Linux user group: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Organization of computer users}}

A '''Linux User Group''' (LUG) is a private, generally non-profit or 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 which do not organise, or which are not based around, physical meetings. Similar organizations such as [[FreeBSD User Group]] (BUG) exist, although many LUGs encompass [[FreeBSD]] and other free Unix-based operating systems.

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

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

[[GNU]] does not list "Linux user groups" on their webpage, but is willing to list "GNU/Linux user groups" if they change their name to suit FSF policies. For more information on this issue, see [[GNU/Linux naming controversy]].

[[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.

==Local LUGs==

Local Linux user groups meet (typically weekly to monthly) to provide support and/or arrange and host presentations for [[Linux]] users, particularly for inexperienced users.

Given that Linux is not dominated by any specific corporate or institutional entity, LUG meetings typically encompass a broader range of topics than do the meetings of other user groups. Linux is predominantly user-supported, and some support is vastly easier via telephone or in person than over e-mail or [[USENET]]. LUGs are still primarily focused on hobbyist users and professionals who are engaged in self-directed study.

SVLUG is among the oldest and largest LUGs. It was originally formed as a [[Special Interest Group]] for the [[Silicon Valley]] Computer Society, founded by Daniel Kionka to support [[Xenix]] and "low-cost PC [[Unix|UNIX systems]]" (and later became focused on Linux, as the dominant free implementation of [[Unix]]).

Local Linux User Groups meet (typically weekly to monthly) to provide support and/or arrange and host presentations for [[Linux]] users, particularly for inexperienced users.

Given that Linux is not dominated by any specific corporate or institutional entity, LUGs are more important for Linux users than other sorts of users' groups. Linux is predominantly user supported and some support is vastly easier via phone or in person than over e-mail or [[USENET]]. LUGs are still primarily focused on hobbyist users and professionals who are engaged in self-directed study.

According to the Linux User Group HOWTO:

[[Silicon Valley Linux User Group|SVLUG]] is among the oldest and largest LUGs. It was originally formed as a Special Interest Group for the Silicon Valley Computer Society (now disbanded?), founded by Daniel Kionka to support [[Xenix]] and "low cost PC UNIX systems" (which later became focused on Linux as the dominant free implementation of [[Unix]]).

{{Quote|Computer user groups are not new. In fact, they were central to the personal computer's history: Microcomputers arose in large part to satisfy demand for affordable, personal access to computing resources from electronics, [[amateur radio|ham radio]], and other hobbyist user groups. Giants like [[IBM]] eventually discovered the PC to be a good and profitable thing, but initial impetus came from the [[grassroots]].

According to the [http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/User-Group-HOWTO.html Linux User Group HOWTO],

To give just one indication of how LUGs differ from traditional user groups: Traditional groups must closely monitor what software users redistribute at meetings. While illegal copying of restricted proprietary software certainly occurred, it was officially discouraged&mdash;for good reason. At LUG meetings, however, that entire mindset simply does not apply: Far from being forbidden, unrestricted copying of Linux should be among a LUG's primary goals. In fact, there is [[anecdotal evidence]] of traditional user groups having difficulty adapting to Linux's ability to be lawfully copied at will.<ref name="Linux User Group HOWTO">{{cite web|url=http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/User-Group-HOWTO.html |title=Linux User Group HOWTO |publisher=Tldp.org |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref>

:Computer user groups are not new. In fact, they were central to the personal computer's history: Microcomputers arose in large part to satisfy demand for affordable, personal access to computing resources from electronics, [[ham radio]], and other hobbyist user groups. Giants like [[IBM]] eventually discovered the PC to be a good and profitable thing, but initial impetus came from the [[grassroots]].

}}

===Typical activities===

:To give just one indication of how LUGs differ from traditional user groups: Traditional groups must closely monitor what software users redistribute at meetings. While illegal copying of restricted proprietary software certainly occurred, it was officially discouraged&mdash;for good reason. At LUG meetings, however, that entire mindset simply does not apply: Far from being forbidden, unrestricted copying of Linux should be among a LUG's primary goals. In fact, there is [[anecdotal evidence]] of traditional user groups having difficulty adapting to Linux's ability to be lawfully copied at will.

