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SoSLUG is no longer active.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. 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 (hitting over 7 km/h) and reached the semi-finals of the Pi Noon tournament (the results).

As a LUG (Linux User Group), we advocated the Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) approach to computing.

Our members have experience with:

  • Web Development & Servers e.g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue, WordPress, Spring, Laravel, LAMP, Docker
  • Desktop Linux & Software e.g. LibreOffice, GIMP
  • Programming e.g. Java, 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.