[14:04] <+rrnwexec> Marketing Ubuntu Locally.. Why Should you Bother?
[14:04] <+rrnwexec> https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1
[14:05] <+rrnwexec> You like Ubuntu. That's why you're here. You like to help other people. You want to see Bug #1 fixed in your lifetime (possibly so your kids won't have to suffer the way you or I did.)
[14:05] <+rrnwexec> You want to be surrounded by people who "get" Ubuntu (in both senses of the word).

[14:07] <+rrnwexec> A bit about terminology. In order to talk about something it is important to get the terminology right, and to express it clearly. I will talk about "community" a lot. (I just did above.) When I said "community" what came to mind?
[14:07] <+rrnwexec> If you're like many people, you thought of the forums, online discussions, blogs, etc. That's not what I mean by community at all. I will use the definition in the most local sense. Community = Those people geographically close to you within a short walk, bicycle, or bus ride.
[14:08] <+rrnwexec> A rule of thumb I use is that if you can't get to a place in under 30 minutes on a local bus, it's likely not really part of your community. Of course, there are exceptions but that's my guide. Think walking distance. How good are your legs?
[14:08] <+rrnwexec> On of my pet peeves (personal opinion of course) is that we have these things called "LoCo's" that aren't really "local" or "communities". Sure, it's great that we have them and they do serve extremely important roles but I feel that Ubuntu advocates need to get much more local and focused.
[14:08] == balto_ [~balto_@S0106001d6abf3cb2.vc.shawcable.net] has joined #ubuntu-classroom
[14:09] <+rrnwexec> Take Canada for instance. 7 time zones, dozens of distinct languages and cultures. Cities and towns here each have their own unique dynamics, economies, priorities.
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[14:09] <+rrnwexec> Not to pick on the fine folks in any national "LoCo" but how can we possibly expect any national or even regional Ubuntu team to be effective at marketing at a local level. (If that were even its goal). And, Canada is simpler that many countries in that regard.
[14:09] <+rrnwexec> So, first and foremost I advocate a much more literal interpretation of the term LoCo. Think of warfare (I know, strange analogy when talking about humanity but hear me out). Name a war that was won with air power only. None that I can think of. Now, think of our current LoCo structure (mostly national and regional). That's "air power".

[14:10] <+rrnwexec> The LoCo's that I envision are on the ground. They take cities block-by-block and neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood. By take, I mean spread awareness of Ubuntu and help people regain control of their information tools. They embrace those around them and give them the "Huge Ubuntu Bear-hug"!
[14:10] <+rrnwexec> A Thought Experiment
[14:10] <+rrnwexec> Imagine that Bug #1 was fixed in your city/town. What would that look like?



bug #1 = Windows holds dominant position for Desktop usage

my Vision

The most diverse neighborhood in Maine coming together to make Maine a more developed and evolved community: a better State and a better state to live in.

[14:14] <+rrnwexec> Your job as a person interested in energizing (catalyzing) a town or city is to ensure that that energy field always remains strong. Note that this does not mean that you always have to be the *direct* source of that energy. All it means is that you are always on the lookout for a dip in energy level and are ready to make a few phone calls or send a few emails to key Ubuntu people. It also means that you're always ready to help with a project or two to help Ubuntu energy stay high. You're always ready to catalyze.