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KLUG Meeting Notes - 07/18/2000
KALAMAZOO LINUX USER'S GROUP
MEMBERS AND GUESTS - COME JOIN US FOR A MEETING!!!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings
WE MEET WEEKLY, EACH TUESDAY AT 7:00PM.
Our meeting site is Room 4202 of Dunbar Hall on
the campus of Western Michigan University.
Tuesday July 18, 2000 7:00PM Dead Proprietary OS Night?
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary
I. PROJECT REPORTS
II. GENERAL KLUG ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. PRESENTATION RECAP
IV. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING
Chairperson: Robert G. Brown
I. PROJECT REPORTS
LINUX OR KLUG RELATED PROJECT REPORTS -
KLUG WEBMASTER MATT CRAMPTON IS LEAVING US - for the
opportunity to work with Netscape/AOL. Matt has been very active
in KLUG and provided us with our KLUG web site in addition to the
web site for Boogie's Cyber Cafe! His professional skills are apparent
when you review these sites. He included those two sites in his
portfolio. Looks like Netscape liked his work! We will miss Matt and
his input! We know that he will be an asset to his new employer and
we wish him the best in this new journey. Yes, we sadly are looking for
his replacement. We are also looking for a new KLUG LISTMASTER!
JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/web-mast.html
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/link-mast.html
CHECK OUT THE NEW KLUG LIBRARY PAGE - See the updated
inventory listing of our KLUG Library. The items listed in
green are only available to KLUG supporting members.
Everything else is available to anyone that can come to a
KLUG meeting. If you would like to check out one of these
items, please check it off and submit the form on the KLUG
library page. Please do show up at the meeting if you have
books requested. Hauling HEAVY books NEEDLESSLY is NOT FUN!
BOOGIE CYBER CAFE - KLUG's public commercial Linux project.
Stop in and see this "pay-to-compute" implementation.
Check out - http://www.boogies.com/ Site by Matt Crampton!
This successful public demonstration of the flexibility and
suitability of Linux in a commercial environment provides
great exposure. This project provides a share of the profits
to fund KLUG activities. Members check on this LAN, remotely,
several times a day. The network support for Boogie has been
taken over by the extremely skilled and intuitive KLUG members
Peter Buxton and Ian Schirado. The Linux OS remains cool,
calm, and constant! Expect exciting developments here soon!
WE NEED A NEW WEBMASTER FOR THE BOOGIE PROJECT!
Great opportunity to publicly showcase your web presentation skills.
WEST MICHIGAN POLIO NETWORK WEB SITE - The site development
is heading into the final stages. Mike Sams is the WMPN web
project leader working on this info site. Nick Kissinger is
working on the team too. WMPN has asked us to assist them in
getting their info published for public use and good. The
web content includes information on post-polio disorders.
More info from "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org>
A PHP SIG HAS BEEN FORMED - For all those interested
in learning this powerful server-side scripting language.
THE FIRST MEETING WAS HELD Tuesday, June 13th at 7pm.
See the listserv info on the KLUG web site. Newbies and
experienced PHP developers alike will have ample opportunity
to share and encourage one another in the use of PHP. More
info from "Tony Gettig" <tony@gettig-group.com>
http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/ SIGN UP NOW!!!
THE LINUX VIDEO OUTREACH PROJECT - The final product
will undoubtedly be presented in the future. See the intro footage
demo at http://www.imago3d.com/KLUG An idea has been
proposed to include footage of KLUG meeting activities.
A visual demonstration of this "community supported" OS.
The subjects covered in the video include the internet,
Linux, and KLUG. This video will be presented repeatedly
on local public access channels for educational and KLUG/
Linux promotional purposes. KLUG presents "The Internet
Demystified" More info from "Joe Freeman" <imago@imago3d.com>
YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR A KLUG PRESENTATION or know of a good
speaker, we want to hear about it! Make contact with
our KLUG Program Director! "Brenda Williams" <nixb@iserv.net>
NEW GOLD EDITION CD GIFT FOR KLUG PRESENTATIONS!
In addition to the sincere appreciation felt
for those great KLUG presentations, presenters
will be given a gift of a new GOLD EDITION CD-ROM!
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
II. GENERAL KLUG ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE BEGINNER'S MEETING is the first Tuesday of each month.
THIS MONTH IS AN EXCEPTION! Second Tuesday of July!!!
Linux basics and distribution installs are the lessons of
these evenings. If you do want KLUG's FREE HELP INSTALLING
LINUX on your computer at one of these meetings, see this URL:
http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
IF YOU KNOW OF ADDITIONAL LINKS that should be included
in the KLUG LINKS page... please e-mail Richard
Zimmerman at <ke4rit@earthlink.net> so the LINKS team
can review the content of the site.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links
REDHAT LINUX CERTIFICATION information is available
from a KLUG officer. See the club listserv for more
info or check certifications on the Links page.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links/certification.html
VOLUNTEER CLUB POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE:
All KLUG positions are NOT occupied currently.
