On Fri, Jul 27, 2001 at 12:39:57PM -0400, A2L1 wrote:
> These are just some general observations and my opinion,-- my topic will be
> that of the SLUG meetings.
> I can only refer to the Dunedin meetings because those are the only ones I
> do attend. Although the idea of a presentation at each meeting is nice in
> theory it , this may come as a shock to some of you, just doesnt fill the
> needs of the group. There are those of us who are very interested in the
> topic of discussion and then there are those of us that could care less. Some
> people attend to address their specific needs, which can be something as
> simple as how do I install Redhat, and to them that is the most important
> information to be obtained at this meeting, so to those people setting
> procmail is so far down the list they are totally bored and will probably not
> attend another meeting.
> What I would suggest is that at the opening of each meeting that an open
> question be raised---who needs to addrerss what,or how, and then maybe 3-4
> different sessions will be going on at the same time. People who are
> interested in the topic of discussion/presentation will attend/observe that
> and then the other people, newbies or whatever will be able to solicit help
> on their specific problem in some corner/s removed from the discussion with a
> member/s of the group that may be able to help them with their particular
> problem/need, even a small meeting going on there. After all this is a Linux
> club and we should be available to everyone that attends--even the total
> newbie and make them as welcomed as possible and help them as much as
> possible.
> I welcome the discussion/presentations but do think that people that arent
> interested in that specific topic should still be able to attend the meeting
> and enjoy/help themselves without sitting through a presentation that has no
> meaning/interest to them whatsoever. By opening several different
> groups/reagions of the room everyone will be able to recieve the
> help/information that they were after and all will feel part of the group as
> a whole even though they did not participate/attend the presentation. If we
> treat each meeting as a help everyone session rather than this is what we
> do(presentation) and how we do it ,if you have a question or a problem we
> will try to help AFTER the presentation, if there is time. Then I believe the
> meetings will more pleasureable/helpfull and will draw more attendance and
> repeat attendance of the first timers.
> The meetings are generally of an informal and of a restricted time nature
> ,and I dont think that several different groups in the other sections of the
> room will upset/offend anyone that is truly a SLUG. In this manner every
> meeting will be able to address the needs of the entire group and be of
> help/enjoyment/satisfaction to all. We will still be able to help/accomadate
> everyone and have time for all the pleasntries,raffle,announcements,etc.
> This is the sole opinion of this SLUGer and destop user of Linux--as a
> toy not for business-and does not represent the opinion of
> SuncoastLinuxUsersGroup their officers and paid staff(like that?)
>
> AJ
_Paid_ staff? I want _their_ job!
The last Tampa meeting and the last NPR meeting are examples of what
happens when people get into groups and do other things while a
presentation is going on. At NPR, the people who were watching a tape of
Ralph Cooley's and maddog's talks had a lot of trouble concentrating, as
others in the background talked and such. The Tampa meeting we've
already heard about.
Judging by the comments I've heard about _no_ presentations, I'm
inclined to believe most people want presentations. That doesn't mean
they want presentations that go five hours. An hour should suffice, and
presentations should be limited to that. Since we have two hour
meetings, that should give an hour for people to gab and solve problems
afterward. (As always, start your installs _early_.)
While the comments on New Member Surveys don't specifically address this
issue, people do mostly say they'd like to get together with other
people who are interested in the same thing-- Linux and Open Source.
That's the socializing part at meetings. But at the same time, they also
want to learn more, which is where presentations come in.
I approach presentations this way: if I already know about a subject, I
figure I can always learn something new from the person giving a
presentation.
Sorry, AJ, while I understand your viewpoint, I think you're in the
minority. Others may feel free to correct me. Meantime, those of you
going to a meeting where there is a presentation, please have the
courtesy to endure quietly while those who are interested listen. It
will be over in an hour or so, hopefully. ;-}
Paul
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