[wellylug] Very Important: Meeting of 13th Feb 2005

[Jethro carr]

On Tue, 2006-02-14 at 21:47 -0800, Brent Wood wrote:
> As usual, some very good & lucid points from Ewen :-)
> 
> 
> If WellyLUG takes seriously it's claimed function as being to promote Linux &
> OS, then Linux, OS & WellyLUG need to be perceived as credible. In the last 5
> years Linux & OS have moved from fringe to mainstream. To reflect this, and
> move away from the impression that Linux is only used by a few enthusiasts, I
> believe the LUG, _if_ it really intends to promote Linux (as distinct from
> merely supporting Linux users), needs to reflect this. 

this is why I wanted to (and am doing) a change in the way meetings are
organised, to benefit BOTH types of users - enthusiasts to joe.blogs



> I heard a few comments after the MS attendance at a WellyLUG meeting, that if
> MS NZ was at all concerned about Linux as a credible threat, they would have
> been reassured by attending the WellyLUG meeting. I find it sad that so many
> so-called Linux supporters are quite comfortable with this. 


I never hold the opinion of MS in much regard. They would hardly say
(even if we were an organised army) "jez, you guys are going to kill
us!" - imagine the news getting hold of that quote!  ;-)

Wellylug is a very credible threat. If it wasn't for wellylug I
probably:
- won't have met all the great people I know
- wouldn't have gotten into Linux
- wouldn't have become a open source developer.
- might have become a ".net developer"
- or worse - a MS software engineer! :-0

and as I get older, I will only become more of a threat to MS. Sure, one
person is usually relatively minor - but there are thousands of people
like me worldwide. If that doesn't scare MS, they must be suffering
brain damage - possibly cause by frustration from having to use their
own shoddy products. ;-)

Wellylug is a VERY powerful networking group for meeting other open
source developers and users.

And I'm sure that there is no "Microsoft User Group" where you could
meet developers of some of the software that you may use. Wellylug has
contributors for various distros, and various people help work on other
projects, etc.


And if we become more newbie friendly, and promote our installfest,
software freedom day, and more - WORLD DOMINATION IS OURS!
mwhhahahah! ;-)


> Incorporation does provide credibility, and as far as I'm concerned, for
> WellyLUG, that is the ONLY advantage in it. It is not necessary for any LUG
> activities, and I don't think that is a serious issue. I've never suggested
> incorporation as appropriate, & feel it is a red herring as far as operating
> the LUG is concerned.

incorporation scares me. Too much hassle (and cost!) for too little
benefits.


> As far as the Wellington installfest is concerned, I would be better off
> running it as an NZOSS event to get any sort of corporate support. I'm
> guessing, but I think I could probably get enough experts to assist with
> installs from people I know & local NZOSS members. So is there any point in
> involving WellyLUG at all?
> 
> The comments from several WellyLUG members suggest that events such as
> installfests are run by a group of enthusiasts, who will get together & do
> these things anyway. 

a lot of these enthusiasts are from wellylug, and use wellylug to get
together. Also having the wellylug name on the installfest, helps
newbies to follow us up for support. (which will be better for them with
the new meeting format)


> With the NZOSS for branding & support, & enthusiastic individuals who don't
> need the LUG for these events, why do we have a WellyLUG? 
> 
> I'm quite happy to work with & through the NZOSS to run installfests & other
> Linux/OS related events, such as Software Freedom Day (which really only had a
> couple of LUG members doing anything anyway, both of whom are also NZOSS
> members). But I'd much prefer to have an active LUG in Wellington promoting &
> supporting Linux. 
> 
> If the majority of WellyLUG members disagree, and feel that the NZOSS is better
> suited to to be the front organization to promote Linux & OS in & around
> Wellington, so be it. But I suggest the WellyLUG goals on the website are
> modified to reflect this, by removing the first two.

even if wellylug didn't do the installfests and software freedom day,
the first 2 goals would remain relevant.

Also, some people (like myself) are not NZOSS members. I'm also not sure
of what is going to happen to NZOSS... They are going through
organizational and interest problems at the moment, and may disband if
nothing gets done.


-- 
Jethro Carr <jethro.carr at jedolinux.com>


www.jethrocarr.jedolinux.com

www.jethrocarr.jedolinux.com/index.php?page=cv/cv.php
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