Org > PromotingLinux > HossTraders (r4)
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Overview

Hosstraders is a big hamfest (amateur radio festival) and "flea market for geeks". It is held twice a year at the Hopkinton Fair grounds. See HosstradersAnnouncement for more info. Linux and ham radio go together very well. See HamRadio for why.

GNHLUG tries to have a booth at Hosstraders and do the Linux evangelism thing. We spead the word about Linux in general and GNHLUG in particular. We also have CDs/DVDs with recent Linux software (generally burned to order), which we sell for a buck per disc.

BenScott and MadDog are the current major coordinators for this, but quite a few others help out, and the help is needed. Just manning the booth and answering questions helps a lot. In the past, EdLawson has sometimes managed to bring a Linux-based ham demo, which really rocked.

People

Present and past volunteers include:

Wishlist

Ideas for Future Improvements

  • More Ham radio demos and knowledge
  • A custom CD (bootable or otherwise) with radio-related software on it
    • Does this mean "custom with GNHLUG info" or what? Harv's Hamshack Hack is already a bootable, radio-centric Linux distro. -- BenScott - 20 Sep 2006
  • Load up some of those junkers with an appropriate linux distro - have them live on the 'Net for webmail, and let people take them home for a modest donation.

Checklist

Pre-show

  • Announcements
  • Reserve booth
  • Table rental for the booth
  • Sign-up warm bodies to man the booth
  • Make signs, banners, flyers, etc.
  • Download Linux distro disc images
  • Gather "Information" (see below)

Information

This information should be saved to hard drive for offline access while at the event, and/or printed out so we have hard copy. Preferrably both.

Equipment

  • Computers with CD recorders
  • UPS
  • Power cords and strips
  • Ethernet cables and hub

Supplies

  • Blank discs
  • Disc sleves
  • Markers
  • Rubber bands
  • Masking tape
  • Index cards

Collateral

  • GNHLUG signs/banners
  • GNHLUG flyers (many copies, for distribution)
  • GNHLUG "business cards"
  • Signs with list of distros/archs and "burned to order" w/ price

Other

  • Fans and/or space heaters (depending on weather)
  • Umbrella (it always rains)
  • Folding chairs
  • Extra folding table(s)?
  • Small spotlights?

Wireless link back to Ted's House

  • Two WRT54G's in WDS mode
  • Two directional 2.4GHz antennas, 12dB
  • LMR-400 cable with N-to-RP-TNC pigtails
  • One PoE injector
  • 300' of Ethernet cable
  • A couple mounting boards
  • ratchet straps for attaching to a tree
  • cable ties for stringing up wireless feed wire
  • a ladder for getting up in the trees
  • A stable DNS server (Ted's ISP can be shakey, c. spring 2006)
  • a switch/WAP at the booth for distributing the connection
I Attachment History Action Size Date Who Comment
Unknown file format3g2 Video_050606_001.3g2 r1 manage 516.8 K 2006-11-09 - 10:40 BillMcGonigle This is how an old squid throws 300' of ethernet cable over a building. Required gear for event.
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