The use of online meetings for troubleshooting is not an either/or question.
Some topics require in person assistance. Some topics can be easily handled through via chat. Some people can't show up at Free Geek on the weekend. Instead of approaching this in a one-size-fits-all manner, lets try to think of this as an opportunity to expand. A hybrid approach will better meet everyone's schedule and generate more group activity in general. And honestly.. some of you might be surprised what kind of issues can be resolved with voice chat. -Ben Sent from ProtonMail mobile -------- Original Message -------- On Sep 22, 2021, 2:59 PM, wes wrote: > +1 to this. If anyone knows of another potential venue, even temporarily > until Free Geek is available again, please speak up. > > I know of places in Vancouver we could use, but I doubt that works for most > people. > > -wes > > On Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 2:47 PM Russell Senior <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I think the primary obstacle to an in-person clinic right now is that >> FreeGeek is still mostly closed. At least, not hosting events, afaik. >> >> On Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 2:38 PM John Jason Jordan <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> > On Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:46:56 -0700 >> > Michael Dexter <[email protected]> dijo: >> > >> > >On 9/22/21 5:52 AM, Rich Shepard wrote: >> > >> In the late 1990s and early 2000s I attended PLUG meetings in the PSU >> > >> Library and the clinics at the schools. Both were where I learned a >> > >> lot about linux. >> > >> >> > >> Now the meetings are computer-specific and highly technical. I cannot >> > >> benefit from that information so I don't tune in. >> > > >> > >Let's make this actionable. >> > > >> > >What would an online clinic look like and who would want to facilitate >> > >it? Assuming you aren't seeking help with the chicken and egg issue of >> > >trying to get your A/V working to attend the meeting! >> > >> > The metro area is now over 60% vaccinated and schools are re-opening, >> > so I've been considering a query here if we might be able to revive the >> > in-person clinics. >> > >> > A virtual clinic is a possible alternative, but I can foresee some >> > difficulties. For example, quite often at the clinics we have someone >> > bring in a computer and want to install Linux on it. Usually the person >> > has already tried and failed. Usually we are successful, but getting >> > the job done often requires sitting in front of the screen. How can we >> > help when the person's computer doesn't have an OS yet? >> > >> > There are lots of other software problems that are hard to troubleshoot >> > without seeing the user's screen. I have used Zoom a few times, but I >> > don't know if there is a way to make my full screen viewable by others, >> > i.e., seeing error messages or terminal windows that are not part of >> > the browser window. >> > >> > I might add that we also frequently have hardware issues that require >> > screwdrivers and other tools to deal with. Does Zoom have a feature >> > where I can stick my hand through the Zoom tab in my browser and have >> > it come out on another user's screen, complete with a screwdriver? >> > >> > I'm not suggesting that a virtual clinic is not useful, but limitations >> > are something to consider. >>
