[Liverpool] Departure

[Simon Johnson]

>
> For some time now I've felt a disquiet about the character of the LUG,
> in general but also specifically in relation to free software.  The LUGs
> that I have been involved with in the past have always supported free
> software.  I had been labouring under the assumption that LivLUG was no
> different.  The original LivLUG website of 2005 stated that:
>
>   “The purpose of the group is to promote the use of GNU/Linux and Free
>   Software, and to bring the users of Liverpool together.”
>
> However, it has become increasingly clear that this description is not
> accurate.  The issue came to a head at the Wednesday meeting this month
> when I asked whether people would be happy to have a talk about
> proprietary software, if it ran on Linux.  To my dismay but sadly not to
> my surprise, the answer was yes, people would be happy.
>
> I decided to leave LivLUG and to announce my departure at OggCamp.  As
> if to confirm that I had made the right decision, before making this
> announcement a certain other LivLUG member, who shall remain nameless,
> suggested in all seriousness that the group should host a talk about
> Windows 8.  To me, making such a suggestion is an outrage.  It is an
> offence to what LUGs are about.  However, it seems to be in line with
> what LivLUG is about.
>
> The prevailing attitude within LivLUG disregards issues of software
> freedom and favours inclusion, to the point of promoting proprietary
> software.  To work for LivLUG is to work against the free software
> movement.  I will not do this.
>
> I hope that you will take my departure as a statement that free software
> is a serious matter that should not be disregarded.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bob
>
>
All I want to express is my heartfelt thanks for the many conversations
we've had down the years and for your efforts as LUG Master.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors within the free software
community.

On the subject of what the LUG should be about, I'd say anything that
promotes or is about the operation of Linux. In our conversation, I said
I'd be happy with a talk about running Oracle on top of Linux, for example,
even though it's proprietary. The logic being that Oracle installs by
extension promote the use of LInux.

My view is that a LUG isn't necessarily a free software group. I can run
Ubuntu and play Minecraft, for example, and I should not be disqualified
from being a LUG member for that reason.

This is why there a groups that deal specifically with that as their core
mission.

I suggest that we hold a meeting at the next LUG to set our our
constitution?

Cheers,

Simon
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.lug.org.uk/pipermail/liverpool/attachments/20120824/6dbb4cbb/attachment.htm>