[ILUG] [Fwd: Linux on TV3]

[Cormac McClean]

> In reality, unless we figure out some way of doling out responsibility,
> the only way this site can be administered is by someone on the dole,
> that's the only way someone'll have time to do everything within a
> reasonable time-span..


Donncha,

I wonder if it would be possible to set up a system to spread
the workload.  For example, on the PR front, maybe set up a 
form on the web site where ILUG members can notify the committee
of upcoming PR opportunities as soon as they hear of them, including
details of e.g. the program, and who to contact.

I completely understand how difficult it is to do your committee
work in your spare time - my main job is lecturing, but in
addition to that I (and another colleague) have the responsibility
of maintaining the Linux lab, not to mention trying to do
some research and software development.

However, it is a pity that an opporunity like this (the TV3) program
is going to be missed.  But I'm outraged by TV3's choice of
speakers lined up from the program

> we have already lined up Joe Macri from Microsoft and Adam Jollans 
> from IBM to come onto the programme.

!!! For F**k's sake! (excuse the language). In my experience,
no Microsoft spokesperson can take an objective view on Linux
or open source in general, as evidenced by the article
mentioned earlier today -

<http://news.cnet.com/investor/news/newsitem/0-9900-1028-4825719-RHAT.html?t
ag=ltnc>
 > "I'm an American, I believe in the American Way.  I worry if the
 > government encourages open source; and I don't think we've done
enough
 > education of policy makers to understand the threat."  - Jim Allchin
(If open source is "unamerican", then that's just another great reason
to be involved!).

It's hard to know what the IBM person will have to say, but not having
a representative from the Linux community is like having a programme
on vegetarianism and having two speakers - a butcher and the head of
the Farmers Association, and not including a vegetarian.

Anyway, the blame here lies with TV3 (although credit to them for
interviewing Richard Stallman recently) but I think it would be
worth having some formal way to allow ILUG members alert the
committee about things like this.

It's a lot for a small number of people to do in their spare time,
but you'd be surprised how many people would be willing to do
little bits here and there to spread the load.

Regards,
Cormac.

P.S. I greatly appreciate the work the ILUG committee does,
especially given the fact that it's done on a non-paid, spare
time basis.