<p dir="ltr">As we all know, the world of technology is changing in both good and not so good ways. These changes are clearly being felt at ALE.</p>
<p dir="ltr">How can ALE continue to be relevant in a walled garden world of Facebook and Hangouts and Meetups? Should the walled garden be viewed as a new conquest? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Linux no longer has to struggle for recognition or relevance. ALE has been part of the pointy end of the stick that has forced the changes where Linux is now seen as not just a means to a cost effective end but an essential element in all phases of electronic life.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Except for the desktop.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Apple is increasingly viewed as a viable desktop for schools and personal use. They are making the push into business desktop uses as well. Is this a good thing for the continued freedoms, and responsibilities, that Linux systems offer?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Join in the discussion of ALE future and Linux changes Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 7:30 pm at the ALE Central meeting room on Emory campus. Bring a laptop, tablet or pen and paper. The meeting focus is not just what can be done, but more importantly _who_ is going to be doing it. The room seats 30. It needs to be standing room only for this one.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Note: It's always fun to do the "back in the day" as a reminder of the history many have lived through with ALE. I would like for one of the ALE founders to step forward a present a 5 minute history lesson to begin the discussion. Please let me know who will do this.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If there is a way to easily make this event a live internet broadcast thing using a crappy web camera and all linux laptop software (Fedora 21), let me know how and I'll try to have it ready.</p>