Nov 13 19:35:46 * Topic for #wplug is: WPLUG board election "Meet The Candidates" session tonight (11/13/14) 8:00pm Eastern Time Nov 13 19:35:46 * Topic for #wplug set by patbarron!patbarron@nat/ibm/x-goasoiejqltnfzeg at Thu Nov 13 14:50:38 2014 Nov 13 19:35:46 -ChanServ- [#wplug] Welcome to #WPLUG, the IRC Channel for the Western Pennsylvania Linux Users Group Nov 13 19:35:46 * #wplug :http://www.wplug.org/ Nov 13 19:48:44 * jprostko (~joe@dynamic-acs-72-23-180-88.zoominternet.net) has joined #wplug Nov 13 19:55:33 I am here on time! Nov 13 19:55:53 Welcome. ;-) Nov 13 19:58:49 Howdy. Nov 13 19:58:55 Why do you patbarron and happylemur want to go back to Wilkins School Community Center when rblackwe, markk, chuck, and me wouldn't get caught dead there? I thought you wanted to increase WPLUG membership. Nov 13 20:00:31 I am not particularly fixated on WSCC, per se - I do agree that we should have some stable "home" where we can reliably meet, rather than moving around. If WSCC seems like the best option, so be it. If not, that's OK too. Nov 13 20:01:54 My statement is that we should locate a stable location for holding events. I'm happy to go along with an alternative if there's a better choice than WSCC. Nov 13 20:02:35 Why is WSCC even on the list in the first place? The only thing good about it is that is close to Ds. Nov 13 20:02:45 I spoke with Justin about 90 minutes ago - he sounds like he'll probably be unable to participate tonight. Or if he can, it will be sporadic. Nov 13 20:03:15 One concern I do have about WSCC is that I'm not sure we're particularly welcome there at this point. Not that they don't like us - more like, it seems like we're "just another customer" to them. I think we were originally hoping we could form a synergistic relationship with WSCC, we did help install their network and all. But it seems like they are not interested in being particularly "partners" with us or interested in helping us. Nov 13 20:04:27 As I see it, the main benefits of WSCC are that the rental is inexpensive (except the basement room), and they permit us to store assets there between meetings. Nov 13 20:05:02 happylemur, I was just about to express a similar opinion. Nov 13 20:05:13 How expensive is it? Nov 13 20:05:34 It is $15/hr for one of the upstairs rooms. Nov 13 20:05:51 Yeah, the cost is definitely a factor. I don't particularly mind it, although the acoustics in the room aren't that great for giving presentations. Nov 13 20:06:52 Plus, we never really found an alternate facility that was 1) consistently available when we wanted to use it, and 2) lower cost or free. I think we've found 1) and 2) in various places - but not both at the same time.... Nov 13 20:07:10 Should we do introductions? First, would the candidates who are present like to introduce themselves? Nov 13 20:08:00 Is there anyone in the room who doesn't know who we are happylemur? ;-) Nov 13 20:08:35 * patbarron = Pat Barron, general technology person, user of Unix (and Unix-like systems) since 1987, and just finishing 3rd term on WPLUG board... ;-) Nov 13 20:08:42 Well, to be honest I hardly ever visit #wplug so I don't know who half the people in the room are. :) Nov 13 20:09:12 * patbarron has changed the topic to: WPLUG board election "Meet The Candidates" session in progress *now* Nov 13 20:09:45 * happylemur is Vance Kochenderfer. I served as WPLUG vice chair for the past term. Nov 13 20:10:51 Is Stanley here? Nov 13 20:10:55 And this is what we're doing right now: http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20141115#Meet_the_Candidates Nov 13 20:10:58 Ask us anything. ;-) Nov 13 20:11:17 I'm Joe Prostko. I've served on the WPLUG board for several years, usually as the secretary. Nov 13 20:11:22 Oflameo = GNU/Linux extremist since 2010, community organizer since 2009, Gamer since 1998, Black Guy since 1991. Nov 13 20:11:56 Do we have any members here who want to chime in? Nov 13 20:12:37 (The final candidate, Stanley Slomberg, appears to be not here at this time - perhaps he'll join in a bit...) Nov 13 20:12:49 This is IRC happylemur and no one muted anyone. Nov 13 20:13:45 Stanly also didn't put in anything on the wiki. Nov 13 20:14:27 Maybe he doesn't know how to use IRC. Nov 13 20:14:54 monkeybot: seen scslomberg? Nov 13 20:14:55 scslomberg was last seen on #wplug 1 years, 15 days, 57 minutes and 26 seconds ago, saying: I am going offline. My position if elected is only for at large. Bye bye buy Bonds [Tue Oct 29 20:17:28 