The LUGOD Farmer's Market HOWTO Bill Kendrick, bill@newbreedsoftware.com v.0.0b, 17 October 1999 / 11 June 2005 This HOWTO contains information on how to set up and run a booth at the Davis Farmer's Market. ______________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose 1.2 Copyright 2. LUGOD and the Farmer's Market 2.1 How Did This Start? 2.2 Committee Chair 2.3 LUGOD Davis Farmer's Market Committe Web Page 3. All About Farmer's Market 3.1 When Are Farmer's Markets? 3.2 Where Are Farmer's Markets? 3.3 Where Does LUGOD Go? 3.4 Contacting the Davis Farmer's Market Association 4. Planning a Farmer's Market Booth 4.1 When Can We Go? 4.2 Decide When To Go 4.2.1 Get Volunteers 4.2.1.1 LUGOD's VOX mailing list 4.2.1.2 Meetings 4.3 Contact the Market 4.4 Get Computer Equipment 4.4.1 Hardware 4.4.1.1 Liability 4.4.1.2 Back Up! 4.4.1.3 Passwords 4.4.1.4 Don't Forget!!! 4.4.2 Software 4.4.2.1 Games 4.4.2.2 Productivity 4.5 Get Other Equipment 4.5.1 Table 4.5.2 Tent 4.5.3 Sign 4.5.4 Chairs 4.5.5 Power 4.5.5.1 Extension Cord 4.5.5.2 Surge Protector Strip 4.5.5.3 Uninterruptible Power Supply 4.6 Get Handouts 4.6.1 LUGOD Information Flyers 4.6.2 Linux Pamphlets 4.6.3 Linux Distributions 4.6.4 Other "Swag" 4.7 Get Transportation 4.7.1 Table, Chairs, Etc. 4.7.2 Computers 4.7.3 Volunteers 4.8 Let Everyone Know! 4.8.1 Announcement 4.8.2 Websites 5. Setting Up The Booth 5.1 Wake Up Early! 5.2 Get The Equipment 5.3 Connect Everything 5.4 Put Out Hand-Outs 5.5 Put Out Information 6. Running The Booth 6.1 The Greeting 6.1.1 If You're Already Engaged 6.2 Answering Questions 6.2.1 Answers 6.2.2 Opinions 6.2.3 What If I Don't Know The Answer? 6.3 Answers To Common Questions 6.4 Good Things To Mention 6.4.1 Community 6.4.1.1 Davis High School 6.4.1.2 Davis Community Network 6.4.1.3 Linux Emergency Response Team 6.4.2 Sacramento Linux Users' Group 6.4.3 LUGOD is Free! 7. Closing Up 8. Check List ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction 1.1. Purpose The LUGOD Farmer's Market HOWTO is intended to serve as a guide to organizing, setting up, running and breaking down a booth at the Davis Farmer's Market. 1.2. Copyright This document is Copyright (c) 1999 by Bill Kendrick. This HOWTO is free documentation; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. See the GNU General Public License for more details. You can obtain a copy of the GNU General Public License by writing to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Or, read it here: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html 2. LUGOD and the Farmer's Market 2.1. How Did This Start? During the summer of 1999, founder and current chairperson ("root") of LUGOD, Pete Salzman had the idea that we should tend a booth at the Davis Farmer's Market to help promote Linux. Members agreed. Pete contacted the current head of the Davis Farmers Market Association, Randii MacNear, and other club members get together to form a LUGOD Farmer's Market committee. Forms were filled out and on Saturday, September 18, 1999, LUGOD tended its first booth at the Market. 2.2. Committee Chair As of the date of this document, the current chair of the LUGOD Farmer's Market Committee is: Hans Uhlig 2.3. LUGOD Davis Farmer's Market Committe Web Page A brief summary of LUGOD's Farmer's Market project can be found on LUGOD's website at: http://www.lugod.org/projects/farmersmarket.shtml 3. All About Farmer's Market 3.1. When Are Farmer's Markets? As of the date of this document, the Davis Farmer's Market hours are: * Saturday, 8am to 12pm * Wednesday, 4:30pm - 8:30pm, April to August * Wednesday, 10am - 2pm, September to March It is suggested that you show up at _least_ one hour in advance to begin setting up. 3.2. Where are Farmer's Markets? As of the date of this document, the Davis Farmer's Market is held at Central Park, 4th & C Streets in Davis. This probably will never change. 3.3. Where Does LUGOD Go? Since LUGOD likes to set up computers on its booth, we need power. Because of this, our booth goes on the north east side of the market, close to 4th street. A set of garbage cans and a large tan container are there, next to a small facility building. This building has power. LUGOD sets up its booth on the left (south) of the container, facing away from it and the facility, towards C street. Behind the container, on the right (north) corner of the facility is a pair of power outlets. 