meetings, on both the     
East and West sides of Phoenix, to talk about what they've recently done     
with Linux, GNU and open source software; to share problems and solutions,     
and to discuss issues in the world of Free Software and computers in     
general. Knowledge of Linux is neither presumed nor required. Between     
meetings, PLUG members stay in touch through a busy e-mail discussion     
list.    

More information about PLUG can be found on the website at     
http://plug.phoenix.az.us/ .    

Scottsdale Community College offers two year degree programs in many     
disciplines including computers, arts, and science. SCC also offers     
university transfer programs and special interest courses, and has hosted     
several free software events.    

END    

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