[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes for 08/12/2003
magoo
members@kalamazoolinux.org
13 Aug 2003 00:01:17 -0400
KLUG Meeting Notes: Tuesday - August 12, 2003 7:00PM
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== GNOME & Ximian!!!
III. KLUG MAILING LISTS
IV. KLUG & LINUX NEWS FLASHES
V. KLUG CONTACT & MEETING INFO
Tonight's Meeting Moderator: KLUG Chairperson - Todd Pillars
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
THIS WEEK'S KLUG PRESENTATION: (24 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
Perl DBI: Database/Datasource Access With Perl
by Robert G. Brown
Two important aspects of modern applications are flexible database
access and well thought out, modular design. The PERL Database
Interface (DBI) provides access and is a good example of design.
We'll cover the installation, configuration, and use of this tool,
with examples.... for database, web-based, and general application
development purposes.
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
***********************************
Bob used a KLUG LTSP client desktop running Red Hat with Impress
from OpenOffice.org v1.0.1 and the KLUG XGA projector to display
17 slides that contained the content of tonight's PERL/DBI info.
Bob described the PERL/DBI as a useful interface, good engineering.
This works with approximately 40 or so specific databases.
While not feeling his best tonight, Bob revealed the flexibility
of the PERL database interface and the value in scalable database
applications. He mercifully spared us the difficult technical
specifics of PERL and the intricacies of database interface theory.
He did show us that PERL/DBI provides a simple and functional
interface solution.
The sunglasses he wore were not to mock California gubernatorial
candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, but to ease his own personal
discomfort. Bob answered many specific questions and interjected
several humorous retorts to see if we were paying close attention.
PRESENTATION CONTENT SYNOPSIS
* Introduction and Explanation of PERL/DBI Attributes
* Installation Instructions / TAR and RPM Methods
* Installation of the Database Driver Module
* DBD/DBI Principles Reviewed
* Sample Code - MySQL, Oracle, & PostgreSQL Specific Examples
* Concluding Summary of Programming Considerations
Bob recommended these reference sources -
===========================================
General DBI information:
http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI
More specifically:
http://www.cpan.org/modules/by-module/DBD
http://www.cpan.org/modules/by-module/DBI
Installing:
http://www.quicomm.com/apm_dbddbi.htm
http://reinolinux.fe.up.pt/cgi-bin/man2html?DBD::mysql+3
Related Resource Information:
http://www.sqlcourse.com
Robert Brown is a founding member, past chairperson, the current
publicity director of KLUG, and has over 25 years experience in
software development in numerous environments, disciplines, and
industries. An intermittent 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 photography or traveling to some fairly
unusual places. Recently, he was elected to chair a major
a SIG of the ACM.
Dave Bronson, a KLUG member from Atlanta, Georgia was in attendance
tonight while in the area with his wife visiting his in-laws. It
was great to have him with us tonight. He shared some interesting
opinions about KLUG and mentioned his appreciation of Adam Williams'
quintessential LDAP information that resides on the KLUG server.
This is how Dave originally found us and now he monitors the KLUG
member's mailing list regularly. What if you had a 22 hour drive
to attend a KLUG meeting? Have a safe journey home to the Atlanta
area Dave!!! We hope to see you again when you visit next Summer!
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 08/19/2003
******************************************************************
GNOME, The Ximian Desktop, & The Future
by Chris Lahey
Everyone knows of the GNOME project, but where does it come from
and where is it going? Chris will talk about the history of the
project, the Gnome 2.x series, and future plans for the GNOME
desktop.
Born in Ann Arbor, MI, Chris Lahey started working with the GNOME
project in 1997. He has worked at Ximian, Inc. in Boston, MA since
early 2000. There he helped develop the evolution groupware suite
and now works on the Ximian Desktop team, packaging and developing
GNOME based desktop software.
http://www.ximian.org
NOTE:
Novell Acquires Ximian to Expand Linux Solutions and Open Source
Commitment (Aug 4, 2003)
III. K L U G M A I L I N G L I S T S -
*************************************************************
Diversified mailing lists can be found on the KLUG web site.
http://kalamazoolinux.org/listserv/
Facilitated by - John Bridleman listmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
Sign up and participate to serve the Open Source community!!!
