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Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show...

by Stephen C. Daukas

I agree. In fact, I made the same point in my first post. What I was trying to suggest was that while the intro stuff was taking place as usual, reference could be made periodically to a configuration taking place in the background. Not syaing how to do it, but that it is being done during the show. The point here is subtle, but powerful... in the time it takes someone to watch the intro show, someone who gets with WLUG/watches other WLUG shows would be able to configure a complete system in a short period of time... Doug Chamberlin wrote: > At 11/13/2003 04:51 PM (Thursday), Stephen C. Daukas wrote: > >> Yes, but I think we might be able to get a bit more in... What you >> describe could be scripted to take less time, depending on the goals... >> We could do the overview in tandem with configuration work taking >> place and "check in" with that progress during the show. After 20 >> minutes or so, show a completely configured running system/server and >> then hit them with "if you want to know more..." >> >> Good? Bad? > > > Generally not a good idea. One basic mistake often made when designing > a new production like this is to try to pack too much into one > session. Similar to a teacher trying to cover too much material in one > class. You generally end up losing everyone - just in different ways > and a different times. > > Better to have one intro show as already described and then a second > show which walks through a complete sample install process. This show > would display the machine's screen as someone talks the viewer through > what he is seeing. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > -- Stephen C. Daukas - stephen(a)daukas.com - http://daukas.com/

Nov. 14, 2003

Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show...

by Doug Chamberlin

At 11/13/2003 04:51 PM (Thursday), Stephen C. Daukas wrote: >Yes, but I think we might be able to get a bit more in... What you >describe could be scripted to take less time, depending on the goals... >We could do the overview in tandem with configuration work taking place >and "check in" with that progress during the show. After 20 minutes or >so, show a completely configured running system/server and then hit them >with "if you want to know more..." > >Good? Bad? Generally not a good idea. One basic mistake often made when designing a new production like this is to try to pack too much into one session. Similar to a teacher trying to cover too much material in one class. You generally end up losing everyone - just in different ways and a different times. Better to have one intro show as already described and then a second show which walks through a complete sample install process. This show would display the machine's screen as someone talks the viewer through what he is seeing.

Nov. 13, 2003

Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show...

by Stephen C. Daukas

Yes, but I think we might be able to get a bit more in... What you describe could be scripted to take less time, depending on the goals... We could do the overview in tandem with configuration work taking place and "check in" with that progress during the show. After 20 minutes or so, show a completely configured running system/server and then hit them with "if you want to know more..." Good? Bad? Keller, Tim wrote: >Then maybe we should go in that direction. Give a five minute explanation >about what linux is and where it came from and then talk about what a >distribution is and the companies that make them. > >Then go on to talk about why you'd want to use linux (stability, resilience >to viruses, breathing life into old hardware, etc.) > >Then take the remaining 15 minutes to show off the interface, mozilla, >evolution, xmms and gnumoney. > >Then finish up with a blurb about WLUG (who, what, where and when). > >Does that sound sensible? > >Tim. > >-----Original Message----- >From: Stephen C. Daukas [mailto:stephen@daukas.com] >Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 5:40 PM >To: Worcester Linux Users Group >Subject: Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show... > > >I have a few thoughts to offer... > >Given the format of Community Access Programming on local cable, you >have 30 minutes. Period. (At least in Shrewsbury.) If my experience >in the past with these productions holds true, you don't have a lot of >time to work with and it is very rare to see a multi part show, even >from long established programming. (Never mind the editing and work >that goes on behind the scences - 30 minutes translates into weeks of work.) > >30 minutes isn't a lot of time. Even a high school class is 47 minutes >these days, and that gets you one topic, say for example, work = force x >distance. There will not be time enough to adress more than once >audience, or more than one simple topic for that matter! > >If you are about to say "but wait, we don't have to limit ourselves to >30 minutes, we can produce what we want" then I would answer, that's >true! But, just as true is my next question - who you gonna show it to >and how? > >So, now that we have established the cart and the horse, we need to make >a few decisions... > >I'm thinking that 30 minutes is just enough time (barely) to show a >"teaser" piece that talks about Linux "the product" and what it can do. >No techno-geek talk (because you will invariable try to cover too much >in too little time), just something that will interest the audience >enough to want more. 30 minutes is just enough time to show everyone >how they can configure a Linux server to support their own real estate >business or construction business or oil business or... as well as >interest the experienced novice who might want to try getting out from >under their ISP. > >When they want more, then you can talk about follow-up episodes, or >direct them to WLUG at the end of the episode (or both). The WLUG site >could have video available, metting topics, and so forth... > >Steve > > > >_______________________________________________ >Wlug mailing list >Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >_______________________________________________ >Wlug mailing list >Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > -- Stephen C. Daukas - stephen(a)daukas.com - http://daukas.com/

