[olug] What Is Next

[Jay Woods]

The installation of Linux as a project has died a natural death. Modern 
distributions are pretty easy to install. 

Deeper understanding of major pieces of software for Linux is being done by 
the presentations at the monthly meetings. Although, it tends to turn into 
'major in size' but 'minor in usage' which limits the attendance at the 
meetings and doesn't handle the installation of cranky major pieces of 
software.

My example of 'cranky' is being able to install, compile, and execute a 
development copy of KDE on Fedora 16 so I can run GDB. What I am suggesting is 
a reactivation of the Linux Installfest but not just a Linux distribution but 
also those major 'cranky' system of packages. We could have a list of systems 
desired being built up for the six months along with volunteers to demonstrate 
how on our own computers. This would give time for a little give and take. For 
my F16 KDE example, it might turn out to be on Debian or LinuXMint. Or it 
might be that there is a developer's version of F16 KDE on DVD; just install 
it. Or it might be that, what the mentor does, is lead me to creating that DVD 
including all the developer documentation.

If the above is too ambitious for a particular system, a cut-down version on, 
say, KDE-PIM or DVD creation or developer documentation packaging would be 
steps toward giving classes at AIM or MCC on the full version. Acquiring these 
skills would be leading us as a community being able to give back to the linux 
community as a whole as developers (at least as better informed bug spotters).