Linux.com

IMHO people use LUGS as meeting points for linux info on the internet (read as social networking for the linux expert/newbie/geek). We don't have time to meet at our friends place anymore. We are either older and dealing with more responsibilites (job, family, volunteer work) or younger and have grown up with the system and see no reason to get all worked up about it. The truth is that Linux was as much a social phenomenon as it was a technical and financial breakthrough for those of us who saw microsoft as the evil empire with crappy software. It allowed us the freedom to do what we wanted to do, and we weren't tied down by the windriver complex. These days the drive is to get desktop users to buy in. The only thing we haven't done is find some serious marketing people to get behind linux! If it isn't sexy and cool then they don't buy in. Unfortunately LUGS can be somewhat insular. This can turn the average person off the system. LUGS are great for networking, teaching and dissemination of community information, but they aren't going to get the people to buy in; I think this is the ultimate goal for all linux user!

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