Nov. 13, 2003

Re: [Wlug] df confused?

by Chuck Homic

Forget it. To answer my own question... since it's been around 3 hours since I sent this message... one of my base packages was out-of-date. (disktools or something like that, I don't remember) I have no idea why it was confused, but having the solution, I don't much care anymore. ;) On Wed, Nov 12, 2003 at 05:07:58PM -0500, Chuck Homic wrote: > I got this output from df: > > Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on > /dev/hda7 1381 843 468 65% / > /dev/hda1 10 4 6 36% /boot > /dev/hda5 248 1 235 1% /tmp > > df -H produces the not-so-different: > > Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on > /dev/hda7 1.4M 866k 477k 65% / > /dev/hda1 10k 3.5k 6.2k 36% /boot > /dev/hda5 254k 14 241k 1% /tmp > > My disk is 8GB, and although I believe the percentages are correct, this > is a little unnerving. Any idea why df would be confused? Or have I > created the most amazing single-floppy distribution ever?!? > > This is a system I just un-mothballed, it's mostly an older debian sid > that I'm slowly upgrading to latest in stages. Could this be something > out of date with respect to something else? > > -Chuck > > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

Nov. 13, 2003

df confused?

by Chuck Homic

I got this output from df: Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on /dev/hda7 1381 843 468 65% / /dev/hda1 10 4 6 36% /boot /dev/hda5 248 1 235 1% /tmp df -H produces the not-so-different: Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/hda7 1.4M 866k 477k 65% / /dev/hda1 10k 3.5k 6.2k 36% /boot /dev/hda5 254k 14 241k 1% /tmp My disk is 8GB, and although I believe the percentages are correct, this is a little unnerving. Any idea why df would be confused? Or have I created the most amazing single-floppy distribution ever?!? This is a system I just un-mothballed, it's mostly an older debian sid that I'm slowly upgrading to latest in stages. Could this be something out of date with respect to something else? -Chuck

Nov. 12, 2003

Re: [Wlug] Linux Desktop Conference

by Al Reinhart

> I'm wondering if anybody went to the Linux Desktop conference in Tyngsboro > yesterday, and if so, what did you think of it? The NY Times reaction to the conference: I.B.M. Helps Promote Linux By STEVE LOHR I.B.M. and a group of other technology companies are beginning a drive to promote Linux as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/11/technology/11blue.html?th

Nov. 12, 2003

RE: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show...

by Keller, Tim

Then maybe we should go in that direction. Give a five minute explanation about what linux is and where it came from and then talk about what a distribution is and the companies that make them. Then go on to talk about why you'd want to use linux (stability, resilience to viruses, breathing life into old hardware, etc.) Then take the remaining 15 minutes to show off the interface, mozilla, evolution, xmms and gnumoney. Then finish up with a blurb about WLUG (who, what, where and when). Does that sound sensible? Tim. -----Original Message----- From: Stephen C. Daukas [mailto:stephen@daukas.com] Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 5:40 PM To: Worcester Linux Users Group Subject: Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show... I have a few thoughts to offer... Given the format of Community Access Programming on local cable, you have 30 minutes. Period. (At least in Shrewsbury.) If my experience in the past with these productions holds true, you don't have a lot of time to work with and it is very rare to see a multi part show, even from long established programming. (Never mind the editing and work that goes on behind the scences - 30 minutes translates into weeks of work.) 30 minutes isn't a lot of time. Even a high school class is 47 minutes these days, and that gets you one topic, say for example, work = force x distance. There will not be time enough to adress more than once audience, or more than one simple topic for that matter! If you are about to say "but wait, we don't have to limit ourselves to 30 minutes, we can produce what we want" then I would answer, that's true! But, just as true is my next question - who you gonna show it to and how? So, now that we have established the cart and the horse, we need to make a few decisions... I'm thinking that 30 minutes is just enough time (barely) to show a "teaser" piece that talks about Linux "the product" and what it can do. No techno-geek talk (because you will invariable try to cover too much in too little time), just something that will interest the audience enough to want more. 30 minutes is just enough time to show everyone how they can configure a Linux server to support their own real estate business or construction business or oil business or... as well as interest the experienced novice who might want to try getting out from under their ISP. When they want more, then you can talk about follow-up episodes, or direct them to WLUG at the end of the episode (or both). The WLUG site could have video available, metting topics, and so forth... Steve _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