3.4. Contacting the Davis Farmer's Market Association For verification of the above, or for more information, you can contact: Randii MacNear Davis Farmers Market Association P.O. Box 1813 Davis, CA. 95617 530-756-1695 rmacnear@wheel.dcn.davis.ca.us Or you can simply visit the Davis Farmer's Market webpage: http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~rmacnear/farmers/davis/ 4. Planning a Farmer's Market Booth 4.1. When Can We Go? [ At this point, I am unclear on the details. Contact Randii MacNear or the current head of the LUGOD Farmer's Market Committee for details. (See sections 3.4.) It is my understanding that LUGOD may attend up to 12 Farmer's Markets per calendar year. This section of this document will be fleshed out as information is collected... ] 4.2. Decide When To Go 4.2.1. Get Volunteers Obviously the best day to tend a booth at the Market is one when the most people are available to help. There are a few ways to get feedback from members: 4.2.1.1. LUGOD's VOX mailing list An e-mail to the VOX mailing list will get the message to a good bulk of the members: vox@lugod.org For more information on LUGOD's mailing lists, visit the LUGOD website: http://www.lugod.org/mailinglists/ 4.2.1.2. Meetings Taking a show of hands at a meeting is a good way to find out who's available when. Since everyone will be answering immediately, and hearing everyone else's answers, you will quickly get an idea of who can attend what days. 4.3. Contact the Market [ As with section 4.1, I am still unclear on details. How far in advance does the Market Association need to be informed? Are there forms to fill out? This section will fill up as I get details... ] 4.4. Get Computer Equipment Having a computer or two on a table in the middle of a farmer's market full of fruits, vegetables, baked goods and "vote for X" posters is definitely an eye-catcher! 4.4.1. Hardware If someone has a laptop or desktop running Linux that they are willing to expose to poking fingers, dust and sunlight, have them bring it! 4.4.1.1. Liability [ We should really decide what to do about LUGOD's liability towards damage. What if the tent falls over? The table breaks? Etc. ] 4.4.1.2. Back Up! Taking a computer, espcially not a laptop, out into the open can be dangerous or damaging. Allowing others to manipulate the computer can be as well. It is _strongly_ suggested that all files on such computers be backed up before the Market! 4.4.1.3. Passwords If the person providing the hardware is unable to actually attend the Market themselves, their best bet is to set up a guest account within which software can be demoed. Don't forget to get a password, otherwise the only good the computer will be is to show off a login prompt! 4.4.1.4. Don't Forget!!! Double and triple check that the computer being provided includes all of the necessary parts. A missing power supply will render a computer/monitor combination useless! A missing mouse will make X-Window difficult. Using speakers, don't forget the power! 4.4.2. Software While a standard Linux installation usually comes with X-Window, some neat games and a few useful programs, the best thing to demonstrate when showing off Linux are things people are actually interested in: 4.4.2.1. Games Games make noise and are fun. Have some good ones installed to attract attention, distract children (while answering their parents' questions), and for when the Market gets slow and you need something to do for a minute or two. 4.4.2.2. Productivity Software like Sun's StarOffice quickly answers the "can I word process?" question many market-goers will ask. It's also free. That fact will amaze them. Download or get a copy of it or some other cool productivity application. Learn enough of it to demo it when people ask to see for themselves. 4.5. Get Other Equipment 4.5.1. Table LUGOD purchased an 8' long table to use at things like Farmer's Market. 