Meetup Opportunities -- Barnes and Noble

[cprofitt]

The Rochester area had an NYS Ubuntu LoCo meet up and Barnes and Noble on December 4th and I called the store manager afterwards to thank her for use of the room. I also asked about holding future events which started me thinking about how to make it worth it to the store... and how to get them to perhaps 'advertise' it a bit.

Here are some of my ideas, please weigh in:

Launch Parties (Ubuntu)


When a new version of Linux comes out hold a launch party there , show of the new version and have 'free' cds available for people to take
Offer to do the initial installs for users with laptops (they can not handle desktops)
Provide a presence in a public place so people become exposed to Ubuntu
Give the book store a list of books on Open Source / Ubuntu that they might like to have 'featured' near the event

Launch Parties (books)


When FOSS or Ubuntu related books are released hold a 'book' launch party and demonstrate to the public what Ubuntu is
The store can have some copies of the book on site in the hopes of selling them

examples:


Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux (Versions 8.10 and 8.04) (http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Ubuntu-Linux-Versions/dp/0137003889/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761092&sr=1-4) release date January 9th 2009
Ubuntu on a Dime: Building a Ubuntu PC on less than $300 (http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Dime-Building-less-than/dp/1430219726/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-1) by James Floyd Kelly (Paperback - Jun 15, 2009)
Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me (http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-I-You-Me/dp/1596271116/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-2) by Michael Battle and Desmond Tutu (Paperback - May 2009)
Ubuntu Linux Secrets (http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-Secrets-Richard-Blum/dp/0470395087/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-4) by Richard Blum (Paperback - April 6, 2009)
Ubuntu Linux: Your visual blueprint to using the Linux operating system (http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-visual-blueprint-operating/dp/0470345209/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-5) by Ric Shreves (Paperback - Mar 30, 2009)
(http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-Bible-William-Hagen/dp/0470294205/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-6) Ubuntu 8.10 Linux Bible (http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-Bible-William-Hagen/dp/0470294205/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-6) by William von Hagen (Paperback - Mar 16, 2009)

Hacking Exposed, Sixth Edition: Network Security SecretsAnd Solutions (http://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Exposed-Sixth-SecretsAnd-Solutions/dp/0071613749/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228761115&sr=1-8) by Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, and George Kurtz (Paperback - Feb 2, 2009)

Put on demonstrations on how to use software such as Open Office while using Ubuntu.

[NewJack]

This is a great idea. I was thinking of contacting the two Barnes & Noble by me to see if either had a "Conference Room" for future meets. I really like the idea about a tie-in to the meetup by having books on hand during the meeting. Like having a display table with various Ubuntu/FOSS books.

[slick666]

I also think this is an awesome idea. I'm sure B&N would definitely be on board for book launch parties and I think they would also support launch parties.

The next logical question is that what type of agenda would we have for such a get together. I would imagine something like...

Take a launch party
* Introduction
* Review of update, what are the new features, long term impact
* Update machines! (people update the laptops/PC they have with them)
* Close

This list is kind of short but I wanted to generate a little feedback on the idea. What do you guys think? Would something like that work?

[cprofitt]

My only concerns about installs / update events at B&N are:


difficulty of supporting monitors for non-laptops
bandwidth for updates (could be mitigated if a person brings a switch and a localized update server)

I definitely think book launches, programming how-tos, release parties (just to show new features - but followed by an update / install fest at a proper facility), security discussions, etc would fit at B&N stores very well... especially B&N campus stores.

[NewJack]

I definitely think book launches, programming how-tos, release parties (just to show new features - but followed by an update / install fest at a proper facility), security discussions, etc would fit at B&N stores very well... especially B&N campus stores.

For a book lauch/party, you could bring a laptop and/or a PC and show off the latest version of Ubuntu. This way if you are going to tie it in to a future installfest, you may get more people to show up if they actually see Ubuntu in action.

[slick666]

For a book lauch/party, you could bring a laptop and/or a PC and show off the latest version of Ubuntu. This way if you are going to tie it in to a future installfest, you may get more people to show up if they actually see Ubuntu in action.

I think this is a good idea. It would also be nice if there was some sort of presentation to go along with the release. Something like the Apple Presentations the Jobs makes it would be nice to have somthing highlighting the changes and features.

[cprofitt]

I think this is a good idea. It would also be nice if there was some sort of presentation to go along with the release. Something like the Apple Presentations the Jobs makes it would be nice to have somthing highlighting the changes and features.

I wonder if we pool the talent of the LoCo teams if it would be possible to do a 'presentation' for release parties.

[slick666]

Yea, I think that would be good. Does anyone know of anything official from Canonical in the pipeline?

[Hendrixski]

I think this is a good idea. It would also be nice if there was some sort of presentation to go along with the release. Something like the Apple Presentations the Jobs makes it would be nice to have somthing highlighting the changes and features.

Yes, it would be nice if we had that kind of marketing. :-D

[slick666]

Is there a thread where this idea could be posted. I Think we need to put a little more hype (despite how over hyped Apple is) a little more like Apple Computer. It would be nice to have Mark Shuttleworth get up there and gives us a run down. Talk it up. Talk about how Ubuntu is doing, whats we've accomplished in this release, where we are going. Yada yada.

Also the about link should be updated
http://www.ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory