Q: Why aren't there any Linux penguin mascots or other graphics on this website like there are on all the other Linux user group sites?

A: This is still a relatively young and rapidly growing site, and thus the priority is to make it as useful as possible rather than to develop graphics for it. Also, this site shares the view of some web usability experts that unnecessary images not only slow down the loading of web pages, but also can detract from the effectiveness of a site, particularly if it deals with technical or educational topics.

Moreover, BELUG's philosophy, like that of Linux itself, is that diversity can be better than blind conformity. That is, just because other LUG (Linux user group) sites have random colors or images of penguins, it does not mean that the BELUG site must copy them.

In addition, some people are of the opinion that the cuteness fad of recent years has been overdone, not only with regard to Linux but in other areas as well. However, consideration may eventually be given to adding images if it can be demonstrated that they actually add to the quality of the content or improve usability.

Q: Is this site designed to work best with some specific browser?

A: No. It is designed to adhere to the international W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards to the extent practical but also to work well with the full range of browsers, including those that might have relatively poor compliance with such standards. (The W3C is an international consortium with more than 450 members that was established in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web, to promote the evolution of the web and ensure its interoperability.)

Q: I think that the site should be open source, because Linux is open source. This would allow everybody to contribute to it.

A: Actually, it is open source, as is every web site, in the sense that the HTML (hypertext markup language) source code is publicly available.

This site is also open in the sense that all visitors to it are welcome to make suggestions for improving it. All suggestions will be studied and eventually implemented if deemed appropriate and to the extent that resources allow.

Some sites allow members or visitors to directly add to, delete from and otherwise modify them. Although at times interesting and useful, such sites can require a vigilant moderator in order to edit content and remove objectionable material, and such moderation can consume much time and effort.

Q: Have you considered using a program such as PHP-Nuke to power the site? It could make it more dynamic and useful.

A: Yes, PHP-Nuke and similar programs have been carefully studied. Although they can be useful in some situations, in other cases they have been disasters. It is not clear that they would offer any real advantages for this site. In fact, they would likely conflict with other goals.

Q: What is PHP-Nuke?

A: PHP-Nuke is an automated program for administering interactive web sites that uses the increasingly popular PHP web programming language. A major advantage of this program is that it is very simple to use and does not require the site administrator and contributors to know any HTML or PHP. One of its disadvantages is that it requires the use of a database system on the web server, which can add to the cost of web hosting and thus not be practical for a small group or organization with a very tight budget.

PHP (which stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) itself is a free and excellent language for creating websites, and it continues to improve with each new version.

Q: I don't like this website.

A: Please try to restructure any comments as a question, and try to be more specific about what is wrong with the site.

Q: I notice that there are some articles that, although interesting and well written, do not seem to be about Linux. Is there any particular reason for this?

A: Actually, virtually every article on this site has some connection with Linux or BELUG, although it might not be immediately obvious. It should be kept in mind that Linux is far more than just another computer operating system. It, along with open source software in general, is, in fact, a broad and deeply rooted movement that is growing rapidly and is on the verge of bringing about massive changes in the computer field and possibly affecting other areas of the economy and society as well.

This site is aimed a providing information for people with all levels of interest in Linux and other open source software, not only people who just want to use it for ordinary consumer and business tasks but also people who want to have an in-depth understanding of it, including its philosophy, its historical background and its implications for the future of computing and society as a whole.

Q: Why don't you have an article about the Linux philosophy? This is a very important topic that seems to be missing from a site that is supposedly dedicated to advancing knowledge about Linux.

A: That is a good idea, and, in fact, work began on such an article some time ago. Actually, there are many important topics that are still not on the site. This is because the site is still relatively young and only a small fraction of the desired articles have been completed to date.

Q: What is your policy about linking to other sites? And could you link to my site?

A: Consideration will be given to providing a link to any relevant and interesting site. Most external links (i.e., links to other sites) are located on the pages listed on the page Selected Online Resources. BELUG members' pages are linked from the page BELUG Members' Websites. Please send suggestions (and reasons for linking if not obvious) to bellevuelinux at yahoo.com.

Q: What is your policy about other sites linking to the BELUG site?

A: Everyone is welcome to (and encouraged to) provide links to any page on the BELUG website.

Q: I think that it could be useful if you posted minutes from each meeting on the site. Is there any reason that this could not be done?

A: Considerable thought was given to this idea. However, it was not clear that there would be any major benefit. Moreover, several problems were encountered that make it impractical. One is the fact that some members prefer that their names and comments not be used in any minutes. Another is that substantial time would have to be spent writing and, particularly, editing them -- time that could be much better devoted to other BELUG projects.

Q: What is the relationship between the Bellevue Linux Users group website and "The Linux Information Project"?

A: The Linux Information Project is a project that was launched by the Bellevue Linux Users Group in early 2004 and which is hosted by that group on its website. In January 2005 the distinction between the two was made clearer with the launching of a separate home page (but still part of the bellevuelinux.org domain) for The Linux Information Project.

Q: I think that the BELUG website has some good potential, and I would like to contribute to it. Is this possible?

A: Yes. Suggestions and other contributions are not only welcome but also are strongly encouraged, and the best of them will be used. Just as Linux and other open source software are a collaborative effort, a goal of this site is to make it a collaborative project to the extent practical. That could help make it more interesting and more useful for everyone.

Q: What specifically could I do to help?

A: There are several things, including: (1) finding errors in spelling, grammar and content as well as finding broken links, (2) suggesting improvements in content, for example, improvements to the answers in this FAQ or to the content of articles, (3) suggesting ways to improve site navigation and usability, (4) submitting a high quality article or research paper for publication on this site and (5) providing a link to this site from some other site.

Q: I am writing a technical paper about a specific aspect of Linux. Would it be possible to get it published on the BELUG website? And if so, what would it involve?

A: BELUG is happy to consider publishing articles and technical papers. Please send it to bellevuelinux at yahoo.com. It will be evaluated, and notification will be sent to the author if it appears to have potential for publishing on this site. It may be edited, in which case the author will be consulted about the editing. There is no charge for the review or publishing, although there might be a charge for the editing of long or complex articles that need extensive rewriting.

Q: What are the general requirements for articles or technical papers?

A: The most important things are that they be original and interesting to a world-wide audience (although that audience can be an audience of specialists in some narrow topic area). Articles announcing the author's new creative idea (e.g., a new algorithm, a new type of program, a way to improve Linux, a way to improve the Internet, a website with a new function, etc.) are particularly welcome. There is no requirement that the author be a BELUG member.

Q: What are the restrictions on subject matter for such articles or technical papers? Can they be about topics other than Linux?

A: Articles and technical papers need not be about Linux or other open source software; they can be about any aspect of computer science. However, if a technical paper is sufficiently creative and interesting, it need not even be about computer science (i.e., there is virtually no limit on the subject).

Q: Can my name and contact information appear on an article that I have published on the BELUG site?

A: Yes.

Q: I have another question. Where should I send it?

A: Please send questions to bellevuelinux at yahoo.com.

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For FAQ (frequently asked questions) about BELUG in general, see FAQ About BELUG.