[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes - 04/02/2002

mag00 members@kalamazoolinux.org
Thu, 04 Apr 2002 03:34:48 -0500


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.              ***************
                                                    *** LOOK HERE ***
Our meeting site is the Kalamazoo Chamber    <=== LOCATION HAS CHANGED!
of Commerce office building downtown.                 *************
346 W. Michigan Ave. - Kalamazoo
NE corner of Park and Michigan.   
Park in rear lot off Water Street.  
Use rear door, go to lower level.

http://kazoolug.org/meetings/maps.php3   <=== MAP!

Tuesday  April 2, 2002 7:00PM       
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary

I.	PRESENTATION RECAP  		  IEEE 802.11b standard
II.	NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO  <===  Linux Wireless Networking
III.	PROJECT REPORTS             
IV.	GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
Chairperson: Dirk Bartley

I.  PRESENTATION RECAP         

THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION:   (16 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
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,

http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
 - and -
IMPORTANT TO SEE URL:  http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware

Now is the time to get started!  Linux is becoming a mainstay
of free software, free choice, dependability and power.

===============================================================
THE STANDARD KLUG BEGINNER'S PRESENTATION - LINUX BOOT CAMP!!!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/beginner01.html
===============================================================

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
**********************
There were 4 Linux laptops jacked into the 2.3 Mbits DSL
switch and were connected to the internet.  Two KLUG'ites
received help with upgrades or confguration.  One laptop
needed to have the USB module activated so it could connect
with an external CD-ROM drive.  The other was a Thinkpad
with Red Hat v7.1 that was having problems seeing the
Winmodem.  An upgrade to RH v7.2 was attempted but hard
drive space prevented the RPM from fully finishing.

While all of this was going on, Adam Williams and Dirk
Bartley grabbed a Linux laptop and a SVGA projector and
started a demonstration which showed how to get to GUI
networking control settings.  Dirk showed the command
line methods and explained how it all works.  It all
started with a question about how to turn networking off!
Dirk started out with pen and paper and transitioned to
laptop and projector.  Adam jumped in to give added 
details and display the GUI tools for network tweaking.

Of course, this evolved into a discussion of scripts and
daemons with all the history and theory behind the Unix
structure.  I was even hearing several Real Time IT Games
that were being devised and visualized.  Something about
a duel between two Linux guru's to see who could dominate
a PC's system resources.  Adam smiled and said, "Calculate
a few prime numbers!  That will bring things to a halt..."
Maybe it was getting late and it could have been the shock
from the "Cat's Cradle vehicle" in the parking lot when we
arrived.  It was a rather surreal and pleasant evening of
learning, helping others, and Linux OS demonstrations.
I saw lots of smiles.  Many people were communicating and
interacting in very positive ways tonight.

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 Bartley, a WMU graduate, works as a systems
administrator for Schupan Aluminum Sales, a division
of Schupan and Sons. His passion for free software
comes second to spending time with his wife Dawn, an
Upper Peninsula native, and taking Shelly, their
sheltie/terrier mix pound pooch, for a walk.  These
interests are only followed by his love of playing
ice hockey.
      NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.


II.  NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY  04/09/2002     
********************************************************************
Setting Up a Home Wireless Network with Linux 
by Bruce Smith
                            
Bruce will give an introduction to wireless networking, and
what it takes to add wireless to a small home network.  This
will include what equipment and software is needed to
configure a Linux laptop as a wireless node.  Security
considerations about going wireless will also be discussed.
                           
Bruce Smith is a Systems Administrator and Software Developer
for Armstrong International Inc. where he is responsible for
a HP-UX network of Servers, Workstations, printers and
X-Terminals spanning five buildings in Three Rivers.  Bruce
has a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Central
Michigan University.  (go Chips! :)  Bruce runs Linux, almost
exclusively, on all his PC's at work and home, and runs a lot
of Armstrong's networking services on Linux!

FOR A SPECIAL TREAT, VISIT ->  http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
                               

Interested in the IEEE 802.11b wireless networking standard?
******************************************************************
WIRELESS EXPLORERS SHOULD CHECK OUT: the linux-wlan(tm) Project
http://www.linux-wlan.com/linux-wlan/index.html#AVS and GNU/Linux


     NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.


