I think Kelsey hit it right on the head. The typical PLUG member is a geek and geeks, while good with machines and possessing the correct motivation in promoting open source, aren't necessarily good at speaking up and interacting with others; in other words, the things you need to do to get an organization working effectively. While on that topic, it should be clear as well that what we're talking about here is PLUG as an effective SEC-registered org, and not the mailling list, not the user group and not even the fact that there is a need to promote open source in the country.
I believe the mailing list and user group's future is intact. In other words, PLUG can dissolve today and this mailing list will still go strong. I also think everyone understands more needs to be done to promote open source, this is way established already. The issue is PLUG's relevance to the times and it's ability to point out what needs to get done and do it. This thread has produced a lot of well - meaning recommendations, however all of them are going to require funding. Even the website requires some compensation, and shouldn't rely on dole-outs. That means it needs to do fund - raising, host events, meet people who count and talk to press. Then it needs able - bodied folks to do legwork. That means time away from our work, school, friends and family. If you're like me and are already complaining how you're overworked and don't get out much, doing this means you'll have even less. I know I painted a bleak picture there but I think it's a realistic picture. I believe it's doable, but via a more professional, goal oriented approach. At the moment I'd rather that PLUG be an effective mailing list than an ineffective org. Gary On 10/31/07, Holden Hao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > That's one of the reason why I never ever wanted to form a formal group > ... > > but since it's there, it's there. > > Don't take me wrong...I do appreciate that PLUG has changed into a > > structured organization, but to get a formal group going, you need > dedicated > > people, sys ads, people who experiment, but geeks (no insult intended) > are > > not that kind of people. -- I mean dedicated to administrative...they'd > > This is somewhat true and I am frustrated that you can't even bother > some board members to make decisions and vote with a "yes" or a "no" > to resolutions submitted via the board list. However, I believe that > with a structured organization PLUG can achieve more and grow from > just being a mailing list. > > I believe that to make PLUG grow, we need a professional management > team to manage its operations. PLUG can function as an NGO and manage > its day to day operations and projects (FOSS conferences, advocacies, > boot camps, etc.) . However, the management team needs to be paid. > The organization needs to be able to get seed funding in order to > establish its foundation. This can be done through donations, > sponsorships, or through an income generating activity. The only > problem we have now is that who can spare the time to do all this at > the start. > > > > Holden > _________________________________________________ > Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List > [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) > Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists > Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph > -- http://kikay.exchange.ph http://mom.exchange.ph http://movie.exchange.ph http://basketball.exchange.ph ======================= Make life easier for Webmasters! http://spreadfirefox.com/community/?q=user/register&r=137994
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