[Gllug] LinuxVolunteering summary

[Alex Gonzalez]

Pavel Bradut Boghita wrote:
> On Wednesday 02 October 2002 10:33 pm, you wrote:
> 
>>Rev Simon Rumble wrote:
>>
>>>Thanks for the summary Alex.  Very good!
>>>
>>>On Tue 01 Oct, Alex Gonzalez bloviated thus:
>>>
>>>>1) Decide a name. Proposals: squad-geek ( Simon, correct me if incorrect
>>>>),  LinuxVolunteering.
>>>>
>>>Geek Squad.  LinuxVolunteering is just a bit too, umm,
>>>straightforward, for my liking.  But hey, I used to work for dot-coms
>>>with names like "Spike" and "Wide West" :)
>>>
>>>
>>>>2) Set up a mailing list. Maybe introduce ourselves and send some kind
>>>>of skill list to make clear areas of expertise, who to ask when and
>>>>about what, and what we can offer as a group.
>>>>
>>>Yes.  Who runs the linux.co.uk mailing lists?  The sooner we get this
>>>set up, the better.
>>>
>>>
>>>>4) Speak about PC recycling. What if the NGOs don't have adequate
>>>>equipment, can we help?  In www.do-it.org.uk I found a NGO which recycle
>>>>PCs and equipment. Should we contact them to see if they would help
>>>>other NGOs?
>>>>
>>>PC recycling is a high maintenance job.  It requires someone who is
>>>very dedicated and, here's the hard part, a good amount of work and
>>>storage space in a location that is centrally accessible to everyone.
>>>Transport is also needed.
>>>
>>>Great idea in principle but in practise it needs a very dedicated
>>>champion to make it work.
>>>
>>>
>>>>Thinking about how to make decisions, I suggest a flat structure were
>>>>issues are decided on simple mayority, were we are under no obligation
>>>>and we invest only the time we can. If as a group something is decided,
>>>>individuals are free not to feel tied to the group decisions.
>>>>
>>>I suggest no decisions.  Mailing list run by a benevolent dictator
>>>(don't like it, set up another one principle.)  We don't need an
>>>"organisation", just a mailing list and a loose network of people.
>>>Will explain next week how it works in rent-a-geek.
>>>
>>My concern is that if we go for a no decisions basis, everything is
>>going to be too slow.
>>As an example, I count at least 2 offers to set up the mailing list, and
>>  plenty of dates for a meeting, but no decisions. As I see it, if we
>>had a fix number of people ( i.e members of a mailing list ), we set a
>>period of time to give a vote on something, and we apply simple mayority
>>after that time, at least things move.
>>
>>Any other input on this?
>>
>>My vote for mailing list would be Jason Clifford's ukpost, and date for
>>a meeting 12th October, possibly arriving after 5.
>>
>>The PC recycling point was not to get involved in it, but mainly acting
>>as a bridge between NGO's. If a NGO recycles PCs ans send them for
>>example to developing countries, maybe they would offer to help out
>>other NGOs, but need to make sure that the equipment is going to be
>>installed and used.
>>
>>Finally, a vote for LinuxVolunteering. I just think that a name easy to
>>understand and that links clearly with the purpose of the group is easy
>>to market and will make it easier to attract NGOs.(Have I counted 3
>>easies?) Most NGOs and non profit organizations have names which are
>>very explicit with what they do. I think that's the way to go.
>>
>>Alex
>>
> 
> In my humble opinion we need the mailing list set up a.s.a.p. (read now)  
> whoever wants to do it.
> 
> I aggree with Alex that we need a quicker way of taking decision. In my view 
> this will be best achieved if we first agree upon a person with "a last word" 
> on things. Someone who like Alex did in a previous post can colate overall 
> opinion on things, draw conclusions and say "it will be done this way". This 
> should work for now until we meet and possibly decide upon a more formal 
> decision structure. So someone please, be "the boss" for now.
> 
> Things like name are not that crucial for now. It is important to start with 
> a couple of key points about what we want to achieve and how we want to 
> achieve this - establish our mission statement so to speak (something fairly 
> low key though, sorry about the big sounding words) We can use any name for 
> now, it won't come into its own until it is aggreed what we are all about, 
> and it usually emerges naturally after this. (all this stuff reflects my own 
> experience and in no way should be understood as the only way of doing 
> things) I too think LinuxVolunteering is good enough for now, it's general 
> and reflects what we sort of established so far about this initiative - i.e. 
> we want to do volunteering and involve Linux.
> 
> PC recycling is quite a market in itself and there are companies being paid 
> money for doing just that, so again in my view is an issue which deserves 
> separate discussion and planning if we are to be effective in this field once 
> it will be decided a role could be played in this.
> 
> 

I agree with all the above, specially in choosing a "last word" person. 
I would suggest Simon Rumble as he already has experience in something 
similar.

So just a few "I agree" replies to this, and he will be a candidate.

Alex


-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at linux.co.uk
http://list.ftech.net/mailman/listinfo/gllug