Ubuntu Wiki

   1 Thanks for the meeting log, I usually do not get time to attend the meetings, and also I find pre-scheduled activities a bit of an effort to fit around. Although my diary is tending to get alarmingly full on 
   2 occasions.
   3 
   4 I offer below as many useful comments as I can, hoping that they might be useful for peoples experience, some discussion points, and new ideas.
   5 
   6 My general belief is that a key need for Ubuntu is  wider conventional advertising  with the intention of raising awareness a bit more. Not trying to take over the world, just that hey we are here!
   7 
   8 The meeting:
   9 [2011-02-19 21:28:28] <barrydrake> Alan Cocks has managed to get invited to teach/demonstrate to students at a couple of colleges
  10 
  11 Yes thanks, the talks were at two different locations and were on the subject of Ubuntu for Students. Some information is in an advertising list message from me recently and there is also a report too.
  12 
  13 meeting:
  14 [2011-02-19 21:30:00] <barrydrake> I haven't a lot to say about exhibitions and computer fairs.  Next stage is to start e-mailing organisers
  15 [2011-02-19 21:30:30] <mattgriffin> barrydrake: do those things get a lot of attendance?
  16 [2011-02-19 21:30:46]  * mattgriffin has never been to one except for tradeshows for work
  17 [2011-02-19 21:31:19] <barrydrake> Yes - and the right audience - but Alan Cocks says he has difficulty getting folk to stop and talk.  I would need eye-catching posters and a good banner ...
  18 [2011-02-19 21:31:50] <mattgriffin> hmm. ok
  19 [2011-02-19 21:32:08] <barrydrake> Problem is, folk go there to buy, and he isn't 'selling' for money
  20 [2011-02-19 21:32:52] <mattgriffin> do the organizers usually charge for a table or space?
  21 [2011-02-19 21:33:30] <barrydrake> Yes, but Alan persuaded them that as he is non-profit, could they let him stand for nothing - and they found him a spare corner 
  22 [2011-02-19 21:35:49] <mattgriffin> is this type of stuff covered in the 'Talks-Ubuntu-for-students-report' document on the wiki at  ?
  23 [2011-02-19 21:36:49] <barrydrake> Yes, but there is more to add now.
  24 [2011-02-19 21:37:17] <mattgriffin> maybe this could be the third campaign... some support materials for specific use at face-to-face events
  25 [2011-02-19 21:37:38] <mattgriffin> they would need to be cheap to produce but help generate some kind of excitement or interest by passers by
  26 [2011-02-19 21:37:39] <barrydrake> And exhibitions, computer fairs etc
  27 [2011-02-19 21:38:26] <mattgriffin> ok. adding to the Campaign ideas list
  28 
  29 Computer fairs:
  30 I have been running the Infopoint table at Bracknell Computer fair, monthly, since December 2005.
  31 Origin:
  32 The origin is credit to Jono Bacon who was a writer at the time (now with Canonical) copy below of an email I found as a reference
  33 
  34 [begin copy]
  35 =========================================
  36 [sclug] Infopoint-able fairs now in the south - volunteers?
  37 Graham R. Balharrie graham at hollymoon.co.uk
  38 Sun Jun 6 08:58:38 UTC 2004
  39      * Previous message: [sclug] Infopoint-able fairs now in the south - volunteers?
