Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:02:29 -0500, Kirk Gleason <kgleason@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Install fest sounds like it could be a good time. Maybe
> we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
> personal fav) on the list too.

Good to know that all the BSDs should be represented then. :) I'm actually
more capable with OpenBSD than FreeBSD. One thing that I really don't like
at some install fests is the insistence on using a single distribution for
the installation. I think part of the fun and enjoyment comes from the
distro bantering that you get, so long as the newbies get the right distro
on their system.

Aaron W. Hsu

--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

That's awesome that you are getting e-mails like that Mark. I went to
a few meetings a few years ago, and would like to participate as much
as I can again. An install fest sounds like it could be fun. I have a
couple of co-workers that want to get started with this stuff (ok, I'm
requiring some of them too), but not everyone can get what they need
from a book. Install fest sounds like it could be a good time. Maybe
we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
personal fav) on the list too.

I am going to encourage my co-workers to take that survey, so that
Mark can get some good feedback.

woot!

--Kirk

On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 11:37 PM, Aaron W. Hsu <arcfide@sacrideo.us> wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:44:02 -0500, Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
> I agree with Mark here. Given that new users were the ones requesting the
> meeting, I think that we should focus on new user topics to start with.
> One thing that I used to do with the New user install fests that we did in
> my old LUG was a "Personal Consult," where we would ask each new user why
> they wanted to use Linux, what they wanted out of it, and we would give
> them the layout of the land. Basically, at that time, we had people who
> didn't know whether they should use RedHat, Debian, Mandrake, Slackware,
> or a BSD. We helped them figure out what was right for them, and maybe
> guided them towards our favorites ( ;-) ), but in the end, it helped us to
> support them as they started out.
>
> For myself, my expertise in Linux lies with Slackware and OpenBSD. I'm
> quite good at getting new users up and running with something like
> Slackware. I'm sure that some of you have other experiences with other
> distributions. An install fest can be great when we all bring the
> appropriate installation disks for a bunch of distros, and then we let the
> Users discover which one is right for them. I'd consider the following
> just "basic" sets that we would want:
>
>        * Ubuntu
>        * Slackware
>        * RHEL/Fedora
>        * Debian
>        * SUSE Enterprise
>        * FreeBSD and OpenBSD
>
> That's if there are experienced users who know these distros and are
> willing to mentor the new users. I usually find that this helps a lot with
> getting new users started. The above distribution represent a fairly broad
> range of target users for Linux, but each of them is mature and accessible
> to new users because of their stability and documentation (community help,
> of course, counts too).
>
> On the other hand, if our New Users have already installed Linux to their
> satisfaction, maybe it doesn't make sense for us to have an Install Fest.
>
> One thing I could do is set up a little "Requested Topics" page where
> users can submit requests for topics or other items, and people can
> "sign-up" to discuss them. I like very informal meetings where people are
> all pretty much hacking and playing on their machines, and having a good
> time. I'm not as big a fan of the formal presentation thing. I prefer
> learning Linux to be interactive and educational.
>
>        Aaron W. Hsu
>
> --
> A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

--
Kirk Gleason

_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:44:02 -0500, Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu>
wrote:

> 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.

I agree with Mark here. Given that new users were the ones requesting the
meeting, I think that we should focus on new user topics to start with.
One thing that I used to do with the New user install fests that we did in
my old LUG was a "Personal Consult," where we would ask each new user why
they wanted to use Linux, what they wanted out of it, and we would give
them the layout of the land. Basically, at that time, we had people who
didn't know whether they should use RedHat, Debian, Mandrake, Slackware,
or a BSD. We helped them figure out what was right for them, and maybe
guided them towards our favorites ( ;-) ), but in the end, it helped us to
support them as they started out.

