[klug] No meeting this week. KLUG "defunct"

[Peter Dinnan]

Hi Lance,

I'm not sure which direction you're coming from with regard to Leo?
(Emails can come across as the opposite to the intention). 

Leo didn't promise anything - I've copied and pasted his email into this
so it can be reread.

The problem, as you've pointed out, is the lack of attendance, ie
numbers - quite simply we don't have a (regular meeting) group when only
two or three show up and therefore it's not possible to organise
direction, group aims and so on.

I agree it's a pity. I guess until there's interest in attending
meetings then KLUG will just be an email user group.

Regards,
Peter


Leo's email underneath
............................................... 

hi folks 

I am a linux user, and I have just moved into the area with the
serendipidous good luck of becoming Peter Dinnans neighbour. Peter has
wired me into the KLUG, and I encourage those on the list to join us at
the next meeting in order that we all contribute to revitalise the
group. 

>From the few posts I have received it appears to me that the group has
a lack of defined focus, perhaps in the next meeting we can create a
definition or a clear purpose for the group. I suggest that benefits we
could focus on might include; 
* greater clout with vendors, with other linux groups, or for lobbying
govt. 
* greater buying power as a group. 
* more power as a resource for members; experienced users help bring
newbies up to speed, conversely newcomers bring their own business
skills to bear on the group. * wider spread of experience and skill *
social outcomes 

Once this is established and involvement grows then perhaps the group
might self organise more rather than requiring the constant nurture of a
few dedicated members. 

In addition, perhaps at his next meeting it would be usefull to call an
amnesty on peoples feelings, so that folks can declare what didnt work
for them about the group before. I have had involvement in many past
groups, and very often I have seen that a few overzealous or poorly
formed members can cause many to leave the group (this is very clear in
karate groups for example, where bruised white belts have a knack of not
returning). 

I am an electronic engineer. I have spent several decades as a software
developer, but have now returned to my original career working with
electronic equipment. I use ubuntu linux for my laptop and my music
server in my home. I am developing high end ribbon speakers for fame,
riches and pleasure. 

I look forward to meeting the members in this group, and I welcome the
opportunity to participate with and contribute to free thinkers like
you. 

best regards 
Leo Ramakers  



On Sun, 2006-10-29 at 06:54 +1300, kluglinux.grp.lancer at xoxy.net wrote:
> This is difficult to write succinctly, other than to say that KLUG has 
> died its own natural death.
> 
> Last meeting, I had been looking forward to the arrival of one Leo 
> Ramakers, new to KLUG.
> 
> You may remember Leo's earlier posting (14/9/06) where he promised an 
> ability of refocusing the purpose of KLUG, enabling us to have greater 
> clout with vendors & similar interest linux groups. He'd suggested we 
> could find ways of identifying and improving our allocation of 
> resources, which would ultimately cater for all levels of members etc 
> etc and generally increase our overall "buying power" as a group.
> 
> In fact, last meeting things quickly went the opposite direction. Aside 
> from one newcomer who I'd been in touch with (he would have liked to 
> have come but had other things asking of him that evening, so I'd 
> specifically told him not to feel pressured) the only other KLUG member 
> showing happened to be Leo's friend Peter Dinnans who'd introduced Leo 
> to the group.
> 
> At this point, it was concluded that KLUG has nothing to offer anyone 
> and that it would be better to declare it "defunct" than to go on 
> pretending things are happening each week.
> 
> Looks like KLUG has no resources to allocate, or perhaps just no longer 
> the levels of members to cater for.
> 
> It's a pity. For my own part, the school had only recently increased 
> acceptance, acknowledging their own benefits in hosting for interest 
> groups like KLUG.
> 
> No meeting then.
> 
> 
> Lance Flavell.
> 
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