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Is the LUG a thing of the past?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the where-else-do-you-get-cds dept.

tinahdee writes "Linux User Groups dying out? LUG leaders report that attendance is down — but mailing list traffic is still good. Do we still need LUGs, given the ease of installation and ubiquitousness of online information about Linux? Lots of people say, yes, we still need LUGs (and some disagree)."

3 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. LUGs, Before the Advent of Wiki and Cheap Server by EXTomar · · Score: 3, Informative

    I would have to say "Yes, LUGs are dying out". They served a purpose before the days of cheap, high reliability servers, which lead to "Wiki technology". Before this happened the way to get "how to" tips was to go to LUGs or take a chance on a number of uncollected sources like boards and Usenet. I suspect LUGs will still be popular in academic settings but will go away for the public in general.

  2. Lugs are good by jshriverWVU · · Score: 4, Informative

    I am in a nice sized LUG. Would guess over 200 people if not a lot more. Yet I admit I never go to meetings. The mailing lists is really where all of the action is. Need an answer quick? Email the list, rather than wait till the once a month meeting. Also a lot of us tech types are stereotypically introverted, so we dont need to attend a meeting and are more likely to participate via an online method (mailing list, irc, etc).

  3. The user group as a community service organization by mw13068 · · Score: 2, Informative

    In Ithaca New York we have what we call the "Ithaca Free Software Association," which is a computer user's group which is focused on promoting and supporting free software in general, rather than any particular operating system. We welcome anyone who wants to use free software, whether they run GNU/Linux, *BSD, Windows, or MacOS. Meeting face-to-face each month is a great way to meet new members, though most of our communication is done over the email list.

    Meeting face-to-face is also how conduct our events in the local community. GNU/Linux installfests, "Vendor" booths at local technology events (we have three higher-ed institutions in the area, as well as numerous K-12 schools), as well as Software Freedom Day, and a few other events we stage each year.

    So, essentially, we're a group of folks who like computers, software, etc. But we're also a community service organization, intent on helping people solve technological problems with free software. Whether that's someone's grandma, or a local school district.

    I'd post the URL, but I don't want to break my Web server... :)