USENIX 2004 Annual Technical Conference, FREENIX Track Abstract
Pp. 193197 of the Proceedings
Building and Maintaining an International Volunteer Linux Community
Jenn Vesperman, Author and Consultant, and Val Henson, Sun Microsystems
Abstract
LinuxChix was founded in 1999 by Deb Richardson as a Linux community
that would be friendlier and more welcoming than the average Linux
user group. By June 2001, Deb was ready to hand over the reins of
LinuxChix to someone else, and Jenn Vesperman volunteered for the job.
Two years later, LinuxChix membership had grown significantly, gained
a new, frequently updated web site, doubled the number of mailing
lists, and in general had become a large, successful, all-volunteer
international Linux community. This paper details what we believe
were the key elements that turned a moribund Linux community into a
dynamic, active force for promoting Linux and recruiting new members
of the Linux community. What we learned can be applied to any
international volunteer community with a technological bent. We also
discuss extra hurdles for women's groups and some ongoing problems we
are currently working to resolve.
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