A major feature of Bellevue Linux Users Group (BELUG) is its emphasis on promoting the development of unique projects by its members. Creating or becoming actively involved in a project is one of the best ways of (1) learning, (2) helping others, (3) promoting creativity and (4) keeping a group interesting and thriving.

There is a wide latitude for the projects. They can be creative, educational, public service, for-profit or some combination of these. Although the emphasis is on activities related to Linux and other free software, other types of projects are also acceptable, particularly if there is some creative or public service aspect to them.

A variety of projects are currently in progress or are being planned either by members working in groups or individually. Among those that are related to computers and which have been publicly announced to date are:

• The Linux Information Project (LINFO)
• LINMO (a model designed to improve web content)
• Providing free computer advice and assistance for nearby residents
• Providing free, reconditioned computers with Linux installed on them
• Creating free, or low cost, web sites for people with no web development experience
• Teaching experimental college courses about Linux.

BELUG provides various forms of assistance for its members in order to facilitate the development of projects, including:

• expert advice
• web site construction assistance (and hosting in some cases)
• editing (of business plans, web sites, etc.)
• coding assistance (in some cases)
• introductions