Frequently Asked Questions
Table Of Contents
1. Campaign Information
Why isn't <INSERT FAVORITE DISTRO> promoted on the website?
The End Of 10 website and campaign outreach are intentionally distro-agnostic. The goal is to speak as a big FOSS family. We want the campaign and activities to represent all of our communities. FOSS projects are nonetheless encouraged to promote their own work in the context of the campaign, with two caveats: (i) it should be clear you are speaking for your community and not the campaign, and (ii) you must not speak negatively about the work of other FOSS projects.
Does distro-agnostic mean event organizers and independent computer shops should not promote their favorite distro?
The campaign does not recommend any specific Linux distribution because we want to leave that to the volunteers and businesses that will perform the installation and offer support. In the end, the best distribution for a new user will depend on that user's needs and what support is readily available to them.
I have an idea for the campaign. Will End Of 10 implement it?
It depends. Maybe, maybe not. Join our Matrix chat and present your idea. Be open to feedback. Even when many or the campaign's best ideas came from contributors like you, please understand that we can't and won't implement every idea out there. If End Of 10 is not the best home for your idea, consider looking for a local community and bringing it up there. Our directory of places and events for Linux support is a great way to approach, befriend, and team up with passionate and like-minded people to get new ideas rolling. We believe in fostering communities. Get together!
I like to help people install Linux, but I am not a part of any group. Can I be listed anyway?
Unfortunately not. Generally, the campaign lists organizations, not individuals, given issues related to the GDPR and vetting individuals.
What is the issue with the GDPR?
The GDPR is a European Union regulation on data and information privacy in the European Union. The website is hosted by the non-profit KDE e.V., which is registered in Germany. Handling the personal data of individuals is subject to the GDPR. Since the GDPR applies to natural persons only, handling the data of organizations and places will not create any problems for the web hoster.
What is the issue with vetting individuals?
There are many people worldwide who are interested in the helping new users in the campaign. This is amazing and encouraging! However, there are so many that there is no reasonable way we can check them all. Some may have motivations beyond helping people install Linux, some may be trolls, and so on. An established organization or business is responsible for vetting the people on their team and can more easily be held accountable if problems arise.
If you are an individual, we recommend organizing an install event with an established organization (library, university, church, etc.) or getting involved with a repair collective in your area; see section Linux Installation below for more.
Can I still help if I do not have time to organize an install event or join a Repair Cafe?
Yes! There are many ways to get involved. An often overlooked way to help is simply raising awareness. You can print flyers and leave them in public places, or discuss issues such as planned obsolescence with family, friends, classmates, co-workers, etc. and how Linux is a solution. Moreover, you can help the campaign online from anywhere, for example with translations. Join our Matrix chat and introduce yourself.
No one around me cares about this and I am demotivated. What should I do?
Consider trying different approaches when bringing up the topic depending on who you are talking to. Reasons to switch to Linux are many. Find the one that will resonate with your audience the most. Remember, you won't convince everyone and that is ok. Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes it is better to let go and put your energy where it will be better spent and more appreciated.
I think the focus of the End Of 10 campaign is too narrow. Why don't you talk about <INSERT ISSUE HERE>?
Our target audience are Windows 10 users who will not get security updates after software support ends. This is a very large group of people, with just as many viable computers that users may feel they are being forced to replace. This provides us with a singular opportunity: those millions of users are angry at being abandoned by Microsoft and they have good, usable hardware on their hands. Keeping our focus clear and well-defined helps us run a smoother campaign and prevents us from branching out in too many directions. We want to keep our message clear, concise, and consistent.
What about gaming?
Gamers are a huge demographic, and these days with Steam a very good one to try to convert to Linux, but they are not our main focus. Many serious gamers will likely have no problem upgrading to Windows 11, so their computers are not at risk of being discarded and replaced. The campaign is focusing specifically on users whose hardware cannot upgrade to Windows 11. If you want to dedicate yourself to the Linux Gaming community, here are some communities and petitions where you can start:
Can I add my organization as a supporter?
We are honored you would like to support the campaign! The End Of 10 has a narrow focus on Free & Open Source Software and Right to Repair. If your organization is working on these topics and you have a national or international reach, you are welcome to request being added as a supporter of the campaign. If your organization does not meet these requirements, we encourage you instead to organize an install party or repair cafe. After all, supporting new users with Linux is the most important way to support the campaign.
2. Linux Installation
Is there any way individuals can offer Linux support for the campaign?
