Monthly Archives: November 2006

How many mickles makes a muckle

By | Published: November 7, 2006

Or

“How do you measure how busy a LUG is?”

I love Linux User Groups, I really do. Regional LUGs in the UK are in a superb position to help people and foster greater adoption of Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) in homes and businesses. They often have instant access to very technically sound people with masses of personal FLOSS experience. Many LUGs have been around for some years and have picked up new members organically along the way. Some have actively sought new members, other have been more static. The odd LUG has gone to visit the choir invisible, but those are few and far between.

Posted in Advocacy, Linux | 2 Comments

Does LUG.org.uk really need a leader

By | Published: November 6, 2006

There’s a question I’ve been asked repeatedly recently.

“Why don’t you lead LUG.org.uk?”

Usually I evade the question because it’s not actually that easy to answer accurately or quickly so I usually just say “lead what?”.

Nik Butler of Sussex LUG and more recently Ubuntu-UK LoCo team has asked me a few times. Just last week Jono put me on the spot in the latest episode of the Linux-Based podcast LUGRadio, asking me the same thing. Okay I guess I asked for it knowing that I was being interviewed for LUGRadio about LUGs in the UK. I gave some of the reasons for my answer but not the full answer.

Posted in Advocacy, Linux | 2 Comments

Unplugging USB Sticks Considered Harmful To Children

By | Published: November 5, 2006

Today I was sat at the computer with Gedit open with a dozen or so “not saved recently but open” documents that reside on a 1GB USB stick currently plugged into the USB port on the top.

Sophie walks up and pulls the USB stick out. The first I notice is this dialog on my desktop appear:-

I turn to look at Sophie and notice she has my USB stick in her hand. I am about to strenuously inform her of my displeasure when I notice her smile and just ask “Why!?”. She informs me “Daddy, it’s in the wrong slot” and proceeds to plug it into a different USB port.

Posted in Fun, Linux, Ubuntu | 1 Comment

Late Report From Linux World Expo 2006

By | Published: November 5, 2006

Day zero

I packed up the car with one desktop PC running Edgy, one 20″ LCD panel, two laptops (in bags) and a box of assorted cables and sundries. I knew Nik would be there already so I ensured I had his mobile number so we could arrange the meet up and hand-over of my exhibitors pass (which lets me into the (un)loading bay). I printed out directions to olympia and had a relatively early night.

Day one

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The bullying from Microsoft begins – again

By | Published: November 4, 2006

It’s been just two days since Microsoft and Novell announced a protection racket whereby Novell are “safe” for a limited period from the patent lawyers.

Steve Ballmer – the Microsoft CEO – has now started bullying other Linux vendors into entering similar agreements.

SAN FRANCISCO—Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said his company is open to talking to other Linux distributors about reaching mutual patent coverage deals similar to the agreement signed Nov. 2 with Novell.

Such talks would be a good idea, Ballmer suggested, since now only Novell’s SUSE Linux customers are the only Linux vendors that have any assurance that Microsoft won’t sue for patent infringement.

How entirely unsurprising for Microsoft to fall back to it’s old ways just when some thought this agreement might be good for Linux.

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