[LUAU] HOSEF ?= LUG

Sat Mar 29 08:52:09 PDT 2008

BRAVO Michael,,,,,, You said it all.

> After attending PyCon 2008 (which was awesome) and chatting up various
> people there, my view on LUGs and community groups has changed. Please
> allow me to share my thoughts and questions with you.
>
> What ever happen to the local Linux Users Group (LUG)?
>
> As I recall MPLUG (Mid Pacific Linux Users Group) was rolled into HOSEF
> to create a unified *nix group, or at least join forces, since at the
> time few people were interested. I know this is no longer the case, I
> think there are many people in Hawaii interested in *nix. I think the
> flame-fests and lack of LUG events have turned people off. I see fewer
> posts with *nix questions and more about infighting and power-plays.
> However, I think some good has come out of the latest batch of posts
> with regard to restructuring HOSEF. With that in mind...
>
> I'm confused about the membership thing. To be a member of the local LUG
> (HOSEF), which advocates FOSS which is free, I must pay to be a member?
> I don't believe most LUGs require a cash donation to become a member.
>
> If HOSEF is to continue to be the local LUG, I think it should start
> doing more LUG stuff or perhaps MPLUG should rise again. Warren still
> owns the domain and I think he might let us use it.
>
> I think LUG membership should be determined by interest and/or
> attendance to meetings. For example, you can only become a member by
> attending and signing up at OpenSource Pizza, the monthly LUG meeting,
> or other LUG events. That way it gets the members and potential members
> interacting. I enjoyed getting together for Pizza after slugging
> computers around at PriceBusters.
>
> The membership list should be used only to show that there is support in
> Hawaii. Right now I couldn't tell if there were 5 or 500 people in
> support of the Oahu LUG. I say Oahu, not Hawaii, LUG because there is a
> Big Island Linux Users Group [http://bilug.org/]. Not to exclude them,
> but point out there is a Big Island LUG, where is the Oahu LUG? [1] Why
> can't the HOSEF website say it's the local LUG? It looks like HOSEF, the
> foundation, gobbled up HOSEF, the LUG. I think the LUG part of HOSEF
> needs to be acknowledged more.
>
> If HOSEF is the local LUG, why hasn't there been a hosef-announce post
> about the upcoming Shakacon? What about a calendar or ical feed from
> google? Maybe HOSEF should pay a director to keep this active?
>
> As for money to fund to operations, I would rather attend OpenSource
> Pizza, chip in $10 for pizza and drinks, and HOSEF keep the change.
>
> I would like to see an Unconference [2] at least once, if not twice, a
> year. It doesn't have to be a 3 day marathon. Just a single weekend day
> with some interesting talks and lunch. I found the Ruby talk and
> Funding, Act 221 talk at the 2008 Unconferenz [3] constructive,
> enlightening and informative. (Just to be clear the Unconferenz was not
> run by HOSEF) I'd happily fork over $30 for a good lunch, a shirt and
> the rest going to HOSEF. I'm sure this could somehow be hosted at UH or
> a Community College.
>
> Maybe an Unconference and PFOSSCON could be the 2 main annual
> conferences. The Unconference being a local community event. PFOSSCON
> being a bigger deal with out-of-state speakers. I really liked the last
> PFOSSCON. Perhaps the "extra money" could bring big speakers to the
> islands. Or perhaps local sponsors could help fund it. Personally I'd
> love to see Guido or Linus come to the islands. Isn't there a famous guy
> from SANS that lives on the Big Island?
>
> Money received should go to support hardware/hosting for the lists,
> website and mirror. The LUG should have direct control over the
> equipment. An individual should not be footing the bill or have supreme
> control over the operation of such.
>
> As for eWaste, I think HOSEF, the foundation, should stop taking in
> computer trash for money and go back to a standards based approach. Only
> take in P3+, 19+ CRT, any LCD, servers, server parts and cool tech
> stuff. I think donations of money should be requested, not required, to
> cover the pickup costs and to perpetuate HOSEF. For businesses, broken
> stuff that's easily fixable should possibly require a donation for
> pickup because HOSEF would be providing a service that would otherwise
> have to be paid for. We don't want to become the free alternative to
> proper disposal. Every situation should be handled with care. I wouldn't
> turn away an 8-way server because the donator wouldn't pay to have it
> hauled away.
>
> As for storage, each lab could have at least a little space for spares
> and if possible extra storage for HOSEF. Once the cache of spares at
> each school fills up, either dump the junker stuff or don't take the
> donation. Perhaps HOSEF can work with one of the local big storage
> companies to grant HOSEF some space for a set period of time (1 year+).
> Maybe to have small storage caches at strategic locations throughout the
> island.
>
> For any excess computer equipment, how about a waiting list of people
> interested in R&D equipment. I recall one student wanting 4 computers to
> build a cluster. Another went to someone without a spare computer to
> learn Linux. Though I would rather see a student get a computer first
> over a hobbyist. More given away (like the cluster) upon approval by the
> board. I don't mean the list be like a free for all where anyone who
> wants a computer gets one. It should be based on need and educational
> purposes.
>
> I think HOSEF should continue to setup K12 labs and work toward building
> a better support system for it. So when the Tech Coordinator is sick,
> tired, busy, etc. HOSEF can step in and handle it. Perhaps HOSEF could
> sell maintenance contracts and pay people to execute those contracts? I
> don't know how well this can align with a non-profit, but I don't see a
> problem as long as the profits support the foundation and its efforts.
>
> Once the board has filled out again, I think HOSEF should create
> foundational goals. If large amounts of money are needed, apply for
> Grants from the Hawaii Community Foundation [4]. They not only have
> grants available, but also help train non-profit boards on governance.
>
> To reiterate, personally I would like to see HOSEF do a lot more
> community outreach as a LUG (if it is a LUG), clean up this membership
> issue, put more labs in schools, create a better K12 support system, and
> train tech coordinators and teachers on using/administering *nix.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Michael
>
>
> [1]
> http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:GK5VuBZtG8IJ:lists.hosef.org/pipermail/luau/2004-August/015595.html+oahu+lug&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us&client=firefox-a
> [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference
> [3] http://www.unconferenz.com/
> [4] http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/index.php?id=22 - Hawai‘i
> Community Foundation distributes charitable funds to Hawai‘i’s nonprofit
> organizations through a variety of programs. Our internal programs, such
> as the Organizational Capacity Building
> <http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/index.php?id=71&categoryID=26>
> and Mo’ Bettah Together Programs, are strategic investments in the
> strengthening of our community. We also assist private foundations in
> Hawai‘i in administering their grantmaking activities. Through
> government-based initiatives and funder collaborations, we help increase
> the level of charitable investment into Hawai‘i’s community. We also
> administer a number of smaller funds focused on supporting specific
> fields of nonprofit work, such as education or health.
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