Hello Chris, I can't give definitive answers to any of your questions but I can confidently say that you're most welcome at the meetings and we're delighted to see you there.
With regard to what happens, I agree - it's essentially not a lot. But it's very companionable and one gradually learns Linux along with other OS's - but it's all very informal. I attended my first meeting at Middleton Primary School a year or so ago. I think I was first to arrive and I waited for the meeting to start - which it never did. But it was companionable so I came to the next one . . . and the next and so on. People get together in pairs or groups to ask about or share problems or interests and this is the main learning method. Not a pedagogy you'll find in any educational volume but it seems to work - I started as a total beginner and I now know enough about Linux to fill a whole postage stamp. One problem is that if a speaker gave a talk that I would understand, most people would possibly slip gently into a catatonic state. But if someone gave a talk at most Linux Users' level I would understand barely a word - not that I wouldn't enjoy it for all that. There has been regular talk of presentations and sometimes it does happen. But again, it's an informal occurrence and this seems to suit everyone. Finally, Tony is indeed an excellent host and Linx is the ideal venue. As for coffee/cola, I do agree that we should pay - but don't. I wonder if we could agree a regular sub to reimburse Tony or Linx for the refreshments? Best wishes, Brian On 5 Jan 2011, at 19:30, Christopher Sandles wrote: > Dear All > > My name's Chris, I'm fairly new, and I've attended the last two of three LUG > meetings. I'm a bit quiet, so don't worry if you haven't noticed me. I've > used various Linux flavours over the past five years, and although I can't > claim to be any sort of expert, I'm not too bad as a basic desktop user. > > The reason I'm writing today, is to share some of my observations of the > meetings, but also to ask a few questions about them. I apologise if these > have already been addressed in previous meetings, but since I'm new, I hope > you will forgive me asking again. > > Observations: > Firstly, it's great to see so many passionate people together using Linux. > It's also nice to see the meetings are inclusive enough to see Apples and > Windows mixing together without provoking any flame wars. > > I particularly like that you're all a sociable bunch of guys, and clearly > some of you are also good friends. I also like the fact that if you've got a > problem, or want to try something new or unfamiliar, you're all willing to > share your knowledge and help each other out. > > And so, for 2-3 hours each month we all sit around the table doing just that. > But as far as I can see, it's ONLY that. > > So, now I want to ask some questions: > > 1. A few of you have mentioned that in the past, there have been talks or > sessions where someone has spoken about a topic that is of interest to the > group. Is this still something you do, or have all topics been thoroughly > exhausted now? > > 2. Our website (www.peterborough-lug.org.uk) states that our aims are to > "provide an informal forum for Linux users in and around Peterborough", > "adopt a Pro-Linux attitude" and to "learn together and help each other get > the most out of Linux", which pretty much confirms my above observations. > However, the site seems a bit out-of-date. There are a couple of broken > links, and some of the content (announcing Debian 4 "Etch", for example) is > clearly in need of a refresh. I don't want to upset anyone over the > look-and-feel of the site, but I wondered whether this could be a project we > could all contribute towards? Who now maintains this site? > > It makes sense to keep it refreshed and remove any obsolete/out-of-date > content. This was the first thing I noticed back in August/September when I > was considering joining. Obviously, it didn't put me off (!), but if one of > our stated aims is to have a pro-Linux attitude, then I would have thought > keeping our site updated would certainly help attract new members. > > 3. Costs. This is a minor question, but one I thought I'd just raise. Tony > Vroom is an excellent and knowledgeable host, and I can personally vouch for > his coffee. However, it's never been brought up if I should help contribute > towards using the facilities. Most clubs charge 50p or £1 just to cover any > expenses. No-one's ever mentioned it. If it is totally free, then Tony is a > super-generous person, but maybe I'm the only person who doesn't pay his > subs?! What's the deal on this subject? > > That's it really. I just want to point out that I'm not attempting to > "muscle in", or anything like that, but just wanted to see what everyone else > thought. I'm conscious that you all have different interests in Linux, and > may be entirely happy with the way things are. I don't want to spoil your > happiness, but I thought it can't hurt just to ask. > > Thanks for reading, > > Chris. > _______________________________________________ > Peterboro mailing list > Peterboro@mailman.lug.org.uk > https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/peterboro
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