KSLUG News.
David's Digital Recital
Welcome to the Kempsey Shire Linux Users Group Website
KSLUG Meetings are held fortnightly at 7pm.
We are located at the new SES building at the corner of River Street and North Street West Kempsey.
Note- that entry to the building is from Roberts Street. Getting there with Google Maps.
Be a part of the Linux and the Free Libre Open Source (FLOSS) community.
Come and learn about Linux and enjoy the Open Source experience in a friendly sociable atmosphere with like minded individuals.
Interested in running your very own Linux ADSL web/mail server? See David.
Single disk bootable ISO Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon vers. 7.10 release available. See Michael.
Information on Fedora releases vers 7.0 and vers 8.0. See David
Want the latest Linux news, reviews and popular Linux Podcasts? See Robert.
General hardware and software, integrating Linux into your Windows world? See Jess.
Answers to anything on spreadsheets, and wool spinning ;-)? See Margaret.
Electrical and wiring, telephony and large printers? See Les.
Puppy Linux - A bootable small size release that fits on a business CDRW or memory key.
DSL - Dam Small linux is another bootable extremely small and compact linux release.
There are several bootable Linux releases available to try. Running from your CD they do not need to be installed to your hard drive. Including my favourite Knoppix.
This allows you to play before installing - try it and see.
KSLUG Meeting Notes.
17/07/08 Again a good turnout on a cold night. Basic wireless configuration now implemented, although the 256k connection is strained. Having the ability to do online updates is turning out to be the most useful application of having the Internet connected. Several laptops eventually connected. Robert got his Asus fired up on line for the first time. We used the Internet connection to look up and resolve several Linux related queries.The Ubuntu multimedia PC is proving a very interesting software release.
03/07/08 Very good attendance tonite. John showed his new laptop with a dual boot configuration, very nice. Les installed the Ubuntu suite on a donated PC and Bob worked on a Ubuntu install on his PC. Michael was a source of all things Linux relevant. The new internet connection was extremely helpful in getting updated code for Johns application and an update for Bob's system. Hopefully wireless soon.
19/06/08 Missed this meeting due to family comittments.
05/06/08 Building a dedicated web and mail server using Open Source. Based on Fedora releases. Initial configuration and requirements needed.
22/05/08 Missed this one
08/05/08 Back on track. Michael presented a really great tutorial on Ubuntu usage using the projector. He had spent some time recoding his own tutorial sessions and talked us through the various tools available to users of the wonderful Ubuntu linux release.
17/04/08 Missed out due to family comittments. Linux group to return to its very own meeting from next week the 24th see you there!
20/03/08Took the installation of Linux on a Windows desktop another step with a demonstration of running linux in an XP based windows environment. General talk fest on all things PC based followed.
6/03/08 Still on the Linux on a stick concept, I managed after some initial hardware problems, to show on the projector the MCN (Madriva Club Netherlands) live version. It has increased functionality as you can make a bootable key drive directly from the live CD menu. The ability to save session changes to the key or to a hard disk partiton were reasons that this particular release is popular in Europe. MC (Midnight Commander) being available from the start also makes configuration easier and it was nice to see this great file management tool installed by default.
21/02/08 Another great turnout. Michael gave some idea on what was involved in using DeVeDe an Open Source, CD and DVD authoring software. We both seeem to have had difficulties that ended in a good supply of coasters, some bugs need ironing out and also some good documentation would be of valuable assistance with this tool. I started, hopefully a fortnightly look at what Linux releases are available to be run from a common memory stick. I used a 1 Gigabyte stick and installed DSM (Damn Small Linux) on it using easily available MS$ Windows tools. Please feel free to contact me regarding any further information on this including links to download sites etc. http://pendrivelinux.com . See you next meeting
07/02/08 The first KSLUG meeting of 2008. Well first of all the turnout was excellent, about fifteen people attended, but I must also remember that the first half of the meeting is now about all things Windows, presented by John Williams, thanks John. We did probably capture a few of Bill Gates O/S "hostages" along the way, hopefully to become Linux converts. Michael sent his apologies as he was otherwise engaged. I think the meeting went well, I presented some information on Vmware appliances for Linux http://www.techthrob.com/tech/linux_virtualization.php including the wonderful OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) system developed from the Redhat kernel. Also discussed the software tools available to be able to access Linux partitions and their files from XP and Vista.
