Hi, Enclosing a beta version of a FAQ for the ILUG-Delhi mailing list. I will continue to improve it and post it to the mailing list once a month if enough people think it's a good idea.
Regards, -- Raju -- Raj Mathur [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://kandalaya.org/ It is the mind that moves Frequently Asked (and Answered) Questions on the Linux-Delhi Mailing List -------------------------------------------------------------------- [Beta 20030219] This is a list of questions frequently asked on the Linux-Delhi mailing list, along with their answers. It will be posted to the mailing list once a month. Your suggestions for improvements are welcome. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** PART I -- THE MAILING LIST -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. How do I send a message to the mailing list? A. Send your message to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] . It will be automatically redirected from there to the thousands of people like you who are subscribed to the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. How do I unsubscribe from the list? A. Send a blank e-mail to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?subject=unsubscribe with the word `unsubscribe' (without the `quotes') in the SUBJECT of the e-mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I try to send a message to the list but it doesn't show up! Why? A. There are two possibilities: 1. The list is temporarily down. Don't worry, it will come up again and your message will reach the masses. 2. If this happens each time you post, it could be that you are posting messages from an address that is not subscribed to the list. The mailing list only accepts postings from subscribed addresses. Make sure you post from the same address you subscribed from. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I asked how to fix <insert name of problem here> and no one answered! Is this list any use? A. Remember, the list is run and populated by volunteers. No one is obliged to answer any questions that you post. However, here are some tips for getting answers: 1. Follow the guidelines for asking questions in this FAQ and in the list guidelines: http://kandalaya.org/guidelines.html 2. Explain your problem fully: what hardware and software you are running, what you did to configure the system before the problem happened, what you were doing when the problem happened, the precise text (suitable edited) of the error message that you got. 3. Be on-topic. Asking about Windows or Solaris problems is unlikely to get any results except flames. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I have this neat HTML mail style/font/background/whatever that I want to use for messages I post to the list. Would you like to see it? A. NO! Do NOT post HTML or other MIME messages to the list. Your message may get through, but you will probably get nasty comments from lots of people. If the problem (and yes, it IS a problem!) persists your subscription to Linux-Delhi may also get suspended. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I have this wonderful utility/news item/announcement/whatever that I'm sure everyone on the list would be interested in. Shouldn't I post it? A. Short answer: Not all of it. Long answer: Try to keep your messages to the list as short and relevant as possible. If you have discovered a wonderful utility, write a couple of paragraphs about it, add the URL from where the package can be downloaded and mail that to the list. If you have an interesting news item or announcement, summarise it or extract some interesting part of it and again post the URL to the complete text. Exception: You may post the complete text IF it is not available on the Internet at all after a due diligence search. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I wrote the utility myself and it doesn't have a URL for download. What can I do? A. Send a message to the list describing the utility and ask someone to host it for you. If the program is general enough, it may be hosted at the Linux-Delhi web site. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I need <insert name of proprietary software here> for Linux. Where can I get it? A. Ask on the list and you may be given pointers to where to acquire the software from. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I have <insert name of proprietary software here> for Linux. Do you want it? A. No. Do NOT post messages offering to copy proprietary software for anyone. Copying and distributing a proprietary software package may be an offence even if the software is free to download and use. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Can I post messages about jobs, commercial software or commercial services on the list? A. Yes, but you MUST put the phrase `[COMMERCIAL]' in the subject of any message you post that results in direct commercial gain for anyone. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** PART II -- CD'S --------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I desperately need the CD for <insert name of Linux distribution or software here>. Can you send it to me? A. Probably yes. Go to the `Resources' section of http://linux-delhi.org/ and find out who is providing CDs in your area. Currently (to the best of my knowledge) the following CDs are available: Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (7 CDs) Red Hat 8.0 (3 CDs) Knoppix 3.1 (1 CD) GNU/Linux Utils for Education (GLUE) (1 CD) Lycoris Linux (1 CD) GNUWinII 2.1 (GNU Utilities for Windows) (1 CD) TheOpenCD (GNU Utilities for Windows) (1 CD) Dyne:Bolic Radio Linux (1 CD) You will (probably) have to pay a small amount for the CDs. You will probably not be asked to pay if you represent an educational institution or need the CDs for some non-personal purpose like distributing at an event, etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I cannot travel zillions of miles to weird places like Munirka and Patparganj. Can I get the CDs mailed to me? A. Yes. Again, the `Resources' section of the Linux-Delhi web site will tell you how to do that. