Firstly, can I apologise for the use of IRC names in my original post - it was simply that I did not know everyones full name. Admittedly, I probably could have endeavoured to find these out, but I'm bone idle. I'm sorry that it has produced such a negative reaction. Here is the amended list, still missing some surnames, but we'll get there: January - Bring your favourite Linux book/gadget; time to show off all those cool things you got for Christmas, and inspire some geek envy. February - William Anderson on Smoothwall March - Gordon on encryption (aimed at all levels) April - Easter Quiz (Kevin? up for this again) May - Gaming on Linux (volunteers to demo some games?) June - Me (Ben) on something - maybe Python or MagicPoint, or something like that? I think that this is a reasonable talk schedule, and that it meets the needs of most of our attendees in one way or another. Tony: I can fully understand how let down you must feel about the way your 'creation' has been run down over the last 6 months. I don't think anyone would disagree that things have not been as they should be. However, I think that we _are_ on the road to recovery, and I for one would very much appreciate your participation in the group. (As a point of note, the report of your 'demise' is very much a misquote of a 50-word description that I wrote about ScotLUG for Linux Format, which I'm beginning to wish I had never written in the first place) In terms of the raging debate over IRC/Mailing List/Meetings, I find it scary how heated it has become. I had always felt that the main focus of the ScotLUG should be the meetings, and that the list, and IRC, were simply other mediums of communication and help in-between times. However, I do believe we need all 3, as they all cater for different people. Final point: I am still of the opinion that we do not need a committee, nor any other form of formal constitution. It has always been stated in the past that not having this, and in particular not having any money involved, has been one of the reasons for the longevity of the LUG. I suggest that it remains that way. Having said that, there always has been, and always will be, key players within the group. In the past Tony has fulfilled this role, ably assisted by one or two others (forgive me if my history is wrong). It would seem that there are still people willing to take a more key role (myself, Kyle, Willie, etc), but there is a fear that this will be seen as some form of 'mutiny'. Can I suggest that, along with all the other things that are planned for the meeting, that (while the discussion will continue on both IRC and mailing list) we use the January meeting to settle what will happen (and more importantly how) for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, I have seen no objections to the above talk schedule, and so hope that this is OK. Ben Thorp _______________________________________________ Scottish mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/scottish
