I’m looking at starting a small local Linux Users Group (LUG).
What are good easy ways to get started?
Seems like meetup.com is kinda anti-foss.
Are there better alternatives?
Traditionally they’ve been email lists. Easy to set up and everyone has an email address.
My LUG uses discord :/ but we are working on a matrix bridge.
Bridges IMHO seem like the way to go.
bridges?
I’m in the process of setting one up right now.
If you’re looking for easy, meetup.com probably is the way to go. Personally I’m leveraging the connections I made via a recent end of 10 install event I organized. My state also has a directory of LUGs that I got added to. Our first meeting is in January so we’ll see how it goes 🤞
I should add that first order of business will be deciding on a communication platform. I know mailing lists and IRC are the traditional solutions, but I’m trying to start a LUG that is more accessible to newbies who want help using Linux and don’t necessarily want to learn how to connect to IRC or learn mailing list etiquette. I’m going to push for some kind of forum software, possibly Discourse.
If you could give Mobilizon a try, I’d be interested in hearing your experience.
I really, genuinely like Mobilizon, but the network effect is real, sadly, there aren’t nearly as many people there. I’d probably suggest doing both, and maybe the like-minded people that you find on meetup can follow on Mobilizon, and help that cause as well. Meetup has nothing special, except for lots of people that go there to find events.
it seems like its mostly European or game themed instances
I believe the idea is that you run your own instance if none of the existing one fits your need.
If you do set one up for LUGs you can, if you want, decide to then open it up for LUGs organizers elsewhere.
I’ll check it out thx
