"Let's Learn Linux" Study Group
From: "Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Via chugalug" ------------------------------------------------------ Hey, folks! I=E2=80=99m working on a tech user co-op to make it easy, = economical, and safe for non-geeks to access, control, own, and use open = source solutions. Dual objectives are create business opportunities for = local tech folks to help local businesses with open source and broaden = and expand the local tech talent pool. We will address two big gaps: lack of (1) awareness of open source, = particularly among business and civic leaders =E2=80=94 the folks who = make spending decisions and set strategy =E2=80=94 and (2) =E2=80=9Con = ramps=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for folks who are = interested in building their technical knowledge and skills.=20 One way we want to close those gaps and promote co-op membership is to = host =E2=80=9CLet=E2=80=99s Learn Linux=E2=80=9D study groups.=20 The idea is a very flexible, open, =E2=80=9Cone room schoolhouse=E2=80=9D = for anyone with a modicum of tech knowledge, e.g., basic Mac/Windows = skills. We want to give folks the confidence to use Linux as their = =E2=80=9Cdaily driver=E2=80=9D and a solid base of knowledge and = interpersonal relationships to build on, especially for troubleshooting. = This is a personal objective for me=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a =E2=80=9Cguinea= pig=E2=80=9D for the study group! Anything y=E2=80=99all might be willing to do to guide or support the = study group would be greatly appreciated. One thing in particular: = devices, particularly laptops, that participants can use for learning = purposes. We=E2=80=99re going to strongly encourage folks to bring their = own devices but we want to accommodate folks who don=E2=80=99t have = devices they can =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D Eventually, I=E2=80=99d like = to set up a hardware bank for low-cost, used devices. Another thing we = need is a standard install, including some basic apps.=20 My plan is to launch a pilot study group here in North Chattanooga, at = the Francis Wyatt Community Center, in the May/June timeframe. The big = plan is to establish study groups in multiple locations around the area. = I=E2=80=99d love to use the Installfest as a kick-off for the pilot. = And, I think it would be great to have a =E2=80=9Ckit=E2=80=9D for = Installfests at other prospective study group locations. What do you think? =E2=80=94 Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Executive Officer and Principal Eduity, LLC www.eduity.net greg@eduity.net 706-271-5521=============================================================== From: Aaron welch Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I have 5 laptops that can dual boot linux and Win11 that I can loan out for something like this. I also have another 10 micro PCs I can setup with linux, but I don't have monitors for all of them on hand at the moment. I will put all that together as a kit soon and give you the specs so you know what you have available. !!!Threadjack warning!!! Speaking of micro PCs and home labs, does anyone want to build a mini home lab with micro PCs (Dell Optiplex Micros, Lenovo Tinys, and HP Elitedesk Minis)? I have over 100 of them that need to find good homes before we move into our new office. They make great docker swarm, proxmox, and openclaw hosts on the cheap and I have 3D printed racks for them as well. -Aaron nomical, ch e e spending nd =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for . for anyone with =80=9D and a solid =99m a =E2=80=9Cguinea dy group s but we =9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D devices. e s =99d love ctive study group --=20 Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 n2nightfall@gmail.com "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas."
=============================================================== From: Will Jewell Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I am interested in helping out as well. My personal laptop is a 2018 macboo= k pro that is running linux now. Also, I have been using oke free tier reso= urces - you get a decent amount of stuff free, which makes it a nice lil pl= ayground.=C2=A0 -Will Sent using {0}=20 =20 =20 =20 ---- On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:40:10 -0400 Aaron welch Via chugalug wrote ---- I have 5 laptops that can dual boot linux and Win11 that I can loan out fo= r something like this. I also have another=C2=A010 micro PCs I can setup wi= th linux, but I don't have monitors for all of them on hand at the moment.= =C2=A0I will put all that together as a kit soon and give you the specs so = you know=C2=A0what you have available. !!!Threadjack warning!!! Speaking of micro PCs and home labs, does anyone want to build a mini home = lab with micro PCs (Dell Optiplex Micros, Lenovo Tinys, and HP Elitedesk Mi= nis)? I have over 100 of them that need to find good homes before we move i= nto our new office. They make great docker swarm, proxmox, and openclaw hos= ts on the cheap and I have 3D printed racks for them as well. -Aaron Hey, folks! I=E2=80=99m working on a tech user co-op to make it easy, econo= mical, and safe for non-geeks to access, control, own, and use open source = solutions. Dual objectives are create business opportunities for local tech= folks to help local businesses with open source and broaden and expand the= local tech talent pool. We will address two big gaps: lack of (1) awareness of open source, particu= larly among business and civic leaders =E2=80=94 the folks who make spendin= g decisions and set strategy =E2=80=94 and (2) =E2=80=9Con ramps=E2=80=9D a= nd =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for folks who are interested in buildi= ng their technical knowledge and skills.=C2=A0 One way we want to close those gaps and promote co-op membership is to host= =E2=80=9CLet=E2=80=99s Learn Linux=E2=80=9D study groups.=C2=A0 The idea is a very flexible, open, =E2=80=9Cone room schoolhouse=E2=80=9D f= or anyone with a modicum of tech knowledge, e.g., basic Mac/Windows skills.