Need ideas for Linux event at my College

[techieMoe]

Showing off Compiz Fusion will be a big hit to those unfamiliar with it. I would probably use it as an eye-catcher and then when people are drawn in, tell them more about Linux and what it's all about.

Although I understand the draw to shiny things, I'd caution people about using things like desktop effects to catch potential users. My personal forays into installing and maintaining these kinds of effects (which let's be honest are useless aside from being pretty) have been less than new-user-friendly. Sure, the desktop cube looks neat, but will your target audience be interested in the work it takes to get it running?

[Thrillhouse]

Although I understand the draw to shiny things, I'd caution people about using things like desktop effects to catch potential users. My personal forays into installing and maintaining these kinds of effects (which let's be honest are useless aside from being pretty) have been less than new-user-friendly. Sure, the desktop cube looks neat, but will your target audience be interested in the work it takes to get it running?

I feel the same way. I never had much success trying to get those kinds of things working. I'm not big on them much, anyways. It's been a long time since I even tried but I think it's unsurpassed in terms of an attention-getter. Windows people think of Linux as a geeky, hobbyist type of OS and it pretty much is (in my opinion) so if you show them something like that and say, "hey, look what *can be done* on Linux, it's so much cooler than your Windows machine" they'll have that as an incentive to try it and then who knows, maybe they'll get hooked on it for an altogether different reason. At least they've tried it.

[gurpreet_bassan]

Yes, we can definitely start by showing off Compiz initially.... I think may be we should keep a few laptops outside so the people can see them and get attaracted.