less talk more action

[Dave Hall]

Hi all,

I have been watching as the whole structure and leadership discussions
has come up again.

I've looked back over the archives for this year.  Based on the amount
of energy exerted by people discussing things on this list and IRC about
"what's f'd with the LoCo" they could have organised and run several
real meat space events.

Frankly I don't care if support questions don't get answered on this
list, they belong on ubuntuforums or a LUG list.  This list is for the
discussion of the LoCos activities and building the group.  On more than
one occasion I have been tempted to draft a boiler plate response for
support questions.

I know for some people ubuntu is their first experience with the
free/open source software community.  This can lead to some
misunderstandings around how things work in such communities.

Linus' quote of "Talk is cheap. Show me the code." really sums up how
things work.  Actions speak far louder than words in many FOSS
communities, ubuntu included (imo).

Instead of people blaming others and the organisation structure for why
things aren't working, look at your own contributions.  This list is
here to facilitate actions, but most of the time I just see people
finding excuses for why things aren't happening.

Things probably do need to change in the LoCo, but from what I have seen
so far, the "squeaky wheels" don't inspire me that things will be much
different, other than maybe so more "we should do X" or "why can't we do
Y" threads which just fizzle out due to lack of interest.

If you want city/state based LoCos and a national structure, great.  To
make this happen you need to make things happen in your states.  Lucid
is out in ~2 weeks.  How many of you are actively organising a release
party in your area in the next 4 weeks?  The publicity should all be out
for such events.  How many of these release parties have involvement of
the local LUG (for capital cities) or computer regional events?

When you can show me several well attended regular ubuntu meetups (in
non licensed venues so they are truly inclusive) in several states then
you will convince me that there is a need for city/state/regional LoCos.
Then I will also be convinced that there are people who are committed to
getting out there and doing the work of the LoCo.

For now I think the "status quo" as some like to call it is all we need.
It copes with lots of discussion and the occasional event.  Feel free to
convince me otherwise.

Cheers

Dave