Linux Live 2014

Microsoft has announced that it will be ending support for Windows XP, now 12 years old, on 8th April 2014.

The Bristol & Bath Linux Users’ Group (BBLUG) has seen this as an opportunity to introduce people currently using XP to a reliable free and open source Linux operating system and has planned an event called “Linux Live 2014” to be held between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on Saturday, 15th March 2014 – a couple of weeks before the end of XP support – at the Pervasive Media Studio, Watershed, 1 Canons Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX (map).

Linux Live 2014 is part of a worldwide project to turn old, beaten-up XP computers into efficient, well running ones. An old, tired computer can be given a whole new lease of life by installing a modern Linux operating system (Linux has more modest system requirements than Redmond’s offerings. Ed). BBLUG has decided to plan an event for people in Bristol and the surrounding area to educate them about the various uses and benefits of Linux.

Peter Hemmings, BBLUG member says: “As Windows XP is not being supported from April 2014 we have decided to hold the “Linux Live 2014”. It is a free workshop held by Linux user groups like ours where members get together to introduce new users to various distributions and give them a “Live USB Stick” to try on their hardware without interfering with other operating systems. Time permitting, it can be installed on hardware during the event or the “Live USB Stick” can be taken home to install. In holding an event such as this, we help extend the life of the hardware, saving people money in time of austerity. Simply bring your personal computer/laptop to the event and we will help you get Linux up and running on it, for free!”

The BBLUG Linux Live 2014 event is being sponsored Bristol-based LinuxIT of Emerson’s Green.