Forum Topic

How much interest should I expect?

I have spent some time trying to arrange hands-on experience for new users of free Unix compatible computer software such as Linux and BSD. There are plenty of University level courses but little help for beginners wishing to set up and use anything from a personal computer to a small business network. There is a huge choice of software available, but the UK has been very reluctant to try it. I believe that many people are interested but reluctant to try without some support, yet would be happy to join a friendly local group. I would like to organize shared hardware which could be reloaded and reconfigured as required at a very low charge to cover the cost of facilities. Ealing Council now appears to be willing to help where possible. Are people interested in the project?

Chris Bell ● 6197d7 Comments

The Unix compatible systems provide a huge range of resources for anyone interested in learning to use them, it is not a take it or leave it choice as provided by other operating systems. My intention is to start from the beginning, assuming that most people are not experienced in anything other than simple use, providing shared hardware resources for people to learn how to set up their own networks and run their choices of software.I want this to be a community resource, not just my own personal project. There is more information about Unix compatible systems on my website at chrisbell.org.ukI am using the Debian distribution of Linux at home, which offers a free choice from over 23,000 software packages.Ealing Council Business Services Group do use Unix compatible software for reasons of cost and reliability. I have received written confirmation that Ealing Council is interested in helping where possible, perhaps in the Hanwell Community Centre which is a big old grade 2 listed school building with reasonable access, currently undergoing renovation.Out of interest, a friend who returned from a business trip to China said that the only computer screens he could find running Microsoft were the airport flight information facilities, all of which had crashed leaving blue screens. Everything else was running Linux. The Chinese are only interested in best quality software, not the price (I understand that they do not pay anyway).

Chris Bell ● 6197d

As expected there has been a dismal response, but I do not know whether I should read anything into that. I have given literally hundreds of DVDs away, and they tend to be either forgotten and never viewed or used repeatedly. Friends, including many running computer shops and businesses, usually either want to learn more, or already know more than I do. I have also given several DVDs to a laptop repair company who use them for testing, but often forget to remove them.

Chris Bell ● 6195d

I must have missed this first time round. For years people have tried to promote this within IT circles but the Corporates do not want to look cheap and so pay more for the big names. Though aren't we all a bit like this with Supermarkets, Brands, etc.I have been very busy with my work but I know that I have a 12 year old Laptop which would be great with Linux no doubt as the faster speed would make a difference. Good luck but general punters will be scared. My last attempt was interupted by the Hunt for work. But will definately have a go myself.

Peter Chadburn ● 6195d

It is the big corporates who are using it to run their main systems, for reliability, performance, and price. I have heard of several IT specialists who, when asked to provide a number of shared workstations in a large area, added an extra box running Linux. When someone arrived after all the usual seats were taken they reluctantly moved to the Linux box, and it usually took about three days before there were requests to provide extra facilities to match on all the other boxes. One company running 28 servers normally had about 5 out of service at any time. The company switched to Linux, running 5 of the computers on a standard set of software plus another 5 running with a completely different set of software. None gave trouble, and the first 5 coped with the full load, the others running idle for most of the time.

Chris Bell ● 6195d

Hi Christopher,Perhaps you may gain more interest if you were more specific about what you were offering? Maybe a list of things you would be covering? Maybe something like, "setting up a small business network", "Building a cheap PC for surfing the web safely" etc?I've dabbled with Unbuntu and currently use Mint as my main operating system which is probably best described as Linux with training wheels and would be interested in learning more about the systems. Also after a recent house move I have some surplus hardware that I would be happy to donate for your use.

Dave Green ● 6193d

My intention is to organize a local facility with practical help with anything like that, where people can help each other. There is a huge range of free software available which can provide facilities that can match almost any requirement. There are user groups providing a great range of help in London, but practical hands-on facilities are less easy to find. The Greater London Linux User Group is able to organize the occasional Saturday afternoon practical session in the University of Westminster Cavendish Laboratory, with excellent facilities. There is some meter parking nearby, but there is very little storage space and little chance of continuity over a few sessions. There are a number of references on my website at www.chrisbell.org.uk

Chris Bell ● 6193d

I am definitely not trying to compete with university courses and the like, but there is a huge leap from knowing how to do some word processing, use the internet and send emails, to installing and organizing a secure stable system which offers a huge range of choices. Too many professionals involved in education have absolutely no idea about the subject, it took over a year for Ealing Adult Learning to start to consider that we were not talking about computer games. Many computer professionals taught themselves the basics and then joined formal courses, others get by with long term experience.Looking at it a different way, the UK is competing with countries where education quality is the primary concern. We have closed most of our manufacturing facilities and sold much of the equipment abroad, the rest going for scrap to make a quick profit. We desperately need alternative methods of earning a living instead of just allowing the pound to devalue.

Chris Bell ● 6193d