Mission Statement

Mission Statement

NMOSUG promotes and supports the use of Open Source Technologies in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the surrounding cities.

Why Open Source?

Open and Free - The entire codebase for the Linux kernel, the GNU tools and libraries, development tools, and thousands of applications is open and available for use and study. This gives users the freedom to extend and modify the software to meet their needs, and to share their changes with others in ways not possible with other operating systems. Linux is Inexpensive - The Linux kernel, GNU tools and libraries, and supporting appliations are all downloadable from many sites around the world at no charge, or for merely the cost of distribution. This permits anyone to have access to cutting edge end-user software, development tools, servers, and more, regardless of their financial standing.

Reliable - Linux and other Free and Open Source software has a proven record of reliability and stability. Linux is Growing - Linux, Free, and Open Source software is growing, in both market share and more importantly in the ability to meet needs and to evolve new methods of solving problems and producing results.

Why NMOSUG?

There is a need to unite the Open Source community under one roof. Hopefully we will bring together the active Perl Mongers, SlashDot, Java, and Linux/Oracle user groups and the inactive TVI Linux Group and NMLUG.

Sharing Common Interests - NMOSUG exists to provide a stable source of support for both new and experienced users in the Albuquerque area. It provides assistance to its members so they can use Open Source more effectively. It provides access to Open Source related information, and it offers its members a forum where they can share common interests, acquire skills, and gain knowledge in a friendly manner.

Information Exchange - NMOSUG acts as an advocate for users' concerns and as a conduit for the exchange of information and advice between the local user community and the larger Open Source community.

Community Voice - Through it's members, NMOSUG is the voice of the local Open Source community and is wholly accountable to that community.

Principles

Open and Public - NMOSUG welcomes participation. Everyone is invited to join and participate. The openness of the local Open Source community has always been a point of pride for NMOSUG. With Open Source anyone may be a contributor, and NMOSUG encourages people at every level to become involved. The Open Source movement is as much about people and community as it is about software and computers.

Independence - NMOSUG acts in the best interest of Open Source and the local Open Source community. NMOSUG is independent and operates accordingly. NMOSUG's operation and policies are not led or directed by any other private, public, or commercial organization or vested interest.

Education - NMOSUG encourages its members to freely provide information about Open Source to anyone who is interested. Through mailing lists, a website, monthly speakers, tutorials, and special events NMOSUG offers educational opportunities to its members and the general public.

Promotion - NMOSUG makes public statements for the local Open Source community to promote the use of Open Source. NMOSUG endeavours to make this advocacy efficacious, well supported, and free.

Membership

NMOSUG aims to be inclusive with its Membership definition, while keeping the Membership process simple and easy to manage. Membership is intended to be beneficial for people who are involved in the local Open Source community. Members have privileges. They can vote in elections of the Board of Directors, they can vote in NMOSUG referenda, they can be elected to the Board of Directors, and they receive notifications of NMOSUG meetings and events. NMOSUG offers various services and sources of information. Anyone, member or non-member, may subscribe to these services.

Members are strictly those people listed in the NMOSUG Membership list who have requested membership. Membership in NMOSUG is free. Dues are not collected from members.

Point of Contact

Organizations that want to communicate with the local Open Source community can use NMOSUG as their first point of contact. NMOSUG assists such organizations by providing accurate information about the community's interests, and by conveying such organizations' information to the community in an appropriate manner.

Donations

Individuals and organizations that want to make monetary or other contributions to the local Open Source community can do so by making a contribution to NMOSUG. When NMOSUG accepts contributions it uses them to provide services that enhance the local Open Source community.