VendorWorkshop
From GLUG-BOM
Contents |
Workshop for Hardware Vendors
Preview
FOSS and GNU/Linux has emerged as a very viable alternative to (Microsoft, Adobe,...) both on servers and the Desktop. This is clearly visible in customers demanding GNU/Linux installs on their system. FOSS has massive advantages in all areas of computing and is the undisputed leader on servers. Setting up services for a server host is a highly skilled job - which translates to higher billing rates and better profits. Hence it is a lucrative skill for a vendor to have. Given that most installs nowadays are networks - even if the network has only one machine, it needs to connect to the net. Migrating desktops to FOSS face certain challenges in certain areas. Facing these challenges is also a necessary part of the skill set of a hardware vendor. With the competition in hardware sales, profit margins are wafer thin, hence only a hardware vendor who can offer value addition will survive. This workshop seeks to impart FOSS installtion and migration skills to the smart hardware vendor. The workshop will be of one or two days duration and admission will be priced at industry rates. Highly qualified faculty will conduct the workshop and admission will be restricted to serious participants. The workshop will be underwritten by NRC-FOSS at AU-KBC.
Audience and scope
The audience will be hardware vendors who want to improve their skill-sets and market footprint. The scope will be to introduce them to the technologies available, usage of Foss tools, installation and maintenance of important services (servers) and point them to resources for further education.
Typical Audience: Vendors from SMB; Lab Instructors / Incharge from various educational institutes; Branded Computer Manufacturers; Computer Assemblers (local)
Aspects covered
Server side installs and configuration
* Mail server * Firewall and security * Samba * Clusters, farms and load balancing * File server * Document server * Thin client setup * LDAP * Anti spam and antivirus setup
Desktop installs and configuration
* Windoze compatibility * smartfrog/puppet
Essential challenges to be faced in desktop migration
* FA * ERP, CRM * Sound * Multimedia * Printing
NRC-FOSS Role
Most LUGs are not registered, and as such, are unable to open bank accounts or accept funds, donations or fees. This is a limitation to conducting bigger events. If an event is conducted, some members have to receive the money, spend or account for it. This often leads to complications. NRC-FOSS is a public body and can receive money on behalf of the LUG, account for it and hold it for LUG needs. It's accounts are audited and available to the public. At the same time it is politicaly and idealogicaly neutral - so no fear of the LUG being 'hijacked'. Hence we are able to make this offer to all LUGs that need to collect/spend money for events. Lawgon 06:33, 6 August 2007 (EDT)
Planning
Resource Persons and topics they can cover
add your names and details of topics here
Marketing
ideas for pamphlets, brochures, who to approach, how to market this
Venue
something central. must hire computers and accessories for demos and hands-on training. Where to source this?
Structure
if 2 day, then morning theory, afternoon practicals? Or do we price it differently - lower price, first day only, basic stuff. Higher price, both days with advanced/esoteric stuff on second day?
Materials
Production of CDs. Can we get stuff from interested vendors like Redhat, IBM, Sun, Novell, HP ...
