[LUGSB] LUGSB constitution.

[Ryan Kaufman]

Well, not explaining ourselves clearly enough to be understood by an
'outsider' would violate our stated purpose of raising awareness, wouldn't 
it? Unless we are just raising our own awareness of things we already know 
about (which we are, but we should try to go farther). I think we can 
ignore the definition of 'open source', and strike any references to it as 
it falls under the heading of 'free'. Please correct me if this is wrong 
or backwards.

The issue is that there is no non-technical way to explain linux, or free 
software, and no way to write the constitution without reference to it. I 
do think that 'open source' and 'free software' are terms that should not 
have to be defined, as they have clear cut industry definitions that 
should be well known and understood. But we have to please the man, and 
blah, blah... more funding, and so on.

Having said this, I'll add another paragraph to the growing list of 
considerations:

     Free software is software whose licence allows usage for any purpose,
     access to source code, and the right for the user to make changes to it.
     The Linux operating system is the shining star in this initiative for openness,
     learning and sharing in the name of freedom.
     The purpose of LUGSB is to raise awareness of the Linux operating system,
     to provide an open forum for technical support(advice?) regarding free software,
     and to conduct regular colloquia discussing applications of free software
     and advances in the free software community

Upon re-reading this, I would not be opposed to striking 'in the name of 
freedom' here.

--Ryan Kaufman

On Wed, 2 Apr 2008, Chris Wright wrote:

> Vague, perhaps, though I'm sure other clubs are getting away with the
> same. Technical? If I have a scuba club, I don't need to explain what
> a BCD or a regulator is in the club constitution. If I have a fencing
> club, I don't have to explain the difference between a foil and an
> epee in my fucking constitution.
>
> Still, they're giving us money. Annotations explaining what Linux,
> free software, and open source software are would be appropriate --
> footnotes, perhaps? A cover sheet or preamble?
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