[SLUG] July Meeting

[Ian Eade at IGM Web Design]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: scarborough-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk 
> [mailto:scarborough-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk] On Behalf Of 
> john at johnallsopp.co.uk
> Sent: 19 July 2004 08:37
> To: Scarborough Linux User Group
> Subject: Re:[SLUG] July Meeting
> 
> 
> >> It might be a good time to ask generally what people want.
> 
> I've been thinking about this. Obviously most technical 
> questions you can answer online.
> 
> I think groups like SLUG perform the function of a magazine. 
> They introduce you to things you haven't necessarily been 
> thinking about. As we work we follow our own paths towards 
> solutions .. at the risk of becoming poetic, like water 
> towards the sea.
> 
> A magazine introduces us to all the land inbetween that we've 
> missed as we've focussed on our own destinations. A 
> magazine's purpose isn't really to educate, it's to pop up 
> and say "hey, have you thought about this?". It's to 
> introduce applications we may not have seen, to give us a 
> feeling for trends, and to deliver news. It's the modern day 
> equivalent of village talk.
> 
> As we chat in SLUG, we're likely to chat around Linux issues 
> and we'll find new ideas and opinions we hadn't thought 
> about. We'll get the chance to pit our opinions against 
> others, that's worth something, that's training for when we 
> face clients.
> 
> We also get an idea of our standing among our peers. Most of 
> the conversation went over my head last time .. I've not even 
> got Linux fired up yet .. but I've found my head ringing with 
> words like Debian and Suse, which I knew, but because they've 
> been mentioned a lot in that meeting, they're higher in my 
> consciousness now.
> 
> I guess a newsgroup does a very similar thing. So the 
> difference between SLUG and a magazine/newsgroup is real 
> human interaction (and beer). For me, sitting at home all day 
> tippety tapping, that's worth something.
> 
> Finally, I know that if I said "hey, could someone install 
> Linux for me" someone would. I don't, btw, I want to do it 
> myself, but the point is, you can't get that from a magazine 
> or newsgroup.
> 
> Cheers
> J
> 
> 
> 


I suppose its time to try the obvious, why doesn't each of the 30 or so
members of this list compile a list of  things they would like to
try/learn/achieve with regards to Linux/Open Source? Then identify the
common threads and work out how they could be achieved? Depending on the
issue and the circumstances this could be accomplished with a meeting at
the Cask, an IRC session, a formal presentation somewhere or even a home
visit by a member who knows how to address the issue to the home of the
member who raised it in the first place. The end result would be a
meeting of more members, an increase in knowledge and understanding and
a positive stride forward in the Linux/Open Source community for the
Scarborough area. Naturally over time all raised issues can be addressed
but the common ones would be a good starting place.

I for one will personally call round and shout about PHP and the like
for hours on end, or at least until the free lager runs out! Bearing in
mind that I don't have to travel 40 miles to do so, congratulations to
those who do travel to attend and shame on you harlots who live within
pithing distance of the Cask and prefer to remain at home complaining
about apathy and the lack of attendance whilst brewing your cocoa and
complaining about the price of coal.

There shall be pain in the name of progression, but its better than the
alternative

My current issue is to remove my winmode, install a serial modem and get
Linux online

Ian

Ps
I was unable able to attend the last meeting as that week I had 2 job
interviews, a University Graduation ceremony and 8,800 web pages to
upload, am I excused?

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