Nov 11 20:00:46 Okay, by my clock it is 8pm. I now invite all candidates to introduce him or herself to the group. Nov 11 20:01:07 I am Beth Lynn Eicher. My platform is simple. Less meetings. Nov 11 20:01:17 Thanks Beth Lynn Nov 11 20:01:28 * BenPA (~b727_plan@c-98-236-190-43.hsd1.pa.comcast.net) has joined #wplug Nov 11 20:01:28 I am Stanley Slomberg, 63, retired Nov 11 20:01:43 * BenPA is now known as HarrisJim Nov 11 20:02:06 is somebody logging this? Nov 11 20:02:07 I am also for meetings only during spring summer and fall. Nov 11 20:02:07 okay, StanleyCS. Nov 11 20:03:10 BethLynn: Yes, I am logging. Nov 11 20:03:10 bethlynn, i am Nov 11 20:03:31 I am Jim Harris, 52, unemployed looking for Jr Linux Adm position Nov 11 20:03:32 I am Vance Kochenderfer. I've been coming to WPLUG since around 2003. My statement can be found at http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20101113 Nov 11 20:04:53 All candidates: Can you give us a short summary of goals you would like to set for 2011? Nov 11 20:05:27 Since I am new I will just listen to what the other candidates want Nov 11 20:05:37 and add accordingly Nov 11 20:06:05 Stanley: What do you want from WPLUG this coming year? Nov 11 20:06:12 We need to build stronger relations with other groups in the area who are doing fun things. Nov 11 20:07:02 * ptelea (~ptelea@pool-72-95-243-145.pitbpa.east.verizon.net) has joined #wplug Nov 11 20:07:03 I would like to see a SIG, special interest group for new members who want to learn Nov 11 20:07:20 I am looking to try and increase the Wplug membership and to continue the effort to make the organiization more visible to frustrated users of other popular operating systems. Nov 11 20:07:23 I agree with Bethlynn Nov 11 20:07:48 and agree with HarrisJim Nov 11 20:08:06 in order to outreach, we need to explore the socail and professional networks as well as other interests of our members. Nov 11 20:08:11 Anyone have specific tasks that they aim to complete? Nov 11 20:08:27 * ptelea is now known as MichaelLoomis Nov 11 20:08:50 Personally, I want to bring about: 1. Speakers recruited and announced 2+ months prior to meetings; 2. Regular membership (business) meetings; 3. Implement the online (self-service) membership system. Nov 11 20:09:31 Implementing online self service system is one great idea. Nov 11 20:10:10 Can wplug offer anything to embedded Linux developers? Nov 11 20:10:11 Great, anyone else? Other region organizations? Nov 11 20:10:21 The SIG for new members is one goal I want to complete Nov 11 20:10:24 Specific tasks: document how to run wplug meetings & installfests. document the contacts of groups we can work with. organize the content from our past talks by topic. Nov 11 20:11:04 Any other members have specific questions for the candidates? Nov 11 20:12:12 what did you guys do for employment over the last 5 years, and what are your favorite hobbies? Nov 11 20:12:15 LAWeber: if you have specific topics/speakers to suggest, we can try to present those. Also, we can partner with groups like HackPittsburgh with a hardware focus. Nov 11 20:12:51 There is always a possibility of having our site redesigned to make it easier to navigate Nov 11 20:12:51 * jprostko (~joe_prost@ctt189070.ceinetworks.com) has left #wplug Nov 11 20:13:43 To address LAWeber's question. I would not like to make WPLUG general meetings to be too specific. Instead I would prefer to help members who are interested in embedded Linux find local existing resources. If there are enough people who are interested in that topic, wplug can offer wiki space and mail list resources .... but not board level organizational planning for specialized topics Nov 11 20:14:05 Since leaving my wallpaper dealership in 1997, I have been temping till I retired June 2009. I now am a UFO, Unfranchised Owner of a webportal where you get paid to shop online. Nov 11 20:15:03 Hobbies include US coin collecting and Vehicle Lubrication with Synthetic lubricants Nov 11 20:15:36 HarrisJim: the idea of having a wiki was to make it possible for anyone to contribute to the construction/maintenance of the web site. Nov 11 20:15:54 I have noticed that the requests for Linux specific help has declined over the years. Do you think new users are not aware of wplug? Nov 11 20:15:58 The front page is protected, but most everything else can be edited. Nov 11 20:16:33 If you have ideas for better organization/structure of the front page, we can certainly try them out. Nov 11 20:16:48 to LAWeber - I have noted in the past that there are different members and guest who are at different levels of understanding Linux. I propose a 3 level tier to address newbies, intermediate users, and Linux pros Nov 11 20:17:12 I second that proposal Nov 11 20:17:46 regarding HarrisJim's question regarding website naviagation. It is a wiki. Anybody can change it. With that said, I would be interested setting up a hack session (not a meeting) to make better containers for special interest areas. IE: resources for programmers, new user section, a how-to section Nov 11 20:18:05 Bad idea, the newbies will stay newbies, the pros have to help all. Nov 11 20:18:53 Regarding my other hobbies. I am on