Business-to-Linux event (Was- A group statement on SCO's actions)

[Jared Bernard]

Bill Peeler wrote:

>something along this same line I've been thinking over the last while...
>
>i think several of the UG ought to get together and host a
>business-to-linux 'event' that would showcase all the standard business
>software we can manage to get installed.  not necessarily server stuff,
>although that could be included too.  then invite the business
>community to come see stuff and get their questions answered concerning
>linux.  maybe this ought to be done as part of one of the various yearly
>business events that happen.  we could invite not only business people
>but people from cities and towns and school districts.  my vision for
>this is that it would be an event more for non-techies.
>
>  
>
I think this would be a great idea and I would definitely volunteer my 
time to help organize an event like this. I do think for it to be done 
right though,  it will take a lot of time and planning. We might want to 
consider doing it as a joint effort with the SLC-LUG to involve a wider 
market and more businesses. I think this would be smart in order to get 
alot of involvement to make this a success.
    If anyone else is serious about this, we need to set a target date, 
time and place. When inviting the local businesses I think it would be 
important to get some kind of information as to what applications or 
services each business currently uses so that we can target specific 
needs. We can even invite representatives from some of the Linux distros 
or other Linux friendly software organizations, such as OpenOffice.org. 
Maybe I'm getting a little carried away and maybe this is alittle more 
invovled then what Bill was envisioning, but I think as a LUG we can 
make a great impact in the community and this might be something that 
can be very beneficial.  I see it almost as  a mini-convention for 
business-to-Linux event.  Who knows if this is a big enough of a success 
we might set a trend for other LUGs to follow suit. If Linux is to reach 
it's fullest potential and full support (i.e. from hardware and software 
organizations) it's not going to come from a corporation like IBM or 
some of the many others who carefully tread the surface of Linux-ism 
half-heartly. Linux was built by the community and if it is to grow and 
be supported and taken seriously, it will have to invovle the community 
as well, doing an event like this for the simple fact that no one else 
will. Many organizations see Linux as a risk with a potential loss, 
where we (the community) really don't have much to loose. We've embraced 
Linux and we know what it can do. We know what it can do for businesses 
and schools. This can be our opportunity to really do something to help 
others instead of meeting once a month and discussing vi or perl 
programming tips (now I'm not saying those things don't have there place 
and aren't useful). I'm just saying I think that our LUG can be more 
active in promoting Linux. I know it probably sounds like I've been 
watching to many "hackers-unite-and-take-over-the-world" movies, and 
maybe I have, but I still think this is a good idea.
    Please let me know if I'm completely off my rocker or if this is 
legitiment proposal and something we can do and put together?
Thanks,
Jared