Nothing To Lose

CMDA IT Expo Pune is a yearly event which has been happening for almost 10 years now. The event is organized by CMDA (Computer Media Dealers Association Pune).
The event showcases latest software and hardware and other computers stuff. Many a times you get a good bargain on these devices.
A nice expo which runs for 4 days.

What does PLUG do in the expo?

PLUG has been participating in the expo for almost 8 years now. Through this expo we try to create more awareness about FOSS (Free/Open Source Software) among the ‘Aam Janta’. For last few years due to increased awareness amongst people we have been providing CD’s/DVD’s of Latest Linux Distros on the stall for nominal charges.
The expos is visited by thousands of people over the 4 days, which includes students, professionals, home makers etc.
We face have face very very interesting questions, remarks, confusions etc during the expos…
here are few of the overheard remarks, direct comments etc.

Some of them are here!!
(Q = Question, R = Remark, C = Comment, O = Overheard)

Q. What is Linux ?

Q. It is free, right, then why are you selling it?

Q. What is PLUG?

Q/R. Are you people crazy?/!

O. Lets go.. we will download in the college. (some college students)

O. Chal chal mere pass sab hai.. copy kar ke deta hoo!! (I have all of the distros i will copy it for you)

R/C. Hey PLUG stall, nice to see you people, great work, keep it up.

O. Windows is better. (lol)

R/C. I have used all of them (distros) none of those worked.

R/C. Wow you have DVD.. give me… only Rs.100/- nice whose gonna download.

Q. Where can I meet you people later.

Over all there has been a huge change in attitude of people looking toward FOSS over last few years.

I remember managing the PLUG stall for the first time somewhere in 2002, it was me, Manas, Sudhanwa, Vijay Deval, Zoyd..

We had absolutely no idea what to do with the stall and we had put up three computers, one was from Manas i think a PII, one from Sudhanwa with a 21 inch philips monitor and one was a 386/486 from Vijay.

People were really confused when they visited our stall, question we faced were.

Q.What are you selling here?
A. Nothing (think of a confused look on the persons face)

Q. Then?
A. Promoting Linux.

And went the series of generic questions.
since we were not providing CD at that time and many people wanted CD, the person next to our stall was selling Chip magazine which contained the 2 CD of mandriva/mandrake, we redirected people to his stall, and when he came to know that the first CD was in the previous issues he got all the old stock and sold it.

One very interesting question was about Sudhanwa’s 21 inch monitor. even the stall next to us was a philips stall and the max size of monitor they had was a 15inch.

Q.What is the price of this monitor
A.We are not selling monitor. (Again huge question mark)

Over the last so many years we have seen nice change and comments from people and increased awareness about FOSS and Linux.

from the first expo participation to this one here is the series of changes in attitude and comments that has taken place

Q. What are you selling (noting)?????????????
Q. What is PLUG/Linux?

Changes in comments over next few years?

Hmmm Linux…
Oh PLUG
I want CD/DVD

And recent years…

Wow PLUG people… I am a member online
Do you have xyz distro i need it now.
when is you next meeting…

Over all a nice fun experience.
Friends please add your experience which have missed in the comments.