Please consider serving the members as one of the following...
WEBMASTER
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/web-mast.html
LISTMASTER
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/link-mast.html
J O I N & S U P P O R T K L U G !!!
Be a KLUG Supporting Member! $25 annually *
($.50 per meeting) TRULY A GREAT BARGAIN!!!
THE SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE -
GREAT MEETING PRESENTATIONS. Your opportunity
to share your Linux experiences and see what
other people are doing. Come enjoy a meeting!
If you have an IDEA FOR A KLUG PRESENTATION or know
of a good speaker, we want to hear about it! Make
contact with our KLUG Program Director, Brenda
Williams! <nixb@iserv.net>
NON-COMMERCIAL OR PERSONAL WEB SITE HOSTED on the
KLUG server. Single page .html files can be sent to the interim
KLUG webmaster@kalamazoolinux.org for
posting. These are intended to be low traffic web
sites displaying appropriate content.
BORROW BOOKS & DISTRIBUTIONS from KLUG library
Contact Adam for more info on library holdings.
We have Debian, SuSE, Mandrake, and WinLinux
distribution packages available in our library
along with several others. <awilliam@whitemice.org>
Ask about the *non-Linux* distribution additions!
********** REDHAT v6.2 HAS BEEN RELEASED ************
This Linux distribution now comes on two (2) CD's.
Supporting Member Discount on BSware is $3 or 60% off!
Bruce distributes a non-commercial version of Redhat!
Notice - BSware prices are $5 per CD. A great deal!!!
Thanks Bruce!!! See http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
NEW 50 Mb CREDIT CARD SIZED LINUX CD-ROM'S ARE HERE!
Contact Bruce to find out what Linux distributions and
application software he has available. E-mail him in
advance about your needs and pick up your CD's at the
next meeting. bruce@armintl.com
MAKE SURE YOU ARE SIGNED UP for the KLUG mailing list!
**********************
THIS IS THE WAY TO GET THESE WEEKLY KLUG MEETING NOTES!
**********************
Diversified mailing lists can be found on our web site.
http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/
Currently Available KLUG Lists:
- Common List (All Members)
- Assistance for New Linux Users
- Merits/Weaknesses of different Operating Systems
- PHP
TAX DEDUCTIBLE STATUS - The 501c3 application was sent
to the IRS in December. We have received notice that
they are proceeding with the processing of our request.
We hope to hear from them soon with notice of our charitable
deductibility. Charitable and tax-exemption status is
routinely granted to educational not-for-profit organizations.
This should help us attain our financial goals. We need
working capital for increased Linux promotional activities.
WEST MICHIGAN SEARCH & RESCUE - Web site is done.
Go there and see this KLUG public service project!
The site is ready for the next phase of development.
Contact Brenda Williams with questions or comments.
<nixb@iserv.net> Web site http://www.wmsar.org
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
III. PRESENTATION RECAP
TONIGHT'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (8 active participants tonight)
******************************************************
Breakup and Appeal - Microsoft Corporation - III
Presented by Robert G. Brown {NOTE: I Am NOT A Lawyer}
The Antitrust litigation carried on by the US Government against
Microsoft Corporation is a long-running story, which has been the
subject of two previous presentations at KLUG, once at the
beginning, and again in the middle of the trial. Now that the
proceedings are over and a verdict has been rendered, we took
a look at what may happen next, and how the trial has changed the
computer industry, attitudes about antitrust laws, and the balance
between government and big business.
Part III.) The Verdict, Appeal, Industry, and Judge Jackson
There are a lot of possible winners, including Bill Gates.
The natural groupings of network, operating systems,
manufacturing, and application software are observed.
A.) The Verdict:
MICROSOFT G U I L T Y of Breaking Antitrust Laws
1.) Breakup the Monolith
- Judge Jackson Ordered the Split Between the OS & All Other MS
a.) 2, 3, or 4 Way Split Considered
b.) OS is 30% of Aggregate Revenue
c.) OS May Have Provided 100% of Monopoly Power
2.) Behavioral Remedies
a.) End to the "800 Pound Gorilla Syndrome" Policies
b.) Close Supervision of Pricing and Competitive Policy
c.) Terms (i.e. Gates only allowed active in one company)
1. Gates has named himself "Chief Systems Architect"- OS
d.) Time Frames (must meet deadlines for action)
3.) Enforcement and Redress
a.) No Money Claims for Past Damages Accepted
b.) Courts Control Day-to-Day Activity and Behavior
1. Fines and sanctions, court ordered remedy
B.) The Appeal
- Federal Appeals Court or Supreme Court May Consider
Then Again Maybe they Won't - Many Variables
1.) Counter Proposals
a.) Microsoft Offered 2-3 Deals - No Go!
b.) Never Moved to Canada (US Trade Sanctions)
c.) No MS Corporation vs. US Military Confrontation*
2.) Out-of-Court Settlement
a.) NOT Likely but IS Possible
3.) The Process
a.) Will Take 1 to 2 Years Maybe 3
b.) Microsoft's Attitude Still Unacceptable?
