Finally, I want to make some very practical, even mundane, suggestions
for anyone wanting to found, maintain, or grow a LUG.
There are several organizations in the Linux world that offer
assistance to local LUGs.
- GLUE
Groups of Linux Users Everywhere is a user
group coordination and support program started by SSC, the same people
who publish Linux Journal. The
GLUE program is an inexpensive way for a local LUG
to provide some benefits to its membership.
- Linux Systems Labs
LSL offers their Tri-Linux Disk
set (Three Linux distributions on four CDs: Red Hat, Slackware, and
Debian) to LUGs for resale at a considerable discount.
- Linux Mall User Group Program
Sponsored by
WorkGroup Solutions, the
Linux Mall User Group Program offers a range of
benefits for participating User Groups. LUGs are also free to
participate in
Linux Mall's Referral Program as well.
- Cleveland Linux User's Group
Owns the Internet
domain, lug.net
. They will provide you an Internet domain
name at lug.net
: your-LUG-name-or-citylug.net
. More
information may be found at
LUG.NET or by e-mailing
Jeff Garvas.
- Determine the nearest pre-existing LUG
- Announce your intentions on
comp.os.linux.announce
and on an appropriate regional hierarchy
- Announce your intention wherever computer users are in
your area: bookstores, swap meets, cybercafes, colleges and
universities, corporations, Internet service providers, etc.
- Find any Linux-friendly businesses or institutions in
your area that may be willing to help you form the LUG
- Form a mailing list or some means of communication
between the people who express an interest in forming a LUG
- Ask people specifically for help in spreading the word
about your intention to form a LUG
- Solicit space on a Web server to put a few HTML pages
together about the group
- Begin looking for a meeting place
- Schedule an initial meeting
- Discuss at the initial meeting the goals for the LUG
- Make the barriers to LUG membership as low as possible
- Make the LUG's Web site an important priority
- Keep all information current
- Make it easy to find details about meetings: the
who, what, and where
- Make contact information and feedback mechanisms
prominent
- Install Linux for anyone who wants it
- Establish a LUG presence wherever computer users are in
your area
- Secure dedicated leadership
- Follow Linus's benevolent dictator model of
leadership as often as possible
- Take the big decisions to the members for a vote
- Start a mailing list devoted to technical support and
ask the ``gurus'' to participate on it
- Schedule a mixture of advanced and basic, formal and informal, presentations
- Support the software development efforts of your members
- Find a dues-neutral way to raise revenue: for instance,
selling Linux merchandise to your members and to others
- Consider securing formal legal standing for the group,
such as incorporation or tax-exempt status
- Insure that your meeting place isn't restricting growth of the LUG
- Meet in conjunction with swap meets, computer shows, or
other community events where computer users---i.e., potential Linux
converts---are likely to be
- Elect formal leadership for the LUG as soon as is
practical: some helpful officers might include President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Meeting Host (general announcements, speaker introductions,
opening and closing remarks, etc.), Publicity Coordinator (handles
Usenet and e-mail postings, local publicity), and Program Coordinator
(organizes and schedules speakers at LUG meetings)
- Provide ways for members and others to give feedback
about the direction, goals, and strategies of the LUG
- Support Linux and Free Software development efforts by
donating Web space, a mailing list, or FTP site
- Establish an FTP site for the LUG where software of
interest to the LUG is archived
- Archive everything the LUG does for the Web site
- Solicit ``door prizes'' from Linux vendors, VARs,
etc. to give away at meetings
- Give credit where credit is due
- Join SSC's GLUE (Groups of Linux Users Everywhere) but
be aware that SSC charges a membership fee
- Submit your LUG's information to all of the Lists of
LUGs
- Publicize your meetings on appropriate Usenet groups and
in local computer publications and newspapers.
- Compose promotional materials, like Postscript files,
for instance, that members can use to help publicize the LUG at their
workplaces, bookstores, computer stores, etc.
- Make sure you know what LUG members want the LUG to do
- Release press releases to local media outlets about any
unusual LUG events like an Installation Festival
- Use LUG resources and members to help local non-profit
organizations and schools with their Information Technology needs
- Advocate the use of Linux zealously but responsibly
- Play to the strengths of LUG members
- Maintain good relations with Linux vendors, VARs, developers, etc.
- Identify and contact Linux consultants in your area
- Network with the leaders of other LUGs in your area,
state, region, or country to share experiences, tricks, and resources
- Keep LUG members advised on the state of Linux
software---new kernels, bugs, fixes, patches, security
advisories---and the state of the Linux world at large---new ports,
trademark and licensing issues, where Linus is living and working,
etc.