[GRLUG] My $0.02 about the meetings.

[Michael Mol]

Lee Forest wrote:
> I think having flexibility in the group allows us to venture some.
> Move the meetings around to bring it closer to different Linux users.
> Yes this is the Grand Rapids group, but not everyone whom would take
> part in it will be from grand rapids(considering theres only 9 groups
> listed for michigan on www.linux.org). Personally I live in belding. I
> may never make it to a meeting cuz of how far away I live, and the
> fact that I don't drive.

I'd like to poke at an online format.


> As for the structure of the meeting itself I
> think we should try to accomodate new users just as much as veteran
> users. Theres much to learn from advanced Linux'ers such as ourselves.
> I'm always trying to convert people to Linux. But If I was to bring
> these new people to a meeting they would prolly be
> lost-then-running-scared considering the topics that are usually
> brought up.

A non-structured meeting format usually lets beginners and advanced 
users mingle and interact.  Mingling also helps reduce the "oh crap I 
don't know what I'm talking about and now everyone's looking at me" 
shyness that people new to a group can get.

 > What about splitting up meetings between advanced/novice,
> or maybe holding regular meetings for the novice users, and separate
> ones for the more advanced topics? Kinda like in the beginning (as
> mentioned somewhere in these mailings) where there was 'install
> parties' where groups got together just to play with linux.

Advanced/novice segregation isn't quite the same thing as an install 
party.  Instead, you get something like the #beginners channels on IRC 
and forums where everyone goes because they have a question, but nobody 
who has answers hangs around.

 > I think if this group's meetings are gonna be productive we need to 
broaden
 > our focus to include "introduction to linux, and open source software".

That certainly sounds interesting.  It almost makes me want to spam area 
mailboxes with 720p tutorial and demonstration videos.

> That will help us bring in users whom are just considering thier
> options, or looking for more information on linux before they dive in.
> Not sure what limits we have on advertisement, but I see potential
> with this group. And as for the non-profit deal......RENEW THE
> NON-PROFIT. Its the linux way.

Actually, cooperative anarchy is closer.  Or the benevolent 
dictatorship, if you want to talk about kernel development. :)

 > We can still take donations to help pay for meeting places n stuff 
anyways.

I don't know that anyone's ever charged for the meetings; AFAIK, 
expenses like food and room rentals have been out-of-pocket for whoever 
hosted.

 > blah blah blah thats all I got. Am I getting the wrong idea here?

Not particularly.  The biggest problem is that everyone (including 
myself) has ideas, but you actually need someone to follow through on 
them if anything is to happen.