1. Unrepentant, Spewing Rhetoric?
c.) Microsoft Still Playing with Standards?
1. Active Directory
C.) The Industry
- Is the Computer Marketplace Really Different Now!
1.) Competitors to Windows
a.) LINUX
b.) Others
c.) New OS Development?
d.) Users May be Habituated to Win32 Look & Feel
2.) Application Architectures & Technologies
a.) Is the PC Passing Away?
b.) The MS-OS's Pale Without Monopoly?
c.) Centralized Servers & ASP's
d.) Peer-to-Peer Networking Expands
e.) Great New Applications Coming?
f.) Better Engineering, REAL Innovation?
3.) An Open and more Competitive Marketplace
a.) The Market is Reorganizing
b.) New Market Realities
c.) GPL Financed by Selling Support Services
* [scribe's note]
The members who attended the meeting engaged Bob directly
in very active dialogue and explored many different areas. The
participation was encouraged and enhanced by Bob's challenging
questions, related observations, and fun humor. The presentation
lasted well over two hours and the energy was there for at least
another hour of discussion. This subject is so very critical to the
industry that everyone should at least be aware of what is
happening and what the effects might be! THIS WAS A FUN
DISCUSSION! As Linux users we have progressed steadily
while the "Gorilla Raged!" We will watch intently and with open
expectations as this new era of computing arrives and evolves.
Go Linux!
Robert Brown is a founding member and current chairman of KLUG,
and has over 20 years experience in software development in
numerous environments, disciplines, and industries. An intermittent
user of UNIX systems for close to 10 years, Bob has developed
software for the distributed processing and client-server models,
and now has his first experience in building and administering his
own network. When he's not bouncing between network nodes, or
client, he can be seen cycling on the Kal-Haven trail, hiking the
countryside in search of nature photographs, or helping to organize
volunteer activities around computing, for KLUG and the ACM
(Association for Computing Machinery). Ask him about APL!
[Note: Bob mentioned APL tonight for the first time in months! :)]
--------------------------------------------------------
COME TO A MEETING TO GET THE REAL GOOD STUFF!!! YUMMY!
There were delicious chocolate fudge brownie treats
served after the meeting! Even the crumbs were eaten.
VERY NICE!!! T H A N K S Adam & Michelle Williams!!! :))
--------------------------------------------------------
IV. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING - TUESDAY 07-25-2000
*****************************************************
LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project)
by Adam Williams
In the old days they're were big million dollar mainframes
and UNIX servers sitting in glass rooms and if a user was
lucky he got a GUI terminal. Those GUI terminals were
called X-Terminals and made use of the fact that X11 (the
Unix GUI platform) is actually a network protocol for sending
apps to displays, where ever they may be. LTSP is a
bootable floppy disk that turns a PC into a GUI terminal that
can be used as a display for your local mainframe, UNIX
server, or Linux box. The PC doesn't need a hard disk, or to
disturb whatever proprietery OS may already be there.
Adam is a network administrator based in Grand Rapids,
but the network he deals with is all over Michigan, with a
couple of hundred workstations, running Linux and other
Operating Systems. Not only does he deal with domain
issues at work, but he is also the owner of the domain
"whitemice.org". Recently married and ensconced as a
KLUG officer (independent events), Adam has been a
regular contributor to technical discussions on our main
mailing list, both presenting and solving some of the most
challenging networking and configuration problems.
************************************************************
* ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION
* **************************************************
* * N E W K L U G D O M A I N N A M E *
* **************************************************
*
* We have a new web address!!!
*
* http://kalamazoolinux.org
*
* Make sure you change your bookmarks and links.
* Report any links you find that point to the old
* address - http://klug.armintl.com The old DNS
* is NO LONGER ACTIVE. Help make this identity
* transition go smoothly. Report the old links
* you find to our linkmaster, Richard Zimmerman
* <ke4rit@earthlink.net>.
*
************************************************************
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
WHAT IS KLUG? -
KLUG is a volunteer group formed by and for LINUX
system users in the Kalamazoo Michigan area. We
support, promote, and develop activities related
to the use, study, and application of LINUX in the
local community.
><<< send corrections, additions, flames to the KLUG Scribe >>><
mag00@voyager.net
THANKS to MORRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. for providing their
VGA Projector to support KLUG and Linux presentations.
THANKS to ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL, INC. for providing their
much appreciated IT Resources to support KLUG and Linux.