Proposal for a community activism Linux user group

[Paul Mobbs]

A proposal for a non-geographic
Community Activism Linux User Group -
'CALUG'

By Paul Mobbs, <mobbsey at gn.apc.org>,
cyber-activist with the Free Range Network and the electrohippie collective,
August 2001


Introduction

GNU/Linux has developed from a geeks past-time in the mid-1990s, to an 
operating system (OS) that drives over half the web servers on the Internet 
in 2001. However, a large part of the Linux operating that provides the power 
for applications such as servers requires a lot of experience with terse 
computer instructions to make it work. But in the same way that graphical 
user interfaces gave computers a mass market in the mid-1980s, with the 
advent of the Mac-OS and Windows OS, the development of graphical interfaces 
for Linux, such as KDE or Gnome, has given it a new impetus for development 
on the desktop.

Linux is no longer something just for computer geeks. And whilst the 
availability of powerful office software for Linux is still limited (albeit 
there are some excellent packages out there), over the next two or three 
years its likely that quality applications for all the tasks currently 
performed by people under Windows will be available for Linux. But what is 
required is an organised system to promote those applications for Linux that 
have specific relevance to community-based uses.

Linux has given people a new perspective on computing. The 'open' model not 
only means that computing can be cheap, but the lack of stringent licensing 
restrictions leaves people free to work collectively to develop their own 
resources to fulfil their specific needs. To allow people to develop their 
skills, and provide a more human method of interaction, there are a number of 
'Linux User Groups' (LUGs) spread across towns and cities in a number of 
countries. But for minority uses for the Linux OS, LUGs do not provide an 
effective way of encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration.

What we need is a non-geographic LUG, based around a community of interest, 
to provide a network for those engaged in activities related to Linux not 
popular enough to merit great attention through geographically located LUGs. 
This is necessary so that those primarily involved with community-based uses 
of Linux, from both the software, hardware and training angles, can 
prioritise issues and needs for the 'community-based Linux community' to work 
on. In turn, a distributed, non-geographic LUG can provide feedback into the 
geographical LUGs to improve their knowledge.


Methods for working

Virtual networks have been around for a while - enabled by email, web sites 
and online chat. Where this idea differs is that a 'community activism Linux 
user group' - or CALUG - would need to combine the offline benefits of a 
geographic LUG, with the simplicity of a virtual network. A good example 
would be the Free Range Network, which organises assistance and training in 
the real-world, although it's really just a loose association of people who 
network virtually. Another example is the electrohippie collective, who are a 
very small group of, basically, campaigning geeks, who provide online protest 
opportunities for huge numbers of people around the issue of global trade 
negotiations. But more than anything, for a virtual network to have impact in 
the real-world in needs a far higher level of input.

For most sites or email lists there are perhaps two or three providers of 
information for every fifty or more who use it. That works well because the 
Internet is primarily an information distribution system. But a network whose 
function is developing real-world action requires far more people to provide 
support. Not just to develop online resources, but also to provide support 
for the offline use of those resources.

What we need to develop is -

# A mechanism to allow civil society activists using Linux to work together, 
online and offline,

# To identify priorities for the development of resources to support Linux in 
community groups,

# To develop the required resources, individually or collectively, for all to 
use,

# To develop online services to make the resources available widely, as well 
as within the CALUG,

# To identify gaps in the current provision of Linux applications and to 
lobby the groups developing Linux applications to get those features included,

# Develop our own applications, where possible, to solve the needs not 
addressed via the mainstream application developers,

# To provide a support network for those wishing to advocate the use of 
Linux, as opposed to proprietary systems, as part of community projects,

and most importantly,

# To organise training events, and provide follow-up support for those 
working with the network.

To begin we need a list of people who have Linux experience to share with 
community-based Linux users. Then we need to combine these 'providers' with 
groups already using, or who want to use, Linux as part of community-based 
projects. How we do this is up to those involved, and for a greater part will 
be determined by people's specialisms, locations and ability to get together 
to set-up events.

In the immediate future, web space is no problem. It should also be possible 
to set up a list, either through a free service or a private service if one 
can be found for free. But we need a critical-mass of people to kick-start 
the process of getting the virtual LUG operational before seeking to expand 
it generally - otherwise we just overload those involved.



Getting started

This idea has been wandering around my (KDE) desktop for a while. It started 
when I got involved with more mainstream Linux users. They're really keen to 
develop Linux, and have an important role to play, but they don't necessarily 
have the experience to work with community groups. The whole point about a 
'community activism' LUG is that it should organise around the needs 
identified by those involved, not external priorities. The tools we evolve 
need to reflect the needs expressed by those involved, not what those already 
experience with Linux believe those people should know.

To start with we need to identify a few initial projects and priorities to 
get the community activism LUG going. It would be really helpful to know what 
people would like so we can get a few things organised. But in the immediate 
future we could put together -

* A CD-ROM of general reference information on Linux;

* A hardware guide for people wishing to move to Linux; and

* An informal list of email addresses for people who want to contribute to 
developing a CALUG.

Other priorities can be added to the above list from people's own needs, 
experience, and perhaps from resources they've already prepared themselves 
(e.g., the CD ROM noted above already pretty much exists as part of a CD ROM 
I put together last February for online activists in Eastern Europe). 

But I think a really good target would be to have a get-together of 
interested activist Linux users in the early Autumn. The venue would need to 
be in central England, preferably close to a train station. If anyone knows 
of an available venue that can be obtained for free, or for a minimal charge, 
then we can press on with organising a day of activities around the issues of 
Linux and community activism.


So, to conclude, the key action points:

1. Are you interested in the community action application of Linux, and would 
you like to work with others to start a Community Activism Linux User Group? 
- if so email me.

2. Do you have any particular resources to offer to a possible CALUG - this 
needn't be a detailed knowledge of Linux, people working with community 
groups that involve the use of computers can also contribute their knowledge 
of the needs of groups (which, hopefully, the techies will answer).

3. If you are a Linux techie, can you offer any particular specialist help 
(just general descriptions required - hardware, software, etc.).

4. Does anyone know of a venue in central England we can get for a day in 
late September/early October for nothing, or next to nothing?

5. What are your priority needs for assisting the development of Linux for 
community activism, and the development of a CALUG?


If you have anything to offer, please get in touch.


Paul Mobbs
<mobbsey at gn.apc.org>