2013] Nov 13 20:15:54 I stand corrected then. Pun intended. Nov 13 20:16:19 cmu is always open Nov 13 20:16:48 I don't recall him saying anything about whether he would make it tonight. Nov 13 20:17:01 Not it is not! CMU caused PPW 2012 to not exist. Nov 13 20:17:31 I mean, No it is not! CMU caused PPW 2012 to not exist! Nov 13 20:17:32 sbaugh, WPLUG's original meeting place was CMU - but we lost our access to it when the people who helped us get use of space there moved on to other things. Nov 13 20:17:45 who were those people? Nov 13 20:18:09 Jonathan Billings and Beth Lynn Eicher to name two. Nov 13 20:18:19 Wasn't Ted Rodgers there too? Nov 13 20:18:22 the cmu computer club is an organization with access, so we hopefully won't move on and disappear Nov 13 20:18:27 Oh yes, Ted also. Nov 13 20:18:42 (Didn't mean to neglect him.) Nov 13 20:19:49 CMU is also http://www.meetup.com/Steel-City-InfoSec/events/214005312/ territory and markk and I are the only known cross over members between our two groups. Nov 13 20:19:49 okay, Oflameo. Nov 13 20:22:08 well, if you'd ever want space, we can obtain space galore. and food. and cetera. ah the resources of a university org Nov 13 20:22:25 As an organization not officially recognized by the university, we were (and are) subject to being bumped from a room at any time, even with a reservation by a CMU staffer. Nov 13 20:22:36 More discussion at http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Category_talk:Venue Nov 13 20:23:04 Though I must say, I love the room where ##cclub holds it's Wednesday talks, that is a fine facility. Nov 13 20:23:06 A partnership with a recognized organization might change things... Nov 13 20:23:26 Not an option I've heard discussed before. Nov 13 20:23:45 Worth thinking about. Nov 13 20:24:46 we would love to host WPLUG, i'm sure then you might get interested students coming by as well Nov 13 20:24:52 Yeah, I think it could be a good idea. Seems like other local groups like the Drupal group use CMU from time to time (or at least started to as of a couple of months ago). Nov 13 20:25:11 What would be the criteria to be recognized as by CMU and other universities? Would it be incorporation, one of the things on my WPLUG TODO list? Nov 13 20:25:42 I think what happylemur was referring to was being (or not being...) an organization that is actually part of CMU. Nov 13 20:26:27 Steel City InfoSec isn't part of CMU and they can book it. Nov 13 20:26:29 yeah, I think the necessary ingredient to being recognized by CMU is being made up of students/grad students/professors at CMU Nov 13 20:26:54 i wouldn't know anything about how recognition works without that ingredient Nov 13 20:26:55 Then again, they have CMU employees running the group. Nov 13 20:26:59 Yes, a "recognized" organization is part of the university. My understanding is that a faculty sponsor is needed and CMU holds any bank account the org has. Nov 13 20:27:27 well, we can just reserve space for you if you want Nov 13 20:27:47 this is a common practice among certain kinds of orgs Nov 13 20:27:57 although usually the space is reserved for corporate recruiting events Nov 13 20:28:12 We who, sbaugh? Nov 13 20:28:16 computer club Nov 13 20:28:24 cmu computer club* Nov 13 20:28:52 That is a really interesting idea... assuming it's OK by the administration, something worth serious consideration. Nov 13 20:29:57 I appreciate the offer. Nov 13 20:30:16 yeah, I don't think anyone in the administration would bat any eyes at us reserving space for "hosting" WPLUG Nov 13 20:30:17 Are they interested, I don't remember a member of the CMU computer club joining WPLUG in years. At least if we go the Hack Pittsburgh route, we are guaranteed to be around people who have some interest on GNU/Linux. Nov 13 20:30:23 happy to offer it! Nov 13 20:31:27 well, we're somewhat small at the moment due to people graduating.. but we're all Linux nerds Nov 13 20:31:58 Just curious, what is the current CMU policy on internet access for non-students? Nov 13 20:34:37 I wanna know too! What is the policy sbaugh? Don't make me email Jon Zeolla for it. Nov 13 20:34:58 ah Nov 13 20:34:58 hm Nov 13 20:36:18 i don't actually know but I asked in our channel ##cclub Nov 13 20:37:20 Do you really think speakers would enjoy having to tether to their personal smart phones to give presentations sbaugh? Nov 13 20:37:56 Cool, let us know what you find out. I know they didn't offer internet at the Drupal meetup I went to a couple