[Linux-aus] Fwd: [LACTTE] Notes for Council Meeting 2010/02/03

[Silvia Pfeiffer]

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM, Brenda Aynsley <bpa at iss.net.au> wrote:
> Silvia Pfeiffer wrote:
>
>>
>> This isn't about the teachers. It's about the students. If a student
>> can get something for free to play with on his computer, he/she may
>> well be curious. This is what we can build upon. We need to somehow
>> manage the fear of the parents that this may be something bad for the
>> kid or the computer, but that's about how to write a good flyer. One
>> could, for example, mention that it is the system most in use at
>> universities in IT research and that it is good for inquisitive minds.
>>
>
> I think the students who are most likely to do this, are already doing
> it.  Those who are not brave enough or lack confidence will not be
> persuaded without knowledge of peer support group being available or
> having access to a supportive resource at school or elsewhere.
>
>
>> I'm sure we'd get some success and one student can start a whole new
>> movement if there is success. I guess it would be very important for
>> that one student to know where to find support if he/she needs to.
>
>
> absolutely correct.  The software is already findable on the web,
> support is less obvious.

The students ordinarily don't know about Linux. None of the other kids
at my son's school do unless they heard about it from him. So, this is
as much about informing them that such software exists as it is about
encouraging them to use it. But yes, the letter would need both: where
to download it from and where to get support from.


>> Maybe we could set up a facebook account or something where they can
>> come in and then be led to the right place if needed. Just thinking
>> out loud here.
>
> and that's the trick isnt it? Viral marketing 101 is not something I
> have engaged in - yet ;)

Actually not quite. "Viral" is what happens all the time in open
source - we're already experts. :-) It's not so much about marketing
as it is about communication. We communicate very well online, tell
each other stuff via irc and email. That twitter found a way to bring
irc to the masses is a different thing altogether.

Really: the point here is: if we provide a facebook account, somebody
has to be on it and be responsive. That's all. Not so much to learn
about "viral marketing" really.

Cheers,
Silvia.