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).

===Typical Activities===

Some LUGs are informal conferences or round table discussions; members simply sit around and chat about Linux-related topics. Some provide formal presentations. For example, [[Linus Torvalds]] has occasionally talked to SVLUG or BALUG (which both are close to his former home in Silicon Valley), and [[Hans Reiser]] (creator of [[ReiserFS]]) presented his early design plans at an SVLUG meeting. Presenters might be anyone in the community with something interesting to say. Occasionally, corporations will sponsor or encourage their employees to speak at user groups to promote their products. LUGs generally require that these presentations provide technically interesting content, rather than overt sales pitches. Often, LUG meetings provide an opportunity for members and guests to make announcements, especially for jobs offered and/or wanted, pleas for assistance (free or professional consulting), and hardware for sale or to be given away "to a good home".

LUGs typically meet once per month in facilities freely provided by universities, colleges, community centers, private corporations, or banquet rooms in the backs of restaurants. For example, the [http://www.svlug.org/ SVLUG] of the Silicon Valley 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]], while the [http://www.balug.org/ BALUG] (SF Bay Area LUG) has always meet in a banquet room above the Four Seas Restaurant in [[San Francisco]]'s chinatown.

LUGs near each other geographically sometimes get together to hold conferences and share knowledge among peers. For example, in [[Central America]], in 2009, the first ''Encuentro Centro Americano de Software Libre'' was held in [[Nicaragua]], where LUGs from the region, from [[Belize]] to Panama, attended. Groups from other countries are also invited. In 2010, this conference was held in Punta Renas, [[Nicaragua]]; where there were members from the region, including from [[Germany]] and [[Mexico]]. In 2011, it was held in [[El Salvador]]. These events usually take place in summer, as most of the LUG members are students. As a second example, several [[Los Angeles]]-area LUGs sponsor and staff the annual [[Southern California Linux Expo]] (SCALE) conference.

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

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.

Some LUGs are informal conferences or round table discussions; members simply sit around and chat about Linux related topics. Some provide formal presentations. For example [[Linus Torvalds]] has occasionally talked to SVLUG or BALUG (which are local to his adopted home in the Silicon Valley), and [[Hans Reiser]] (creator of [[ReiserFS]]) presented his early design plans at an SVLUG meeting. Presenters might be anyone in the community with something interesting to say. Occasionally, corporations will sponsor or encourage their employees to speak at users' groups to promote their products. LUGs generally require that these presentations provide technically interesting content rather than overt sales pitches. Often, LUG meetings provide an opportunity for members and guests to make announcements, especially for jobs offered and/or wanted, pleas for assistance (free or professional consulting), and hardware for sale or to be given away "to a good home".

A few LUGs have developed projects of regional or even international stature. For example, the Uganda Linux User Group<ref>{{cite web |url=http://linux.or.ug/ |title=Uganda 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 |website=Fedora 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 |website=openSUSE Wiki |language=en|access-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> The Bellingham Linux Users Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blug.org/ |title=Bellingham 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).

Many LUGs also organize [[installfest]]s (FreeBSD groups tend to refer to them as [[installathon]]s) which are opportunities for experienced Linux users to help others, especially "[[newbies]]" (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.

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.

===Installfests===

{{quote box

|quote = [...] an installfest is a gathering at which experienced Linux users assist less experienced users with the installation and configuration of Linux distributions, and where Linux users can bring Linux systems to receive assistance with system problem remediation.

|source = [[Linux Documentation Project]]<ref name="tldp">[http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Installfest-HOWTO/introduction.html Linux Installfest HOWTO], [[Linux Documentation Project]]</ref>

|width = 40%

|align = right

|qalign = right

|quoted = 1

}}

An '''Installfest''' (a [[portmanteau]] of ''installation'' and ''festival'') is an event, generally sponsored by a local Linux User Group, university, or [[LAN party]], at which people get together to do mass installations of computer [[operating system]]s or [[Computer software|software]], most often [[Linux]] and other [[open source software]].

