Trade show banner

Ted Roche tedroche at tedroche.com
Thu May 26 07:52:01 EDT 2005


On May 24, 2005, at 7:39 PM, Bill McGonigle wrote:

> I can't see not having an "... or Die" motto on the banner - it's  
> among the top things New Hampshire is known for and one of the best  
> known state mottos (thought I read "Go Away and Leave Us Alone" as  
> another good suggestion for capturing the New Hampshire spirit) and  
> highly compatible with the open source movement.

lol! That'll attract people to the booth!

Well, I'm of two minds. (At least. Give me another cup of coffee and  
it might be four.) The main purpose of the banner is to attract folks  
to a booth. Anything we put on the banner that might offend drives  
folks away. People with penguin-phobia just aren't going to make it,  
so I think Tux is safe. But the whole "Free" thing is one that can  
lead to some pretty spirited and intimidating discussions. Some will  
accuse us of socialism, others of democracy. The most fun ones will  
want to debate. The least will run away.

"Die" is also a pretty touchy word for a lot of people. Those of us  
who served in the military and got shot at (like me) appreciate the  
implications of "or Die" pretty personally. Like "terrorism," the  
word is best appreciated when used sparingly. And when you mean it.  
There are a lot of extremists in the world who'd rather die than...  
pick your issue. Pray in school. Watch the Yankees win the Series.  
Whatever.

Similarly, maple leaves and "Bienvenue" are just out. Or church  
steeples. (obscure political reference, never mind)

I know members of the group are relatively thick-skinned and in a few  
cases, pretty hard-headed, but we're also predominantly male, white,  
grey-headed, and liberal/libertarian, too. If we are to attract and  
encourage a more diverse membership, we need to be a bit more  
sensitive to the sensitivities of what Bill calls "normals."

I suggest we go with maddog's suggestion of KISS. Let the banner be a  
big nametag that lets prospects know who's in the booth. Make them  
come over and talk with us before they realize we're wingnuts.

Tell you what. I'll buy a banner with the logo, "Greater New  
Hampshire Linux User Group" and "http://www.gnhlug.org" and make it  
available to the group. If you don't like it, you are Free not to sit  
under it. 



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