Albuquerque Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center; queries
Greetings all interested Linux persons, I took an impromptu opportunity this morning to do a casual survey of MMMGC to ask about the possibility of Albuquerque-based nmglug mailing list members having some meetings there. I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group? If I remember correctly Tyler also said that either he was personally active in, or had at least attended meetings, himself. Tyler introduced me to Ed Cardona, MMMGC computer lab director, who gave me something of an overview of the needs and characteristics of established lab users. Much of it I frankly can't remember well as there were considerable distractions at hand, both in the facility, and between my ears. For instance, several machines had just been hit by viruses. But significant points are as follows: Previously limited access had recently been extended--solely by virtue of the continued presence and willingness of volunteer monitors--to the full range of MMMGC open hours (Ed listed these to me as 9-12 T,Th; 1-3 M,W; 9-3 F,Sat.) Availability of said hours might easily be torpedoed in the event of any sort of property mishap (theft, damage, sabotage, etc.) A lot of structured classes take place in the facility; other groups use it frequently. I think Ed also said there either was an ongoing Linux class affiliated with Sandia Lab employees or there had been at one time. Someone said they had often found Linux discs left behind in the drives. Point being that there are considerable competing needs for access to the very nice but limited computer resources. Aside from the lab there are also several (three, I think) classroom-size rooms, all of which? are furnished with a monitor and projector. I didn't tour the rooms, but from prior visits I remember lots of chairs and plenty of table space. We'd be encouraged to use these spaces if/when more appropriate than the computer lab. Also, as I remember it, there are two large lobbies with comfortable tables and chairs, public Wifi and a large dining/event area all of which are available for casual non-reserved use by small informal groups, excepting meal-serving and reserved/scheduled-event times. Ed mentioned too that he knew of another Linux group that meets at the Bear Canyon community center. He's going to send me the name and email address of the leader. I'm not really clear on whether this is a group or a taught class, but I gathered the impression it's a group similar to nmglug. Does anybody know about this group? Finally, I emailed Ed to state that I would try to gather assessments of or gage desire for actual use of the lab computers versus simpler and more available meeting/presentation/discussion/workspace, etc.--which I am hereby doing... Additionally,Tyler asked if, and I think--in my state of near complete ignorance--that it might also be appropriate to gage how much overlap and interest there is in possibly coordinating meetings with either or both of the other Linux groups mentioned above. How much, if anything, does anyone know or care about the NM Computer Society-Linux and the Bear Canyon Linux group? I can sort of guess and I imagine one or both have webpages, but for now I'll just put it out there in case there are other clueless Albuquerque newbies like myself who'd like to know what everybody else knows, or doesn't. Tom in Albuquerque
Hi Tom, Tom Ashcraft writes:
I took an impromptu opportunity this morning to do a casual survey of MMMGC to ask about the possibility of Albuquerque-based nmglug mailing list members having some meetings there.
Thanks for looking into this!
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group?
I was not aware of this group or that they met there. It's not advertised in the newsletter, at least. This looks like it might be their website: http://www.manzanomesacenter.com/NMCSwebPageSite1and1/LINUX.html
Finally, I emailed Ed to state that I would try to gather assessments of or gage desire for actual use of the lab computers versus simpler and more available meeting/presentation/discussion/workspace, etc.--which I am hereby doing...
I personally would bring my own laptop to such meetings. -- Anthony J. Bentley
Thanks for the feedback, Anthony, and the link. I'll take a look. Personally, as a newbie, I'm interested and invested in gaining a modest facility with Linux for both philosophical and practical reasons. Definitely I identify as a Linux convert, but I see myself mostly as a layperson who is someone attracted, but not called, to both the choir and aspects of evangelism. I'm not really particularly religious, but I am someone who has spent considerable time wandering in the wilderness and therefore sees the potential virtue of coming together with others as one from time to time. At the risk of providing "too much information" I'll mention to everybody that I feel that my life path has been both enabled and damaged by the influence of what I think of as rather nefarious corporate institutions such as Microsoft, Autodesk, and Comcast. Also, I frequently have dark obsessive thoughts of Windows as an infantalizing and addictive technology, one that has been intentionally created and utilized as much for purposes of social control and economic enslavement as for any other reasons. So I'm a bit prone to the ill effects of computer hypnosis and I tend to want to be able to understand and control my technology and thereby avoid the reverse relationship. I like to tinker. I admire the power--but am largely ignorant of--the control line interface. I am willing to give, but mostly I need, some help. Within reasonable limits. On 05/18/2017 12:36 AM, Anthony J. Bentley wrote:
Hi Tom,
Tom Ashcraft writes:
I took an impromptu opportunity this morning to do a casual survey of MMMGC to ask about the possibility of Albuquerque-based nmglug mailing list members having some meetings there. Thanks for looking into this!
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group? I was not aware of this group or that they met there. It's not advertised in the newsletter, at least. This looks like it might be their website:
http://www.manzanomesacenter.com/NMCSwebPageSite1and1/LINUX.html
Finally, I emailed Ed to state that I would try to gather assessments of or gage desire for actual use of the lab computers versus simpler and more available meeting/presentation/discussion/workspace, etc.--which I am hereby doing... I personally would bring my own laptop to such meetings.
