LUG for kids?

[teenytinylinuxgrl]

Is there such a thing as a Linux Users Group for kids? Robin and I visited one this evening and it was um, weird. We didn't really feel very welcome and everyone was much older. There was drinking and cussing and one old obnoxious guy kept offering us drinks (even after we told him we're just kids).

To each their own of course, and we don't want to change anyone else, but it'd be nice if we could find a LUG where we might fit in better. Maybe we'll start one of our own at school or something, but it would be better if we had some Linux mentors who would take us seriously. Is there a national umbrella organization "Kid's LUG" or something that we could associate a local Linux club with?

Thank you,
Amy

[Cabhan]

That's kind of awkward. The few groups I've been to (LUGs, as well as programming language groups) have tended to skew at least towards professionals, usually older (40+), but have tended to be welcoming to interested and motivated people, including older teenagers.

You might consider writing to the head of the LUG about the particular guy that bothered you, but I would suggest trying out at least one more before deciding that none are for you. I don't know exactly how old you are, but if you're at least 16, I would suspect that you would be accepted.

[teenytinylinuxgrl]

I don't know exactly how old you are, but if you're at least 16, I would suspect that you would be accepted.

No... I'm 13. And a newbie to Linux, too, so I don't have much to offer except enthusiasm. The more I think about it the more I'm sure that a school club is a better idea. But it would be nice if there was a larger organization to affiliate our school club with, like for resources, literature, or even a Linux forum for kids (hint hint, mods? ).

Just thinkin'
Amy

[rokytnji]

Well. There is a site where people from all over the world belong to including a few members from this forum. It is more laid back than a regular forum and is more a social group of like minded friends. We have all kinds of age groups there from kids to older folk. You can check out the site if you wish and look through the members list. LINKY

[teenytinylinuxgrl]

The closest thing to a teen LUG I have found is online (TeensOnLinux.org). That site may be more helpful than a social network that isn't specifically for kids. Don't get me wrong, I like adults! But alot of adults don't seem to like kids... or else they like kids but don't respect us. I guess I shouldn't wear my hair in pigtails on my next LUG visit, lol.

Maybe it's time for another article...

Amy

[elija]

The closest thing to a teen LUG I have found is online (TeensOnLinux.org). That site may be more helpful than a social network that isn't specifically for kids. Don't get me wrong, I like adults! But alot of adults don't seem to like kids... or else they like kids but don't respect us. I guess I shouldn't wear my hair in pigtails on my next LUG visit, lol.

Maybe it's time for another article...

Amy

As you say there is nothing to stop you starting your own LUG at school.

Adults don't like kids? It's because we're jealous. When you hit 40 you realise that youth really is wasted on the young!

[bigvoo]

cool that you're into linux, I don't know many adults, let alone kids that are that motivated, I'd say the best thing would be to start a LUG yourself, you'd be in charge of it, and you could start incuraging local kids to get involved and move away from sata....er I mean m!crosoft .

[waterhead]

I would like to apologize, on behalf of all LUGs, for the bad LUG experience you had. Drinking and cussing? That is not appropriate for a LUG meeting.

Our local LUG, MLUG is nothing like that. It is hosted by our local city bus department, as their system administrator is a MLUG member. In the past, we have had informal "beer" meetings. These are usually held in a popular brew pub, where we order dinner too. Maybe you attended something like that.

Try contacting the LUG, they usually will have an email mailing list that they use to message each other. You should let your concerns be known to them. I bet things will change, you just have to point it out to them first.

[teenytinylinuxgrl]

I have written an angry(but polite and respectful) e-mail to the leaders of that LUG to explain what happened and why I'm upset with them. If two or three such e-mails over the next several weeks are ignored or I am otherwise not satisfied, I will embarrass that group badly. Perhaps with a letter to the editor of their local paper, and/or here on this web site (politely and respectfully of course). Hopefully they will answer me quickly and maybe even agree to help get a Linux club started at my school or a school up there. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thank you very much for your encouragement!

Amy

[waterhead]

I wouldn't recommend doing anything like trying to embarrass them. That won't gain you any favours. You don't want to get labeled as a troublemaker.