Linux user group: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Organization of computer users}}

{{Redirect|GLUG|the physical phenomenon|Glugging| the Sydney theatre awards|Glugs Theatrical Awards}}

{{more citations needed|date=September 2017}}

[[Image:Installfest.jpg|thumb|300px|Installfest hosted by the [[Rutgers University]] Student Linux Users' Group in 2005.]]

A '''Linux User Group''' or '''Linux Users' Group''' ('''LUG''') or '''GNU/Linux User Group''' ('''GLUG''') is a private, generally non-profit or [[Nonprofit organization|not-for-profit organization]] that provides support and/or education for [[Linux]] users, particularly for inexperienced users. The term commonly refers to local groups that meet in person but is also used to refer to online support groups that may have members spread over a very wide area and that do not organize, or are not dependent on, physical meetings. Many LUGs encompass [[FreeBSD]] and other [[Free software|free-software]] / [[open source]] Unix-based [[operating system]]s.

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===Typical activities===

LUGs typically meet once per month, in facilities freely provided by universities, colleges, community centers, private corporations, or banquet rooms in restaurants. For example, Silicon Valley's SVLUG<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.svlug.org/ |title=Silicon Valley Linux Users Group: WELCOME! |website=svlug.org |access-date=2004-03-06 |archive-date=2017-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014040844/http://www.svlug.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> met for about 10 years in the back of a Carl's Jr. restaurant, and has met for the last several years in meeting rooms at [[Cisco Systems]] and, more recently, [[NortonLifeLock|Symantec]]. Similarly, BALUG<ref>[{{Cite web |title=Bay Area Linux Users Group (BALUG) |url=http://www.balug.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126213408/http://www.balug.org]/ |archive-date=Jan 26, 2024 |website=balug.org}}</ref> (a San Francisco LUG) met for many years in the banquet room above the Four Seas Restaurant in [[San Francisco]]'s [[Chinatown, San Francisco|Chinatown]].

Most LUGs are free, requiring no monthly or annual dues. In many cases, the participants are encouraged to patronize the host venues (esp. in restaurant meetings, by buying dinner).

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Many LUGs also organize installfests ([[FreeBSD]] groups tend to refer to them as "installations"), which are opportunities for experienced Linux users to help others, especially novices with installation and configuration of Linux systems. Installfests may also have break-out sessions for teaching new tips and tricks&mdash;performance tuning, security hardening, etc.

A few LUGs have developed projects of regional or even international stature. For example, the Uganda Linux User Group<ref>{{cite web|author=Uganda Linux User Group |url=http://linux.or.ug/ |title=linux.or.ugUganda Linux User Group |publisher=linux.or.ug |access-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814014450/http://www.linux.or.ug:80/ |archive-date= Aug 14, 2012 }}</ref> operates in 3 major cities and frequently coordinates national and international events that have featured guests as high-profile as [[Tim Berners-Lee]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}. Cyberstorm.mu, a Linux User Group from [[Mauritius]], trains high school students on Linux to compete in [[Google Code-in]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hackers.mu/news/hackers-mu-leads-mauritians-for-the-google-code-in|title=Hackers.mu leads Mauritians for the Google code-in|website=hackers.mu|language=en-us|access-date=2017-03-02 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405060614/https://www.hackers.mu/news/hackers-mu-leads-mauritians-for-the-google-code-in |archive-date= Apr 5, 2017 }}</ref> and organises [[Hackathon]]s focused on Linux.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Hackathon_Mauritius_-_Operation_SAD|title=Hackathon Mauritius - Operation SAD - FedoraProject|website=fedoraproject.orgFedora Project Wiki |language=en|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE_talk:HackathonMauritius|title=openSUSE talk:HackathonMauritius - openSUSE|website=en.opensuse.orgopenSUSE Wiki |language=en|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> The Bellingham Linux Users Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blug.org/ |title=blug.orgBellingham Linux Users Group – Linux and Open Source Software |publisher=blug.org |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> (BLUG), in [[Bellingham, Washington]], holds the annual [[LinuxFest Northwest]], which attracts large numbers of participants from throughout the region, including western Canada. Likewise, Bellevue Linux Users Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bellevuelinux.org/ |title=bellevuelinux.org |publisher=bellevuelinux.org |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> (BELUG), which meets in a bookstore in [[Bellevue, Washington]], has developed The Linux Information Project<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linfo.org/ |title=linfo.org |publisher=linfo.org |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> (LINFO).

LUGs sometimes are gifted with surplus books, back issues of Linux magazines, copies of CDs/DVDs, and other promotional items to give away to their members.

Other than these "official" LUG activities, the meetings provide opportunities for users to socialize. Members often exchange e-mail addresses, URLs, and phone numbers, and provide technical support or collaborate on study or development projects together. Some local LUGs share characteristics of online LUGs, meeting on [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] or hosting support [[mailing lists]], in addition to the physical meetings. LUGs may also have an online blog presence; for example OCLUG, OSU LUG, and Nottingham LUG host "Planet" pages aggregating members' blogs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planet.oclug.on.ca/|title=Planet OCLUG|work=Ottawa Canada LUG|access-date=2014-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lug.oregonstate.edu |title=lug.oregonstate.edu |publisher=lug.oregonstate.edu |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060213082905/http://www.planetnottslug.org/ planetnottslug.org]}}</ref>

LUGs can also be a natural place for local organizations to find Linux expertise. Professors for [[Unix]] classes at [[San Jose State University]] came to SVLUG in the early days of Linux to find guest lecturers for their classes; some LUGs provide computer help to schools and non-profit organizations, and perform other community outreach services.

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[[Category:Free and open-source software organizations|Linux]]

[[Category:User groups]]

[[Category:Mass media companies]]