= We want to give folks the confidence to use Linux as their =E2=80=9Cdaily = driver=E2=80=9D and a solid base of knowledge and interpersonal relationshi= ps to build on, especially for troubleshooting. This is a personal objectiv= e for me=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a =E2=80=9Cguinea pig=E2=80=9D for the study = group! Anything y=E2=80=99all might be willing to do to guide or support the study= group would be greatly appreciated. One thing in particular: devices, part= icularly laptops, that participants can use for learning purposes. We=E2=80= =99re going to strongly encourage folks to bring their own devices but we w= ant to accommodate folks who don=E2=80=99t have devices they can =E2=80=9Cb= reak.=E2=80=9D Eventually, I=E2=80=99d like to set up a hardware bank for l= ow-cost, used devices. Another thing we need is a standard install, includi= ng some basic apps.=C2=A0 My plan is to launch a pilot study group here in North Chattanooga, at the = Francis Wyatt Community Center, in the May/June timeframe. The big plan is = to establish study groups in multiple locations around the area. I=E2=80=99= d love to use the Installfest as a kick-off for the pilot. And, I think it = would be great to have a =E2=80=9Ckit=E2=80=9D for Installfests at other pr= ospective study group locations. What do you think? =20 =E2=80=94 Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Executive Officer and Principal Eduity, LLC http://www.eduity.net=20 mailto:greg@eduity.net=20 706-271-5521 =20 =20 =20 --=20 Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 mailto:n2nightfall@gmail.com=20 "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas."
=============================================================== From: "Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Via chugalug" ------------------------------------------------------ Aaron, if you=E2=80=99re willing, I=E2=80=99d love to use some of your = mini-PCs for a Chattanooga.Digital lab.=20 wrote: macbook pro that is running linux now. Also, I have been using oke free = tier resources - you get a decent amount of stuff free, which makes it a = nice lil playground.=20 Cool! I=E2=80=99ve got a 2017 MacBook Air that I=E2=80=99d like to put = Linux on but have been a bit reticent because I=E2=80=99ve read that = there are some issues and was unclear about which distro is best. Not to sound uninformed, but=E2=80=A6 What=E2=80=99s oke?=20 =E2=80=94 GL
=============================================================== From: Will Jewell Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Oke is oracle cloud=E2=80=99s kubernetes cluster. It is a arm based (think = raspberrry pi) managed cluster with 4ocpu, 24gb ram, 200gb block volume, an= d a heatwave mysql db for free-99.=C2=A0 Sent using {0}=20 =20 =20 =20 ---- On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:15:10 -0400 "Greg Laudeman, Ed.D." Via chugal= ug wrote ---- =20 Aaron, if you=E2=80=99re willing, I=E2=80=99d love to use some of your mini= -PCs for a Chattanooga.Digital lab.=C2=A0 On Apr 15, 2026, at 3:50=E2=80=AFPM, Will Jewell Via chugalug < mailto:chug= alug@chugalug.org > wrote: I am interested in helping out as well. My personal laptop is a 2018 macboo= k pro that is running linux now. Also, I have been using oke free tier reso= urces - you get a decent amount of stuff free, which makes it a nice lil pl= ayground.=C2=A0 Cool! I=E2=80=99ve got a 2017 MacBook Air that I=E2=80=99d like to put Linu= x on but have been a bit reticent because I=E2=80=99ve read that there are = some issues and was unclear about which distro is best. Not to sound uninformed, but=E2=80=A6 What=E2=80=99s oke?=C2=A0 =20 =E2=80=94 GL
=============================================================== From: Ed King Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ I have an hp elitedesk 800 g3 with 13 emulators on it (mame/irix, hercules ibm vm/cms, alpha digital unix, x86 openvms, crossrunner/appleII, ms-dog, etc. I friggin love it. I'd love to have another one or two or ten. Hook me up before i blow my cash on vinyl records! Ed h e ve chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: onomical, ech he ke spending and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for s. =9D for anyone with =80=9D and a solid y =80=99m a =E2=80=9Cguinea udy group es but we =9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D d devices. lan =80=99d prospective study
=============================================================== From: Aaron welch Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ What kind of specs are you looking for? Need RAM and storage included? Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 n2nightfall@gmail.com "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas." On Wed, Apr 15, 2026 at 4:25=E2=80=AFPM Ed King Via chugalug wrote: s th I x, g > chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: n and ake spending and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for ls. =9D for anyone nt r=E2=80=9D and a =80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a tudy ces but we =80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D ed devices. plan =E2=80=99d t r prospective study
=============================================================== From: Ed King Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ It doesn't need to be very powerful. Something like the g3 800 elitedesk or better. I probably won't load it up with as much stuff as I have on the one I have now. Probably start with a dedicated Tandy Drivewire 4 server Memory would be required but storage optional. Thanks man I appreciate it, let me know how much $ I'll be glad to pay I, ith I ox, ug >> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: en r and make spending =9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for lls. =9D for anyone ant er=E2=80=9D and a =80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a study ices but we =80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D sed devices. . plan =E2=80=99d it er prospective study
