Hi there, I’m about to organize an install party for my local community with the help of two other Linux enthusiasts. Has anyone ever done that here? Do you have any tips on which distro to install or what people absolutely need to know before leaving the room?

On the distro side I’m thinking fedora or Linux mint buy I have no experience with the latter, it just seems very beginner-friendly.

I’m also planning to start with a quick presentation on what is linux and the basis (distribution, package manager, root, …).

Also, I don’t know how much time we need (I guess it depends on how many people show up but we’ll certainly limit to 10 or so per party).

Thanks for your help 🙂

  • SayCyberOnceMore@feddit.ukEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Anyone new to a subject gains their confidence (or not) if you’re confident (or not)

    So, I’d suggest picking 1 distro to install,.and make sure you’re familiar with it.

    Have multiple copies of the installer ready so you’re able to get things running in parallel and then you’re 75% ready.

    Also be prepared for people turning up with all their cherished photos on their laptop not understanding what you’re about to do, so they’ll say they’re happy for you to install a new OS and then be upset that pictures of Fluffy aren’t there any more…

  • cptbichez@leminal.space
    1·
    2 months ago

    great to hear! I love install parties. Mint, Fedora are awesome but bring some MX Linux and or Antix for older hardware! And dont forget those with only Ubuntu in their mouth 🙂

    Also if you can take the time to give a little info on paper like, where is the updater, if they’re waiting for more you can show very little CLI (but i wouldnt it scares the ppl of 7 times out of 10)

    absolut basics is:

    • how to install stuff from software manager
    • where to find our own files
    • usual distro management from GUI

    if they show signs for more knowledge throw some easy CLI (file management, tarball install)

    Depending if your crowd is computer litterate or not.

    Have fun

  • Teppichbrand@feddit.org
    1·
    2 months ago

    I’ll have my first Install Party next week. I will install Linux Mint because it is easy and well documented. I’ll bring a laptop with a clean install. So I can teach some basics while the installations are is running.

  • Shareni@programming.dev
    1·
    2 months ago

    Fedora is great, but it’s also the only distro I’ve had fail to boot after a fresh install and update.

    Mint for sure. The slower release cycle is definitely better for nontechnical people, but show them how to install flatpaks from the app store.

    • just_another_person@lemmy.world
      0·
      2 months ago

      Fedora, like other distros, keep multiple previously known-good copies available to boot. If you have an issue with one after an update, just boot to the last one prior to boot and rerun updates.

      This issue can happen with any distro, though rare.

      • Shareni@programming.dev
        1·
        2 months ago

        It was either failing before grub or wasn’t in the list, I can’t remember now but I know rollbacks were not a possibility. If I remember correctly I had to reboot once after the install, then update, and then reboot once again to have the updated system boot.

        This issue can happen with any distro, though rare.

        I’ve used Linux for about 15 years, and that was the only time a fresh install crapped out on me.

    • MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml
      01·
      2 months ago

      Help people install Linux.

      @OP, I’d be prepared for very few people to show up. I’ve only taken part in one install party and we had five people turn up the whole evening, and two of them decided not to go for it.