[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes for 06/17/2003
magoo
members@kalamazoolinux.org
18 Jun 2003 00:24:15 -0400
KLUG Meeting Notes: Tuesday - June 17, 2003 7:00PM
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== SuSE Linux Openexchange Server!!!
III. KLUG MAILING LISTS aka SLOX
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: (26 active KLUG participants)
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Data Access Revisited
by Adam Williams
We've discussed data access from Linux before, tonight we return
to that topic. Having NNTP, LDAP, and SQL servers that are reliable,
fast, and free is wonderful. But how about using that data on your
Linux Desktop/Workstation? Want to create merge documents (address
10,000 envelopes), generate bar codes from a database, create
pretty reports for the suits? Here is how. And alot has changed
since last time we visited the realms of ODBC, GDA, and their kin.
Adam's presentation files will be on the KLUG Past Presentation page!
http://kalamazoolinux.org/presentations/
ftp://ftp.kalamazoolinux.org/pub/pdf/DataAccess-2003.pdf
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
*****************************
Adam used his Toshiba laptop empowered by Red Hat v9, OpenOffice.org
v1.0.3 (Impress), and the KLUG SVGA projector to take us through
56 slides that educated KLUGites about database data access. This
was a visit back to the previous info Adam presented in May of 2002.
Things have improved in the past year. He sure seemed happy about
all the Open Source GNU Linux attention in the database realm.
SUMMARY:
----------
How to use a database.
ODBC/Native Library -> applications -> RDBMS
TERMS - Manager, Driver/Provider, DSN
Native Libraries Described:
FreeTDS - http://www.freetds.org
MDB Tools - http://mdbtools.sourceforge.net
PostgreSQL & MySQL libraries included in most Linux distributions
ODBC described - http://www.unixodbc.org
ODBC - Compiling it manually
Databases that are ODBC compliant listed
ODBC libraries listed
ODBC configuration
ODBC config statistics report
The TXT (SQI) driver
The NNTP (UseNet News) driver
The PostgreSQL driver
The MySQL driver
Driver configuration
Utility - isql with unixODBC
The .ini files - odbcinst.ini & odbc.ini
Setting environmental variables
Data manager - ODBC data browser & SQL tool
ODBC Socket Server - http://odbc.sourceforge.net/index.html
db2ssd produces data diagrams
http://home.debitel.net/user/boesswetter/db2ssd
OpenOffice.org and ODBC Utilities:
[Go to "Tools" -> "Data Sources"]
Star Writer and Star Calc can be used as a ODBC utility
Browse & edit as a data source viewer
OpenOffice Query Designer
[Go to "View" -> "Data Source" -> right click]
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.
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 06/24/2003
******************************************************************
SLOX, SuSe's Exchange Alternative
by RICIS, Inc.
Need Groupware? Don't want to install Exchange and all its prereqs?
SuSe's SLOX is one alternative KLUG is featuring this year, courtesy
of RICIS. It has been featured in several recent articles:
ServerWatch and InfoWorld for example. Or check out SuSe's own
website for the product. For only $1,249 SLOX supports an unlimited
number of IMAP & POP electronic mail accounts, and 10 groupware
clients (calendering, etc...). Additional groupware licenses
available for 5@$249, 50@$2,249, 250@9,499, or 1000@$32,000.
Groupware functionality adds a webmail interface, group based
discussion forum, project management, document management, smart
scheduling, and centralized addressbooks. And best of all it is
powered by OpenLDAP, Apache, Postfix, and Cyrus IMAP. SLOX is
compatible with the following mail clients: Eudora 5.1, Kmail 1.4,
Microsoft Outlook XP/2000/90, Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5,
Mozilla Mail 1.0, mutt 1.4, Netscape Messenger 4.7, Netscape
Mail 6.1, Pegasus Mail 4.0, pine 4.4, and Ximian Evolution.
