Hi everyone, We've had two successful installfests in the last two years, but this year, especially with the emergence of the Saturday Workshop, it seems have already got Linux installed for all the people we know that know about it. So now it's time to drum up some new interest! One of the things we have wanted to do for a while is a public advocacy event, to be held before the next installfest, so we can tell members of the public that Linux exists, it's not just a "different DOS", and that Free/Open Source Software is available for proprietary operating systems too. Software Freedom Day is an international celebration of FOSS. Now in its third year, SFD 2006 is on September 16th, and it seemed only natural to have our advocacy event on this day. What we envision is a public booth in a high foot traffic area (currently we're hoping to be able to get some space in Centreplace or Downtown Plaza). We can have three or four computers set up to show off some of the latest Linux eye candy, as well as FOSS software on Windows, and some free culture media (such as the recent Pearl Jam video clip that was made available under a Creative Commons license). We will be seeking sponsorship from businesses for giveaways and signage, so if you are interested in supporting the LUG, please get in touch with me. SFD itself is sponsored, so we should be able to receive CDs and t-shirts from them, but we will also need flyers, posters, and other giveaways. There are some advocacy guidelines on the SFD website [1] that are worth reading; the basic gist is that FOSS is not the right answer for every situation, and the positives can be accentuated without 'boring people with ideology' or pretending that FOSS is the only answer. We are looking at holding an installfest a week or two later, and our 2006 AGM soon after that (early October). What do we need from you now? - Mark the day in your calendar! - Let us know if you're interested in helping, by signing your name on http://www.wlug.org.nz/MeetingTopics.2006-07-16 Help will be needed: - attracting sponsors - advertising the event & dealing with media - on the day We will need to get a good team behind us if we want to make this event a success. It will be the first opportunity we've really taken outside the Internet to attract new members. Any and all support is welcomed. Craig [1] http://softwarefreedomday.org/StartGuide