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What is lug.org.uk?
lug.org.uk is the UK Linux User Groups organisation: a volunteer-run umbrella that provides technical services for user, support and interest groups across the United Kingdom. Its focus is groups built around permissive licences — free software, open source software and Linux distributions.
What it actually does
Rather than being a single user group, it acts as shared infrastructure for many. According to the site, it offers qualifying groups:
- Free website hosting
- Email addresses on group domains
- Mailing lists
- DNS hosting
It also maintains a list of Linux and associated groups in the UK, so it doubles as a directory for people looking for a local group.
Who it is for
Two audiences benefit. Existing groups get hosting and mailing lists without running their own servers or paying for them. Individuals can use the group list to find a nearby LUG, then join its mailing list or attend a meeting. The site notes that groups thinking of starting up are also welcome to apply, so it is not limited to long-established organisations.
What it is not
It is not a distro project, a commercial host or a general web host. The service is aimed at groups aligned with its remit, and it is not a place to host unrelated personal or business sites. The infrastructure is provided by BitFolk, and the site itself is built on a Jekyll theme.
Practical next step
If you run a UK group in this space, check the application route before buying hosting or setting up mail — mailing lists and DNS are often the fiddly parts to maintain, and these are exactly what the organisation covers. If you are an individual, start with the group list and contact the nearest LUG directly; for broader context on the wider free software community, see Free Software Foundation Europe.
How can I find a Linux user group near me in the UK?
Start with the national directory at lug.org.uk, the UK Linux User Groups organisation. Its main list of Linux and related groups across the United Kingdom is the most direct route to a group near you. The site also explains that it supports groups advocating permissive licences such as Free Software, Open Source and Linux distributions, and offers them free website and email hosting, mailing lists and DNS hosting.
A practical search sequence
- Check the group list on lug.org.uk and scan for your city, county or region.
- If nothing is close, look at the nearest large city: many UK groups draw members from a wide radius and meet monthly.
- Check the group's own site or mailing list for meeting times, venues and whether meetings are currently in person, hybrid or online.
- If you find no group, the site's application page explains how to propose or start one, since lug.org.uk can provide hosting and mailing lists to new groups.
What to expect from a UK LUG
Most are volunteer-run and free to attend, with a mix of social meetups, technical talks, install help and online chat. Some are general Linux groups; others focus on a distro, a language, or free and open-source software more broadly. A useful decision criterion is meeting format: if you want hands-on help, prioritise a group with regular in-person sessions; if you want talks and discussion, a mailing list or online meeting may suit you better.
For a broader view of free and open-source communities in the UK, FSFE and OpenUK publish news and events that sometimes include local group activities.
What services does lug.org.uk offer to Linux user groups?
lug.org.uk is a UK umbrella organisation that provides technical infrastructure for Linux and related user groups. Its core offer is free hosting and administrative services so that a volunteer-run group does not have to maintain its own servers.
What it provides
- Website hosting for group sites.
- Email addresses on a group domain.
- Mailing lists for discussions and announcements.
- DNS hosting for group domains.
The organisation describes itself as serving User, Support or Interest Groups that advocate for permissive licences, including Free Software, Open Source Software and Linux distribution groups, in the United Kingdom. Its infrastructure is provided by BitFolk.
Who it suits
The offer fits small to medium volunteer groups that want a stable online presence without a member volunteering to run a server. A typical case: a city Linux user group needs a mailing list, a website, and addresses like [email protected], but nobody wants to handle DNS or mail deliverability. Using shared infrastructure removes that burden and keeps the group's domain under its own control.
The trade-off is that the group depends on someone else's platform. If you need unusual software, custom mail filtering, or full root access, hosted services may feel restrictive. Groups with strong technical capacity and specific requirements may prefer to run their own systems.
How to proceed
Read the group list to see whether similar groups already use the service, then look at the application page before committing. If you are starting a group, applying early means your domain and mailing list can be set up before you publicise the group.
For broader context on UK groups, see lug.org.uk and its list of Linux User Groups.
How do I apply for free hosting or email services from lug.org.uk?
Apply through the "Apply for lug.org.uk resources" link on the site's own pages. lug.org.uk is the UK Linux User Groups organisation, and it states that it offers groups free website hosting, email addresses, mailing lists and DNS hosting. The application route is aimed at groups, not individuals.
What to have ready before you apply
Because the offer is infrastructure for groups, your application will be judged on the group rather than on you personally. Prepare:
- Group identity: an established name and a clear statement of what the group does.
- Alignment: evidence that the group is for users, support or interest in permissive-licensed software — Free Software, Open Source or Linux distributions.
- UK connection: the organisation describes itself as serving groups in the United Kingdom, so be ready to explain your UK base or membership.
- What you need: which of the services you actually want — web hosting, email addresses, mailing lists, DNS — and roughly what scale.
- A contact person: someone who will administer the account and respond to the volunteer admins.
- Existing presence: a current website, wiki or mailing list helps show the group is real and active.
If you are starting a group
The site explicitly invites people who are "thinking of starting one" to look into applying. In that case, describe the intended group, its proposed scope and how it fits the permissive-licence focus, rather than presenting a track record you do not yet have.