4.5.2. Tent If someone has a large tent that can cover the booth (to protect it from light, wind, etc.) see if you can borrow it. Make sure you know how to put it together, and there are enough volunteers to be able to manage it. Most tents are at _least_ a two-person job. 4.5.3. Sign Some LUGOD members created a cool looking 8' long "LUGOD" sign for things like Farmer's Market. (They actually used part of the cardboard box that the table in section 4.5.1 came in.) 4.5.4. Chairs Although you'll be spending a lot of time standing to answer questions or hand people flyers, Farmer's Markets are 4 hours long. You'll need chairs. 4.5.5. Power 4.5.5.1. Extension Cord A 20' long outdoor extension cord should handle getting power from the outlet (see section 3.3) to the computers on the table. 4.5.5.2. Surge Protector Strip You'll also want at least one surge protector. Remember that speaker plugs are usually large transformers that can cover up other outlets on a surge strip. 4.5.5.3. Uninterruptible Power Supply A UPS is useful. If power dies at the Market, or some joker comes by and unplugs the extension cord, computers will lose power without being shut down properly. It is suggested that a UPS be brought. 4.5.5.4. Other Cords Also, see section 4.4.1.4 regarding the cords that go between computer components and outlets! 4.6. Get Handouts 4.6.1. LUGOD Information Flyers There is a good summary of what LUGOD is, when it meets and what it does available on the LUGOD website. http://www.lugod.org/welcome/index-nonmeeting.html I suggest printing one copy and then ammending the date, time, location and subject of the next upcoming LUGOD meeting and photocopying that. This way, when a market-goer goes home and remembers they have the flyer, they have to do absolutely nothing (no web browsing, etc.) to know when the next meeting is. 4.6.2. Linux Pamphlets Companies like RedHat and SuSE have provided some flyers about their company. If we have them, they're much more useful as a handout at a Farmer's Market than a regular LUGOD meeting, because presumably someone going to a LUGOD meeting knows _something_ about Linux. The same is not so for market-goers... (yet!) LUGOD also produced a number of pro-Linux flyers which are useful, and look good, too! http://www.lugod.org/documents/pamphlets/ 4.6.3. Linux Distributions What better way to get someone started using Linux than handing them a free copy of it! If we have a large collection of hand-out CD's or lots of duplicates in the LUGOD Library, get rid of them this way! For information on the LUGOD Library, visit: http://www.lugod.org/library/ 4.6.4. Other "Swag" When we get other Linux-related goodies (shirts, mousepads, stickers, etc.), a.k.a. "swag," that don't get used up at LUGOD meetings, pass those out. (People love free stuff.) Most spare swag is kept with the LUGOD Library. See section 4.6.3. 4.7 Get Transportation 4.7.1 Table, Chairs, Etc. The Farmer's Market Committee Chairperson will know who is taking care of the table, so you will need to coordinate how to get it from their house to the Market, and back. Remember that the table is _8_feet_ in length! (A small pickup can barely fit it in its bed.) Make _sure_ you have transportation for the table, if nothing else, as it is the most important part of the booth!!! If rope is needed to tie it down in the back, or to the roof, make sure you have it, and that you know how to tie it safely. LUGOD currently owns no chairs, so someone will need to lend them. If you want to sit, find chairs. 4.7.2 Computers If computers are going to be set up, make sure they are ready to go (ie, unhooked and all necessary cabling packaged up) on time. Don't forget to get the name, address, directions and phone number for the person lending the machine! Did I mention to see section 4.4.1.4??? 4.7.3 Volunteers Be sure to get the names, addresses, directions and phone numbers for each volunteer who is going to help out. If they are taking an early morning shift, call them well in advance to when you leave to pick them up so that you're sure they're awake and getting ready to go! (6:30am is considered really early for most people.) 