[plug] Changes to PLUG

[Craig Foster]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-bounces at plug.org.au [mailto:plug-bounces at plug.org.au] On
> Behalf Of Bret Busby
> Sent: Friday, 27 July 2007 2:11 AM
> To: PLUG List
> Subject: Re: [plug] Changes to PLUG
> 
> On Fri, 27 Jul 2007, Patrick Coleman wrote:
> 
> >
> > 2. Organise an event for Software Freedom Day, which is Saturday
> > September 15th.
> >
> > In brief the plan at this stage is to have people handing out CDs
> (either
> > Ubuntu or the Open CD (see http://www.theopencd.org) or both) and
> possibly
> > run a small booth/stall
> >
> > - in the UWA Guild on Tuesday 11/09/2007
> > - at Forrest Chase in the CBD on Saturday 15/09/2007
> > - in Fremantle on Sunday the 16/09/2007.
> >
> > More info will follow shortly. There is a reasonable amount of
> planning
> > involved, so stay tuned. Anyone interested in being involved, please
> > contact the committee via the committee list or reply to this email.
> >
> >
> 
> I assume that this obliterates the prospect of "Installfests" - what
> used to be a good feature of PLUG - assisting people with little or no
> Linux experience, to get an effective system up and running on their
> computers, and the provision of regular, monthly, workshops, to
> assist with any problems that arose, with PLUG now replacing the
> Installfests and regular workshops, with just distributing installable
> disks -
> "Here's what you need to change your life. It should be an experience
> you'll never forget. We assume no responsibility for whatever happens.
> Here's my card. Call my company if you need help, or if anything goes
> wrong."
> 
> Sounds a bit like the release of MS Windows, especially as portrayed
in
> the film "Pirates of Silicon Valley", and the evolution of Steve Jobs,
> as portrayed in that film.
> 
> No workshops, and no Installfests?

Bret, please slow down...

You asked whether there was enough network points and bandwidth
available for workshops and installfests, and then replied to your own
points (not Patrick's) saying PLUG was stopping workshops or
installfests (which was never stated).
Could you please reply with constructive criticism? Eg "Could we make
sure the installfests and workshops are not abandoned? I think  they are
a great way of continuing the relationship with new linux users"
It's more likely to get a positive response :)
 
> Who will support the non-commercial Linux community in Perth, and,
what
> will they charge?
> 
> The item 2 above, replacing Installfests, and eliminating workshops as
> they have existed, reminds me of the concept of giving kids blotting
> paper spotted with LSD, to get them hooked, and then charging them for
> the follow-ups.
> 
> Is this really the direction that people want for PLUG, to go the way
> of
> Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, as portrayed in that film?
> 
> I would be quite disappointed if this is the future of what used to be
> PLUG.

So would I, however no-one has said we are definitely dropping workshops
and installfests...

> Feedback was sought, and mine might not be liked, and, my opinions
> might
> not be shared by anyone else, but it sounds to me, like the end of
> PLUG,
> as we knew it.

We appreciate *everyone's* input. But could you ask rather than accuse
and attack?


> --
> Bret Busby
> Armadale
> West Australia
> ..............
> 

Craig F.