thelinuxlink.net

Hi folks,

The subject pretty much says it all. I would like to start a LUG in my area (Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada; LUCK - Linux Users of Chatham-Kent). I have read abit about this subject but feel the opinions & advice of my peers would be more valuable. If you can just let me know common pitfalls and of course common success stories. For instance is a wiki a better device to use than a web site to keep the members informed? How often do you hold meetings?

Any tidbits of info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
tom_mc

tom_mc wrote:Hi folks,

The subject pretty much says it all. I would like to start a LUG in my area (Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada; LUCK - Linux Users of Chatham-Kent). I have read abit about this subject but feel the opinions & advice of my peers would be more valuable. If you can just let me know common pitfalls and of course common success stories. For instance is a wiki a better device to use than a web site to keep the members informed? How often do you hold meetings?

Any tidbits of info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
tom_mc

Use everything that is available to you. Start a Wiki or website, make a mailing list. Keep everyone informed about whats going on but don't expect any particular level of participation. Find a comfortable place to meet (free wifi or network access is a plus). Keep things informal and lighthearted and have as much fun as possible.

In my opinion you need at least a webpage and a mailing list. A lot of activity will take place on the email list; and as time goes on and you gain more members, you'll probably see more participation via the email list than any other method.

I think a wiki might be the best choice on the web end to start with. They are easy to update by all or specific members and will probably grow the fastest.

Think about where you plan to meet. Meeting in a pub or similar public place is fine if your groups is not that large, but you may have problems finding space for larger groups. Plus, pub meetings do not lend themselves very well for presentations; but are excellent discussion venues.

As your lug grows your meeting place will probably be settled by a member who has access to a company or college facility. If you luck out you may have access to techology or presentation media.

Try to find one or more people in your area who are interested in forming a LUG and work from there.

cool! Should I put an ad in the local paper looking for members or post a flyer at the local college or both? I guess my question is how do I attract new members?

Tom

tom_mc wrote:cool! Should I put an ad in the local paper looking for members or post a flyer at the local college or both? I guess my question is how do I attract new members?

Are they any other LUGs nearby? You may have people from your area going to their LUG because it's the closest one. I would join their mailing lists and let them know you're starting your own local LUG. The only issues with getting members from the colleges is that they are temporary. Most will move away after they graduate. I would also look to see if there any computer or programming clubs (java, perl, etc..) in the area. Many of those people may be into Linux as well. I wouldn't spend money to advertise. Have you looked over at linuxquestions.org? They have an extensive LUG listing over there.

The closest LUG is Windsor or London which are both 1hr away but i may go to meet some people and spread the word there first. I never thought about the college people leaving but that makes sense. I may also put up a flyer in the library. One concern I have is that the city is only 40,000 people (farming & industrial based) . I am wondering if I am setting myself up for failure with such a small town to draw from? I guess you don't know til you try though.

I've got a LUG going for our office staff (a mere 130 people). We have a monthly meeting during lunch hour and I get about a dozen attendees at each meeting.

I look at it like this: if I've helped even only one person, I've succeeded. So, I say, go for it. Even if your LUG turns only one person on to the world of of Linux and free software, you've done a good job.

That is great. Now I may have an opportunity to get a sponsor for the LUG. Is that a no no or should I persue the sponsorship?

tom_mc

tom_mc wrote:That is great. Now I may have an opportunity to get a sponsor for the LUG. Is that a no no or should I persue the sponsorship?

tom_mc

Depends on the product/service and what is required to secure that commitment.

As long as the sponsorship does not require you to mislead or exclude anything from the LUG as a group it should be okay.