New Member Question

[DCT Jared Smith]

>Since I am new to the list and the KC area I was wondering what
>exactly the Installfest and Demoday were. I think I have a pretty good idea but
>just wanted to make sure before I made a fool out of myself as usual. Just
>curious as to what goes on.
>
>Thanks, DBoard

Installfest looks like this: Arrive at KCLUG meeting early. Note that you've
been preceded by one or two people who arrive _real_ early. They're rather
quiet, not even acknowledging you. So you wait for other folks to show up.
One by one they trickle in. They talk to each other, like old friends. They
note you with a single glance.

You watch.

Small circles of two or three geeks are talking to each other. The topic flow 
is random. The topics are sometimes not computer related. Usually there
are two or three laptops, maybe even a PC, being dismantled as CDs
and drivers are loaded and configured. Perhaps two people with a cable
between them are playing a net game of some sort.

You feel awkward. You want to leave.

Then you realize. "Oh. This is a bunch of geeks. They have no social
skills. Perhaps it is up to me to be forward, if I want to participate." So
you awkwardly sidle up next to a small group, hoping they're friendly.
They ignore you.

You wonder if you're invisible.

You know little about Linux, and everyone seems so smart, you wisely
keep to yourself. But you want to learn. So you come back next time,
and someone recognizes you. He asks you a question. A conversation
begins, and soon, you're one of the 'regulars.' You ignore newbies as
you watch them arrive.

Demoday is the same. Buncha geeks. Beer might make things easier,
but then less work would get done, eh.

-jds