Here is a proposal for two activities that we should have at every event. In particular, I'd like to see us do it at FOSDEM, FISL, and LinuxTag:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
Thoughts or comments?
--Max
Hi there,
for e.g. Linuxtag (end of May this year) ...
Am Sonntag, den 17.02.2008, 13:25 -0500 schrieb Max Spevack:
Here is a proposal for two activities that we should have at every event. In particular, I'd like to see us do it at FOSDEM, FISL, and LinuxTag:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
^^ not planned yet, but we can do so ...
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
^^ planned!
Thoughts or comments?
^^ Do we really need to count the numbers? Not really sure that somebody (out of Red Hat) trusts our numbers ... Have a look to the other Distributions and OS's nobody really trusts the numbers you personally collect (because of other think you beaty that numbers) ... BUt OK, for our personal use, I agree that we count them ...
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008, Gerold Kassube wrote:
Do we really need to count the numbers? Not really sure that somebody (out of Red Hat) trusts our numbers ... Have a look to the other Distributions and OS's nobody really trusts the numbers you personally collect (because of other think you beaty that numbers) ... BUt OK, for our personal use, I agree that we count them ...
It's useful in the Event Report of blog posts to say "and I spent 3 hours at the USB key station, and helped about 50 people create a Fedora USB key!"
The only reason to count is just to have a detail, so that the people who are not at the event but who read the reports can get a feel for how busy and active the event is.
--Max
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:25:57 -0500 (EST) Max Spevack mspevack@redhat.com wrote:
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
Thoughts or comments?
I like this idea more than the first. I'd be afraid of fire-and-forget accounts being created from the first, rather than quality long term contributors.
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008, Jesse Keating wrote:
I'd be afraid of fire-and-forget accounts being created from the first, rather than quality long term contributors.
Me too, Jesse. But I'm *more* afraid of folks who would do something good for Fedora, but can't get past the initial hurdle of getting their account properly created without personal face to face help.
We need to really focus on lowering the barriers to entry, so there doesn't have to be a "help get your account created" station.
--Max
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:17:13 -0500 (EST) Max Spevack mspevack@redhat.com wrote:
Me too, Jesse. But I'm *more* afraid of folks who would do something good for Fedora, but can't get past the initial hurdle of getting their account properly created without personal face to face help.
We need to really focus on lowering the barriers to entry, so there doesn't have to be a "help get your account created" station.
Absolutely. Perhaps some way to track who signed up at a show vs who actually did something with that account 3 months later...
Am Sonntag, 17. Februar 2008 19:25:57 schrieb Max Spevack:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
Most of them need active mentoring beyond a event, maybe we must give them concrete tasks to find a way to contribute. In the past we have some examples of Ambassadors in Germany who never realised what it mean to contribute and abuse trust and make harm to project and other Ambassadors - see FAD2007 and 2006 in Rheinfelden.
Over all - a good idea and a good thing to raise quantity. We should try this!
CU
2008/2/17 JoergSimon jsimon@fedoraproject.org:
Am Sonntag, 17. Februar 2008 19:25:57 schrieb Max Spevack:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
Most of them need active mentoring beyond a event, maybe we must give them concrete tasks to find a way to contribute.
If you look at my posts at different mailing lists you will see that becoming an Fedora contributor and Ambassador is not easy.
It is really hard for somebody new to Fedora Project to become a respected contributor.
I got into some heated discussions because people on the list thought that I was only there to provoke, and usually misunderstood me. English language is a barrier for non-english speaking contributors, and a communication barrier for those who's primary language is not english.
I had the most sincere intention was to have some positive and constructive criticism or suggestion on some topics but I can't write in fine english and I directly talk about the subject at hand without some fine words that softer the issue. I found that speaking directly about any issue usually is though as provocation or flame bite. For me and I guess others who speak english as second language have a hard time putting their thought into foreign language so that it doesn't sound rude. You (english as primary language people) talk in much broader and wider terms and have a much bigger vocabulary that us others.
Thank you, Valent.
Am Sonntag, 17. Februar 2008 23:26:37 schrieb Valent Turkovic:
2008/2/17 JoergSimon jsimon@fedoraproject.org:
Most of them need active mentoring beyond a event, maybe we must give them concrete tasks to find a way to contribute.
If you look at my posts at different mailing lists you will see that becoming an Fedora contributor and Ambassador is not easy. It is really hard for somebody new to Fedora Project to become a respected contributor.
I think you are on a good way - i like the idea with the localization marathon
I got into some heated discussions because people on the list thought that I was only there to provoke, and usually misunderstood me.
Don´t know what do you exactly mean. From what i see - maybe it is not the wisest to start the contribution to the Fedoraproject with a color artwork discussion ;-)
It´s not easy to be a one man show, but you are not alone, find more contributors in your country, be a leader for them - start to hire them on events. Set goals like partizipation/talks on Events or your localization marathon, stay in contact with us - try to meet Ambassadors face to face.
Maybe a good start is to pick up the presention from Chitlesh, update it and give this talk on a event ... http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/ChitleshGoorah?action=AttachFile&do=get&am...
cheers
On Feb 18, 2008 10:01 AM, JoergSimon jsimon@fedoraproject.org wrote:
Am Sonntag, 17. Februar 2008 23:26:37 schrieb Valent Turkovic:
2008/2/17 JoergSimon jsimon@fedoraproject.org:
Most of them need active mentoring beyond a event, maybe we must give them concrete tasks to find a way to contribute.
If you look at my posts at different mailing lists you will see that becoming an Fedora contributor and Ambassador is not easy. It is really hard for somebody new to Fedora Project to become a respected contributor.
