[wellylug] Meeting Formats

[jonny at incet.com]

yes, yes, yes!

couldn't agree with you more Steve.
doing things this way means that the meeting is far more likely not only
to cover a wider range of topics, but actually keep people interested as
they can focus on their area of choice.....

next all we need is some serious bandwidth, a stack of real-world
addresses, and we can play "learn how to DoS some random Korean ip's with
the help of your local LUG". :))

so i'll see you all at the next meeting with your gear right?
-jonny


On Sun, 18 Feb 2001, Steve Withers wrote:

> Hi All
> 
> One of the problems with presentation-based meeting formats is that it
> assumes one size will fit all. This is rarely the case.
> 
> I used to have something to do with the OS/2 user group a few years ago
> and the best sessions we ever had were the chaotic, interactive ones.
> 
> By "interactive" I mean.....users brought their PCs along (if they
> wanted) and shared their knowledge (or problems) with others. At any one
> time there might be 2, 3 or more "mini-presentations" taking place, each
> with its own 
> small group of interested people. Plus the more experienced members
> might try to show a less experienced person how to get through some
> problem right there on that user's computer. Caveat Emptor applies...of
> course. Best Efforts only.
> 
> We used to have guys driving down from Palmerston North for some
> "hands-on" help with their problems / issues.
> 
> To do this sort of thing you need a reasonable-sized room (or two-car
> garage) with a few power points and (firm) tressle tables or benches. An
> Internet dial capability is useful for downloading device drivers or rpm 
> packages right then and there. Other than that....little else but the
> computers, software and a mutual interest. A couple of hours spent this
> way should offer value to almost everyone who attends....every time.
> 
> I don't know about you folks but I found I was too busy to simply attend
> a meeting once a month and find that at the end of the year only a
> fraction of those meetings addressed any issue I might have had. Linux
> has so many different areas of interest that I think following the
> presentation route can (and often does) end up wasting most people's
> time and dissipating their commitment, energy and enthusiasm.....
> 
> I don't intend to offend anyone....I'm offering my experience in other
> efforts at other times for your consideration. 
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
>