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server web site:
http://www.suse.de/us/business/products/suse_business/openexchange/
RICIS, Inc. is a SuSE Linux Premier Partner and the first certified
training partner on the North American continent. We were certified
in August of 2001. Let us help you plan and deploy SuSE Linux
servers hosting enterprise class open source applications for your
organization today. Located in Tinley Park, Illinois.
http://www.ricis.com
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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I T I S P A R T Y T I M E ! ! !
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KLUG 4TH OF JULY P A R T Y IS POSTED ON THE WEB SITE - RSVP ASAP!
Go to the KLUG web site for the details and to sign up if you are
planning on attending the KLUG 4TH of July party this year. PARTY!!!
THE DETAILS
http://kalamazoolinux.org/party/p-details.php
RSVP
http://kalamazoolinux.org/party/rsvp.php
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=====================================================================
LINUX KERNEL 2.4.21 RELEASED
"After > 6 months of waiting, 2.4.21 is here. Lots of cleanups,
and a patch which gives a MAJOR boost to the 'feel' of the
system under heavy disk IO, especially on IDE systems.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/13/1530210&mode=
thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
LINUS WILL WORK ON KERNEL FULL-TIME
"With the announcement of the release of the 2.5.72 version of
the Linux kernel came the news that Linus Torvalds will be
leaving Transmeta for OSDL to work on the linux kernel full-time.
The email calls this a leave of absence."
http://slashdot.org/articles/03/06/17/0615228.shtml?tid=106&tid=185
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LINUS TORVALDS - THE PEACEMAKER
"It's no accident that Linus Torvalds has been calling the shots
for Linux longer than most world leaders have been in power. In
the 12 years since he uploaded his operating system and became
de facto master of the open source universe, the 33-year-old
programmer has endured waves of attacks from developer zealots
seeking to hijack open source to further their own agendas-
-toppling Microsoft, fighting the music industry, stopping the
commercialization of open source software. Through it all,
Torvalds has maintained a Zen-like ability to defuse political
opposition and saved Linux from being either co-opted or
abandoned.
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003061701726INKNDV
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SCO AMENDS LAWSUIT, CLARIFIES "VIOLATIONS," TRIPLES DAMAGES
C|Net contains three new items. First, they've upped the damages
they're seeking to $3 billion. Second, they claim that by making
SMP technology generally available through Linux, IBM violated
federal export controls and thus breached their contract with SCO
through committing an illegal act. Finally, they elaborate on one
specific technology they claim rights to which IBM inserted into
the 2.5 kernel series -- the read-copy update memory management
features which went in at 2.5.43. Unclear is why SCO thinks they
have the rights to RCU, since the technology was originally
developed by Sequent in the early 1990s."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/17/128249&mode=thread
&tid=187&tid=88
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IBM RESPONDS TO SCO: BUSINESS AS USUAL
Newsforge is running a statement from IBM on its decision not to
bow to SCO's demand that they stop shipping AIX. In a statement
this short, there's not much room for weaselly language, but the
even-shorter version is this: "IBM's Unix license is irrevocable,
perpetual and fully paid up. It cannot be terminated."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/16/2248200
&mode=thread&tid=130&tid=136&tid=185&tid=187&tid=190
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SCO TERMINATES IBM'S UNIX LICENSE
"SCO has terminated IBM's license to use Unix code. SCO is filing
for an injunction that will require IBM to cease all sale of AIX
as well as accrue damages for each day IBM continues to sell AIX."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/16/1940219
&mode=thread&tid=136&tid=187&tid=88
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DOES ANYONE OWN LINUX?
