review: Computer Buyer article

Michelle Lowman plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
08 Aug 2002 15:13:18 -0700 

Very well-written!  I did a couple of spelling and punctuation fixes,
and changed the date and number format to match AP style.

-Michelle

On Thu, 2002-08-08 at 13:53, der.hans wrote:
> moin, moin,
> 
> below is the Computer Buyer article as it now stands. I need to send it in,
> but please critique it for me. I want a good article to help support what
> we're doing. Feel free to rip it to shreds if have problems with it.
> 
> Please also feel free to give me quotes I can use for the article. I will
> probably have to shorten it a lot from where it currently stands, but I'm
> gonna try to get as much covered as they'll allow and as makes sense.
> 
> I'll fix references when I get it ready to submit to CB.
> 
> ciao,
> 
> der.hans
> 
> ###
> Welcome to the InstallFest
> 
> What is an InstallFest?
> 
> An InstallFest is a gathering where volunteers offer expert technical
> assistance in installing Free Software, usually GNU/Linux, to the
> public, all free of charge. The Phoenix Linux Users Group ( PLUG
> [1] ) put on a six hour InstallFest at Scottsdale Community College on Saturday, September 28, 2002.
> 
> Before the InstallFest, event organizer William Lindley, a computer
> consultant, said, "This is what the Free Software community is all about -
> helping each other."
> 
> After the InstallFest, Jim Wejroch, steering committee member of PLUG, wrote,
> "Does the word 'success' ring a bell?" in describing the InstallFest. With
> 39 GNU/Linux installs and 150 to 200 people in attendance PLUG was very
> happy with the event.
> 
> In addition to the software installs there were several presentations and
> lots of giveaways from the InstallFest's commercial sponsors. Presentation
> topics covered GNU/Linux and Free Software, the Linux Termninal Server
> Project ( LTSP ) and Open Source On the Educational Desktop.
> 
> There was even homemade cheesecake from a presenter's grandma.
> 
> The Arizona Open Technology Organization ( AZOTO ), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Free Software and Open Standards in Arizona, helped sponsor
> the InstallFest, as did Tucson-based non-profit Open Source Education
> Foundation ( OSEF ), which helps schools adopt Open Source for their
> technology needs.
> 
> Both groups provided presenters, people to help with the install and support
> in organizing the InstallFest. OSEF has since finished the process of
> earning 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Charitable status.
> 
> Lycoris, a commercial Linux distribution, flew people in from northern
> California to help with the installs. Red Hat, the most well-known
> commercial Linux distribution, brought people from their Global Professional
> Services organization in from Flagstaff.
> 
> There were volunteers helping install various GNU/Linux distributions
> including members from the Debian community. Debian is a community-based
> distribution built by volunteers.
> 
> 
> What is the LTSP?
> 
> The Linux Termninal Server Project is an innovative, cost-effective solution
> to traditional desktop problems. It has been garnering much interest in
> Phoenix. The LTSP allows using older, inexpensive hardware as lightning-quick desktops.
> 
> The LTSP desktops reduce maintenance costs by centralizing software
> maintenance and having fewer hardware requirements, such as not needing hard
> drives.
> 
> Matt Alexander, system administrator for Tempe-based NewVision, has said
> that after his boss asked for an alternative desktop solution, Matt was able
> to save NewVision over $20,000 and provide a more stable environment for his
> 60 co-workers by switching to Free Software.
> 
> Matt gave a well-received presentation and demo of LTSP. He will
> be giving a presentation again as well as helping people install the LTSP at
> the upcoming InstallFest2.
> 
> 
> What is Free Software?
> 
> The idea behind Free Software is that people using software need certain
> freedoms that are not necessarily guaranteed by copyright law.
> 
> First, they need to be able to use the software for whatever purpose
> they choose. Next they need the freedom to study the program and make
> changes. Third, people need the freedom to let others use the software and
> finally people need the freedom to pass on the changes they've made to the
> software.
> 
> Software licenses such as the GNU General Public License ( GPL ) extend
> further freedoms to those who use the software, while most commercial
> software licenses actually restrict the freedoms guaranteed by copyright
> law.
> 
> While it is true that most people won't be interested in changing the source
> code, it is important that those who want to can. Removing the source code
> and the freedom to change it is similar to closing all hardware stores
> and not allowing people to fix things around the house or work on their
> cars. Actually, it's worse.  If one person fixes something in a program
> everyone can benefit from that fix, whereas changing your lightbulb only
> affects the area around that one lightbulb.
> 
> The Open Source movement is similar to the Free Software movement, but with
> less emphasis on the four freedoms of Free Software. Both movements actually
> draw from the same community and rely on the same model of community
> involvement.
> 
> 
> InstallFest2
> 
> Due to the success of the July InstallFest and many requests for another
> one, PLUG has scheduled InstallFest2 at Glendale Community College on
> Saturday, September 28, 2002. The second InstallFest will have some new presentations,
> including OpenOffice, the BSA, Free Software Licenses, and Information
> Rights.
> 
> Something PLUG is adding to the second InstallFest is help for installing
> Free Software on Microsoft operating systems. Free Software that runs on
> Microsoft includes things like OpenOffice, an office suite, Mozilla, a
> web browser and email client, the GIMP, a graphics manipulation program,
> Apache, the world's most popular web server, MySQL, a database, and popular
> development languages such as PHP, Perl, and Python.
> 
> One of the advantages of the Free Software email and web software is that
> they were designed to not have the security holes allowing viruses that have
> plagued the software that comes with the Microsoft operating systems.
> 
> There are also rumors that there will be more cheesecake at InstallFest2 :).
> 
> PLUG will be giving away CDs with demo versions of GNU/Linux that run from
> the CDROM without the need to repartition the hard drive.
> 
> See the PLUG home page or write InstallFest@PLUG.phoenix.az.us for more
> information about attending the InstallFest and what to bring.
> 
> An InstallFest is a prime example of community involvement. Come join the
> Freedom Festival...
> 
> 
> [1] http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/
> http://www.AZOTO.org/
> http://www.OSEF.org/
> http://www.Lycoris.com/
> http://www.RedHat.com/
> http://www.Debian.org/
> 
> -- 
> #  https://www.LuftHans.com/
> #  "... the social skills of a cow on acid." - der.hans
> 
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