A lurker speaks...

I'd be willing to volunteer to help out at the Installfest. If there's 
anything I can do let me know.

I'm a Linux newbie, having installed Desktop LX (dual boot) a few weeks ago. 
LX, based on the Caldera 3.1 distro is a brainless install-had no probs 
detecting my hardware and was up and running in 30 minutes or less. Was in 
fact easier to install than M$-HD partitioning being integrated into the 
install process. The former just to give you an indication of the state (or 
lack thereof) of my Linux skills. Needless to say, the Intro classes you've 
been discussing are of interest to me also.