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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Ubuntu begginers guide, reply (Michael Dorrington)
2. Re: Ubuntu begginers guide, reply (Simon Ward)
3. Re: Ubuntu begginers guide, reply (Michael Dorrington)
4. Re: Ubuntu begginers guide, reply (Jo?o Pedro Forjaz de Lacerda)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:28:03 +0000
From: Michael Dorrington <address@hidden>
Subject: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Ubuntu begginers guide, reply
To: address@hidden
Message-ID: <address@hidden>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Mark Reynolds wrote:
That sounds like a nice plan but I don't think it's very fair to throw
people into a 1/2 hour philosophy talk first thing, even if you are
planning to placate them with mulled wine and cupcakes! I would
combine this with the introduction to the software and show them how
to do a few simple tasks, then let people loose on it. This way they
can see how to do things they might already know how to do on other
systems so that they're not sat in front of it wondering where to
start.
I disagree, I think for this event we should have 1/2 hour philosophy
talk at the beginning. Its the reason why a lot of the participants
are,
or will be, attracted to using free software and its an excellent
opportunity to show the reason for using free software.
I also think that it's important to have helpers on hand-say 2 or 3
for each person attending if possible-even if they know how to do it
they may want hand-holding through the process. People are often
scared of messing up somehow in unfamiliar environments-even if
they've got notes.
I'm guessing you mean one helper to every 2-3 students rather than 2-3
helpers per student! I like as many people to help out as possible,
remembering that this is a system *and the philosophy* event.
I'd love to help out with this but will have to see how I'm fixed
closer to the time. Good luck with the idea, I hope it works out.
They'll be work before the event which people can help out with even if
they can't make the event itself.
Mike.
On 30 November 2010 13:29, Anna Morris
<address@hidden> wrote:
Hi all, sorry for the delayed reply. Have had a pretty awful week
in the
long and short of it.
Jon (you really are nice) spriggs: I would love to help at one of
your days
too, but will also run this session as well. The more the merrier
: ) Please
let me know. Well done on making baby.
General. Ok, I was thinking maybe mid February - on a Saturday? So
12th or
19th. 12th is better. On on an evening in that period. I guess it
depends on
what time and day is free. Below I have rambled of my idea of the
evening,
and the running order and kit. This is very much an embryo -
please let me
know how you feel and if you think it would be better different,
if its not
practical, to long, etc etc.
_________________
I was thinking mulled wine and vegan cupcakes (i make), brief
introductions,
and a talk about the Philosophy side for half and hour, also
introducing
some basic technical info such as the linux kernel and the library
issue.
Basic tech info to show how politics and computers are related.
then a break,
Then I say we have some time to show some installs starting on our
machines-
(laptops??) and we can leave them to happen during the next bit of
talk.
then half and hour max on an introduction to the software and how
it works.
Expanding on some interesting jargon and lots of fun info about
software and
bigging up the simplicity factor. In this I also want a frank
discussion of
the down sides of ubuntu. I think its important that people know
this early
on or they wont trust the movement when they suddenly discover a
bloody
stupid bug! (like on 10.10 if you put a capital letter in your
hard drive
name on install it wont let you get past 80%. I spent DAYS trying
to install
for such a lameass buglett!!!!!)
However we need to explain this in terms of empowerment - how you can
actually fix and change things you dont like. Maybe reference Jeremy
clarksons arguments about if you are not interested in driving you
shouldn't
have a car/ (washing up/wash up), etc. So we Try and excite people
to LEARN
about computers, and explain how powerful it makes them to demand
improvement and that they should have a right to do this. This
obviously
goes back to the philosophy side - garden of eden point, but we
need to give
real examples of people getting what they want out of the
software. for
example Linux emporium are going to customise some stuff for me
when I get
my computer from them. etc,. This also feeds into the "how can
they make
money." maybe go over the canonical and linux emporium business
model very
briefly.
I think that both of these talks should be done with two people. A
tecky and
a non tecky. This is important to show how much can be achieved by
a non
tech - and that tecks are human too! Also to show that there are
people out
there to help, and that we all work together.
Then we need to end this section by going through quickly the info
you need
to know for installl - basically what the computers have been
doing while
the talk was on.
