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Throughout the month of July, we’re featuring user groups from across the world to learn about how each group operates. Today, we hear from Kentucky and Korea.
## Kentucky
*The Kentucky user group just started in March of this year, but their first meeting attracted 40 attendees. It was founded by employees and students of the University of Kentucky and represents public and private organizations including some of the largest OpenStack organizations. To learn more about the group, see their [Meetup Group](http://www.meetup.com/OpenStack-Kentucky/).*
##### 1) Describe a typical user group meeting.
We have only had one 🙂 Initial meeting was of a group of about 40 people. We met at a meeting room in a pub for a late lunch and drinks. People working for several public and private institutions, including those that are major OpenStack contributors. We discuss use cases, figure meetings, and describe build configurations.
##### 2) How do the members of your user group collaborate outside of meetings?
Many of the members either work together or are part of the bigger OpenStack community. Much interaction is online and some is with personal meetings.
##### 3) What’s one piece of advice you would give to new users?
Find a buddy 🙂 Start with something manageable, walkthrough a manual install, then worry about orchestration.
##### 4) What will you do to celebrate OpenStack’s 4th Birthday?
We will have a birthday party, build day, invited speakers, and party party after the meeting.
##### 5) What do you wish was powered by OpenStack? If you could build anything with OpenStack, what would it be?
It would be a multi-site state-wide/regional cloud, for research and education.
##### 6) What have been the biggest benefits to your user group members in using OpenStack?
Exposure to the technology and experienced people to rely on for support and guidance.
## South Korea
*The South Korea OpenStack user group has been around since 2010 and has maintained an active user base since their official launch event in 2011. To learn more about the group, visit their [website](http://openstack.or.kr/).*
##### 1) How long has your user group been around? Describe how it formed.
The Korea User Group was founded in late 2010, and had an official launch event in February 2011.
As soon as OpenStack was publicly announced in July 2010, an R&D project group called “OSS Cloud Platform Big Project” decided to follow OpenStack. We made a Google Group to share information among early pioneers in Korea. That Google Group later became OpenStack Korea Community.
##### 2) Describe a typical use group meeting.
We do have a monthly Meetup, usually between 20~40 people. Users and developers gather after work (typically between 7pm and 10pm) with a specific topic to discuss. We have a presentation from vendors and a talk from an individual developer and/or user. In addition, we have a big community event about twice a year.
##### 3) How do the members of your user group collaborate outside of meetings?
We have a Board of around 4 members. Board members meet every week online, and once a month off-line. Usually, we use Facebook chat, Google Hangout, and emails to communicate.
##### 4) What are the three most important questions about OpenStack that are burning in your user group’s mind?
That varies based on who you are. 🙂 For the novice, it’s “let’s make it work.” For the developers, it’s “what is the most difficult stuff to address to make it commercial?”
and.. recently, there has been lots of talk around Docker. 🙂
##### 5) What’s one piece of advice you would give to new users?
Read the manual first.
Actually, we are doing a small community project to prepare and provide training materials to new users. In addition, we are also working with a online education organization (called OLC, open learning center) to provide a “online lecture.”
##### 6) What’s something your user group will do to celebrate OpenStack’s 4th Birthday?
Beer party with panel discussion (probably talk battle) regarding OpenStack.
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If you’re interested in participating in Superuser’s User Spotlights this month, please email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). We’d love to learn more about your group!
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