Jeff Waugh wrote:
>
> <quote who="Craige McWhirter">
>
> > A Debian SIG would be quite useful. There's so much to the Debian world
> > and mostly stuff that would only interest the enthusiasts. The odd
> > "Debian brainstorming session" seperate from the main SLUG meeting would
> > go a long, long way IMHO.
>
> We've discussed SIGs a few times now, and each time came to the conclusion
> that 'splitting' SLUG would lead to bad things.
What a load of f%&king crap.
SIGs do not split Slug. They are a method of catering for diverse
interests without forcing everything else onto everyone.
.
Recognise that Slug has many irreconcilable parts.
>
> I waver in and out of this - I think it would be cool for the more advanced
> people to have a group of their peers, but at the same time, it sucks for
> the begginers, as they won't receive the level of understanding and help
> that they would have otherwise.
The collective "You" obviously doesn't understand people, groups,
learning, etc.
The best people to help newbies/beginners are other newbies/beginners
who have just been through the same process. Very few experienced people
are good at doing this. Too many things are just second nature and they
can get pissed off coming down to newbie speed.
You are pissing off mightly all the advanced people if they are FORCED
to sit through newbies asking basic questions at meetings. Generally
advanced people want and are capable of taking in information at a
greater rate/depth than newbies want or can handle.
Also, not everyone who uses linux wants to know about developing open
source apps. To some people, if it don't work - it's broke and I'll wait
till they fix it is the way. Putting these people and zealous developers
together don't work.
> Subject-specific SIGs are probably the way to go, and the Debian SIG idea is
> great on that account. (Actually, there's a few times I've thought that a
> slug-debian list would be good, so we can stop irritating non-Debian users
> on the main list - trouble is, that's splitting the list again, and that
> would suck.)
Start a slug-debian list and a Slug-debian SIG and get over any angst -
DO IT.
It will not split Slug.
Although, I always advocate that SIGs should only be available to
members as not all Sigs will be able to meet in free premises.
>
> Everyone else: Is this a dangerous idea? Are new lists and new SIGs
> worthwhile?
No it isnt.
If you want Slug to grow and help more people see the light, then you
are going to have to cater for the diverse interests and Sigs are a way
to do it.
There is already one, by invitation only, list of ex-sluggers operating
because these people were cheesed off with the noise on the Slug list.
--
Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www: http://www.woa.com.au
WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
"People without trees are like fish without clean water"
--
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More Info: http://slug.org.au/lists/listinfo/slug