  40      * Next message: [sclug] Wireless Broadband in Slough and Windsor areas
  41      * Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
  42 Sorry about emailing you personally back simon!   Stupid mail client :p
  43 Anywho..
  44 Im probably up for helping at the Slough/Bracknell ones!
  45 
  46 -----Original Message-----
  47 From: sclug-bounces at sclug.org.uk [mailto:sclug-bounces at 
  48 sclug.org.uk] On
  49 Behalf Of Simon Heywood
  50 Sent: 04 June 2004 01:08
  51 To: Thames Valley LUG
  52 Subject: [sclug] Infopoint-able fairs now in the south - volunteers?
  53 
  54 Anyone interested? Bracknell and Slough would appear to be the relevant ones.
  55 
  56 S.
  57 
  58 ----- Forwarded message from Jono Bacon <jono at jonobacon.org> -----
  59 
  60 Date: Wed, 02 Jun 2004 15:28:31 +0100
  61 From: Jono Bacon <jono at jonobacon.org>
  62 Organization: Jono Bacon
  63 To: LUGMaster <lugmaster at mailman.lug.org.uk>
  64 Reply-To: jono at jonobacon.org, "A closed discussion list for UK
  65 LUGMasters."
  66 	<lugmaster at mailman.lug.org.uk>
  67 Subject: [lugmaster] Infopoint-able fairs now in the south - volunteers?
  68 
  69 Hi all,
  70 
  71 I am pleased to announce that a deal has been struck with British Computer Fairs (http://www.britishcomputerfairs.com/) to run Infopoints at their fairs. This includes the following towns:
  72 
  73 London TCR
  74 Kempton
  75 Portsmouth
  76 Croydon
  77 Crawley
  78 Fareham
  79 Tolworth
  80 Worthing
  81 Southampton
  82 Bracknell
  83 Hove
  84 Gosport
  85 Ruislip
  86 Bognor Regis
  87 Bournemouth
  88 Slough
  89 Chichester
  90 
  91 Would any LUGs be interested in volunteering to run Infopoints at these towns?
  92 
  93 The Infopoint mailing list is at
  94 http://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/infopoint/ and the website is http://www.jonobacon.org/infopoint/
  95 	Jono
  96 -- 
  97 Jono Bacon - http://www.jonobacon.org/
  98 Writer / Journalist / Consultant / Developer
  99 _______________________________________________
 100 lugmaster mailing list
 101 lugmaster at mailman.lug.org.uk
 102 http://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/lugmaster
 103 
 104 ----- End forwarded message -----
 105 _______________________________________________
 106 sclug mailing list
 107 sclug at sclug.org.uk
 108 http://www.sclug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sclug
 109      * Previous message: [sclug] Infopoint-able fairs now in the south - volunteers?
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 112 
 113 More information about the sclug mailing list
 114 =========================================
 115 [end copy]
 116 
 117 About the Computer Fairs:
 118 The continuing brand for the display is 'Infopoint', and the useful concept is FLOSS, which is inclusive of Windows stuff, which is quite useful.
 119 Note: there is an existing though not very active, site for Infopoint. http://infopointproject.org/wordpress/materials/infopoint-guide/
 120 I encourage involvement in the site, I do not really have time, but I would contribute if the site became more active, certainly.
 121 
 122 An important point is that when marketing Ubuntu, is to remember it is a *sponsored* distro. This can be a severe draw back in most display environments where the organisers differentiate harshly between business displays and volunteer amateur displays. They want to make money from the shows, and also things like public liability insurance 
 123 is relevant. (Even for non business) This is the reason to very clearly front with FLOSS. The opendisc and 
 124 opendisc/ education is excellent for this, very Windows centric and windows users are totally happy to just download  windows stuff. If you see my relevant leaflets you will notice that there is a paragraph at the end of the second side full of gentle FLOSS propaganda......
 125 
 126 I also have run displays at events like Wallingford town fest 'bunkfest' in the craft tent, I can recommend it, it is a lovely local town type family (non technical) event http://popey.com/blog/2010/07/19/ubuntu-at-non-technical-events/comment-page-1/#comment-5160 shortened link http://bit.ly/gtZ0vc
 127 
 128 Computer fairs attendance:
 129 The Bracknell Computer fairs seem to be attracting less attendance in this increasingly online age. I hope it survives, it is an excellent platform for Ubuntu support introductions and discussions. I am usually talking continuously from 10am to 3pm, people come back to ask a question if they see I am busy at first. Some of it is technical social, which is part of endorsing Ubuntu  etc of course.  This is marketing at the front end.
 130 
 131 [2011-02-19 21:31:19] <barrydrake> Yes - and the right audience - but Alan Cocks says he has difficulty getting folk to stop and talk.  I would need eye-catching posters and a good banner ...
 132 
 133 The attending audience is obviously one full of PC users who are content to install programs and use a screwdriver usually. But I guess 60% do not  know about partitions and 30% dont know about backup.Barry, note that I do not 'try' to get folks to stop etc. Occasionally I have invited a dialogue with attenders passing by, but  it can be 
 134 hard work and I am not convinced it gives a good impression. A bit like being stopped in the street on a shopping trip to talk about religion or something. I do have a ploy of offering to the parents of kids under 5 a row of TUX  paper stickers  - the kids are usually bored and trouble so a diversion is welcomed. And penguins are 
 135 definitely IN at present. Many parents, surprisingly, seem to recognise tux :-)
 136 
 137 I just recalled - at the college talks, the tux stickers (25mm dia labels) went down very well with the less techie attenders - fun.
 138 
 139 The displays are in a classic retail environment, I have pulled back from trying to be a market stall (I used to work on a street market vegetable stall as a sixth former). I wait with dignity any enquiry and work at making the punter feel welcomed.
 140 
 141 I have also run several Software Freedom Days events in Bracknell, two in the shopping mall and two in the open, one of which was simply me standing alone by a notice with some leaflets all day. (That is a the hard way). The shopping mall events were very costly, 200 pounds and 100 pounds per day respectively (and were generously funded by Alan Pope).
 142 
 143 At the computer fair another person in small business selling general program CDs including recovery tools says that his price is usually 5 pounds per CD and now it is hardly worth selling a CD at less than 8 pounds. Just threw that in as a current market comment. But his customers are not facing a major change of direction nor is he 'advertising' a community environment approach.
