Hi Jen,

I completely agree with you about sitting with people while they explore, and helping hands-on when needed.  That is something we would like to consider as part of the "service" we are thinking we might offer.  But we don't have too many people here in Macc with sufficient knowledge of linux, or the OS we will end up going with ... which is where you might be able to help.  So thank you ever so much for your kind offer.

In the short term, we are still in the information-gathering stage, and we may choose just to advise people on what they COULD do to get off Windows-10 (moving to linux is actually only one of the options).  If we decide to get more hands-on helping people to actually migrate to linux, and then supporting them as they get used to the new system, then that is where your help could be invaluable.  If you are interested, the first thing we are going to do at the next Macc. Repair Cafe meeting on Dec. 13th is to run any people who show up wanting to know more through this questionnaire (or an updated variant):-

https://forms.gle/javeojoVtnysjVTo7

And don't worry about trying to get to one of our sessions in the short term (though it would be great to meet you!).  We will know a lot more about what we think we can reasonably and successfully do in the new year.  I will keep you and others informed about where we are up to in our thoughts and plans via the general mailing list.

Thanks again for your response and support on this.  I will be in touch!

Regards,

Richard
From: Jen Phillips via StaffsLUG General <general@lists.staffslug.org.uk>
Sent: 22 November 2025 14:33
To: General talk about anything you like. <general@lists.staffslug.org.uk>
Cc: Jen Phillips <jen@phillipsuk.org>
Subject: [StaffsLUG General] Re: Windows-to-Linux at the Macclesfield Repair Cafe
 
Hello Richard,

I think one of the most valuable kinds of support is for people switching over is to just sit with them for a while, encouraging them to explore and gain confidence.

This is also a thing I and my family can do.

So, potentially, maybe, some of us could visit a Repair Cafe sometimes to do this?

We don't have capacity this side of Christmas. And we live in Stoke, so Macc isn't that close. But it's definitely something to look at.

Jen

On 22 November 2025 14:05:02 UTC, Richard Shute via StaffsLUG General <general@lists.staffslug.org.uk> wrote:
>Hi!  I am writing to you as the nearest (active?) Linux User Group to where I live - Macclesfield - and on behalf of the Macclesfield Repair Cafe (MRC; https://www.repaircafe.org/en/cafe/macclesfield-repair-cafe/) to let you all know that we are actively considering offering a "service" - advice and consultation initially - on how people in our area can get off Windows 10 and onto linux (distro TBD, but probably Mint).  This is a "global" (well certainly UK- and Europe-wide) initiative by the Repair Cafe community (https://www.repaircafe.org/en/linux-repair-cafe/; https://www.repaircafe.org/en/new-starter-kit-for-your-own-linux-repair-cafe/).
>
>In Macclesfield, as I said, we want to start with an advice session to gauge interest and enthusiasm locally for moving off W-10 onto linux, but ultimately we may want to actually help people install linux instead of, or alongside Windows.
>
>This where your group members could potentially really help, especially when it comes to supporting new users in their early days so as to make it an enjoyable and fraught-free experience.
>
>To help us in our "end-of-10-move-to-linux" activities I have a few initial questions for you all (there may well be more later!) ...
>
>- Is this an initiative you were aware of?
>- Would this be something the LUG members might be interested or keen to get involved with?
>- Do you know anyone closer to Macclesfield (i.e. East Cheshire not Staffordshire) who could help us?
>- Would any of your members be prepared to offer some kind of longer term help (not a "support desk" exactly, but some hand-holding) IF we do decide to go further than just offering advice?
>
>In the short term our plan is to hold the first "MRC W-10 EOL Advice Session" on December 13th at the Community Centre, Duke St. Macclesfield, SK11 6UR, starting about 10:00am, then, depending on interest and enthusiasm, offering the same advice session at future Repair Cafe's until we decide whether we are going to do anything a bit more hands-on.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help on this, and any advice you may have.
>
>Richard Shute
>
>PS: I am a self-taught Linux Mint user (Cinnamon and Xfce) who got away from Windows about 10 years ago and have been enjoying life in linux-land ever since!
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