Linux Guys get Makeover

[phiscock-g851W1bGYuGnS0EtXVNi6w at public.gmane.org]

Reported in cbc.ca today:
-------------------------

Nerds at Washington State University hope to auction selves to sorority women
Published: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 | 4:51 PM ET
Canadian Press: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PULLMAN, Wash. - Looking to recruit more women, and perhaps date some
sorority women, the largest computer club at Washington State University
hopes to hold a "nerd auction."

The idea is to trade their computer skills to sorority girls in exchange
for a makeover and, possibly, a date.

"You can buy a nerd and he'll fix your computer, help you with stats
homework, or if you're really adventurous, take you to dinner!" Ben Ford,
president of the Linux Users Group, said on its website.

Ford acknowledged that some of the group's 213 registered members may not
be ready for the auction block.

"The problem is that we're all still nerds. Let's face it, guys. If
anyone's going to bid on us, we'll need some spicing up," he wrote. "And
who better to help with that than sorority girls who like nothing better
than a makeover?"

This all began as an effort to recruit more women into computer science
programs and a public relations class decided to help.

"Our conclusion was that they need to promote themselves better, then
specific ideas were presented to them," said professor Moon Lee, who
taught the public relations class. "They made suggestions to work with
specific groups such as sororities. Sorority groups tend to have a very
good social network."

Ford, who has an undergraduate degree in computer science and is pursuing
a master's in business management, has spoken to several sororities, but
so far none has committed to the project. A call to the Center for
Fraternity and Sorority Life at WSU by The Associated Press was not
immediately returned.


-- 
Peter Hiscocks
Syscomp Electronic Design Limited, Toronto
http://www.syscompdesign.com
USB Oscilloscope and Waveform Generator
647-839-0325

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