[QCLUG] Linux VS MS

[Jim Hall]

Roadkill the Avatar of Misfortune wrote:
> Jim,
> 
> While I hate to contradict... (okay, well maybe I don't.. heh)
> 
> As far as I was aware, the QCLug was intended to be a "general linux help 
> desk" so that members of the Quad Cities (and beyond) could hopefully come to 
> us for help with their problems...  Be them from beginners just starting to 
> learn about linux, and help deciding on which distro to choose, to advanced 
> applications..
> 
> Granted most projects out there have very good documentation, but sometimes 
> it's just plain easier to ask for help than to pour for hours over very 
> clinical documentation.  When someone else has probably been through the same 
> struggles you are currently going through, it's very nice to know there is 
> help out there.
> 
> While I worked at IR, I refrained from asking to many questions about the 
> various things I was working on since it was a major part of my job to learn 
> these things..  And while I think people who are being paid by a company to 
> manage their linux systems should not overly use the LUG for the completion 
> of their duties.  I don't think we should spurn anyone who comes to us for 
> help with Linux or linux-related problems.
> 
> There is a lot of knowledge in the Quad Cities, and to squander it would be 
> such a horrible waste.
> 
> Just my thoughts...
> 
> rk
> 
> On Thursday 13 September 2007 10:13, Jim Hall wrote:
> 
>>Mike Robinson wrote:
>>
>>>What I've found is it always comes down to price.  People are always
>>>surprised (and excited) when I recommend open office - free sells!
>>>
>>>Once the user base is built (and large enough) you can demand
>>>compatibility, which is still the short fall for open office.
>>>
>>>Government acceptance would help to.  I work for the DoD and there is
>>>still a stigma associated with open source software that would be nice
>>>to break, as its my tax dollars being spent as well.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>
>>>On Fri, 2007-09-07 at 17:15 -0700, RK wrote:
>>>
>>>>******How can we make the non-technical users understand the
>>>>******importance of the decision?
>>>>
>>>>Ron
>>>>
>>>>--- "McKnight, Lee" <LMcKnight@bandag.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>
>>The two questions above suggest: local tax payer groups?
>>
>>Also, with the number of different municipalities, other jurisdictions,
>>quasi-governmental organizations, and other non governmental
>>organizations that interact with government in and around the QC we (and
>>I do mean "WE" -- the members of QCLUG) can surely find one who will
>>give something like OOo a try, IF some of us are willing to hold their
>>hands while they go through the teething process. That means some
>>on-site and some phone support availability, folks. I know the LUG was
>>never intended to be a general help desk (and still shouldn't), BUT, if
>>you want to change the world, you have to get your hands in the dirt.
>>I'm doing my part where I am. How many of you are willing to do the
>>same, even a little bit??
>>
>>"Many hands make light work."
>>Jim
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
> 
> 


I was thinking of some of your points because of the mess I got the LUG 
into with the Reader. I guess I should have said we weren't intended to 
be a free IT group? At any rate, I don't want to repeat that situation. 
And I don't want to be the lone sparkplug, because, I'm apparently not 
charismatic enough to do that. If there needs to be a discussion about 
this (hopefully resulting in doing something), then it should be as the 
LUG, not as Jim Hall. Is there any more clarity there?

"Think globally, act locally"
Jim