'sup y'all... I've been lurking in the IRC channel on Freenode for the past couple of weeks. I'm an advanced Linux user (I wouldn't call myself an expert though) currently living in Mobile. I have been using nothing but Linux for the past 4+ years, but my Linux experience goes back to 1997 when I first had to install Slackware for a class I was taking. I only run Windows XP in a VMWare VM now, if I absolutely need to run a Windows program. Up until yesterday the machine I'm typing this on was a Gentoo box. Now it's Ubuntu (yes, it has impressed me that much).
I've begun to do a little advocacy for Ubuntu (very, very small steps). I introduced my now-89yr old grandfather to Ubuntu (Breezy, I think). The only reason why he doesn't use it now is that his children bought him a new computer for Christmas, and I was tired of arguing with them over why he couldn't install malware-laden Windows programs. But he admits he liked it after he got used to it. I've also left Ubuntu Live CDs over at various consulting jobs (basically,"Will you fix my computer?" "Try this instead"). I also installed Ubuntu Server (Edgy) at my father's office.
The SALUG still meets in Mobile, apparently they've got at least 30 people regularly showing up. Free pizza and all that. I haven't been in a while because I can't ever remember to go. I do know that they still meet at the same time and place listed on the SALUG homepage.
I'm probably not going to start going to the SALUG meetings mainly because I am more than likely about to be offered a job at Digium in Huntsville. If not, and I need to stick around here, I'll start going more often.