SCO continues to spread sound and fury with its claims against
Linux. But do its allegations have any supporting evidence or
any basis in fact?
http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID
=122636&liFlavourID=1&sp=1
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LINUX KERNEL CODER PUTS SCO ON NOTICE
It's perhaps worth noting in passing that over 400 individuals
worldwide are credited as authors who have added significant
contributions to the Linux kernel, and thousands of others have
also contributed kernel code. All of these Linux kernel
developers have the right to transmit similar demands to SCO,
and possibly pursue lawsuits, as this email suggests.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10018
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LINUX NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR'S GUIDE, 2ND EDITION
"I read this book to improve my knowledge of Linux networking,
and in that regard it was a huge success! It was also an
enjoyable and easy-to-read book. I am pretty much a Linux beginner,
and know 'enough to be dangerous.' My existing home LAN consists of
5 machines: one running Mandrake Linux 9.1, one RedHat 9 (laptop),
two Windows XP, and one Windows 98. These are connected to a
commercial (Siemens Speedstream) router/switch and share internet
access via a cable modem. All the computers can communicate with
each other and share files, using Samba. The router also functions
as a print-server for a laser printer, which the Linux machines
print to via CUPS." Whether your network is bigger, smaller, or
hypothetical, Dan's review (below) suggests that O'Reilly's
Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 2nd Edition would be useful
to have at hand as you build or troubleshoot.
http://books.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/16/1543223
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
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OPERA IS BETTER THAN GODOUNOV
The latest version of Opera for Linux is 7.11, and it is vastly
improved over earlier versions. Opera is $39 if you want to buy
it. It's not worth purchasing just to get rid of its embedded
banner ad, but Our Hero thinks it is well worth the money for
other reasons.
http://www.linuxworld.com/2003/0609.petreley.html
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HEWLETT PACKARD FORMS NEW LINUX BUSINESS DIVISION
Hewlett-Packard Co. has created a product division devoted to
Linux as the company ups its commitment to products based on
this open-source operating system. The new division will promote
alignment, collaboration and communication for Linux efforts
among HP's services, software and hardware organizations, said
Elizabeth Phillips, an HP spokeswoman. HP's Linux-based products
include servers, storage, PCs, printers and software, she said.
http://www.linuxworld.com/2003/0617.hp.html
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THE LIMITATIONS OF LINUX
"There have been so many glowing stories on the use of Linux that
one might come away with the impression that Linux is an elixir
that solves myriad business problems, and that it is always
cheaper than alternatives. But like a lot of technologies before
it, Linux has, to some degree, been over hyped.
http://linuxtoday.com/it_management/2003061601926NWDPSV
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TCP/IP CONNECTION CUTTING ON LINUX FIREWALLS
"Network security administrators sometimes need to be able to abort
TCP/IP connections routed over their firewalls on demand. This would
allow them to terminate connections such as SSH tunnels or VPNs left
in place by employees over night, abort hacker attacks when they are
detected, stop high bandwidth consuming downloads - etc. There are
many potential applications. This article describes how a Linux
IPTables based firewall/router can be used to send the right
combination of TCP/IP packets to both ends of a connection to cause
them to abort the conversation. It describes the steps required to
perform this task, and introduces a new open-source utility called
'cutter' that automates the process."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/16/1334259
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=126&tid=172&tid=185
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THREE LINDOWSOS PC'S REVIEWED
"Not one, but three LindowsOS-based PCs (in the value range of $199
USD) were reviewed online by the Washington Post. Tiger Direct PC,
the traditional WalMart/MicrotelPC and one from Nova Computech. The
reviewer says that these PCs while are very low-end today, compared
to PCs 2 years ago, are actually pretty good solutions for home
usage. The reviewer found them lacking in the gaming (no respectable
3D gfx card included), expandability departments and while he
mentions that Linux-based LindowsOS is affordable, is not a panacea
as it lacks in good USB support and other demanding areas of our
modern times."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/16/1138217&mode=
thread&tid=126&tid=163
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XIMIAN DESKTOP 2 REVIEWED
"Lewt over at Warcry News Network has written his review for Ximian
Desktop 2 targeted at the home users that are looking for a good
desktop solution. He mentions this is a good product that could
be bundled with Redhat or Mandrake to provide a one stop solution
for the desktop user where they don't have to install any extra
software to fully surf the web. Which you do with KDE/Gnome
installs of most distro's."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/15/1439213&mode=
thread&tid=170&tid=187
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MICROSOFT KILLS OFF MAC IE
"CNet reports that Microsoft will not release any more major
upgrades for Internet Explorer on MacOS. They cite competition
from Safari as the reason for this decision, and say that Safari
is a better browser for Macintosh systems. Ironically, they also
say that they can't compete with Apple, because Apple has better
access to the underlying operating system."