It is generally an advocacy and community-building event, where novices bring their computers along with their preferred operating system installation disks to the ___location of the installfest, and experienced users help them in getting started and troubleshooting problems. Sometimes, a [[Linux distribution]] and informative flyers are given for free to the attendees. Some events ask for participants to bring [[power strip]]s and [[network switch]]es, if available.

Installfests welcome all skill levels from complete novice to expert. An installfest will range from an informal get together to festivals involving music. The tone and scope of a specific event will depend on the organization sponsoring it. Writing in the [[BBC]]'s ''Internet Blog'' in 2008, George Wright described a mini-installfest as being "as painless as [he]'d imagined" and "[with] a bit of luck, it can be straightforward".<ref name="bbc wright 2008">{{cite web|last=Wright|first=George|title=Ubuntu Installfest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/02/ubuntu_installfest.html|work=BBC Internet Blog|publisher=BBC|date=19 February 2008|access-date=22 May 2012}}</ref>

The [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] Global Jam includes installfests.

Simultaneous installfests in many [[Latin America]]n cities are coordinated annually through [[FLISOL]].

=== Hackfests ===

{{See also|Hackathon}}

A '''Hackfest''' (a [[portmanteau]] of ''hack'' and ''festival'') is an event, generally sponsored by a local Linux user group, university, or [[LAN party]], at which people get together to demonstrate security issues or [[reverse engineer]] computer [[operating system]]s or [[Computer software|software]], most often [[Linux]] and other [[open source software]].

=== SFD ===

{{Main|Software Freedom Day}}

Local LUGs celebrate [[Software Freedom Day]] by going out and promoting [[Free and Open Source Software]] (FOSS). Free Ubuntu CDs are given out along with brochures and any information about FOSS. This event is commonly held on the third Saturday of September.

==Online LUGs==

Not all online Linux support groups refer to themselves as "a LUG", and the use of the word is sometimes (as in the Linux User Group HOWTO)<ref name="Linux User Group HOWTO"/> intended to specifically refer to groups of Linux users that organize regular meetings. However, the LUG indexes list groups with members over a large geographical area, and, over time, organizations like the '''EU LUG''', for Linux users throughout the [[European Union]] ({{As of|2005|lc=on}}, apparently defunct) use the term LUG to refer to themselves.

Online LUGs use [[mailing lists]], [[bulletin boards]], and IRC as their primary method of communication, with members meeting physically seldom or not at all. As with local LUGs, some groups are limited to technical discussions and others seek to form social bonds between Linux users by having "chat" or "off topic" forums.

Not all online Linux support groups refer to themselves as "a LUG", and the use of the word is sometimes (as in the [http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/User-Group-HOWTO.html Linux User Group HOWTO]) intended to specifically refer to groups of Linux users which organise regular meetings. However, the LUG indexes list groups with members over a large geopgraphical area, and over time, organisations like the '''EU LUG''', for Linux users throughout the [[European Union]] ([[as of 2005]], apparently defunct) use the term LUG to refer to themselves.

Reasons for forming or joining an online LUG differ: Some members of online LUGs may be relatively isolated without a local LUG accessible, or with only a few other Linux users in their area.

Online LUGs use [[mailing lists]], [[bulletin boards]] and IRC as their primary method of communication, with members meeting physically seldom or not at all. As with local LUGs, some groups are limited to technical discussions and others seek to form social bonds between Linux users by having "chat" or "off topic" forums.

==Women in Free Software Communities==

Reasons for forming or joining an online LUG vary. Some members of online LUGs may be relatively isolated without a local LUG accessible or with only a few other Linux users in their area. Some Linux users are dissatisfied with their local LUG for reasons that might include its size, insularity or atmosphere: the online group [[LinuxChix]], which is a worldwide LUG and social group for women Linux users, was founded due to the perceived aggression and rudeness prevalent in other Linux forums. The potential member base of an online LUG, as with other online support groups, make them suitable for people seeking help with more obscure or difficult problems. Some Linux users are part of both a local LUG and an online LUG.

