[ILUG] GITS LAID and talks at LAID

[Robert Elliott]

Donncha O Caoimh wrote:
> 
> But would we be reaching your target audience at LAID? ie. teachers and
> technical staff?

If you build it, they will come. If they don't, see below.

> I doubt if we would have time to set up a project like this easily
> either :(

It doesn't have to be completely set up; a framework would suffice. As
long as there was a coherent plan, most businesses would be interested.
Once they're interested, teachers would follow the scent of free
hardware.

> We're aiming this event at the business community and of course the
> techies.

Techies, if they're any good, would be keeping abreast of the technology
and would be already aware of what Linux can do. PHBs are, IMHO, the
main target. Remember; we all know Linux is great, and most PC users are
aware that Windows is a buggy piece of shite. Our main job is getting
them to join the dots. As for school kids, if we get them for the first
few years of their PC-using career, we have them for life.

> Exposure of any kind is required but I feel we'd be biting off more than
> we can chew if we try and get education people in.
> Of course, if it's just a talk on how Linux was used in a school
> already.. well, that can probably be accomodated.
> 

'Getting education people in' could simply involve one teacher with an
interest and a willingness to spend some time after hours. If no-one has
space -- which I suppose depends on box donations -- a room for storing
hardware may also be required, but that's about the extent of the
school's involvement until they're ready to have a few boxes installed;
say one server and a number of terminals that have varying degrees of
dumbness.

-- 
Robert Elliott             http://www.irelands-web.ie/rde
rde at irelands-web.ie