Need ideas for Linux event at my College

[gurpreet_bassan]

Hi,
I am studying MBA at I2IT, Pune. We are going to have an annual event @ my college. I and some of my friends want to include one event for Linux. However we not very familiar with Linux. So, please suggest some themes and ideas which we can use for( & at) the event.

Thanks.

[techieMoe]

Could you be more specific as to what kind of "event" you want? Will it be like a LAN party or installfest kind of thing? A booth? Something else?

Whatever your "event" is, I'd recommend going out and buying a couple of spindles of CD-Rs and burning your heart out before it so you can distribute LiveCDs to everyone who attends. Pick the distro you think would work best for your target audience. I'd use Ubuntu, but it's up to you.

[gurpreet_bassan]

Thanks,
That's a great idea. We are just preparing the framework for the event so it's really upto us as of now. I was thinking it should be based on the uses of Linux in IT industry... or something on these lines.

[Oxygen]

Compile your own kernel day

[arderydd]

I think maybe have free linux distributions for anyone who wants them.

That way it will not be limited to just people who know linux, so we can have new people trying the operating system.

You can order free properly printed ubuntu cds from their site (but they may take a few weeks to come in the post).
But all linux distributions are free to burn and copy and hand out, thats the beauty of it. So you could maybe pick a few different linux distributions and give out copies of them

Here is a link on where to get shipped ubuntu cd's (remember its 100% free and there is no limit on how many you can order): https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[Charles John]

Ask people to donate their old PCs / laptops and install them with ubuntu, edubuntu, xandros or some other distro and make a splash giving them to the poor neighbourhood kids or volunteer organizations.

[Lazydog]

Here is something you don't see everyday.

Setup a Linux and a Windows system side by side and show everyone that Linux can run programs just as good as Windows.

Run some office products and a few games. (do your research there are plenty of commercial games that run on Linux)

When they start asking about the price you tell them that it is free while handing them a Live CD.

[Freston]

You could always include something about the difference between Open Source and Proprietary Software, but I'll guess nobody is waiting for yet another lecture

You could also have a demo with high end and low end machines running different flavors of the Gnu/Linux system.

Handing out free CD-ROM's with a printed quick starters guide would also be nice, 'cuz everyone loves free stuff


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As a hint, nobody cares about an Operating System. Maybe weird people like me do, but that is not your audience. People care about functionality. Have them plug in their digital camera's, USB-sticks, Bluetooth devices. Get online, read documents, all the stuff you normally do on a computer.

If you create a guest account on every demo machine you can just have people play with the machines. Make it into a workshop.


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But is your main focus to entertain? To educate? To get a high grade for yourself? What is the general intend of the event? Have you been there last year, and if so, what kind of things did they do then?

[gurpreet_bassan]

My intention is to create awareness among my friends & participants about Linux.
Also, I want to have some small competition for the experienced Linux users to show off thier skills.

The general intent of the event is educational -- we have technical as well as managerial events. Our college did have a Linux Kernel Programming workshop for 3 days, but its really not my cup of tea.

Showing off office products and games will be a favourite among the crowd.... thanks.

We are planning to give away free Ubuntu cd's. And if possible Open softwares for windows as well.

And thanks for these ideas everyone.

[Thrillhouse]

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.