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Installfest

Here is some preliminary info pertaining to installfests.

1) request for info
2) LUGOD for Reference Only.  Info & Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!
3) SVLUG for Reference Only.  Info & Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!

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1) request for info

Hi - Please tell me: where are some excellent (I'll even accept good ;) ) examples of installfest information & legal release forms?  Stuff for potential installees to read & learn from, pertaining what to do beforehand & at install time. etc etc etc.

Background: I am working toward having a BerkeleyTIP installfest, which will be announced beyond the engineering community at Berkeley.  Thus, people with little or no knowledge of GNU(Linux) will be alerted to this opportunity.

I believe it is beyond highly important, nee imperative, to have info for them to read beforehand, describing the opportunity it presents, & responsible practices (backup your data, be aware that unrecoverable problems might potentially occur, legal resease of liability, etc), to be aware of, to enable them to make an informed decision to step up to the power & freedoms of GNU/BSD free software.

Here are some examples I know of, of the type of info / forms I'm looking for:

LUGOD's excellent legal release form, & IF page:
http://lugod.org/if/release/
http://lugod.org/if/directions.php
http://lugod.org/if/
http://lugod.org/

SVLUG's, of course:
http://www.svlug.org/installfest/


Any pointers?  Thanks. :)

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2) LUGOD - Note: this section is direct copy & paste of LUGOD info - it is for Reference Only.  Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!

2a) main installfest page: [Note: this section is direct copy & paste of LUGOD info - it is for reference only.  Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!]

What Is An Install Fest?

An Installfest is a free workshop held by Linux user groups like ours. Computer users get together to help each other install and configure the Linux operating system. Simply bring your personal computer to an installfest and people will help you get Linux up and running on it, for free! Note: You must RSVP first; see the checklist below.

Check-List
 
  1. Requirements
    Hardware requirements for running Linux

  2. Preparation
    How to prepare computer prior to the Installfest

  3. What to Bring
    Which components of your computer system you'll need to bring

  4. Release Form
    Please read it!

  5. RSVP
    Finally, use this online form to sign up to get installed!
    (We ask that you RSVP at least 24 hours ahead of time!)

  
 
IF Schedule
 

Installfests are held on a Saturday or Sunday, usually once a month. They are day-long events, taking place from 10am until around 6pm (depending on attendance). Upcoming events are listed below:

TBA
Workshop topic: TBA

Please arrive on time. We like to stagger when installees arrive, but if you arrive past 3pm, we cannot help you.

Typically, installing Linux from scratch takes about 3 hours. However, be prepared to spend the entire day.

  
 

Who Organizes Them?

Volunteers from the LUGOD, the Linux Users' Group of Davis organize and run our Installfests. (In the past, we also worked with the Computer Science Club at UC Davis.)


(For more photos from Installfests, check our Photos page.)

Where Are They?

As of April 2008, LUGOD's Installfests have moved to the "Zinfandel Lounge" at the Experimental College at UC Davis in Davis, California.

How to Get Installed

Please read over the following pages:

  • Requirements
    What kind of hardware you'll need to use Linux

  • Preparation
    How to prepare your computer previous to an Installfest

  • What To Bring
    Which components you'll need to bring to an Installfest

How to Help

If you'd like to help install Linux during an Installfest, or just want to drop in and watch, you can!

  • Subscribe to 'vox-if'
    We have a mailing list dedicated to preparing for Installfests. Details from RSVPs are posted, and volunteers can discuss who's going to help with what system, and try to track down necessary information before the actual event.

  • How to Help
    Who to contact if you'd like to volunteer, and other things you can do to help make these events successful!

If you'd like to help advertise this event, you can:

  • Download and print a flyer

Sign Up

If you wish to sign up for an Installfest...

  • Read the Release Form

  • Fill out the Online RSVP Form

    • 2c) LUGOD Legal release page: [Note: this section is direct copy & paste of LUGOD info - it is for reference only.  Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!]

    LUGOD INSTALLFEST RELEASE FORM

    Click here for printer-friendly version

    By signing this release agreement between you and the groups holding the installfest (members of the Linux Users' Group of Davis, Sacramento Linux Users Group and Roseville Area Linux Users Group) (hereinafter referred to as Installers), you give up certain legal rights. Therefore, you should read the agreement carefully. If you have any questions about the legal effect of this agreement, you should consult an attorney and not any of the Installers.

