Presenting Ubuntu to a Community of Computer Novices

I was led to believe some time ago that a library local to me used and promoted Ubuntu to its patrons. I finally visited recently to discover (sadly) it was not true. However, they have a large lecture room where they have classes that anyone can sign up to teach. They have an introduction to computers classes, dance, arts and crafts, and a few book clubs, however for the most part, the calender was quite empty.

There also wasn't a single person that had ever heard of Linux or Ubuntu. Having become very active over the past 2 years, very recently on the forums, and converted / enlightened quite a few people, I feel like it would be a good time grab a broader local audience.

While I feel privileged to be very comfortable with Ubuntu, I must admit I am LONG out of touch with what it is like to be a novice computer user. I grew up with computers.

I plan on giving a basic introduction to preinstalled applications demonstrating what can be done on the computer: OpenOffice Writer, Firefox, Gimp, and RythmBox, and present Jamendo and delicately explain why people develop free software, why people want you to use it, and how everybody benefits as a community. I also have some favorite clips of Nelson Mandela and Lawrence Lessig talking about community, not to mention some classic Linux commercials.

I am concerned about being out of touch with non-computer users, but my goal here is to show people that may not have money to do big fancy things with computer that they can still do really cool things with their computer by embracing free software.

So my question is: What are novices interested in learning / hearing about? Are there any open projects to help teachers present Linux / Ubuntu / FOSS to faculty and students?

For anyone that is really new to Linux, if I am lucky enough for you to have come by this article, what made you switch or at least made you consider Ubuntu worthy of your time to learn.

Any suggestions would be useful. Thanks in advance.

alrite man, i think its great what you plan to do!! id be happy to help in any way i can :D

I was just sick of using windows and watching it lag or crash , i tried fedora 6 a few years ago bt found it ok , bt ubuntu just got me hooked. i hated in windows the lack of freedom and customisation options, i hated your anti virus is out of date blah blah blah. . .i hated being told buy this buy that!, i hated the fact that you had to register it every time you reformatted it, unless it was cracked;),

i love . .how ubuntu comes with everything you need to get started by default,you dont need to go buy office, how the choice is left up to you!!!!,how you can change your desktop environment to look to any way you can imagine!, i love the helpfulness of the community and the dedication.

i love the efficiency of linux, iv switched completely to ubuntu and iv never looked back. i love the versatility of the text editor for example how it can be used to run and compile, even if you look at its highlighting options. i love how user friendly ubuntu is. i love how YOU are in COMPLETE CONTROL of YOUR SYSTEM!!, I get more out of my system with ubuntu, windows is a resource hog!!!¬!!!!

the only reason id use windows is for games and reason and fl studio(though i have fl 5 workin in wine), iv had a few minimal problems with ubuntu, bt iv had more with windows over the years and where was the support . . . . . . ?????, and sure its all part of learning , you learn by doing. and with ubuntu you learning skills that will be portable across all linux distros.

just a few thoughts feel free to let me know if i can help in any way:)

heres a few good reasons http://dmartin.org/weblog/things-i-can-do-in-linux-that-i-cant-do-on-windows

Make sure you target your audience appropriately.

I had a basic IT course at university, which started with, "move the mouse around and you will see the pointer move on screen." This was entirely inappropriate for everyone.

Consider whether you are promoting to existing Windows users or genuine computer novices.