Fwd: of Hackers, Newbies and Fanboys

[Don and/or Mila Trombley]

David J Patrick wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David J Patrick <davidjpatrick at sympatico.ca>
> Date: 09-Feb-2007 11:08
> Subject: of Hackers, Newbies and Fanboys
> To: tlug at ss.org, The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community
> <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
>
>
> Recently, the ubuntu-toronto group mobilized around a promotional
> opportunity, and pulled off a high profile action, with very little
> expense, or lead-time. As a result, the story was picked up by a raft
> of online news services worldwide, and the result was overwhelmingly
> positive. The only real negative response come from the comments on
> MSDN (not surprisingly) and Evan and Marcel. Now MSDN naturally
> loathes anything not born of Richmond, but the CLUE contingent
> professes a desire to promote linux and open source, so their reaction
> is a little more troubling.
>
> thing #1
> There exists several distinct OSS enthused groups in Toronto, and
> despite the insistence of some who hold hard the "no duplicated
> effort" banner, these groups each have reasons to exist, and cannot,
> nor should not be dismissed. Each one has something different to
> offer, and none satisfy all needs. It is my hope to help reconcile
> these differences, and to turn the situation from one of conflict,
> competition and frustration, to one of co-operation and mutual
> respect. After all, at the end of the day, each group has formed
> around the idea of furthering the use of linux and Free Software.
>
> thing#1.1
> GTAlug, a.k.a. TLUG is big, established, downtown and is comprised of
> members who represent the CompSci old-guard. It is where the
> big-propeller geeks gather, and is an incalculably valuable resource.
> OTOH, meetings are often on arcane subject matter, of little interest
> to Newbies, and the atmosphere can be seen as less than inviting to
> those new to linux. Seasoned professional SysAdmins are less likely to
> consider non-traditional promotional means, and while containing vast
> personal repositories of knowledge and experience, tend to be camera
> shy and easily startled.
>
> thing# 1.2
> CLUE also features an established old-guard of technologists, but has
> avowed to further advocacy to all levels of government and NGOs.
> Russell McOrmands ongoing work has been outstanding, and he succinctly
> identifies important issues, and responds clearly and forcefully. The
> CLUE website features important resources, and is a key aggregation
> point for advocacy.
> OTOH, principal members of CLUE have recently been pouring negativity
> into other groups, imploring some to refocus all energies on CLUE, and
> others to simply disband. It is my hope that those people (Evan) can
> recognize and respect  other groups right to exists and to act in what
> ever manner they see fit. Recent derisive commentary will only serve
> to dampen enthusiasm and to lessen interest and in so doing, harm
> credibility of (and contributions to) CLUE. This MUST NOT HAPPEN, as
> CLUEs activities are vital.
>
> thing #1.3
> newTLUG is fresh, vibrant, inviting and serves another geographical
> area. We can all learn a thing or two from their meetings, and their
> approach, and we should also try also learn from the conditions that
> caused this group to split from TLUG, many moons ago.
> OTOH, newTLUG does not serve those who don't want to trek an hour
> northward, nor those experienced users who are quickly bored by groups
> of new user in the throes of discovery.
>
> thing #1.4
> ubuntu-toronto and/or ubuntu-ca formed from the fruits of Canonical.
> They are official members of a world-wide community, fans of the
> code-base and users of a rich development infrastructure. They tend to
> be newer users (ubuntu is still young) and bring fresh energy,
> enthusiasm and imagination to the mix. While many of them are personal
> devotees of ubuntu, they recognize that it it built upon debian, and
> that that in turn is but one (if huge) facet of the larger linux
> movement worldwide. The ubuntu group tends to have a promotional bent,
> continue to demonstrate their willingness to explore new mediums and
> methods.
> OTOH, because they did not form as splinter groups from existing LUGs,
> and their focus is on a single (set of) distribution(s) they may not
> be fully aware of existing groups and/or resources.
>
> thing#2
> Insults and derision aren't helping. If you disagree with the methods
> of one group, name-calling and belittlement only diminish your own
> position. Want to alter the focus of a group ? Consider joining it and
> effecting change in a positive and constructive manner from the
> inside. Bring something better to the table.
>
> As a participant in all of the above LUGs, as well as other open
> source related UGs,  I can see clearly how each of the above mentioned
> groups has a reason to exist, and a shared desire to see the other
> groups maximize their potential, and to help the whole Free Software
> ecosystem flourish. Despite divisive and derisive elements in our
> midst, it is my strong impression that the consensus is a desire to
> see all linux users needs served, with a minimum of effort wasted to
> duplicity. I intend to use my position as elected TLUG  board member,
> and ubuntu-ca member, to foster co-operation between the "factions".
> ubuntu-ca is forming methods and policies to that effect, and I hope
> to see GTAlug and NEWtlug do the same. On that note, I would like to
> propose a meeting with representatives of each, to discuss ways of
> turning this "problem" into an opportunity.
>
> thanks,
> David J Patrick
>
> --
> djp at linuxcaffe.ca
> www.linuxcaffe.ca
> geek chic and caffe cachet
> 326 Harbord Street,
> Toronto, M6G 3A5,
> (416) 534-2116
>
>
>   
I may be here on the "PRlug ( somewhere on the 'Great Pacific Coastline' 
of B.C. without representation",
but I hereby "sign" my name to this set of proposals :-) . Sounds like a 
good base for all groups to adhere to.