No Subject

[Z9RMDUNB@xxxxxxxxxx]

Introduction

I would first like to complement the developers of the Klug web page. I 
think they have done a fine job. While I agree that the Linux group needs 
organization  I am not sure that I have anything that I can contribute at 
an organized level at this time. This is due in part to my lack of usable 
knowledge of the Linux operating system.

My primary goal of attending the meetings was to get a better idea of what 
Linux could do for me. While I am the first to admit that my attendance has 
been less than perfect , this has been in part because I do not understand 
what Linux can do for me. Much of the terminology used at the meetings is 
way above my head and to this day I still do not know how to gain the most 
from the operating system.

The Group

There is talk about expanding the group and reaching out to a new group of 
people. This is destined to fail unless the group can inform others as to 
the potential of Linux. Information must not only be technical but 
understandable to the average person.  There are many people out there , 
who know of Linux but do not have any idea of what Linux can do for them. 
They do however know of the limitations Linux offers with regards to their 
current software. If we ask ourselves why have other Linux groups failed my 
response must be that they did not target there audiences at "NEW" users. 
Take this group for example , Many of the group are familiar with the 
operating system it's commands and it's uses. But what about the other 
users out there? 

The Average User

We must inform them by addressing their needs , such needs as word 
processing , data management , internet access , spreadsheets and games. 
The average user is not going to give a darn about the technical setup or 
technical jargon. If they did care they wouldn't have a micr$#%$#%$ system 
, but the micro$&##%$# system works for them. They don't care as long as it 
works. So the question we have to answer is how do we solve the average 
person's questions without sounding like tech heads. 

The Solutions

In my opinion there are three ways to solve our problems.

1) The Web
 We must provide a spot on our web page devoted to new users (newbies). 
Provide links which show new users that there are word processors , 
spreadsheets , games and other tools for the average person to use. Provide 
a means for newbies to ask questions or submit requests (not just a mailing 
list). The average person does not care to get on a mailing list , they 
want answers. If the answers aren't readily available , they either give up 
or go else where. Provide a resource library or links to such libraries 
that the new user can use to gain a foundation on the Linux operating 
system. Many new users find the books that are available much to 
complicated to comprehend. That is why in part the "Dummy" books have done 
so well. We must provide resources that encourage the user to continue 
rather that give up.


2) Meetings 
Meeting's must be at a level where the average user can understand what is 
going on. If that means having 2 meetings , 1 for advanced users and 1 for 
beginners , then we must do that. For without a beginner we will have no 
more advanced users than we have right now. If we fail to communicate with 
the beginners our group will not grow. The second option is to have a split 
meeting ,with an advanced session and a beginner session.

3)Promotion
The means to promote our group and the Linux operating system has been 
given to us. We must promote not only the operating system but the full 
potential of the operating system as it pertains to the average user. We 
can do this at the computer shows by showing working examples of what the 
user cares about most. We can promote it through discussions at our 
meetings. Some time back we held an install fest. Why did this not work? I 
believe that it failed because first we must give the users a reason to 
install this operating system.

Conclusion 

It my belief that for the group to survive and flourish , the group must do 
what it can to promote the use of the operating system by educating both 
the average and the novice users as to the full potential of a solid 
operating system.


Thank You 

Richard Dunbar (Newbie)