[Linux-aus] Can Linux Australia survive?

[Lorn Potter]

James Purser wrote:
> On Sun, 2005-07-03 at 18:39, Lorn Potter wrote:
> 
>>You guys all seem to be ignoring the fact that Linux Australia is 
>>staging a conference in a different country, and more than one person 
>>questions this.
>>
>>I don't see how anyone can think that having LCA in NZ can actually be 
>>"helping the Australian Linux Community" at all. You are helping New 
>>Zealands Linux community, which is fine. Did you ever think it may 
>>actually be hurting Linux Australia to do this?
> 
> 
> Lorn if you go back through the postings last year when NZ was announced
> as first a candidate and then the next host, I think you will find that
> the majority have accepted the decision and are looking forward to it.
> Yes some would have rathered the conference happened in Broome but the
> Broome bid team weren't prepared enough.
> 
> Yes more than one person is questioning the decision, so far it appears
> to be two on this list,

I speak also for the people I have talked to who think it is very odd 
that linux _australia_, is having a conference in nz.
Just because only two people voice their opinion on this list does not 
mean more people share the thought that it might seem a bit retarded for 
  an organization suposedly dedicated to Linux in Australia (and so far 
as I can tell, no where in the Charter does it mention any other country).

Yes, _dedicated_ people will go through the process of getting a 
passport, arriving at the airport two hours before the flight to travel 
overseas, go through all the immigration/customs schmooschmaa to get to 
LCA. If these highly dedicated people are your intended target, then 
Linux Australia will not grow.

You must ask yourselves this, do you simply exist to preach to the 
choir? or trying to gather wider interest in Linux in for Australia?




 > yourself and Bret and as far as I can see that
> the only thing that would make Bret happy is a complete reversal of the
> decision to send the Conference to Dunedine and return it to Perth.
> 
> I am not trying to put down your input or belittle anything that Bret
> has had to say, you are both well within your rights to express your
> opinion, however I would urge the both of you to accept the decision for
> next year as it does not appear about to change unless the NZ team
> decides to pull out. Instead if you care so much about the direction of
> LA, the next time the elections come round put yourself up for election,
> let the membership decide. Who knows you might win and then you will be
> able to steer the good ship LA.

I entered this thread mostly for the sake of making a point. But also 
because I care about how it appears from the vantage point of an 
international community. Not just from the Linux community here in 
Australia. and I must say, from an outside perspective, it looks sus and 
silly.

I have yet to see any real arguments about this decision, and no, it is 
not just as easy to fly to Perth than it is to NZ.

Bret made a valid point, I believe.

Look at it this way - say I am a business with an interest in supporting 
the Linux community here in Australia. Why should I donate to an 
organization who purports to be for supporting the _Australian_ Linux 
Community, when they are now supporting the Linux community 
Internationally? Is this organization really trustworthy with my money 
when the stated Charter does not even mention they are now supporting 
the Linux Community elsewhere?




-- 
Lorn 'ljp' Potter
Trolltech Qtopia Community Manager
irc.freenode.net #qtopia
http://qtopia.net