[wellylug] NZLUG discussion

[Mark Foster]

> In message <20050709084437.AD8D43C463EF at basilica.la.naos.co.nz>, Ewen
> McNeill writes:
>>From my point of view -- other than the fact that some of the information
>>on the site is clearly inaccurate, and there's not much there yet -- I
>>can't see a problem with, eg, putting a link on the Wellylug website
>>pointing people at it.
>
> In view of recent discoveries, including that NZLUG apparently doesn't
> have a domain/website of its own (it's just mentioned on someone's vanity
> domain), and that the "obvious" website (nzlug.org.nz) is just someone's
> random test site, I've changed my mind.
>
> It appears to me that linking to anything "NZLUG" would at least be
> premature.  Maybe later if some sort of NZ-wide organisation emerges
> out of the discussion apparently going on now.
>
> FWIW, I can't help wondering if it wouldn't be better to start again
> with something like Linux NZ because (a) it'd follow the pattern of
> other country-wide groups (eg, Linux Australia), and (b) it'd be a clean
> break from the "NZLUG == Auckland" past.  Several of the "obvious"
> domain names are currently availble.
>

Sorry but this statement here is plain wrong....

NZLUG exists. Its not just a one man band and a mailing list that happens
to sit on a domain which is fairly appropriate (linux.net.nz)...

We've got a mailing list of more than 300 participants; A website with a
goodly amount of valuable content and now, a Wiki based on the WLUG
beginning.

The NZLUG == Auckland reputation was undeserved, frankly. AuckLUG started
and sits now at around 75 subscribers. Taken from the 300 or so on NZLUG
that means that theres still more than 200 people who have chosen not to
be involved with AuckLUG - implying theyre either apathetic, or funnily
enough, _not from Auckland_.  And going forward, NZLUG will hopefully
regain the reputation that it had in my eyes when I first got involved
back in the late 90s - that of being a 'New Zealand' 'Linux Users Group'.
Ala, a group of Linux Users.  Which is where the value is - in that we can
talk to eachother about Linux, ask questions, gain assistance, advice, and
develop friendships.

nzlug.org.nz - which has never been openly advertised as NZLUG's domain
name, as this has always been linux.net.nz (thus http://www.linux.net.nz
and nzlug at linux.net.nz) - is a test site that Nic Bellamy created, based
on a domain he registered as a whim, more or less.  As has been stated in
various places Nic, myself, and some of the other guys from WLUG have been
discussing for nearly a year now, how to best strip the 'Aucklandesqe'
identity that NZLUG seems to have developed in some peoples eyes.

One idea cited was that we move 'NZLUG' to NZLUG.org.nz and essentially
make linux.net.nz the 'Auckland' domain.  This would be tied to renaming
the NZLUG mailing list as it currently stands to AuckLUG, and forming a
new NZLUG list.  The new list could either have been a full public
discussion list as it is today, or simply a means of coordinating between
the Regional LUGs.

The decisions we made included:

- linux.net.nz being a better domain name to represent 'Linux in NZ' than
nzlug.org.nz.  Although nzlug.org.nz's future is not determined, and we'll
probably retain it.

- NZLUG to remain NZLUG as it was aways intended to be. Not fair to simply
assume that everyone on it would want to be involved in an Auckland LUG.

- Creation of a new LUG for Aucklanders (AuckLUG, found at
http://auckland.linux.net.nz and using email address
aucklug at linux.net.nz).

- Creation of a Wiki for NZLUG.  It was quickly decided that there would
be no value in the creation of yet-another-wiki and Waikato LUG gracefully
agreed to let us 'skin' their Wiki.  The idea being that they have
probably the best developed wiki in terms of NZ Linux user groups, and it
contains a great beginning. They are more than happy to see their resource
grow as a resource for all of us - so we've set up a new 'brand' for it -
wiki.linux.net.nz - with the intention that this be available for ALL
linux users.  I'm not even a huge Wiki fan, really - never got into it to
start with - but I have to admitt its a great idea, and theyve got a lot
of useful info on there already.

www.linux.net.nz will remain as the 'NZLUG' website.  Its a CMS, and
anyone who would like an account on the system for the purpose of putting
up linux related content, etc, just let myself or Nic Bellamy know.  It
serves as a useful pointer to the regional LUGs also.

auckland.linux.net.nz is the AuckLUG page. Its pretty basic, but a CMS is
to come. We've agreed to build on the NZLUG Wiki and our own site will
mainly host administrative and Auckland-Centric information that isnt
appropriate for the Wiki.

So finally,

NZLUG is about New Zealanders who are into Linux.  The mailing list and
Wiki together are a great resource and the main disadvantage of the
'regional lug' structure is that when a question is raised in Wellington,
and the answer is with a guy in Christchurch, its quite likely that never
the twain shall meet.  We see NZLUG as a companion for the role the
regional LUGs play and basically would love to see All NZ'rs contribute in
any ways they see fit.

The main reason its run the way it is now, is that noone else has yet
stuck their hands up with suggestions and offers to contribute
administratively.  Always happy for that to change :)

I stand ready to answer any questions WellyLug'rs may have, and would hope
you'd see us as trying to act in the best faith possible.

Regards
Mark.
- ReAdvertising NZLUG back to Kiwi Linux Users as a _National_ Resource.