Ubuntu Wiki

Introduction

Randall Ross widely known as the Ubuntu Vancouver "Buzz Generator" is the Community Manager of the Ubuntu Vancouver LoCo. Randall has been using Ubuntu exclusively on his personal equipment since 2006. Before that, he used a long string of GNU/Linux based distro's dating back to approximately 1996. He is a strong FLOSS advocate and supporter and believes in the need to fix Bug #1 as quickly as possible.

Summary of Contributions to Ubuntu

• Ubuntu Vancouver Community Manager and Buzz Generator (March 2009 - Present)

• Created "Ubuntu Vancouver Evangelism Advocacy & Marketing"

• Grew Ubuntu Vancouver from a handful of members to (nearly) 300 strong!

• Organized and hosted 34 meetings of Ubuntu Vancouver
• Organized Software Freedom Day 2009 Event in Vancouver
• Active in Launchpad Answers, Launchpad Bugs, Ubuntu Brainstorm, Ubuntu Canada (ubuntu-ca) mailing list

Contributions to Ubuntu (In Detail)

After attending some of the early meetings of the young Ubuntu Vancouver group Randall saw an opportunity to spread Ubuntu more rapidly across Vancouver. With this objective, he founded the "Ubuntu Vancouver Evangelism, Advocacy & Marketing" team in March 2009. See: Ubuntu Vancouver Evangelism, Advocacy & Marketing At that time the Ubuntu community in Vancouver was still disconnected and "struggling" despite visionary and heroic efforts from the group's founder Kim Kulak. Randall rapidly launched a number of marketing channels including: Meetup, Facebook, identica, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter to get the word out that spreading Ubuntu in Vancouver was a priority.

At last count (late March 2009) Randall had organized more than 34 meetings of Ubuntu Vancouver LoCo in support of local community building and the larger goal of spreading Ubuntu everywhere. (Refer to http://meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver) Ubuntu Vancouver currently averages 3-4 meetings per month.

Randall has envisioned, created, and supported several novel Ubuntu events that are designed to be 'viral' (in the meme sense). These include SupportSaturday, TreatTuesday, and "A Cup of Ubuntu". SupportSaturdays are a successful local community support resource in Vancouver. TreatTuesdays are a successful way to attract people to Ubuntu in neighbourhood settings. "A Cup of Ubuntu" remains a conceptual project with its first instance entitled "Ubuntu Vancouver Ambassadors", currently running as a pilot by RexAlemi.

Randall is active in Ubuntu bug reporting, Launchpad Answers, ubuntu-marketing (creating marketing materials for Spread Ubuntu), and the Ubuntu Canada mailing list and web site.

Ubuntu: My Vision of The Future

Randall envisions Ubuntu as the "next big thing". It's not just another GNU/Linux variant. Randall envisions Ubuntu as the watershed project/event where that which was once thought of "techie" and "geeky" is taken to everyone with a computer, regardless of their level of familiarity.

Testimonials

Seldom I have seen anyone so dedicated to any idea as I see Randall is to Ubuntu. A very gifted, very patient friend who works indefatigably to introduce Ubuntu to a community dominated by high budget marketing campaigns. A charismatic leader, Randall has succeeded in creating if not the most, then one of the most active Ubuntu communities with numerous events and themes. If Ubuntu is going to succeed in Vancouver, Randall is the key, because just like a good programmer who can make a graphic card work with Ubuntu Kernel, Randall can persuade human beings to embrace the Ubuntu culture; and believe me, the latter is much harder. Reza "Rex" Alemi, Ubuntu Vancouver Loco.

Randall is committed to the Ubuntu philosophy, and lives it. His success in growing the Ubuntu Vancouver Local Committee is due to that commitment, and his high energy level. He's a natural leader who moves the group forward. He's open to everyone's ideas and participation. He's a skilled user and teacher of Ubuntu himself, but he stands above the rest of us in his ability to bring together skilled Ubuntu teachers and advocates around the Vancouver area. Larry Reid

Randall is one of the driving forces behind Ubuntu Vancouver. His hard work and wide knowledge of all things (well, marketing and computers) has been instrumental in moving Ubuntu Vancouver from a mere handful of Ubuntu users to just under 300 Ubuntu users in an extremely short period of time. His commitment to Ubuntu is with-out question. The planning and arranging that he has done for Support Saturdays (other places call them install-fests)has made us a leader in providing support for Ubuntu in the Metro Vancouver area. I have been a member in other user groups and Ubuntu Vancouver has been the most helpful and community minded Loco that I know or heard of. Ian "Roscoe" Ross (no relation)

Before Randall, Ubuntu Vancouver was me and a few of my friends getting together once a month to talk about Ubuntu. Over the last year Randall has changed that in a big way! Under Randall's guidance Ubuntu Vancouver is now all about doing. I am totally amazed by this man's energy and enthusiasm. He is totally committed to community and ubuntu. Not only Ubuntu the distribution, but ubuntu the ideal. Everyone is able to contribute to Ubuntu Vancouver in their way. Whether contributing food and drink to our meetings, manning the "Help Desk", hanging signs advertising our events, being a "Support Hero" and helping others, giving "Lightning Talks" during the general meetings, hosting a "Special Event" which is dedicated to one topic, or in a hundred other ways too numerous to list; everybody is empowered to make Vancouver an "Ubuntu City". Thank you Randall! Kim Kulak "Fearless Founder"

I met Randall a couple months after I moved to Vancouver. One of the first things he told me was that he was committed to making Vancouver a world-class hub for the open source software community, particularly Ubuntu. His work on the Ubuntu LoCo here has been awe-inspiring, and has driven the group membership into the hundreds. There's a constant flow of Ubuntu events taking place in Vancouver thanks to his efforts. He is an outstanding and energetic leader, and the Ubuntu community in Vancouver has benefited immensely from it. Brad Bollenbach

I also met Randall at a recent Ubuntu Vancouver meeting dedicated to game development for the Ubuntu distribution. He is well self motivated and committed to seeing Ubuntu succeed. He has a good energy, wants to see the community thrive, and was happy to commit whatever resources the community had available to various projects - including my own free commercial software. He is also well versed in major issues and challenges the community faces, as well as the philosophy of free software - which gives him an edge in the community. Kip Warner

For me Randall defines Ubuntu LoCo here in Vancouver. Even though there are many people who are great contributors, he is the one who motivates everybody else. I am amazed by how much time and effort he puts into this group. Randall sets goals high and does not let go until he achieves them. The rapid growth of this group reflects his devotion. Michal Luptak - Vancouver LoCo member