Southend on Sea Linux User Group (SoSLUG)

Southend's local computing & electronics club

SoSLUG is no longer active.
However, many of us have moved to EEH (see below).

Former Meetings

Meeting weekly or fortnightly from March 2003 until 2021, we were a local meetup and social space for anyone with an interest in computing and/or electronics.

All were welcome, regardless of age, ability level or specific interest.

Members and guests could bring any kind of computer or project along.

Where are we now?

While not a Linux User Group, many of our members now attend the East Essex Hackspace, a local Hackspace/Makerspace formed in 2020/21. It has a computer lab and electronics/maker equipment.

What We Did

We had weekly or fortnightly meetings. As a LUG (Linux User Group), we advocated the Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) approach to computing.

We also held larger events, such as Software Freedom Day 2011, Southend Raspberry Jam events and Open Electronics Day. We built a (Rasperry Pi & Arduino) robot to compete in Pi Wars 2015 in Cambridge; our entry won 2nd place in the straight-line speed test (reaching 7 km/h) and reached the semi-finals of the Pi Noon tournament (the results).

Our members have experience with:

  • Web Development & Servers e.g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue, WordPress, Spring, Laravel, LAMP, Docker
  • Desktop Linux (Ubuntu/Debian, OpenSUSE, etc) & Software e.g. LibreOffice, GIMP, Inkscape, Firefox, Thunderbird
  • Programming e.g. Java, Python, PHP
  • Databases e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
  • Music Technology e.g. VCV Rack
  • Digital Photography
  • Hobby Electronics e.g. Arduino and Raspberry Pi GPIO, Internet of Things

When & Where

We usually met weekly on Monday evenings, at The Old Waterworks, a local arts organisation.

The Old Waterworks
North Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
SS0 7AB

For updates, check our twitter.