The now defunct Linux General Store in Atlanta used to host a weekly Linux hardware forum. We'd hang out and solve each others hardware problems, help new Linux users with installs and configuration, eat pizza, and occasionally drink some beer. The result was quite positive with some of the guys picking up contract work, some corporate penetration, and a lot of on the edge linux curious people getting their machines set up. Most issues were with networking, graphics set up for GUI, sound card drivers, RAID, and the ever popular with new guys, DUAL BOOT. We also installed Linux on Sun and MIPs (Motorola) workstations for some of the corporate guys that had old hardware kicking around and wanted to put it to work. I'll participate in something like this, once settled in Honolulu (this Fall). All it takes is a place with network connection, tables, chairs, and plenty of electrical outlets...
-t