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Install Fest Attracts Linux Fans

May 31, 2007 -- Conway, Ark. USA

Conway seems to offer something for just about everyone -- Toad Suck Daze, concerts, a Shakespeare festival -- and of course the annual CARLUG Install Fest.

Although still a lesser-known annual event, the CARLUG Install Fest has lured several dozen computer enthusiasts from all around the state for five years running. This year the event is scheduled for June 16th from 9am to 5pm at the Faulkner County Library. So-called geeks as well as non-geeks of all skill levels will converge to consume donuts, pizza, chips, and soda while learning from each other how to use "GNU/Linux." Often called simply "Linux," the software -- which is free of cost as well as free from restrictions -- has become popular worldwide among a sizable minority of computer owners. The Install Fest is a time for "newbies" and "gurus" alike to gather, share experience, and help each other. (Of course it's an excuse for a party, too!) Admission to the Install Fest is free, though donations are gratefully accepted to defray the cost of the food and drink.

Since 2001, Central Arkansas Linux Users Group (CARLUG) http://www.carlug.org/ maintains daily contact among its members through an email list. CARLUG also holds informal monthly meetings in Conway, and hosts the Install Fest once per year. The group currently collects no dues.

Install Fest Attendees can get a chance to win items including a complete computer system with Ubuntu GNU/linux already installed, a video MP3 player, and new O'Reilly computer books. Raffle chances will cost $5.

"Some folks stay with us from 9 to 5," CARLUG member Tommy Trussell said recently, "But others come for a few hours in the morning or afternoon. Everyone is welcome!"

What causes folks to be so interested in GNU/Linux? "People come to it for different reasons," Trussell said. "For example, a lot of folks love to install something like Beryl, which is 'eye candy' that puts the latest Microsoft and Apple software to shame. Personally I like to show that you can run 'serious' Internet and productivity software on a computer six or more years old -- essentially 'throwaway' systems to most businesses. Others like to learn to program and understand their computers and share what they create and learn with people all over the world."

Some Install Fest attendees bring their own systems to get help installing, and others come to watch the seminars and demonstrations and help out. CDs containing current versions of "Free Open Source Software" will be available, or folks can bring their own. The event will include an area to bring old and new computer systems and peripherals to buy, sell and trade.

As a rule, any desktop computer capable of running Windows XP or Mac OS X can run all the latest GNU/linux software. Most laptops and other systems can, too, but may require "tweaking" to become operable.

The GNU software project, founded by Richard Stallman of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1980s, set out to create a complete usable system of free software, which at the time ran mostly on expensive minicomputer systems common in larger universities and businesses. In the early 1990s, however, GNU was still missing a "kernel," primary software specific to each computer. Finnish programming student Linus Torvalds created his own "linux" kernel in 1992 to run on his home computer. Because Torvalds made his linux compatible with the freely-available GNU software, merging the two made a complete software system available for free on a personal computer.

All GNU/Linux software and the commands (called "source code") used to write it are open and publicly available, but most people don't have the expertise necessary to get everything running on a typical computer. That reality plus the practical necessity of physically moving the data around have spawned several "distributions," (usually shortened to "distros") which collect the necessary software in a form that's usable.

One distro called Debian aims to run on as many different types of computers as possible while maintaining a very high level of quality. A very popular distro called Ubuntu repackages the work of Debian to focus on fewer computers while being easy to install and support. Commercial distros such as Red Hat and Mepis provide assistance to their customers for a fee. And the Gentoo distro runs on many different types of computers but is customizable and generates ("compiles") everything to run most efficiently on each individual computer.

Volunteers at the CARLUG Install Fest will be able to help install common linux distros. For those who don't have a copy, free CDs will be available for many of the more popular versions. See http://www.carlug.org/ for the latest details

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The Central Arkansas Linux Users Group (CARLUG) is a volunteer organization of computer hobbyists. The primary contact with CARLUG members is via http://www.carlug.org/ -- no telephone or message support is currently provided. Anyone needing assistance with GNU/Linux should use the carlug.org email list or attend the Install Fest. Members of the press having general questions regarding the CARLUG organization or the Install Fest event can write to CARLUG, P.O. Box 2680, Conway, AR 72033.