NOSI at NTC in April

This is a call for participation in NOSI's varied activities at the next NTC in DC in April. If you're coming to NTC, here's what we're up to:1) Two NOSI-organized sessions:Choosing Open Source, connecting with project communitiesChoosing open source tools to solve nonprofit technology problems can be a daunting task. There can be different options, and choosing an open source project can seem not as straightforward as choosing a regular software vendor. Open source tools, for the most part, are driven by a community of developers, technologists, and users who work together to make the project better. Some open source software projects have more vibrant communities than others. This session will help you find and choose open source tools, and connect with project communities for support, and get involved in making open source projects better.Case Studies in Open Source Software use in the nonprofit sectorCome and hear case studies of using open source software. We'll have some individuals from nonprofits and from technology providers talk about their experiences using open source software. You'll hear about why they chose the software project they did, how they implemented it, what ptifalls they might have run into, and what the final results were.2) A NOSI Organized geek-out:Title: Bring your Laptop, Penguin or NotDescription: Bring your laptop for a collective installfest and troubleshooting session. Have Linux already, and haven't gotten that wireless card to work yet? Can't seem to change the resolution on your screen? Having trouble using Flash? Or, if your laptop currently has that will be unnamed proprietary operating system on it, come get a Penguin! We'll help you install a flavor of Linux and show you the ropes. If you have a really old laptop, bring that, too and you can install one of the lightweight, bare bones Linux distros, instead of lumbering along with a crufty copy of Windows 98. We'll have several flavors of Ubuntu Linux handy, if you want to try something else out, do bring it with you. If you're a Linux newbie, or an expert, or somewhere in between, this is the chance to get help, give help, chat about, and get your hands dirty with Linux.We've also proposed a couple of Affinity Group meetings - we'll let you know more about that when we know.First off, if you're going to be at NTC, please put these sessions in your conference calendar. Second, if you are a Linux geek, and are going to NTC, please email me (michelle at nosi dot net) and let me know - I'd love to get some additional Linux expertise at the geek out. And, also, if you think that you've got a particularly compelling case study or experience with open source communities, send me an email as well. I'll also been soliciting some participants individually.Also, don't forget about Penguin Day! NOSI is co-organizing Penguin Day, which is the Saturday following NTC (April 7th)Thanks all, and I look forward to seeing NOSI folks at NTC!