[kwlug-disc] Linux Conference Update

[B. S.]

Check me on this, please ...

It has always seemed to me that SFD, at least in its (perhaps inadvertent) characterization in this area, has a desire / intent to encourage those with little resources / knowledge to take advantage of and improve their lives / capacities with capabilities currently unavailable to them (due to costs / Windows), via amazingly capable free software available to them today, quickly, easily, and without cost.

In order to facilitate that audience, it has always seemed to me that SFD felt it important to be local / walking distance / easily/regularly accessible by bus. [Not being a bus user, so not knowing any better, I would characterize Conestoga as not being either 'easily' or 'regularly' accessible by bus. At the same time I have been told by regular bus users that my evidently car centric life makes cross-city multi-route bus travel more intimidating to me than it actually is.)

So I wonder: Is Conestoga not too far out for the intended SFD audience? Though I do think it would ensure that attendees are truly engaged. People coming by bus really wanted to attend, and those who happened to be walking by but aren't really as engaged as the current audience (and become disruptive), minimized.


I also wonder: Conferences seem to attract professionals, or at least seriously engaged hobbyists. Are the conference 'goals' thus too intimidating for the above 'intended' local SFD audience? At the very least, organizers should be cognizant of the different audiences, and keep an eye that both streams flow well, simultaneously.


Otherwise, I suspect the two events should be kept separate, and SFD focus on being downtown.

[Having said all this, I do get that SFD has been problematic for attendance and presenters in the past, the date conflicts are significantly problematic this year, and LRT construction isn't helping. Perhaps SFD at the conference/Conestoga is a good opportunity for a fresh look at it all - for intent, venue, audience, and so on.]

In any case, expressing the goals of both Conference and SFD is probably worthwhile as a constant touchstone for organizers/participants.


>________________________________
> From: Charles M <chaslinux at gmail.com>
>To: KWLUG discussion <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> 
>Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 11:51 PM
>Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] Linux Conference Update
> 
>
>
>Sounds like a plan Bob. In lieu of SFD KW those who'd normally talk could help with talks at this Linux festival.
>
>BTW if you're planning on distributing DVDs we can help with the copying process. We have a machine that will do several at once.
>
>On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 10:54 PM, Bob Jonkman <bjonkman at sobac.com> wrote:
>
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>>Hi Colin: Can Software Freedom Day piggyback on your venue? If so, we
>>can probably bring in a few speakers, perhaps a workshop, and maybe
>>even a Free Culture Film Festival.

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