Boston Linux Installfest LI

Want help installing GNU/Linux on your desktop, laptop, netbook, or other device? Our parent organization (BLU) will be holding an Installfest where you can get the help you need.

BLU invites you to become a member of the Boston area GNU/Linux community and offers its assistance in getting GNU/Linux installed on your computer.

BLU holds InstallFests several times each year; we meet on a weekend at a location where people can bring in their computers and we can help them install GNU/Linux or other Unix variants. It's also a great way to get together and share our collective experience with each other in a hands-on learning environment, in the grand tradition of the UNIX community.

Cost

It's free! However, BLU has expenses, and contributions are welcome. Please consider contributing $25 per machine.

What to Bring

Your computer, monitor, power strips and your GNU/Linux distribution of choice on CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive. We do have copies of some distributions and can burn some for you on-site if you bring a blank CD, DVD, or thumb drive.

In general we have expertise with most distros, but if you need special expertise, please email the BLU discussion list in advance:

http://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo

Today, most distros are using Live CDs that you can try out and then install. Additionally, CD images can be pushed onto USB sticks using various USB creators.

Virtual Option

You can run GNU/Linux on your Windows PC through a virtual machine manager, such as Virtualbox. You can install this in your Windows machine and run GNU/Linux as a guest OS, or install it in your GNU/Linux machine and run Windows as a guest.

VirtualBox 4.2.6. ( http://www.virtualbox.org ) is free and is available for GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Additionally, there are also some VMWare clients that are also free for Windows.

Note on Timing

Show up anytime between 9am & 5pm. However, it's best to arrive early in the day so as to ensure there is enough time to get the help you need.

Transportation

Getting there: the location is accessible via public transportation. There is also free parking in the building's parking lot and on the street.

Directions & Parking for MIT Building E51 (Tang Center) (http://mitiq.mit.edu/mitiq/directions_parkinge51.htm)

Additional Details

http://www.blu.org/cgi-bin/calendar/2013-ifest50

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