of months back, but that doesn't mean it wasn't actually available. Nov 13 20:38:13 nope, but there's probably something better than that Nov 13 20:38:24 nope to Oflameo Nov 13 20:38:34 i'll report back when I have more Nov 13 20:38:45 Really depends on the presentation. I know I've given multiple presentations for several different organizations, and none of them needed network access. But if you're trying to do a live demo or something, that might be different.... Nov 13 20:39:36 Back around 2008, wireless access was only available to students/faculty/staff. Staff had registered a NAT router that we were allowed to use for installfests, wired access only. I believe it may have also been used for some talks but most of those didn't require networking. Nov 13 20:39:55 patbarron I know people love watching live demos. Nov 13 20:40:22 happylemur: at worst we could of course do the same Nov 13 20:41:23 Thanks, I suppose someone could borrow a student's laptop to do a presentation also. :) Nov 13 20:43:14 Hack Pittsburgh and a common Library sounds like more reliable in the Wifi department. I personally don't need it because I have a mifi, but I would strongly prefer that the venue as wifi. Nov 13 20:44:50 Carnegie Library is another option (and - for anyone that might want to come - where we're holding our meeting on Saturday, at Squirrel Hill branch). We have, though, had some issues getting space when we wanted it. Nov 13 20:45:05 my email address is sbaugh@andrew.cmu.edu if you want to stay in touch Nov 13 20:45:51 I think we kind of lucked out that Squirrel Hill had a room open on Saturday at a time close to when we wanted. Weekends are really busy there. Though we could have better success if we did some kind of meetings on weeknights, when it's less booked up. Nov 13 20:46:20 I see a lot of crossover possibilities with HackPittsburgh as well. Have you opened this conversation with them on meeting space, Oflameo? Nov 13 20:46:46 We actually haven't done anything on a weeknight for a while, and I sometimes wonder if there are people who'd show up for such things who can't do weekend meetings. Nov 13 20:48:14 Thanks a lot, sbaugh, definitely we should keep in touch. I keep meaning to get to a computer club event but Wednesdays are tough for me. Nov 13 20:48:19 happylemur, Yes I have. Chad actually invited WPLUG in if I joined. I would just have to be there to open can close the shop for the event. Any other Hack Pittsburgh member could substitute. Nov 13 20:49:29 I personally like a weekend day for meetings better since after work I generally want to just get home. That said, I still make time if there's a meeting I want to attend, and I think some people would rather do meetings on weekdays so their weekends are totally free for other things. Nov 13 20:49:43 Good to know, thanks, Oflameo. Nov 13 20:50:56 While Centinel could not be here, he did suggest a few questions, so I'll paste them here in case anyone would like to respond to them.... Nov 13 20:51:02 My recollection is that weekday events get a crowd with ~50% overlap with the weekend crowd. Nov 13 20:51:20 Centinel question #1 -Are there any other organizations or events in the Western PA area that WPLUG should work with? Which ones, and how? Nov 13 20:51:40 Centinel question #2 - What is your best suggestion for attracting new members? Nov 13 20:51:58 Centinel question #3 - How do you see WPLUG's role in the Linux community? Nov 13 20:52:03 (end of Centinel questions) Nov 13 20:52:09 I already answered question #1 implicitly. Nov 13 20:52:15 I believe you did, yes Nov 13 20:52:44 re: question #1, I think Pittsburgh Code and Supply might also be worth approaching to see how we might work together. Nov 13 20:53:13 They have no particular venue or home base - but they have a lot of people.... Nov 13 20:54:07 Pittsburgh Code and Supply has corporate sponsors. Nov 13 20:54:22 I don't think that's a bad thing Nov 13 20:55:04 Or necessarily even a good thing. Think it's neutral. Nov 13 20:56:02 I think it is a good thing, but we also only have one member cross over and no previous history. Nov 13 20:56:21 We are currently not a similar group. Nov 13 20:56:38 As far as question #2, I think happylemur stated it best in his candidate statement. Paraphrasing - provide quality programming and activities that people want to consume. Nov 13 20:56:42 I honestly know nothing about them, so can't really comment. Nov 13 20:57:44 And I think question #1 helps answer #2, as