GLUG History

GLUG meetings change depending on the week. Odd weeks, we have discussions, covering topics such as


 * What is Free Software? What is Open Source software?
 * Why is Free Software important for humanity?
 * What is GNU? What is Linux?
 * Why are copyright laws so insane today? What happened to our public domain?
 * The danger of non-free, copyrighted software.
 * What is copyleft, and why will it save human culture?
 * Why do I want GNU+Linux on my computer instead of Windows and Mac OS X?
 * Shortcomings of GNU+Linux, and how they are being fixed.
 * Hardware with Free drivers.
 * Free Software in governments and educational institutions.
 * Freely licensed file formats for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, audio files, videos, pictures, 3-D images, etc.
 * What's the difference between patents and copyrights? (hint: everything)
 * Why are software patents bad?
 * What is Debian? What is Ubuntu?  What is gNewSense?
 * Will Ubuntu work for me on my computer?

On even weeks, we will invite anyone to bring their computer to the GLUG so that we can migrate it away from the non-free operating system which people may currently run, such as Windows or Mac OS X. By default, we install the Ubuntu distribution of GNU+Linux onto your laptop or desktop. The GLUG will not dual-boot your computer for you, as this supports the use of proprietary, non-free operating systems. Please come to our meetings on odd weeks if you still think you want or need a non-free operating system on your computer.

= Plans for Semester 2 =


 * GLUG Semester 2 Page

Week #1 : September 23rd, 2008
This week we will meet in the East Lecture Hall at 16:20. It will be a discussion covering some of the topics outlined above, plus question/answer periods for those who have questions about or are unfamiliar with what Free Software is and why it is important.

Week #2 : September 30th, 2008
This week is an installfest! Anyone can bring any computer they have, and we will all install Ubuntu on them together. There will be a clearly explained walkthrough of the installation process (it's actually extremely easy) as well as general instructions and Q&amp;As about the use of Ubuntu and what you can do with it.

If you want to see GNU+Linux in action, come to this meeting! We will have Windows and Mac OS X users come and get their computers switched over to Ubuntu, with a clear explanation of how to install and use Ubuntu GNU+Linux.

January 13th, 2009
The GLUG is meeting again!