| Latest revision |
Your text |
| Line 28: |
Line 28: |
| | * Vance Kochenderfer | | * Vance Kochenderfer |
| | * Joseph Prostko | | * Joseph Prostko |
| − | * Stanley Slomberg
| |
| | | | |
| | == Meeting Logs == | | == Meeting Logs == |
| | | | |
| − | [http://wplug.org/w/images/4/48/Wplug-2012-12-15.txt Saturday, December 15, 2012] | + | [http://wplug.org/w/images/4/48/Wplug-2012-12-15.txt Saturday, December 15] |
| | | | |
| − | [http://wplug.org/w/images/8/83/Wplug_2012-12-20.txt Thursday, December 20, 2012] | + | [http://wplug.org/w/images/8/83/Wplug_2012-12-20.txt Thursday, December 20] |
| | | | |
| − | [http://www.wplug.org/w/images/1/17/CRW_meeting_3-28-13.txt Thursday, March 28, 2013]
| + | == Upcoming Meetings == |
| | | | |
| − | [http://www.wplug.org/w/images/d/d0/CRW_6-30-13.txt Sunday, June 30, 2013]
| + | None at this time |
| | | | |
| − | == Upcoming Meetings ==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | None at this time.
| |
| | | | |
| | == Reform Package History == | | == Reform Package History == |
| Line 48: |
Line 44: |
| | [[CRW Discussion Archives]] | | [[CRW Discussion Archives]] |
| | | | |
| − | [[CRW Reform Packages]]
| + | '''Reform Package 1:''' Bylaw changes, to be proposed January 2013. |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Reform Package 1:''' Bylaw changes, presented at January 2013 GUM. | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Reform Package 2:''' WPLUG's general direction, to be presented at February 2013 GUM.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Reform Package 3:''' WPLUG's operational policy, such as frequency of meetings and how to manage WPLUG's Litecoin assets now that we participate in cryptocurrency mining. To be presented at January 2014 GUM.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == Reform Package 3 Ideas ==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === Justin Smith ===
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Last year, WPLUG started mining Litecoins as a new source of income. Since cryptocurrency isn't managed in the same way that US dollars are, we on the Commission to Reform WPLUG (CRW) agree that future board members may be confused about how to best use it. Therefore, we recommend drafting a set of guidelines that will help future boards manage WPLUG's cryptocurrency assets. It should be a series of non-binding suggestions similar to WPLUG's Board of Directors transition checklist.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | I will begin by providing on overview of what Bitcoin, Litecoin, and cryptocurrency mining are, followed by a few of my own suggestions.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==== What is Bitcoin? ====
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | Bitcoin is a digital currency based on open source software. It was developed in 2009 by someone (or several people) under the alias "Satoshi Nakamoto." In 2010, Satoshi withdrew from public life, and nobody has heard from him ever since. His identity remains a mystery.
| + | == Reform Package 1 Ideas == |
| | | | |
| − | It's easier to understand Bitcoin if you compare it to the US dollar, so let's start with that.
| + | ===Justin Smith (1/1)=== |
| | | | |
| − | When you make a typical purchase using US dollars, there are typically several "layers" to your transaction:
| + | I'd like us to have the CRW survey ready to go by the January GUM. That's an aggressive deadline, as Pat said on Sunday, but I don't think we can afford to be anything but aggressive if we hope to turn around WPLUG. |
| | | | |
| − | * Dollars in your possession.
| + | The major sticking point is the "general direction" section. There are a vast number of ideas we could discuss; rather than go over them one at a time, I suggest that we start at the most general level and work our way down. Specific ideas will be eliminated in great numbers along the way, and we'll arrive at a basic theme that we can ask about. This will make the CRW survey easier to design and shorter to take. |
| − | * A bank account to hold your money. You have to abide by the bank's regulations and processing fees.
| + | |
| − | * A credit card or debit card to help you send your money electronically. You have to abide by the card's regulations and processing fees.
