<last comments>
Re:
Private-school thuggery:
No apology was forthcoming. Therefore I too will spill 'whatever comes
to mind' now, without apology.
- Following, of course, the standard set by a 'LUG leader'.
Since this list has failed to condemn an unprovoked and below-the-belt
attack, as quoted below, we must assume that the UCLU list condones it.
FWIW, a condemnation looks like this..
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Who kneed him? Did anyone get it on video?
I thank Nick for distilling the essence of the 'Linux/OSS' brand
subordination of GNU.
- It is a private-school beatup of public-school values and product.
This is most useful insight to what kind of grouping we are a part of,
since we don't have a LUG:
http://clug.net.nz/index.php/ThereIsNoCLUG - ipso facto, no LUG.
What we do have is concentric circles,
'Intersecting sets' was the correct term needed, for when just some of
the set memberships are common to each. In our case, there are Users on
the list who do not participate in the social 'LUG's, and vice versa.
of differing sizes, of which this list - originally just the
University of Canterbury Linux Users, to whom we remain most grateful
- is by far the larger set.
Meetings built out of the list then title themselves. Debate of this
ad hoc structure may or may not be necessary. I have further
interpretation to provide.
What is this set we are in, if it isn't a LUG? Definition may come from
anyone, and this is the nearest I have so far found. We must be hooked
into something - what is it? As established above, it's apparently a THUG.
But was is a THUG? Again, uncertain - but good evidence of a "Total
Hypocrites' User Group" exists. That is, "Off-Topic" is not related to
what is said, but to who is saying it. As well as our quote, look
further along this thread to where Nick and Carl chat about the language
their kids are bringing home from school. This generates discussion of
that specific point - by other members - which eventually is denounced
as 'drifted OT' by Chris. Conclusion? Deep-list dwellers can say what
they like, but the rest will be knocked into shape - or out - even when
they stick to what topics have been set.
The THUG isn't only our old-timers' fault tho. It derives from the
contradiction not having a LUG engenders. A LUG is a community, in which
convivial chat is an important building block. But that isn't allowed on
this list, for space reasons, except for an accepted elite (clique). So
a growing ???Group would need to be living somewhere else.
Other meaning? To confirm John and Andrew's point that "makers" belong
here - whereas GNU does not - we are reading from a local aggregation of
the 'geek mafia'. That is, clever guys, good with technology, users of
'Linux' - amongst other tools - have adopted this place to congregate.
Why? It serves the interest of preserving and enhancing their status
(skills + authority). Again though, not a LUG. This explains why
principles are devalued here, ahead of commercial+utility. Next to a
THUG, a "What's In It For Me? UG" - a WIIFMUG - is the most accurate
descriptor I can deduce for the geek mafia's home (attrib Dale for this
noun).
The trouble with this stasis is, it's too short-sighted. When the Davos
economic forum warns that "criminals in control of millions of computers
threaten the Internet" - via BBC World last night - we really have to be
trying harder; starting with the principles around which we _know_ that
we are organised.
Preferring action over argument, an alternative & nascent Gnu/LUG
community has been initiated, to start working around the problems
outlined here. The main one being that geeks lack any real interest or
capacity for relating to *nix newbies, and shouldn't be expected to -
leave them to what they want. Check us out, if you've got the time:
http://www.infohelp.co.nz/glu.html - esp. GNUz
<http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/gnuz>* *mailing list "GNU &
FSF issues, especially in Canterbury NZ".
Here's a grain of salt - . - to be taken with this post. Nothing
specific is expected to result from it. But I won't be holding any of my
list responses back in Drafts again - a harmful backlog results.
</last comments>
--
Rik