Yes! We encourage individuals to help their friends, family, and loved ones when getting started with Linux. Do not underestimate how important that support is! We also recommend finding communities in your area such as Repair Cafés (see Repair Café International, Restart Project, or iFixit), Linux User Groups, IT stores offering Linux support, student clubs, CryptoParties, etc. Tell them about the campaign and get them listed. If they are already listed, you can ask what they need help with. It could be providing support to new users, helping organize Linux install parties and events (for instance, Software Freedom Day), raising funds, or whatever else they are doing to promote Linux.
What if there are no groups in my area?
That is a real pity, but it is also an opportunity: you can start one! Organizing your first install event or starting a Linux User Group or Repair Café is very doable. Many people like you are leading the way. Keep in mind that contributors to Free & Open Source Software projects live all over the world. It is truly a global network. Reach out to software development projects and ask if anyone lives in your area and would like to help new users with Linux. Or if they know someone that would. Don't be disappointed if interest is low at first. It takes time and energy to build a community.
How do I organize an install party?
A quick guide to organizing an install party based on our experiences can be found below. The most important thing is to start with what works best for you and the people you are helping.
Don't forget to write the campaign to have the event listed on the website!
Venue - Find a local space to host the event. Examples include libraries, community centers, cafes, churches, etc. Check for building accessibility and toilets.
Helpers - Find volunteers to help. It is much more fun to help new users together!
Hardware - Extension cords, power strips, Linux-ready USB sticks and DVDs, Internet (optional).
Target audience - Reach out to target groups and communities. It is easier to overcome network effects and get user support when your entire social circle is using Linux!
Marketing - Hang posters in your neighborhood and at your university, office, library, supermarket; print flyers and leaflets and hand them out to people; post about the event on social media. If there are environmental or human rights groups (even if non-technical), contact them too. E-waste and planned obsolescence are directly relevant for both groups and they may even promote the event (see here for an example in Graz, Austria).
Local media - Local media is an effective way to reach people in your area. Put an ad in your local paper, write local journalists, contact local radio stations.
Code of Conduct - Prepare a code of conduct for volunteers and attendees. Make sure everyone is aware of it. Have a plan for how to deal with violations. Some example CoCs from the Linux community can be found here or here.
Know your user - Prepare a questionnaire for new users: How old is their computer? What do they want to do with it? What software will they need? Before you install anything, get to know the needs of the person you are helping and inform them how Linux may be different or similar. Have them try Linux in a live environment or on a demo computer.
Disclaimers - Important information to share at the beginning of an install event include:
- This is voluntary help to show new users how they can help themselves.
- No contract is being established.
- Devices and data can break when you touch them.
- Attendees are responsible for their devices and having data backups.
Tip: It's best practice to ask before touching someone else's computer!
Follow-up support - Prepare information for how users can get follow-up support locally or online. Don't forget to demonstrate how they can help themselves as well.
Other - Have food, drinks, stickers, penguin and gnu stuffed animals, guides for new Linux users, and other material to encourage new users, etc.
Optional - SDD drives to replace the hard drive (keep the old one as a full-system backup), USB modems (helpful if a WiFi chip is not working after installation).
How do I organize a Repair Cafe?
Starting a repair cafe is more work than organizing an event, but well worth it for long-term support. Here are some resources on how start one:
- Repair Cafe International has very helpful information at the "Start Your Own" and "Linux Repair Café" webpages.
- Restart Project has prepared a "End of Windows 10: A Toolkit for Community Repair Groups".
3. Outreach & Promotion
Do you have ads, flyers, posters, jingles, etc. for advertising the End Of 10 campaign?
You can find promotional materials created by the community at the website repository.
Is the campaign active on social media?
We are on the Fediverse! Follow our Mastodon account and boost our posts: https://floss.social/@endof10
Campaign hashtags are:
- #EndOf10
- #EO10Challenges
Is the campaign active on social media besides the Fediverse?
Campaign activity is centered on the Fediverse. The reasons for this are twofold: there are no restrictions on who can access our posts, and the software is aligned with the goals of the campaign. We are happy if contributors share our posts on their favorite platforms. We only ask that you include a link to the original post and make it clear that our Mastodon account is the place to go for official updates. Additionally, many End Of 10 supporters are active on a wide range of social media channels. We encourage contributors to follow them and boost their posts as well.
So how do you do outreach to new users?
Contributors to the campaign have been doing both local promotion of their events as well as outreach to news organizations, magazines, radio stations, podcasts, and other organizations with national and international reach. Check out our collection of media featuring the End Of 10 campaign. If anything is missing, let us know.