The MBLI is a way to encourage local businesses and non-profit organizations to use Linux within their IT infrastructure (Linux Web/Mail/Database/Proxy/DHCP/Firewall Servers, Workstations, Routers, PDA's, and other Linux Devices).

Members of the MBLI receive Linux education and training for their employees, free Linux support from Certified Linux Professionals, a migration guide from Windows to Linux, discounted hardware (servers, workstations, laptops, pda's, printers, scanners, etc). In exchange for providing these services, businesses within the Maysville community are investing in the MLUG's long term commitment back to the community through continued education, support, etc.

There are two primary reasons the MBLI was formed. The first being to lower businesses total cost of ownership through using Linux. There is an article published here that details more about why this was formed.

The second reason is very simple. The MLUG's slogan since it was formed from day 1 has always been "Linux Users Helping Linux Users". What better way is there to help a community of businesses than to train their employees, educate their computer users, and provide a superior operating system that will pay for itself within the first year of deployment due to lowering a businesses total cost of ownership?

The MLUG has been funded for 10 years by a sole individual, me to be exact. My name is Ed Wiget, Registered Linux User 162711. At one time, I owned and operated RHP Studios which provided computer and network technical support, consultation, and sales to both businesses (70%) and residential customers (30%). RHP Studios was (as still are to the best of my knowledge) the only certified computer technicians and consultants within Mason County. We were not certified by grandfather clauses or through graduation from a public school, however, we were certified by a 3rd party / national certifying authority through hands on testing (both written and live trouble shooting scenerios). We have been certified and recertified every year since 1995 in all versions of Windows Operating Systems, Linux Operating Systems, Solaris Operating Systems, Unix Operating Systems, amoung various others for both operating systems, programming languages, and computer security / forensics.

To make a very long story short, I have personally used Linux since about 1994/1995 and realized it was far superior to Windows 3.1.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT 3.51 at the time, along with even superior to IBM's Warp 3 and Warp 4.

I promoted Linux to every business and individual I could and literally ran myself out of business due to Linux "never fails" nature. Linux never failed and roughly 40% of my commercial clients never needed my paid support. That left the remaining 20% of my commercial clients who were using either "as needed" support or paying a "yearly retainer contract". At any rate, any CEO could see what would happen if you lost 40% of your bread and butter. I closed my commercial store, moved back into a home based business, continued to develope my web hosting business, and continued to provide support to businesses and residential customers.

Back to what the MLUG receives from the MBLI....a portion of all hardware sales goes to the MLUG's general operating funds. The hardware is purchased through RHP Studios at cost, resold at cost + shipping, and the profits are from the $5 or $15 handling charge added for each product. Therefore, $5 or $15 for each piece of hardware you purchase goes to the MLUG.

A portion of all service & training contracts also goes into the MLUG's general operating system funds. The exact portion is 25% of all service contracts and 25% of all training contracts. The 75% remainder covers overhead and operating costs for traveling, meals, wages, etc.

The MLUG pays its bills, invests in future growth and additional training for its members, and provides seminars through those funds collected from hardware sales, service and training contracts.

The MBLI program wasn't something that I was planning over the last several years. The MBLI came about during several conversations over the last 5 months from local area businesses and also the MLUG's need to obtain a 501(c) status. As an individual providing commercial technical support and consulting, I hear the same complaints over and over and over again from new customers. It dawned on me that those same complaints are the same complaints I have been hearing for years from Windows users. It also dawned on me that one of my largest Maysville clients using Linux has only called me for a single technical support call during the last 3 years, although they have paid their retainer every year and have unlimited technical support under that contract.

It just makes sense that if most local businesses are suffering from the same problems, offer them a long term solution that will benefit them, and also benefit the MLUG.

There are no fixed programs at the moment. However, we are dealing with each candidate for MBLI inclusion on a case by case basis. We are trying to put some specific programs together and should have them in a few months. In the meantime, call 606-407-1838 and arrange a free consultation with your business. You will receive at minimum, a report detailing how Linux can save your business a considerable amount of money each year and literally pay for itself in its first year of use from money saved in technical support calls, software upgrades, etc.

What have you got to lose??