if there is some cross-pollination of people, that could bring new members. But yeah, there has to be good content, or else people will have no interest in attending. Nov 13 20:58:06 The strength of our interaction with other groups seems to be more or less random. Sometimes things click, sometimes they don't. Worth reaching out and seeing if there's interest. Nov 13 20:58:09 My best understanding of Pittsburgh Code and Supply, is that they are a general technology group that formed as sort of offshoot of several other Meetups (like the Ruby meetup, and one or two others I forget). They don't "do" anything in particular, just sort of whatever they find interesting. Nov 13 20:58:37 Well people go to tech events for quality programming, pun intended. We need better presentations. We cater to newbies by being and attracting experts. Nov 13 20:58:58 I don't have any specific suggestions for other groups beyond what we've already mentioned. Nov 13 21:00:31 And as far as question #3 - actually, I think WPLUG is kind of in a place in it's own evolution right now, where it has to actually think about that and make a decision. I don't think WPLUG (or any similar organization) can be all things to all people - even to all Linux people. Nov 13 21:00:50 That is something I think the incoming board should consider. Nov 13 21:00:57 I have to admit not fulfilling my goals with regard to attracting presenters. Hence my suggestion that we allow someone to take on just that role and not be distracted by other things. With a small organization, perhaps easier said than done. Nov 13 21:01:49 To answer number #3, currently WPLUG is vestigial. I would rather it be a meet space version of the the numerous mailing list archives so we can better digest what is going on in the news. Nov 13 21:03:36 happylemur, we could start by giving all presenters free membership. It is not like we have anything else to offer currently. PPW gives presenters free entry into the conferences. At least we could have had Chuck as a member. Nov 13 21:06:26 Sure, that's an idea. But the issue was more finding people in the first place rather than having to convince them to talk after finding them. It requires a lot of cold calling (cold e-mailing) and keeping on the lookout for potential speakers. Nov 13 21:07:10 I wasn't able to spend much time on that over the past year. Nov 13 21:07:17 happylemur, what is the difference? Nov 13 21:10:55 It's like a job opening - if you don't locate any potential candidates, it doesn't matter how generous you are with salary. We haven't developed the candidate pool and need to do better at getting the "speakers wanted" word out. Nov 13 21:12:00 happylemur, that means we can import some H1Bs then. :P Nov 13 21:13:04 :) Nov 13 21:14:43 Friends, I fear I must depart from this cyber realm at this time... I'm still at work, they turned the heat off a while ago, and it's getting very, very cold... Nov 13 21:14:46 Do you know how we import H1Bs? We talk over http://www.jupiterbroadcasting.com/ and call it commentary. Nov 13 21:15:23 I'm going to log into IRC from my phone so I can follow whatever proceeds from here and maybe respond later - but can not IRC and drive at the same time. ;-) Nov 13 21:15:25 patbarron: make sure the kitties are warm at home. Nov 13 21:15:25 We throw them a dime and say we care to compensate. Nov 13 21:15:57 Oh, they are - because the timer has turned on the heat there (which I am paying for, but not at home to enjoy... ;-) ) Nov 13 21:16:20 Of course they have it better than you. :) Nov 13 21:16:52 That is because they are cats. ;-) I will revert the channel topic before I log off. You'll see me reappear momentarily, but like I said, won't be able to type.... Nov 13 21:17:18 * patbarron has changed the topic to: Western PA Linux Users Group Nov 13 21:17:34 * patbarron has quit (Quit: Leaving) Nov 13 21:17:45 Thanks. I'm about to go inactive as well - any last questions to cover? Nov 13 21:17:53 Did we log this to wplug.org? Nov 13 21:18:08 I can post the log to the wiki. Nov 13 21:18:23 Traditionally we link it from the election meeting page. Nov 13 21:18:28 Great! :-D Nov 13 21:18:34 np Nov 13 21:20:00 * patbarron (~patbarron@172.56.10.142) has joined #wplug Nov 13 21:22:15 Thanks everyone for participating. I'll keep lurking for a while. Nov 13 21:22:32 Rsnapshot FTW Nov 13 21:22:50 I am building the demo LXCs tonight! Nov 13 21:24:40 Awesome, look forward to seeing it. I need a decent backup strategy.