Feb. 17, 2000
On this date, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 2000,
their eagerly anticipated operating system. While I am not
a Microsoft hater, I think this is a good opportunity for Linux
users to let end users know that there is a viable alternative.
In this case, a very viable alternative. Win2K is not targeted
as a consumer product, but as a business/enterprise class
operating system. Primarily for use as a server. This is where
Linux shines. For large enterprises, making the switch from NT to
Linux is not an easy decision and would take several months of
planning. Small and medium sized businesses, OTOH, could easily
switch over to Linux for use as a file or static content web server
with very little overhead.
I propose that the Linux community use this date to educate
more people on why they should consider Linux as an alternative
for use at their businesses. Maybe you work at an all NT company
and you can use this day to put together a presentation for
management about Linux and it's alternatives. If you're a LUG,
you might be able to get a room in the local library and send
out a message to the local small business community about this
event. If you school is completely NT-centric, explain to the
administration why diversity of OSes is a good idea from both an
educational and economic point of view. Or perhaps just spend an
hour with that co-worker of yours who is always poking fun at Linux
and show him the facts. Whatever it is you do, just get the word
out: There is an alternative.
To help LUGs and Linux users go about doing this, I have
gathered a group of Linux vendors who will be helping by
sending out product brochures and other materials that might
be of use to you. This list is not complete and might change
as LWCE is coming up and companies might get too busy and not
be able to help.
Current Sponsors (In alphabetical order):
+ EST (The BRU Guys)
+ Linux Mall
+ Red Hat
+ Turbo Linux
I am trying to contact some more companies, but don't base
your event on having vendor materials. The main goal of an
advocacy event like this is to educate. The vendor materials
can help push the point, but they should not become the focus
of discourse. In addition to the companies listed above, I suggest
that anyone interested seek out local Linux consulting companies
or Linux based ISPs to help you with your event if you're trying
to do something big.
I realize Feb 17th is very close. Unfortunately this idea
didn't hit me until about a week ago. Still, this should be
enough time to put together some sort of small educational
event. Whatever it is you do, it doesn't have to be on that
exact date. If your regular LUG meeting falls on the next
week, just change your meeting topic to something related to
Linux advocacy.
For those interested in receiving materials from corporate
sponsors, send me email by January 16th with the following
information and I will forward it to the appropriate people:
+ Name
+ LUG affiliation if any
+ Physical Address
+ What have you planned for this event
Finally, I'd like to close with some suggestions on how to
get the word out to people who might be interested in
attending. The best way to accomplish this is to contact the
business section of your local newspaper. Most newspapers
these days have some sort of business technology coverage,
and they might be very interested in writing about what you
are doing. In addition, posting fliers at the library or
other public bulletin boards is always a good idea.
Good Luck and Happy Linuxing,
Deepak Saxena
Disclaimer:
Deepak Saxena is an employee of Intel Corporation. His views
on Linux and all other topics do not in any way represent the
views of his employer.
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | Computers are useless,
phone://602.790.0500 | They can only give you answers
http://www.plexity.net | - Picasso
ICQ://49882790 |
---
This message was automatically sent by the Linux Demo Days mailing list
To remove yourself from this list, email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
with the "unsubscribe" in your message body.
