Monday, February 1, 2010

[BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On a similar note to talk about changing the meeting time, I think we
should discuss what we want to talk about at the meetings.

Do we want informational meetings? If so, what topics?
+ How do you do FOO using BAR?
+ How can you use FOO to replace the commercial/Windows-only BAR?
+ The trials and tribulations of migrating from FOO to BAR.
+ etc.

Do we want reviews and/or demos of software? If so, how do we determine
the software to review/demo?
+ Two+ people jointly review the FOO, BAR, and BAZ products to do FOOBAR.
+ Someone gives a presentation on the awesomeness of FOOBAR.
+ Recounting the awesomeness that was FOO-con, and why you should go
+ etc.

Do we want to start having annual presentations on the state of FOOBAR
software for Linux? If so, how do we determine which FOOBAR to use?
+ Graphics/3D software?
+ Office software?
+ FOOBAR-types of games
+ light-weight window managers?
+ etc.

Do we want to have meetings where we plan group/community activities?
+ Install-fests?
+ CD hand-outs?
+ Bloomington Linuxfest? (A larger Indiana Linuxfest with CINLUG?)
+ Perhaps planning an annual Linux gaming night?
+ etc.

Would folks be interested in changing the structure of the meeting so
that people can get more out of it even if they're less interested in
the core presentation?
+ Perhaps a more formal introduction with regular segments.
- upcoming releases, software to watch, new distributions, etc.
+ (other ideas?)

I'd like to see more people involved in each meeting, whether that's
more joint presentations, small 5-10 minute regular segments of some
sort, or if it is something more. Part of this is because many hands
make light work, but part of it is that if there are four people which
each contribute in some small way to the meeting, the speaker is
guaranteed to have at least four people to listen to the presentation.

I'd also like to advocate for annual presentations on particular
software areas. Software changes quickly, and things can change fast
while we're focussed on our day-jobs or other projects. Before we know
it, there can be a great product that almost everyone is using, which
we've never heard about.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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