How to start a LUG
Before you create a LUG, there are a number of things you should consider:
- Is there an existing LUG in the area? Look at neighbouring areas, join their mailing lists and ask about their coverage.
- Do you have a starter group of members already interested?
- Join neighbouring LUGs and ask there to find out if there's interest.
- Ask on the uk.comp.os.linux newsgroup as well.
- In our experience, non-geographical LUGs don't tend to work very well. There are a few in existence, but few are large, and many founder very quickly. Think carefully about sustainability before trying to create a non-geographical LUG.
- A domain name of "foo.lug.org.uk" is preferable to "foolug.lug.org.uk". You should also check that there isn't already a LUG with that domain name on lug.org.uk.
Once you've decided on a name and coverage area for your LUG, you should:
- Apply for use of lug.org.uk server facilities.
- We will also automatically sign you up to the lugmaster mailing list, where most of the UK LUG organisers talk about issues of relevance to all LUGs in the UK.
- Announce your achievements:
- On the uk.comp.os.linux newsgroup
- Advise the UK Linux Magazines (for example, 'Linux Format' and 'Linux Magazine') of your new LUG details for publication
- Maybe on other local LUG mailing lists (with permission of course)
- Enjoy your new LUG, and have fun
Other resources:
- Rick Moen's User Group HOWTO.