Then playtime: let everyone have a go and ask questions to the
people who
run it, have some more food and drink and generally have fun. sell
some
stuff too.
the whole thing should last maybe 2 hours/ 2.5.
When they leave I want to give them a "party bag" with an install
disk, a
sticker or two, some useful websites for help and a fact sheet
covering all
the info. Also leave a chance for them to sign up to some mailing
lists etc
on the way out.
_______________
ok. its a lot to fit in, but i am very excited.
As for advertising, and numbers, booking, places, cost? any ideas?
I think maybe advertise on gum tree, in a few shops like unicorn
grocery,
and at the unis etc.
Hope you are all well
let me know.
Can we have a planning meeting that is in the real world? I am a
bit of an
dunce with emails, they stress me out!
_______________________________________________
Fsuk-manchester mailing list
address@hidden
http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsuk-manchester
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 22:27:02 +0000
From: Simon Ward <address@hidden>
Subject: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Ubuntu begginers guide, reply
To: address@hidden
Message-ID: <address@hidden>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
On Wed, Dec 01, 2010 at 12:22:49PM +0000, Mark Reynolds wrote:
That sounds like a nice plan but I don't think it's very fair to throw
people into a 1/2 hour philosophy talk first thing
I think the philosophy is important, but would probably make the first
session a 5-10 minute introduction. Later, the philosophy can be
elaborated.
In my experience, you throw a load of the philosophy at people, you end
up saying it to the people already agreeing with it (preaching to the
converted). What would be better is to introduce the philosophy first,
give some practical reasons for using Ubuntu/free software, and in no
particular order elaborate on both, demonstrating where applicable.
I would combine this with the introduction to the software and show
them how to do a few simple tasks,
I wouldn’t combine them, I would still talk about the philosophy
separately. It’s important enough to be discussed on its own, and not
obscured in a discussion about something else.
then let people loose on it. This way they can see how to do things
they might already know how to do on other systems so that they're not
sat in front of it wondering where to start.
I want both the technical benefits and freedoms to be covered, and one
should not swamp the other, both are vital.
Simon
--
A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a
simple system that works.—John Gall
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:50:09 +0000
From: Michael Dorrington <address@hidden>
Subject: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Ubuntu begginers guide, reply
To: address@hidden
Message-ID: <address@hidden>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Anna Morris wrote:
[snip]
General. Ok, I was thinking maybe mid February - on a Saturday? So
12th or
19th. 12th is better. On on an evening in that period. I guess it
depends on
what time and day is free. Below I have rambled of my idea of the
evening,
and the running order and kit. This is very much an embryo - please
let me
know how you feel and if you think it would be better different, if
its not
practical, to long, etc etc.
Anna and I have agreed to have it on the 19th February as,
unfortunately, Madlab wasn't available on the 14th.
I was thinking mulled wine and vegan cupcakes (i make), brief
introductions,
and a talk about the *Philosophy side for half and hour*, also
introducing
some basic technical info such as the linux kernel and the library
issue.
Basic tech info to show how politics and computers are related.
Sounds good.
then a *break,*
Yes. :)
Then I say we have some time to show some *installs starting *on our
machines- (laptops??) and we can leave them to happen during the
next bit of
talk.
*then half and hour max on an introduction to the software and how
it works*.
Expanding on some interesting jargon and lots of fun info about
software and
bigging up the simplicity factor. In this I also want a frank
*discussion of
the down sides *of ubuntu. I think its important that people know
this early
on or they wont trust the movement when they suddenly discover a
bloody
stupid bug! (like on 10.10 if you put a capital letter in your hard
drive
name on install it wont let you get past 80%. I spent DAYS trying
to install
for such a lameass buglett!!!!!)
Agreed, its best not say everything is going to bug free, it isn't! :)
*However *we need to explain this in terms of empowerment - how you
can
actually fix and change things you dont like. Maybe reference Jeremy
clarksons arguments about if you are not interested in driving you
shouldn't
have a car/ (washing up/wash up), etc. So we Try and excite people
to LEARN
about computers, and explain how powerful it makes them to demand
improvement and that they should have a right to do this. This
obviously
goes back to the philosophy side - garden of eden point, but we
need to give
real examples of people getting what they want out of the software.
for
example Linux emporium are going to customise some stuff for me
when I get
my computer from them. etc,. This also feeds into the "how can they
make
money." maybe go over the canonical and linux emporium business
model very
briefly.
