[TriLUG] Sat. Installfest

[Jason Tower]

true, this event was a bit of a rush job.  not much notice was given, 
and that doesn't help turnout.  i plead guilty to not doing a better 
job handling this.

typically, i'm pretty involved with the installfests, but due to an 
extremely busy work schedule the last couple of months i simply haven't 
had time to organize anything more substantial, nor was i able to 
attend this event myself.  installfests require a substantial amount of 
effort to put together (location, timing, hardware, servers, power 
distribution, networking, media, volunteers, publicity, food, ...) 
which has to be borne by *someone*.  so if you want a better 
installfest, raise your hand and volunteer!  we can always use folks to 
help arrange event space, prepare an installation server, burn install 
media, assist with hardware and cabling setup and teardown, bring LCDs 
to the event, or just tell other people about it to boost attendance.

thanks to those folks that did attend and help out.

jason

On Monday 28 February 2005 21:46, David McDowell wrote:
> 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