The online group [[LinuxChix]] is a worldwide LUG and social group that was founded to provide technical and social support for women Linux users.

An EC-funded study (2006) summarized in the Flosspols report,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flosspols.org/deliverables/FLOSSPOLS-D16-Gender_Integrated_Report_of_Findings.pdf |title=D16 - Gender: Integrated Report of Findings |access-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213085746/http://flosspols.org/deliverables/FLOSSPOLS-D16-Gender_Integrated_Report_of_Findings.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-13 }}</ref> indicates that about 1.5% of FLOSS community members were female, compared with 28% in proprietary software. The Ubuntu Census Survey (June 2006) also reflects a similar female ratio with 2.4% women actively volunteering in the Ubuntu community.

Other *-women communities are :

* Ubuntu-Women<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ubuntu-women.org/ |title=ubuntu-women.org |publisher=ubuntu-women.org |date=2012-03-01 |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> seeks to balance and diversify the Ubuntu Community, by actively engaging in discussions with women and encouraging them to participate and become more involved within the Ubuntu community.

* Debian-Women<ref>{{cite web|url=http://women.debian.org/home/ |title=Debian Women |publisher=Women.debian.org |access-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718050622/http://women.debian.org/home/ |archive-date=2012-07-18 }}</ref> seeks to balance and diversify the Debian Project, by actively engaging with interested women and encouraging them to become more involved with Debian.

* Gnome-Women<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiki.gnome.org/GnomeWomen |title=GnomeWomen - GNOME Wiki |publisher=GNOME |date=2012-02-21 |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> is a group dedicated to providing encouragement for women to contribute to GNOME, a free and open-source Linux/Unix desktop suite.

* KDE-Women<ref>{{Cite web|title=KDE Women - KDE Community Wiki|url=https://community.kde.org/KDE_Women|access-date=2020-12-03|website=community.kde.org}}</ref> is about building a community of female KDE contributors and users.

* Apache-Women<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home - WOMEN - Apache Software Foundation|url=https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WOMEN/Home|access-date=2020-12-03|website=cwiki.apache.org}}</ref> has a mailing list for discussions.

* Fedora-Women<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Women#Fedora_Women |title=Women |publisher=FedoraProject |date=2012-02-21 |access-date=2012-07-12}}</ref> program aims to provide a forum for the women of the Fedora Community.

* Arch Linux Women<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archwomen.org/ |title=ArchWomen |publisher=ArchWomen |date=2017-11-05 |access-date=2017-11-05}}</ref> is an all-inclusive Linux user group that focuses on encouraging women to get involved in the Arch Linux community.

==See also==

{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}

* [[Unix]]

* [[LUGs, FSUGs, GLUGs in India and Asia]]

* [[LUGs,Computer FSUGs,User GLUGs in the UKGroup]]

* [[Free software community]]

* [[Hackerspace]]

* [[LAN party]]

* [[LinuxChix]]

* [[Macintosh User Group]]

* [[New Economy]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [httphttps://www.linux.org/groupslugs/ Linux.org Linux User Group LUGsdirectory]

* [http://lugwwluglist.counter.li.orgcom Linux User LUGsGroups WorldWidelist]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160325173425/https://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Operating_Systems/Linux/User_Groups/ DMOZ Linux User Groups list] (2016 archive)

* [http://www.linuxmafia.com/~rick/linux-info/daniel-kionka.html SVLUG Historical Note] (Historical interest only!)

* (fr) French speaking: [https://www.agendadulibre.org/orgas Linux User Groups List (Agenda du libre)]

* [http://lug.org.uk UK Linux User Groups List]

* [https://lug.org.cn China GNU/Linux User Groups List]

* [http://linux.org.au/usergroups Linux Australia LUG list]

* [http://www.wikiwikiweb.de/LugsList LUGs list for India & Asia]

* [http://lugmap.linux.it/ I Linux User Group italiani]

* [http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Installfest-HOWTO/introduction.html The Linux Documentation Project's Installfest]

{{Linux}}

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