My thanks for the votes last meeting, regarding which something like this happened:
ME: "Since it's June, shouldn't there be a..."
RICK: "Nominate chair."
LIGHTSEY: "Second."
CARLILE: "Vote carries."
ME: "... election?"
And that's about the way it went. Moving right along to my continuing conspiracy to get people other than myself to do presentations...
We still have access to Russell Adams, not yet back up East on assignment (report on his Version Control show below) and it looks like we can have him do something on accounting in Linux (which he does, via a text-based scheme). How many times have you suggested Linux only to hear "I'm tied to Microsoft because of Quick Books"? I realize we aren't all accountants or consultants, but such a presentation would break new ground, plus viewers of the video file could benefit.
This would occur on the upcoming fourth Saturday the 27th at the usual 2pm, at the Hal-PC headquarters. I'm 95% sure that a consulting gig has not grabbed him yet for this date.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Control Of Versions Deluxe
Version Control is a matter on which I've wanted to have a presentation for some time, and we got someone to do it - and indeed, someone who uses it regularly. Mr. Russell Adams presented a general introduction to the subject (we all use version control - I make documents titled by date all the time), then mentioned the differing organization methods (centralized like Subversion vs. decentralized like Git and Bazaar). He favors Bazaar; check on his site under "Presentations" for the slides he used (created in Org-Mode, of course...!).
Thursday, June 4, 2009
NEW PROGRAM ADDITION
Since Russell Adams is not on assignment at the moment, he can deliver us the following presentation:
VERSION CONTROL SYSTEMS!
NEXT MEETING!
ON THE THIRTEENTH!!!
He'll give a short history of version control programs so that the lesser-initiated will be aware of the problems that such schemes address. Then he'll give an in-depth description of his preferred program (one of the distributed-model ones as opposed to the central-server-model ones, not that I'm slamming the latter category).
The Linux Journal tribute and article/idea ripoff program will move one meeting into the future.
VERSION CONTROL SYSTEMS!
NEXT MEETING!
ON THE THIRTEENTH!!!
He'll give a short history of version control programs so that the lesser-initiated will be aware of the problems that such schemes address. Then he'll give an in-depth description of his preferred program (one of the distributed-model ones as opposed to the central-server-model ones, not that I'm slamming the latter category).
The Linux Journal tribute and article/idea ripoff program will move one meeting into the future.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
NO MEETING ON THE 23rd (this weekend)
Due to the 3-day weekend, there will be no meeting on 5/23/09 (I wish Hal-PC had a more predictable schedule about holidays). Here are the upcoming dates and topics:
JUNE 13th: LINUX JOURNAL ripoff day (coverage of several of their recent major articles)
JUNE 27th: OPEN SOLARIS AND ITS SUB-DISTRIBUTIONS
JULY 11th: RECOVERING LOST DATA WITH TRINITY RESCUE KIT
JULY 25th: OPEN
JUNE 13th: LINUX JOURNAL ripoff day (coverage of several of their recent major articles)
JUNE 27th: OPEN SOLARIS AND ITS SUB-DISTRIBUTIONS
JULY 11th: RECOVERING LOST DATA WITH TRINITY RESCUE KIT
JULY 25th: OPEN
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Totally Bangup Show
(...if I do say so myself)
On Saturday, 9 May of this year, it was revealed that I think that LinuxXP is the worst Linux distribution ever - except that I LIED. It really isn't.
But all this isn't false advertising because when I originally started kicking the tires on it about a month ago, that was my opinion THEN. Since then, I'm a little more sympathetic to the developer because it actually delivered on some of the promise of the concept. Also, leaving aside that there are more interesting things happening in Linux than this, I provided an historical service to the Linux community by focusing on this distro, since (evinced by web searches) there are some that think that this distro is a hoax. But it's true; a guy in Russia (where Russian versions are apparently selling for about 1700 rubles or 50 bucks American) decided to try to make Linux easier for Windows users by taking a copy of Linux and putting a custom GUI on top that looks like XP.
Basically this 2008 version (shareware 30 days) that I tested revealed itself to be a year-old copy of Fedora with the Gnome desktop running WINE underneath the GUI that offered stuff like XP-ish icons and a "Start" button in the lower left hand corner.
To its credit, WINE ran both the installers and the programs of several things I tested like WinRAR, Microsoft Encarta (failing at the point where it had to integrate with Windows Media Player, of course) and several archiving programs. No special button-pushing required: just plop in the CD, open the disc-looking icon and look around for something with a .exe on the end of it and click. And surprise: WINE was not slow! This test machine was a P3 550 with 458 on the RAM, built in Feb. of 2000 and it was perking along nicely. Whatever the objection to WINE (like your favorite program not showing up on the compatibility list yet), it's at least not slow in these latter years.
