Finally I have a LUG at my university! It seems that there is growing grassroots support for Linux at the University where I study. I am a chemical engineer and everyone I know uses windows and Microsoft Office for just about everything. I have started a minor rebellion, but going is slow. Now there is a LUG, I hope that we can organize and try to get support for open formats in our class notes (not everyone can open Powerpoint presentations with imbedded Excel macros, etc).

Baby steps.

Oh yeah. Downloaded a brand spanking new (20030502) ISO of knoppix and started stunning my friends. I live in a commune, and I have successfully converted 4 out of 5 housemates to Linux. The 5th is one of those 'but my stuff works like it is now, and I can get (read pirate) all the stuff I need on Windows'. Half an hour of Knoppix, and he's hooked.

Also, I work at a University and have been fighting an uphill battle with our administration not to require documents done in Word (But it's the industry standard!). Now, I can show all these people first hand what a free OS looks like. And explain to them why it's not 'freeware'.

Must say -- liveCDs rock.