 144 
 145 [2011-02-19 21:31:19] <barrydrake> Yes - and the right audience - but Alan Cocks says he has difficulty getting folk to stop and talk.  I would need eye-catching posters and a good banner ...
 146 
 147 I use the brand 'Infopoint' (for attention of the organisers) I use a hand painted TUX on a cheap looking garden plant cane with coloured clothes pegs supported in an empty CDs 50s cylindrical box which has three rubber TUXs inside trying to escape. I *aim* to look like a local enthusiast amateur group, and distance myself from anything suggesting corporate backing. Other Infopoint  displays in the SE eg Hampshire I think, went to much trouble to create 2 metre white wood  INFOPOINT banners with professional lettering. They had a slightly different approach to mine. They displayed for a while then did not continue. At this stage people starting Ubuntu should expect to rely either on a personal friend basis to help them (me) or be prepared to go cautiously forward away from their comfortable if frustrating Windows experience.
 148 Did I send you any photos of fairs Barry?
 149 
 150 I have two levels of leaflets. A'street' level which is colourful and designed to be picked up by a windows user who is just hearing about alternatives, and leaflets for those already decided for more action. The action stuff has a pure advocacy and social political set and there is also some important hardcore techie stuff needed  for a sharp learning curve.
 151 
 152 I offer hand burned, hand written on, CDs at one pound each, if I can get Ubuntu retail CDs they are also one pound, but I have not purchased any or the price would need to be more like 2 or 3 pounds, and they are all so date dependednt anyway. 3 pounds begins to 'look' like a shallow end of a business.
 153 
 154 My whole operation is strongly geared to low cost and ease of management and being able to endure for a long period. People return to ask a question 4 months after they originally had a CD.
 155 
 156 [2011-02-19 21:32:08] <barrydrake> Problem is, folk go there to buy, and he isn't 'selling' for money:
 157 I note that my display is 50% used as a local Ubuntu beginners problem solving table nowadays, no purchases. All attenders have paid an entrance fee, so the fair organisers see this, it helps to justify my existence. It is a *business* for them of course. I see more that people are happily downloading for themselves and coming to me for advice, I have no problem with this. My intention is not to make money, I am clear about that. I do it for love, not anything else although it would be harder to justify if I was a large loss maker (domestic sympathy would be limited). I recently offered to the organisers to take some of their leaflets around town to distribute, to help. They were grateful for the offer but so far they have not followed it up. What is good for them is also likely to be good for me too of course.
 158 
 159 [2011-02-19 21:37:38] <mattgriffin> they would need to be cheap to produce but help generate some kind of excitement or interest by pas
 160 
 161 The street level leaflets are colourful and cost 15 pence each to produce (for a 1000 rate) I have used about 1000 during about 12 months. They deliberately do not mention the 'L' word at all, nor the word free software (in its political sense) and Ubuntu only very briefly.
 162 
 163 All other leaflets are arranged as  black only, A4 size, maybe folded (time consuming but appropriate). I have an old laser printer which has had at least two drum replacements (50 pounds each) and regular toners (about 30 pounds each) etc. A4 sheets actually cost around 4p each over time. I buy cds in 100's either at the fair or if tesco or sainsburys has special offers. Paper cd covers are about 5p each. 
 164 
 165 Importantly, I note that I find I am no longer at the front line of Ubuntu 'advertising' because there is a lot in the press media and magazines and unlike a couple of years ago, when most people had not heard of alternatives, now I find that many people are aware. But not everyone is ready or willing or confident to find the time and effort to try it.
 166 
 167 My continuing presence at the fair is often relied upon by attenders. I also see it as a symbol, symbolic that Ubuntu 'exists'. Descartes: I think therefore I am.  Ubuntu 'exists' because I keep seeing it at the computer fair (alan).  :-)
 168 
 169 [2011-02-19 21:33:30] <barrydrake> Yes, but Alan persuaded them that as he is non-profit, could they let him stand for nothing - and they found him a spare corner
 170 
 171 In principle this was Jono Bacon who deserves the credit for the initial idea and inspiration. I arrived later and would have been far too timid then to start up 'cold'. But it was still quite scary to make inquiries etc. However the existing then infopoint project activists did not agree with my aim of showing as local amateur group with handwritten stuff, and they gave me a hard time in the local discussion. I was undaunted. They were sure that a more polished professional showing was necessary. However that is not only more effort and quite costly, it also produces a conflict of understanding in the novice customer.
 172 
 173 My current belief is that a modest national advertising campaign would help in prompting discussion in local councils and education houses, and down  the street too.
 174 
 175 Now my talks are finished, I am available to probe if any computer fair links can be found in your area, which I aim to do over the next couple of weeks I think.