[wplug] open source distribution mission

[Weber, Larry A]

If the plan here is to actively disrupt a conference then as a responsible
leader you need to clearly state that.  Is this type of activity supported
by the board and members?  With all of the bad press associated with the
attacks on SCO is this a wise way to seek press coverage?  Is introducing a
few people to Linux really worth what we risk?

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Beth Lynn [SMTP:bethlynn at wplug.org]
> Sent:	Monday, February 16, 2004 12:05 PM
> To:	wplug at wplug.org
> Subject:	Re: [wplug] open source distribution mission
> 
> 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
> 
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