4.8 Let Everyone Know! 4.8.1 Announcement Once the Farmer's Market is picked and everything is planned, have "root" (Chairperson) or "sys" (Vice Chairperson) of LUGOD post a message to LUGOD's "VOX-ANNOUNCE" mailing list. root@lugod.org sys@lugod.org For more information on LUGOD's mailing lists, visit the LUGOD website: http://www.lugod.org/mailinglists/ 4.8.2 Websites Have the website maintainer of LUGOD put the Farmer's Market event up on the LUGOD website. webmistress@lugod.org -or- webmaster@lugod.org There is an "upcoming events" section right on the front page. http://www.lugod.org/ LUGOD also has an "Our Town" page on the Sacramento Bee's website: http://www.sacbee.com/ourtown/ http://ourtown.sacbee.com/574/ 5. Setting Up The Booth 5.1. Wake Up Early! Remember to be ready to leave in enough time to _get_ to the Market at _least_ one hour before it starts. While it doesn't seem like it will take an entire hour to set up, stuff happens... 5.2. Get The Equipment Make sure that the table, and tent, if any, are set up before computers start arriving. If you have nowhere to put the computers, you will have to leave them in the vehicle that brought them. A vehicle stuck at the Market is a vehicle that is _not_ being used to pick up other useful things (like volunteers!). 5.3. Connect Everything If multiple computers are brought, make sure you don't confuse one machine's cabling with the other. 5.4. Put Out Hand-Outs Unless it's windy, place hand-outs (flyers, CDs, etc.) out for people to look at and grab. Make sure you can reach them from behind the table, if you want to point something out to someone. 5.5. Put Out Information Our second Farmer's Market had a collection of 3"x5" cards with large bold frequently-asked questions, like "WHO IS LUGOD?" and "WHAT IS LINUX?". (This idea was conceived at the first Farmer's Market by Jen Rutherford.) Underneath the questions were brief answers. This "interface" seemed to work very well with passers-by. They would walk up to see what's going on, and find that questions running through their head were already answered! Doing something like this is highly encouraged. 6. Running The Booth 6.1. The Greeting I suggest that you greet onlookers who are staring at the booth with "Hi, can I answer any questions?" and hand them a copy of the LUGOD Information Flyer (see section 4.6.1). 6.1.1. If You're Already Engaged If you're in the middle of answering a question and another onlooker comes by staring, and noone else is available to help them, or simply doesn't notice them, don't neglect them. Excuse yourself from the person you're currently helping, but only long enough to greet the new person with "hi" and hand them a flyer. They will realize that you were already answering someone a question, and will probably wait for their chance. In the meantime, they have a flyer to look at, and are hopefully getting some questions answered! (See section 5.5 for another tip on answering questions without saying much.) 6.2. Answering Questions 6.2.1. Answers If you know the answer to a person's question, that's great! Answer it! 6.2.2. Opinions If you have an _opinion_ on a question (ie, "Is MicroSoft Windows bad?"), make sure that the person you're talking to realizes that it's just an opinion (popular or not). (The Linux world can be one of great divisions, but with separation comes choice. If you hate VI, don't say "don't use VI," but say "if you don't like VI _either_, try EMACS.") 6.2.3. What If I Don't Know The Answer? When you don't know an answer, make it clear to the person you're talking to that someone somewhere must know the answer. It's also very likely that someone in LUGOD knows the answer. When I'm asked about dual-booting Linux and Windows, I can't answer any questions because I know nothing about it. I realize that most everyone _else_ in the club does, however, and point that out. 6.3. Answers To Common Questions 6.3.1. Who/What Is LUGOD? A non-profit computer club dedicated to Linux. 6.3.1.1. What Do I Do To Join? LUGOD membership is free, and anyone can join. Just let us know you wish to be considered a member! 