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InstallFest | GLLUG
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InstallFest

Sun, 04/06/2008 - 23:56 — psmith

A prototype of an article to which to direct people wondering just what the 'installfest' is, that we do at the very least at Penguicon. None of this is official, or even necessarily accurate. I just wanted to get something in here for now.

Here's a BUNCH of cribbing from the Dunedin LUG (http://www.dunedin-direct.co.nz/dunlug/index.php) for their 2003 'Fest. As such, it doesn't really consider USB sticks as anything to worry about, so, this all needs work. In fact, if someone wants to go and make this into better pages like they have, fine. If y'all want to disagree with this, please do. :) I just wanted to put SOMETHING up, so I have a node reference to give to the public...er, can the public see this? Well, I should check that. :)

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When and Where
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Date : Saturday of Penguicon
Time : 2008: 9-11am, 1-3pm, 5-7pm (and whenever a volunteer is available to help)
Where: The Computer Lounge (2008 - Maple A)

You will need to go through to make sure your computer is ready for the installfest. Please read all the content on the website and prepare your computer accordingly.

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Requirements
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Please be sure your system meets the following requirements before registering.

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CPU
'486 CPU or higher
Some distributions require '586/Pentium or higher (eg, Mandrake)
RAM
Some distributions of Linux can run on a system with as little as 4MB of RAM
A minimum of 16MB is generally recommended
64-128MB is recommended for a graphical install
The more, the better!
CDROM
Nearly all Linux installations are on CD media. If you don't have a CDROM drive, contact us and we'll see if we can still help.
Hard Disk Space
Some distributions run off of a floppy disk, but they're not usually meant for general use.
At a very minimum, some Linux distributions can fit in as little as 20MB.
The smallest space we recommend trying to fit Linux into is 500MB
For a more usable system, at least 2GB is useful
The more, the better!
Input/Output Devices
Most styles of keyboards and mice are supported
Currently, some USB devices might be an issue, USB support continues to improve so we expect the most common USB devices to work fine

Joysticks and joypads, touch pads, and many other devices are supported to varying degrees

Video
Many, many video cards are supported, including some of the newer 3D accellarated cards. Bring your manuals, though!
Most monitors can be made to work well under Linux. Bring your manuals!
Sound
Most soundcards work to varying degrees under Linux.
Network Peripherals
Most Winmodems are not supported ("Winmodems" are very cheap internal modems; for info, see: Linmodems.org))
Other than that, we can probably figure out your modem or network card (eventually)
Other
Zip drives and most tape drives are supported.
PalmOS devices are supported.
Many digital cameras and scanners are supported to varying degrees.

Got anything else? Ask us and we'll find out!

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Note: If you're wondering to yourself why some hardware is so poorly supported under Linux, realize that this is due to the manufacturers not releasing drivers, or even specifications, for their hardware. Many companies are changing this policy and supporting Linux. On the other hand, other companies go so far as suing developers who are reverse-engineering hardware so it can be used under Linux!

For more details on supported hardware, see the Linux Hardware HOWTO!

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Preparing your computer
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The following is a list of what to do before coming to an Installfest.
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  1. REQUIRED::: Read the release form (This is theirs) which you will be asked to sign when you arrive at the Installfest.
  2. Back up any important data on your hard disk! There is a chance that you can lose some or all of your data and programs when trying to install Linux, or even while transporting your computer to and from the Installfest!
  3. If you plan to partition (divide) your hard disk, so that you can share the disk between another Operating System (like Windows) and Linux, run a disk error-checking tool and then a disk defragmenter immediately prior to coming.
    Windows users can use the built-in tools to do this.

    Note: Defragmenting a drive can take a long time, especially if you have a large hard disk with lots of data. We suggest you run the defragmenter overnight, the night before the Installfest.

  4. Be prepared for a traveling environment. (What if it rains? Bring plastic covers to protect your hardware!)
  5. There is no point 5

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What To Bring
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You need to bring more than just your CPU! Don't count on GLLUG having any extra equipment to lend! We have copies of at least one Linux distribution available, evne for you to take home with you, but if you have a specific one in mind you know you want, BRING IT!

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  • Bring your monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords and a surge protector! You must bring these, of course, otherwise we can't even turn your computer on to install Linux on it! :^)

  • If you have a laptop with an external CDROM drive, you need to bring it. (If you have an external floppy drive, bringing that can help, as well.)
  • If you'd like to configure printing during the installfest, bring your printer.
  • If you want to make sure sound gets configured, be sure to bring speakers or headphones.
  • If you'd like to configure other peripherals (joystick, touchpad, etc.), bring those, too!
  • Bring your manuals. (Especially your monitor's and video card's specficiations, if you wish to install the graphical "X-Window" environment on your system. (You probably will!))
  • If you have a network card, bring one. We hope to have network connectivity at our Installfest location, and can install the latest packages if you want or need to.
  • Bring a good book, GameBoy, or something else to keep you occupied in case things get boring for a while. ;^)
  • Bring at least one blank 3.5" floppy disk for when you're asked to make a rescue boot disk during installation.

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That's it for now. How come the >ul< tag doesn't work/ Where are the small black circles? Hmph. OL worked. DL worked. But noooooooooooo.....