The Suncoast Linux Users Group (SLUG) holds monthly meetings at several locations and times. The monthly meetings are a place where you can come to get help installing Linux or debugging problems with your installation. You can occasionally hear speakers on various subjects of interest to the Linux community. And you can enjoy the company of others who are interested in the same thing you are-- Linux. The cost? It's free!
Click HERE for meeting calendar
If you're coming to install Linux on your computer, there are a few things you should bring with you:
- Your computer. The whole thing. If you want to test your printer, bring that too. If you have Apple hardware, you will have to bring your own copy of Linux to install, and you may have to refer hardware questions to your dealer, as we don't have a lot of Apple expertise.
- Your copy of Linux, including any manuals that came with your distribution. If you want to install someone else's copy of Linux, make sure they're going to bring it to the meeting.
- Any manuals for your computer, including manuals for any of the add-on cards, etc., that you have.
- Any DOS software you might need to configure network cards and the like.
- Any floppies you might need to create boot disks with.
- Pen and paper to record any sage advice you are given, as well as settings for your computer.
- Patience and a sense of humor!
Along with the items you should bring for installing Linux, there are some details you should take care of before you come:
- Back up everything of value on your computer. Things can sometimes go wrong, and if you can't afford to lose what's on your hard drive, back it up first.
- Write down every setting, IRQ, memory address, add-on card manufacturer, make and model of everything about your computer. Trying to figure this out at the meeting wastes valuable time.
- Run scandisk/chkdsk and defragment your hard drive if you are coming from a DOS/Windows environment.
- Ensure you have enough memory and hard disk space to complete your Linux installation. At a minimum, this means 256megs of memory and 3 gigs of hard drive space.
While we will help you all we can, we cannot guarantee that the installation will be compatible with your particular hardware, nor that we will be able to successfully configure it to run. We are not responsible for any damage or loss during or as a consequence of installing and configuring Linux, X, or anything else.
Second Wednesday of the month from 7pm - 9pm
HDR - 5426 Bay Center Drive, Tampa, FL
- Follow the signs
Third Wednesday of the month from 6pm - 8pm
Pinellas Park Public Library - 7770 52nd Street North, Pinellas Park, FL
- Turn left as soon as you enter the building. First meeting Room