[AUUG-Talk]: Re: Don't close AUUG down!

[Peter Chubb]

>>>>> "Greg" == Greg Lehey <Greg> writes:

>> You know, of course, that I've been suggesting dissolution for some
>> time, at a time when people didn't want to admit it.  But now that
>> the time has come, far from saying "I told you so", I'm having
>> second thoughts.  I think we should donate all AUUG's assets to the
>> Lions Chair and then carry on as a non-financial institution.  No
>> membership fees, no money to look after; in principle, just the
>> name, the web site and the mailing lists.  I suggest the John Lions
>> chair because it seems to be the most obvious, but that's certainly
>> a matter for discussion.


This seems to me to be a *really* *good* *idea*.

The main problem with AUUG is that it's become almost irrelevant.
Unix is mainstream now; the kind of buzz that was associated with Unix
in the 70s and 80s is now with Linux.  AUUG missed its chance to
transform itself into essentially what is now Linux Australia; we've
never had the numbers or resources to become another Usenix; and it's
unclear what role AUUG could have in the future.

I really value the friends I've made through AUUG; but I can't get
funding to attend AUUG events any more (AUUG conferences are seen as
very second rate), and I can't afford to fund myself --- so
transforming into what would essecntially be a social network sounds
like a good plan.

--
Dr Peter Chubb  http://www.gelato.unsw.edu.au  peterc AT gelato.unsw.edu.au
http://www.ertos.nicta.com.au           ERTOS within National ICT Australia