Differences between revisions 21 and 22
Revision 21 as of 2003-10-13 18:33:38
Size: 6291
Editor: user-905
Comment:
Revision 22 as of 2003-10-16 16:48:50
Size: 7117
Editor: 81
Comment:
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 44: Line 44:
The users have decreed, KDE 3.2 looks "beautiful." Our demo machine was using the Plastik theme with the Crystal icons. Linux Expo UK 2003 took place in London last week. KDE took part in the .org village along with a dozen other Free Software projects ( <a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall.jpg">photo from front</a>, <a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-back.jpg">photo from back</a>). We demonstrated KDE 3.2 alpha to a constant stream of visitors (over 5,500 were at the show, most of them seemed to be at the .org village stand) and handed out several hundered leaflets. Read on for some of their comments.
Line 46: Line 46:
Several KDE developers including, Jono Bacon, Chris Howells and Jonathan Riddell, were on hand at LinuxExpo in London last week to demonstrate the forthcoming KDE 3.2 release and solicit feedback from existing users. We met several companies looking wanting to deploy UNIX on the desktop and talked to journalists from all the major UK Linux magazines. Several KDE developers including Jono Bacon, Chris Howells and Jonathan Riddell were joined by Debian packager David Pashley (<a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-jonathan-david.jpg">photo</a>) and salesman extraordinaire Ben Lamb (<a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-ben-and-punters.jpg">photo</a>) to demonstrate the forthcoming KDE 3.2 release and solicit feedback from existing users. We met several companies looking to deploy GNU/Linux on the desktop and talked to journalists from all the major UK Linux magazines.
Line 48: Line 48:
Besides the beautiful new look visitors were very impressed with Kontact; for people who knew about KDE 3.2 it was the first thing they asked to see. However, confusion abounded about it only working with Kroupware/Kolab. We emphasized that even when running it as a standalone application you can exchange appointments via email and publish calendars to the web. The users have decreed KDE 3.2 looks "beautiful". Our demo machine was using the Plastik theme with the Crystal icons.
Line 50: Line 50:
Everyone had their own wishes, some needed LDAP connectivity, and another was very pleased to discover KGpg had all the functionality he needed. Smaller features such as the new system tray applet for changing the screen resolution and TrueType font previews were universally appaulded. Besides the beautiful new look visitors were very impressed with Kontact; for people who knew about KDE 3.2 it was the first thing they asked to see. However, confusion abounded about it only working with Kroupware/Kolab. We emphasised that even when running it as a standalone application you can exchange appointments via email and publish calendars to the web.
Line 52: Line 52:
Almost everyone wanted to know if/when their distribution would be shipping KDE 3.2, how they could upgrade and whether we had the code available on CD. It’s clear that many users cannot easily upgrade to the latest release and some are still running KDE 2. The corporate users have similar problems and are crying out for a way to reliably deploy updates. If the distributions have tackled this problem they need to publicize the fact. Everyone had their own wishes, some needed LDAP connectivity and another was very pleased to discover KGPG had all the functionality he needed. Smaller features such as the new system tray applet for changing the screen resolution and TrueType font previews were universally appaulded.
Line 54: Line 54:
KOffice 1.3 was also demonstrated although most of the people were already using OpenOffice. Several people were unaware of KOffice altogether and many did not realize that the applications have improved considerably since its first release. Kexi is generating a lot of interest. Sadly we weren't able to demo it. Almost everyone wanted to know if/when their distribution would be shipping KDE 3.2, how they could upgrade and whether we had the code available on CD. It’s clear that many users cannot easily upgrade to the latest release and some are still running KDE 2. The corporate users have similar problems and are crying out for a way to reliably deploy updates. If the distributions have tackled this problem they need to publicise the fact.
Line 56: Line 56:
Criticism flowed as well, ranging from “the application names are confusing” to the logo’s rubbish. More constructively a plea, from a large corporate, for better documentation about locking down KDE desktops and possibly a GUI front-end. It’s a shame when KDE has the features but they go unused for lack of documentation or publicity. Unfortunately, this was a recurring theme. KOffice 1.3 was also demonstrated although most of the people were already using OpenOffice. Several people were unaware of KOffice altogether and many did not realize that the applications have improved considerably since its first release. Kexi is generating a lot of interest but sadly we weren't able to demo it.

Criticism flowed as well, ranging from “the application names are confusing” to "the logo’s rubbish". More constructively a plea, from a large corporate, for better documentation about locking down KDE desktops and possibly a GUI front-end. It’s a shame when KDE has the features but they go unused for lack of documentation or publicity.
Line 60: Line 62:
Our entire stock of T-shirts and polo shirts sold out and almost 500 flyers were handed out. Next year we will take more. Our stock of polo shirts and badges sold out and almost 500 flyers and stickers were handed out. Next year we will take more.

Article by Ben Lamb and Jonathan Riddell, photos by Chris Howells and UK Linux

1. KDE at Linux Expo 2003

See ["DebianExpoList2003"] for dates, links, Debian-people, .org section layout, LPI registration, reminder to bring GPG keys and a passport, suggestions of places to stay.

2. People

Name (Email)

Mobile

Tue 7th - setup day

Wed 8th

Thu 9th

Notes

[http://jriddell.org/ Jonathan Riddell] (debian-wiki@jriddell.org)

07941-938-912

Prob.

Yes

Yes

I have merchandise

David Pashley (debian-wiki@davidpashley.com)

07980-752-297

Prob.