III. LINUX OR KLUG RELATED PROJECT REPORTS -

	N E W S   F L A S H E S ! ! !
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*************************************************************
        READ EXTREME LINUX NEWS FEED - IT ALMOST HAPPENS HERE
http://slashdot.org/search.pl?threshold=1&min=0&op=stories
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
        NOW YOU CAN USE THE URL  HTTP://KAZOOLUG.ORG TO
        summon KLUG web pages.  Shorter and more exact!
        You can still use the longer URL as a valid address!   
*************************************************************
        MICROSOFT BUYS RED HAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CASH IN ON
        the Open Source phenomenon.  Isn't this the same
        April Fool's prank that GNU folks pulled last year?
*************************************************************
        A KLUG PC RUNNING LINUX HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE
        Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce to provide DHCP
        services.  This will enable easier internet access
        for KLUG members attending meetings at the Chamber.
        Lots more additions planned between KLUG and K C
        of C.  A newsgroup server, web server, networking,
        and eventually EVERYTHING!  The synergy is peaking!
        Hardware is being installed and KLUG volunteers are
        needed.  Contact "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org>
        or "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net>.
*************************************************************
        IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE BROADBAND LEGISLATION
        being discussed by the State of Michigan will be
        approved soon.  Read all about it at this web site!
http://www.connectmichigan.org/issues/legislation/hispeed.htm
*************************************************************
	LIBRARY DATABASE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND POSTED
	Dirk Bartley has prepared a database to assist you
	in locating and requesting KLUG library resources
	http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/library/
*************************************************************

KLUG "PC SHOW" PUBLIC OUTREACH PROJECT WAS WELL ATTENDED!
The big yellow KLUG banner was again proudly displayed
March 3, 2002 at the ALSCS COMPUTER SHOW in Grand Rapids!
The show was from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Crowne Plaza on
28th Street near I-196 (formerly the Marriott).  Again,
lots of Linux CD-ROM's were made available to the public
and many contacts were made.  To get more info, please
Contact KLUG Chairperson "Dirk Bartley" 
<bartleyd2@net-link.net> 

TAX DEDUCTIBLE STATUS - STILL WAITING FOR THE IRS!!!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The 501c3 application was sent to the IRS in December 1999.
We had an appeal hearing with our lawyer and an IRS agent.
We are told to expect a decision before October 2001!!!
{Note:  It is APRIL!!!  What is the IRS's reason NOW?} 
------------------------------------------------------------
The IRS has a better idea of what the organization is about.
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.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

KLUG IS NOW THE PROUD OWNER OF A PRESENTATION PROJECTOR!!!
SPECIFICATIONS OF INFOCUS LP425ZVB PROJECTOR - Cost $1,599.00
7.4 pounds, 9x12x3.9, 900 lumens, Manual zoom lens
SVGA (800x600) with compressed XGA (1024x768)
HDTV support, 400:1 Contrast, Throw 5 to 20ft
16.7 million colors, 2.4 to 12.6ft image size
16 degree key stoning, 1 Watt audio

MICHIGAN POLIO NETWORK WEB SITE - INFORMATION PUBLISHED
http://www.mipolio.org/          <=== Check This Out! 
This project has a coordinator to wrap it up, Brenda M. Williams.
MPN has asked KLUG to assist them in getting their info
published for public use and access.  The web content includes
information on post-polio disorders.  For more info contact 
"Brenda M. Williams" <bwilliams@cvalaw.com>

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

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, VGA Projector, VGA Monitors, and Overhead Projector
are is Available for Use in KLUG Presentations! 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 volunteers.  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 "Robert G. Brown"
<bob@acm.org> to help out or for more info.

     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
===============================================================
THE KLUG STANDARD BEGINNER'S PRESENTATION - LINUX BOOT CAMP!!!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/beginner01.html
===============================================================
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.
<bwilliams@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.  Some KLUG
volunteers are doing double duty.  Please consider
serving the members as one of the following...
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
SEE THIS LISTING FOR KLUG OFFICE DESCRIPTIONS
http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/organize/

INSTALL MASTER  Help with Beginner's Night Linux Installs.
NUTRI MASTER  Provide cookies and milk for KLUG meetings. * 
      * {Reimbursement for refreshment purchases!}
BOOGIES PROJECT MANAGERS  Help maintain public Linux showcase.
OTHER POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE, SOME FILL TWO VOLUNTEER SLOTS! 
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 v7.2.x 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
	
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.
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
- more

*****************************************************************

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.

WOW!!! STILL NO WORD FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE!
STILL NO 501(c)(3) ISSUED TO KLUG!!!

The Kalamazoo Linux Users Group would like to
thank the Law firm of Kreis Enderle Callander &
Hudgins for their 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 KALAMAZOO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for providing their
well appointed facilities for our meetings.  Jas Networks
has donated a 2.3 Mbit connection that we used during the
meetings to allow attendees to connect by wire and also
wireless 802.11b network connections through the Michigan
Wireless Network.  Many projectors, flip chart easel and
projection screens have been made available.  

 >><< 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