Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I've discussed this on mailing lists but want to add it here as well since not everyone follows those.

I am trying to get a grassroots pilot going for community outreach programs, primarily toward developers and enthusiasts. To that extent, I have the following going:

- developing informational flyer(s)
- networking with Nokia Maemo, Push N900 and Forum Nokia employees/representatives
- identifying potential groups and events for outreach, sponsorship and attendance
- reaching out to linux OS and related developer communities

Since I work full time at other employment I have to start small. I have focused first on the Dallas (Texas, USA) area with secondary plans for Austin (Texas). I have contacted local linux and Python groups... so far with, unfortunately, no response. But I will keep trying.

There are major events scheduled in Texas that should have Maemo representation IMO and I will of course lobby for that, but the local meetups are a separate and smaller activity that should be easier to address.

The main goal is to introduce people will likely be receptive to the Maemo ecosystem. Ad hoc analysis suggests that Maemo is still largely unknown at least to Texas linux enthusiasts and related developers.

The primary target is developers already in the open source world but also welcoming commercial developers. The Santa Clara Maemo developer event made me realize it is probably best that materials and agendas address both simultaneously so as to foster fast acceptance and cooperation that will be necessary as Maemo catches fire.

What I'm needing from this community is the following:

- ideas for event materials (I will be sharing what's developing)
- footwork in other regions to gage interest (I can't be everywhere!)
- ultimately, volunteers for regional meetups

Nokia employees have expressed support for this sort of outreach, but starting small until we can demonstrate sufficient interest. So let's build some data sets!

Feel completely free to say anything in this thread, and/or join the maemo-community mailing list.

Thanks!

EDIT: I certainly am focusing first on Linux and related developer types, but it doesn't stop there. Next will be testers, power users, and then newbies.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Here's the link to the latest flyer ideas:

http://maemo-daemons.org/maemo-org_flyer3.pdf

I've received some good feedback so far but welcome more!

I also like what Markusm worked up for a Conboy site:

http://moubail.com/temp/maemo/conboy/web2.jpg

That might make a better layout.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

New version (page 1 of PDF) with inspiration from markusm's conboy website workup:

http://maemo-daemons.org/maemo-org_flyer3-1.pdf

Thanks Mark!

Edit: oops, link was wrong! fixed. :o

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

No criticisms? Come on, community-- take ownership of this stuff! I'm just your (unpaid) employee. :D

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

In the hope that SOMEone will find this useful, here is version 3.2 of the Maemo community flyer:

http://maemo-daemons.org/maemo-org_flyer3-2.pdf

This also went out to the maemo.org community list, with the following message:

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

This looks excellent work. It's just so far over my head, I'm not sure what I can usefully contribute (other than thanks!)

Most of the people I meet in real life never heard of linux. :(

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Waoh, really interesting project and a good looking flyer!
I would only change the screenshots on the right so that the last one shows the current phone view and not that ugly one and instead of the "Tuner Tool" screenshot maybe you should have one from the Terminal or PyGTKEditor because this flyer is for developers.
Also the code in the background could be a little bit stronger (better to see).
Keep up the good work, I think I will print some flyers and "forget" them at promising places ;-)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Thanks for the feedback! very helpful!

Any preferences as to variants?

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I cannot see big differences (except for the orange version) but I like version 2 (page 2).

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Congratulations Taxrat. I would suggest a design in a black background. Something more like this http://maemo.nokia.com
Keep up the good work.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

My community outreach consists of networking-with open-source developers, particularly the authors of the games/emus I/we want to see ported.

I also try to wear nice clothes and comb hair when taking the Nokia's N900 out into public.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

What's that, Arnim? You're volunteering to help me out?

Thanks buddy, I appreciate it. :D

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Thanks. Since I'm funding this for now, I'm trying to minimize ink... ;)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I explained how Open Source works to an Occupational Therapist today (I was showing off the sheep). Does that count?

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Of course it counts. You were (s)elected Nonsheepish Maemo Ambassador weeks ago. Did you not get the certificate?

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Certificate? The only paperwork I got was a section... 3 I think.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Outreach in action!

http://tabulacrypticum.wordpress.com...urce-saturday/

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Great! But why didn't you update the two mentioned screenshots?
Maybe they will react differently when you show them the N900...

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Update the screenshots? Not sure what you mean...

