Tony, I think you've got it!  An 'Open Source Programmers SIG'
could start with us (KCLUG) and expand to include whoever was 
interested in the KC area - other Linux UGs and even other 
platforms.  Maybe a way to get some folks who are curious about
open source or curious about what tools might be available for 
a one time project (or just in general).  An ideal opportunity for a
little low-key, even surreptitious, Linux evangelism.  Think about
it!  They wouldn't even have to know they're being converted!

Tony Hammitt wrote:
> 
> I think that in general what is needed is something like 'Open Source
> Programmers Groups' where people could get together and talk about
> stuff in person and exchange ideas and code.
> 
> I've found several times that, as a programmer, we're drowning in a
> sea of options.  Choosing the right language/platform/protocol is the
> most important aspect of starting a new project, but no one could
> possibly have all of the information that they need to make the right
> decision.
> 
> Add in the universal need to fit the new project in with some preexisting
> parameters and the choice becomes more important.  But it doesn't really
> limit the number of options.  Say you want to set up a website, do you
> use PHP? Perl? Python? Apache modules? Zope? ASP?...  Who knows?  The
> only thing that's guaranteed is that you will find it difficult to switch
> later.
> 
> So, what we need is to have people to talk to that know more than the
> marketing hype around a toolset.  Preferrably ones who know what not
> to use because they found out too late that it stinks.  Pretty much
> everything has some task that it is the best fit for, but is your task
> similar enough?
> 
> So, back to the point.  There probably isn't yet a PHP group.  Are you
> interested in starting one?  I'd be interested in learning about it by
> attending meetings as long as they aren't too frequent.  But I'd be a
> lot more interested in attending a general purpose 'web programming'
> group.  My expertise lies elsewhere but I will eventually need to know
> more about web stuff, like all of the other programmers in the world...
> 
> So, good idea!  Let us know if anything turns up.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Tony Hammitt
> 
> Bradley Miller wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know of a local lug for PHP?   Maybe we could start a Midwest
> > PHP group -- the nearest one I've found is in Illinois I think. . . .
> > here's the page listing them:
> >
> > http://www.moewes.com/phpug.php3
> >
> > --- Bradley Miller
-- 
Dave Parker/DLP, Inc.    dlparker@dlpinc.com    www.dlpinc.com