The Linux Society

I'm very proud to announce the birth of my second daughter Ava Megan Finnon – who was born at 12:48pm on the 20th of January (yes that's right Obama's inauguration, I mean his first with mistakes) and weighed 6lb 1 ½ oz.

She is very beautiful indeed, and yes I am allowed to say that, as with my first daughter she was born with her eye's wide open and there is nothing in the world that beats your offspring looking right back at you. My girlfriend Sharlene was an absolute star, and was the personification of strength itself. As some of you may now my daughter was 11 days late, and was delivered via c-section (the baby was what is known as in breech, which means she was the wrong way round, on a side note so was my eldest daughter), however she was back up on her feet within hours and was discharged 2 days later.

I was lucky this time, a little more prepared mentally, and my Linux Society responsibilities where tailored off by the fantastic team we have in place now, big thanks to Nick and "Big" Kris, they have both been fantastic and everyone else that has made it a little easier for me. ( you know who you are)

As some of you may or may not know, the Linux Society was recently written about in this months Linux Format (UK edition Issue 115), and it was very pleasant surprise to me and the rest of the society to have such nice things said about the work we do, getting peer recognition of the work we do can only help to heighten a already motivated user group.

It seems a life time ago when myself, William Cameron, and Jennifer Higgins started this society.  Seeing through a tough year, knowing that what was happening could grow and mature into a thriving community.  As the society has changed with its growing members so has the whole experience.  Long gone are the days that we don't know what the talk is before we're at the meeting.  We've made many, many good friends along the way as the society has changed and this was demonstrated with the volume of congratulations messages that I received, and everyone thank you for those messages. In the same Linux Format article EdLUG was also mentioned and it seems Scotland is becoming an epicentre of the UK Linux Scene (and open source of course). http://www.edlug.org.uk/

For me it seems so strange, for nearly two years we struggled to find speakers, and now we're always booked up 6 weeks in advance (and I only do a talk once in a blue moon compared to every other week), and I personally think that it is a wider adoption of Linux thanks to the many and wide ranging netbooks that are running Linux.  I was shocked this year at freshers fair how many people had already been using Linux, and many of them had been introduced via the Asus EEE's.  I'm looking forward to seeing if that would be replicated again this year.

Well back to business I suppose, and I have a few Linux Society stuff that I would like to mention.  Firstly we are looking at a redesign of the web site, for many reasons but one of the key ones was a usability issues.  I'm not too sure if I agree but the one thing that does hit me, is that our site has very little about who and what we are.   I think that is a shame as people coming to our site really don't find that much out about us, but hay at least they see that we like to help people with their Linux discovery.  There is a chance for members to get involved in this process and I would advice that everyone that can does, it is one thing to have a wish list for it, but it is a complete other to leave it to someone else to do it.  Its not just technology that we need a help with, but we need people to start using their blogs, and write about their Linux pursuits (not just Linux but anything you think that members may find interesting),

I'm also very proud to announce that we are going to take part in this years Software Freedom Day, as we did last year.   It was a great success and with a bit more experience we should be able to really but on a show and a half.  Watch this space for more details and to find ways on how you can part of the action.  For people that don't know Software Freedom Day is held on the third Saturday of September and more information on the global event can be found at http://www.softwarefreedomday.org.

We have also had some very good news that we may have found a sponsor to help us with merchandise to give to people who make a contribution to the Linux Society community.  Its early days yet, and they will be more information to come but thanks to http://www.file-away.co.uk/ and Robert "swifty" Ladyman.

Also if you want to get your Linux related story published then here's your chance.  Mr Community himself aka Jono Bacon is compiling a book about peoples experience in the Linux community you can find more information here http://thelinuxsociety.org.uk/content/fwd-from-lugmasters-list

As usual for a full list of what talks we have planned at the society then you can visit http://www.thelinuxsociety.org.uk/events

I shall be returning back to duties on the 12th of February, geared with a talk called "A Diverse Community" As usual you can join the one going discussions and talks from within the society, by joining up to the mailing list which can be found https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/dundee

finux signing out