We (of the Fediverse) should take a lesson from Linux (and the LUGs back in the day) and do in-person Fediverse JoinFests.
Where we help people join the Fediverse.
Similar to the Linux InstallFests decades ago.
I am old enough to remember when Linux was not yet common.
(I started using Linux back in 1996. And have been using some distro of Linux since then.)
Back then, Linux User Groups (LUGs) got created in different cities by regular people who were enthusiastic abut Linux — to provide help, support, and community for those who were interested in Linux.
(I used to be an active member of VanLUG — the Vancouver Linux User Group.)
From-time-to-time these local Linux User Groups (LUGs) would put on a Linux InstallFest —
An in-person event where people (who weren’t using Linux yet, but were interested) would bring their computer to the Linux InstallFest, and someone from the local LUG would help install Linux for them on their computer.
This helped spread Linux.
We (of the Fediverse) could do something similar.
We (of the Fediverse) could learn from the Linux User Groups (LUGs).
We could have our own version of a Linux InstallFest — a Fediverse JoinFest.
An in-person event where people who are interested in the Fediverse, but are having trouble joining — can bring their mobile phone or laptop, and some Fediverse-savvy person (like us) could help them join the Fediverse.
We could install a Fediverse app on their mobile phone for them.
We could help them pick a server to join.
⸺ Charles Iliya Krempeaux ( @reiver@mastodon.social )