[H-GEN] Room Bookings Update

[Russell Stuart]

On Thu, 2009-01-15 at 17:14 +1000, Anthony Towns wrote:
> It's not just numbers, it's percentages. From Firefox+Windows users who
> haven't already tried Linux, you might get 0.01% of people interested in
> trying a livecd; from Firefox advocates, you might get 1-5%; from people
> who've already tried a livecd and want to know more you'll probably
> get 20%.

Yep.  No argument there.  But right now the numbers are 0.
0.01%, 1-5%, and even 100% of 0 is 0.

> For ten new members, do you want to deal with 99,990 problems with Firefox
> on Windows that go nowhere, or 40 people who decide Ubuntu really is
> too hard, and they're happy with their current system?

Yes.

> "We're available for students and lecturers to help with Unix/Linux
> issues and to connect them with the broader Unix/Linux ecosystem on a
> social level; also our membership includes a number of UQ alumni that
> would be sad to see us go."
> 
> Alternatively, "Thanks so much for your support to date, and of course
> we understand the budgetary constraints. We'll find a new location for
> our meetings. Thanks again!"

Both reasonable answers.  And both effectively say we aren't
relevant to the Uni any more.  I would consider that a sad
turn of events.  And considering our relationship with QUT,
probably not a good one.

> If you want to make up new answers, "regular talks on developments
> in Unix/Linux/free and open source software" would seem a lot more
> interesting than "free tech support" anyway... Cue Elspeth?

Yes.  They do seem interesting.  Do you have any suggestions 
for generating "regular talks on developments in 
Unix/Linux/free and open source software", because for the 
years I have been a member I have heard many.  If you can't 
get people to do such talks it ain't a great basis to run 
the club on.

On the other hand, "come one and all, bring your computers,
your open source chit-chat, and socialise with us" has been
pretty successful till now at least.  The problems people
bring to the meeting have always been part of that, and
some people don't spending a few hours solving them.