Nov. 12, 2003

Re: [Wlug] Linux Desktop Conference

by Doug Chamberlin

At 11/11/2003 08:37 AM (Tuesday), you wrote: >I'm wondering if anybody went to the Linux Desktop conference in Tyngsboro >yesterday, and if so, what did you think of it? I went and learned a lot and had a good time. Lots of positive energy and chance to meet people. Minor logistical problems (less than is often seen for a first time event). Too bad it was just one day! Lots of Linux community luminaries were present. Good, thoughtful reflections on the state of Linux, open software, recent industry changes. Also, lots of practitioners who described real world experiences and successes. Bruce Perens says the biggest danger to Linux overall is software patents (but he thinks the SCO situation is almost over and will have no lasting impact on the scene). Next biggest danger is digital rights management efforts of content creators (a la RIAA). Best defense is support of EFF. Bruce says go to www.groklaw.net for a good analysis of the SCO legalities by a para-legal. Several case studies were described of government orgs and schools converting to Linux. An interesting observation was made that these are mainly outside the USA. Several demos showing the status of the Linux desktop as a viable alternative to Windows. Some talks by KDE and Gnome developers on their current work and plans. Bruce Perrins thinks IBM purchase/merger with Novell/Suse is likely. A major observation for me was that, in the cases of migration to Linux, the biggest cost category was "application migration" - not hardware, software, licensing, training, or support. costs. That is big for me since I do contract application development. Would love to help anyone re-implement Windows apps on Linux. Great talk on Linux terminal Server Project (http://www.ltsp.org/) This stuff works. Great way to use older machines but the best were the low cost, no moving parts remote boxes. No local storage but fully functional otherwise. These guys sell them as well as use them. Jill Ratkevic did an amazing job to pull this off. Apparently this is not the last of these gatherings. If you would like to see more of them join & support the Desktop Linux Consortium at http://www.desktoplinux.com/ (membership is $ free). That's all of the top of my head and not nearly a complete report. Doug C.

Nov. 11, 2003

Linux Desktop Conference

by Andy Stewart

HI everybody, I'm wondering if anybody went to the Linux Desktop conference in Tyngsboro yesterday, and if so, what did you think of it? Later, Andy -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group Worcester, MA USA http://www.wlug.org

Nov. 11, 2003

Re: [Wlug] W.L.U.G. TV show...

by Stephen C. Daukas

I have a few thoughts to offer... Given the format of Community Access Programming on local cable, you have 30 minutes. Period. (At least in Shrewsbury.) If my experience in the past with these productions holds true, you don't have a lot of time to work with and it is very rare to see a multi part show, even from long established programming. (Never mind the editing and work that goes on behind the scences - 30 minutes translates into weeks of work.) 30 minutes isn't a lot of time. Even a high school class is 47 minutes these days, and that gets you one topic, say for example, work = force x distance. There will not be time enough to adress more than once audience, or more than one simple topic for that matter! If you are about to say "but wait, we don't have to limit ourselves to 30 minutes, we can produce what we want" then I would answer, that's true! But, just as true is my next question - who you gonna show it to and how? So, now that we have established the cart and the horse, we need to make a few decisions... I'm thinking that 30 minutes is just enough time (barely) to show a "teaser" piece that talks about Linux "the product" and what it can do. No techno-geek talk (because you will invariable try to cover too much in too little time), just something that will interest the audience enough to want more. 30 minutes is just enough time to show everyone how they can configure a Linux server to support their own real estate business or construction business or oil business or... as well as interest the experienced novice who might want to try getting out from under their ISP. When they want more, then you can talk about follow-up episodes, or direct them to WLUG at the end of the episode (or both). The WLUG site could have video available, metting topics, and so forth... Steve

Nov. 10, 2003