(240 plus registrations on the "KLUG members" mailing list)
IV. K L U G & L I N U X N E W S F L A S H E S ! ! !
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RED HAT'S NEW STRATEGY FOCUSES ON ENABLING WEB APPLICATIONS
Red Hat unveils plans and solutions designed to accelerate the
adoption of open, standards-based Web applications on the Red Hat
Enterprise Linux platform.
http://www.redhat.com/about/presscenter/2003/press_lw_developer.html
=====================================================================
LINUX KERNEL V2.6.0-TEST3 RELEASED
"Linux 2.6.0-test3 has been released. Grab your copy off your local
kernel.org mirror and report those bugs! Remember, any bug you find
that you don't report is likely to not be fixed in the next release
if you don't report it."
http://slashdot.org/articles/03/08/10/133259.shtml?tid=106&tid=185
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BENCHMARKING LINUX FILESYSTEMS IN NEW 2.6.0-TEST3 KERNEL
"KernelTrap has an interesting article about a recent benchmark
conducted to compare five journaling filesystems available with
the current 2.6.0-test2 Linux development kernel. The tests were
conducted with a very simple shell script, mainly timing how long
it takes to copy, tar, and remove directories. Looks like reiser4
is the fastest filesystem at the expense of consuming much more
CPU, with ext3 trailing a ways behind."
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/07/1318235
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
GCC V3.3.1 RELEASED
"The latest and greatest version of gcc is now out - v3.3.1! As
an update to the current version, it is bug fixes only."
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/09/203230
&mode=thread&tid=117&tid=99
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WORST LINUX ANNOYANCES?
"Ever spent hours trying (and failing) to get a printer driver to
work on Linux? Struggled to configure something ever-so-slightly
out-of-the-ordinary? What have been your biggest annoyances when
using Linux? Three O'Reilly authors are compiling a book on Linux
annoyances - and their suggested solutions - and they've started
a mailing list..."
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/08/137239&
mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185&tid=188&tid=192
=====================================================================
LINUX ON A MISSION
"It took two robots five minutes, more or less, to locate a penguin
at Moscone Center on Wednesday. Granted, any idiot -- human or
animatronic -- could have found a penguin there pretty easily this
week, since the bird is a ubiquitous icon featured in the logo of
the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo. Conference-goers carry wires
with foam penguins bobbing at the ends, inflated and stuffed penguins
are piled on most flat surfaces, and two-dimensional penguins adorn
shirts and bags all over the trade show. But these robots are no
idiots. They're part of a government-funded Silicon Valley research
project aiming to create a 100-robot swarm that could help rescue
hostages, detect chemical attacks or remove people from burning
buildings..."
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003080801826NWEMHW
=====================================================================
ORACLE'S INFRASTRUCTURE NOW FULLY LINUX-IZED
"An article over at InformationWeek reports Oracle is aggressively
adopting Linux both internally and for its products, despite SCO
Group's threats earlier this week that it may sue those who don't
pay licensing fees to the company. Chuck Rozwat, an Oracle executive
VP, says the company has moved its IT infrastructure to Linux, a
year after CEO Larry Ellis issued the mandate. In the coming year,
Oracle will move its base development platform to Linux, including
putting the open-source operating system on the workstations of
8,000 developers"
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/07/2233214&
mode=thread&tid=126&tid=163
=====================================================================
US NAVY BUYS APPLES AS LINUX PLATFORM
"According to the Register the US Navy has ordered 260 XServe
servers running Yellow Dog Linux from Terra Soft Solutions."
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/07/1258203
&mode=thread&tid=137
=====================================================================
REAL ANNOUNCES HELIX GRANT PROGRAM, PLAYER
"RealNetworks made two announcements at LinuxWorld this week: we
will be giving out up to $75,000 by the end of the year for
development of open source projects based on the Helix multimedia
platform. Also, we just formally launched the Helix Player
project, which is a project to build a GTK+ based user interface
for Linux, Solaris, and other UNIXy operating systems.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/06/2136202
&mode=thread&tid=188
=====================================================================
APPLE PUBLIC SOURCE LICENSE NOW FSF APPROVED
"Apple has now made their public source license 2.0 free. From the
release "The Darwin team at Apple is pleased to announce that
version 2.0 of the Apple Public Source License has been certified
as a 'Free Software License.' APSL 2.0 includes numerous changes
and simplifications to make it even easier to use Apple Open Source
software as part of your programs."
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/06/1729213&
mode=thread&tid=107&tid=117&tid=187&tid=99
=====================================================================
CONTIKI PORTED TO X86
"The ultra-small Contiki OS has now been ported to the x86. This
should give those of you who have an old x86 PC that is too small
to run even the smallest of Linux variants, a chance to browse
the web, set up a web server, and doing other essential stuff.