On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 08:18:39AM -0600, Tom Ashcraft wrote:
Tom Ashcraft writes:
I took an impromptu opportunity this morning to do a casual survey of MMMGC to ask about the possibility of Albuquerque-based nmglug mailing list members having some meetings there. Thanks for looking into this!
Seconded.
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group? I was not aware of this group or that they met there. It's not advertised in the newsletter, at least. This looks like it might be their website:
http://www.manzanomesacenter.com/NMCSwebPageSite1and1/LINUX.html
Yeah they appear to be a SIG of NMCS, so participation seems to require the $12 bucks a year (pro-rated monthly). I tried to send the money, in order to join the yahoo group (which has an additional info page): https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NMCS-LINUX/info But looks like one needs to show up with a check or mail it in :\ The form one is asked to fill out mentions yet another Bear Canyon group, so that may also be a NMCS thing. The websites say 3rd (not 2nd) Thursdays, so that's tonight. Someone should try and get there tonight and see if we can enlist an ambassador to this list. I'll actually be in ABQ this evening so I'll try to be there too. -- sam
Thanks, for the heads up. I just put my own check in the mail but didn't snap that the meeting is actually tonight. Probably I can't make it myself so it will be great if you can. On 05/18/2017 11:40 AM, s@mnoble.net wrote:
On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 08:18:39AM -0600, Tom Ashcraft wrote:
Tom Ashcraft writes:
I took an impromptu opportunity this morning to do a casual survey of MMMGC to ask about the possibility of Albuquerque-based nmglug mailing list members having some meetings there. Thanks for looking into this! Seconded.
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group? I was not aware of this group or that they met there. It's not advertised in the newsletter, at least. This looks like it might be their website:
http://www.manzanomesacenter.com/NMCSwebPageSite1and1/LINUX.html Yeah they appear to be a SIG of NMCS, so participation seems to require the $12 bucks a year (pro-rated monthly).
I tried to send the money, in order to join the yahoo group (which has an additional info page): https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NMCS-LINUX/info
But looks like one needs to show up with a check or mail it in :\
The form one is asked to fill out mentions yet another Bear Canyon group, so that may also be a NMCS thing.
The websites say 3rd (not 2nd) Thursdays, so that's tonight. Someone should try and get there tonight and see if we can enlist an ambassador to this list. I'll actually be in ABQ this evening so I'll try to be there too.
On 05/18/2017 12:18 AM, Tom Ashcraft wrote:
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group?
Nope, never heard of them until now. Thanks for looking into all of that for us, much appreciated.
Ed mentioned too that he knew of another Linux group that meets at the Bear Canyon community center. He's going to send me the name and email address of the leader. I'm not really clear on whether this is a group or a taught class, but I gathered the impression it's a group similar to nmglug. Does anybody know about this group?
Nope, that one is new to me as well.
Finally, I emailed Ed to state that I would try to gather assessments of or gage desire for actual use of the lab computers versus simpler and more available meeting/presentation/discussion/workspace, etc.--which I am hereby doing...
I would be bringing my own laptop(s) and other devices. It's doubtful that I would be using public machines much, if at all. Projectors might be nice though.
Additionally,Tyler asked if, and I think--in my state of near complete ignorance--that it might also be appropriate to gage how much overlap and interest there is in possibly coordinating meetings with either or both of the other Linux groups mentioned above. How much, if anything, does anyone know or care about the NM Computer Society-Linux and the Bear Canyon Linux group?
It would make sense to coordinate with any other groups as much as possible. "United we stand" and all that... Has anyone had any luck contacting or visiting any of the other ABQ-based groups that have been mentioned? - KR -- This email account is used for list management only.
On 05/18/2017 12:18 AM, Tom Ashcraft wrote:
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group?
(Tom and) I attended the meeting this week. Six people came. Seems a nice little group. I will certainly attend again. If there's anything else going on in Albuquerque, I'm definitely willing to try to attend (assuming I know about it and the time is convenient, of course...). -- Anthony J. Bentley
On 07/14/2017 02:25 AM, Anthony J. Bentley wrote:
On 05/18/2017 12:18 AM, Tom Ashcraft wrote:
I spoke briefly to facility coordinator Tyler Dunn who asked me which Linux group I was talking about. Turns out NM Computer Society-Linux already meets there 2nd Thursdays 7:15-8:45 pm. Anyone already familiar with this group?
(Tom and) I attended the meeting this week. Six people came. Seems a nice little group. I will certainly attend again.
If there's anything else going on in Albuquerque, I'm definitely willing to try to attend (assuming I know about it and the time is convenient, of course...).
Wow, sounds fun. I'll definitely try to attend next time. I'll just have to remember "2nd Thursday" so as not to overbook that evening. Thanks for the report Anthony, sounds like a group worth attending. - KR -- This email account is used for list management only.
participants (4)
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Anthony J. Bentley -
KRT Listmaster -
s@mnoble.net -
Tom Ashcraft