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KLUG Meeting Notes - 05/29/2001
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 May 29, 2001 7:00PM
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO - Beginner's Meeting
III. PROJECT REPORTS
IV. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
Chairperson - Dirk Bartley
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (14 active participants tonight)
*****************************************************************
Open Source in Education
by Kelly A. Parker, PhD
Tonight Kelly Parker shared his experiences and
thoughts concerning the use of Open Source Software
in an educational enviroment. This presentation
included a plethora of issues and views to consider.
There would be no way to summarize all this great
content. For those who missed an outstanding OSS
education opportunity, here is at least... the form.
Web Sites Referenced in this Presentation:
{links updated 5/31/2001}
===========================================
May 2000 Seattle Symposium...
http://www.scn.org/cpsr/diac-00/
Oregon K-12 Linux Project
http://www.riverdale.K12.or.us/linux/index.html
Why Software Should NOT have Owners!
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html
Public Software for Public Education
http://www.vcsun.org/~john/freeware.html
University of Michigan Secure Linux Project (Blue Hat)
http://www.engin.umich.edu/caen/systems/Linux/caenlinux
Linux in Education
http://freshmeat.net/articles/view/152/
Weblogs in Education
http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory&sid=2000/4/21/4327/20743
Open Source Opens Education
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,34807,00.html
Scholar_Net: Linux in Education in Mexico
http://www.nuclecu.unam.mx/~arturo/scholar
Summary:
Kelly informally described his experiences at the
Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing
Symposium on ``Shaping the Network Society,''
sponsored by Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility at the University of Washington,
held in Seattle in May 2000. Benefits of open
source software (OSS) for education were obvious.
He reflected on some of the political and philosophical
considerations and perspectives. He described why
he wrote "Open Sources and the Open Society" and the
reactions to his arguments. In the education section
of this essay he expands on many issues and emphasized
the difference between training and educating. The
whole closed source philosophy does not fit education
models. Principals of freedom are involved. He
considered our computer usage and the processing
needs of Government, Science, Business, and most
thoroughly... Education. It was at this point in
Kelly's exploration that he started looking for
alternatives to "traditional computing." Getting
OSS introduced into education is the "hill we need
to get over." We need to change the way the decision
makers think. They are risk adverse by nature and
are accustomed to Apple for graphics, Microsoft for
the desktop, & Novell for their networks. This needs
to be changed through public familiarity and comfort
with the technology. The linear nature of the
bureaucratic form makes change a slow process. Kelly
finished with an example of a specific OSS example
of a problem he has had with finding a good word
processor. He has tried several only to be
disappointed. He used a parallel story about the
disfunctionality of his new desk at GVSU! He built
his own desk drawers for it because it came without
any storage compartments of its own. None of the
word processors he has used satisfied him. He used
GIMP as an example of OSS superiority. The same
success will soon be experienced with OSS word
processors, he hopes. Stuck somewhere between the
extensible Emacs and TeX, he feels Star Office v5.2
is too big and too limited.
There was a question and answer session after the main
presentation and the participation was active throughout
Kelly's 2 hour discussion of these OSS issues and more.
Kelly A. Parker, PhD is an Associate Professor of
Philosophy at Grand Valley State University and
author of "Open Sources and the Open Society."
http://agora.phi.gvsu.edu/kap/OSFS/
http://www.gvsu.edu/acad/phi/faculty/kap-cv.html <= WOW!
e-mail contact:
parkerk@gvsu.edu
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING - TUESDAY 06/05/2001
********************************************************************
Linux for Beginners
by Dirk Bartley
THE BEGINNER'S MEETINGS ARE HELD the first Tuesday of each
month. 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 URL: http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
Now is the time to get started! Linux is becoming a mainstay
of free software, free choice, dependability and power.
Note:
As Linux matures as an OS, the educational needs are evolving.
The Beginner's Meeting format is changing with those needs.
