[ubuntu-za] LoCoTeam - Maties

[Hilton Gibson]

On Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 12:50 PM, Walter Leibbrandt
<walter at translate.org.za> wrote:
>
> Op 28/01/2010 12:14, Hilton Gibson het geskryf:
>> There was a thread talking about supporting primary and high
>> schools. But the problem was just that - support ! How do we create a
>> sustainable support structure for Ubuntu in our regions ? My IT
>> manager friend summed it up with this terse statement - "whos neck do
>> I wring ?". That applies to high schools as well. The linux champion
>> leaves or whatvever.
>>
>> Now, why create a LoCo at Universities ? 1. Students that arrive here
>> are open to new things. 2. There is a constant flow of students in
>> and out. 3. Because of the flow, the old members can be replaced by
>> new ones. 4. An "official" one stop place to get help and support can
>> be sustained with the flow thru.
>>
>> Our one stop place is http://ubuntu.sun.ac.za which will be
>> supported and maintained by the varsity LoCo.
>>
>> In short. I believe Universities are the right place to central
>> centers of support for Ubuntu.
>>
>> Once the Loco is up and running then the following can happen. 1.
>> Maintain the freedom toaster. 2. Maintain the wiki help web site. 3.
>> Help support surrounding schools and organisations. 4. Organise
>> events and promotion. 5. Solicit funds. etc....
>>
>> And all of the above is sustainable over the long term.
>>
>> Its a win for the University (free expert support) and for the
>> community (sustainable).
> Hi,
>
> I agree fully with all of your reply, but what you are describing is
> either a selfish Ubuntu community, excluding any other Linux users
> (which a lot of students are/will be), or a LUG.
>
> By setting up a LoCo you will
> 1) "Declare" Ubuntu the only "officially supported" distro
> 2) Alienate existing Linux users of other distro's
> 3) Alienate potential Linux users who don't like Ubuntu (for whatever
> reason)
> 4) Limit the growth of the community
> 5) Discourage other (existing or potential) FOSS organisations
>
> Even if this is not your intention, it will happen simply because of
> perception. In the long run you'll be hurting Ubuntu and Ubuntu ZA.
>
> Who are you supporting in the bigger picture? Canonical or Linux
> (users)? If it's the former, it's a completely different can of worms.
> If it's the latter, what you need is a LUG... even if all the members
> are (vocal) Ubuntu users.
>
> I'm not objecting to what you're trying to do. In fact I applaud you
> guys for your efforts! I'm just saying that you will be able to do
> a lot more good as a LUG and Ubuntu ZA members.

I think the Ubuntu LoCo will introduce more users to Linux and then the LUG.
There is also a win-win situation.
It also provides choice of community.
Another win-win.
Lets not burn the house down before we have built it.
Lets try and see, this is what openess is about.

Cheers

hg.

>
> Regards,
> --
> Walter Leibbrandt                  Software Developer
> Recent blogs:
> * Ubuntu PPA for Translate Toolkit and Virtaal
> http://www.translate.org.za/blogs/walter/en/content/ubuntu-ppa-translate-toolkit-and-virtaal
>
>
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-- 
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Library and Information Services
Stellenbosch University

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