You may want to consider having users sign some kind of agreement before any work is performed on their systems. Such a document will make it clear to users exactly what they can and cannot expect from the installfest.
If you do decide to use one of these documents, please have it reviewed by a lawyer in your area.
If you do have an agreement approved by a lawyer, please contribute to the Linux community by sending a copy to the lead author of this HOWTO so that it may be included in future versions.
The following is a significantly modified version of a form posted on David Pitts's Web site.
INSTALLFEST RELEASE FORM
By signing this release agreement between you and the group holding the installfest (members of the __________________________ Linux User's Group, hereinafter referred to as Installers), you give up certain legal rights. Therefore, you should read the agreement carefully. If you have any questions about the legal effect of this agreement, you should consult an attorney and not any of the Installers. Please be aware that you may not participate in the installfest event unless you have signed this agreement. By signing this release agreement, you acknowledge the following:
That your signing this agreement is partial consideration for the services provided by Installers.
That Installers do not promise that the work done on your computer equipment will be successful. An Installer will help you attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment. However, because of possible defects in computer software or computer hardware, including improperly configured computer hardware, not every attempt is successful.
That the attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment has inherent dangers that no amount of care, caution, instruction, or expertise can eliminate.
That any attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment, especially including any attempt to partition or re-partition your computer's hard drive, may result in the loss of some or all of the data stored on that hard drive. That you are hereby advised that you should back up all important data before the attempt to install, configure or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer equipment.
That an installfest is an inherently chaotic event at which many computer components, peripherals and systems are present; therefore, you are responsible for the security of your property.
That you are expressly assuming the risks of the dangers set forth above.
That by signing this release agreement, you hereby forever release the Installers from any legal liability they might have arising from the attempt to install, configure, or otherwise get the Linux operating system to run on your computer equipment. That this release includes, but is not limited to, any losses caused by the negligence of any Installer who attempts to install, configure or otherwise get the Linux operating system to work on your computer.
By signing below, you agree that you understand the terms above:
Your:
signature: __________________________________________________
name: _______________________________________________________
month: ____________ day: __________ year: ________
Witness: signature: __________________________________________________
name: _______________________________________________________
month: ____________ day: __________ year: ________
The following is Copyright 1998 Chris Halsall and the Victoria Linux Users Group. Reuse permitted for Open Source Software promotion.
Linux InstallFest Waiver
I, _______________________________ acknowledge that I am participating in the "Linux Install Festival" entirely at my own risk. I assume responsibility for the integrity of the data on my computer system, have backed up all important data, and I will hold the volunteer helpers blameless for any damage to my computer system, to my data, or any other damages or liability that may result through my participation in this event. I further agree to be responsible for any licensing fees, shareware registrations, or other licensing requirements that may apply to the software I will receive. The purpose of this event is to distribute software packages that are Open Source, legally distributable with no charge to the user.
Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that my system operates correctly before and after the installation, but I recognize that, because the software installed at this event is licensed free of charge, the copyright holder(s) and volunteer helpers and/or other parties provide this material "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of this software, and the accuracy of its associated documentation, is with me. Should this software or its associated documentation prove defective, I assume the cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________