<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3492" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY><FONT face=Arial>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Dear WPLUG Board
Members:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I have been a casual Linux
user for approximately 15 years. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Over this time I have been amazed at the
quality of software support that the<SPAN class=461253813-10082009>
WPLUG</SPAN> members provide.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is rare to wait over 30 minutes for one or more accurate solutions to
problems sent to the<SPAN class=461253813-10082009> email</SPAN> list.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Just as important I never see people
getting flamed; all requests for help are courteously handled.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I first attended a WPLUG
meeting, an installfest, over 10 years ago. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After that I would drop into meetings
whenever I could.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My Saturday
mornings are usually very busy and it has been difficult to attend very
often.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At that time meetings were
busy and there were many members to talk to and share
information.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Recently the engineering
department I work with made the decision to use Linux as the operating system
for non-vital portions of products. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I now have the opportunity <SPAN
class=461253813-10082009>to </SPAN>spend most of my time working with embedded
Linux.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With this renewed focus on
Linux, I felt I needed to make a better effort to attend WPLUG meetings and
become a member. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I attended the
July 11<SUP>th</SUP> meeting, please let me share with you my
impressions.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I arrived early to the
meeting, hoping to have a chance to meet with a board member or two. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Apparently there were not enough chairs
set up so I offered to help.<SPAN class=461253813-10082009> </SPAN>I was
told, "Thanks but we have it covered."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>There were not many people there and absolutely no one was willing to
greet new people. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Small
groups <SPAN class=461253813-10082009>had </SPAN>formed to talk about
personal subjects so I did not want to intrude. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of the board members was busy setting
up chairs.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One was setting up a PC
to help someone with in installation and the only other board member was
preparing for the presentation.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">The presentation could have
been interesting had it not been for the constant interruption by a rude
know-it-all attendee.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He had to
challenge everything that the presenter said.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Not that I am opposed to sharing and
getting facts correct, but the presenter had obviously spent significant time
pulling his information and demonstration together. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He had little opportunity to make his
presentation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This was enough
for me to know that I would never want to talk to this
group.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Eventually a board member
walk<SPAN class=461253813-10082009>ed</SPAN> by and I asked him to take my
membership application. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was told
I should have given it to the secretary (and who would that be?), but that was
o.k., he would give the secretary the form/check. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>End of conversation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The meeting then abruptly ended.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was left with the impression that
WPLUG is dissolving.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hopefully this
was just an atypically bad meeting.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">As an active member in
other organizations and clubs please allow me to offer some
suggestions.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Have a board member greet
new meeting attendees, giving them a briefing on how the meeting will progress
and introduce them to at least one other member.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Other board members should circulate,
making themselves available to all.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Help presenters control the
group.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The attendees should have
the opportunity to listen to what the presenter has prepared.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If they have so much to say, ask them to
do a follow-up presentation.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Consider sending new
members an email, welcoming them to WPLUG and letting them know of activities
open to them.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Get them caught up
with on-going activities.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">And
on a different subject:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I noticed
that there is going to be an Installfest at the WSCC in a couple of weeks. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Are we sure that the power there can
handle the AC and PCs? <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We know it
can't handle a coffee maker.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
class=461253813-10082009>Respectfully,</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
class=461253813-10082009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
class=461253813-10082009>Lawrence A. Weber</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>