Campus Ambassadors Idea: Host An Installfest

About Idea

The idea is to host an installfest where members of your campus can come and, with the help of some of the GNU/Linux savvy users, learn about, install and configure Linux onto their systems. Fedora and other distributions should be represented, and users should learn about the differences between them and our community in general.

Making it happen

1. Secure a location, whether it is on or off campus. Location should have room for the attendees you can expect attend the event and their machines. Location should have a plentiful supply of power outlets and ethernet jacks. Campuses usually can grant students a place to hold such events upon request, but you could also meet at a restaurant, etc, so long as you request/ok it with them first.
2. Let your campus know of the event.
   1. If your campus has a LUG mailing list, let them know there.
   2. Print fliers and hang them around your campus.
   3. Does your campus have a newsletter? Try to have a notice ran in there.
3. On the day of the event show up at your location an hour or so early with; You should be able to use your Fedora Ambassadorship to request media and swag for the event:
   1. Power strips
   2. Various Fedora media (Live CD, x86 and x64 install media)
   3. Fedora Swag
   4. OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED: Local mirror of Fedora's repositories
   5. ISO files for other distributions
   6. Blank USB stick to create installers for netbooks, etc. You don't need to give these to attendees, but have them on hand for attendees who may need them
4. Order Pizza or something to keep your guests full and friendly. This can be funded through the Campus Ambassador stipends.
5. When the event starts, open up with who you are, what you do in Fedora, etc.
6. Quickly run over a few different distributions, what their strengths and weaknesses are, etc. In the case for new users, you are being more of a Linux ambassador than a Fedora Ambassador. If other Linux-knowledgeable folks are present, have them involved in this step.
7. Give short introduction on how to install Fedora on a machine. Be sure to cover:
   1. Installing over other operating systems
   2. Installing Linux as a dual boot environment
8. At this point, you can distribute Fedora and other media to attendees.
9. Encourage them to try installing by themselves, but to ask you and other Linux-knowledgeable folks present if they have ANY questions.
10. Walk around, answering questions.
    1. When users have successfully installed their system, they may find that their wireless doesn't work, or they need certain drivers to make things work. Help them to configure the RPMfusion repository and install the drivers that they need to make their systems work. Do your best to make sure that anyone who installs Fedora (whether it is over their existing operating system or as a dual boot) goes home with a working Fedora installation.