    By signing this release agreement, you acknowledge the following:

    1. That your signing this agreement is partial consideration for the services provided by Installers.

    2. That Installers do not promise that the work done on your computer equipment will be successful. An Installer will help you attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment. However, because of possible defects in computer software or computer hardware, including improperly configured computer hardware, not every attempt is successful.

    3. That the attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment has inherent dangers that no amount of care, caution, instruction, or expertise can eliminate. That any attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment, especially including any attempt to partition or re-partition your computer's hard drive, may result in the loss of some or all of the data stored on that hard drive. That you are hereby advised that you should back up all important data before the attempt to install, configure or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment.

    4. That you are expressly assuming the risks of the dangers set forth above.

    5. That by signing this release agreement, you hereby forever release the Installers from any legal liability they might have arising from the attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to run on your computer equipment. That this release includes, but is not limited to, any losses caused by the negligence of any Installer who attempts to install, configure or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer.

    By signing below, you agree that you understand the terms above:

    _____________________________   __________________________   ________
    Signature                       Name                         Date

    _____________________________   __________________________   ________
    Witness Signature               Witness Name                 Date
    2d) Several more info pages from LUGOD - NOTE: For reference only - [Note: this section is direct copy & paste of LUGOD info - it is for reference only.  Info & Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!]

    INSTALLFEST - REQUIREMENTS

    What do you need to actually use Linux on your computer?

    If you have something that doesn't fit these needs, don't give up yet - please double-check with us in case there's something we can use with your system.


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    INSTALLFEST - PC REQUIREMENTS

    Due to how quickly things change, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this document.

    CPU

    • '386 CPU or higher
    • Some distributions require '586/Pentium or higher (eg, Mandrake)

    RAM

    • Some distributions of Linux can run on a system with as little as 4MB of RAM
    • A minimum of 16MB is generally recommended
    • 32MB is recommended for a graphical install
    • The more, the better!

    CDROM

    • Nearly all Linux installations are on CD media. If you don't have a CDROM drive, contact us and we'll see if we can still help.

    Hard Disk Space

    • Some distributions run off of a floppy disk, but they're not usually meant for general use.
    • At a very minimum, some Linux distributions can fit in as little as 20MB.
    • The smallest space we recommend trying to fit Linux into is 500MB
    • For a more usable system, at least 2GB is useful
    • The more, the better!

    Input/Output Devices

    • Most styles of keyboards and mice are supported
    • Currently, USB devices might be an issue (they are currently not fully supported under the 'stable' versions of Linux (versus the 'development' versions))
    • Joysticks and joypads, touch pads, and many other devices are supported to varying degrees

    Video

    • Many, many video cards are supported, including some of the newer 3D accellarated cards. Bring your manuals, though!
    • Most monitors can be made to work well under Linux. Bring your manuals!

    Sound

    • Most soundcards work to varying degrees under Linux.

    Network Peripherals

    • Most Winmodems are not supported ("Winmodems" are very cheap internal modems; for info, see: Linmodems.org))
    • Other than that, we can probably figure out your modem or network card (eventually)

    Other

    • Zip drives and most tape drives are supported.
    • PalmOS devices are supported.
    • Many digital cameras and scanners are supported to varying degrees.
    • Got anything else? Ask us and we'll find out!

    Note: If you're wondering to yourself why some hardware is so poorly supported under Linux, realize that this is due to the manufacturers not releasing drivers, or even specifications, for their hardware. Many companies are changing this policy and supporting Linux. On the other hand, other companies go so far as suing developers who are reverse-engineering hardware so it can be used under Linux!

    For more details on supported hardware, see the Linux Hardware HOWTO!

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    INSTALLFEST - MAC REQUIREMENTS

    Due to how quickly things change, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this document.

    This document was created with the help of LUGOD's Linux-on-Mac expert, Henry House.

