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Kingston Gets its Own Linux Users Group
Most of us have resolved ourselves to regular operating system-related blow-ups and problems. Namely, GPFs, blue screens of death and all the other hissy-fits that the mainstream windowing environments seem to take on a frequent basis. In fact, for most of us, they have simply become part of our collective, daily office and home computing experience.
Unfortunately for the average user (myself included), the alternatives are most daunting indeed. Non-windowing environments usually have steep learning curves and a limited number of programs written for them. Naturally, getting onboard with a new OS gets more difficult as it's not always easy to get the technical assistance you need.
Happily, local Linux user groups are changing all that.
New and experienced PC users who are interested in trying out Linux now have the option of being involved with like-minded people in the Kingston area. Local Linux User Groups (or LUGs) are forming virtually everywhere with the idea of working cooperatively. LUGs promote the use of Linux and offer sup-port to newer users so they don't give up early in the game. Even small clubs like the Kingston Linux Users Group are broadening the user base and creating a network of support that promotes new interest in Linux everywhere and offers experienced users a fresh venue to hone their skills.
The Kingston Linux Users Group was formed in January of this year by Mark Drummond of the Royal Military College's Computing Services in Kingston. Previous attempts to start a group had met with little success.
"I liked the idea of starting a LUG here in Kingston, so I posted a message to the kingston.os.linux newsgroup and I got five or six responses. So, we fixed a date and away we went." Mark recalls.
"This time, it looks like we have enough interest to keep things going."
KLUG's membership grew quite rapidly, topping out at around 30. Membership is defined by Mark as, "anyone on the KLUG mailing list". Being on the list as a member is just about the best way to keep in touch with the group.
Meetings started out as biweekly affairs, alternating between Monday and Wednesday evenings. KLUG now meets only once a month, as most of their meaningful communication can be done online. Mark's hope is that, soon, the meetings can take on a different flavour. By opening up the possibilities for learning among the members, KLUG plans to host a number of 'hands on' presentations, aimed at taking members through various Linux functions and features.
The goals of the group include:
- Providing peer support for members and outside the group
- Advocacy and Education (i.e.- promoting and teaching Linux in cor-porations, schools, etc.)
KLUG members vary in experience from folks who have yet to even install Linux to experts who've been using the system since day one. There are currently 28 people on the mailing list.
KLUG plans to hold its first Installfest on June 5, 1999, at ComTech Services (http://www.comtechservices.com/), 720 Progress Avenue, Unit 5, in Kingston. Anyone interested can bring their computer down and have Linux installed on it free of charge. KLUG will be installing Mandrake Linux 5.3 which combines RedHat Linux (by far the most popular distribution) with the 'K' Desktop Environment (the most popular and mature Desktop Environment with the most applications) along with a wide variety of tools and applications that don't usually come with the system.
KLUG also intends to hold an Install-fest in the fall at Queen's, as well as (possibly) RMC, and St. Lawrence College. Mark hopes that, eventually, area high schools will also serve as venues for Installfests.
An 'Advocacy Team', whose role will be to promote Linux in and around Kingston with Installfests and presentations, has already been established, al-though it is not very active, yet.
Joining the KLUG mailing list is easy and it is open to everyone. You can get on the list by sending an e-mail message to: majordomo@lists.rmc.ca with 'subscribe klug' in the body of the message (without the quotes of course) This will change in the near future as the list is moved to a new machine running a different mailing list manager.
You can also join by visiting http://signals.rmc.ca/klug/memberform.htm. Filling out this form does not make your membership any more official. However, it does help the club gather information about your Linux use and level of interest along with personal data such as your phone number, in case a meeting is cancelled for some reason.
Mark will be giving a presentation on Linux to the Kingston chapter of the Canadian Information Processing Society on April 15th.
For more information Contact Mark: drummond-m@rmc.ca Join the group: http://signals.rmc.ca/klug/memberform.htm Other Linux Users Groups Ottawa-Carleton: http://www.oclug.on.ca Association of Canadian LUGs: http://www.oclug.on.ca/canlug.html