Courtesy of the Gnome crew, there was another concession to the Windows user, being a ripoff of "System Information", the convenient little report that tells about the OS build, hardware specifics, etc. The Gnome version was far more comprehensive than that in XP though, resembling the "Apple System Profiler" that some of you know well.
Although some things worked better than I've experienced in more than a few Linux-i (like super easy installation of Firefox plug-ins for Adobe stuff), LinuxXP is an example of a strategy whose time has probably passed. The other example of WINE reliance (Lindows/Linspire) I have no experience with, but five years ago it was persuasive that Linux was scaring Windows users since they had trouble finding basic controls. But today GUI development has converged so much that many things look like all the other examples in modern OS's. Maybe people are less scared of computing in general as well.
So there you have it. Next meeting (skipping one slot of course due to Memorial Day), I think I'll have another weirdo OS for you, BUT THIS TIME AROUND which may be relevant to your getting a job or something. Stay tuned...
On Saturday, 9 May of this year, it was revealed that I think that LinuxXP is the worst Linux distribution ever - except that I LIED. It really isn't.
But all this isn't false advertising because when I originally started kicking the tires on it about a month ago, that was my opinion THEN. Since then, I'm a little more sympathetic to the developer because it actually delivered on some of the promise of the concept. Also, leaving aside that there are more interesting things happening in Linux than this, I provided an historical service to the Linux community by focusing on this distro, since (evinced by web searches) there are some that think that this distro is a hoax. But it's true; a guy in Russia (where Russian versions are apparently selling for about 1700 rubles or 50 bucks American) decided to try to make Linux easier for Windows users by taking a copy of Linux and putting a custom GUI on top that looks like XP.
Basically this 2008 version (shareware 30 days) that I tested revealed itself to be a year-old copy of Fedora with the Gnome desktop running WINE underneath the GUI that offered stuff like XP-ish icons and a "Start" button in the lower left hand corner.
To its credit, WINE ran both the installers and the programs of several things I tested like WinRAR, Microsoft Encarta (failing at the point where it had to integrate with Windows Media Player, of course) and several archiving programs. No special button-pushing required: just plop in the CD, open the disc-looking icon and look around for something with a .exe on the end of it and click. And surprise: WINE was not slow! This test machine was a P3 550 with 458 on the RAM, built in Feb. of 2000 and it was perking along nicely. Whatever the objection to WINE (like your favorite program not showing up on the compatibility list yet), it's at least not slow in these latter years.
Courtesy of the Gnome crew, there was another concession to the Windows user, being a ripoff of "System Information", the convenient little report that tells about the OS build, hardware specifics, etc. The Gnome version was far more comprehensive than that in XP though, resembling the "Apple System Profiler" that some of you know well.
Although some things worked better than I've experienced in more than a few Linux-i (like super easy installation of Firefox plug-ins for Adobe stuff), LinuxXP is an example of a strategy whose time has probably passed. The other example of WINE reliance (Lindows/Linspire) I have no experience with, but five years ago it was persuasive that Linux was scaring Windows users since they had trouble finding basic controls. But today GUI development has converged so much that many things look like all the other examples in modern OS's. Maybe people are less scared of computing in general as well.
So there you have it. Next meeting (skipping one slot of course due to Memorial Day), I think I'll have another weirdo OS for you, BUT THIS TIME AROUND which may be relevant to your getting a job or something. Stay tuned...
Friday, May 1, 2009
Mini-Promo (for all Linux activity at Hal-PC)
Linux 101 - first Tuesday of the month at 7pm with Sibley Cooley. Basic tools and distributions.
Linux Workshop - every Wednesday from 6 to 9pm in the back lab. Bring your machine and we'll help with installs.
HLUG - two Saturdays a month (second and fourth) at 2pm, featuring a speaking presentation on a topic of interest.
Linux Workshop - every Wednesday from 6 to 9pm in the back lab. Bring your machine and we'll help with installs.
HLUG - two Saturdays a month (second and fourth) at 2pm, featuring a speaking presentation on a topic of interest.
The SANS Man
A local representative of SANS, Mike Pilkington, gave a sample module of his Wireless Security course at our last HLUG meeting. SANS is a group that gives computer administration and security classes nationwide and beyond, and from what I saw, at a high level of technical detail and competence. A highlight of the talk (for me at least) was when he used the venerable BackTrack 3 in the testing of various aspects of the local network. I was quite pleased that he did so noninvasively, so as to prevent anyone official from bursting into the room and demanding an explanation. Video of the talk should show up here before too long. Also, Mike's class, Security 617, is detailed here.
Next Meeting:
On Saturday, May 9 at 2pm at the Hal-PC offices, I'll deliver a demonstration of what I'll style THE WORST LINUX DISTRIBUTION IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE. Airsickness bags will be provided.
Next Meeting:
On Saturday, May 9 at 2pm at the Hal-PC offices, I'll deliver a demonstration of what I'll style THE WORST LINUX DISTRIBUTION IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE. Airsickness bags will be provided.
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