    CPU

    • Newer Macs, with the PowerPC style CPUs and a PIC bus are supported by most Macintosh Linux distributions. (See: http://www.linuxppc.com/about/hardware/)
    • Older Macs, with Motorola 68000-series CPUs, and newer Macs with NuBus are supported by MkLinux

    RAM

    • Most distributions for PowerPC have graphical installers that require at least 48MB of RAM.
    • Debian/PPC works with as little as 8mb.

    Hard Disk Space

    • At a very minimum, some Linux distributions can fit in as little as 20MB.
    • The smallest space we recommend trying to fit Linux into is 500MB
    • For a more usable system, at least 2GB is useful
    • The more, the better!

    Input/Output Devices

    • All Apple mice, keyboards, trackpads are supported, including USB devices.
    • Most third-party mice and keyboards work as well.

    Video

    • Video works on all supported Mac models and hardware acceleration is usually supported.

    Audio

    • Apple Macintosh sound hardware is supported.

    Network Peripherals

    • Built-in Ethernet is supported.
    • LocalTalk (serial) networking is NOT supported.
    • AppleTalk and Mac File Sharing protocols are supported over Ethernet.

    Other...

    • Built-in SCSI (Apple or Adaptec) is supported.

    For more, see LinuxPPC Compatible Hardware and the Linux Hardware HOWTO...

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    INSTALLFEST - PREPARATION

    The following is a list of what to do before coming to an Installfest. Items marked in red are required.

    1. Read the release form (here) which you will be asked to sign when you arrive at the Installfest.

    2. RSVP with LUGOD using the form.

    3. Back up any important data on your hard disk! There is a chance that you can lose some or all of your data and programs when trying to install Linux, or even while transporting your computer to and from the Installfest!

    4. If you plan to partition (divide) your hard disk, so that you can share the disk between another Operating System (like Windows) and Linux, run a disk error-checking tool and then a disk defragmenter immediately prior to coming.

      Windows users can use the built-in tools to do this.

      Note: Defragmenting a drive can take a long time, especially if you have a large hard disk with lots of data. We suggest you run the defragmenter overnight, the night before the Installfest.

    5. Be prepared for a traveling environment. (What if it rains? Bring plastic covers to protect your hardware!)
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    INSTALLFEST - WHAT TO BRING

    Printer-Friendly Version

    You need to bring more than just your CPU! LUGOD does not have any extra equipment to lend!

    It is also recommended that you bring your own copy of a Linux distribution.

    • Bring your monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords and a surge protector! You must bring these, of course, otherwise we can't even turn your computer on to install Linux on it! :^)

    • If you have a laptop with an external CDROM drive, you need to bring it. (If you have an external floppy drive, bringing that can help, as well.)

    • Come with a good idea of which Linux distribution you'd like installed. Although LUGOD has copies of many different versions of Linux, our collection is limited - we can't guarantee that we have what you want, nor do we always have the latest version of a distribution. It's very useful to bring your own distro. (Besides, if you have your own copy, you will always have access to the CDs and manuals in case you need to restore, reinstall, or add more software when you're on your own! Most distributions provide tech. support if you bought your copy, too!)

    • If you'd like to configure printing during the installfest, bring your printer.

    • If you want to make sure sound gets configured, be sure to bring speakers or headphones.

    • If you'd like to configure other peripherals (joystick, touchpad, etc.), bring those, too!

    • Bring your manuals, if you have them!

    • If you have a network card, bring one. We hope to have network connectivity at our Installfest location, and can install the latest packages if you want or need to.

    • Bring a network cable, if you want to install packages off of the Internet, and/or test your network connectivity.

    • Mac users, if you'd like to set up MOL (Mac On Linux) so you can run MacOS from within Linux/PPC, please bring your Mac installation media and/or system disks. (You may need this anyway, if you wish to partition a drive or use other tools.)

    • Bring a good book, GameBoy, or something else to keep you occupied in case things get boring for a while. ;^)

    • Bring at least one blank 3.5" floppy disk for when you're asked to make a rescue boot disk during installation.

    If you have questions, please contact the Installfest Coordinator

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    3) SVLUG
    From SVLUG - NOTE: For reference only - [Note: this section is direct copy & paste of SVLUG info - it is for REFERENCE ONLY.  Info & Links herein are _NOT_ for any (potential) BerkeleyTIP installfest!]