If you're curious to see how it looks, there is a live VNC demo
running."
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/06/1249252
&mode=thread&tid=185&tid=190
=====================================================================
GENTOO V1.4 FINAL RELEASED
"After a long wait, the Gentoo team has finally released the latest
version of their distribution. Gentoo Linux 1.4 is now available.
1.4 includes automated kernel builds, CFLAGS generation, the Gentoo
Reference Platform, and support for netless installation."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/06/0014218&
mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
AMD DEMONSTRATES LINUX-BASED PDA AT LINUXWORLD
"AMD has demonstrated a new Linux-based handheld at LinuxWorld. The
OpenPDA runs on low-power Alchemy chips, with support for USB,
Ethernet, UARTS.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/05/2253209
&mode=thread&tid=100&tid=137&tid=142&tid=187
=====================================================================
MEET MARTIN TAYLOR OF MICRO$OFT'SOPEN SOURCE TEST LAB
"Martin Taylor was recently appointed as Microsoft's open source and
Linux strategist and is responsible for Microsoft's open source and
Linux test lab. Taylor says his goal is to change Microsoft's
competitive strategy by pursuing a fact-based approach instead of
continuing the previous discredit-and-undermine strategy that was
characterized by calling open source and Linux software 'a cancer,
un-American and bankrupt' among other things. Taylor says he plans
to focus on (and fund) studies that 'will highlight Microsoft's
advantages in areas such as security, feature-completeness and total
cost of ownership.'"
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/05/228219
&mode=thread&tid=109&tid=187
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PHOTOSHOP IN LINUX THANKS TO DISNEY
"eWeek reports that Walt Disney's feature animation unit (along
with 2 other unnamed studios) are using Adobe's Photoshop in Linux."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/05/1552255
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
SUSE AND IBM CLINCH SECURITY CERTIFICATION FOR LINUX
"IBM has gotten Linux certified under the Common Criteria
specification. " What this means is that government can consider
Linux when making purchasing decisions. Linux got the highest
rating possible."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/05/1217242
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=126&tid=172&tid=185
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"IBM and SuSE Linux have got security certification for Linux from
the US Government. Acquiring certification, under a Pentagon
certification program entitled Common Criteria, is costly and time
consuming, but IBM and SuSE put in the money and the time..."
http://linuxtoday.com/it_management/2003080800826OPRHSS
=====================================================================
A WHITE PAPER ON SOLARIS-TO-LINUX MIGRATION FROM HP
http://www.accelacomm.com/jlp/infoworld/0/10000683/
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UNTESTED GPL MAY BE AT CENTER OF IBM-SCO SUIT
The requirements of the software license that governs the Linux
operating system were questioned on Thursday as The SCO Group and
Linux advocates offered differing interpretations of the role that
the GNU General Public License (GPL) would play in a legal dispute
between SCO and IBM.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/08/08/HNuntestedgpl_1.html
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LINUX'S LUCKY LAWSUIT (SCO STILL SUCKS)
SCO is a toad about to face a steamroller!
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/08/09/0007.html
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003080800126NWDPDV
=====================================================================
CONGRESS KEY FACTOR FOR LINUX
One way or another, rights to the core coding behind the Linux
operating system (OS) ultimately will be decided by several federal
court lawsuits stemming from SCO Group's claims on the popular "open
source," or freely distributed software.
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/08/09/0006.html
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OPEN SOURCE GURU SAYS SUPPORTERS ARE BIGGER THREAT TO LINUX
"The greatest threat to Linux may not come from adversaries such as
Microsoft and the SCO Group, but rather from its strongest supporters,
open-source advocate Bruce Perens has said..."
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003080801126OSLLDV
=====================================================================
LINUX SOFTWARE PUTS NEW FACE ON FILE MANAGEMENT
A small developer hopes to get managers of Linux servers to break
their command line habit. At this week's LinuxWorld show, Tactile
Interactive offered a look at the latest beta of Interrogator, its
powerful, graphical file manager for Linux and Solaris platforms.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1213374,00.asp
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'APACHE GERONIMO' LOOKS TO J2EE IMPLEMENTATION
"The non-profit Apache Software Foundation (ASF) has announced the
incubation of a new project (tentatively codenamed 'Apache Geronimo')
to develop an open source, Apache-licensed implementation of the J2EE
specification..."
