Computer user groups have been around since way back. As a matter of fact, they were one of the core factors that contributed much to the computer’s history. Part of the reason why microcomputers were developed, was to satisfy the enormous demand for personal access that was affordable to computing resources from the ham radio, to electronics not to mention other hobby groups. With time huge corporations such as IBM came to discover the economic benefit of the personal computer. However, it all started with the computer groups.
With time user groups have evolved, some for the better others to extinction. One of the largest user groups to ever get dissolved was the Boston Computer Society, this group got dissolved mainly due to its financial woes. However, across the world and in the United States, many computer user groups have witnessed the number of members dwindle. At the top of their game, user groups in the US used to issue out newsletters, maintained diskette libraries and shareware, held social events and meetings and in some cases were responsible for running electronic bulletin board systems. However, the coming of the internet offered better alternatives to some of the services that were offered by computer user groups.
Due to the fact that Linux/GNU’s rise occurred at the same time as the internet, individuals were able to discover the internet at the same time they were exploring GNU/Linux. The internet therefore boosted the platform’s popularity by bringing new developers, vendors and users. Ironically, what sent other computer user groups to ground bottom sent the platform skyrocketing and a cloud of people willing to form groups that were solely concerned with it. A good example of how LUGs differ from conventional groups is that while conventional groups tried their level best to stop the infringement on restricted software, a LUGs main goal is to make certain that unrestricted copying of GNU/Linux goes on. barking dog
You should note though that there are a few GNU/Linux distribution bundles that have software packages whose conditions don’t allow for redistribution. If in doubt, it is recommended that you check the license terms. Request or offers to duplicate distribution-restricted software of any kind ought to be discouraged in all the LUGs in addition to being declared not-for-topic for all LUG on-line forums. This is for purposes of insulating the group from legal action of any kind that is associated with this. brisbane weddings
Online Linux User’s Group
Most LUGs have web pages while others have gone all out and created entire websites solely dedicated to their groups. The most effective way of finding an LUG as a matter of fact is by looking it up online. For this reason it is recommended that LUGs take advantage of any online resources that are available to them. This includes wikis, mailing lists, websites, email, ftp, netnews and web discussion forums. Those in the commerce industry are quickly beginning to learn what an effective tool the internet is as a way to educate, advertise, inform and even make sales.
Another reason why LUGs make significant effort to have an online presence is because the very purpose of GNU/Linux is to offer a rich and stable platform to help deploy such technologies. user experience design For this reason, LUGs use their websites for two reasons:
- Deploying GNU/Linux technologies and in so doing get to see how the technology actually works
- Advertising their online presence and thus are able to inform the rest of the world about their existence.
For any LUG’s online platform to be successful there is a platform that needs to be followed. Here are a couple of pointers that would go a long way in boosting your LUG’s site.
Apart from the basics like a webpage with a reasonable URL, there are a couple of things that you will need:
- Login access to maintain the LUGs web pages as is appropriate
- Make certain that you put up the correct dates when making announcements about meetings
- Place important information at locations on the web page where it is hard to miss, such as the top of your page web.
- Include directions and maps to the event’s location
- Use “mailto” hyperlinks to find out the number of participants that will RSVP
- Ensure that each page has a retainer link.
- Establish a mailing list
These are just a couple of pointers to put you on the right track. Online LUGs are more efficient in communicating information to members, as information is sent out immediately. Some online LUGs go beyond the conventional purpose of an LUG group, and instead pay a little more attention to assisting its members socialize through chat rooms and off topic discussion forums. There are many reasons why people join online LUGs. Sometimes, it’s because there are no local LUGs in the area.
Local Linux User Groups
Normally local LUGs meet either once a week or monthly in order to arrange or provide a number of presentations for users of Linux. This is mostly done for inexperienced users. Since Linux is not governed by any particular institutional entity or corporate, the meetings held by local LUGs usually cover a much wider array of topics than conventional user groups. Linux is mostly supported by users and much of that is done more easily over the phone or on a one-on-one basis than it is over USENET or email. Local LUGs are still mainly engaged in dealing with professionals or hobbyist users that are engaged in study that is self-directed.
Among the oldest local LUGs is SVLUG which was established as a Special Interest Group for the purpose of serving the Silicon Valley Computer Society. At its inception, it was developed to provide support for affordable PC UNIX systems and Xenix. With time though, its primary focus became the free implementation of UNIX using Linux. There are a number of activities that local LUGs are involved in. Due to their uniqueness these activities have become synonymous with local LUGs. Such activities include:
Installfests
This is basically an event that is normally backed by a local LUG, LAN party or university where people come together and carry out a collection of computer systems installations of software or computer operating systems. Mostly the software is usually open source and the operating system getting installed is Linux. It has been described as a community-building and advocacy event where beginners bring their computers along with their operating system of choice. In turn experienced users offer all the assistance they need in troubleshooting problems and getting started. Sometimes the attendees receive flyers whose aim is to inform them more about Linux products and services. In some events attendees are asked to bring network switches and power strips. Installfests are a fun way for people in all skill levels to come together and socialize too as there’s usually a lot of music that’s playing.
Hackfests
This is another event that is sponsored by either a local Linux user group, LAN party or university where individuals meet to demonstrate reverse engineer software or computer operating systems and also people get together to demonstrate security issues. Evinrude outboards
SFD
Local LUGs also hold Software Freedom Day. On this day they promote Free and Open Software. Brochures, Free and Open Software and free Ubuntu CDs are given to all attendees. outboard motors
Typical Activities of LUGs
Usually Linux User Groups meet on a monthly basis at locations that are provided for free by various institutions such as colleges, universities, private corporations and banquet rooms in restaurants. For instance the Silicon Valley LUG met for almost a decade at Carl’s Jr. restaurant. For the past couple of years though it has met at meetings rooms that have been made available courtesy of Cisco Systems and Symantec. The BALUG, another LUG has always come together in a banquet room that is above the Four Seas Restaurant which is located at San Francisco’s Chinatown. Most LUGs do not require any dues either monthly or annual and are therefore free. The only expenses that are incurred by the participants are the occasional dinner that they might buy for the hosts. However, this is fully voluntary. bars brisbane
For the most part LUGs are informal meetings with participants sitting in round tables as they discuss a variety of topics that are related to Linux. In some cases though, some of the participants might decide to give a formal presentation. There are no restrictions prohibiting individuals who can make a formal presentation. Anyone who is a member of the community with anything important to say can have an opportunity to express themselves. From time to time corporations will either encourage or sponsor one of their employees to speak at the group meeting for the purpose of promoting a product. stand alone solar
Generally, LUGs will allow for these product promotions to contain technically stimulating information and not just a catchy sales pitch. pool safety certificate LUGs also allow for members to make announcements that would be helpful to other members such as job vacancy announcements or hardware that is being given away or needs a good home. click here
Linux groups that live in close proximity of another usually come together for the sake of sharing information. bark collars For instance, the first LUG in South America came together in Nicaragua in 2009. Other LUG participants from other countries were invited. As a result, there were members who came from as far as Mexico and Germany. Since most of the participants are students these events are usually held in the summer. This year the event will be held in El Salvador. Apart from these LUG activities that are considered official, LUG’s provide exciting opportunities to their members to come together and socialize. During the meetings, members usually exchange their contacts and keep in touch with each other as they collaborate on a project or study project. electric fence for dogs