=============================================================== From: Joe Freeman Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Definitely need ram. I'll be turning these into compute nodes. On Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 6:55=E2=80=AFPM Ed King Via chugalug wrote: he II, k t with . I mox, s lug >>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: pen or n and make spending =9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for ills. o =80=9D for anyone want ver=E2=80=9D and a =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a study . vices but we =80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D used devices. s. t g plan =E2=80=99d it her prospective study
=============================================================== From: Greg Stooksberry Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Depending on the specs and cost, I would love to pick up a few of these (3-5 or so). I recently grabbed an HP G5 Prodesk from the Computer Upcycle project, and I am finding lots of things to do with it. Frigate, Claude Code, OpenClaw, etc. Still need to deploy and test out ProxMox, but I only = have the one. Greg Stooksberry k the r e eII, etup pecs s xmox, as alug >>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: , open for en and o make spending =9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for kills. =80=9D for anyone want iver=E2=80=9D and a =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a e study , s. evices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D used devices. ps. e big rea. And, I think t other prospective --=20 Greg Stooksberry
=============================================================== From: Michael Harrison Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Proxmox. It has its uses. Last time I played it was just a fancy wrapper around the default KVM/QEMU ecosystem. Which is pretty darn good and has a nice GUI if you want one. Worth exploring the core system. If doing weird things with Proxmox, you'll end up editing the underlying KVM/QEMU files anyway. Disclaimer: it's been more than 5 years since I played with Proxmox. Mike Harrison e y have I leII, setup specs i es oxmox, as galug >>>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: y, open for den and ho make spending =80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for skills. =80=9D for anyone e want river=E2=80=9D and a , =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a he study s, es. devices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D , used devices. pps. he big area. . And, I think at other prospective
=============================================================== From: Greg Stooksberry Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ But at the end of the day, it isn't a Broadcom money grab. So there's that. LOL. something new to tinker with though. Currently neck deep in the Nutanix world due to this. Cisco is only supporting their UC Apps (Voice and Contact Center) on VMWare, Nutanix, and their own Hypervisor (very limited use). So, enterprises are suddenly interested in Nutanix. e if le ly have s I ? pleII, setup e specs nd HP mes roxmox, m as ugalug >>>>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: sy, e open s for aden and , who make spending =80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for skills. s =E2=80=9D for kills. We aily driver=E2=80=9D and on, e=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a the study es, ses. devices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D t, used devices. apps. , The big area. t. And, I think at other prospective --=20 Greg Stooksberry
=============================================================== From: Aaron welch Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ What is your budget and I will let you know the max I can fit into it? Also, how much memory and storage per node? -Aaron e y have I leII, setup specs i es oxmox, as galug >>>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: y, open for den and ho make spending =80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for skills. =80=9D for anyone e want river=E2=80=9D and a , =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a he study s, es. devices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D , used devices. pps. he big area. . And, I think at other prospective --=20 Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 n2nightfall@gmail.com "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas."
=============================================================== From: Aaron welch Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ You see the other post with the list? Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 n2nightfall@gmail.com "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas." k the r e eII, etup pecs s xmox, as alug >>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: , open for en and o make spending =9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for kills. =80=9D for anyone want iver=E2=80=9D and a =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a e study , s. evices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D used devices. ps. e big rea. And, I think t other prospective
=============================================================== From: "Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Via chugalug" ------------------------------------------------------ wrote: these (3-5 or so). I recently grabbed an HP G5 Prodesk from the Computer = Upcycle project, and I am finding lots of things to do with it. Frigate, = Claude Code, OpenClaw, etc. Still need to deploy and test out ProxMox, = but I only have the one.=20 How about a cooperative lab, Greg?=20 That=E2=80=99s the plan for the Chattanooga.Digital co-op, to establish = a lab for members' learning and testing purposes, although it=E2=80=99s = not currently something for the short-term. Would anyone else be interested? Is ChattLab doing anything like that? =E2=80=94 GL
=============================================================== From: r d flowers Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Sounds like a great idea. I would like to help you do this. RD/Rick Flowers Likes FB, wikitree, mastodon, and tvrail.com Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.
