Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose - Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:58:22 -0500

Subject : Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose

From : Edward Anderson <nilbus@nilbus.[redacted]>

Date : Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:58:22 -0500

Let's continue this discussion! Sorry for the delay. I've been quite busy. :-)

http://www.reddit.com/r/NCSU_LUG/comments/ayyef/lug_server_discussion/

I've added all relevant comments from the mailing list in a nice
hierarchical manner everyone can reply to what's relevant.

Most of the discussion revolves around the purpose of the LUG, since
in my mind, that ought to be a biggest factor in what we spend money
on.

Edward

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 2:09 PM, Brian Cottingham <spiffytech@gmail.[redacted]> wrote:
> I have created a subreddit that we can use for this:
>
> http://www.reddit.com/r/NCSU_LUG
>
> I agree that a nonlinear conversation method is the only way we will make
> progress on this issue.
>
> -Brian
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 2:03 PM, Ben Berry <bsberry@ncsu.[redacted]> wrote:
>>
>> Before this discussion really goes anywhere, I would make two
>> recommendations:
>>
>> First, let's give Ed his chance to finish his email and have his peace. We
>> elected him president, so let's let him preside. Work on the problem in your
>> head, but let's not get going before we've really started.
>>
>> Second, as we talk about last night, the mailing list does not seem the
>> ideal way, if we're to have some kind of grand online discussion about funds
>> allocation (which seems inevitable, now), something like the Ubuntu
>> Brainstorm or a private reddit install, or perhaps a private subreddit,
>> although even that has limited privacy. The relatively linear format of a
>> mailing list seems doomed to hinder us.
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 1:41 PM, Yanglei Zhao <z12y12l12@gmail.[redacted]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> How to spend the money is really important, I agree that it have to
>>> meet the purpose of this whole group. I am sort of new to the group,
>>> but why I join this mailing list and go to meetings with you guys are
>>> just because the common interest in Linux, otherwise I'll not be
>>> there. I think that's why this group is called Linux User Group.
>>>
>>> So I think the funds should be spent according to these points:
>>> 1) For Linux users/developers: it should support the whole linux
>>> community (maybe mainly who is in this LUG) on campus, spend this
>>> money on what everybody really needs. (Example: Servers, website..)
>>>
>>> 2) For prospective linux users: Linux is a great OS and we should let
>>> everybody at least know it. So the funds should be spent on this
>>> purpose when needed. (Example: Free food on introductory lectures or
>>> meetings designated for new users/possible users).
>>>
>>> Any comments?
>>>
>>> Stu Zhao
>>>
>>> On 1/20/10, Jack Neely <jjneely@ncsu.[redacted]> wrote:
>>> > On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 11:34:16PM -0500, Edward Anderson wrote:
>>> >> Tonight at dinner, we had a great discussion regarding our plans for a
>>> >> server and LUG funds that are being recovered. Discussing where our
>>> >> funds should be spent led to a discussion of what our purpose as a LUG
>>> >> is. My goal in this email is to summarize what was said tonight and
>>> >> suggest a course of action to follow.
>>> >>
>>> >> We have over $1000 in escheated funds that are currently being
>>> >> recovered from the NC Dept State Treasury. These funds were untouched
>>> >> for over 5 years, under the philosophy that we shouldn't spend when we
>>> >> have no source of income. However, after having our funds escheated
>>> >> due to account inactivity, we realized that saving the money was doing
>>> >> the club no good. We want to use the funds we have to benefit the
>>> >> group.
>>> >>
>>> >> Spending money to benefit the group begs the question of what our
>>> >> group's purpose is. Our money should go toward whatever our purposes
>>> >> are. It has been suggested that the LUG exists for these purposes:
>>> >> 1. Serve as a social group for those with similar interests
>>> >> 2. Serve as a resource for existing Linux users at NC State
>>> >> 3. Introduce Linux to users of other operating systems and make
>>> >> converts
>>> >> of them
>>> >>
>>> >> I would argue that it is all of the above, with the first being most
>>> >> important.
>>> >>
>>> >> (1) When I've asked the core people why they come and have continued
>>> >> to come to the LUG (myself included), they'll talk about the social
>>> >> aspect of the LUG. The LUG is primarily a group of friends with common
>>> >> interests. Anyone who comes for other reasons [help with a problem,
>>> >> interesting meeting topics, installfest] does not stick around unless
>>> >> they make friends with us become part of that core social group.
>>> >>
>>> >> (2) The NCSU LUG serves as a resource for NCSU Linux users in that we
>>> >> help answer questions and resolve issues that people have while
>>> >> working with Linux. We also sometimes share job opportunities for
>>> >> people in our various fields. This goal is largely satisfied through
>>> >> our mailing list and IRC channel, though
>>> >>
>>> >> (3)
>>> >
>>> > If we are talking about the prupose of the LUG, it's also well stated
>>> > in
>>> > the constitution:
>>> >
>>> > The purpose of this organization is to promote the use and
>>> > usability of
>>> > Linux in the NCSU community. This includes such activities such as
>>> > informational talks, installfests, and open forums.
>>> >
>>> > Perhaps that needs attention and rewording as well at this point...but
>>> > I"ll leave that to you. :-)
>>> >
>>> > Jack
>>> > --
>>> > Jack Neely <jjneely@ncsu.[redacted]>
>>> > Linux Czar, OIT Campus Linux Services
>>> > Office of Information Technology, NC State University
>>> > GPG Fingerprint: 1917 5AC1 E828 9337 7AA4 EA6B 213B 765F 3B6A 5B89
>>> >
>>
>
>

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Re: LUG: Server, funds, purpose