That's a pretty good article, definitely a recommended read for any
Linux user group.
Here's some thoughts:
* CLUG has always been open to outsiders, and people are encouraged to
show up to meetings, member or not.
* Membership is more than a pretty card - it's what keeps the group
alive. IT costs, sponsorship of events (like COSSFest), and the various
expenses that get incurred over the course of a year. I get the feeling
that some people just see CLUG membership as a pretty card, and that's
disappointing. More than ever, we need people with fresh ideas to come
into the group. In short, Ideas > Money
* CLUG has definitely been doing some soul-searching in rediscovering
its core purpose. I don't want to say that Linux is perfect, but it's
hardly the same complex beast that it was when the group started (heck,
it's improved greatly in just the past 2 years!). When a common goal has
been achieved, then what? As the article says, some groups end up in
'perpetuation mode.' I get that feeling from CUUG, who require a $50
membership, yet only meet a few times a year. I'd like to think that
people are enthusiastic enough about Linux that we can sustain monthly
meetings. Mind, this goes back to the argument "linux kernel or linux
kernel plus F/OSS."
*Typically, the causes that last the longest set the loftiest of goals
(say, "cure cancer," or "end poverty"). Perhaps the problem with CLUG's
core mission was that we set our sights too low. Instead of "I want
Linux to work on my computer," maybe the goal could have been "I want
Linux to work on all computers."
* The hostility of "Windows vs. Linux" has died down for the most part,
and flame wars are pretty rare these days. Interoperability isn't
perfect, but it's now pretty common to have mixed environments, both for
servers and desktops. Even saying "Linux on all computers" doesn't make
a whole lot of business sense. What we've reached is a point where Linux
can satisfy business needs (even the New York Stock Exchange runs on Linux).
What is it that CLUG can do to make it so that the idea of running
everything in Linux isn't a crazy idea. We've done a whole lot of
talking, and talking is good. But what can the group DO to make things
better. Maybe a hackathon?
Anyone else have some thoughts?
-Dafydd
On 09/15/2010 12:55 PM, Shawn wrote:
Came across this article, and thought it describes CLUG's evolution
over the years, in some ways.
http://opensource.com/business/10/9/are-you-building-a-community-or-a-club
So, how do you see CLUG? Is it a community or a club?
Shawn
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