[wplug-plan] Public View of WPLUG - Action Needed?

[Greg Simkins]

Dear WPLUG Planning List: 

I am forwarding for your information an interchange I had with another CCAC Linux instructor, Ian Robertson.  I asked Ian if he had attended a WPLUG meeting.  He responded that he had, yet had a very negative impression.  I have included below my response to try to change his mind.  (btw, I have only one student signed up at this point for my class).  Does anybody recall meeting Ian?  I probably have myself, but don't do a good job of remembering things.  

In a related matter....I just forwarded a letter to you that I sent to the Business Calendar.  As I noted in that email, I have written at least twice this past year and received no response.  I wonder if PAIR networks likewise has a negative view of WPLUG.  So, I have two questions:  (1) Do you feel that there are, in fact, negative vibes in the community toward WPLUG; and (2) if so, what steps can we take to address this barrier to meeting the goals of the PR committee?  

In another related matter....I understand that the lack of a programming committee is a known problem at this point, but I don't feel that I can post the GUM and Installfest on the Business Calendar until we have a program posted.  The Jan 13 GUM is within the 2 week window of the Business Calendar email. I will add the GUM to the Business Calendar when we have a venue and schedule.  It would be nice to have a program topic as well.  

Greg




----- Original Message ----- 
From: Greg Simkins 
To: Ian Robertson 
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: CIT-220 Text


Hi Ian, 

I can understand why you may have gotten that impression of anger at WPLUG - especially if you hadn't attended for awhile.  There are a number of people that are motivated by an anti-Microsoft position.  We are an electic group.  We range from rabid liberal atheists to devoted Christians.  Our common interest is in Linux and actually we tolerate our differnces fairly well, I think.  I encourage you to give us another try.  I am amazed at the level of knowledge there and peoples willingness to share that knowledge. 

.....

Greg


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ian Robertson 
  To: Greg Simkins 
  Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 1:30 PM
  Subject: Re: CIT-220 Text


  I've been to WPLUG... I agree, there are some very capable people there - I've learned a lot from the few meetings I have attended, but I haven't been able to get past someting that happened at one of the meetings, that I feel illustrated an underlying problem with the group... I can't think of a great way to put this, so for lack of a better description... There seems to be a lot of anger at WPLUG.

  Even though I love Linux, I don't understand or participate in the elite Linux attitude. But at WPLUG, it seems to go beyond that. Like I said above, there is some kind of deep-rooted hostility among (at least a few) of the members, some of them high-ranking too...

  That being said, I have met some really great, laid-back, interesting, hard-working, intelligent people there as well.

  Maybe I should learn to not let a few bad (apples) experiences ruin a good thing...

  ......

  I currently have a job in Health Promotion, but I'm repursuing my first love, software engineering.


  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Greg Simkins <greg at simkins.net>
  To: Ian Robertson <robeis1822 at yahoo.com>
  Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 6:36:46 PM
  Subject: Re: CIT-220 Text


  I've had it happen as well (class cancelled).  I have been doing this adjunct gig for about 5 years (I lose track).  This is the first time I have been assigned to CIT-220.  

  Have you ever been to the Linux Users Group (www.wplug.org)?  There are some very capable people in the group - a good place to learn about Linux.  

  If you want to join me for lunch some day, we can exchange ideas.  

  Greg
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