[TriLUG] Sat. Installfest

[David McDowell]

I couldn't be there that day due to other committments, but I usually
show up to Installfests... however... I was there in spirit  :)

> LUG at NCSU does this regularly, so we should be better organized for the > next one.

I have to say that overall, I am glad that I didn't show up to this
event.  If it weren't for my spare hardware mixed with Kevin's spare
hardware and Kevin Otte's hard work to get an install box up at the
last minute (like late the night before at my place), I believe
someone in this thread said "it would have been sunk".  Kudo's to
Kevin's efforts as I understand the machine was highly useful.  :)

TriLUG has far greater reaching power than LUG at NCSU (no offense NCSU
folks, please take this with a grain of salt).

So, that said, let's look at the power TriLUG has.  We are growing at
an unbelievable and wonderous rate!  It's quite exciting to see our
meeting attendance at, near, and over 100 people each month now. 
That's awesome!!  Also thanks to Red Hat for the larger facility! 
However...

TriLUG, we can do better.  To me, this past weekend felt like a
cop-out from the get-go.  TriLUG rested on the shoulders of NCSU
(which also felt like nearly the last minute piggy-back in comparison
to previous TriLUG Installfests).  Then small turnout and almost no
support from the vast TriLUG resource is saddening.  I'm sure planning
had some to do with folks not having enough advance time to plan
calendars.

Past TriLUG Installfests have had lots of advanced notice, as well as
organization for people at the door, burned CDs of tons of distros, a
fully functional network (I believe at least the last 2 times at Wake
Tech thanks to Jason Tower for running the network, not sure who
provided all the hardware, but thanks to all those folks!), and LOTS
of PARTICIPATION!!  Not to mention the usual TriLUG event "free"
pizza, donations accepted as the financial contribution is just as
important as the human/hardware element to a successful Installfest.

I hope we take lesson from this and do better, a lot better, b/c I
know we can.  I may not have tons of spare hardware and cables, but I
sure have the spirit.  I go when at all possible and learn something
new as well as teach others what I can.  I hope the next Installfest
brings us back to par, maybe even a birdie for good measure.  :)

thanks,
David McD