Jess worked on installing Ubuntu 7.10 on Les's PC, which has a mixture of IDE and SATA drives. That will be finalised at the next meeting. There were five or six laptops at the meeting and it was interesting to see the direction that portable computing is moving. Thanks for the fruit cake from an anonymous benefactor. Great meeting and a good start to the New Year!
06/12/07 This was the last meeting for the Kslug group for 2007. We finished off the year with a discussion on the PC users group and the Kslug group meetings being held on the same night and combine them into a sort of Technology meeting night. So as from the first Thursday in February (7th February 2008) we will trial a joint meeting arrangement. The first portion of the night will host the Microsoft operating system and the second portion (after tea break) to host the Linux/Unix operating system.
Ok so last night there was a demonstration of the Fedora 8 system showing of Kooldock a desktop selectable icon program feature.
Thanks to all that have supported the group this past year. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year - see ya in 2008!!. Happy Computing.
22/11/07 I have now installed Fedora 8 on myserver and my laptop. I demonstrated the capabilities of the new Fedora offering. Running both Gnome and KDE (waiting for the release of vers.4.0). Ease of installation and also using in a dual boot configuration. There are a number of in built tools that should make the release a popular one.
8/11/07 Ran demonstrations of the Vixta O/S based on Fedora 8 that has screen layout compatible with Vista, from Portugal Linux users. Fedora 8 release 3 was also shown with the KDE 3.5 desktop, a much improved product.
25/10/07 This week previewed the Mac Lepoard OS release based on Unix.Excellent video care of Apple. Connected the digital projector to an Ubuntu PC running the new 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon release and showed off some of the new features and ease of use.
11.10.07 Yes I know missed the last meeting, holiday time. This week had the usual news information which I supplemented on my visit to the Coffs Harbour Software Freedom Day. Jesse and I both attended at different times during the day. We were both impressed with the effort the local Coffs Harbour group had put into staging the day. Michael ran some Linux based tutorial screencasts on the digital projector and we are hoping that this will become a regular session event. Thanks Michael.
13.09.07 Used the overhead projector to show how the command line Podcatcher software
is utlised and configured. Discussions on what type of broadband would be best suited for the group. Whether
a web and email server could be configured for both the Linux and Windows group users.
30.08.07Worked on Juan's Toshiba Laptop running Fiesty Fawn. Jesse has spent quite some time on this unit attempting to get the sound to function. Looked for solutions on line in Ubuntu forums without any immediate success. General Linux conversations. Thanks to Les for the power cable and plug installations to the desks, great work. Still waiting for a permenant Broadband connection for the group.
16.08.07 Noticed I missed some here, oops! This week discussed and looked at various network cabling standards. We had a look at a Fibre optic cable an its use and the connections involved. Cabling with CAT5E cable and correct termnations. General network technologies in the light of Federal Governement fibre to the node technology and Wimax broadband in the bush push.
22.06.07 Well this was the first Kslug meeting at the new location in the new SES HQ. Thanks for the great venue SES.
Jess did an excellent tutorial on TrickBox the new user friendly version of Asterisk the open source IP phone system. The group has access to an LCD projector which make these sort of tutorials very effective. Lots of discussions as usual, including the federal governments new Broadband iniative . Thanks to Margaret for all the hard work. Excellent cakes Les, much appreciated. Late finish but great night.
07.06.07 Fedora 7 has arrived and I installed it on my dual boot laptop, the Vista partition went away though. Still a lot of work to do. Michael as usual is a mine of information. Played around with several partition programs. Ubuntu installation was easier by far.
24.05.07 Robert (SWR) installed Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) as a dual boot on his XP system. There was some difficulty due to the presence of a Dell restore partition. Michael sorted it out within a short time and the installation was completed and tested for both operating systems.
10.05.07 Jess had us all interested in his Mac on a PC installation, well it is a BSD/Unix styled operating system. Gave the Ubuntu 'Feisty Fawn' desktop a bit of a discusssion time. Thanks for the Cake Jess!
26.04.07 Demonstration evening showing off Ubuntu 7.04 "Feisty Fawn". Both laptop and the old 600Mhz PC's were shown off with the new bells and whistles release. Thanks for the cake Jesse :-) Thanks to Margaret who without her ongoing support the group would fail to function.
