This paper was started to the why behind the Fests that were being run by SLUG. Here I am applying my organisation management philosophy, see paper, to the provision of Fests for any LUG (Linux Users Group). This is not something that is just idle talk, but what is behind the SLUG fests. It explains why each type of fest is run on the SLUG program.
Enjoy - and I welcome feedback and discussion.
This phrase, when applied to the skill levels of the LUG members, neatly sums up why SLUG has been having InstallFests, ConfigFests and AppsFests. The fests I've argued for and assisted to run are designed to cater for LUG members at all levels of GNU/Linux skill. They also impart some of the open source ethic as well.
Beginners are people who want to put linux onto their computer but have very little Linux skills. Traditionally LUG's have avoided these people as the great unwashed as most LUG members learnt about GNU/Linux from their time at universities or through related connections.
Now in Australia, there are more people who know about GNU/Linux from magazine cover CD's and Linux self-install booklets than by traditional means. LUG's can either accept a responsibility to help these people with GNU/Linux or run the risk that the traditional LUG will become irrelevant to the mass of linux users.
The way an InstallFest works is that more experienced members come along and assist the less skilled to install GNU/Linux onto their machine. Note carefully the wording - the less skilled person actually carries out the install, with the more skilled person actually advising and assisting them. It is important that people learn that LUGs are self-help groups. We do not encourage dependent behaviour (Can you fix this up for me?), but pass on skills to enable people to help them selves (No, but I may be able to help You fix it).
They should also see co-operation and mutual help when the person assisting them comes across a problem that they can not solve and they in turn request assistance off another person with skills and experience in solving that particular problem.
As well as GNU/Linux skills, you are also passing on the open source ethic of having and finding the information to solve problems. You will note that there is also an element of social interaction. Ego's of the more skilled are stroked by being asked to assist and people are meeting other people in a more personal way than is possible in any other LUG activity.
In some ways, InstallFests are a return to traditional IT, with on the job learning where a small team co-operatively solves problems.
I've always envisaged ConfigFests as being a bit like tuning a motor vehicle. You know how to start it, change gears and drive down the street to work or shopping, but you would like to know a bit more about getting the best from your car, like how to change the oil, check the water in the radiator, improving fuel economy, making it run smoother, etc. even fitting spoilers, fat tyres and one of those obnoxious horns favoured by viagra sucking people of fragile egos {:-).
ConfigFests are the place you learn about configuring and fine tuning X, establishing a network, setting up a dial up application and so on. They work very similar to InstallFests, but with a subtle difference.
ConfigFests are more about responding to a wide range of problems. People are invited to bring along their machines and see if someone/some group can help them fix a problem, fine tune something, install an application, or even just to network with other people and machines.
Again, the ethics of people assisting other people to solve problems and learning from the process is very much to the fore.
The name AppsFest is probably not the best for something that should include both the Linux kernel and GNU & other applications, but until a better label evolves, I will use it. AppsFests are different to the general broad nature of InstallFests and ConfigFests as AppsFests are usually concerned with a narrow field.
You coverage may be basic and cover basic device configuration, open source applications and where to get them and how to use them, or they may be top level and about how to code/program in that area. So it is important to state what skill level you are pitching a particular AppsFest.
It is also important to make sure that you cater for all skill levels. To often groups become locked in the trap of dealing with basic and middle level skills and forget that their more skilled and experienced people need to have their minds and skills stretched as well.
A good organisation will have a blanaced program catering for newbies/beginners right through to higher skilled members.