[kwlug-announce] Meeting Monday: svn, git, USB Linux

[Paul Nijjar]

Linux has come a long way since its humble origins in 1991. And yet,
its reputation continues to suffer. Average folks think it is scary
and hard to use. Where does this bad image come from? A quick look at
fictional headlines tells the tale: 

"SUBVERSIVE HACKER" DOWNLOADS PROGRAMS OFF THE INTERNET!

GIT: PLAGIARISM TOOL OR PUBLIC MENACE?

CAREFUL! THAT FLASH DRIVE MIGHT BE CARRYING LINUX!

If only they knew. Andrew Cant isn't trying to overthrow the
government; he just maintains versioned files of his source code
using
the Subversion source control system. Starving university student
Kyle
Spaans isn't using Git to copy his homework; like Git creator Linus
Torvalds, he uses this distributed revision control system to manage
large (and not so large) software projects while giving others the
ability to make first-class copies of the source. And Raul Suarez?
It's true he packs a few potent distributions on his USB key. And it
is probably true that he has surprised his friends and neighbours by
loading "Live-USB" demonstrations of Linux on their computers. But
it's so easy and enticing he couldn't help himself. 

Starting at 7:00pm, Andrew, Kyle and Raul will teach us all about
these packages and techniques. Come out and learn -- maybe someday
newspaper reporters will write misleading headlines about you, too!

Speaking of which, here's more fair and balanced reporting about the
LUG: 

LINUX FACTION PLANS RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN!

It's true. In April we will be holding an especially newbie-friendly
introduction to Linux: the applications you can use to get work done,
some fun niche uses of the operating system, and a Q&A session. Be
sure to invite your favourite newbie out for the April meeting. 

SHADOWY CABAL BEHIND WIKIPEDIA FUNDING SCHEME!

This month's FLOSS Fund nominee is not a software project, but it
produces one of the most recognizable names on the Internet:
Wikipedia. The Wikimedia Foundation uses open-source software to
organize the world's information, and they release this information
under licences intended to encourage sharing and derivative works.
This month, KWLUG will recognise this initiative by gathering
voluntary financial donations to the organization. If you want to
donate but can't make the meeting, contact subversive hacker Andrew
Cant at acant at alumni.uwaterloo.ca 

LINUX LAIR IN PICTURESQUE DOWNTOWN KITCHENER

Once again, we'll be holding the meeting at The Working Centre: 

The Working Centre
43 Queen Street South 
(Between King and Charles Streets)
Kitchener

There is free newsvan parking in the back after 6pm, free bike
parking
always, and the meeting location is a block away from the Kitchener
Transportation Terminal. Maps and pictures of the location are
available on the website (really! They went missing for a while, but
they are back now.) 


- Paul


P.S. Even lawyers use Subversion: http://www.linux.com/feature/127803






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