Physical meetings are synonymous with LUG Indore. LUG Indore has these kinds of meetings:

•     Social

•     Technical presentations

•     Informal discussion groups

•     User group business

•     Linux installation

•     Configuration and bug-squashing

What do we do at these meetings?

•     Install distributions for newcomers and strangers.

•     Teach members about Linux.

•     Compare Linux to other operating systems.

•     Teach members about application software.

•     Discuss advocacy.

•     Discuss the free software / open-source movement.

•     Discuss user group business.

•     Eat, drink, and be merry.

 

 

The goal of LUG Indore is socialising -- in some ways, the most difficult goal to discuss, because it isn't clear how many or to what degree LUGs do it. While it would be strange to have a LUG that didn't engage in the other goals, there may be LUGs for which socialising isn't a factor.

It seems, however, that whenever two or three Linux users get together, fun, hijinks, and, often, beer follow. Linus Tovalds has always had one enduring goal for Linux: to have more fun. For hackers, kernel developers, and Linux users, there's nothing quite like downloading a new kernel, recompiling an old one, fooling with a window manager, or hacking some code. GNU/Linux's sheer fun keeps many LUGs together, and leads LUGs naturally to socialising.

By "socialising", here we mean primarily sharing experiences, forming friendships, and mutually-shared admiration and respect. There is another meaning, however -- one social scientists call acculturation. In any movement, institution, or human community, there is the need for some process or pattern of events in and by which, to put it in Linux terms, newcomers are turned into hackers. In other words, acculturation turns you from "one of them" to "one of us".

It is important that new users come to learn Linux culture, concepts, traditions, and vocabulary. Linux acculturation, unlike "real world" acculturation, can occur on mailing lists and Usenet, although the latter's efficacy is challenged by poorly acculturated users and by spam.

 

Computer user groups are not new. In fact, they were central to the personal computer's history: Microcomputers arose in large part to satisfy demand for affordable, personal access to computing resources from electronics, ham radio, and other hobbyist user groups. Giants like IBM eventually discovered the PC to be a good and profitable thing, but initial impetus came from the grassroots.

 

While (most) LUG lists on the Web are well-maintained, likely they don't list every LUG. If considering founding a LUG, I suggest, in addition to consulting these lists, posting a message to comp.os.linux.announce, comp.os.linux.misc, or an appropriate regional Usenet hierarchy, inquiring about nearby LUGs.

Joining the group may be better for reasons of unity and solidarity. Greater numbers almost always means greater power, influence, and efficiency. The point is that starting a LUG is a significant undertaking, which should be commenced with all relevant facts and some appreciation of the effect on other groups.

 

 

LUG Indore's goals are varied. There is no LUG master plan, nor will this document supply one. Remember: Linux is free from bureaucracy and centralised control; so is LUG Indore.

It is possible, however, to identify a core set of goals for LUG Indore:

    * advocacy
    * education
    * support
    * socialising