🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Oct28.014121.29681@lokkur.dexter.mi.us> scs@lokkur.dexter.mi.us (Steve Simmons) writes:

>I support(ed) the Sun User Group with my own $$$, not my employers.  I
>do it because I think SUG and the SLUGs are a good thing. 

middleto@poincare.ucsd.edu (Tom Middleton ; System Manager) writes:

>So, I am a Sun User.  I haven't seen anything here that would make me
>think joining SUG would be to me benefit.  Is there a FAQ that explains
>all that?  Has anyone considered posting an application here?  Why are
>SUG and SLUGs a good thing?  Inquiring minds want to know.

I firmly believe in independant user groups.  A group that is run by
the vendor has some utility for the user, but not as much as one run
by the users themselves.  DECUS, tho it has its problems, is a good
example of an independant group.

At its finest, the user group is a channel for communication between
vendor and users.  Being financially independant of the vendor enables
one to be politically independant of the vendor.

Back in the early days of SUG, there was some concern that the support
from Sun might cause the user group to be less independant than one
would wish.  Now the user group is pretty much self-funded by
memberships and the conferences, so that isn't an issue.

Various folks including me and some SUG board members criticised Sun
management rather harshly in this forum for failing to man the Sun Execs
panels a couple of shows back.  If the conference had been run by Sun
rather than SUG, I honestly think they'd have dropped the panel quietly
and refused to discuss the issue.  With an independant user group, they
were not able to and have now returned.

SUG is not without flaws, but neither is it without use.  I want to see
it succeed, and so put in my annual share.
-- 
 "When Dexter's on the Internet, can Hell be far behind?"
		-- Steve Simmons, scs@lokkur.dexter.mi.us