[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes - 05/14/2002
mag00
members@kalamazoolinux.org
Thu, 16 May 2002 03:23:48 -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 May 14, 2002 7:00PM
KLUG Meeting Notes - Summary
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== USB and Linux!!!
III. PROJECT REPORTS
IV. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tonight's Meeting Moderator:
Chairperson: Dirk Bartley
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (27 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
Counting the Beans
by Brian Ritz
Excited about Linux for your home or business. Want all of
your programs and applications to run on linux? Yet you
have to keep that pesky Windows machine around for your
accouting software. But do you really have to? Well I am
here to dispel that Myth for you. Tonight, Brian presented
on 8 different accounting packages, and included a quick
overview of each and their cost (if any). So it is time to
use that old Windows machine for something useful like a
firewall or squid proxy server, or for even sendmail.
Brian's notes will be posted here soon... please be patient!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/history.php?year=2002
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
*********************
Brian used a laptop PC running Linux and the KLUG
SVGA video projector to display his presentation
notes and then switched over to the DSL internet
connection to visit the web sites of each accounting
application for even more details and info. Brian
presented these Linux accounting solutions and
detailed their features before we went to the web
sites to see the screenshots and read the ordering
information. Costs range from free to $4,000!
* GNU Ledger
http://www.gnuledger.org
Multi-platform GPL home user financial management package.
GnuLedger is a Web-based accounting system. It has all of the
functionality that an average home user needs to manage their
finances. Its backend is a MySQL database, and it currently uses a
web browser front-end. It has been tested using Internet Explorer,
Mozilla, Opera, and QNX's Voyager.
* SQL Ledger <THIS ONE LOOKS HOT & READY>
http://www.sql-ledger.com/
Accounting solution for commercial or manufacturing use.
Handles inventories and all the major functions that
medium to large size companies would need. Wait for
version 1.8.4 and a significant upgrade coming soon!!!
* Proven Accounting
http://www.provenacct.com/
Targeting large business, Proven offers GUI or text
interfaces with every enterprise class feature displayed
on their web site. They are NOT the lowest cost on this
list of Linux accounting solutions. They may be the most
advanced. The base application package is $2,600. Fees
for additional modules are up to $1,000.
* Linux Kontor
http://www.linux-kontor.org/en/
Linux-Kontor is a project dealing with the development of a
free business management software. The system's main
components are accounting and commodities. This project
is based in Germany. Has a neat web browser applet to
allow web based accounting and multi-user access. This
is a promising Linux free software project.
* Quasar Accounting System
http://www.linuxcanada.com/quasar.html
A Canadian Linux project that is focused on wholesale
and retail accounting with Point-of-Sale and heavy
inventory management control and reporting features.
This package also supports bar code functionality.
The base package is free and the specialty modules
have a modest price, $29. The base Linux accounting
package is very lightweight. Fully implemented it
looks looks like a possible Linux business solution.
* Linux General Ledger
http://www.linuxledgers.com/lglpage1.html
The Linux General Ledger (LGL) is a general business
bookkeeping system specifically designed for small
to medium sized business and client write-up using
the Linux Operating System. It is a state of the art
business application which has been engineered for
ease of use and functionality. Check out their Client
Write-Up System for Accountants... Very inexpensive
licensing fees including source code availability.
http://www.linuxledgers.com/LGLprices.html
* GNU Cash
http://www.gnucash.org/
If you've been looking for a way to manage your personal finances
under GNU/Linux, you've found it! Designed to be easy to use, yet
powerful and flexible, GnuCash allows you to track bank accounts,
stocks, income and expenses. As quick and intuitive to use as a
checkbook register, it is based on professional accounting principles
to ensure balanced books and accurate reports. GnuCash is backed by
an active development community and is blossoming into a
full-fledged accounting system. Developed under the GPL, you have
no need to worry about obsolescence: GnuCash will be there for you.
Should we say it is a GPL Quicken clone? Forget I said that...
Brian's presentation on & demo of GnuCash to KLUG was on 06-26-2001.
GnuCash is pre-loaded on Red Hat v7.3 and it is now in version 1.6.6!
- - additional package reviewed <app Stu Gillis uses> - -
* Money Dance
http://www.moneydance.com/
ANOTHER QUICKEN CLONE? $39.95
Java based multi-platform basic money management
software. Moneydance is the software to keep track of
your personal finances. The familiar checkbook-register
interface makes managing your money easy, while the
advanced features give you the ability to visually
track your spending. Custom 3D graphs and a reconciler
tool make an easy task of balancing your account.
Brian did a fine job of showing us a spectrum of Linux projects.
We had a hearty round of Questions & Answers and broke into
our informal <read chaotic fun> discussion rants with KLUGites
until almost 10:00pm. We had a fairly large crowd for this
meeting and there was much interest in this subject. Financials
may be the next major application, after the office apps, that
hastens the mass migration to the Total Linux Environment (TLE).
Brian Ritz is currently the Intranet Content Manager for
Morrison Industries and has been working with Linux almost
exclusively as a user of the Whitemice.Org network. He
holds a degree in Finance from Grand Valley State University.
NOTE -
* Must come to three meetings to qualify as a full member.
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 05/21/2002
********************************************************************
USB and Linux
by Bruce Smith
Bruce will give an introduction to using USB devices on Linux.
The presentation will include a live demonstration of a USB
web cam, a USB digital camera, and a USB disk drive, connected
to the USB port of a laptop running Redhat 7.2 Linux.
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!
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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*************************************************************
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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 CHAIRMAN DIRK BARTLEY <bartleyd2@net-link.net>
T H I S I S B I G N E W S ! ! !
*************************************
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!!!
*************************************************************
RED HAT LINUX VERSION 7.3 HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED
http://www.redhat.com for all the distribution details
*************************************************************
JULY 4TH GATHERING AT BRUCE SMITH'S PLACE IS PLANNED
Be watching for MORE info on the KLUG web site.
*************************************************************
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
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*************************************************************
KLUG WILL HAVE A BOOTH AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Business Expo to be held at the Radisson Hotel in
Kalamazoo - Thursday May 23, 2002 from 10am to 6pm.
See the Open Source & Proprietary Source seminars.
Contact "Robert G. Brown" <bob@acm.org> to help out
or for more info. or http://www.kazoochamber.com
*************************************************************
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!
*************************************************************
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>.
*************************************************************
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 HAD A SUCCESSFUL EVENT!
The big yellow KLUG banner was again proudly displayed on
May 11, 2002 at the ALSCS COMPUTER SHOW in KALAMAZOO, MI!
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.
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. 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. Get on the Boogies
Volunteer mailing list and start learning and contributing today!
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>
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!}
- CO-INSTALL MASTER Local installer to be 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>
# 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:
- Members <=== All Members Should Join!!!
- Driftwood
- OS Advocacy
- Novice
- PHP
- more
*****************************************************************
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