(take two: the first version of this e-mail was 10 pages of reminiscing and whining)
In Short, Linux is far more polished then when we started using it. The term "geek" has shifted somewhat from that badge we wear to include the guys who make mad-stupid Myspace Stylez... (i didn't mean to sound that jaded) The desktop setup works quite well right out of the box and it's up and running in 45 minutes. Isn't that what we always wanted? Maybe it's time to start expanding the scope of the LUG meetings and even the GNHLUG site to include more information for the every-day user. First thoughts for some topics that ~may~ get some wider audience: More workshops and tutorials. Speakers on advanced topics are great! But you can take a head-count and see that the really advance topics aren't all that main-stream. How about some more episodes such as the presentation on GIMP a few months back (bad memory as to who and when). How about some workshops on using FOSS tools for publishing websites, or production of music or video. Maybe a go or two at some Idiot guides to developing software on Linux. No so much on the languages but on the tools like KDevelope, Anjuta, Eclipse, CVS/SVN, command line tools, etc. Most users, or at least the main-stream users (in my opinion) aren't trying to secure their home network from hordes of rogue hackers around the globe... they leave that to dLink and NetGear (we hope). Many of them have absolutely no need to access their systems at home from their job site in order to complete their job. The use a computer and its OS/toolkit for extracurricular activities that aren't related to their line of work. I'd also recommend getting the website more involved with the community. Historically, GNHLUG has been an geared towards the face-to-faces meetings and gatherings, but life intervenes and attendance has shown that. Perhaps piloting a Forums area for help and discussions to either replace or augment the mailing lists. I'm sure there's enough of us to moderate if necessary. Perhaps from that work into an "Experts Zone" of some flavor, an online version of the Apple Store's Genius Bar. I'd recommend removing the Event-calendar focus off of the front page, or at least center-stage of it and bring in some more "related news" or "step-by-step guide to <insert topic here>" kind of middle-fill areas. Yes, all of that seems to be locatable within the site with some searching, but it's not the focus... it's not seen. Parts of the trick to this is to 1) Show prospective members that GNHLUG has something to offer those that aren't already experts and 2) give them a path to explore without having to feel put out or needing to commit. Sure, it's not ~that~ hard to drive to $LUG_LOCATION and try out a meeting one time, but it is 3 hours that is in competition with every major broadcast network, home responsibilities, time with friends/family, and the outward face currently only really shows more time to have to consider at first glance. Take a look at a handful of other LUG sites, just for some thoughts on their design ideas. Okay, enough out of me! ~ * _______________________________________________ gnhlug-org mailing list gnhlug-org@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-org/
