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Sahil Ahuja'a mail feedback :(unedited :p)

Hi Suren,

You are very excited about MGL classes. Good. That's the first most important step.

But before doing anything keep in mind an objective. A very simple, clear-cut, small objective. Like for example :

And then see what you are doing, is accomplishing that goal or not.

Last year we had MGL classes, we thought they were great. But from what I know from inside sources (:P aka one of the attendees) no one even tried to understand anything after the 2nd class. Then what's the use?? And how many of them do you think switched to Linux after that? I don't think more than 3. Then what's the use of doing sooo much hard work, and convert just 3 people? It's bullshit. It's of no use.

Do something you know will actually convert people. Give them free CDs/DVDs (cut from the fees they give) (of the distro of their choice). Show them XGL. Show them counter strike (first see on the net if now Linux can join other servers or not). Show them Quake3/UT 2004. Show them XGL (again). These are powerful factors. Show them the simple distribution if applications on the gnome menus. Show them konqueror, and then the file size dividing view of konqueror. Show them a movie in one tab of konqueror while editing a txt file in another. Show them amarok (need I say what in amarok). Burn a CD/DVD in K3B in front of them.

Tell them there's no need of antivirus. There's no need of firewall. It's the most secure OS on this planet. Your pics are your pics. No virus can eat them up.

Think practically from the viewpoint of a hardcore time waster who uses computer just for fun (i.e. an ideal NITTian).

Stick to your goal, and always analyze whether what you are doing is tending towards that, or away. Stick the goal in a placard in every glug-t meeting.

There is no need to keep the classes going on for 7 days. (last time it was even more I guess). No one will come. And even if they do manage to come, in the end they will hate linux more than anything else. Even 1 day is enough to convince people (although 2 days seems more justifying to their money). Make MGL classes complete fun and timepass. If you want to teach shell programming, then go back to your goal and see if it achieves it.

Only then will people really see Linux as a practical option.

Regards,

Sahil.