About Us

The Linux Users Group at the University of California, Los Angeles is an organization dedicated to the GNU/Linux Operating System and other Unix Derivatives. We aim to promote via advocacy, support, and education. Although our LUG is primarily composed of UCLA students, anyone from the general public is welcome to join our group. In addition to regular meetings, the LUG occasionally has events such as Linux Install-fests and presentations on Unix-related topics.

Joining the LUG entails nothing more than showing up at a meeting or subscribing to our mailing list. There are no fees, dues, or pledges. We will gladly accept voluntary donations.

The LUG@UCLA's purpose is to facilitate learning, creativity, and the advancement of computer science.

The LUG@UCLA accomplishes this goal by promoting the use of the Linux operating system at UCLA and encouraging its use among students, faculty, staff, and University departments. The LUG@UCLA promotes Linux use by providing a support network for Linux users and by building a library of Linux-related materials, as well as various versions of Linux on multiple platforms.

These publicly available resources are stored and used in the LUG@UCLA lounge, which also serves as a meeting room and classroom.

For organizational structure, read our constitution, and see our contact page.

In promoting the use of Linux, LUG@UCLA also encourages programming under this operating system in the form of student-coordinated projects. LUG@UCLA student projects benefit the UCLA community and the Linux community, with emphasis on the intersection of the two. All software produced under the auspices of LUG@UCLA is distributed under an Open Source approved license.

The LUG@UCLA facilitates certain activities that benefit the UCLA and/or Linux community. These events include:

These installfests average between 35 to 45 installs. They directly benefit students and faculty involved with the CS35L (Linux Software Lab) and CS111 (Operating Systems) series of classes. They also provide the LUG@UCLA with our greatest in-person exposure to the community and give the organization an excellent opportunity to recruit new members.

Some of the topics presented include:

• UNIX Basics
• Java, C, C++, Ocaml, LISP, and Other Programming Languages
• Security in Linux
• GTK+/GNOME programming
• Python programming
• Hosting technical talks by individuals or companies
  • Google, HULU, Facebook, Citrix, Edmunds.com

In addition to events, the LUG@UCLA provides several resources to UCLA students. These resources include:

The LUG Lounge comes equipped with several workstations. These desktops are available to all and anyone who comes to the LUG Lounge. Although, only users who are members have access to printing capabilities. Administration of local workstations is done by the administrators of LUG.

Mailing lists are for Members and Non-members alike.

Lists:

* Members, Officers, Linux, and More.

Operation of several servers with the explicit goals of providing shell access to students and unlimited web and e-mail space. The maintenance of these machines has given the students who run them valuable System Administration experience. Student Administrators regularly deal with real issues such as network security, account administration, network policy, and hardware maintenance/troubleshooting.

The LUG library is a ever growing collection of new and old books on many topics but tends to focus on computer science and mathematics. Books are available for checkout only to members of LUG@UCLA but anyone who stops by can always feel free to read and browse our selection on site. For a list of books available, please contact the current officers of LUG@UCLA.

A lab and accompanying computing resources that students use for hands-on learning of UNIX systems, including system administration of such services as SMTP, HTTP, DNS, NFS, SSH, POP3, Relational Databases (PostgreSQL), DHCP, basic account management, and security auditing.

LUG@UCLA adds significant value to the UCLA community. The hands-on experiences, training, and practice that are availible to LUG@UCLA members – especially when coupled with the top-tier theoretical training in Computer Science available from HSSEAS – provide an academic setting which is unmatched in most university environments.

LUG@UCLA provides not only a service as an open environment for community learning, but also provides space for students to study, the public to ask linux related questions, and an place for social events at the UCLA campus.