A quick way to decide
| Your situation | Sensible route |
|---|---|
| Established UK Linux/Free Software user group needing hosting, lists or DNS | Apply directly via the site's application link |
| New group still forming | Apply, but lead with your plan and intended audience |
| Individual wanting a personal mailbox or website | Not the target audience — look for a general provider instead |
| Group outside the UK | The stated scope is UK groups, so check before applying |
Practical next step
Read the application page fully before submitting, then write a short, factual request: who the group is, where it is based, what it does, which services you need and who will administer them. Keep it concise — volunteer-run infrastructure teams respond best to clear, specific requests. If your group is listed among the UK groups on the site, mention that, since it confirms you are already part of the community the organisation exists to serve.
What are the requirements for a group to qualify for lug.org.uk resources?
lug.org.uk serves groups in the UK that support permissive licensing — the page names Free Software, Open Source Software and Linux distribution groups as examples. It offers free website and email hosting, mailing lists and DNS hosting, so the practical fit is a group that needs shared infrastructure rather than one looking for funding or event sponsorship.
The stated eligibility criteria
Two things are explicit on the page:
- Location: the group must be in the United Kingdom. The group list it maintains is described as covering "Linux User Groups or other associated groups in the United Kingdom."
- Purpose: the group must be interested in, or advocate for, permissive licences — the examples given are Free Software, Open Source Software and Linux distribution groups.
Beyond that, the page frames eligibility as a judgement call rather than a checklist: groups that "feel" in line with the offer are invited to look at applying, and that invitation extends to people still thinking about starting a group. So a brand-new group with no members yet is not automatically excluded.
What to have ready before applying
The page does not spell out an application form's contents, so treat the following as sensible preparation rather than a documented requirement:
- A short statement of what the group does and who it serves, in the UK.
- The technical services you actually want — a website, mailboxes, a mailing list, DNS, or a combination.
- Who will administer the account and handle DNS or mail configuration.
- Evidence of activity: a mailing list archive, meeting notes, a social account, or a stated plan if you are just starting.
Choosing whether this is the right home
| Your situation | Reasonable fit |
|---|---|
| Established UK LUG needing mail, lists and DNS | Yes — matches the stated offer directly |
| New UK group built around free/open-source software | Worth applying; the page invites groups that are "thinking about starting one" |
| Group outside the UK | No — location is stated as UK |
| Group whose main focus is proprietary tooling or commercial training | Likely no — purpose is framed around permissive licences |
| Group wanting money, venue hire or insurance | No — the offer is technical services, not funding |
Next step
If you meet the UK and permissive-licence criteria, apply through the site rather than emailing individual administrators, and be specific about which services you need. If your group is not UK-based, look for an equivalent national umbrella organisation in your own country; a general directory such as lug.org.uk is useful mainly for seeing how UK groups are organised, not as a route to hosting for non-UK groups.
How can I start a new Linux user group and get support from lug.org.uk?
lug.org.uk is a UK umbrella organisation that provides technical services to Linux, free-software and open-source user groups. It does not organise meetups itself; it gives existing or newly forming groups the infrastructure they need to run one. Its stated offer is free website hosting, email addresses, mailing lists and DNS hosting, with infrastructure provided by BitFolk.
What lug.org.uk actually provides
According to the site, groups that fit its remit — UK-based groups advocating permissive licences such as Free Software, Open Source Software and Linux distributions — can apply for:
- Hosted websites and group email addresses
- Mailing lists
- DNS hosting
The site also lists UK Linux user groups and related groups, and has a page for applying for resources. If you are starting a group, that application route is the practical starting point: it is aimed at people running a group in line with the offer, or thinking of starting one.
A sensible sequence for starting a group
- Define the group's scope and audience. A university society, a city meetup, a workplace lunchtime group and a special-interest group (for example, kernel, embedded, or distro-specific) need different formats. Deciding this first determines whether lug.org.uk's remit fits.
- Find the nearest existing group. Check the group list on lug.org.uk before founding a new one. A nearby group may already serve your area, and it is often easier to join or help revive one than to build from scratch. National listings such as lug.org.uk are useful here.
- Secure a venue and a rhythm. A predictable monthly slot in a pub back room, library, community centre or university room is usually more sustainable than an ambitious irregular schedule. Venues with power, Wi-Fi and no cost are the common choice.
- Set up communications. A mailing list plus a chat channel covers most groups. This is exactly the kind of service lug.org.uk offers, so applying early avoids paying for or maintaining your own hosting.
- Apply for resources. Use the application page on lug.org.uk to request hosting, email, lists and DNS. Be ready to describe the group, its UK focus and how it aligns with the permissive-licence remit.
- Plan the first few meetings. A short talk plus informal discussion works well for a new group; a "show and tell" or install-help evening lowers the barrier for newcomers.
Practical considerations
- Remit matters. lug.org.uk exists to support groups interested in or advocating permissive licences. A general "technology" meetup may not qualify; a Linux or free-software group almost certainly will.
- Infrastructure is not the hard part. Hosting and mailing lists are the easy bit. The recurring challenge is finding speakers, keeping a venue and sustaining attendance. Budget your effort accordingly.
- Governance is light but useful. A named organiser or two, a code of conduct, and a shared admin account for the mailing list prevent the group stalling when one person steps back.
- Use existing networks. Announce your first meeting on regional and national Linux community channels; groups often grow from cross-posting rather than from a single listing.
Where to look next
Start with the group list and the application page on lug.org.uk to check whether your idea fits and what you need to supply. For a wider UK free-software audience, Free Software Foundation Europe and Open Source Initiative publish community material that can help you describe your group's purpose when you apply.
London, England, United Kingdom
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