[luau] Aloha and Thank you!

[Casey Roberts]

All-

I hope that you guys don't mind that I post this to
the list.  I just want to take this time to thank
everyone on this list.  You all have been very helpful
in my short stay in Hawaii, and my short (though
definately not lacking or final!) road to learning
Open Source software, and the community that supports
it.  I am flying off of the Island on Saturday, for
the last time, on a new journey.  I have found work in
Maryland supporting the government through
contracting, and I will find a LUG once I arrive.

These are now interesting times for the Open Source
community.  Between Microsoft's latest FUD and
governments exploring Open Source options, it is
becoming apparent that people are opening their eyes
to an alternative to what they thought was the "only
way out."  But as people learn of Open Source, people
need to be available to inform these potential users
of their options.  I feel that a two-pronged approach
needs to be taken.  First, show people that can best
profit from Open Source projects exactly what Open
Source has to offer.  A great outlet that I'd like to
promote is HOSEF, the Hawaii Open Source Education
Foundation.  This is a noble cause, as it serves the
people we most care about, our family and community. 
No where else can we better prove that not only is
Open Source Software a viable solution, but something
to be embraced.  HOSEF, I want to thank you for the
time that you guys put into that labor of love. 
Scott, I want you to know that your hard work and
drive is not only recognized, but admired.  If there
is anything in the future that I can do to help you
guys, let me know.

Second, understand that as new users come forward,
questions will come, some of which seem petty. 
Speaking from someone who used MS products for years
and thought that everyone should only use those
products, switching to an Open Source Software is a
paradigm shift.  Just as Linux is not UNIX, Linux is
not Windows either.  The last thing someone learning
something new needs is a fanatic stating that there is
only one way, and that way is GNU.  Just as in Linux
and UNIX, there is more than one way to approach an IT
problem.

Sorry to ramble on.  I thank you again for the
patience shown to me, and I wish nothing but the very
best for the Linux community here.  Please remember
that there is a HOSEF workshop tomorrow night.  I will
be going to this workshop, and hope to see you guys
there.  You can check at the following website for any
upcoming workshops, and where they are located:

http://www.hosef.org/

Thanks for the memories!

Casey Roberts

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