| + | |
| − | * A central authority such as PayPal that processes each transaction and protects against fraud. You have to abide by the central authority's regulations and processing fees.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | Now let's compare that how a transaction would proceed with Bitcion:
| + | The most basic question I can think of is whether WPLUG should be primarily a casual or professional group. This decision will influence our events, our relationships, and where our social media home should be (assuming that the group decides to have one). |
| | | | |
| − | * Bitcoins in your possession.
| + | Just so I'm clear: no matter what we choose, desktop Linux will always be a mainstay. |
| − | * There is no need for a bank account because Bitcoins are stored on your computer in a file called a "digital wallet."
| + | |
| − | * There is no need for a credit card or debit card because Bitcoins were designed to be sent electronically. They're sent directly from person to person over the Internet.
| + | |
| − | * There is no central authority such as PayPal to process transactions. Instead, a worldwide network of computer operators processes Bitcoin payments in exchange for a processing fee. People who process Bitcoin payments are called "Bitcoin miners."
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | As you can see, Bitcoin compresses the four layers of dollar-based transactions into one. It's simpler, less regulated, and less expensive to use. In addition to the features mentioned above, Bitcoin is impossible to counterfeit, your assets cannot be frozen, and there are no charge-backs. There's a lot to like.
| |
| | | | |
| − | Bitcoin is called a "cryptocurrency" because it relies on cryptographic security algorithms to validate transactions. Its slogan, ''Vires in Numeris'', means "strength in numbers."
| + | '''Casual''' |
| | | | |
| − | ==== What is mining? ====
| + | This is basically where we are right now. There ''is'' a market for casual Linux, but we're not taking full advantage of it because we limit ourselves to very specific usage of desktop Linux. Android is growing exponentially. Thanks to Steam, Linux may finally become usable for gamers. In short, there's a lot more that we could be doing. |
| | | | |
| − | In cryptocurrency mining, computer operators compete against each other for the privilege of processing each "block" of Bitcoin transactions and earning its processing fees. They work to solve a very difficult math problem, and the person who solves it first gets to process the block. Therefore, the more processing power you have, the more competitive you are in Bitcoin mining.
| + | ''Events Ideas'' |
| | + | *A general "open culture" event instead of InstallFest |
| | + | *Linux gaming party (with Android, Steam, Ouya, etc) |
| | + | *Presentations on how to use your favorite desktop Linux utilities on Android |
| | | | |
| − | (Each block is posted to a public ledger of transactions called the blockchain. Miners refer to the blockchain to make sure that every transaction is legitimate.)
| + | ''Connections'' |
| | + | *The "open culture" movement |
| | + | *Android users |
| | + | *Gamers |
| | | | |
| − | Some people link their computers together in a cooperative group called a "mining pool." This helps small operators compete against larger ones.
| + | ''Project Ideas'' |
| | + | *Relaunch the Open Pitt as a (regional?) netcast, perhaps as a collaboration with other casual technology groups |
| | + | *Host an Icecast (Internet radio) station that plays tracks from "open culture" or local/indie artists |
| | | | |
| − | ==== What is Litecoin? ====
| + | ''Possible social media center'' |
| | | | |
| − | Remember how I said that Bitcoin is open source? Litecoin (LTC) is a fork of Bitcoin. It's identical in most respects except that Litecoin payments can be processed a bit faster. Litecoin is also considerably less popular than Bitcoin, which means that there are fewer people to compete against in mining.
| + | *Google+. Read up on WAG (http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20121110#Justin_Smith) for my thoughts on this. G+ seems to be more global than regional, however. |
| | + | *Facebook. I despise it, but it's casual, has a large audience, and contains many regional groups. We can't afford to ignore any options that would allow us to reach people. |
| | | | |
| − | WPLUG is currently using about half of its processing power on the WPLUG.org server to mine Litecoin. We've got about 2 LTC saved up, and we need to determine how best to use it.
