Software Freedom Day 09/10/05

[david at thekramers.net (David Kramer)]

http://softwarefreedomday.org

Software Freedom Day is fast approaching, and BLU needs your help.  Due to 
the usual communication breakdowns, all of the officers thought one of the 
other officers had the ball, while it laid calmly along the curb gathering dust.


What is Software Freedom Day?  From
http://softwarefreedomday.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=63
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. What is Software Freedom Day?
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a worldwide celebration of Free and Open 
Source Software (FOSS). Our goal in this celebration is to educate the 
worldwide public about of the benefits of using high quality FOSS in 
education, in government, at home, and in business -- in short, everywhere! 
The non-profit company Software Freedom International provides guidance in 
organizing SFD, but volunteer teams around the world organize their own SFD 
events to impact their own communities.

II. How can I celebrate Software Freedom Day?
There are two primary ways to celebrate SFD:
1. Organize your own SFD Team and plan a SFD event. Just find at least two 
friends to help you, confirm a venue, and plan an event by July 1st and 
Canonical, Ltd., the primary sponsor of SFD, will help you up to 100 CDs to 
distribute! (Keep reading for more details.)
2. Find and join a local SFD Team and help make their SFD event a success.

III. SFD will be most effective if we keep some target groups in mind:
     * Families
     * Government
     * Small Business
     * Big Business

IV. Be Creative!
You can organize any kind of SFD event you want. But just to get you 
started, here are a few ideas some people have had:
     * Set up simple public booth and hand out CDs.
     * Have demo machines present if possible and interact with people as 
they try the software out.
     * Hold installation workshop(s) and combined FOSS installfests (not 
just Linux, but also Windows FOSS).
     * Lab-based installfests in schools/businesses
     * Cooperate with local computer store to do an in-store installfest... 
possibly with discounts for associated purchase?
     * Advertise to "revitalize" slow computers - delete those 
virus/adware/spyware-ridden Windows OSes and install Linux!
     * Hold a seminar on IP, Free Culture, Patents, etc.
     * Have a cultural event - food, drink, music (jam session? - 
"open-source music").
     * The Free Software Foundation was founded in 1985, so this is the 20th 
anniversary of Software Freedom. Celebrate Free Software with a birthday 
party...
     * Organize an expo to highlight [small] local businesses using FOSS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

We don't have a lot of time OR ideas.  Jerry, JABR, and I are all busy that 
day, But if we can get some volunteers who would be willing to help out on 
that day, I would be willing to help out with prep work and brainstorming.

I'm thinking that we could make and distribute flyers, and possibly CDs. 
Not sure where.  Most likely computer stores would not let us push free 
alternatives to their bread and butter.

What about schools?  Would that be a silly thing to do on a Saturday?

Downtown Crossing?

Movie theater?

Mall?

Any other thoughts?


Let me know if you're interested.