[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes - 07/16/2002

mag00 members@kalamazoolinux.org
Fri, 19 Jul 2002 02:41:34 -0400


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 the Kalamazoo Chamber    
of Commerce office building downtown.          
346 W. Michigan Ave. - Kalamazoo, MI
http://kazoolug.org/meetings/maps.php3   <=== MAP!

Tuesday  July 16, 2002  7:00PM       
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary

I.	PRESENTATION RECAP  		  
II.	NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO   <===  Xcessive XML Month!
III.	PROJECT REPORTS                  CONTINUES...  
IV.	GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
Chairperson - Stu Gillis		

I.  PRESENTATION RECAP         
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION:   (23 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
Xcessive XML: XML-RPC (and PHP)
by Adam Williams                            

XML-RPC is a Remote Procedure Calling (RPC) protocol that
works over the Internet.  PHP is a powerful scripting language
that works well with the Apache web server and a database.  

Adam's presentation can be found on the KLUG web site:
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/history.php?year=2002

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
***********************
Web Services - Why All the Fuss?

Adam used the commercial version of StarOffice v6.0 and its
Impress application (same as in OpenOffice v1.0) with a SVGA
projector to show us the techincal details regarding XML-RPC!
RPC stands for Remote Process Call.  It calls functions from
outside that process's own address space.  File and print
sharing are common examples.  Adam broke the presentation
down into 1.) Traditional RPC's  2.) Modern RPC's - CORBA
& RMI  3.) Web RPC - SOAP ~ .Net ~ XML-RPC.  He focused on
XML-RPC and explained that the call is an HTTP-POST with the
data in XML format.  He showed the advantages of XML-RPC over
CORBA.

Adam gave us a PHP example of how XML-RPC works.  He
displayed an example of a SERVER script for XML-RPC use
with PHP on the Apache web server.  He also showed us an
example of the CLIENT script utilizing XML-RPC calls.    

Recommended by Adam for more info:

XML - RPC - PHP
http://xmlrpc-epi.sourceforge.net
http://xmlrpc-c.sourceforge.net      <=== C Server & Client

GOODIES
http://www.xmlblaster.com                      XML Blaster
http://www.dsmltools.org                       DSML
http://castor.exolab.org/index.html            Castor
http://xmlrpc-c.sourceforge.net/hacks.php      Hacks

The question and answer period was filled with many questions
and the strong interest in this subject was evident.  Adam
took questions throughout the presentation and gave very
detailed explanations of many items of interest.  As usual,
Adam gave everyone more than they expected and we were all
enjoying it.  XML-RPC looks like a great Linux solution that
could be a useful tool for many web uses.  Adam received a
hardy round of applause at the close of his presentation.
                         
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".  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. 

For XML-RPC Specifications - http://www.xmlrpc.com/spec


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


II.  NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY  07/23/2002  Xcessive XML Month! 
******************************************************************
Xcessive XML: XML DTDs
by Orien Vandenbergh
                            
Ok, so you know what XML is, you know what you can do with
it, but what is this crazy DTD thing everyone's always
talking about, and what do you do with one once you've got
it?  In this meeting I'm going to walk you through a DTD
actually used for real applications, and will show you how
to write your own.  I will also discuss whether you actually
even NEED to write a DTD for your XML documents.
                            
Orien Vandenbergh is a Contract Programmer and Systems
Administrator.  Presently he is developing a web-based
Customer Service System in perl, using XML as an interface
to the backend MySQL database for a local company.  In
addition to perl, he develops applications in C, C++, php,
and java; and is equally fluent in both Solaris and Linux.
He graduated from WMU with a Computer Science degree in 
1998.  When he's not working, he unevenly divides his time
between open-source projects, golfing with his wife, or
actively participating as a god on a small mud.