=============================================================== From: "Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. Via chugalug" ------------------------------------------------------ Thanks, RD! Email me directly =E2=80=94 anyone who's interested/willing = =E2=80=94 and I'll follow up in week or so with some more details then h= ost a meeting to talk through "curriculum" and logistics. Being honest, my knowledge of Linux is pretty rudimentary so I would gre= atly appreciate any suggestions or resources for curriculum content. I'l= l handle the logistics but would welcome input on any issues or requirem= ents to address. My plan at this point is to piggy back on the Installfest so most folks = coming to the study group have a device to use. That means we won't star= t the study group in earnest until June/July timeframe. The community ce= nter is kinda spartan but has Internet/Wi-Fi. I'll provide projector, et= c.=20 I'd like have at least a half-dozen folks who are less proficient than m= e participate, which may require some legwork... Or maybe not, I'm not r= eally sure how much interest there is. Any thoughts about how to get the= word out, who to invite, etc., would be greatly appreciated, too! ugalug wrote: economical, and safe for non-geeks to access, control, own, and use ope= n source solutions. Dual objectives are create business opportunities fo= r local tech folks to help local businesses with open source and broaden= and expand the local tech talent pool. articularly among business and civic leaders =E2=80=94 the folks who mak= e spending decisions and set strategy =E2=80=94 and (2) =E2=80=9Con ramp= s=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for folks who are inter= ested in building their technical knowledge and skills.=20 o host =E2=80=9CLet=E2=80=99s Learn Linux=E2=80=9D study groups.=20 =9D for anyone with a modicum of tech knowledge, e.g., basic Mac/Windows= skills. We want to give folks the confidence to use Linux as their =E2=80= =9Cdaily driver=E2=80=9D and a solid base of knowledge and interpersonal= relationships to build on, especially for troubleshooting. This is a pe= rsonal objective for me=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a =E2=80=9Cguinea pig=E2=80= =9D for the study group! study group would be greatly appreciated. One thing in particular: devi= ces, particularly laptops, that participants can use for learning purpos= es. We=E2=80=99re going to strongly encourage folks to bring their own d= evices but we want to accommodate folks who don=E2=80=99t have devices t= hey can =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D Eventually, I=E2=80=99d like to set up = a hardware bank for low-cost, used devices. Another thing we need is a s= tandard install, including some basic apps.=20 t the Francis Wyatt Community Center, in the May/June timeframe. The big= plan is to establish study groups in multiple locations around the area= . I=E2=80=99d love to use the Installfest as a kick-off for the pilot. A= nd, I think it would be great to have a =E2=80=9Ckit=E2=80=9D for Instal= lfests at other prospective study group locations. -- Greg Laudeman, Ed.D. *Executive Officer and Principal* Eduity, LLC www.eduity.net greg@eduity.net 706-271-5521
=============================================================== From: Aaron welch Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ Sorry about not responding Gmail on my phone did not nest these correctly and I thought I was replying back to Chugalug. Do you have a count, spec, and budget you would like? I need to get rid of at least half of these to free up space before we move. Aaron Welch Chief Mechanic @ Geek Ventures 423-505-9999 n2nightfall@gmail.com "Enabling people to do great things with their own ideas." k the r e eII, etup pecs s xmox, as alug >>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: , open for en and o make spending =9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for kills. =80=9D for anyone want iver=E2=80=9D and a =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a e study , s. evices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D used devices. ps. e big rea. And, I think t other prospective
=============================================================== From: Ed King Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ lol, I cant tell who talking to who(m) and about what. Damn gmail I leII, setup specs i es oxmox, as galug >>>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: y, open for den and ho make spending =80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for skills. =80=9D for anyone e want river=E2=80=9D and a , =E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a he study s, es. devices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D , used devices. pps. he big area. . And, I think at other prospective
=============================================================== From: r d flowers Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ As an example, howbeit ironic -- W H O I S T H I S ? ? RD/Rick Flowers Likes FB, wikitree, mastodon, and tvrail.com Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.
=============================================================== From: Michael Harrison Via chugalug ------------------------------------------------------ When I get a chance, am travelling. Will add sender info to email bodies for those using email software that obfuscates it. Maybe even tonight. On Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 15:50 r d flowers Via chugalug wrote: y , o I ewire ? pleII, setup e specs nd HP mes roxmox, m as ugalug >>>>>> chugalug@chugalug.org> wrote: sy, e open s for aden and , who make spending =80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstepping stones=E2=80=9D for skills. s =E2=80=9D for kills. We aily driver=E2=80=9D and on, e=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=99m a the study es, ses. devices but we =E2=80=9Cbreak.=E2=80=9D t, used devices. apps. , The big area. t. And, I think at other prospective