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/14/0442228
&mode=thread&tid=109&tid=126&tid=187&tid=95
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SPECIAL EDITION USING STAR OFFICE V6.0
"I got my cubicle colleague interested in OpenOffice.org when
I said, "Here's something that can convert your Word files
to PDF ... for free!" By now people hip to the open source
concept use OpenOffice.org for everyday applications, yet MS
Office is still the predominant application in the home and
workplace. Many educated people have still not heard of it.
Why?" Read on for Nagle's four-part answer to that question,
and his (lengthy) review of Michael Koch's Special Edition
Using Star Office 6.0 -- the content applies to StarOffice's
free cousin OpenOffice.org as well.
http://books.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/04/1424203&
mode=thread&tid=185
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IDC PREDICTS DRAMATIC GROWTH IN LINUX USE IN EUROPE
The market for Linux-based servers will triple in volume and
double in value by 2007, according to research by IDC released
Monday. More than 162,00 Linux-based servers, worth $621
million will be shipped in western Europe in 2003. In four
years time, the market will be worth $1.9 billion and will
have seen volume growth of 203 percent, to almost half a
million servers
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/06/16/HNlinuxeurope_1
.html?platforms
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/61/31230.html
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LINUX GOES KA-CHING - POINT OF SALE (POS)
Linux is making cash registers ring, and not just for Red Hat
Inc., SuSE Linux AG and other distributors of the Open Source
operating system. Retailers of all sizes are investigating
the use of Linux on POS, or point-of-sale, systems to provide
some flexibility in their software deployments and lower
operating costs by avoiding licensing fees. Cost savings is
crucial in the world of retail, where life is lived on
razor-thin margins.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1121979,00.asp
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PERVASIVE UNVEILS REMOTE DATA REQUESTER FOR LINUX
Pervasive Software Inc. is releasing an extension for Pervasive.
SQL - its embedded database - that will connect to remote
Linux-based devices such as desktops, point-of-sale systems,
set-top boxes and medical equipment.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1126913,00.asp
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FUN WITH HARDWARE
>From 64-bit servers to console conversion projects, your Linux
platform choices are better than ever.
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6821
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KLUG SUPPORTING MEMBERS 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'S DRIFTWOOD PROJECT SETS WORK DAY FOR JUNE 21ST AT 9:00AM!
The KLUG Driftwood Project will meet on Saturday June 21, 2003
at the Chamber of Commerce meeting site. The meeting is scheduled
for 9:00AM to 12:30PM. This KLUG project is based on the Asterisk
software running on a Linux server (donated by Joe Roman). Asterisk
is a complete PBX in software. It runs on Linux and provides all
of the features you would expect from a PBX and more. Asterisk
does voice over IP in three protocols, and can inter-operate with
almost all standards-based telephony equipment using comparatively
inexpensive hardware. http://www.asterisk.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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A1 SUPER COMPUTER SALE WILL BE IN KALAMAZOO ON JUNE 22!
SUNDAY 10:00AM TO 4:00PM KALAMAZOO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Sometimes they change the schedule so check it before you go.
http://www.a1scs.com/
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KLUG NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO FILL SEVERAL VACANT POSITIONS
Nutrimaster and Education Director volunteer slots are still
vacant. 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 and Zac need help with this function which requires that
you get to the meetings early and see that the everything is
locked up as the last person leaves. This means being at the
Chamber at 6:30pm and hanging around until 10:00pm. We have
other volunteer positions available and many of these duties
could be shared if you have an interest. GET INVOLVED IN KLUG!
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.
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********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - ********* - *********
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
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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
>><< 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