Report: Linux presentation in east Mesa

[Eric "Shubes"]

der.hans wrote:
> moin, moin,
> 
> I got the following from someone else:
> 
> ###
> I have had a request from the Mesa Senior Center to present information
> on Linux and linux programs that can be use to a Mesa Computer Club on the
> 16th of January.  I have been trying to reach you and Alan to see if you
> could come and do a presentation with me on Linux OS for this group.  As
> far as I know they are living in a senior park on Elsworth just south of
> Baseline in Mesa and they are planning for Linux to be their subject of
> interest for a meeting scheduled 16th of January from about 7:00 pm until
> 9:00 pm.  The contact point is Richard Nash at the Mesa Senior Center.
> ###
> 
> If you're interested in giving a presentation next week please let me know
> and I'll put you in contact with the person who made the request of me.
> 
> ciao,
> 
> der.hans

Sorry for the delay, but here's my report and follow-up of the event.

<report>
The meeting took place at Los Palmas, a senior (if I can use that word 
w/out offending anyone) community on Ellsworth just south of Baseline. 
Ralph Prowell, Jerry Davis, Ben Trussel and I (your humble corespondent) 
were on hand representing PLUG. There were 28 or so attendees.

Our host Bud Rolley began the meeting by welcoming all the attendees. He 
explained that this was an inaugural meeting, the purpose of which was 
hopefully to establish some direction for the group. As such, the 
meeting was very open ended, with welcomed user participation. Little 
did we (the PLUG presenters) know what was in store.

Bud turned the meeting over to Ralph, who gave a nice overview of Linux 
and GNU. Ben then talked a bit about open source. There was some 
discussion (brought about by questions from the attendees) about hackers 
and crackers with Ralph and Ben. Jerry chimed in with an explanation of 
how user accounts protect the system files from malicious activity. The 
subject of Apache vs IIS was discussed. The question of drive letters 
was asked, and the linux file system was touched on relative to drives. 
Jerry then took the helm and talked about available desktops: gnome and kde.

After various q&a, the meeting came to discuss what it is this group 
wants to accomplish. This group (they don't have a name or identity yet, 
although one was suggested) represents 30+ computer user groups in the 
valley, composed of various senior centers (mobile home parks, if you 
will) throughout the east valley. Thus I began (late in the meeting) to 
realize that this group is the tip of an iceberg, as user groups go.

There seemed to be a lot of interest in linux, with very little 
knowledge of what linux is. They appeared to discover that they are 
primarily interested in (FOSS) applications, more so than in linux 
specifically. IMHO, what this group (of groups) is looking for is 
training and information.

At the end of the meeting Bud asked that everyone go back to their 
individual clubs and come up with a document (emailed to Bud) specifying 
what it is they want to accomplish from this group. That document is due 
in 3 weeks or so, and Bud will digest the results. There will be another 
meeting February 20 (3rd Monday of the month) to move forward. PLUG was 
requested to attend, and I, your humble corespondent, volunteered. ;)

Everyone's participation is to be commended, especially given the ad 
hoc, preliminary nature of the meeting. I think that people left with a 
positive attitude. 20 or so Ubuntu CD sets departed with attendees.
</report>

<follow-up>
I talked with Hans (and others) at Stammtich about the event. He will 
contact Ralph who will put him in touch with Bud. I had mentioned at the 
meeting that a mailing list for the group might be useful, and the idea 
was well received. Hans will work out details with Bud for a new mailing 
list (plug-appl or some such), and get it implemented, with appropriate 
notification/integration on the web site.

Dennis, being the applications guru that he is ;) , volunteered to ride 
along with me to next month's meeting. I'm sure that he'll be a welcome 
sight to Joe Zagar and the Sunland LUG (they have very high regards for 
Dennis, apropos). Any other PLUGgers are more than welcome to attend.

The only other thing that comes to mind from this meeting is 
InstallFests. We encouraged everyone to attend our regular event(s). Joe 
Zagar has been to four already (March, April, September, October '05), 
and thankfully he and the Sunland group are up and running. This is a 
large need for this group (these groups). Perhaps we could take an 
InstallFest or two "on the road", so to speak, and give a targeted jump 
start to some select groups. Just a thought (Alex and others).
</follow-up>

Feedback welcome (of course).
-- 
-Eric 'shubes'

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