LFY wrote:
Please write to us at sujata dot banerjee at
efyindia > dot com with a CC to atul at efyindia dot com
before 10th November,2006.
I have posted the response only to this mailing list. There are a few who would be interested in changing / modifying what I have written. (I hope so :) )
Look forward to your responses.
Here's it: There are a few components that make up a GLUG / LUG, and co-opertive functioning of all the components help build a successful GLUG/LUG.
For any GLUG/LUG, I consider the following
1. People / Members of the GLUG / LUG The most important component of any GLUG / LUG. They could include the developer community, the system admins, students, faculty, newbie's, IT Managers etc. Each one is equally responsible and important in the GLUG / LUG. They have to co-operate with each other to the fullest. Perhaps, the community of developers and experienced system administrators are the ones that have the zeal to enforce strong values laid by the FSF. They should actively participate in discussions relating to GNU/Linux (or Linux).
2. The Communication media The Internet is equipped with ample amount of tools that form a part of the GLUG/LUG mailing list. The website of GLUG/LUG is the starting or entry point for any one to be introduced to a GLUG / LUG. Activities related to the GLUG/LUG should be posted here. Communication among members is best through a _mailing list_ and an _IRC channel_. Though, mobile phones would have been really great, the community is public, and a mobile phone / landline number would lead to one - to - one conversation debarring the participation and gain of others from the same converstaion. However, for a Off-topic discussion, they would be much better.
3. The Meetings Official meets, are usually monthly. They can be once in two weeks too. The purpose of Monthly meetings should be talks related to and about GNU/Linux. However, it is also important to spread awareness of what the GNU project is all about and how GNU/Linux has been instrumental in achieving the aim of the GNU project prior to its kernel development (HURD). The GLUG / LUG must arrange to organize a seminar for a very specific target audience. This target audience can usually be students, who are actually interested in _Freedom_ software. They could also be IT managers in the industry. This, would actually require co-operation and help of the existing GLUG / LUG members and the receiving party. The meeting can last for 2 hours, at max, and preferably conducted on holidays or weekends.
4. BoF Meetings This isn't the most important part, but nevertheless, an element in building strong relations among fellow members. It helps one to understand the other's expertise in a particular field. Apart from that, it's also a leisure time for many.
5. Linux Distribution (GNU/Linux) CD's and DVD collection A GLUG / LUG should encourage members to share information about the CD's / DVD's of Linux Distributions (GNU/Linux) they possess. This is again, in the true spirit of freedom, to distribute copies without the restrictions of proprietary licenses.
6. How-to Support Sure, there's a lot on the internet, one may claim. But is it really easy to find what is required? Yes, it is. There are books and podcasts. You should know how to search using a search engine.However, How-to support should include specific cases. It should treat local cases and solve those problems. However one important aspect of this communication, is one cannot interact, therefore, that should be provided in the _mailing list_ and IRC channels.
For example, MTNL Triband is available in Delhi and Mumbai. Not all over the world. There may be a general how-to to setup a ADSL connection, but that may not always help. Therefore, the GLUG / LUG should maintain specific HOW-TO, pertaining to local solutions.
7. Careers and Jobs in GNU/Linux It isn't a *free* world at all. Or is it? The GLUG / LUG must have postings about jobs and careers related to tasks in GNU/Linux on their website.
8. Newbie treatment and trolls "Don't you know google.com?". "Doesn't seem to know a website that has one big white box, and has atleast 26 letter to punch in?" Newbie are fools? May be they are. But that doesn't mean, you were never one of them. The point that is emphasized on is that Newbie's should _NOT_ be flamed / criticized straight away. Redirect them to a FAQ on the GLUG's / LUG's website and let them know how and what questions they are supposed to ask. The power of command line that you may be happy with, is not of any importance to a Windows user. He hasn't used it. In fact, there is no need for him to use it.
Trolls / Flames cannot be eliminated. They can only be minimized. They aren't all that bad.
The views expressed above are based purely on what I have been observing. I am not an expert at forming a GLUG / LUG, but essentially, the members with the surrounding 7 components is what, I think would be required for a successful GLUG / LUG. Apart from this, I haven't mentioned a component that drives a lot of things. Funds! I am not completely aware of what funds would flow for a GLUG / LUG and where they would come from and what are the legal restrictions. I leave it to others to discuss.
__________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/