[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes - 03/12/2002
mag00
members@kalamazoolinux.org
Thu, 14 Mar 2002 03:07:11 -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, lower level. *************
NEW MEETING LOCATION DESCRIPTION:
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.
Tuesday March 12, 2002 7:00PM
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== APL: A Programming Language
III. PROJECT REPORTS
IV. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
Chairperson: Dirk Bartley
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (28 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
Web Development with PHP
by Bill Hollett
PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting
language that is especially suited for web
development and can be embedded into HTML. It
is a server-side scripting language that can
make your website interactive and dynamic,
accessing databases and exchanging information
with other servers. PHP is well supported by the
development community with a -very- active
newsgroup and continuing development. PHP is
easy to learn, fast to implement, and surprisingly
agile in handling web-related tasks and more.
http://www.php.net <=== Get it all HERE!!!
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
**********************
We had an exciting adventure tonight. This great
presentation was thorough, fun, and informative.
Bill had a great time telling how web development
has evolved over the past few years. You could
tell how happy he is that the problems of "CLIENT
SIDE SCRIPTING" have been eliminated by "SERVER
SIDE SCRIPTING," namely PHP! Web sites formerly
had to deal with the non-standardization of the web
browser. We all know the tricks that some monopoly
played to make sure that ALL browsers did not work
within their standards. Java, VB Script, ASP, Java
Script, and even pure HTML could behave oddly unless
it was being read by one, and not all, of those
competitive free browsers. With the use of PHP for
server side scripting, the generated HTML code will
run great on ANY browser. Bad news for that monopoly!
Bill used two web sites for examples of the old style
and the new and more functional methods of site coding.
Those sites were...
http://yeltonmanor.com Before PHP! Nice but...
http://countryline.com After PHP! Real functional!
Bill also touched on the problems associated with PERL
code usage and how XML is impacting current code. We
even saw pure PHP running without needing HTML in the
actual source code. Interactive and very flexible too!
He used acutal code to demonstrate the tools that web site
developers use and how the techniques display on the screen.
An excellent demonstration of how to use the "get" and "post"
functions was given. Bill also showed how the five popular
web page items can be accomplished by PHP! He built a page
that demonstrated radio buttons, pull down menus, check box,
input box, and text box functionality! We saw simple and
complex demonstrations of PHP coding. He told us were to get
all the resources needed for downloading, installing, running,
learning, and coding with PHP! http://php.net <=== Go There!
PHP is OPEN SOUCRE and is distributed free under the GPL!
We discussed how PHP incorporates SQL databases and makes
great use of simple and very functional forms for input or
output of data. While he avoided detailed database info
because of time limitations, it was apparent that Linux
running the Apache Web Server with PHP in the middle and
a database (like mySQL) in the background would be the ideal
web site development environment. Bill sure was smiling
broadly and often about that! You could tell he was happy
about the Linux tools he is using in his profession.
You can see the files that Bill used in his presentation
at - http://billtron.com/klug/
Bill Hollett is the owner of Billtron Services, an
independent contracting entity specializing in web
site development and programming and information
interchange via the web.
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 03/19/2002
********************************************************************
APL: A Programming Language
by Robert G. Brown
Programming looks tough, tedious, or simply too much of
a chore? Instead of spending a lot of time wading through
declarations, control structures, and a lot or artificial
syntax, wouldn't you prefer programming the same way you
think? If you even suspect that the answer is YES, you
cannot afford to miss a good look at APL. Developed as a
kind of notation, APL is blessedly free of many of the
characteristics of programming that force you to think in
terms of how the machine works, rather than how people see
problems. People who use APL span many professions, and
acheive extremely high levels of productivity in problem
solving.
APL has been used to prototype many of the most widely used
systems in the computer industry, and is the "secret weapon"
of organizations and productive people right here in
Kalamazoo and around the world. This presentation is a
sampler of APL, how it works, and what it can do for you.
Additional materials (books and software) are also available.
Robert Brown is a founding member, past chairman, the current
publicity director of KLUG, and has over 25 years experience
in software development in numerous environments, disciplines,
and industries. An intermittant user of UNIX systems for over
15 years, Bob has developed applications with Linux in in the
course of his professional and volunteer activities. He can
also be seen cycling the Kal-Haven trail, wandering around,
perpetrating nature photgraphy or traveling to some fairly
unusual places. Recently, he was elected to chair a major a
SIG of the ACM.
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 ! ! !
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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READ EXTREME LINUX NEWS FEED - IT ALMOST HAPPENS HERE
http://slashdot.org/search.pl?threshold=1&min=0&op=stories
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*************************************************************
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.
*************************************************************
A PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED WITH LINUX SYSTEMS USING
zlib. This RPM update is available from Red Hat of
from BS-Ware. Everyone will need this update!
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-026.html
*************************************************************
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 March!!! 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
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 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 KALAMAZOO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for providing their
well appointed facilities for our meetings. Jazz 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. Their is a ceiling mounted SVGA projector
available for presentations.
>><< 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