[advocacy-discuss] User group event box

[Jim Grisanzio]

Glynn Foster wrote:
> Hey,
> 
> while speaking at some user groups this month, I got into conversation (albeit
> briefly) about the possibility of putting together an event box. 


Cool. We've been having discussions about this issue from time to time 
over the past few months on this list and on the old UG list. Link back 
here: http://opensolaris.org/jive/thread.jspa?threadID=33752&tstart=0

So, we can pick it up here ....



> It seems like
> there's a good opportunity to brainstorm about putting some items together for
> it, and at least have a potential expense request for local sponsorship.

What do you mean by "sponsorship" here? I think the UGs should stay 
independent and not sponsored by Sun, but I could be mis-reading your 
intent here.


> [As an aside, the motivation for this came from a similar thing we've done with
> GNOME, which has proved *very* successful http://live.gnome.org/GnomeEventsBox]
> 
> So here's the start of putting together an item list -
> 
>     MP3 recorder (and possible microphone)
>       - What brand works best?
>       - What size?
>       - What's compatible with OpenSolaris?


Can you put a price tag on this for me and I can see if I have budget 
for this.


>     Laptop stickers

I think Marketing already has these and we can easily add to any kit we 
produce.

>     Branded blank CD/DVDs

Good idea.


>     Poster templates for advertising meetings

Cool.

>     Graphic images for printing off a few t-shirt

Cool.

> Some of these involve use of the current trademark and may be complicated.


I know nothing about branding or marketing so I'll look to marketing to 
figure that out. :)


> Thoughts?

Love the ideas. Very specific. And I may be able to get some money from 
my budget for some of them. I'm already putting together really basic UG 
Starter kits with t-shirts, Starter Kits, and OpenSolaris books -- just 
basic items for people to give out at meetings -- as well as some 
engineering travel for groups that are very active. All groups will get 
the kits, and then there will be options for groups to get additional 
materials based on activity and growth of the UG. Perhaps we can start 
with the basic kits (shirts, books, Starter Kits) and then do a Round 
Two with some of the items you are suggesting? This way we can have 
multiple items for groups to encourage activity and growth and just make 
it easy to run a group.


Jim
-- 
Jim Grisanzio http://blogs.sun.com/jimgris