[BozemanLUG] Poll / questions about upcoming Linux Fest in Montana

[Bodhi Zazen]

It would be great to see, but, I can not commit to this as my wife really would hate it if I took time away from the family / work to go.

Perhaps if it on a weekend and a close drive and I can take the children ? 

At any rate, I think it would be important to find a location as central as possible. This may be billings or Bozeman ?

Typically the more central a location, the more participation you can expect, especially the first few sessions as you are trying to establish. Once a Montana Linux Fest is established, rotating location starts to make sense.

Venue should be professional enough, your criteria seem reasonable, find the lowest cost option.

If people who attend are professional IT -> Hotel makes sense. Hotel or conference center, however, is too formal for the general public.

Sessions - Install fest !!
A mix of sessions for new users and more advanced topics would be best (IMO). Keep in mind, I have never been to one of these things.

Cost - That is more difficult. I would keep it as low as possible. Any idea of the cost and is there any way to give donations ?

Thanks for taking the initiative on this Scott.

bodhi.zazen

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Dowdle" <dowdle at montanalinux.org>
To: "BozemanLUG" <discuss at bozemanlug.org>, "Mailing list for the Billings Linux User Group" <billingslug at billingslug.org>, "Seth McClain" <smcclain at montana.com>, "Tom bodhi_zazen Mulgrew" <bodhi.zazen at montanalinux.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 5:02:48 PM
Subject: Poll / questions about upcoming Linux Fest in Montana

Greetings,

We are planning a Linux Fest for Montana... and have the help of the planners from SCALE and Texas Linux Fest to help us.  It would encompass Montana and the surrounding, low population states that are not currently served with a local/region conference... which I believe includes Wyoming, the Dakotas and Idaho.

The proposed date would be to be determined in May 2013.  Yes, that is a long time off BUT such a conference would take a lot of planning and co-ordination to do well so the sooner we start the better.  It would most likely be on a weekend (Sat & Sunday).  The reason for this time frame is to not conflict with other Linux conferences in North America... and there are a lot of Linux conferences.

So here are a few questions we'd like to get feedback from everyone on:

1) What city should we have it in?

Billings, Bozeman, Helena or Missoula?

Please state pros and cons for the one you pick.

2) What should the venue be?

I guess that would definitely pertain to question #1... but generally, should it be at a school/church (MSU Bozeman, MSU Billings, Rocky Mountain College,) or at a hotel / conference center?  What conferences has everyone been to in Montana and what venues do you recommend and why?  Or some other place like a company headquarters?

Any potential venue should be able to accommodate approximately 200 people and have at least two-four presentation areas that could handle that approximate number although bigger is generally better.

3) What format(s) do you want?

Presentations / sessions - What presentation topics (general at this point please) would you like to see covered at such a conference?

Should there be multiple presentation tracks (beginner/novice and experienced for example)?

Do you want an expo area for commercial and/or open source projects?

Do you want a hardware hacker/maker area?

4) Cost - ideally the event would free... but depending on the venue, there may be some cost involved... in addition to lodging and food for those who have to travel to attend.  How much would you be willing to pay for entry into the conference?  $10, $25, $50.  The cost would only be to cover the cost of the conference and there isn't a profit motive.

Please note that I just threw these basic questions together without a lot of feedback so there may be additional questions later.  If you would like to attend such an event, please participate in the discussion so you have some input.

TYL,
-- 
Scott Dowdle
704 Church Street
Belgrade, MT 59714
(406)388-0827 [home]
(406)994-3931 [work]