[KLUG Members] loyalty, maturity and responsibility

[Lunitix]

Eric Beversluis wrote:
> On Wed, 2006-04-26 at 23:14 -0400, Lunitix wrote:
> 
> 
> 
>>This group is making moves toward general public education and the 
>>people who left are those who look more toward the professional user. 
>>This may make for a more diversified group of users being reached with 
>>less "guff" from either group.  It has long been a issue as to who KLUG 
>>is directing it's attentions towards.  Now these groups are seperate.
> 
> 
> I have been a member for nearly three years and an officer for nearly
> two calendar years and have not heard this issue debated. This question
> of who KLUG should be trying to serve--and whether that question even
> involves an "either/or"--is an important "philosophical" question. The
> closest any discussions I can recall have come to it were like this: 
>    "Let's do X."
>    "We've tried that and it doesn't work."

The "who we are focusing on" has been discussed many many times.  It 
still is being discussed and I have no idea why you haven't heard it. 
Never will it be put to bed.

> 
> As a quasi-tech, I'm eager to see KLUG serve both the more sysadmin type
> user (I've enjoyed the many presentations in that area, even when I
> haven't followed all the details) and the more end-use oriented groups.
> 
>>So which is "mature" - "Stand and Fight" or "Turn The Other Cheek".
>>There are arguments for both, but only one can be chosen.  You are 
>>choosing to stand and fight for the Group as it is.  Others are choosing 
>>to turn away instead creating such problems that the group would surely 
>>dissolve.  Instead of making digs at those who have chosen to leave, you 
>>should respect their decision.  Maturity here is two sided.  They chose 
>>to leave and not create more issues and yours is to support that which 
>>is left. We all can survive this and be better as seperate entities.
>>
> 
> I'm not sure this is true. Together we would (could) be stronger. The
> skills and knowledge of what Jon calls the "more professional user" are
> crucial for helping end-users have success with GNU/Linux. I believe
> there are philosophical issues here that need to be considered. It's not
> merely an issue of "dancing with an ugly woman." It's whether there are
> values and considerations that are more significant than personalities
> and styles. 
> 

The "greater good".  Who decides this?  This is something that you have 
decided is best.  In all things dissonance is what causes growth.  If we 
all follow the same lead then how do we grow?  A difference of opinion, 
which can lead to a rift, is not a bad thing and if the two groups can 
both flourish on their own.  And as far as anyone can predict, they may 
potentially do better than KLUG, as a single entity, may have ever done.

You need to accept the change. So stop the griping and start supporting 
your chosen group.  Focus on where your going while remembering your past.

Minding of (My Own) Madness
Jon