[GNUz] How does GLU/GNUz differ from CLUG?

[Timothy Musson]

Rik Tindall wrote:
> Timothy Musson wrote:
> But Free Software is our defining 'special interest' - evidenced in the 
> GLU/GNUz titles. Here we have the opportunity to push the FSF value set 
> as hard and as far as we like.

Great! :^)


> Logically, we are the only group in NZ (& Oz?) that makes available the 
> time and space to consider formation of an 'FSF branch' (without having 
> studied what defines that yet..) and already GLU is the only GLUG this 
> side of India.

Hmmm! We might be the only "LUG" this side of India that includes GNU in
its name, but are we really the only group with a Free Software slant?
(I don't know. I'd be surprised/sad if we are though.)


> >But assuming we are a Free Software group, rather than an alternative
> >CLUG:

> We can be still more so, if you are wanting to help us work towards it.

Your comments have reassured me that GLU/GNUz is the kind of thing I do
want to help with. I'll try to be more involved this year.


> >Instead, why don't we...
> >Consider Free alternatives to Ubuntu (gNewSense, Fedora, others?)

> Please specify how Fedora is an advance on Ubuntu.

If what I've read on the gNewSense mailing list is correct, Fedora is
pretty staunch about software freedom. I'll try to find the gNewSense
thread/posts I'm thinking of, and post links.


> Want to do a gNewSense talk+demo for us soon?

Not in the very near future. I haven't actually tried gNewSense yet.

I've been using Debian since 1998. Until two or three months ago, I
trusted that Debian would never install non-Free software on my computer
without my knowledge and consent. So I'm not feeling particularly loyal
towards Debian at the moment. But I haven't decided what (if anything)
I'm going to do.

I am very interested in gNewSense though.


> >Help folks select and track-down decent hardware.

> Yes, we could start an index of what hardware is open to Free, to offer 
> guidance in purchase decisions. A very good idea :)

> CLUG wiki is the best place for such a database, I'd say. I'm sure no 
> one would object.

Yes, that sort of thing! But there are quite a few websites out there
with this kind of information already - most of them pretty patchy.
Maybe we could focus on improving one or two that already exist? The one
maintained by the FSF would be my pick (...it was actually pretty empty
last time I looked).


> >Come up with a constitution, so that I'm no longer confused :^)

> If you like; draft one up for us. Short & sweet, for discussion.

(I see in a subsequent post you've found an example. I haven't taken a
look yet.)


> We should start preparing a workshop on the hurd. / Something else?

Well, I actually do have Debian GNU/Hurd installed on a 200MHz box
sitting in the corner of my room. Haven't switched it on for a few
months though, and I didn't bother installing a GUI. It's a bit flaky,
but lot more usable than I expected. I wouldn't recommend a Hurd
workshop unless it's just for fun ;^)


> This content rightly continues the recent CLUG thread. I am just glad 
> you have found it worthwhile to add to our local documentation somewhere 
> Tim, and here in particular. Thanks again.

Rik, I know you put a huge amount of time, work and care into GLU/GNUz.
Thank you.


Tim
-- 
trmusson@ihug.co.nz