[NTLUG:Discuss] Fair Rename

[Mike Hart]

I'm concerned that we keep debating "Free vs expensive software" or "open vs closed".  To me this line of thinking attracts the wrong type of attention: the type that thinks bittorrent used to trade copyrighted content is the ultimate goal of the FSF.  To work around this stereotype, I suggest again that a different direction is a good idea. Take the licensing scheme away and focus on the usability, costs, and returns of something. But...  you need that something: a subject. Linux doesn't have a subject when it comes to cost (without using FREE and all it's related negative associations), and usability is so widespread that it includes everything with a power cord.  

I fear the draw to show up falls apart when you take away GNU and Linux unless you provide a replacement cohesive subject. Narrow the focus slightly so it fits into the venue and provides a focus for the fair. That is, we're going to have a desktop apps conference, or media apps conference, or networking apps, etc.   Once, we have a focus like that, the operating system and licensing automagically take a back seat.  Linux (or something like it) doesn't need to be in the title. You can set any proprietary and linux solution side by side: linux based solutions are going to look pretty good when you consider everything, but that's the result and not the title of the show.  

All that said about narrowing the focus, the alternative is also possible. The general 'techno show' version that works grows exponentially (probably beyond the resources we are commited to providing.) If we do want to stick with a completely open forum (a COMDEX of sorts), it needs to be able to grow to work at all. Consider that vendor solicitations should include hardware, software, education, and solution providers, as well as area clubs including ourselves. Attendance solicitations should include as many area businesses as we can work in. 


Example 'no subject' Title:

       NTUGC (*) presents the 
Texas Technology Tomorrow Summit
              Metro-Tech 2011:
-------------------------------------------------------
  Emerging Metroplex Technologies

________________________________
(*) NTUGC - North Texas User Group Community

________________________________
(**) Metro-Tech is currently in use by several companies, so none of them can claim it exclusively. However,  wrapping it with so many other words is necessary to avoid cease-desist trouble.