6.3.2. What Do You Do? We hold regular meetings, help the community, and help each other. 6.3.2.1. When Are Meetings? Meetings are held on the Third Monday [and sometimes First Tuesday] of each month at 6:30pm. 6.3.3. What Is Linux? Linux is a UNIX-like operating system designed to provide personal computer users a free or low-cost operating system. Linux is very efficient and fast-performing. It's publicly open and extendible by contributors. 6.3.3.1. What's An Operating System? It's the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer when you first turn it on, manages all of the other programs ("applications"). Applications make use of the OS by requesting services such as reading or writing to a disk or hard drive, talking to a modem, etc. 6.3.3.2. What's The Difference Between Linux and Windows? Linux 6.4. Good Things To Mention 6.4.1. Community LUGOD as a whole is proud of the fact that it helps the community. You should be, too. So when someone asks "What does LUGOD do?" you might want to mention some of these: 6.4.1.1. Davis High School During the summer of 1999, a number of LUGOD members worked with Davis High School to upgrade some Linux systems they were using. A number of DHS students are also LUGOD members. We were also instrumental in getting a pair of high-end computers donated to the high school by VA Linux Systems. Our website has details: http://www.lugod.org/projects/dhs.shtml 6.4.1.2. Davis Community Network As of the summer of 1999, LUGOD has been working with the well-known Davis Community Network (DCN) to help refurbish old computer equipment so that it can be donated to schools, libraries, etc. and used as public workstations in locales where home computers and Internet access are less common. Our website has details: http://www.lugod.org/projects/dcn.shtml 6.4.1.3. Linux Emergency Response Team A group of LUGOD members has formed "LERT," a free service to Linux-using members of the community, who help with computer problems. For details, see: http://www.lugod.org/projects/lert.shtml 6.4.2. Sacramento Linux Users' Group Many market-goers are not from Davis, but happen to be in town during a Farmer's Market. If someone mentions they are from Sacramento, mention "SacLUG," the Sacramento Linux User's Group! SacLUG has meetings at 7pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at CalWeb: CalWeb 1111 Howe Avenue, Suite 355 Sacramento, CA 95825 Their website is located at: http://www.saclug.org/ 6.4.3 LUGOD is Free! A common question (and I'm not sure why) is "how do I join?" LUGOD meetings are free and open to the public. Membership is also free, and anyone can join. Mention it! 7. Closing Up 7.1. Computers Begin by shutting down the computers and packing them up. Leave the pamphlets, flyers and swag out, for the passers-by who will undoubted show up asking what you're doing. Don't forget the extension cord, as it's mostly hidden behind the container. 7.2. Pamphlets Pack the pamphlets up and put them away. Just make sure they don't _blow_ away! 7.3. Table, Chairs and Tent Now that everything's out of the way, fold up the table, put away the tent, if you had one, and pack them and the chairs up in whatever large vehicle you have ready for them. 7.4. Double-check! It's never fun to get home and realize you left your monitor in the middle of a city park, unattended! Make sure _someone_ goes back to the booth spot to make sure nobody left anything behind. (Everyone always assumes someone else is dealing with stuff.) 8. Check List Equipment: Power: { } Table { } Extension Cord { } Chairs { } Surge Protector { } Tent { } UPS { } Sign Computers: { } CPU { } CPU { } CPU Power Cable { } CPU Power Cable { } Monitor { } Monitor { } Monitor Power Cable { } Monitor Power Cable { } Speakers { } Speakers { } Speaker Power Cable { } Speaker Power Cable { } Speaker Line Cable(s) { } Speaker Line Cable(s) { } Keyboard { } Keyboard { } Mouse { } Mouse { } Mousepad { } Mousepad { } Password(s) to log-in { } Password(s) to log-in Misc. Computer Equipment: Food: { } Network Hub { } Water { } Ethernet Cable(s) { } Snacks Swag: Anything Else: (fill-in) { } LUGOD Information { } { } Linux CD's { } { } Stickers { }