Linux Users' Group of Davis - "Hands-On Linux Demos"

Hands-On Linux Demonstrations

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What's a Hands-On Linux Demo?

History:

In September 1999, LUGOD held its first public demonstration of Linux at the Davis Farmer's Market. We've since held demos at other venues, such as the Davis Food Co-Op, and the Borders bookstore in Davis.

What We Do At A Demo:

We call our event a "hands-on Linux demo" because it's precisely that! We set up one more or computers running the Linux operating system and a nice desktop environment, and let people try it out for themselves. We show off popular Open Source applications, such as "The GIMP" (digital artists and photographers want to check it out), "OpenOffice.org", and "Firefox." We show games and K-12 educational programs. For people who use UNIX and want to try Linux, we show various low-level tools that are available.

Volunteers answer questions about Linux, Open Source, LUGOD, and computers in general.

We also take the opportunity to advertise LUGOD. We'll have handouts describing the club and our events, flyers for upcoming meetings and installfest workshops, and even plug our neighbor LUGs in Sacramento and Roseville.

Give-Aways

Along with information and flyers, we try to have CD-ROMs with software (Linux install discs, live-CDs, Open Source software for Windows, etc.), and sometimes books, magazines, or other 'swag' and goodies. We give these items out for free! (If your company or organization wants to provide give-aways for our demos or other events, contact pr@lugod.org). We often burn these ourselves.

Who Comes To A Demo?

Some people learn about our demo events from notices in the local newspaper or online, and make a specific effort to come to the event. Sometimes they are people who participate in LUGOD but simply cannot make our regular meetings (or think they're too technical... although that's silly!)

For the most part, though, people from the general public who just happen to be wandering by, notice our exhibit and drop by to see what it is. Visitors range from complete computer-'newbies' to Linux and UNIX gurus who are surprised to learn about LUGOD. (Which is also silly, after so many years!)

Why Do We Demo?

The reason for holding demos is three-fold:


When Are Demos?

In the past, we tried to hold demos once a month, typically on a Saturday. These days, we do demos on their own far less often, however we still participate in other events, such as Whole Earth Festival, Software Freedom Day, and a LUG booth at LinuxWorld Expo.

Where Are Demos?

We hold Demos at different locations. Our favorite venue was the Demo Kitchen at the Davis Food Co-Op, though at the moment no such thing exists (the Co-Op is under construction). Generally, they've been at one of the following locations:

Our Demo Computer

In June 2000, VA Linux Systems donated a PC to LUGOD for our demos and InstallFests.

In January 2004, we received a mini-ITX system for a very reduced price from Dave Margolis, which replaced the old VA system.

In late 2018, member Jens-Christian Lache graciously donated us two former Macbooks converted to Linux Mint, as well as an ASUS netbook, also running Mint! These machines are currently in service during Farmer's Market and Tech Cafe events.

It's always encouraged and appreciated when volunteers bring their own hardware for demonstrations, including laptops, netbooks, Raspberry Pis, and other Linux-based devices.

Help Us Demo!

If you'd like to show off some equipment running Linux, and/or volunteer to man our booth, please contact the Demo Coordinator and/or one of our other officers.


LUGOD: PO Box 1336, Davis, CA 95617

URL: http://www.lugod.org/projects/demo/index.php
Last updated: 2019 Feb 18 20:22