[SFS] R&A: Status for the week ending 4/20

[David L. Willson]

My big question:
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What if "Intro to Whatever" type classes were free and open to the public, gift classes for gift contribs, and higher-level classes were paid, and students had the option of paying in time, talent, or treasure? Time = help with things that need to be done, like art and web-pages. Talent = help write class materials. Treasure = money.

The teaching materials we develop will be creative commons, share-alike licensed. Free as in speech.

In short, the materials are always Free ( as in Freedom, Free Speech, Free Ideas, Free Markets ), but the higher-level classes aren't free ( as in free lunch ). In yet other words, you can't get the materials "for free", but once you've taken a class with us, the materials are yours, and you are Free to use them as you see fit, even to make your own class, if you like.

Your thoughts?


What I've been doing this week:
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I did not celebrate 4/20 in the recommended way. I may have had a little Scotch whiskey, if I recall correctly.

I've changed the list-setting to "reply to list" so that, hopefully, we'll be more conversational.

Heather and I added ~another~ few hundred to the funding, and now we're going to take a short rest from contributing treasure and contribute time and talent, instead.

I wrote the blurb for the "Introduction to Linux" class at DenHac on Star Wars Day, so that should have a MeetUp event page soon that you can send your mom and dad to, so they can finally start learning Linux.

I joined DenHac! So, we have access to all their resources, which we mostly had before, but now we're giving to them regularly, so they can keep the lights on, and I'm not harming my karma.


Linux Pro Immersion Class Planning:
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I'm looking forward to the getaway geek-end, the field trip, the 3-day Linux Pro Immersion Class (LPIC-1 exam prep weekend)... I'd like to get some of your thoughts and feelings on it.

Here are mine:

    • I think it's an awesome idea. I think the students will learn a lot and enjoy the fresh air and the hiatus from "real life".
    • I don't want to fund this single-handedly. Just cabin rental and food will be expensive. I'd like this project to break even, at least.
    • I think the fastest we can get the class put together and students enrolled is July.

What are your thoughts? In particular: Do you know anyone that probably wants this class? Does July work? Do you want to help make this class happen?


Pi Lab for school age kids idea:
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Another project idea I'm baking is that I want to get up a dozen Raspberry Pi setups and do an on-site Saturday Pi Lab for a middle or high-school.

Thoughts on that?


Upcoming events:
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4/27 - Come hang out at the Willsons'
5/4  - Hands-on Intro to Linux at DenHac
6/1  - Hands-on Intro to Puppet at DenHac
later in June - Dan Kulinski - KVM
July? - Geek Getaway - Linux Immersion - Three long days in the Rocky Mountains, learning Linux, and Heather's cooking. This is gonna be good.


What else?

--
David L. Willson
Trainer, Engineer, Enthusiast
RHCE CCHA Network+ A+ Linux+ LPIC-1 Ubuntu
Mobile 720-333-LANS(5267)

This is a good time for a r3VOLution.