[PLUG] Congratulations

[Dave Jones]

For all of those who frequent the list, but didn't go to the meeting on
monday. I'd like to congradulate the new staff of PLUG as follows:
(correct me if I'm wrong on any of this Alex..I'm doing it from memory)

President:         Alex Russell           -  [alex@netwindows.org]
Vice President:    Vidyut Samanta (vids)  -  [vids@purdue.edu]
Treasurtary:       Chris Deckard          -  [cnd@purdue.edu]
Videographer:      Patrick Fitzgerald     -  [pfitzge1@purdue.edu]
Webmaster:         Matt Wirges            -  [wirges@purdue.edu]

Attendance was light since the speaker was cancelled, but it gave us apt
time to discuss the future of where PLUG is going, and In my opinion, I
think PLUG is definitley going places

Many things were discussed..here are a few of the things that stuck in my
mind.

irc.purdue.org - if you don't know what IRC is, its a real time chat type
deal where you join virtual "channels" or rooms and talk to others
publicly in the "channel".  There are many IRC clients available to use
this medium and I think it would be good for real-time virtual meetings to
help with linux and unix and maybe even windows concerns. Get an IRC
client (mIRC or Xircon for win, BitchX or xchat for linux are common
clients) and head there to help or to get help (I'm in #plug frequently)
this is for all student organizations, so Purdue Beat Society hangs out
in #pbs etc..

Website (http://plug.purdue.org) - new content areas including PLUG member
submissions or "projects I'm working on" a good place to just state what
you're planning on doing or if you're having a hard time gettings some
project going, list it. If
it is interesting enough, you'll probably get people to help out, or
maybe, you'll be asked to give a short presentation of something you're
doing for an audience at a PLUG meeting.
Also, improved content and standards compiance (make it look good in every
browser) and more meaningful news (whats planned for the next few
meetings) and better polls.
Watch the website carefully over the next few weeks.

Roundtables - this is an interesting idea that where about 2-4 times a
year, we get PLUG, PUMUG, StudenDev etc.. together to talk about
cross-platform issues, to inform each other about what's going on in their
respective communities, shamelessly flame each other for running inferior
Operating Systems and such. Should be lots of fun.

Finances - we need more money to do more stuff, begging corporations for
donations...hey, It sucks, but it's life. Our people are valuable, and we
need to convince institutions that we are worth investing in.

Conventions - namely linuxworld in New York, it would seriously kick-ass
if we could load the bus up, dress in the height of geek fashion and wend
our way to the big apple for an evening of oohs and ahhs, but we need
money first (see above)

outside of meeting get-togethers (OOMGT) - get together with your favorite
PLUG geeks on our own time, whether to work on a project, or just have
lunch... Fitz's linuxwanderun idea is great, but only lacks participation.
We need to help make PLUG an organization that does more than just have
informative presentations (I already go to a bunch of those every day),
but a real community of foaming-at-the-mouth evangelists and supermen (and
superwomen) both feared and respected on campus.

meeting times - monday tests are official and Ally McBeal is in
syndication, so we should evaluate what meeting times are good for our
members.  Perhaps a later meeting time would be in order (90% of Greeks
hold thier meetings at 7 on mondays, that is a large group to be
excluding, and other organizations like CINLUG, who occasionally drive up
for the talks, maybe more could make the drive. On the flipside, the
meetings have always been at 7, why change. And some people have night
jobs and families.. this is a controversial one, but needs to be
addressed..vote your opinion as soon as the poll comes up on the website.

advertising - how can we have a thriving organization if no-one on campus
knows we exist. Papering and chalking campus before a big meeting might
help.. giving linux speeches in COMM classes is great (just remember to
plug PLUG at the end). Tell a friend, tell a stranger, more members means
more fun, and MORE PEOPLE PAYING DUES.

Remember, anyone can take from the community, but it takes guts to give
some back, so have a voice, participate, help out those in need and make
PLUG look good.

Dave Jones - dajones@purdue.edu