| |
| | | | |
| − | Litecoin could be worth a lot some day. Right now, 1 Litecoin is worth about $38. That isn't a lot, but keep in mind that Bitcoin, which once fetched those prices, now sells for well over $1,000 per Bitcoin.
| + | '''Professional''' |
| | | | |
| − | ==== Justin's Suggestions: General Guidelines ====
| + | America's business engine could put a lot of people under our roof, particularly if the economy heads south because of the "fiscal cliff" business. People will be eager to network with other professionals and acquire new skills. Work is a higher priority than hobbies for most people; therefore, people who wouldn't come to WPLUG for kicks may come to it if they think it can help them move ahead in their career. |
| | | | |
| − | * The WPLUG treasurer should establish an official WPLUG Litecoin wallet.
| + | ''Event Ideas'' |
| − | * At business meetings, the treasurer should report WPLUG's Litecoin balance in addition to its bank account balance. | + | *A representative from a local business gives a presentation about how her company uses open source |
| − | * The treasurer, or someone he appoints, should monitor market conditions related to Litecoin and advise the board of directors appropriately. | + | *A professional networking event with a well-known featured speaker |
| | + | *Organize a cram session for people who are studying for some sort of certification test |
| | | | |
| − | ==== Justin's Suggestions: Market Guidelines ====
| + | ''Connections'' |
| | + | *Recruiting firms |
| | + | *Local businesses |
| | + | *Each other (professional networking) |
| | | | |
| − | * Save our Litecoins unless you absolutely have to spend them. Unlike the US dollar, which becomes less valuable over time as more dollars are printed, Litecoin will become more valuable over time because only a finite number of Litecoins will ever be created. | + | ''Project Ideas'' |
| − | * People can buy, sell, and trade Bitcoin and Litecoin at cryptocurrency exchanges. Some popular exchanges include Coinbase (my favorite), Bitstamp, and BTE-e. | + | *Invite local businesses to sponsor WPLUG |
| − | * Most exchanges don't allow Litecoin to be sold for US dollars since Litecoin isn't very popular. Therefore, if you'd like "cash out" our Litecoin investment, trade the Litecoins for Bitcoins and then sell the Bitcoins.
| + | *Working together on an open source project like LibreOffice |
| | | | |
| − | ___
| + | ''Possible social media center'' |
| | | | |
| − | * The price of Litecoin tends to follow the price of Bitcoin. | + | *LinkedIn. No ifs, ands, or buts: if you're a professional group, this is where you need to be. |
| − | * Watch the news for headline stories related to Bitcoin. When Bitcoin gets exposure, such as a government hearing, it often causes a lot of first-time users to buy BTC, which drives up the price.
| + | |
| − | * Consequently, a lot of these first-time users sell their holdings shortly afterward when they realize that Bitcoin isn't their golden ticket to prosperity.
| + | |
| − | * For whatever reason, people who want to sell Bitcoin usually do it on the weekend, which temporarily drives down the price. If you have to sell, do it during the week.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | == Accepted Reform Package 3 Proposals == | + | == Accepted Reform Package 1 Proposals == |
| | | | |
| − | * WPLUG has business meetings too often; we recommend having them every other GUM instead of at every GUM. | + | * Eliminate distinctions between virtual meetings and physical meetings for the WPLUG board |
| − | * WPLUG holds GUMs too often: we recommend having them every other month instead of every month.
| + | * Issue a statement on the new board's focus on meeting efficiency |
| − | * During our "off-months," WPLUG should have a social event. | + | * Appoint a non-board member as the official timekeeper for each meeting |
| − | * Generally, each month should have one activity, be it a GUM or a social event. However, some months could have two events, such as a GUM ''and'' a separate celebration for Software Freedom Day. | + | * Ask everyone interested in WPLUG to take a CRW-designed survey about WPLUG's problems |
| − | * In the interest of consistent programming, each GUM and its corresponding off-month should hold to a particular theme. For instance, someone could give a presentation about becoming involved with the Linux community at a GUM, and the following month, we could have a "hackathon" where we work on a community project. | + | |
