[plug] PLUG - was Re: Forum Software

[Jason Nicholls]

Hey Folks,

resend cause it didn't get through last time!

Just to address Bret, relax there is merely discussion about
re-invigorating PLUG, not winding it down.



> > I've only been a member here for a short while, just over a month, but I
> > agree with this.
> > For the sake of convieniently & neatly arranged topics of discussion,
> > there would be a lot less interaction.
> > This group does seem "small" enough to continue with email based
> > contact, and is more efficient as a base for discussion.
> 
> Personally, I think having an "australian open source" forum which all
> the *LUGs push - including general support/queries/howtos, as well
> as LUG specific stuff - is probably a better move.

However, how many similar forums exist in Australia already? The whirlpool
forums are very active (in general) and have a Linux/BSD discussion board:

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-threads.cfm?f=39

Forums were just an idea thrown out there, I think the bigger picture
is about PLUG slowing down over the years and whether we want to do
anything about it. If you like things the way they are then you don't
have to do anything of course, no one has to do anything - that's the
beauty :) If you do think PLUG could be doing more then feel free to
shout out some suggestions!

Pia made some good recommendations around:

    - bring back the seminars: potentially simultaneous talks to attract
      both newer linux users and the more technical types.

    - participation in Software Freedom Day, about 2 months from now:
      http://softwarefreedomday.org/


BTW, our role _should_ be different now than 6+ years ago when
installation was much more difficult, install media was huge (CDs faster
to obtain versus downloading over modem), and the advocacy involved
enlightening people that Linux even existed.

With broadband Internet access, awesome distributions, many places to
go for help online, and a larger % of people that have at least heard
the word "Linux" then we need to adapt to fill in where it makes sense.
IMO that's still around the core goal of PLUG:

    "Promote Linux and support the users of Linux in Perth"


As identified at the workshop the other night, it appears a large
change to PLUG has been leadership. We've lost some great members over
the years and no one has really stepped up to fill their shoes. But I
think it's clear now and I hope someone/people step up to address this
soon. There certainly seems like a lot of people that are willing to
help, me included - as long as someone gets organizing :)


Regards,

Jason Nicholls
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Jason Nicholls                     email: <jason at mindsocket.com.au>
http://jason.mindsocket.com.au/   mobile: +61 430 314 857
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----- End forwarded message -----
Regards,

Jason Nicholls
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Nicholls                     email: <jason at mindsocket.com.au>
http://jason.mindsocket.com.au/   mobile: +61 430 314 857
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   pgp/gpg id: 0xC3844959  
  fingerprint: 7F7A 5846 4E94 459C 104D  A979 7079 24CF C384 4959