I think you are on a good way - i like the idea with the localization marathon
I got into some heated discussions because people on the list thought that I was only there to provoke, and usually misunderstood me.
Don´t know what do you exactly mean. From what i see - maybe it is not the wisest to start the contribution to the Fedoraproject with a color artwork discussion ;-)
It´s not easy to be a one man show, but you are not alone, find more contributors in your country, be a leader for them - start to hire them on events. Set goals like partizipation/talks on Events or your localization marathon, stay in contact with us - try to meet Ambassadors face to face.
Maybe a good start is to pick up the presention from Chitlesh, update it and give this talk on a event ... http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/ChitleshGoorah?action=AttachFile&do=get&am...
cheers
Thank you for your great tips!
Cheers, Valent.
2008/2/17, Max Spevack mspevack@redhat.com:
Here is a proposal for two activities that we should have at every event. In particular, I'd like to see us do it at FOSDEM, FISL, and LinuxTag:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
Thoughts or comments?
--Max
+1
I think this is a great idea because it gives dinamicity at the booth and, also, could invite people to join the project with a "live" support.
Regards
Francesco Ugolini
On Feb 17, 2008 1:25 PM, Max Spevack mspevack@redhat.com wrote:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
One barrier will be Internet access at events. I know at the Ohio Linux Fest booths generally do not have Internet access due to the outrageous cost to have an Internet connection to the booth. Though relatively easy to circumvent, it is highly frowned upon. This issue certainly won't affect all events, but it could be a hurdle to a sign-up station.
In another email you also mentioned that ambassdors are about not only adding more users to Fedora, but finding more contributors. From my time working booths, I think you can sort of get a feel on whether someone is more there to grab a DVD or if they were engaged in conversation apt to contribute.
My initial thought was that we need a good flyer that covers some of the groups a person could contribute to, reminding people that you don't have to be a coder to contribute. This flyer could be useful when you are talking to someone at a booth and find a spark of interest in that person for becoming a contributor. It would give them something to take with them to remind them after the event/show that they should sign up.
It may be time to review the directions we have to complete the CLA process as well. Just to make sure we have things laid out as simple as they can be.
And finally, something else to help track all of this without necessarily needing to sign people up at a show would be a field that allows people to entry a referral. So, using the Ohio Linux Fest as an example - if I was a new contributor that had been encouraged to begin contributing at an event by an Ambassador I would have a spot to enter an Ambassador's name or the event name.
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
I think this is a great idea. I know at the last OLF we were burning media like crazy throughout the day. Carrying this over to USB live USB keys would be good.
~Jeffrey
On Sun, 2008-02-17 at 13:25 -0500, Max Spevack wrote:
Here is a proposal for two activities that we should have at every event. In particular, I'd like to see us do it at FOSDEM, FISL, and LinuxTag:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
Thoughts or comments?
I love these ideas. Here are some stream of consciousness thoughts that I have around this:
* Could we make a simple application (web based or otherwise) that makes the "join Fedora" station really easy? In fact, this seems like an ideal initial target for My Fedora integration. This would also enable us to get better stats, automagically.
* Maybe we could also have a application front-end for liveUSB creation, showing the ISO spins in a directory and showing the USB keys that it sees plugged in, then has a nice GUI "making USB key" with progress bar.
Old-world model: Each region gets a machine specifically dedicated to these tasks. New-world model: Every machine at an event can perform either of these tasks.
~spot
On Sun, 2008-02-17 at 22:41 -0500, Tom "spot" Callaway wrote:
On Sun, 2008-02-17 at 13:25 -0500, Max Spevack wrote:
Here is a proposal for two activities that we should have at every event. In particular, I'd like to see us do it at FOSDEM, FISL, and LinuxTag:
(1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple: * Did the person leave having set up their Fedora Wiki homepage? * Did the person become a Fedora Ambassador? * Does the person have some idea of what they might like to contribute to Fedora? * How many accounts were created at the event?
(2) A "bring us your USB key, and we'll turn it into a Fedora LiveUSB key for you" station. Same idea as above. We have a computer that has several Fedora Spins on it. People bring their USB key, and we run the livecd-iso-to-disk tool and set their USB keys up as Fedora LiveUSB keys. Again, the metric is simple: * How many were created at the event?
Thoughts or comments?
I love these ideas. Here are some stream of consciousness thoughts that I have around this:
- Could we make a simple application (web based or otherwise) that makes
the "join Fedora" station really easy? In fact, this seems like an ideal initial target for My Fedora integration. This would also enable us to get better stats, automagically.
This is exactly what I've been thinking, too, q.v.:
http://paul.frields.org/?p=912
If this application *also* was able to start somehow in the context of the user's first signin (or opening a browser), that would be great too. But the important part is to get people through the joining process in a way that is (1) relatively easy to modify as our joining process changes, and (2) dead-simple for users who may not have detailed technical knowledge. Contributors come in all forms, not just developers.
- Maybe we could also have a application front-end for liveUSB creation,
showing the ISO spins in a directory and showing the USB keys that it sees plugged in, then has a nice GUI "making USB key" with progress bar.
Old-world model: Each region gets a machine specifically dedicated to these tasks. New-world model: Every machine at an event can perform either of these tasks.
+1.
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Max Spevack wrote:
| (1) A "join Fedora" station. Somewhere at the booth, there is a | computer or laptop with a sign on it that says "come here to join the | Fedora Project" or something like that. There is one person whose job | is to talk to folks, get them interested in Fedora, and help them to go | through the CLA and WikiEditing process. The success metric is simple:
Is this in some way related to the perception that "joining" up is hard ? I like this idea - however, can someone help create a cheatsheet / playbook on these two activities ? That way one can just pass along the swag (if it can be so called) and the new joinee can help another one to join in
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