HI

I'm currently a computer science student in the university of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
I recently got permission from my university to host a LInuxfest.

It started as a linux install-fest, but since the focus should be more on linux related information, it was decided to call it a linuxfest.

The problem is... Now what?

What is the correct way of communicating with different linux related companies? (Suse, Mandrake, Fedora, RedHat)

I can contact local companies which use linux, and professors from others universities to make interesting linux related conferences. Also some kind of programming or the like event/competition would be nice.

Any way, anyone out there has done this before?

anyone that can help?

comments or suggestions?

Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Aemus

I haven't really hosted one of these but free shwag is important. Get the distros and stuff to give you bundles of stickers (or you can order them in bulk if you have a working budget). Invest in a bunch of blank CDs and burn copies of different isos. This is also good if you have a working budget. A hundred blank CDs can turn into a lot of converts.

Get a place where you can display an image from a screen on a large screen. If you are on a college campus you should have access to facilities like this. That way your demonstrations can be accompanied by visuals. If you have enough presentations and access to more than one room like that... awesome.

Wireless access? Do you have it? Can people participating use it? That is something to consider. In either case, downloadable materials from presentations and from sites with documentation should me made available on a server (maybe with the web address linuxfest.schoolname.edu) so that people can download examples of everything they see and play with it later or as it is being covered.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head but there is plenty to do.

If you plan on burning CDs (on not too reliable hardware) check out this site:

http://www.troubleshooters.com/linux/coasterless.htm