Ubuntu-au Obsolete? or needing a revamp?

[Chris Chinchilla]

The strange this is, Ubuntu growth is rapid at the moment, and there are
a lot of groups out there, I'm a little new to the list so I'm not
entirely sure what it's supposed to be here for, but I think there is
still a space for an Australian Ubuntu 'overseer', but we do suffer from
geographical extremities and the fact that little modification is needed
here from the US / UK versions... Perhaps a rethinking into more of a
resource for pooling together Ubuntu users and groups?

What do other groups around the world do?

A lack of finances means that a meet up is hard bearing in mind the
Geography of Australia, but my most immediate idea would be to change or
at least update the website, I cam across the site from the Ubuntu site
as an interested party and was greeted by an out of date site, which
will put beginners off.

On Thu, 2009-09-03 at 23:19 +1000, Dave Hall wrote: 

> Hi Scott,
> 
> On Thu, 2009-09-03 at 17:18 +1000, Scott Evans wrote:
> > Is it still fair to say that Australia still has an "active" ubuntu
> > team?
> > 
> > It seems that the proposed monthly meeting have failed, if a call for
> > help goes out on #ubuntu-au it generally goes unanswered as the person
> > doing the asking is in need of a quick answer and possibly leaves
> > assuming no-one wants to help them.
> 
> I look at the list every day or so depending on work demands.  I
> currently subscribe to about 30 lists of varying traffic levels.
> 
> I have been a Linux desktop user for many years - I run warty on my 2nd
> desktop :)
> 
> Supporting Linux desktops isn't easy, each person's setup is different.
> Look at Rob's recent thread on his vodafone HSDPA modem.  I have a fair
> bit of experience using 3G modems with Linux, I am about to by my 7th
> modem, and sign my 6th contract.  If he had have email another week I
> may not have had time to put the effort in.
> 
> Lets look at the "quick answer" issue for a minute.  Most users pay
> nothing for ubuntu.  They pay around $200 for a copy of Windows on a new
> PC.  with either option there is no offer of free support.  If people
> want a quick answer, they can always pay for one.  
> 
> I am a big user of FOSS.  If I want an SLA, I buy the commercial*
> version, or pay for a support contract.  At the same time, I know where
> to find a lot of info, so when I can I "spend" my time, not cash on
> getting support.
> 
> On a few occassions I have had beer delivered to people on the other
> side of the world after getting help with critical issues.
> 
> The software is free as in freedom (and beer too), but the support isn't
> included, that is a bonus.
> 
> Note: * commercial doesn't mean proprietary.  In some cases it does, but
> there is loads of commercial open source out there too.
> 
> > What I'm hoping to achieve here is constructive comments/criticism of
> > the current state of ubuntu-au and hopefully get some activity
> > happening again... (may just be banging my head against a brick wall!)
> 
> Go for it.  But have a clear plan on what _you_ plan to do for the
> community.  Don't do something expecting there to be a bunch of others
> with the same motivations and time as you.  If others don't jump on
> board, it doesn't mean they think you are wrong, hate you etc etc, they
> may have more important things to do or lack the technical skills etc.
> 
> > Currently the ubuntu-au mailing list averages about 25-75 spam emails
> > a day! and it's rare to see a valid request (from mirrored sources of
> > this list) also they are generally requests for help. I realise that
> > not everyone is at their PC 24/7 or active on IRC but if I was asked
> > as to the current involvement of ubuntu-au I'd be hard pressed to give
> > an  truthful answer to it meaning as currently it achieves very little
> > (IMHO)
> > 
> > So please bring forth a plethora of suggestion/ideas & comments... 
> > 
> > I am but one... as many we are a community...  lets make it "happen"
> 
> I will contribute when I have time, but I have very little time
> available this month.  My "community" time this month will be spent
> converting the local community run internet cafe from windows to ubuntu
> - well most of the machines.  I will also be launching the drupal
> powered community website - http://newstead.vic.au.  Finally I will
> rolling out a free wifi network in the CBD of my town.  
> 
> October will mostly be spent travelling for business.  Somewhere in
> there I need to make time for my family.  Explaining to yet another
> person that the < $100 inkjet printer they bought is a useless
> winprinter isn't even on the radar.
> 
> I hope you are still reading to here.  I have been involved in FOSS
> projects for almost 10 years.  I hate to see people with energy get
> discouraged, we need fresh faces, new blood, different directions.  At
> the same time, you should be stepping up to do something, not stepping
> up to tell others what to do.  Be brave, take the jump.  See where you
> end up.  I wish you the best.  Be prepared to put in the hard yards.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Dave
> 
> PS Please consider dropping the 2 images from your signature and using
> plain text for the list, that would bring your ~40k message down to
> <4k :)
> 
> 
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