[wplug] Will the real WPLUG please take charge
Bill Moran
wmoran at potentialtech.com
Tue Feb 17 12:01:09 EST 2004
I don't think you did anything wrong. I think it was a good idea, and I
applaud your effort to get WPLUG involved with other groups and activities.
No matter what WPLUG tries to do, someone will oppose it. That's why
democracies are based on _majority_ rule, because _unanimous_ rule is
impossible. It seems to me that most of the people who commented were
in favor of the activity. I would attend if I had the time to spare,
but I'm too bogged down on this current project to take a Wednesday
morning off.
Regardless, if you're attending and interested, I still plan to donate
a stack of Knoppix CDs.
Beth Lynn wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I do believe I owe all of you folks an apology.
>
> An outsider was attempting put together a project where folks would be
> giving away Open Source CDs. When he came to me, he seemed to have a real
> concrete plan that was legal and a peaceful demonstration. It was never
> the intension to disrupt or destroy Mr. Gates's talk. Of course it
> would not be productive to force someone to take a free CD so the idea
> was to politely move on if anyone declined. If at any time we'd be asked
> to leave, we would go immediately. If someone was to act foolishly they
> would be doing so as an individual and certainly not a representative of
> WPLUG. It would be rather stupid to do something illegal since there
> will be campus police about making sure only invited parties attend. At
> first the organizer was claiming all he needed is a few extra people
> to help and perhaps some cash to buy CD-rs. I agreed to solicit volunteers
> from WPLUG. Next thing I know the organizer bails out and I'm left here
> standing like a fool. Live and Learn.
>
> What I'm about to say is the truth. I would have never had suggested that
> anyone do anything illegal or dangerous. I personally do not endorse and
> use of force, violence, or abuse of resources to make a statement. In
> fact I knew that someone was planning on doing something along those lines
> would tell urge this person not to attend. Of course no good would
> come out of doing anything of the sort. (What is happened regarding the
> MyDoom worm is indeed illegal and is costing innocent people time and money.
> But I'd rather not explore this tangent any further.)
>
> I never made it clear that this wasn't an official board endorsed WPLUG
> activity. I was attempting to find others that would help in this common
> goal as an individual. Perhaps this is an abuse of power on my part so I
> hope you all would accept my sincerest apology.
>
> It is my impression that the overall goal of the now defunct "mission"
> was well received. I still don't see the harm in offering free Open
> Source foo to the masses but this is not the time or place.
>
> The greatest complaint I've heard lately about WPLUG is the lack of
> advertising, press presence, and general Open Source activism. I thought
> this would be a fun way to accomplish all of the above. It may be too
> unprofessional, so let's plan something that is professional, shall we?
>
> Once I found out about the KGB thing. I decided that it was best for us
> to bow out of any "mission" and let these kids have their fun. I wanted
> to be able to give a chance of anyone who was genuinely interested in
> this project to know that there's another outlet in which they can direct
> their energy if they so choose. I met these KGB folks and asked them if it
> would be OK if other interested parties would be invited to take part if
> the festivities. I explained that some WPLUG people were going to do
> something but the organizer had bailed out on us. They said they'd be
> delighted to have more geeks around. I sincerely did not want to offend
> anyone by forwarding on this invitation. I plan on going but it will be
> in no way shape or form a WPLUG event but a KGB event that is open to the
> public. Besides which, KGB is not any political group of any sort, they're
> just a group of geeks that want to have some fun together. Anyone who wants
> to give me stuff to take to the KBG event is welcome to do so.
>
> All I can say is I'm sorry this whole thing failed so miserably. The
> potential fun seemed worth the risk at the time. I believe that you don't
> gain anything without risk or persistence. This was an excellent learning
> opportunity but I certainly did not want to give doubt to the integrity of
> the institution of WPLUG. For all of this I am truly sorry.
>
> I hope this calms all worries and we can stop flaming and get back to business.
--
Bill Moran
Potential Technologies
http://www.potentialtech.com
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