The project

Thu Feb 24 09:53:02 2005

ASULUG (Linux Users Group of Arizona State University) does two big install
fests a year, our next one is 4/23/05, although I am still trying to get
funding together, find a location, reserve the equipment, etc., etc.

The last one we did had well over a hundred people, a two DDR's on big
screens, a great MAME box done up arcade style, and another one with full
arcade controls but on a big screen, movies, food, giveaways / raffles, and of
course ample installs.

I am hoping for one that is even bigger this year but it is becoming a lot to
juggle, and I need a better info manager to coordinate everythingamongst other
things ;)

And while I have some event planning experience, some benefactor like
experience, a health amount of JAVA, a great deal of database experience, and
a degree in computer info sys (which is supposed to tech the business side of
IT and project management) I simply do not have much time, so I would LOVE to
HELP, but I can not step up as a member of the core team

Mind you I would also really like to see something that could be used for
fundraising events as well, since that is where most of the event planning
market is, and requires some specialized considerations, and this may detract
(or add) to the core of the project.

On Thu, 24 Feb 2005, Alan Dayley wrote:

> Joseph is the guy spearheading the project right now.  I'll just bring it 
> up here like I brought it up at the last Devel meeting.  Then, as Joseph 
> planned, we can proceed with the discussion.
> 
> History
> 
> When the Devel meetings were first started, one of the stated wishes was 
> that projects would grow out of the group.  Ideas for doing applications 
> for education, both testing and administration were the strongest 
> candidates along with a brief discussion about a game.  None of these 
> took hold.
> 
> Prior to Alex setting up monthly InstallFests (yea Alex!), PLUG used to do 
> big InstallFests about once a year, give or take.  These were 6-8 hour 
> affairs on a Saturday and included vendor tables, demos and presentations 
> along with doing installs.  The largest I remember was at GCC with more 
> than 200 people stopping by.  In doing these larger events we kept 
> re-inventing the wheel of organization.  Whoever was doing the main work 
> would use whatever means to match volunteers, presenters, equipment, etc. 
> to the needs of the event.  Spreadsheets and databases were created and 
> then lost to the world after the event was over.
> 
> The Idea
> 
> From this experience with InstallFests, a few members thought a great 
> project would be to make an application suite to handle all the 
> coordination needs of an InstallFest.  Released under the GPL, it could 
> benefit FS groups everywhere.  Then, allowing the dream to grow, we 
> thought this could be adapted to coordinate any event, all the way up to 
> conferences and trade shows.  So, the event application suite idea was 
> born.  And, it simmered in a few brains too busy to do much about it.
> 
> Last Meeting
> 
> The last Devel Meeting found us without a specific presentation.  I sprung 
> this history and idea on the members present.  An excellent discussion 
> ensued.  Some present had experience working with event planners and many 
> had experience doing database applications with different tools.  I'll 
> just do some summary bullets about some of the points I remember:
> - Event planners currently are a small, niche industry.
> - Because the industry is small, there are not any known (at least to the 
> group present) commercial applications for doing the planning.  Those 
> doing it use spreadsheets and custom Access apps and the like.
> - Development of the application would probably proceed as follows:
> -- Support for monthly small InstallFest
> -- Then large InstallFest
> -- Then large event (type to be chosen later)
> - An open source application was found on freshmeat.  (Ed, I can't find 
> it!)  It has a BSD-style license with a "no commercial use" clause.  We 
> don't think that fits what the group wants.
> - Possible platforms were discussed
> -- Java
> -- GNUe
> -- other web based tools like PHP
> -- To be decided after requirements are pinned down
> - Joseph took on the task of being the first leader of the project.
> 
> Intent and State
> 
> The intent is to run it like a real project (since it is real) and do a 
> requirements document, design, technology selection, etc. before the 
> coding starts.  Joseph and a core team can meet when they want and 
> provide progress briefings at the meetings.  Some Devel Meetings may be 
> dedicated to working on the project as a means of getting work done and 
> teaching whatever techniques are currently being used.
> 
> I have stepped back and would love to see several (many?) group members 
> step up and participate as each would like.  Joseph has the reigns now 
> and can proceed as he and the group see fit.  Even if we end up with the 
> minimum, something the coordinate InstallFests, we should be learning 
> much along the way.
> 
> There.  Any questions?
> 
> Alan
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