An InstallFest is the technical term for an event where lots of people get together and have LinuxDistributions installed on their computers. Typically computers are owned by less experienced Linux users and the installations are performed by more experienced Linux users. Random note: If you have a FreeBSD install party, it's called an Installathon.
See our NewToLinux page if you want more background or hints using Linux or *BSD distributions.
WLUG is planning to hold an InstallFest in early May. This page should tell you everything you need to know to turn up and get Linux installed on your computer. The InstallFest is open to everybody. We will endeavour to fix any sort of Linux installation problem right from "I don't know how to install Linux" through to "How do I make device X work with Linux".
Everybody in the LUG is encouraged to come to the InstallFest, even if you already have linux installed on your computer, the day is intended to be a social time, bring your computer along and show off what you have installed. It is also a great chance to bring friends to as there will be plenty of linux machines around to demonstrate with, even if your friend is not intending to install linux at least they can get a feel for what they will end up with on their computer.
Although it's called an InstallFest it's going to be a lot more than that, it's a social event for the LUG, a time to get together and help each other and also a chance to promote linux into the community.
To enable us to ensure that we have sufficient resources and people on hand to assist you please register your intention to attend at the following page. http://www.wlug.org.nz/archive/installfest/registration.php
Although Linux is famous for running on old hardware, things will be a lot easier for yourself (and us) if you don't try and force linux on to the oldest peice of computer hardware you have lying around. We will be installing a full graphical system by default so the following is suggested as a minimum hardware requirement:
A linux installation will require a minimum of 2 partitions to be created on your HardDisk and at least 5GB of space. ALL IMPORTANT DATA SHOULD BE BACKED UP before bringing your computer to the InstallFest. You need to ensure that either:
You may want to consider purchasing a second HardDisk to install Linux on. Given how cheap HardDisks are at the moment this is an easy way to protect your existing operating system.
WLUG will not be responsible for repartitioning your hard drive at the InstallFest, please ensure that your computer meets one of the criteria specified in the previous section before coming to the InstallFest. There are multiple reasons for this decision including
If you are wanting to repartition your HardDisk to create 5GB of unpartitioned space before attending the InstallFest you may want to look at GNU Parted.
Provided your HardDisk meets the requirements specified in the above sections, access to any other operating systems installed on the disk should be easily retained through a Multiboot solution.
The distribution that we will be recommending is Fedora (Core 1), however we will be happy to help with other distributions if you desire something else. Please use the registration form to notify us if you are planning on installing a distribution other than Fedora Core 1 so that we can ensure we have the appropriate resources / skills available. If you have not notified us that you would like to install a different distribution we cannot guarantee that we will be able to get anything to work.
Advertising for the InstallFest is being co-ordinated by MattBrown. You are encouraged to tell as many people (and groups of people) about the InstallFest as possible but please make sure you have touched base with MattBrown before submitting advertisements to any publications to ensure that an advertisement has not already been submitted and that the details you have are correct. When emailing a news outlet with a press release please use the text from the top of the InstallFestPressRelease page and then link to the rest of the information, keep the email short and to the point, if the journalist is interested in finding out more information they can use the provided URL.
The following general resources are provided to help you advertise the InstallFest
Advertisements have been placed with the following publications / websites / businesses
Loot / TraderPoint.co.nz (co-ordinated by zcat)
AARGH!!!! Loot have changed "WLUG INSTALLFEST" to "LINUX HELP", removed the URL, and put my cellphone as a contact number, so now it sounds like I'm just some lone crackpot offering Linux help via an 021 number. They couldn't have messed this up more if they'd tried. I've resubmitted the advert below;
LINUX INSTALL HELP
http://wlug.org.nz/installfest
waikato linux users group installfest, free help installing linux and getting things working, crawshaw school, may 8th. (loot staff; please do not remove the url or wlug, it's our main contact point. my cellphone is not)
- just checked again. This advert doesn't appear as "current" or "pending". I presume that means they dropped it.
Someone else deal with this. It's negatively affectimg my blood pressure.
Advertisement Enquiries are pending with the following publications / websites
Future Publications - If you want to volunteer to contact one of these, please contact MattBrown
If you have suggestions for other places where the InstallFest should be advertised please contact MattBrown
14 pages link to InstallFest: