Unfortunately I find this kind of thread truly, truly depressing.

When most responses are "well, this works for me so screw everyone else", I despair for the future of GTALUG. I was serious when I said I believe that we are in an adapt-or-die phase, but nobody seems willing to adapt or in any way leave their comfort zone.

The email system is staggeringly hard to migrate and maintain and I am deeply grateful to Ron, Hugh and Kevin for their roles in this; but their talent is rare and not easily replaced should they move on. I have personally spoken to other LUG leaders who watched helplessly as their membership literally died off without any care -- let alone plan -- regarding succession or attracting a new generation. (We are far from alone in the FOSS world with this problem.) Are we on this same path?

There will always be email lists, as Karen suggested, but there will be ever-fewer live LUG events aimed  at non-developers. Never mind growth; GTALUG already has a critical shortage of people willing to help maintain the group in its current state, find speakers or even make a presentation themselves. Without some new support it seems inevitable that the monthly calls will be just round tables, the usual suspects are burning out and no replacements are in sight.

Somebody please offer a cause for optimism.

- Evan