[wplug] open source distribution mission

[Beth Lynn]

Hello,

Sorry I still have to be unspecific but I will attempt to respond to the
questions and concerns.

> So how does open source, Linux or wplug gain from this?
Open Source benefit: 
Those will receive a CD with some sort of open source foo will be exposed
to something that is open source that the may not have known to even exist.
There is a wide an wonderful world of open source out there! It may peak
curiosity in Open Source in general.
Linux benefit:
Surely some of the CDs collected will have Linux on them and it would be
exposing those who receive it to Linux. I'm hoping for Live CDs since
they're on one CD and people can try without commitment.
WPLUG benefit:
WPLUG gets any left over media which will hopefully build WPLUGs library
of open source software. It is also a publicity stunt for WPLUG. Hopefully 
we'll get some press over it.
                                                                               
> done correctly, it can give more exposure to opensource/free software by
> exposing people to alternatives they might have never know about.
Exactly, that's why we are getting started now. This is part of the
motivation for variety. Part of the point is open source is too big
to be ignored and it is not going away.
                                                                                
> Except that this seems like it is for a select few.  Who are they?  Why
> don't they care about which distros are being handed out?  Is this a 
> meeting in support of open source or are we there for agiprop? (agitprop)
Sorry, I can't give away any the the specifics as to who or what the
meeting is about unless you are volunteering to be an active participant
and promise to keep mum. I'd expect there to be a mixed crowd of geeks
and non geeks. It is a political statement in favor of open source. The 
area in question is rather public so I'm sure other curious passers-by 
will be able to receive open source goodness.
                                                                         
> Of course, done incorrectly and it makes the opensource/free software
> community look like a disorganized mess.
Variety is part of the point as explained above. The only uniform 
attributes that are required is that each CD has open source and that
there will be a WPLUG business card in each CD sleeve.
Another motivation for not picking a specific distro is to avoid a
problem that I witnessed years ago. Some folks at Pitt wanted to convince
computer services to distribute Linux since they distribute other pieces
of software under a university-wide licensing agreement. Everyone could
not agree on a distro so it never happened. People get too excited about
debian vs redhat or Linux vs BSD for that matter and the target just 
ruins the overall goal. I didn't want to see that happen here. 
Unfortunately, the lack of standardization has sidetracked us anyway.
I'm not opposed to standardizing on something if everyone just happens to
agree. If properly done, variety can be creative instead of a disorganized
mess. I hope that people will be inclined to burn something that would be
useful to the general public but I suppose it is an individual judgment
call. This project http://web.mit.edu/jonas/www/faim/whatislinux.pdf
is the inspiration but perhaps it would be even better if we weren't
complete copy cats.

> Considering the time frame involved, it would be difficult to put together
> something coherent, unless someone already had something ready.
I admit the time constraint is a concern and part of the motivation for
the concept of "I don't care, just make it open source" If someone is
looking for a suggestion, Knoppix please.
I don't know how else to assure you folks that everything will be fine
regardless if we give out random open source foo or if we standardize on 
something. The point is that we do something and concentrate on the other
aspects being organized without getting bogged down with what to choose.
If we end up with 200 copies of Knoppix I'd be over joyed. But isn't
the point of open source about freedom of individuality for the benefit
of the community rather than having an organization tell you what to do?

> Hell, if you want to impress, you'd probably be better off putting
> together a powerpoint presentation of what's available than actually
> giving away the software.
We will not have the opportunity to have the same captive audience.
We could give a similar talk that's at the same venue and is open to
the general public but that's not much different than what we do at
WPLUG meetings anyway. The cost of renting this venue may be over $150
anyhow. If cost is the issue, I don't mind paying for all the materials
myself but I was just offering others a way to contribute and share the
burden.
Part of the point is that this is FREE software and that we can give
away this freely without any pirating.

> If we're talking about the event I, um, think we are, it seems to be an
> event for computer scientists and software engineers.  I would think
> that these people for the most part would already know all about linux
> and how to get it.
No. that assumption is false. As I said before, its a group of geeks and
non-geeks. Yes, some might already be running Linux at home. Perhaps if
we have variety we can give someone a choice as to what they receive.

> I'm afraid something like this would be seen as simply an attempt to piss 
> off the speaker.  Not that that's a bad thing.
I think you are on the right track.

In summary, please please please contribute! I assure you the mission
will be a success regardless if we standardize on anything in particular.
How about this: Knoppix is strongly recommended but I don't have the 
heart to reject any open source foo. If you feel strongly for 
standardization, burn Knoppix. If you are strongly opposed to Knoppix,
feel free to burn something else. WPLUG could use some more variety in 
it's library so nothing will go to waste. It is to WPLUG's benefit to
have this stuff in stock since we've been talking about making a computer
show appearance. If you are interested in burning something send me
mail and let me know if you'll need media or will you be providing your
own.

Thank you so much for your interest. This is going to be the best
ever with all of your help.

Thanks,
Beth Lynn