[ILUG] Pitching Open Source Software to school kids

[Shane Tuohy]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!

I think the approach I'll take is show how simple it is to get all the free
software, I reckon showing the Ubuntu Software Center would be better than
apt-get. Going to highlight Google, Android, Wikipedia and some other big
FOSS successes.

I think what Michele said is pretty much a good point, show them cool stuff.


The main theme though is going to be freedom, choice of OS, no worrying
about licenses, free software, no viruses or spyware.

I don't want to come across preachy, I want them to come away realizing how
much easier using FOSS makes things.

Oh, and big shout out to DERI who are organising the event.

Shane

On 18 March 2010 12:36, Michael Kennedy <Info at kennedysoftware.ie> wrote:

> Shane,
>
>
>  In a few days, I'll be giving a presentation to some secondary school
>> pupils
>> to promote Open Source software.
>>
>> I've a fair idea what I'm going to talk about, but was wondering if you,
>> the
>> wonderful ILUG community, had any tips on how I should approach it?
>>
>> I know that for the most part, kids aren't too bothered if their software
>> is
>> free as in speech, so I won't be highlighting that part of the argument.
>>
>> What'ya reckon? Lots of flashy eye candy? Free as in beer?
>>
>
> That's a very tough one!
>
> The "Open Source" aspect would appeal only to those "geeks" who are
> familiar with programming, but probably worth mentioning anyway. The "Free"
> bit might appeal to a few others.
>
> Apart from eye-candy issues, and suitable apps, etc, as covered by others
> in the thread already, I think you might get a few "WOWs" if you mention the
> power and popularity of some of the well-known FOSS apps and orgs - Linux,
> Google, Android, Wikipedia, OpenOffice, Red Hat, Server farms, Web Hosters,
> etc, etc...
>
> If you have a little time to spare, I have about 15 links (but,
> unfortunately, no other details) to "Open Source in Schools" at
> http://www.kennedysoftware.ie/opensrc.htm. A quick "gander" through them
> might be worthwhile.
>
> Good Luck!
>  - Mike.
>
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-- 
Shane Tuohy
tel - 086-3147148
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--