For myself, my expertise in Linux lies with Slackware and OpenBSD. I'm
quite good at getting new users up and running with something like
Slackware. I'm sure that some of you have other experiences with other
distributions. An install fest can be great when we all bring the
appropriate installation disks for a bunch of distros, and then we let the
Users discover which one is right for them. I'd consider the following
just "basic" sets that we would want:

* Ubuntu
* Slackware
* RHEL/Fedora
* Debian
* SUSE Enterprise
* FreeBSD and OpenBSD

That's if there are experienced users who know these distros and are
willing to mentor the new users. I usually find that this helps a lot with
getting new users started. The above distribution represent a fairly broad
range of target users for Linux, but each of them is mature and accessible
to new users because of their stability and documentation (community help,
of course, counts too).

On the other hand, if our New Users have already installed Linux to their
satisfaction, maybe it doesn't make sense for us to have an Install Fest.

One thing I could do is set up a little "Requested Topics" page where
users can submit requests for topics or other items, and people can
"sign-up" to discuss them. I like very informal meetings where people are
all pretty much hacking and playing on their machines, and having a good
time. I'm not as big a fan of the formal presentation thing. I prefer
learning Linux to be interactive and educational.

Aaron W. Hsu

--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session where
we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards new
users.

While the more experienced users out there want something more
interesting to them, they can also just go find something by themselves.
They don't need as much help with Linux. They already know where to go
(sorry but its true). You'll still get the socialization you want.

I think an intro/install meeting would cover a lot of the stuff below
anyways as people ask questions about what apps to use, whether to use
Gnome or KDE, etc.

I don't think BLUG has had a real install fest since the 90s, which
seems crazy. We should try one again. So I think each meeting should
be less presentation driven and more focused on helping people
individually. Then we also could have more regular meetings, less worry
about who will present and more time for socializing. Plus people
outside the group would start to see exactly what to expect.

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 01:44:02AM GMT, Steven Black [blacks@indiana.edu] said the following:
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

--
Mark Krenz
Bloomington Linux Users Group
http://www.bloomingtonlinux.org/
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

Steven Black wrote:
> 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.
>
For a group like BLUG, it seems to me that the topics are going to have
to depend very much on what people are willing to talk about. Having
said that, it seems like that some effort should be made to alternate
really basic talks that would be of interest to new members with more
advanced talks that would be of interest to people who would themselves
be interested and able to give talks.

It might also be a good idea to start each meeting by asking whether
people have topics that they would hope someone would give a talk on.
There is a basic problem there, what we want may not match what anyone
can talk on. For example, I want a talk on setting up GIS (geographic
information systems), and probably do a few more people, but we don't
seem to have anyone to give the talk.

_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

[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

_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

[BLUG] Time for BLUG meetings and survey

Well, out of the blue today I received two e-mails from new Linux
users in Bloomington, eager to go to meetings and learn from others
about how to install Linux and setup a Linux computer.

I'm not sure who last held the BLUG matrix of leadership, but I'd like
to take it back for a while and get some meetings going again.

This time however, I want to change the day to see if we get better
turnsouts. So in order to facilitate that. If everyone interested could
take this really quick survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QSF5YKC

we're be able to figure out a good day to hold them. I think its
understood that if it was on a weekday that it would be after 6pm or
something and if its on a weekend day that it probably would be in the
afternoon or evening.

One thing I think the community has gotten away from in recent years
is making sure that new Linux users have the support they need. We need
to turn that around. Other things may have their pioneers that come
and go, but people like you are what really make open source work. ;-)

--
Mark Krenz
Bloomington Linux Users Group
http://www.bloomingtonlinux.org/
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] Fun 4D game to play

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Now if I can only get my ATI card working with proper 3D acceleration.
fglrx is not happy with my card, but I have not googl-ed enough.

Mark Krenz wrote:
> If you've ever been interested in the visualization of 4 dimensions,
> you might check out the game Adanaxis. Its available in Ubuntu and
> probably other distros. It makes aiming and flying in 4 dimensions
> rather straight forward. Aiming in the 4th axis feels kinda like
> focusing the lens on a camera. I found it to be a nice quick diversion
> and a unique game.
>
>
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux)

iEYEARECAAYFAktm5GkACgkQup357T5MfTZ/aQCgvCQN3/vU4+9NIhPJRR46+fw+
1r4AnjUMMtjvLwLOc6ujG/1CkwtdNMNd
=okdG
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug