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Arty Ziff 09-07-2013 11:24 PM

Disappearing LUGs
 
I've noticed a distinct decline in operational LUGs. In my area (Seattle / Tacoma), most have closed up shop, and those that still have functioning web sites and email lists have very little traffic. Many of the web sites seem to exist only because the domain has not yet expired.

Is this an actual trend? Or am I not looking hard enough?

nobahn 09-08-2013 02:58 AM

I cannot speak to trends; only to my experience. The Southeast Michigan LUG (www.semilinux.org) seems to be doing well.

frankbell 09-08-2013 09:22 PM

I know that my LUG is going strong, but perhaps is not as large as it used to be. I've only been a member for three years, since I moved to this area, but that's the impression I get.

I have heard some folks theorize that Linux has gotten so much easier to install and to use than it was, say, 10 or 15 years ago, and that online help has gotten so much easier to find that there is less incentive for new users to seek out user groups. "Install fests," which used to be a staple for LUGs, are not very frequent any more.

This is a general observation:

One of the things I've noticed with groups like LUGs (sociologists call them "voluntary associations") is that there are often two or three persons who are the moving spirits keeping them going. When those persons run out of energy, move away, lose interest (admittedly not likely with a Linux geek), or even pass away, and no one is there to replace them, the group often peters out in a relatively short time.

If there's a demand, a new group will form to take its place.

Arty Ziff 09-08-2013 11:34 PM

well, not being "hard core" (unlike my father who has 4 machines with multiple distros), I've stuck with Red Hat since v9, moved to RHEL and then CentOS, and never had issues installing. But like I said, I'm not "adventurous". No Slackware for me.

NyteOwl 09-09-2013 03:12 PM

Don't need to be adventurous to use Slackware unlike some less stable or changeable offerings.

I find that CUG's in general are declining. Computers and their accoutrements once were a hobby of a enthusiast sub group but as they have become more an more household appliances, the culture surrounding them has changed. Coupled with increased on-line access via the Internet, person-to-person groups and clubs are declining.

kooru 09-10-2013 08:39 AM

I agree with frankbell's analysys.
Anyway the problem is how to keep alive a LUG that has less and less members.
More in general: Have "physical" LUGs still a usefulness or by now we have to talk only about great online group?

Shadow_7 09-18-2013 11:08 AM

Many LUGs seem to be replaced, in terms of getting warm bodies at a common location, with linux conventions. Where I'm "near" there's a ctlug mailing list and it's still lightly active. It used to get together at a physical location almost monthly. But you're more likely to meet at the annual convention than an actual LUG meeting these days.

v4r3l0v 12-27-2013 02:35 PM

When I used to live in south Florida, there was a LUG that was vigorously kept alive by enthusiasts and held regular meetings. That went on for years, and then 2 years ago it died off.
Local LUG in New Mexico, where I live now, seems to be doing pretty well (though I am yet to attend one of their meetings) from I can gather from their website.
I agree there is a general trend towards duying off of LUGs. Online meetings can't replace in- person gatherings, in my opinion. It may be more convenient, but the "magic" of in- person meetings just isn't there with meetings online.

andy78 01-01-2014 09:45 PM

The Lugs have not died they just closed psycialy and reborn on the internet as virtual only lugs.
But there are still a few around, i really prefer to have a real Lug with a premises where you can meet once a month for a coffee or maybe a beer and discuss not only linux related stuff it can be any of interest.

Maybe have an internet connection with a few home built server from leftover computers, the problem is to be able to do that some fee is required for rent electricity.
And not all are so found of paying a membership fee.

Randicus Draco Albus 01-01-2014 10:24 PM

I have a cousin that is a member of an Atari enthusiasts' group. They "solve the membership fee problem" by holding their monthly meetings in a pizza joint. Of course, it is not a solution if one thing done at the meetings is using computers.

andy78 01-02-2014 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus (Post 5090436)
I have a cousin that is a member of an Atari enthusiasts' group. They "solve the membership fee problem" by holding their monthly meetings in a pizza joint. Of course, it is not a solution if one thing done at the meetings is using computers.

Its also a solution.

Arty Ziff 01-04-2014 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus (Post 5090436)
I have a cousin that is a member of an Atari enthusiasts' group. They "solve the membership fee problem" by holding their monthly meetings in a pizza joint. Of course, it is not a solution if one thing done at the meetings is using computers.

LUGs can also use community rooms at libraries and community centers, and sometimes city halls.

Here's a question: Is Linux now too "mainstream" for lugs? Many distros no longer take much effort to install and configure on most computers, and say what you will about Ubuntu, but it is very "consumer friendly".

With Steam now developing a Linux distro for their content, perhaps the last piece of the puzzle is both more consumer software for Linux. For the most part Linux installers and package formats have been distilled down to a few systems that work well for idiots like me, software instillation is no longer much of an issue beyond distro peculiarities and dependency issues.

andy78 01-04-2014 05:06 PM

There must be some lugs on the universities of some kind?

andy78 01-04-2014 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus (Post 5090436)
I have a cousin that is a member of an Atari enthusiasts' group. They "solve the membership fee problem" by holding their monthly meetings in a pizza joint. Of course, it is not a solution if one thing done at the meetings is using computers.

Tell me about it, i still have my Atari 1040ST laying around.

rjleaf 01-07-2014 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy78 (Post 5091983)
There must be some lugs on the universities of some kind?

Yes, and I'd be shocked if that's not the only place where LUGs will continue to operate. I'm a student at WPI in Worcester, MA and our LUG is sponsored by the university.

LUGs may be declining in popularity because of the events that hold (or, rather, the events they don't hold). I know there was good turnout at a talk given by Jim Gettys about buffer bloat a few months back, but that talk was considered a "special event" and isn't typical of our LUG meetings. Just having discussions about Linux or asking for help now usually means going to the Internet, not trying to find other Linux users in your area.

andy78 01-07-2014 03:57 PM

not suprised.

When youre done get out, start working, met someone, get a family, do stuff on your house get older get tired then lugs on the net is more of an option :)

I rally would like to start a small community with meeting networking, coffee local bar just a place to hangaround once a week but time just passes on nowdays and i don't have the time any more.


I leave that to you young guys full who is full of energy and creativity :p

goumba 01-20-2014 09:26 AM

I'd like to find an LUG in my area, the only one I know of in the vicinity isn't really too close.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy78 (Post 5091985)
Tell me about it, i still have my Atari 1040ST laying around.

I'm jealous. My mother threw out my XEGS w/XF551 in my teen years. Damn I even remember the floppy drive's model number.

Arty Ziff 01-20-2014 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy78 (Post 5093779)
not suprised.

When youre done get out, start working, met someone, get a family, do stuff on your house get older get tired then lugs on the net is more of an option :)

They should hold the meetings where there is beer served... And pizza. Beer and pizza might attract people...

Habitual 01-21-2014 04:18 PM

The last "LUG" I attended, all they wanted to do was blah blah blah for hours on the gnome desktop and android eye candy.

I might be alone in Yawnstown, Ohio.

linuxecho 02-16-2014 03:12 AM

london calling
 
Didn't know about these. Just checked and London UK's last LUG seems to have been 5th Oct 2010. None planned as far as I can tell either. Kent's looks like it is still going. Perhaps because they don't see consuming beer as a primary purpose. That could be done without an LUG. May well go to Kent's on 8th March... I say may because I've got ridiculous commitments and its a bit far but I like the idea of it..

Germany_chris 02-17-2014 06:07 AM

I'm trying to get a local one going but it's kinda flat..

Arty Ziff 02-17-2014 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germany_chris (Post 5119166)
I'm trying to get a local one going but it's kinda flat..

I'm telling you: Beer! Beer and Linux. A great combination.

Germany_chris 02-18-2014 01:12 AM

I think the fact that I don't want it to be online only is whats causing the issues.

JWJones 02-18-2014 07:14 AM

The LUG in Portland, Oregon is alive and well:

http://www.pdxlinux.org/

Arty Ziff 02-19-2014 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJones (Post 5119993)
The LUG in Portland, Oregon is alive and well:

http://www.pdxlinux.org/

That's nice to hear! I grew up in PDX, but had to move to Seattle for work. Portland is defiantly doable and any excuse to drive down / take the train / BOLT is a good excuse...

Habitual 02-20-2014 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJones (Post 5119993)
The LUG in Portland, Oregon is alive and well:

http://www.pdxlinux.org/

That settles it, I'm moving to Salem/Portland, Oregon.

The "other" John Jones. :)

JWJones 02-20-2014 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habitual (Post 5121950)
That settles it, I'm moving to Salem/Portland, Oregon.

The "other" John Jones. :)

Heck yeah, get on over here! The land of milk and honey and FOSS... :D

Arty Ziff 02-20-2014 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJones (Post 5121968)
...The land of milk and honey and FOSS... :D

And state income tax. But the car tabs are cheaper than Washington state.

JWJones 02-21-2014 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arty Ziff (Post 5122041)
And state income tax. But the car tabs are cheaper than Washington state.

Geez, tell me about it! I just found out this week that Oregon has the second highest income tax in the country as of 2013, at 9.9%! Behind only California at 13.3%. No wonder I can't seem to make any money here! I'm going back to school for infosec, and then maybe I'll move to Washington, which has no income tax.

chrisperrault 03-11-2014 10:07 PM

I've only been to a couple of the meetings (so far) but the Boston LUG (www.blu.org) seems to be doing pretty well. There is also a seperate LUG for Desktop users. I haven't been to any of those meetings yet but would like to get a chance in the near future. They are a remnant of the old Boston Computer Society which folded up shop back in the 90's. Fortunately some of the UGs continued on independently and the Linux Group was one of them.

chrisperrault 03-11-2014 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arty Ziff (Post 5091971)
LUGs can also use community rooms at libraries and community centers, and sometimes city halls.

Here's a question: Is Linux now too "mainstream" for lugs? Many distros no longer take much effort to install and configure on most computers, and say what you will about Ubuntu, but it is very "consumer friendly".

The Internet shrinking the world has made LUGs less necessary I guess, but I think there's still room for them. With Linux becoming more user friendly, I would think that would open the doors to a wider variety of topics that can be covered. I'm not sure if Installfests are all that necessary anymore, but they are still happening here in Boston so I assume there are still people well served by them.
The beauty of Linux UGs is that you can gear them towards different crowds. The beginning desktop user and the 'power' users (for lack of a better term). I for one would love to go to a meeting covering Systemd and creating RPMs for instance.

nigelc 03-26-2014 05:43 AM

It's all caused by the presence of the forums.

spatmur 07-17-2014 05:06 PM

The public library system in my neck of the woods uses Linux (of the Mint variety now) almost exclusively, excepting a few Windows 7 boxes, but a library that employs Linux does not a LUG make.

I've sought out other users, but nothing has come together. Perhaps the expanding nature of Linux distributions and the
proliferation of readily available Linux aids online is the reason for the seeming decline of LUG.

Regardless, I'm still interested in forming one, if I can't find one.

Mr. Macintosh 06-20-2017 09:20 AM

Ctlug?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_7 (Post 5030062)
Many LUGs seem to be replaced, in terms of getting warm bodies at a common location, with linux conventions. Where I'm "near" there's a ctlug mailing list and it's still lightly active. It used to get together at a physical location almost monthly. But you're more likely to meet at the annual convention than an actual LUG meeting these days.

I looked up ctlug, but I could only find Central Texas LUG. Is that the one you're talking about? Or is it in Connecticut? If it's in Connecticut, could you send me a link their website/webpage?

WFV 07-02-2017 12:06 AM

@ Mr. Macintosh, the last post was just short of 3yrs ago,,, kinda gives the impression that LUGS are disappearing ;)

Mr. Macintosh 07-05-2017 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFV (Post 5729661)
@ Mr. Macintosh, the last post was just short of 3yrs ago,,, kinda gives the impression that LUGS are disappearing ;)

Unfortunately, this is true.

JockVSJock 07-25-2017 06:34 PM

In the last city I was living in I stopped going to the LUG because over 10 years ago, It was mainly burnout mainframe guys who were only interested in talking about hardware. The folks running it were only interested in furthering their careers and it was hard to get questions answered on the mailing listso I gave up.

In the city I'm living in now, I went a few years ago and there was a great presentation, however the turnout was so disappointing, that I thought why bother, I'll just stick with online forums.

Mr. Macintosh 07-31-2017 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habitual (Post 5102482)
The last "LUG" I attended, all they wanted to do was blah blah blah for hours on the gnome desktop and android eye candy.

I might be alone in Yawnstown, Ohio.

Other LUGs could learn from that by having some sort of ballot system where members choose what they want to talk about. You could have multiple choice ballots or a write-in system where everybody just gets a blank piece of paper and they write on it what they want to talk about. I've never actually attended a LUG (there isn't one in my area), but I expect one problem is that a small percentage of members might give presentations or speeches, which could be rectified by having people present their own topics - the person who suggests a topic is the one who gives a speech or presentation on it.

Mr. Macintosh 07-31-2017 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JockVSJock (Post 5739836)
In the last city I was living in I stopped going to the LUG because over 10 years ago, It was mainly burnout mainframe guys who were only interested in talking about hardware. The folks running it were only interested in furthering their careers and it was hard to get questions answered on the mailing listso I gave up.

In the city I'm living in now, I went a few years ago and there was a great presentation, however the turnout was so disappointing, that I thought why bother, I'll just stick with online forums.

Those problems could be fixed by having members elect leaders/administrators.

JockVSJock 07-31-2017 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Macintosh (Post 5742334)
Those problems could be fixed by having members elect leaders/administrators.

This was over 10 years ago, so I have to think about it.

Some of the members thought about about calling for electing new leaders, however one of the top members had ties to a "non-profit" which acquired space that allow us a Linux computer lab with a projector and white board. The thinking was if we elected a new members, then we would lose that space, so the status quo was maintained.

Mr. Macintosh 07-31-2017 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JockVSJock (Post 5742363)
This was over 10 years ago, so I have to think about it.

Some of the members thought about about calling for electing new leaders, however one of the top members had ties to a "non-profit" which acquired space that allow us a Linux computer lab with a projector and white board. The thinking was if we elected a new members, then we would lose that space, so the status quo was maintained.

Oh, okay.Yeah, that is a tough situation.


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