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I mean those two "Dialer" and "Tuner" screenshots.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

The Tuner screenshot was replaced by a shot of PyGTKEditor as was suggested. I don't know of a better image for DialCentral, and that app has definitely earned a spot in my opinion. ;)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Congrats on your conference visit Texrat. Glad it went well. :)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Due to low interest, along with discouraging communications from the Maemo team on the subject, I am suspending my community outreach work to focus on other needs. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback while I was developing materials and programs.

EDIT: added "my" to community outreach to make it clear I'm not speaking for anyone else.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

i feel your frustrations. There's been many a time when i've a work life and a small personal life that i just can't get the support i need to justify my efforts. I do however have a way to keep this going without strains on any indavidual. Gather a handful of people who are able and willing to put some time into it. and start off just making a presentation. FAQ, so on so forth. having the standerd presentation allows anyone to be a promoter and makes it easier for everyone to take part.
once the base presentation with general FAQ's and all is done comes phase 2, which would be co-ordinating people at local events and other things.

You have already done alot of the ground work and there only needs to be a few more bits and tweeks and the foundation is made. i'm not a programmer but i've always dabled in it a little with what i do in work, there's probably not alot i can offer at this time other then encouragement and some bits and pieces when i'm available.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I've been working on presentation materials but can't seem to find the proper balance to make both maemo.org and Nokia Maemo happy. I'm only getting feedback from a few people who are very opinionated about the content, and there's a gap I can't figure out how to fill. I may just not be the right person for the effort.

Also the scope wasn't limited to programmers-- that's just where I was starting.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

well i'm just leaving work now. i'll be home in about 30min/hour so i'll log back on and i can go over some of it with you. i'm in and out of meetings and doing user info sheets and all sorts. presentations etc so i'm sure i can help that way. send me a pm if you use msn or skype (msn preferably) and we can chat. i find it easier using IM then mails n stuff. quicker feedback.

edit:
or IRC channel if it's easier.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I appreciate the offer, but I don't see how you and I can resolve the issues Nokia brings up. The items they prefer to be removed strip the legitimacy from the materials. I knew trying to bridge community and corporate was not going to be easy, but this has gone way beyond "hard".

I just feel really demotivated right now... ironically, by lack of feedback from the community and "too much" from Nokia...

EDIT: I'll tell you what-- tonight I'll create a 100% community-focused flyer. Later if Maemo wants on board they know how to get ahold of me. Thanks for listening.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

i think that was always going to be a hard one finding middle ground between nokia and the community. i think the timing for the community was bad with firmware updates on the horizon and then a million posts about everything firmware related and games etc. it's starting to settle down a little now so there will be more attention to other area's.

i felt the same way when i first started my job, i was the only person to both and give a **** about doing a good job and fixing the problems and making an effort. i got down hearted but there was a silver lining, not the one i was looking for but as the rolling stones put it. "you can't always get what you want. But you get what you need"
i suppose the community flyer should be good to help promote independent developing while i'd like to see what nokia wanted.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Thanks again smeg, your thoughtful input has been a huge help for getting me thinking straight.

I think the biggest factor affecting things now is the significant change to the nature of the product. When it was an internate tablet, there was this cool geek thing going that had people truly hacking up solutions, like the work of folks like penguinbait and jolouis. Now the N900 is a phone, with a more refined and almost "don't hack me" aura, that it's got the old community here anxious. Newcomers have different wants and needs for the most part-- they just want built-in features refined or missing ones added by Nokia.

The legacy community needs to redefine its purpose...

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

That's a scary thought... if I wanted another Android or iPhone I would have just keep with them :(. If the N900 loses it's openness before I get a chance to buy one I won't buy it.

As much as having Linux on my device would be cool.. it makes it pointless to be restricted in it's use. So I guess I'm one of those legacy scared of the new "phone" 'features'..

ETA: And BTW: that sucks that your projects isn't getting as much help as you need Tex.. I thought it was an excellent idea.. just don't have really I can provide for it at this time.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Well... I wasn't going that far in my musing.

But I think the point is valid: what is the purpose for those of us who live more in the tablet than phone world? Where do we fit now?

