linuxword update

[G. Crimp]

On Mon, Feb 22, 1999 at 06:29:23PM -0800, David Bristel wrote:
> Ok, now that the time is close, I'm wondering what sort of a display we want to
> have there.  I'd personally like to see a solid demonstration of what makes
> Debian better than the other distributions.  YOU know, and _I_ know, but to
> those who have never seen Debian, they may want to see for themselves.
> Depending on stations, perhaps showing off the installation process, and package
> management would be good.  I've not tried the fresh setup of 2.1 yet, but it's
> something that might attract some attention(hopefully good).  Any thoughts?
> 
> 						Dave Bristel
> 
	I think it would be good to have a machine available to show an
installation, but I don't think we can count on doing a demo.  My experience
from a couple of shows up here is that it is next to impossible to do demos
for even a small group.  Too much noise, too many distractions especially on
a monitor that is crowded as soon as you get two heads in front of it.  Most
people are going to want to talk and hear why they should use what we're
offering.

	Some really catchy stuff running on X couldn't hurt, but likely will
serve more to show after the passer-by has been hooked in.  I think we will
attract more people by being open and welcoming than from anything we might
have showing on a monitor (except maybe for the geeks who can figure out its
significance immediately).  Apparently passers-by decide in some
ridiculously short interval (I think it is less than three seconds), from
the moment they set eyes on a booth, if they are going to stop and talk.

	In the overall sea of colour from fancy booths and back drops,
monitors are pretty insignificant.  We should probably be thinking as much
about how we present ourselves and what we will promote about Debian, as
much as what we will have on the boxes.  Might seem rather silly, but we
have found that something as simple (and backbreak tireing at the end of a
long day) as making sure not to have our backs turned to the aisle and
making eye contact got us more people than fancy stuff on boxes.

	As for what to have on the glass once they are in, I will defer to
the rest of you.  I am as yet only a wanna-be-geek, and not bleeding edge. 
You people probably know much more cool stuff than I.

	Gerald