Linux and Unix Users Group

The Linux and Unix Users Group at Virginia Tech (VTLUUG or "the LUUG") is a special interest registered student organization dedicated to improving the computing skills of its members, supporting Linux and Unix use on campus, and serving the community through free information.

Events

InstallFests

InstallFests have been the main event of the LUUG for many years. Generally, one a semester is hosted. Turnout in 2009 averaged around 15 participants. The only necessary preparation for attendees is to back their data up and bring their computer and power cord. Volunteers generally bring power strips, Ethernet cables and switches, external CD drives for netbooks, and sometimes other equipment such as monitors to lend to attendees.

Introductory Linux Courses

The LUUG has held introductory Linux courses from time to time. Generally there are two distinct approaches, sometimes held on different days. On one occasion the speaker will focus on beginner-friendly graphical user interfaces and the other, he or she will concentrate on the power of the *nix commandline.

Open Street Map

In November of 2009, the LUUG co-hosted with Free Culture an OpenStreetMap mapping day for the first time. Prizes were donated by Qualcomm and O'Reilly and the event was made possible in part by the advice and support of Peter Sforza from the Center for Geospatial Information Technology. Around 15 people showed up. Footpaths on campus, businesses in the University Mall and roads and parking lots around The Village and Terrace View were added to the map. Since that first mapping day, the LUUG has continued to hold about one mapping day a semester, with variable turnout and different tasks such as importing data from the Town of Blacksburg.

Software Freedom Day

The LUUG has co-hosted Software Freedom Day in the past.

Infrastructure

The LUUG hosts this wiki, has ownership of a chat channel, renders a map from OpenStreetMap data, and operates a mailing list. Previous infrastructure included a forum and blog.

History

The Linux and Unix Users Group was founded in October of 1997 as the Virginia Tech Linux Users Group (VTLUG). After realizing the name clash with the Vermont Linux Users Group, the organization changed its name to the Virginia Tech Linux and Unix Users Group (VTLUUG). In the fall of 2009, the name was again changed, this time to comply with registered student organization regulations. Virginia Tech was moved to the end of the organization's full name, but the acronym has been kept, in part because changing domain names would be a hassle.