[aclug-L] Re: Cool new fan site....hehe

["James G." <jamesga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I will insert my comments into this reply below:

John Goerzen wrote:

> "James G." <jamesga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
> > for them. The question should be: Does ACLUG care to help this class of 
> > people
> > I just mentioned, or does it only care about "technically minded people".
>
> Both.  You might note the following that ACLUG is doing for the newer
> Linux users:
>
>  * Q&A time before each meeting

This time is mainly unorganized and largely wasted in most resent past 
meetings. If
the time was better managed, it still wouldn't be enough time.

>
>
>  * Periodic free installs with greater frequency
>

This event mainly attracts WSU Computer Science students on a budget (not the
average Wichita resident who shops at CompUSA and buys a box of Red Hat for 
$29).

>
>  * Periodic demonstrations with opportunities for people to ask
>    questions
>

Yes... true. This is good. On a bad note though, a one time new visitor will 
often
feel disoriented and out of place and may not return after just one visit.

>
>  * Occasional workshops
>

Good. Dedicated topical events for everyone.

>
>  * Classes
>

Instead of a pure on-line class, perhaps a separate night for this also for the
sake of human interaction to get the ball rolling.

>
>  * Various presentations covering topics of interest to newer users.
>

Yes, but is not always on a very simplistic level and not enough new users
recruited to take advantage of it.

>
>  * These mailing lists where people are always willing to help
>    the newer users.
>

Very good.

>
>  * Occasional surveys
>

The surveys are mainly taken from existing members who are technically inclined 
and
who make a habit to come back. I feel very little to no input is taken from the 
one
timers who are disappointed and never come back after one visit.

>
>  * Asking for topic suggestions from everyone, including newer users.
>

New is relative....

>
>  * Looking at other options too.

One option that has been in the past ignored would be  a separate night for
beginners. This would not take away in the least bit from the existing Monday 
night
crowd. It would be an extension of the group. In fact, it would allow for
membership to grow in the existing group. One problem that has prevented this
option to be executed has been the fear of growth in the group (ironic as it may
seem).

>
>
> I think this is ample evidence that ACLUG is trying to help everyone.
> It is true that ACLUG is not focused solely on new users.  This should
> not be the case, in fact.  It should be a situation where everyone can
> benefit.  Sometimes that means that discussions may be over the head
> of new users.  Sometimes it means that more advanced users may be
> bored.  It can't be an either-or thing.
>

As someone in the mailing list has suggested, perhaps there should be a separate
meeting night for the superusers among us. (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

>
> Consider: if ACLUG focuses solely on beginners, none of the more
> advanced people will be interested, and so there are fewer people for
> beginners to ask questions of.
>

That's why we should cater to each groups needs individually on separate 
nights. I
keep hearing the reoccurring theme that separate nights for different skill 
levels
is totally out of the question (as is implied in the last paragraph).

I'm not at all against what ACLUG is currently doing. I'm against what it is
currently not doing.

>
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James G.


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