Ubuntu Wiki

Goals

Use cases

• Loubna goes to a computer fair. She might have heard of OpenOffice.org, Firefox and maybe Linux, but probably not of Ubuntu. She passes by our stand. A booth volunteer tries to get her interested in Ubuntu and ubuntu-cc.org.

• Piotr wants to stay informed of Ubuntu news: new releases, local Ubuntu activities and more.
• Mahatma is a happy existing Ubuntu user. When a booth volunteer hears that, he tries to help him become an ubuntu-cc.org volunteer.

Functionality

• everyone can:
  • burn an Ubuntu CD
  • make a donation to ubuntu-be.org
  • see how many CDs were distributed
  • see how many people actually talked to
• a fair visitor can:
  • learn what Ubuntu is:
    • advantages:

      • complete system including high quality applications: OpenOffice.org, Firefox, ...

      • little or no viruses and spyware (technical and market share reasons)
      • market share amongst exotic systems
      • free software
      • standards: in control of the meta layer
      • native language support
    • disadvantages:
      • hardware support
      • closed proprietary software (Flash, multimedia,...)
  • try out Ubuntu:
    • surf the web
    • read email

    • office applications: read & write MS Office documents

    • photo collection: connect camera, view, administer, print photos
    • music: connect audio player, play
    • play video
    • play a game
  • learn why "something for nothing" is possible with free software
  • determine if Ubuntu is right for him
  • learn how to experiment with Ubuntu (on a computer of his own or a demo machine):
    • receive a free Ubuntu CD with instructions:
      • learn how he can use it to get a first impression of Ubuntu
      • learn how it doubles as an install CD
      + learn about the system most suited for beginners
      • a separate machine
      • at least 256 Mb ram
      • wired ethernet network
      • single boot means less complexity
  • learn about ubuntu-cc.org as an information hub:
    • forums, lists and documentation (native language and English)
    • contact volunteers
    • subscribe to ubuntu-cc.org news flashes
  • run the Ubuntu live CD
    • on a computer of his own
    • on a demo computer
  • install Ubuntu:
    • onto a computer of his own (single boot!)
    • onto a demo computer (single boot!)
  • get an Ubuntu sticker
  • ? buy Ubuntu merchandise
  • ? buy a system with Ubuntu preinstalled in cooperation with other booths
  • get contact information of an individual ubuntu-cc.org contact
• an existing Ubuntu user can:
  • become an ubuntu-be.org volunteer
  • join the booth
• a volunteer can:

Booth Box

Modelled after the success of the Gnome booth box, this is an instant fair booth box. It contains all equipment necessary to run a booth. When you organise a booth, you receive it. When someone else wants to organise a booth, you send it to him.

And don't forget the booth box inventory list!!

The weeks before the fair

• finding volunteers:
  • launch the question onto the mailing list
  • ask volunteers to reply to the mailing list, to encourage others to participate
  • find a second person to confirm his participation before adressing the mailing list
  • ask possible volunteers as directly as possible: in person, phone, messaging, mail
• funding:
  • ask for a non-profit, non-selling discount! ubuntu is popular and will draw people to the fair!
  • be prepared to pay for the booth yourself
  • make it easy for people to make a free contribution at the fair
• bootstrapping a booth box:
  • often easier to get contributions in kind: let the mailing list know what you need!
  • fairs are a nice place to buy
  • let it grow slowly
  • buy compact (e.g. TFT monitors instead of CRTs)
  • buy quality (e.g. plastic poster instead of paper one)
  • buy flexible, low tech, cheap (e.g. free black and white copier leaflets instead of full colour ofset printing)
• logistics:
  • many volunteers have no cars! logistics!
  • getting the heavy stuff to the fair
  • borrowing from other booths at the fair
  • sending the booth box around

The hour before the fair

• set up the booth:

  • news flash & volunteer fill out lists:

    • take enough pens and fix them to the booth with rope
  • consistency and simplicity:
    • 1 flyer visible: present Ubuntu itself and your team
    • keep specialised flyers away from the booth desk, but available:
      • what is free software, especially why "something for nothing" is possible with free software
      • kubuntu, edubuntu, xubuntu

      • OpenOffice.org -> ODF ISO standard; what are open standards

  • table cloth identifies and unifies the booth
• When the booth is ready, do a role play a few times: a visitor passes:
  • what does the visitor see first?
    • does the visitor see a presentation about Ubuntu, whatever side the visitor passes from?
  • does he receive a flyer?
  • does someone start a conversation with him?
    • conversation:
      • WRONG: "Hello sir, do you know what Ubuntu is?"

      • RIGHT => try to connect to positive experiences: 3 times "yes" and you have a psychological grip

  • the visitor is a child (children attract parents!) => do we have:

    • candy!
    • games (preferably 3d): planet penguin racer, ...
  • the visitor is a woman:
    • keep the tech speak even more away than usual:
      • fair trade software, ubuntu the african word, shuttleworth the space tourist, show demo
  • the visitor is a journalist: do we have business cards ready?
  • the visitor is a bling lover: do we have a beryl/compiz demo ready?
• schedule breaks!
  • food breaks: volunteers need to eat
  • photo breaks: pictures taken at the busiest moments are the most interesting
• are there enough CD's? if not: start burning
  • insert them into paper cd bags with transparent window together with an ubuntu-cc.org flyer
  • continue burning during the fair
    • shows the powers of free software in practice

The booth itself

• Think about your target audience!
• We are teasing visitors into trying ubuntu. This is a big jump already. Keep their experience simple and consistent!
• A booth is also a social event between volunteers!
• Enthusiasm sells: don't be afraid to go after every single passerby.
• Never ever interrupt another volunteer when he is dealing with a visitor, unless that volunteer begs you for input.
• Mentor eachother. Observe another volunteer's way of talking to a visitor. Afterwards, discuss about good and bad effects. Switch roles and repeat.

Ideas: to be sorted

• organise introduction course/ install party at a less busy moment during fair?
• Belgium specific: demo an ID card reader.
• Nelson Mandela video: attractive! and not only to hippies, women, non-technical users
• presentation machine (introductie, voor wie geschikt)
• elaborate free contribution
• explain the freedom model, mix with
  • Shuttleworth the rich space tourist

  • OpenOffice.org

  • Firefox
• wishlist: printed version at the booth
• do something interesting on the screens

• people in front & behind the booth table is easier to demonstrate

• visibility in height: poles, rope, tape
• women to distribute flyers
• list potential volunteers
• list of potentially interested people