The following was sent to me last week "offline". I've responded here
publicly because I think there are some good observations here that you all
might find interesting. My intent was not to insult anyone within the group
in the places I mentioned names, so please forgive me I if I did so
accidently.
Seeya,
Paul
In a message dated: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:44:20 GMT someone, I don't know who,
spoke thusly:
>These are my impressions and in no way should be construed as 'flaming'
>or worse. The Keene group seems to be active and aiming for new users.
>The Nashua group seems to be 'old-guard' with a strong core of computer
>professionals. The Portmouth group is 'general'. The Concord group
>seems to be business oriented. All of these impressions were gleaned from
>reading the daily postings.
Hmmm, these are interesting observations, and I'd pretty much have to agree
with them. Of course, I think if you look at who the "leaders" are in the
various areas, this pretty much makes sense:
Keene - Jerry Kubeck (relative newbie to Linux)
Concord - Bob Sparks (I think)
(Bob's very active in reaching out to gov't
and small businesses)
Portsmouth - Lori Hitchcock/Rob Anderson
(Lori is interested in Business, being both a
newbie to Linux and a small busniness owner.
Rob is a highly technical person working a the
UNH RCC. This leads to a great balance for meetings)
Nashua - Paul Lussier/Rob Lembree/Mike Ledoux
(All three of us are highly technical with years
of experience in Unix/Linux and little interest in
business. Unfortunately, we may have forgotten
what it's like to be a newbie as well :(
>As someone who might attend a meeting (Concord is closest for me), I'm
>a little put off that the Concord meetings seem so oriented toward the
>business community. I would like to see more balance in the topics discussed
>at the meetings.
Well, I can't speak for the rest of the groups, but I'll do what I can about
trying to attain a balance for the Nashua meetings.
I'd also like to point out, that though this in general, has been a great
discussion with some good ideas about meetings, and what could be done
better, not one person has come through with a single idea for a meeting
topic they'd be interested in. This is pretty much the status quo for
GNHLUG for as long as I've been a member (well over 6 years now). As a
result, those running the meetings (as is pretty historically proven as
well, right back to maddog) usually fall back on what they know and/or
what is easily available for a meeting topic.
As one who needs to come up with meeting topics on a monthly basis, I can tell
you, it's quite tough to come up with meeting topics that:
a. are interesting to those at all levels
b. someone can readily speak on (i.e. have a prepared talk)
c. have someone either local or willing to travel to speak and come
prepared as in item b. above
d. provide more than a regurgitation of some manual/README file
At some point, you realize that most topics have been done to death, are too
technical, not technical enough, too boring, or requires far more time/
equipment than available at a meeting.
Additionally, despite the fact that I personally don't mind getting up and
speaking in front of people, I don't have the time personally to prepare
adequately for every topic, and volunteers seem to be few and far between.
> Believe it or not freebies, and door prizes are not enough - a new computer
> maybe.
Well, I don't believe that anyone comes to our meeting for the door prizes and
the freebies. They really aren't all the fantastic, and by now, everyone
*must* have at least 3 or more copies of TurboLinux :) I'd like to believe
people come to the various meetings for a variety of reasons, among them:
a. The chance to see other list members in person
b. The chance to actually speak about things without having type :)
c. Good Beer (I think we're pretty consistent around all of GNHLUG
on this one item :)
d. The chance to get out an socialize
I remember a time when there were no freebies, and the turnout was about the
same as what we have now. The big difference between then and now is that
then, there was only one GNHLUG meeting happening on a monthly basis if we
were lucky. Now we have roughly 5 meetings/month happening all around the
state. So, technically, the turnout has increased at least 5 fold :)
All in all, I think we're doing pretty well. If we can get a little more
participation in generating meeting topic ideas and with people actually
helping out giving those presentations things will become down right ducky :)
As for a certain group being too business, technical, or newbie focused or
whatever, all I can say is come up with ideas and volunteer to give the
presentation. If anyone person wants change, then they themselves have as
much power to affect and provide that change as those of us "running" the
meetings do.
Also, something else I'd like to throw out there, before I get bombarded with
requests for a meeting on this, that, or the other thing. Many of us are
quite experienced at different things, and either have given presentations in
the past, or will be asked to in the future, based soley on the fact that we
have that experience. But rather than burden the same people time and again
with giving presentations, if you have a topic you're interested in learning
about, and would like to hear a talk on it, why not research the topic
and give the talk yourself? The way we learn about something and become
expert in that area is actually using it and doing the research to become
proficient. Going and listening to a talk by one of us will likely not
provide you much more information than where to start your own research.
So, please help us out :)
Thanks,
--
Seeya,
Paul
----
I'm in shape, my shape just happens to be pear!
If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!
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