the Ohio LinuxFest board and a member of the Fedora Project. I also blog at www.ohiolinux.org Nov 11 20:20:05 LAWeber this is true but someone has to help the newbies ... I have been helping Stanley for a while understanding the basics Nov 11 20:20:57 Regarding the new users.... Nov 11 20:21:19 Jim is probably one good instructor and could be part of a SIG Nov 11 20:21:42 I have heard of great success in the Ubuntu community. It is super-informal. A time and place is setup in a coffee shop for members helping members. Nov 11 20:22:01 If no one stops by with any questions, then great. Nov 11 20:22:10 Nockian: I am a low-level government bureaucrat. To me, Linux is really a personal interest, not professional. I also enjoy hiking and the outdoors. Nov 11 20:22:41 * jprostko (~jprostko@ctt189070.ceinetworks.com) has joined #wplug Nov 11 20:23:34 Again, my platform is less meetings. Instead, I'm intersted in pointing people who what already exists elsewhere in the local area and encouraging people to get together informally for sig level activities Nov 11 20:23:48 Installfests have traditionally been a vehicle for one-to-one help, as has the mailing list. Nov 11 20:24:17 wplug, under the "less meeetings" format, is just a really big community of communities Nov 11 20:24:52 therefore, only 4 "general user meetings should be plenty" Nov 11 20:24:59 All each of us might want to keep doing is to pass the word and walk and talk WPLUG and maybe attend a meeting to see the benefits of LInux Nov 11 20:25:43 bethlynn: under this concept, how is WPLUG different from the Pittsburgh Technology Council? Nov 11 20:26:08 StanleyCS: that's why I propose that WPLUG get serious about Software Freedom Day Nov 11 20:26:43 I agree 100% Nov 11 20:27:13 * jprostko has quit (Ping timeout: 245 seconds) Nov 11 20:27:15 I agree with BethLynn about Software Freedom Day but where do you go to seek our target audience that day and others? Nov 11 20:27:37 One of the troubles I see is a lack of interest in "organized" events related to Free Open Source Software. Even with "less meetings", anyone have ideas as to increase interest and therefore participation? Nov 11 20:27:42 sorry I meant to say other days Nov 11 20:28:15 StanleyCS: how about an original thought of what you could offer to wplug? Nov 11 20:29:20 All I could offer at present is to walk and talk the OS and that there is a user group that will assist in learning it. Nov 11 20:29:30 good question happylemur. The Pittsburgh Technology Council is a network of high tech companies who pay dues. They just happen to link user groups too. Recogniztion as a community doing cool stuff in WPLUG's eyes is not a dues-paying relationship. Another difference is that the group would have to be involved with GNU/Linux, Free Software, or the gift culture. Nov 11 20:30:20 I say first thing is to identify who we are trying to reach then trying to target them ... eg University Freshmen, possibly High School computer programs and as I said earlier frustrated users of other operating systems. Nov 11 20:30:38 I have been in WPLUG for 2 yrs and thats the best I can do for now. Nov 11 20:32:05 The other candidates are more adept than I am in what goals are to be achieved. I want to work with them to achieve as many as possibles Nov 11 20:32:48 bethlynn: Your ideas would be a big change in the course of wplug. Do you feel that the board can do that without members approval? Nov 11 20:33:03 curlynoodle: I'm not sure I see a lack of interest in organized events... provided they are well-promoted in advance and relevant. Nov 11 20:33:42 LAWeber: this is an election. Do not vote for me if you enjoy status quo. Nov 11 20:34:50 can I pay $20 and run? Nov 11 20:35:11 homerj: you can do a write in campaign Nov 11 20:35:16 happylemur: yes, promotion does help. Nov 11 20:35:32 I'd run on the "FreeBSD installs for some, Debian ISOs for the others" Nov 11 20:35:37 platform Nov 11 20:36:14 As an example, the Blender showing was well-attended because it was something people were interested in and we promoted it heavily. Nov 11 20:36:27 Part of the reason why I want *less* meetings, it is so that we plan and promote the meetings we have better Nov 11 20:36:38 * jprostko (~joe_prost@ctt189070.ceinetworks.com) has joined #wplug Nov 11 20:37:18 write me in, and I'll have beer and strippers at the meetings...just because someone is going to speak about technology, doesn't mean we can't have a few drinks and lapdances Nov 11 20:37:43 that's a platform everyone can get behind Nov 11 20:37:50 homerj has my vote! Nov 11 20:38:04 homerj: keep the non-useful comments out of this discussion. Nov 11 20:38:09 homerj ... this is not a direction I think we should go Nov 11 20:38:41 I am going to ignore homerj for the rest of this meeting. WPLUG is a family environment which needs to be far more professional than that. Nov 11 20:39:05 We all have to ignore Homerj. Nov 11 20:39:30 ok, I'll actually be serious Nov 11 20:40:20 Regarding distros: We keep serveral in stock for our installfests. Including *bsd and opensolaris. Nov 11 20:40:22 I don't think we should ignore him I think he may also have ideas to promote the group in the framework