Yes

Yes

One of us (don't let the Debians steal him)

Jono Bacon (jono@kde.org)

Nope

Yep

Yep

Might give a talk, also hanging around with LUG

Paul Cupis (paul@cupis.co.uk)

07762 821809

Probably not

Yes

Yes

May drift between Debian and KDE stands

Chris Howells (howells@kde.org)

07816 528475

No

Yes

No

Bringing laptop with CVS HEAD

Lee Jordan (lee@leejordan.org.uk)

Nope

Yus

Yus

Printing T-Shirts for stall runners, also hanging around with LUG

Ben Lamb (kde@zurgy.org)

07940 538948

No

Yes

Yes

Can bring desktop PC + laptop both running KDE CVS. Need external monitor for desktop or someone to help carry a 15" montior from Brixton.

3. Things on the stall

  • A (preferably non-laptop) demonstration machine with CVS KDE (I should be able to get one but open to suggestions - jr)
  • Jonathan has 6 polo shirts (a snip at 20UKP each) and badges ('pins', £1.50 ) to sell and stickers to give away
  • Jono will bring his stuff from previous expos
  • Setting up on the Tuesday should not take long, maybe we can arrange a time to do it
  • We need leaflets to give out, with general KDE info and KDE 3.2 features on it. See kde-promo in (non-anonymous) CVS for inspiration. (I'll try and make something up - jr)
  • I have one KDE t-shirt to wear, Jono can you bring yours? Sure. :)

  • Lee, did you get anything useful made with the SVG logos?

Also:

  • Please bring 4 way power adaptors and extension leads (if possible with surge protection)
  • There will be wireless internet on the stand (but not fast)

4. Other things

  • LONIX will be organising a social event (drinking in a pub) on the Wednesday night:Leaving the expo at 5pm and heading for the Lowlander pub in Covent Garden. Following Lowlander if you are still standing a table has been booked at Spice of London indian restaurant (http://www.spiceoflondon.com/) at 22 Drury Lane for some high quality cuisine. Or alternatively you can stay at Lowlander where they also serve food. Directions to Lowlander Exit Covent Garden Tube station and on your left you'll see a road (for cars!) alled Long Acre. Take a right down this road, go straight over the roundabout and carry on straight until you see Drury Lane on your left (it's also on the right). Take a left and you will see Lowlander on your left.

  • Car parking limited, pre book spaces by credit card in the multi storey (P3) car park or other venue parking areas by logging onto www.eco.co.uk or by calling the new dedicated telephone booking line on 0871 871 9809

5. Timetable

  • Tuesday 7th October 12:00 - 21:00 Exhibitors only Setup
  • Wednesday 8th October 08:00 - 10:30 Exhibitors only, 10:30 - 17:00 Show Open, LONIX pub meeting
  • Thursday 9th October 08:00 - 10:30 Exhibitors only, 10:30 - 16:00 Show Open, 17:00 - 20:00 Exhibitors only Break down

6. KDE dot news article draft

Linux Expo UK 2003 took place in London last week. KDE took part in the .org village along with a dozen other Free Software projects ( <a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall.jpg">photo from front</a>, <a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-back.jpg">photo from back</a>). We demonstrated KDE 3.2 alpha to a constant stream of visitors (over 5,500 were at the show, most of them seemed to be at the .org village stand) and handed out several hundered leaflets. Read on for some of their comments.

Several KDE developers including Jono Bacon, Chris Howells and Jonathan Riddell were joined by Debian packager David Pashley (<a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-jonathan-david.jpg">photo</a>) and salesman extraordinaire Ben Lamb (<a href="http://jriddell.org/photos/2003-10-linux-expo-kde-stall-ben-and-punters.jpg">photo</a>) to demonstrate the forthcoming KDE 3.2 release and solicit feedback from existing users. We met several companies looking to deploy GNU/Linux on the desktop and talked to journalists from all the major UK Linux magazines.

The users have decreed KDE 3.2 looks "beautiful". Our demo machine was using the Plastik theme with the Crystal icons.

Besides the beautiful new look visitors were very impressed with Kontact; for people who knew about KDE 3.2 it was the first thing they asked to see. However, confusion abounded about it only working with Kroupware/Kolab. We emphasised that even when running it as a standalone application you can exchange appointments via email and publish calendars to the web.

Everyone had their own wishes, some needed LDAP connectivity and another was very pleased to discover KGPG had all the functionality he needed. Smaller features such as the new system tray applet for changing the screen resolution and TrueType font previews were universally appaulded.

Almost everyone wanted to know if/when their distribution would be shipping KDE 3.2, how they could upgrade and whether we had the code available on CD. It’s clear that many users cannot easily upgrade to the latest release and some are still running KDE 2. The corporate users have similar problems and are crying out for a way to reliably deploy updates. If the distributions have tackled this problem they need to publicise the fact.

KOffice 1.3 was also demonstrated although most of the people were already using OpenOffice. Several people were unaware of KOffice altogether and many did not realize that the applications have improved considerably since its first release. Kexi is generating a lot of interest but sadly we weren't able to demo it.

Criticism flowed as well, ranging from “the application names are confusing” to "the logo’s rubbish". More constructively a plea, from a large corporate, for better documentation about locking down KDE desktops and possibly a GUI front-end. It’s a shame when KDE has the features but they go unused for lack of documentation or publicity.

An almost continuous stream of people visited the stand on both days. Mostly existing KDE users and by my guess at least a quarter had been following the progress of KDE 3.2 and would have upgraded anyway. After seeing a demo nearly everyone was convinced that it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

Our stock of polo shirts and badges sold out and almost 500 flyers and stickers were handed out. Next year we will take more.

Article by Ben Lamb and Jonathan Riddell, photos by Chris Howells and UK Linux

TheEarthWiki: KdeExpoList2003 (last edited 2008-02-19 15:39:13 by localhost)