[TriLUG] Trilug -- Current Status

[Bill Weinel via TriLUG]

I think this is partially true. Many of the original members of LUGs 
have either moved on to other pursuits, or have become proficient in 
Linux to the point where LUGs don't provide them with much value for the 
time invested. However, there are many users of other operating systems 
(MS Windows) out there who still have no clue as to what Linux is, how 
it works, or how and why it's better than what they are currently using.

The old original argument against Linux, which I used to hear regularly 
from MS users, was that "there is no equivalent Linux application 
available" to perform whatever task they were trying to accomplish. 
Today, this is mostly no longer true, since there are now a wide variety 
of open source applications available for Linux which accomplish the 
same tasks as their MS equivalents. The second argument was that "Linux 
is too complicated to use". That's also mostly untrue these days since 
we now have a variety of Linux desktop operating systems available, some 
of which a user can operate without ever having a need to drop into a 
shell or have any underlying knowledge of the O/S. Finally, many users 
have a bias against Linux because they have never tired it and know 
nothing else but MS Windows. This is any area where LUGs can make an 
impact by providing a local forum for users to experience Linux in person.

Linuxes biggest issue, in my opinion, is just a lack of information on 
the current state of Linux which hasn't gotten through to most computer 
users. That's where LUGs have a significant role to play. By providing 
current Linux information to the masses of uninformed users, it's 
likely  that more users will see the advantages to using an open source 
operating system .vs. having to pay for an operating system which 
constantly has issues and is vastly inefficient.

As always... YMMV.

All the best,
Bill


On 5/9/24 15:33, William Sutton wrote:
> Looking back at this from a quarter century perspective ... I think 
> we're seeing here in accelerated form what happened with auto clubs in 
> the last century.  When Linux was still very much new and hobbyist 
> oriented, there was a great demand for users groups.  As it has become 
> mainstream, and as people have moved from RTP to other areas, or from 
> Linux to other job profiles, our active membership has declined.  I've 
> seen the same thing with the Northern Virginia Linux users group over 
> the same timeframe.