[Dclug] Re: [Ma-linux] Linux and Congress and Free Beer

[Alan McConnell]

On Sat, Jan 20, 2007 at 06:23:42PM -0500, Rich Goodwin wrote:
> On Sat, 2007-01-20 at 18:04 -0500, Gene Gaines wrote:
>
> > Alan and all,
> > 
> > I'm gonna stick my head in where (mebbe) it is not wanted.
> > 
> > I'm really please that you have lined up a table at the
> > Congressional Internet Caucus Tech Fair.  Great!
> > 
> > BUT (now shoot me)
> > 
> > I would not talk about Linux, or probably even mention it.
> > 
> > These are POLICY MAKERS, not techies.
	<G>  Gene, are you going to be there?

> > Feature Asterisk, not Linux.  (Well, maybe Ubuntu and why it
> > is important.)
> > 
> > Heck, hell, damnfire, I would get an Asterisk salesman there
> > and demonstrate a couple of products using Open Source.
	What is Asterisk?

> > Meke your table look commercially significant, not geeky.
	I hope that the Tux Blow-up balloon will be there.

> > THAT IS HOW YOU SELL LINUX !!!
	<G> (copy from earlier line) Gene, are you going to be there?
	(it isn't that much of a slog from Sperling, is it?)

> Our "pitch" is going to be "Open Source, Open Standards, Opens Options."
> Linux will clearly be mentioned and demonstrated.  But we will be
> emphasizing openness, interoperability and cost (clearly).  This is
> equivalent to the 1 min elevator speach about our plans but we will be
> representing the community in solid light.  My goal is to be extremely
> positive and take the higher of the roads (where available).
> 
> Hope this answers some concerns (and ... yeah - I know likely raises
> others).
	Let's by all means have this discussion; maybe some good ideas
	will ensue, maybe even persuasive ideas will make their
	appearance.

But everyone writing should know that they are "herding cats", no?  Try
to do it; it can't hurt, I guess.  But it can make the would-be herder
look a little foolish.

My basic message: show up!  Congresspeople, as well as others, are impressed
by numbers.  And I don't think we should worry about being "on message",
because, as pointed out in the previous paragraph, we will all disagree
about what _exactly_ the message is, or should be.  So since there is no
way of getting us felines coordinated, don't worry about it.  Just show
up!  (or did I say that alreacy?<G>)

Best wishes,

Alan

P.S.  _I_ can cc linux-pe, 'cause I'm a member.  But those of you who
aren't(you all should be!) please remember to strip the linux-pe from
your cc line.

-- 
Alan McConnell :  http://patriot.net/users/alan
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