🚀 go-pugleaf

In <1992Mar17.023639.26444@DIALix.oz.au> abcc@DIALix.oz.au (Adrian Booth Computing Consultants) writes:

>An example. I didn't join my local automobile association so I could
>get regular newsletters about the latest cars on the market, or attend
>conferences consisting of "ra ra" talks by the Marketing Directors of
>Holden, Ford, Toyota, etc. I joined it solely because the benefits it
>provides outweigh the cost of membership - up to date roadmaps,
>tourist information, breakdown service. If it didn't provide these
>services, but merely advertised heavily "Join the only true *national*
>automobile association", I wouldn't join - and I expect you wouldn't
>either. Unfortunately, AUUG currently seems to be following the latter
>path, which is why I didn't renew my membership for 1992.

I wish I'd said that...

I think this is a very good example of the concerns felt by a growing
number of 'technical' AUUG members. It's not correct, however, to assume that
because the there was so much 'ra ra' about the AUUG '91 conference, that we
have forgotten the other side of AUUG. ( The more important side IMHO)

I think it's that it's easier to throw some money and marketing people (they 
are enthusiastic if nothing else) at a conference and come up with lots of 
attention. It's harder to accomplish the more worthwhile (IMHO) tasks of 
creating the real benefits of your automobile club. We are working towards 
that.

The summer conferences held so far this year were a great success, by all 
accounts, and we are trying to thrash out the details of local chapters so 
that we can actively encourage their formation in all states. I think the 
Summer Conference program has the capability of becoming every bit as good as 
the Unix conferences of the past. I hope that the technical AUUG members will 
see them as the conferences to attend, and that they will eventually lead the 
way for the Winter Conference and Trade Show. It's a way off yet though.

In a way it's a pity that we already have a very succesful ( IMHO ) 
'local chapter' in WAUG. It's easy to use it as a yeardstick to judge AUUG by.
We are trying to build similar structures within AUUG for the other states.

>Two simple suggestions I would make are:
> 
>1. Provide seed capital so local groups can establish a technical library.

this proposition has been put to WAUG. While we entertain the idea, we 
are not sure of its practicality. (we'll be speaking to you soon Adraian).
I suspect the practical problems would be much worse for an organisation 
of AUUG's size, but I'm sure the committee will give it due consideration
if you would like to work out the details (or as much as you think neccessary) 
and put a proposition to us (AUUG). 

The topic of 'software libraries' has appeared on the AUUG agenda many times 
over the years. As I understand it, most people thought it was a good idea, 
but noone could work out how it could be accomplished with AUUG's resources 
(capital and human) and geographic restrictions (it's great if you live in 
Sydney). I think the concept of a technical library willsuffer the same 
problems. 

>2. Have AUUGN actively chase permission to reprint papers given at
>        USENIX and similar conferences.
This is a good idea. Have you suggested it to the AUUGN editor? 
(auugn@munnari.oz.au)

>Again, as was pointed out to me by another AUUG committee member,
>not all committee members have net news access; not all of them read
>their news regularly; there is no way of being sure that *any* news posting
>makes it to the committee for discussion at its meetings.

I'm the guilty party! 
At the time (some time ago) I made that comment, it was true.  I made the same 
comment to the committee and we have since arranged to forward 'aus.auug' to 
those members who can't recieve the newsgroup (or don't otherwise read it).

However, I still stand by what I said. If you want to really draw attention to
your concerns, then sure you should discuss it in aus.auug, but you should also
form some conclusive request/proposal and send it to 'auugexec@munnari.oz.au'
or snail mail it. We will not ignore requests bought directly to us 
( particularly now that we have part time office staff to ensure we don't
forget or lose things :-) Even though the committee have access to aus.auug, 
it's hard to tell when we should act on discussions (such as this) or wait 
until they come to some conclusion.

Of course, my statements are only my opinion. Other members of the committee 
may see things differently. There wouldn't be much point in a committee if 
they didn't.

Glenn Huxtable
AUUG Committee
-- 
Email  - glenn@cs.uwa.edu.au	  ,-_|\ 			 glenn huxtable
phone  - +61 9 380 2878 	 /     \ 	       dept of computer science
fax    - +61 9 380 1089   	 *_,-._/	university of western australia
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