--- "Nagarjuna G." nagarjun@gnowledge.org wrote:
Regarding formation of more GLUGs in Mumbai is welcome. But keep in mind not to split the mailing list. It is very difficult to get an optimum number of experts so that each mailing list can manage on its own. I dont think at this moment such a situation exists. Also it is also not true that the existing mailing list is too big and we have so many members that it needs splitting. To sum up; have more local meetings, workshops and events, in fact even at college level, but let the list remain as it is.
I second this view. To participate in a mailing list, and to meet together in person are two different things.
Apart from a false sense of identity, a separate list would not necessarily have the critical mass that would help sustain that list. If you look around, experienced persons are actually members of a number of LUGs. Take our own LUG, where we hav members from outside Mumbai as well.
If some of the list members would like to meet in Thane or Borivali, we should. However, one must not then peevishly adopt separatist policies while continuing to remain in the same list. E.g. "Hey, the xyz area's LUG does this, so you now know what you're missing..." Such a stand would only serve to alienate folks who are still learning the ropes of online culture. And the collaborative culture that we've all benifitted from would not then exist.
Thinking about this a bit more, I think the only occassion for one to form a separate mailing list would be when existing long timers harass certain members. I don't see any such harassment taking place on the linuxers list at least.
I'm therefore +1 to Dr. Nagarjuna's request to not split the mailing list.
Nagarjuna
-- Sriram
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