Sinclair Community College’s Computer Information Systems Division (CISD) is hosting the annual Linux Installfest Saturday, Oct 2, in Building 5, Room 043 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Dayton Linux Users Group (DLUG) is sponsoring the event, according to professor Shirley Stallworth.
Linux is a term that describes a brand of operating systems that are “open-source,” Stallworth said.
That means anyone can edit it or re-distribute it, Stallworth said.
People find business solutions using Linux, Stallworth said, “because of the affordability.”
The Installfest is about community outreach, Stallworth said. Anyone in the area can come, and last year the event drew 40 people. Stallworth said she is anticipating a similar number this time.
“Festivals are for sharing crafts,” Stallworth said. “Well, we share Linux.”
People are encouraged to bring their own equipment or “distros” to the event. Distro is jargon for Linux distribution, and refers to the different types of operating systems under the Linux banner.
“Any distro they want, and the community here will help you install it and tweak it,” Stallworth said. “It’s a meeting of the minds in one central location.”
Stallworth said some of the popular distros are Ubuntu, Fedora and Red Hat.
“The beauty of it is that we let [people] come in and install any distro they want,” Stallworth said. “We help [people] with the hardware and software. We help them to install and if they are having any hardware issues we help.”
Stallworth said any distro is welcome, and that someone at the Installfest will be making copies of distros for anyone who wants one.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s just a sharing of information,” Stallworth said.
CISD and DLUG are holding two Installfests this year for the first time, Stallworth said. The first was in the spring. Prior to CISD getting involved, the Physics Department hosted the event.
The Installfest will also feature what they call breakout sessions, Stallworth said. The breakout sessions–generally two-to-three per event–last around 30 minutes and present information to the people attending.
This year’s breakout sessions will be an introduction to virtual box and an overview of multimedia.
People attending the event will receive information about DLUG, and Stallworth said that online registration would be available.