Re: [aclug-L] PGP--Meeting Topic

[Jeff <schaller@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 3 Sep 1999, Dale W Hodge wrote:

> On Fri, 3 Sep 1999, Jeff wrote:
> > Distinguish between people who use just the mailing list versus people
> > who can show up for meetings.  Then you can structure the meetings
> > around the experience and desires of the people who show up to them.
> 
> My general feeling is that we often talk over the heads of about
> half of the audience at the meetings, and we're not technical
> enough for the other half.

Thus my suggestion of a survey. Are people really left in the dust?
Are people really bored? How many? How much? Maybe we could survey the
interests of the group ("what would you like to learn more about?").


> It's hard to strike the right balance, and not knowing the
> technical level of the audience makes it tougher.  But I've yet to
> find the perfect solution, short of labeling some meetings as
> "advanced" beforehand.

Agreed. I ran across this with my ipchains presentation. But there
comes a point when you simply need to present the problem, ideas, and
solution. If they're above someone's head, then they can ask questions
or go learn more about it.  It's my opinion that there are very few
'advanced' topics -- merely more or less esoteric ones.  Ie: not many
people are going to be interested in diskless workstations (my
assumption based on seeing the group members' situations).  That
doesn't mean they would be unable to understand the situation and
solution.  If they're not interested, that's one thing.


> Another option is to better utilize the web site.  

Good idea.

-jeff "poll, not pole"
-- 
"It is against the grain of modern education to teach children to program.
What fun is there in making plans, acquiring discipline in organizing
thoughts, devoting attention to detail, and learning to be self-critical?"
-- Alan Perlis