     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
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
	RED HAT LINUX VERSION 7.3.x HAS BEEN RELEASED
  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
		   BS-WARE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU NOW
	VISIT      http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware/
*************************************************************
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
        KLUG'S 501c3 TAX DEDUCTIBLE STATUS HAS BEEN ATTAINED
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
	This is a big step forward for KLUG to finally have
	attained Non-profit Charitable Organization status.
	Now businesses and individuals can contribute hardware,
	software, services, cash, membership dues, and other
	contributions WITH FULL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIBILITY!!! 	
	There are many OTHER benefits that 'non-profits' enjoy.
	CONTACT CHAIR DIRK BARTLEY <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
*************************************************************
	DRIFTWOOD PROJECT FORMS AND LAUNCHES MAILING LIST
	A teleconferencing and Linux PC PBX project that
	is open to anyone interested and exists to focus on
	the open source program Asterisk.  Join the Driftwood
        mailing list and see what is planned for this hands-on
	local project.  We might be broadcasting KLUG meetings
	on the net and more. * STILL TIME TO GET INVOLVED!!! * 
	http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/listserv.php3	
	-----------------------------------------------------
   ===>	SURPLUS EQUIPMENT DONATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED <===
        KLUG now has Sec. 501c3 - Charitable Tax Deduction
	-----------------------------------------------------
*************************************************************
        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!   
*************************************************************
	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/
*************************************************************

    V O L U N T E E R S    N E E D E D     N O W  ! ! !
KLUG "PC SHOW" PUBLIC OUTREACH PROJECT PLAN A SUCCESSFUL EVENT!
The big yellow KLUG banner will again be proudly displayed on
August 31, 2002 at the ALSCS COMPUTER SHOW in KALAMAZOO, MI!
This will be the important back to school show for the season.
This show is again held at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.
Again, lots of Linux CD-ROM's were made available to the public
and many contacts were made.  To get more info or to volunteer
to help with the next public event that KLUG has planned, please
Contact KLUG Chairperson "Dirk Bartley" <bartleyd2@net-link.net> 
or Vice Chairperson "Stu Gillis" <showperson@kalamazoolinux.org>

BOOGIES CYBER CAFE - KLUG's public commercial Linux project.
    = = =    THIS PROJECT IS BEING REFRESHED!   = = =
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 Boogies 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.  Various upgrades and enhancements are
being applied currently, including three new workstations and
other hardware upgrades.  Contact "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org>
to help out or for more info.  Get on the Boogies Volunteer
mailing list and start learning and contributing today!

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>.

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>.  DSL, a Pentium Class Desktop
PC, VGA Projector, VGA Monitors, and an Overhead Projector
are Available for Use in KLUG Presentations! Contact
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
===============================================================
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/

- NUTRI MASTER  Provide cookies and milk for KLUG meetings. * 
      * {Reimbursement for refreshment purchases!}
- INSTALL MASTER  Local installer to assist at newbie meetings.
- 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, DSL Web Connection, VGA Projector, and an
Overhead Projector are Available for Use in KLUG
Presentations! Contact Dirk Bartley <bartleyd2@net-link.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.

# 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 v7.3.x HAS BEEN RELEASED
  *************************************************************
  **************   BS-WARE SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS   ***************
This Linux distribution now comes on two (2) CD's.  
Supporting Member Discount on BS-Ware is $1.50 per
CD or 50% off!  Bruce distributes a non-commercial
version of the Red Hat Linux OS!  Notice - BS-Ware
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 BS-Ware 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
**************************************************************
**************************************************************

# 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:

- Members    <=== All Members Should Join!!!
- Driftwood
- OS Advocacy
- Speakers
- In School
- Novice
- PHP
- more

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

     NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
  Bring a friend... who was disappointed by a proprietary OS!

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
successful achievement of 501(c)(3) tax status with
the IRS!!!

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 DSL (2.3 Mbit) connection that KLUG uses during the
meetings to allow attendees and presenters to connect by
network cable to a hub.  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