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003080801126OSSWDV
=====================================================================
OPEN SOURCE "STATE OF THE UNION" ADDRESS - BRUCE PERENS
Bruce goes over near future challenges for Free and Open Source
software, Linux and the GNU system.
http://lwn.net/Articles/43290/
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IN THE OPEN SOURCE SPIRIT KLUG CALLS FOR MEETING SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
Please don't make us RANT about organization needs for volunteers!
We need additional volunteers to act as the "Meeting Firewall"
to handle Chamber access control and security issues. The Chamber
has asked us to safeguard their assets as KLUG members come and
go from the meeting room each Tuesday night. Bob truly does need
help with this function which requires that you get to the meetings
early and see that everything is locked up as the meeting attendees
leave. We have several other KLUG volunteer positions available
and many of these duties could be shared if you have an interest.
G E T I N V O L V E D I N K L U G N O W ! ! !
Please contact installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org for more details.
See http://kalamazoolinux.org/organize for position descriptions.
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THE WMU COMPUTER CLUB - YAKKO IS THEIR MAIN LINUX SERVER!
The Computer Club at Western Michigan University exists to promote
a better understanding of computers for both members of the club
and members of the WMU community. This goal is achieved through
various club projects, member presentations, Linux Install Parties,
and discussions at our meetings. Do you need help getting your
computer to function properly? Are you interested in installing
Linux? Do you just want a place to hang out and have a good time?
If the answer to any of those questions or any other question is
'yes' then you should come check us out. We welcome anyone
(regardless of computer experience) who is willing to share
whatever talents they have, listen to others, and have a good
time. http://yakko.cs.wmich.edu/
=====================================================================
KLUG SUPPORTING MEMBERS CAN GET THEIR PICTURE ON THE WEB SITE
Want your picture posted with your name as a KLUG Supporting
Member? Send the tasteful graphic file and your request to
webmaster@kalamazoolinux.org.
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KLUG NOW OWNS A NEW XGA VIDEO PROJECTOR
Adam reported that KLUG has upgraded the video projector from SVGA
to XGA!!! From 800 x 600 to 1024 x 768, it should boost presentation
viewing pleasure. This projector is well rated:
INFOCUS LP335 DLP PROJECTOR
1000 LUMEN - XGA - LP-0335-V + Extended 12 month warranty
Digital Light Processing DLP which provides sharp images under
variable lighting conditions.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/office/portable_pc_projectors/
Anyone know of a buyer for our 2 year old KLUG SVGA projector?
We should ask $800 for this unit and it is in excellent condition.
It has about 150 hours on a 1000 hour bulb. Works just fine.
It is an InFocus model LP425ZVB with padded carrying case.
Contact Todd chair@kalamazoolinux.org for more info.
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KLUG NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO FILL SEVERAL VACANT POSITIONS
"Firewall" and Education Director volunteer slots are still vacant.
Please contact chair@kalamazoolinux.org for more details.
Volunteers are needed for Beginner's Nights and Installfests.
Please contact installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org for more details.
See http://kalamazoolinux.org/organize for position descriptions.
=====================================================================
********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - *********
KLUG NEEDS SPEAKERS FOR THE WEEKLY LINUX RELATED PRESENTATIONS!
********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - *********
Contact Adam if you can give a presentation on any area of Linux
related subject or application. He would also like to hear your
suggestions for topics and possible speaker referrals. Do you
know anyone who is using Linux in Southwest Michigan and might
be willing to share their Linux expertise by making a technical
presentation? Professional, individual, or commercial speakers
on Linux accepted. Contact programdirector@kalamazoolinux.org
with your referrals and ideas. See the meeting schedule for open
dates. http://www.kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/schedule.php3
=====================================================================
V. K L U G C O N T A C T & M E E T I N G I N F O
*************************************************************
KLUG WEB SITE http://kalamazoolinux.org
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 49007
http://kazoolug.org/meetings/maps.php3 <=== MAP!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kalamazoo Linux Users Group, Inc.
6749 South Westnedge Avenue
Suite K-288
Portage MI 49002
e-mail address: chair@kalamazoolinux.org
NOTE:
Effective January 1st, 2002, KLUG has been granted 501C3 status by
the IRS. This is a big step forward. Now all donations (including
hardware, services, cash, or membership dues) are tax deductible!
>><< send corrections, additions, flames to the KLUG scribe >><<
Ralph Worick
recordingsecretary@kalamazoolinux.org
= or =
KLUG Meeting Notes Assistant Editor
Bruce Atherton
Taz <htgage3@chartermi.net>
Copyright (c) 2003 Kalamazoo Linux Users Group, Inc.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU
Free Documentation License".
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl.html#TOC1