I like this.
I think that both of these talks should be done with two people. A
tecky and
a non tecky. This is important to show how much can be achieved by
a non
tech - and that tecks are human too! Also to show that there are
people out
there to help, and that we all work together.
Then we need to end this section by going through quickly the* info
you need
to know for install*l - basically what the computers have been
doing while
the talk was on.
*
Then playtime:* let everyone have a go and ask questions to the
people who
run it, have some more food and drink and generally have fun. sell
some
stuff too.
the whole thing should last maybe 2 hours/ 2.5.
When they leave I want to give them a* "party bag" *with an install
disk, a
sticker or two, some useful websites for help and a fact sheet
covering all
the info. Also leave a chance for them to sign up to some mailing
lists etc
on the way out.
Again, sounds great.
_______________
ok. its a lot to fit in, but i am very excited.
I can tell.
As for advertising, and numbers, booking, places, cost? any ideas?
Booking/Place: Done. Madlab.
Cost: Minimal/sorted.
Numbers: Madlab should be able to take about 20-30.
Advertising: Need to get some leaflets/posters. Do this in free
software, Inkscape is good for it.
Ideas: No extra needed, you have plenty.
I think maybe advertise on gum tree, in a few shops like unicorn
grocery,
and at the unis etc.
Yes.
Hope you are all well
let me know.
Can we have a planning meeting that is in the real world? I am a
bit of an
dunce with emails, they stress me out!
Can you make the MFS meeting on the 14th December, 7pm Madlab? Would be
good opportunity to discuss.
I've started a page it:
http://libreplanet.org/wiki/Manchester/UbuntuBeginnersWorkshop11.02
And linked it from the Upcoming Events:
http://libreplanet.org/wiki/Manchester#Upcoming
Mike.
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 22:58:45 +0000
From: Jo?o Pedro Forjaz de Lacerda <address@hidden>
Subject: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Ubuntu begginers guide, reply
To: address@hidden
Message-ID:
<address@hidden>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
Hey all,
I must agree with Michael on this. If done correctly, the philosophy
talk
will rather become a motivational talk -- what better students to
have than
those who are intrinsically motivated to learn? You might argue that
being
intrinsically motivated is a precondition to attending this event,
but one
might be motivated for the wrong reasons (don't forget that you're
dealing
with beginners).
Analogously: before you give someone a parachute and throw them out
of an
airplane, you ensure that they have been properly trained on ground.
Ultimately, this prevents people from harming themselves and others
due to a
lack of information (and it is our duty to fill this gap).
Side-note: I'm willing to help out with this event, drop me an
e-mail if you
need me.
On Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 10:27 PM, Simon Ward <address@hidden> wrote:
On Wed, Dec 01, 2010 at 12:22:49PM +0000, Mark Reynolds wrote:
That sounds like a nice plan but I don't think it's very fair to
throw
people into a 1/2 hour philosophy talk first thing
I think the philosophy is important, but would probably make the first
session a 5-10 minute introduction. Later, the philosophy can be
elaborated.
In my experience, you throw a load of the philosophy at people, you
end
up saying it to the people already agreeing with it (preaching to the
converted). What would be better is to introduce the philosophy first,
give some practical reasons for using Ubuntu/free software, and in no
particular order elaborate on both, demonstrating where applicable.
I would combine this with the introduction to the software and show
them how to do a few simple tasks,
I wouldn’t combine them, I would still talk about the philosophy
separately. It’s important enough to be discussed on its own, and not
obscured in a discussion about something else.
then let people loose on it. This way they can see how to do things
they might already know how to do on other systems so that they're
not
sat in front of it wondering where to start.
I want both the technical benefits and freedoms to be covered, and one
should not swamp the other, both are vital.
Simon
--
A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a
simple system that works.—John Gall
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--
Happy hacking,
João Pedro Forjaz de Lacerda
http://www2.cs.man.ac.uk/~lacerdj0/
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