<div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">For some time now I've felt a disquiet about the character of the LUG,<br>
in general but also specifically in relation to free software. The LUGs<br>
that I have been involved with in the past have always supported free<br>
software. I had been labouring under the assumption that LivLUG was no<br>
different. The original LivLUG website of 2005 stated that:<br>
<br>
“The purpose of the group is to promote the use of GNU/Linux and Free<br>
Software, and to bring the users of Liverpool together.”<br>
<br>
However, it has become increasingly clear that this description is not<br>
accurate. The issue came to a head at the Wednesday meeting this month<br>
when I asked whether people would be happy to have a talk about<br>
proprietary software, if it ran on Linux. To my dismay but sadly not to<br>
my surprise, the answer was yes, people would be happy.<br>
<br>
I decided to leave LivLUG and to announce my departure at OggCamp. As<br>
if to confirm that I had made the right decision, before making this<br>
announcement a certain other LivLUG member, who shall remain nameless,<br>
suggested in all seriousness that the group should host a talk about<br>
Windows 8. To me, making such a suggestion is an outrage. It is an<br>
offence to what LUGs are about. However, it seems to be in line with<br>
what LivLUG is about.<br>
<br>
The prevailing attitude within LivLUG disregards issues of software<br>
freedom and favours inclusion, to the point of promoting proprietary<br>
software. To work for LivLUG is to work against the free software<br>
movement. I will not do this.<br>
<br>
I hope that you will take my departure as a statement that free software<br>
is a serious matter that should not be disregarded.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Bob<br>
<span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#888888"><br></font></font></font></span></blockquote><div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I wish you all the best in your future endeavors within the free software community.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div><div>
<br></div><div>This is why there a groups that deal specifically with that as their core mission.</div><div><br></div><div>I suggest that we hold a meeting at the next LUG to set our our constitution?</div><div><br></div>
<div>Cheers,</div><div><br></div><div>Simon</div></div>