Re: [tlug] Trying to clarify the idea of a "Bye-bye Windows" segment

[Matt Gushee <matt@example.com>]

Shannon Jacobs wrote:

> moving farther away from Windows. Not a big bother to me, but I'd
> guess that many people would be appalled by the very notion of
> learning to compile a kernel.

Well, everything's relative. Some people are appalled by not having a 
Start Button[tm] in the "right" place on their desktops. But compiling 
Linux kernels:

  * has practical value for some users, who may need new device drivers,
    security features, specialized networking components or file
    systems, performance hacks, etc.

  * is pretty easy once you get used to it.

  * used to be necessary to gain some "standard" capabilities like sound
    and APM support.

Not to deny that talking about it can put people off. It surely can, and 
those who want to *promote* Linux to the public should keep in mind 
that, (e.g.) compiling kernels tends to intimidate newbies, and is these 
days quite unnecessary for the average end user.

Traditionally, LUGs have not been about promoting Linux to the public: 
they're more about sharing technical knowledge among people who know 
they want to use Linux. As an irregular, online-only participant, I 
can't say what TLUG should do, but perhaps it is time for a shift in focus.

--
Matt Gushee
: Bantam - lightweight file manager : matt.gushee.net/software/bantam/ :
: RASCL's A Simple Configuration Language :     matt.gushee.net/rascl/ :