[NTLUG:Announce] November Meeting

[Kendall Clark]

NTLUGGERs,

I want to invite each of you to the November NTLUG meeting, Saturday,
20 November, at the usual spot, Nokia in Las Colinas. Directions are
available at <http://ntlug.org/cal/>. The schedule for Saturday's
meeting is 

	9.30-ish Linux Installation Project
       10.00 New Linux Users Meeting
       11.00 Main Meeting:

	     * IP Chains Talk, David Stokes
	     * A Brief Red Hat Software presentation
	     * A Brief Introduction to Linuxcare

We'll also be doing the regular things: selling CDs and T-Shirts,
chatting after the formal meeting has concluded, etc.

I'm also taking this opportunity to inform you all of two upcoming
events: 

	* 2000 NTLUG Membership Drive
	* TX Technology Showcase, Open Source Software Symposium,
	  December 1 and 2, Dallas Convention Center
	

---------------------------
2000 NTLUG Membership Drive
---------------------------

Membership in NTLUG always has been and is going to continue to be
*free of charge* just like Linux.  We think this is an important part
of NTLUG's success, and the NTLUG Board is committed to it remaining
that way.  Now, as most of you know by now, while free software may be
free of charge, it is not, however, *free of cost.* People, including
many NTLUGGERs, incur significant costs to provide the free software
we appreciate so much.

NTLUG needs a modest amount of funds to do the kinds of things we've
typically done in the past; most of our operating expenses are usually
covered by the sale of CDs and, to a lesser extent, T-shirts. We have
in the past taken donations in an ad hoc way, and those have been very
helpful in financing special events or expenses like Anniversary
Parties, promotional materials and the like. Incorporation does add a
few expenses, but adds the ability to add some new, substantial
activities.

Now that NTLUG is formally organized as a Texas non-profit corporation
(see http://ntlug.org/corporate/ for details), NTLUG can extend a
convenient way for its members to help contribute to the production
and proliferation of free software, with the "bonus" that this should
shortly become tax deductible, pending some IRS paperwork.

So while we are committed to keeping NTLUG membership free, we will be
encouraging everyone who joins NTLUG to donate some monies either to
NTLUG or to a free software project. We are designating 3 free
software projects to which you can direct your donation. We are also
*suggesting* a $20 donation as an appropriate baseline for most
people. If you feel prepared to donate more than that, please feel
free to do so. If you want to donate less than $20, or nothing at all,
feel free to become an NTLUG member without any donation whatever. The
$20 figure is only a suggestion; please do not feel bound by it.[1]

The three free software projects that NTLUG is focusing on this year
are
	- Free Software Foundation (http://www.fsf.org/)
	- XFree86, (http://www.xfree86.org/)
	- Software in the Public Interest, (http://www.spi-inc.org/)

Everyone who uses Linux, whether they know it or not, has benefited
from the work of each of these organizations; they are each
trustworthy recepients of your donation; and they are each committed
to the welfare of the global free software community and its
betterment.

Of course, you can also earmark your donation to NTLUG
itself. Donations to NTLUG or any of the aforementioned free software
organizations is or will shortly be tax-deductible. Any donations that
are not designated for one of the 3 free software projects above will
be used for NTLUG purposes.

NTLUG meetings will continue to be free to the public, and no one will
ever ask to see any proof of membership as a criterion of attending
any NTLUG meeting. The primary benefits of formal membership are

	1. privilege of *voting* in NTLUG elections and initiatives

	2. giving something back to NTLUG by joining formally

At the November meeting, Chris Browne, NTLUG Treasurer, will speak
about the upcoming Membership Drive and will attempt to recruit
volunteers to help out with the administration of this effort. I'm
sure many of you will be willing to help Chris manage this worthy
project.

-------------------------
Texas Technology Showcase
-------------------------

On December 1 and 2 at the Dallas Convention Center an event called
the Texas Technology Showcase will take place. The TTS will include an
"Open Source Software Symposium" which is sponsored by NTLUG. The OSSS
on December 2 will feature 4 tracks of speakers on the use of Open
Source in Enterprise, Education, SOHO/Small Business and State/Local
Government settings. 

Included in the speakers is NTLUG's Vice President, Chris Cox, as well
as other local and national Open Source leaders, including a Red Hat
executive.

We'll be giving out free admission tickets to anyone who wants them at 
the November meeting of NTLUG, and I encourage as many of you as are
interested to attend one or both days. Also NTLUG will have a booth in 
the Exhibitor's Hall, so if you're interested in representing NTLUG
and Open Source, send a message to discuss at ntlug.org.

See http://showcase.asmcorp.com/ for more details.

Best,

Kendall Clark

--
[1] NTLUG will prepare--at some reasonable interval to be determined
by the Treasurer--status reports on the disbursement of monies to
designated free software projects.