It is difficult to cover all the basics in one meeting. Linux
is not just for CS experts and IT professionals. The "BASICS"
meetings are intended for those with limited experience with
Operating System's or even Personal Computer's. Your comments
and questions are welcomed!
Dirk graduated in 1991 from Western Michigan University
with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is currently
employed as a Systems Administrator at Schupan Aluminum
Sales. There he administers the corporate network using
a system running Red Hat Linux. In his spare time Dirk
enjoys playing hockey, taking his dog a walk, using Linux
and learning about how software can be used to benefit
people.
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
III. LINUX OR KLUG RELATED PROJECT REPORTS -
F L A S H E S ! ! !
*************************************************************
NOW GET BSWARE PRO!!! READY TO INSTALL <RPM>!
The Non-Commercial Red Hat v7.1 with XFS!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
*************************************************************
BRUCE SMITH REQUESTED SOME of the new version
of Linuxcare BBC (Bootable Bus. Card v1.6) CD's
on behalf of KLUG from the Linuxcare web site.
These will be gifts for KLUG presenters only!
*************************************************************
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, Adam Williams
<awilliam@whitemice.org>. A Pentium Class Desktop
PC, Ethernet/100 Web Connection, VGA Projector, VGA
Monitors, and Overhead Projector are is Available for
Use in KLUG Presentations! Contact Dirk Bartley
<bartleyd2@net-link.net>
KLUG "PC SHOW" PUBLIC RELATIONS PROJECT!
Success was reported and many contacts were made.
The big yellow KLUG banner was displayed at the
computer show at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds!!!
Robert G. Brown and Dirk Bartley represented KLUG
with help from Bruce and Joe. Contact
"Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
BOOGIE'S 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's is being
supplemented by Peter Buxton. Robert G. Brown is supervising
the overall operation, remotely at times. The Linux OS STILL
remains cool, calm, and constant! Running Squid, NFS, sendmail,
and the Apache web server local now to host the Boogie's web site!
The web server is up. A game testing machine has been
configured. Various upgrades and enhancements are being applied
currently, including a replacement (233 MHz Pentium Pro) CPU
installed on the main server. Contact "Peter Buxton"
<somercet@hotmail.com> to help out or for more info.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Revenue from Boogie's to KLUG is UP 30%
* * * W E N E E D G A M E I N S T A L L E R S * * *
'GAMERS' AT BOOGIE'S SOON WILL BE HAPPIER and $pending more
time on the network! A KLUG member has donated many Linux
game CD's and manuals. Some of those titles, many of them
produced by Loki, are as follows - Soldier of Fortune,
Heros III, Railroad Tycoon II, Civilization, Ultimate Solitare,
...Quake, Myth II, Heretic II (network multi-player). There
was even a Linux CD which included 100 assorted games. Who
can install and test these new additions? There are about
15 to 20 CD's and manuals. Peter and Robert have their hands
full with other Boogie's related activities. This assignment
should be easy and fun. Get in on the Boogie's excitement!
Take a look via webcam - http://www.boogies.com/webcam.htm
Contact "Peter Buxton" <somercet@hotmail.com> or
"Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org> to volunteer!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WEST MICHIGAN POLIO NETWORK WEB SITE -
The site development is still heading into the final stages.
This project needs a coordinator to wrap it up. All the
images and text are awaiting transformation into HTML format.
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> or "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
IF YOU KNOW OF ADDITIONAL LINKS that should be included
in the KLUG LINKS page... please send e-mail suggestions
to <linkmaster@kalamazoolinux.org> so the LINKS team of
Ted & Thad Juszczak can review the content of the site.
If you haven't checked these links out lately, take a look.
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/links
THE LINUX VIDEO OUTREACH PROJECT -
We are looking for a new "Post-Production Video Project
Manager." Any ideas? 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 "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org> or "Dirk Bartley"
<bartleyd2@net-link.net>
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
IV. GENERAL KLUG ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
THE BEGINNER'S MEETINGS ARE HELD the first Tuesday of each
month. 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 URL: http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
Note:
As Linux matures as an OS, the educational needs are evolving.