of the creed of the organization ... he is here and I think that is important Nov 11 20:41:30 We had a wplug-bsd list/SIG. discussion died down. If there is a bsd community again, I would be happy to provide resources to get that started again Nov 11 20:42:30 again, the board's job would be to contect groups and interested indivuals and empower SIGS.... not be everything to everybody Nov 11 20:42:52 Stanley: If you are elected (and even if not) are you prepared to champion a newbie SIG? Nov 11 20:42:57 here's a legit question....how well was CPOSC attended by WPLUG? I can't usually attend meetings, but hang out in the channel Nov 11 20:43:09 that's something I'd have liked to attend with a few like minded people Nov 11 20:43:35 i was at cposc...didn't notice any wplug members that i know of while i was there. Nov 11 20:43:36 Yes but only to try to recruit new members who have an open mind to this OS Nov 11 20:44:50 Management and PR are two important tasks newbies can do for WPLUG. Nov 11 20:45:14 I have gone to driving distance Free Software conferences with people from WPLUG by car pooling. I highly recommend others to do the same. pooling resources together is a good thing. Nov 11 20:45:20 * x86 has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) Nov 11 20:46:06 bethlynn, yes...especially on the way back, can BS about the various talks, etc. Nov 11 20:46:13 * LAWeber has quit (Quit: HydraIRC -> http://www.hydrairc.com <- Chicks dig it) Nov 11 20:46:28 tend to get more out of conferences like that, when you're with a group Nov 11 20:46:39 even if you attend other speakers Nov 11 20:48:29 bethlynn...can there be a Haiku SIG if there is sufficient interest? I know it's not linux-based, but i think starting a Haiku User Group (HUG) in pittsburgh is kind of out of the question at the moment due to it maybe only being me and a couple other people tops ATM. Nov 11 20:48:30 To go back to LAWeber's question. (hopefully he reads the log or comes back) The bylaws state that we will have general meetings monthly .... http://www.wplug.org/wiki/ByLaws#5_MEMBERSHIP_MEETINGS Nov 11 20:49:00 jpostko: absolutely. Its Free Software. Nov 11 20:49:21 Can bylaws be amended? Nov 11 20:49:33 bethlynn: cool deal. thanks! Nov 11 20:49:34 bethlynn: I was just going to mention that. I believe implementing your proposal requires amending the bylaws. Nov 11 20:50:21 StanleyCS: yes, http://www.wplug.org/wiki/ByLaws#10_AMENDMENT_OF_BYLAWS Nov 11 20:50:22 ammending the bylaws does take members voting.... but there is the wiggle room of in the "unless otherwise announced 14 days in advance" Nov 11 20:51:12 So, yes, I am proposing cancelling meetings until we can work out that issue in the bylaws. Nov 11 20:52:21 I dont think thats a good idea but of course a vote would be needed Nov 11 20:52:35 excuse my ignorance, but how is the voting working this time around exactly? i mean, as far as i can tell, nobody is running for any position in particular as far as i can tell. Nov 11 20:52:35 * monkeybot has quit (Remote host closed the connection) Nov 11 20:52:40 * x86 (~x86@i.am.leet.org) has joined #wplug Nov 11 20:53:00 Trust me, I love WPLUG. If I did not think it was best to increase energy by decreasing meetings then I would not suggest it. Nov 11 20:53:30 Excellent way to put it BL Nov 11 20:53:31 once the board is elected, they debate who will serve in which capacity Nov 11 20:53:34 jprostko: Five members are elected to the board. They then choose specific offices among themselves. Nov 11 20:53:37 This chat is to make everyone aware of who is who running for Board Nov 11 20:53:46 thanks beth and vance. Nov 11 20:53:46 The voting is for 5 board slots. Nov 11 20:53:53 I agree with bethlynn Nov 11 20:54:29 can i still absentee vote? I'm currently stranded in New Columbia, PA to represent at a beekeeping conference. Nov 11 20:54:58 jprostko: if your ballot arrives in the PO box by Saturday, your vote will count. Nov 11 20:55:07 Alright folks. Please cast your ballot on Saturday, or mail it tomorrow for a chance to get it in on time. Nov 11 20:55:36 Please keep the discussion going. I will see you on Saturday. Nov 11 20:55:39 I agree with Bethlynn however I think we should poll our members more to get a feel of what would possibly work vs what is not working and how maybe they feel we can increase the interest of out organization ... I too have been around about as long as Mr happylemur and I also love the group but I think we should try and get a better idea of what members and non members are looking for Nov 11 20:55:41 what's the PO box? Nov 11 20:56:03 * curlynoodle (~dkraus@pool-71-182-248-58.pitbpa.east.verizon.net) has left #wplug Nov 11 20:56:44 I too must go so please vote! Nov 11 20:56:48 * StanleyCS (~scslomber@c-76-125-234-181.hsd1.pa.comcast.net) has left #wplug Nov 11 20:57:47 well, i'd thank vance for his advice, but he's gone. i'll try to get my votes in tomorrow. Nov 11 20:57:59 Instructions for voting and the address to send to are on the ballot at http://www.wplug.org/w/images/3/3c/2010_11_WPLUG_Ballot.pdf Nov 11 20:58:46 I'm still here. :) You could also give your ballot to someone else to bring to the meeting.