12.04.07 It was laptop night for sure.Robert showed his new Asus 17" unit (still running only Vista), Jess and I complimented the meetings with laptop units. I brought along the HP with Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft for other members to play with. Rod and his son made the trip south from Macksville for the meeting as well. Usual Linux and some Windows disussion as well as interest in the new Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn due out at any time in April. Lovely cake Jess, thanks.
29.03.07 Michael brought 2 PC's to connect using Samba. One running Ubuntu the oher running WIndows in a dual boot setting. Went through some Linux settings and configurations needed to get Samba running.
13.03.07 Good turnout. Don made the trip south for our meeting. General discussion on all things PC and Linux based. Federal Broadband funding changes and how they will affect rural connections, especially wireless operators. Thanks for the Pecan cake Jess. Client podcasting software was discussed, including Ipodder my favorite, available through Ubuntu universe.
01.03.07 Covered general Linux and OS subjects. Compared notes on Laptops with Linux.
15.02.07 Overview of the GP2X Linux powered gaming device. External interface card allows communications using USB and Serial connectors. Trying to get the wireless comms part working using a Dling wireless USB key. Can be used with a Telnet console on a PC. Very interesting geek toy.
02.02.07 Ok - the first penultimate meeting of the year and I was late, in fact I got the dates out of sync. Jess gave an in depth practical demonstration of the Asterisk IP telephony system. Complete with handsets and programming steps we were shown the possibilities of this extremely good alternative to a commercial telephone system.
01.01.07 The New Year 2007 has arrived. Meetings will commence again in early February. Keep looking here for more information - see you soon.
16.11.06 Generalised meeting considering all things Linux. Lots of discussion on Ubuntu, which Les had installed and running on his PC. Worked on accessing his Windows partition.
2.11.06 Ran through the latest Ubuntu release installation. Covered the Heyu X10 linux software. AVI to MP2/4 conversion being tackled by Michael. Podcaster release 5.3. Ethernet over Power discussion. Very good evening.
19.10.06 A well attended meeting. Covered the open source CastPodder program used to retrieve and manage Internet Podcasts. Discussion on the growth of technical and other Podcasts over the last few months and the future of audio and video Podcasts. I supplied details of an X10 project basics to allow control switching of devices plugged into the household power supply using open source software. Reaction to Windows Vista release and Microsoft. Jesse had Puppy linux running on his PC. Fedora Core 6 release date changes.
05.10.06 Interesting evening. Ran the Live CD of Ubuntu 6.06. Discussed its ability to locate late model hardware such as 54Mbit wireless pcmcia cards. The seemless method to get a working network up and running in under a minute. Inbuild Open Office 2.0 also ran well from the CD. It is possible to install Ubuntu directly to hard drive from the CD using the Gnome partition manager included on the CD.. Further discussion on Sahana a FOSS disaster management software package and how such a package could likely be implemented in a local disaster situation. The idea of using a wireless access system for community connections in the event of power/phones outages in a disaster scenario etc.
21.09.06 A short meeting under the stars tonite. General discussion on all thing Linux as usual. Discussed wireless network providers in the area and local access for broadband using it.
07.09.06 Michael did a very interesting Myth TV demo. The benefits of building you own Personal Video system using open source software and commercially available TV and video grabber cards. Suse 10.5 apparently will locate and install TV cards that are installed in the PC. Very interesting topic.
24.08.06 A busy evening, lots of discussion as usual - Jesse Bute did a presentation on Ruby-on-Rails running on a Windows2000 platform. He showed the ease and speed of setting up this ground breaking product using Instant Rails which is not currently available for the Linux OS.. R.O.R (Ruby On Rails) works by linking an open source programming development lanquage with the open source Mysql database product and developing dynamic interactive web applications. I think everyone appreciated his strong interest in the product.
10.08.06 Excellent turnout for this meeting -
Rod brought along his server. He was attempting to install a Postgres SQL accounting database but it was suffering from HTML 404 not found errors.A few of us looked it over but were unable to source the problem. I think a closer examination was going to be done by Rod and a possible re-install.It was running on an Edu Ubuntu release.
Michael had installed Suse desktop 10.1 on another patition where he also has the Mepis release, which he says is a very good product. Suse found his Myth TV card which was also impressive.
Lots of user input on various points. Good time had by all I am sure as there was lots of the usual exchanges of ideas.