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** PART III -- EVENTS ------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. When are the Linux-Delhi meetings held? A. Generally on the 3rd Sunday of each month. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. How will I know the date and venue of the next meeting? A. The date, venue and agenda of the meeting will be posted on the list at least 4 days in advance and will also be available under the `Events' section of the Linux-Delhi web site. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. IIT <substitute with name of other meeting venue> is even further for me than Timbuktoo. Can't we have the meeting nearer my home? A. Probably. IIT gives some respectability to the meetings and has all the infrastructure that we need to conduct the meetings. However it may not be fair on people in other parts of Delhi to travel to a specific location each time. Your suggestions for alternative venues that have the requisite infrastructure are welcome. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Is there a criterion for attending the meeting? Who can attend? A. Anyone who is interested in Linux and Free Software is welcome to attend. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Is there a charge for attending the meeting? A. You will be asked to donate Rs 50 (may vary) to the Linux-Delhi fund. At the moment, payment is voluntary, not obligatory. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I am organising my own Free Software/Linux event. Can Linux-Delhi help? A. Certainly we can! Post a description of the event on the list and specify what kind of assistance you need. At the moment we can help in the following areas: - Speakers on Linux and Free Software. - Demonstrations of Linux. - Installfest assistance. - Popularising the event through the mailing list and web site. - Helping get a venue. - Volunteers for managing the event. - CD masters for distribution at the event (you'll have to make your own copies) Warning: again, this is work by volunteers who do it in their spare time and out of the dictates of their hearts. You will still have to do most of the coordination and following up required. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** PART IV -- THE LINUX-DELHI USER GROUP (ILUG-DELHI) -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. What is the full name of the user group? A. The group is called the `India Linux Users Group, Delhi' usually abbreviated to ILUGD or ILUG-Delhi. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. How do I join ILUGD? A. At the moment, just join the mailing list or attend the meeting. There is no formal procedure for joining. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Why don't we make a formal procedure for membership? A. We are in the process of doing so. Once ILUGD is registered as a society we will have a formal enlistment procedure. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. When is the ILUGD society being registered? A. Soon :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. What was the purpose of creating ILUGD? A. To popularise the idea of freedom in the context of software. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Where can I find out more about freedom in software? A. Read Richard M Stallman's (RMS') excellent treatises to find out about software and freedom: The GNU Manifesto: http://www.gnu.org/gnu/manifesto.html Why Software Should Not Have Owners: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html The GNU Project: http://www.gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. But you charge for your services and for copying CDs! How can you use the term `Free Software' then? A. The `Free' in `Free Software' refers to freedom, not to price. You have the freedom to sell your free (as in freedom) software for a price. You also have the freedom to give it away for free. And you must pass this freedom on to whoever you give the software to. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. But if all software is free how will we (the IT professionals) make money? Won't we all starve? A. No we won't! There are plenty of ways and examples of making money with free software. Read Eric S Raymond's excellent essay, _The Magic Cauldron_ for an insight into some of them: http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/magic-cauldron/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. Is the operating system called Linux or GNU/Linux? A. Calling the operating system Linux or GNU/Linux is a matter of personal choice. You are free to call it either, and you must give that freedom to others too. The important thing is to be aware of the ideals and philosophies that have made Linux (GNU/Linux) what it is today: a stable, secure, powerful operating system that provides freedom from proprietary, badly-written, insecure and buggy software. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Q. What are you going to do with all the money you have collected? There must be thousands of Rupees in the kitty by now! A. We haven't decided yet, but most of the money will probably go into getting stationery and other items made once the group is registered. However if you need money for a good (freedom- and Linux-related) cause, do ask and maybe we can provide you with some funding. By the way, the total amount in the kitty at the moment is about Rs 2500, not a large amount by any stretch of imagination. If you need a large amount of funding you may be better off approaching another entity to fund your project. ================================================ To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe in subject header. Check archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/ilugd%40wpaa.org
