Good ideas. I have considered starting a Linux User Group in Daytona Beach
and have been trying to figure out how I should go about it. I ran an
AutoCAD user group and am starting a local SolidWorks user group, so I know
the basics. But I know I need to cover the newbees while also attracting
the advanced users that the noobs want to chat with.
Thanks for your feedback.
Ken Elliott
=====================
________________________________
From: slug@nks.net [mailto:slug@nks.net] On Behalf Of Robert Waldo
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 11:02 PM
To: slug@nks.net
Subject: [SLUG] a few ideas
After following the emails of the SLUG for a few years and attending no more
than a few local meetings (Dunedin, St Petersburg, and New Port Richey) I
have drawn a couple of observations regarding our local LUG. The reason I
am writing this now is the unfortunate demise of the Brandon chapter.
Let me say that I want nothing more than to see this group flourish and
thrive. As a person who supports PC's on the front line, I believe with all
the problems that Vista (aka ME II) is experiencing we have an unprecedented
opportunity to close the gap between proprietary and open source operating
systems. If we don't, I believe Mac OS X is standing ready to take
advantage. And people are willing to spend stupid amounts of money to do
this.
I will try to keep this brief and non-accusatory but to the point.
1. We need to find another way to broadcast our existence. Nobody knows we
exist unless they do some digging on other websites. I found out about SLUG
by accident in reading a British Linux mag and seeing a LUG in Germany and
wondering if there was anything local. We could probably start by creating
a 'Meetup" and let their weekly published newsletter advertise for the
group. There are PHP and other related Meetup bulletin boards for Tampa
published every week. Look here: http://www.meetup.com/
2. Maybe we should reorganize based upon Distribution, i.e. Red Hat based,
Debian based and/or LiveCD based meetings.(or whatever suites the group) and
not have them tied to a geographical area. Anyone who follows the blogs
sees that there are a growing number of forks with different abilities and
skill levels. A dyed in the wool Slackware user may have little in common
with the casual Ubuntu user.
3. and last but not least, create an organized plan to teach newbies the
power of Linux instead of the underlying RTFM attitude that prevails in much
of the Linux community. I have met some really good teachers in the group
but I have also met some folks who are proud of their genuine Windows
hacking abilities. One of the reasons I quit going to the meetings is that
new people are not 'welcomed' but merely tolerated. Personally, I have
learned more online, so why go to a meeting? I know some folks may take
issue with this, but I have walked out at least one meeting feeling like it
was a waste of time because the format of the meeting was not conducive to
learning. I realize it is a social group of sorts, but what is the point of
the meeting? Are we going to be advocates? What is the purpose of the RTFM
attitude? to show you're more experienced and runoff potential Linux
enthusiasts?
4. I realize I may become persona non Grata, but I would really like to see
this group take the lessons of the Brandon group to heart and maybe one day
resurrect it.
5. I have recently switched to day shift and can now attend some meetings
again.
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