On 6 Oct 2002 18:30:20 -0000, "Kanti Jadia" j_kanti@rediffmail.com wrote:
The need for GNU user groups/Free Software user groups is true. People need local group to discuss and implement free software. I am facing similar problems here in NAGPUR(Maharashtra) also.
Yes, local Free Software User Groups are indeed the way to go. But in an *informal* manner. Formalizing such groups with "rules" followed by "office bearers" etc. simply complicates and bureaucratizes matters. One formal entity, the FSF India umbrella organisation, is enough.
FSUGs can serve the purpose of local group discussions and activities quite well without becoming formal entities. You don't need any resources to start one. Websites and mailing lists can be set up for free on many places on the Internet. Please see the following examples of Indian FSUGs:
http://www.geocities.com/fsug_calicut
http://www.symonds.net/~fsug-kochi
I would suggest a mailing list of fsf-india itself to cater to the FLUG's.
Do you mean mailing lists for individual FSUGs or one list for coordination between FSUGs? As I said, FSUGs can set up their own mailing lists without any problems. As for the latter, well, it would be better to keep all such advocacy activities confined to fsf-friends to make fsf-friends more important and relevant!
Regards,