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Here we go again. Fall semester's coming up, and students all over
campus will be lining up to dump money into their shiny brand new
copies of Windows and Office XP to get them ready for their college
adventures to come. Booths fill up quickly (if they are all not
already reserved). The critical time for the UUG to raise awareness
of OpenOffice and GNU/Linux is in that *first week*, when students are
finding their way around and getting settled. So let's make sure that
we get those booths and get them manned.
Perhaps the most visible component of the booth should be something
portraying this message:
- The Cost of Windows and MS Office: $500 (and your freedom)
- The Cost of GNU/Linux and OpenOffice: $0 (and you get to keep your
freedom too)
This would lead to interesting discussions as people pass by and
wonder, ``What do you mean, freedom?'' As we give them a copy of the
SSS CD, we can explain how with Free Software, they can copy it and
give it to their friends without worrying about violating any
licenses. Their freedom to copy - the most visible and pertinent
freedom to the non-programmers - is protected. They also can avoid
paying large amounts of money for costly proprietary software while
they go through college. Something like this might work:
``This semester, would you rather spend $500 on computer software or
$500 on prospects for eternal marriage?'' (or food, rent, etc...)
The idea is to get their interest with the monetary cost factor, and
then help them understand the freedom cost factor with proprietary
software licenses when they stop to find out more. OpenOffice's
compatibility with MS Office documents is also an important
consideration for most students, and we should make that visible too.
In any case, we should be encouraging them to at least give the
software a try before they run off and purchase MS Office.
Oh, and I think it would be appropriate to consider including software
written by BYU students on the SSS CD. Geneology software and
Church-related software should be on there too.
We should have an Install Fest lined up the second or third week into
the semester to invite people at the booths to come and have Linux
installed. This should, of course, be announced in all freshman-level
CS/EE courses (and as many upper-level CS/EE courses as possible too).
Those hanging around in other departments can make announcements. In
any case, make sure to pass it by the professor beforehand.
I feel a bit like I'm bossing everyone around. Sorry if I come off
sounding that way. These are all just my own suggestions; take them
fo that they're worth. I won't be there to help promote Linux on
campus; I'll be here in Austin, helping to write it instead. :-)
Mike
PS - Standard disclaimer: everything here comes from me and not my
employer, blah blah blah...
--=20
------------------------------------------- | ---------------------
Michael Halcrow | [EMAIL PROTECTED] =20
Developer, IBM Linux Technology Center | =20
|
"Campus sidewalks never exist as the |
straightest line between two points." |
- M. M. Johnston |
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