The Beginner's Meeting format is changing with those needs.
It is difficult to cover all the basics in one meeting. Linux
is not just for CS experts and IT professionals. The "BASICS"
meetings are intended for those with limited experience with
Operating System's or even Personal Computer's. Your comments
and questions are welcomed!
IF YOU KNOW OF ADDITIONAL LINKS that should be included
in the KLUG LINKS page... please send e-mail suggestions
to <linkmaster@kalamazoolinux.org> 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
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.
<brenda@cvalaw.com> Web site http://www.wmsar.org
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ > N E W S F L A S H < +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Y O U ARE ASKED TO REMEMBER THAT K L U G IS...
A ---> VOLUNTEER <--- ORGANIZATION!!!
Please Honor the Spirit of the GPL! Is it REALLY Free?
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
VOLUNTEER CLUB POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE:
All KLUG positions are NOT occupied currently.
Please consider serving the members as one of the following...
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
FTPMASTER
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/ftp-mast.html
INSTALLMASTER
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/inst-mast.html
PROJECT COORDINATOR Wrap up of WM Polio Network's web site
PROJECT COORDINATOR Post-Production Video Outreach
More info from "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
*****************************************************************
# 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, Adam Williams
<awilliam@whitemice.org>. A Pentium Class Desktop
PC, Ethernet/100 Web Connection, VGA Projector, VGA
Monitors, and Overhead Projector are is Available for
Use in KLUG Presentations! Contact Dirk Bartley
<bartleyd2@net-link.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!
# 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.
# 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.
We have Debian, SuSE, Mandrake, and WinLinux distribution
packages available in our library along with several others.
Did you know we have *non-Linux* distribution additions!
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. We are sharing these next two items as an F-Y-I !
Please do show up at the meeting if you have books requested.
What about you? Do you need to return any KLUG library books?
Contact Dirk Bartley for more info <bartleyd2@net-link.net>.
*************************************************************
RED HAT v7.1 HAS BEEN RELEASED
# *************************************************************
************** BSWARE SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS ****************
This Linux distribution now comes on two (2) CD's.
Supporting Member Discount on BSware is $1.50 per
CD or 50% off! Bruce distributes a non-commercial
version of the Red Hat Linux OS! Notice - BSware
prices are $3 per CD. A Great Deal!!! Thanks Bruce!!!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
VISIT http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
NOW GET BSWARE PRO!!! READY TO INSTALL!
NEW! The Non-Commercial Red Hat v7.1 with XFS! NEW!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
See Bruce's BSware web site to find out what Linux & other
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
**************************************************************
**************************************************************
# 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!!!
# MAKE SURE YOU ARE SIGNED UP for the KLUG mailing list!
**********************
THIS IS THE WAY TO GET THESE WEEKLY KLUG MEETING NOTES! <--*HEY!*
**********************
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 - STILL WAITING FOR THE IRS!!!
The 501c3 application was sent to the IRS in December 1999.
We have received notice that they are proceeding with the
processing of our request. We hope to hear from them
REAL 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.
The Kalamazoo Linux Users Group would like to
thank the Law firm of Kreis Enderle Callander &
Hudgins for thier generousity toward KLUG. Matt
DePerno has made contributions of his time to
assist us in our attempts to achieve 501(c)(3) tax
status with the IRS!!!
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
Bring a friend... who was disappointed by a proprietary OS!
THANKS to ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL, INC. for providing their
much appreciated IT Resources to support KLUG and Linux.
THANKS to MORRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. for providing their
VGA Projector to support KLUG and Linux presentations.
THANKS to YAKKO/WMU Computer Club for providing their
T-1 net feed via a 10-based T 100 Mbs network cable and
a rolling overhead VGA Projector to support KLUG and Linux
presentations. Thanks to Wes Leonard and the Yakko team!
>><< send corrections, additions, flames to the KLUG scribe >><<
mag00@voyager.net or magoo@yakko.cs.wmich.edu
Space & Time Coordinates: Planet Earth During the Holocene Period