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

there are 2 very different target audiences now for the n900. there's the hackers from the previous maemo versions and there's the new users who see something more powerful and a cool and just a general fantastic device. there will always be people who won't like change but thats what life is. it's all about adapting to changes. thats why were not still picking crap off each others arse's in a tree.

what you should do is think small and i mean bite sized, because the whole thing is an elephant and the only way to eat it is 1 bite at a time.

put down a few goals, idea's, we'll throw them about and add to them and see what comes out. give it a while to get this going because you have a life and we do too. if 50 people put an hour a week in discussing and helping each. thats alot! i'll subscribe to this thread and lets see where it goes from here :)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

I'm not even sure the old hackers are a target audience at all any more, but I get your drift.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

A little update:

I have created a community-focused version of the flyer and I have to admit, that's where I should have started. I apologize for wasting time of people who have offered guidance on this project so far.

I am waiting to get approval for the use of some pictures from Amsterdam Maemo Summit 2009, and I will then have a new flyer design to present for feedback. PLEASE help me out, especially with text content! I have taken some from our site here as I should, and made some changes, but I don't think I should be the sole arbiter of the message (just the manager and publisher of the results :D).

I will post the next proposal to both the community mailing list and this thread. I challenge the tmo "citizens" to outdo the emailers in contributing ideas. ;)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

let the games begin!

Is your main goal to bring awareness to maemo as an enviourment/OS and the possibilities it poses for people? if so then a great way is through news as in any news is good news. do something crazy with it that people will either laugh at or say "f*** me! thats cool" kathy's example of the sheep game is something that appeals to alot of people. with just an idea of "wouldn't it be cool if" and it was born. everyone wants to be able to do that. i think using examples of what everyday none technical people can do as well as what the tech savvy developer people can do.

You should have a "Why Meamo?" FAQ, and ask the hardest questions, compare it to everything out there and look at it's short comings too. If you can ask those hard questions first before your audience does then it's out of the way and they'll forget it once you show them the answers to the easy ones and show them the things it can do. last memory sticks ;)

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Thanks again smeg, great ideas.

I can't wait to show you all what I worked up today! I think I'm finally on the right track.

Just waiting for an email reply... will probably be tomorrow at the soonest.

In the meantime, here are the 3 themes I have:

maemo.org introduction
maemo.org community
maemo.org development

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

It's about time we changed that, don't you think :-)

I think the fMMS package which provided MMS tx + rx, the FM power boost hack, and getting ofono working on it are compelling examples of the N900's hackability. A few more of those, and some usability improvements done by outsiders because Nokia "wontfix", and I see the "don't hack me" aura fading quite rapidly...

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

That's good presentation material, thanks jjx!

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

Copied from my latest maemo community mailing list email:

After trying various angles on the community outreach flyer and processing various viewpoints, I've decided that instead of trying to create something that tried to exist somewhere between the maemo.org community and Maemo of Nokia, it made sense to focus on a 100% community-oriented presentation at least for now.

So I've stripped off the more explicit Nokia references and culled more material from the maemo.org site, with some updates. I am also organizing the flyers into 3 categories:

Introduction (history of Maemo and maemo.org)
Community
Development

There will be common themes and some shared text across the flyers but each will address a distinct area.

Again, the goal is to have materials to share at small meetups and possibly larger events. My outreach is slowly growing-- I have presented Maemo to an open source enthusiast group in Dallas and have begun reaching out to other Dallas groups as well as Austin and possibly Houston later. The focus for now is on open source in general, Linux and Python.

Ultimately, I hope to engage others around the world and work on translating flyers into various languages as well as accomodating standard paper sizes for regions outside the US (like A4).

The first flyer (post reboot) I am presenting for consideration is for Community, letter sized.

Link: http://maemo-daemons.org/maemo-org_c...er1_Maemo5.pdf

Thanks again for everyone's indulgence in this community project! I especially want to thank the following:

Ed Page
Tim Samoff
Jamie Bennett
Quim Gil
Ville Vainio

and forum members Revdkathy, DaSilva, drm, smegheadz, and jjx, fatalsaint

...as well as Toni Nikkanen for his wonderful photos from maemo Summit 2009! (see front side upper right and back side)


EDIT: yeah, I see the white line on the Mer graphic. Yeah, I missed it when I posted the PDF. Oh well. Fixed on the master now.

Re: Maemo Community outreach programs
 

nice work :) i'm sorry i can't contribute anything really right now, works grinding down and i'm not well but if i think of anything i'll post it.
feel free to ask my opinion on anything.