[mdlug] SEMCO Linux install-fest redux

[Raymond McLaughlin]

MDLUGers:

Thanks again to of you who showed up to help with the SEMCO Linux
install-fest. For those who missed it, it was the first install-fest in
years, that I've attended at least, where the installers actually out
numbered the helpers, about 8 to 12. Give or take.

One thing that I have heard from the SEMCO folks is that they would like
to have been able to keep the install disks that they used. One comment
was "I usually keep a back up copy of everything I install on my computer."

One of our volunteers (who was quicker with his disks than I was with
mine) indicated, after the installs were under way, that he needed his
disks back. I won't fault anyone on this because it was not discussed
before hand. But this has not been the usual practice at any of the
install-fests I have been involved with previously.

It has been customary for those furnishing install disks to make them
available for keeps. Customarily one might request, but not demand, a
dollar or so for said disk. It is also customary to donate said dollar
to the LUG, but that's another matter. In fact, the LUG owns a spindle
of blank disks (CDs and DVDs) to exchange with people for Distro disks.
(This spindle was not available at the SEMCO meeting because our caterer
couldn't make it.)

Frankly I'm surprised any one would want them back, given their short
shelf life. (Any one want any SuSE 8.2 disks? It's a classic!). This was
a new volunteer, so it might have been a rookie mistake. Going forward,
the policy will be agreed before hand.

Other than this the feed-back has been positive. Additionally ther has
been some discussion in SEMCO about organizing a Linux SIG (Special
Interest Group), which might be of interest to those who are interested
in a Linux meeting on Sundays in Troy, rather than (or in addition to)
ours on Saturdays in Inkster.

I'll keep You all posted.

Raymond McLaughlin
President MDLUG