    SVLUG Installfests

    If we change the venue, or any other details about where and when the installfest will be, it will be mentioned here, and posted to the SVLUG announce list.

    The Regular Time

    Third Saturdays, every single month.
    11 am 'til 4 pm
    For the next few months, that will be:

    • Sat., June 20th, 2009 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm (back to our regular time, location, and date)
    • Sat., July 18th, 2009 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
    • Sat., Aug. 15th, 2009 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

    The Guest Venue (April-May 2009)

    removed info about the guest venue, to keep this pertaining to just svlug.



    The Regular Place

    Evergreen Valley College
    3095 Yerba Buena Rd.
    Roble Building, Room RF-241
    San Jose
    (directions)

    General Procedures
    What to do
    What not to do
    Some issues we attack

    Note there are also Linux installfests hosted twice monthly by CABAL at Rick & Deirdre's house in Menlo Park, as well as ones conducted occasionally by LUGOD (Davis), SlugLUG (Santa Cruz), NBLUG (Sebastopol), and EBLUG (Fremont).

    General Procedures

    • The event itself is usually unformatted — no pre-set schedule of activities. When you arrive, check with the installfest personnel on where to set up your system. We try to keep people with new installations together, and people with troubleshooting issues together. Then, go to work. Our gurus will be there to help. Feel free to ask any question.
    • There is no fixed schedule of activities, though occasionally we will have an expert come give a mini-seminar on his or her area of expertise.
    • Due to the finite size of the work area, we ask that you be prepared to share tables with other installers.

    What To Do

    • Bring your machine, including monitor and anything else it needs to work.
    • Bring a power strip. If we have a shortage of outlets, people who bring power strips get priority at the wall outlets.
    • Whether you are doing a new Linux install or just an upgrade, make a backup of your current system before you come. If something goes wrong, we want to be sure that you lose nothing critical.
    • If you are installing a new version of Linux, bring your installation CD and documentation. (Some Intel-based installation CDs may be there for you to use, but don't depend absolutely on it.)
    • We will have a 100baseT local-area network hooked up among our machines, so bring your NICs!
    • If you have one, bring an Ethernet hub. Since attendance is somewhat unpredictable, it doesn't hurt to have several extras. (Be sure to ask before connecting it: We want a topology where one hub is just for other hubs to connect to, and ideally only one-hub-deep connections from there. Some distant parts of the room may need an extra hub for that area.)
    • Some regular participants have found it handy to make a box of stuff they regularly bring to the installfests.

    What Not To Do

    • Don't count on others to have spare monitors, power cables, keyboards, mice, non-Intel Linux distributions, etc... although if you intended to bring them and forgot, ask around before driving back home to get them.
    • Our hours of operation are 11am to 4pm. Don't arrive at 3:00 and expect to get much accomplished before we have to shut down for the day.

    Some Issues we attack

    (Thanks to Alvin for this text — even though some of what follows is a bit outdated, by now.)

    Hardware (In)Compatibility

    • which hardware does NOT work

    Linux Installation

    • boot disk, root disk, CD-ROM boots, NFS boots
    • fdisk, format, fips, MBR, FAT, partitions
    • loadlin, lilo
    • DOS: config.sys, autoexec.bat

    System Issues

    • kernel compilation, libraries, file system
    • csh, bash
    • Perl, gcc, tk/tcl, expect
    • X11 Setup, screensavers
    • printer, keyboard

    Network Issues

    • DNS and Virtual Domains
    • PPP, Slip Dialup scripts to your ISP
    • NFS, Win95, WinNT, Sun

    Major Application Issues

    • Sendmail, Smail
    • Majordomo, ListServ
    • nntp
    • Apache, CGI scripts
    • Multimedia sound, video

    Security Issues

    • DES, PGP, trusted hosts
    • Walk-in Attacks
    • E-mail Attacks
    • FTP Attacks
    • Web Attacks
    • Misc. Attacks

    Misc Issues

    • Daily, Weekly, Monthly Backup & Cleanup scripts
    • Disk Backup, NFS backup, Tape Backup, UPS