[plug] Training report

[Leon Brooks]

Ooookay...

After some minimal research, it seems that we can run a two-day train 
from Perth or Armadale to Pemberton and back the next day for about 
$150 a head including steam from Pinjarra to Pemberton (until the end 
of September). This is _just_ for the train but is less than half the 
cost of something like The Ghan done in bulk.

Adding accomodation at the other end, and wiring up the train would cost 
a little extra, but we could keep the wires and switches for use 
elsewhere (Installfest next month? Hello Adrian - LAN parties?).

If we were to run a training train in August for about $200 a head 
including overnight accomodation in Pemberton, who would be interested? 
More to the point, who do you _know_ would be interested?

Would it be better or worse for you if we added in four meals (lunch, 
tea, brekky, lunch) and charged more, maybe $250-280?

If "we" were able to offer some kind of minimal certification for the 
training which we did, would that appeal to you? Who else do you know 
who would find "Linux Installation" and "Basic Linux Security" 
intensive training certifications useful?

Who would find an "Installing Linux" clinic useful? I'm talking about 
BYO machine, one trainer does four groups of four, each person in the 
group installs their own machine in turn, assisted by their 
co-conspirators and guided by said trainer. Anyone you know?

Who would be interested in bringing spice and children along for the 
ride (but not underfoot in the workshops)?

Who has had involvement in training, researched certification and stuff, 
knows about the hurdles to jump and bells to ring? Alex?

Who do you know would like to take home a cert in Word Processing (or 
other office modules), Graphics Editing (basically, learning to do 
interesting things with images like take a photo from the train and 
insert a mugshot into the scenery), perhaps an Email Without Viruses 
course?

Would they be more interested if they took home a copy of the software 
they were learning with (OpenOffice, GIMP, Evolution) and a CD that 
they can boot and practice with anywhere (Knoppix)?

Would they be interested if they knew that established trainers will 
charge them $300-500 PER DAY for shorter training days, no software, 
and no steam train? http://www.interskill.com.au/tperth.html for 
example. Of course, if you want to use up training levy in a hurry, I 
suppose we could charge more. (-:

An entry level train seats 100, we can easily add another 50 seats and 
probably add another 100 seats. We can also get an open-plan rail car 
and do presentations in it. If so, I'd envisage back-to-backing two 
presentations in that car else it gets a bit far to the screen.

The train people need 6 weeks' notice, non-refundable $3000 down at that 
point and the balance a week before sailing.

Cheers; Leon