[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes for 06/24/2003
magoo
members@kalamazoolinux.org
25 Jun 2003 00:56:21 -0400
KLUG Meeting Notes: Tuesday - June 24, 2003 7:00PM
I. PRESENTATION RECAP
II. NEXT WEEK'S MEETING INFO <=== Beginner's Meeting!!!
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: (35 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
SLOX, SuSe's Exchange Alternative
by RICIS, Inc. [ Gregg Rosenberg & Lee Leahu ]
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.
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
**********************
The CTO of RICIS, Gregg Rosenberg, and Technology Specialist, Lee
Leahu, double teamed the packed room of KLUGites with two PC's,
two projectors, two projection screens, and a two part presentation
that delivered the content that the multitude have been asking for.
We had twice the excitement and double the fun! Gregg took us
through the marketing and technical information in 33 slides using
a laptop and the KLUG SVGA projector. Lee got the house rocking
with a SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4 installation and configuration
demonstration using the KLUG XGA projector. He also launched a live
demo of the administrative interface and also the user interface.
Linux advocates were all smiles as they saw first hand that the Open
Source community has added yet another star to an already stellar
crown of proprietary code usurping applications.
The presentation was concluded with a vigorous Question & Answer
session. Not only were questions asked by the KLUGites but Gregg
and Lee asked for answers to their questions and awarded large
RICIS coffee mugs to those who were paying close attention. This
was one of those meetings where you were reminded of how great the
Open Source community can be and if the lack of a steep admission
fee had kept some from grasping the value of being present. A big
KLUG " T H A N K Y O U ! " goes out to Gregg and Lee (and Adam)
for this world class professional presentation. All this was
brought to you as a result of the work and passion of many in the
GNU Linux community who stand together! Viva la revolution!
Gregg Rosenberg's Content Summarized:
-------------------------------------
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4 (SLOX) is powered by the SuSE Linux
Enterprise Server 8 (SLES8) operating system. It delivers groupware
functionality for the desktop. Small to medium sized businesses are
targeted but it is quite elastically scalable!
Essential Groupware Functions:
* e-mail
* shared information
- calendar
- addressbook
- knowledge base
- collaboration tools
> discussion forums
> pin board graphical notes
> shared documents - searchable and browserable
SuSE Linux Openexchange Features:
E-MAIL:
Web mail interface supporting SMTP, IMAP, and POP standards
. Integrated and SSL secured web e-mail client
. SpamAssasin
. Optional anti-viral tools
. Shared public e-mail addresses
. Vacation auto-response at server level
How OpenExchange is Architected:
SuSE Enterprise Server 8 foundation
LDAP end-user identification
Apache for web interface
DHCP server for client IP settings
SAMBA for simple file sharing
MAPI functionality is coming in the September service pack release
E-Mail Clients Supported:
Outlook 2000/XP
Eudora
Netscape Communicator
Ximian Evolution
- many more -
Scalability and Costs Explained:
One client dropped their groupware licensing costs from $180,000
to $30,000 by switching to SLOX!
Security is Better on Openexchange:
- Automatic updates
- Append only logs
- Immutable Files in ext2/ext3
(Create files that even root can't manipulate)
- All the Linux security tools layered for maximum fortification
Pricing Examples:
10 commercial seats start at $1,250 with support
Special pricing for schools & non-profits 50 seats for $499
Guaranteed to beat other groupware pricing by 30% or better!
Migration from Your Current Groupware:
Migration software to take the existing groupware content
and deliver it to SLOX. If you are running Novell Groupwise,
M$ Exchange\BackOffice, or Lotus Notes... there are migration
options available to help in the transition. Lee Leahu wrote
80% of the code to perform this function.
=======================================================================
Lee Leahu's Content Summarized:
---------------------------------
Demonstration of the Easy Installation of SLOX:
- Text & GUI install and configuration options
- Setup partitions
- Preparing hard disk
- Expert partitioning
- Clock & time zone configuration
- Start install
- Feed United Linux CD #1
- Status report display of install
- Set root password
- Desktop settings
- NIC configuration
- Network address setup
- Host name & DNS server configuration
- Routing configuration
- SAMBA & DHCP configuration
- Setup LDAP base DN
- Organization name & country information
- System startup
Live Demonstration of the Administrative Interface:
- Feature packed console that includes visual system monitoring
Live Demonstration of the User Interface:
- Individual activity summary display
#################################################################
SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW BONUS!!! S W E E T G A D G E T !
A Hitachi ie tablet was passed around the room so everyone
could use "the Linux based PDA on steroids." It had Opera
v6.11, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sylpheed Mail running in an X
Windows environment. This device has not been released to
the market yet. Is this the future hardware interface?
It sported Midori Linux over a 400MHz Transmeta Crusoe
TM3200 processor. The system also has 64MB of on-board
memory; 64MB of compact Flash; SMI SM712 video with
integrated 2MB VRAM; Sound Blaster Pro 3.01 audio, 16-bit
PCM sound source; internal 802.11b and two USB slots, two
PCMCIA Type II slots and one MiniPCI Type III I/O port.
See article
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/2168241
#################################################################
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 Pronounced like 'Rice this' without the TH!
The toll Free contact number is 866 RICIS-77 or 866 742-4777.
Contact Gregg for a free test drive of SLOX groupware.
gregg@ricis.com and see http://www.ricis.com/products/suse/
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server web site:
http://www.suse.de/us/business/products/suse_business/openexchange/
For YOUR evaluation copy of SLOX contact:
emailserver-presales@suse.com
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 07/01/2003
******************************************************************
Linux for Beginners
by Todd Pillars
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,
http://kalamazoolinux.org/meetings/installform.html
Contact the KLUG Installmasters for more information:
installmaster@kalamazoolinux.org
- and -
ORDER YOUR SOFTWARE HERE: http://kalamazoolinux.org/bsware
Now is the time to get started! Linux is becoming a mainstay
of free software, free choice, dependability and power.
===============================================================
THE STANDARD KLUG 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!
Todd Pillars is the Chairperson of KLUG! His first PC
was a 1981 TRS-80 Model 3 2.03Mhz, 16K ram, 5 1/4 floppy
running TRS-DOS and QBASIC. In 1997 he started running
a web development company that hosted web sites with Red
Hat 5.2. He was named the Executive Director of Southwest
Michigan Information Technology Institute in 2003. SMITI
provides education and alternatives to proprietary OS's and
software. They supply technology to small startup companies.
He has memberships in KLUG, Chamber of Commerce, and GLIMA.
Admittedly a HUGE Detroit Red Wings fan who loves NASCAR too.
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 ! ! !
=====================================================================
IN THE OPEN SOURCE SPIRIT WE CALL 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 surely needs
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.
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.
=====================================================================
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I T I S P A R T Y T I M E ! ! !
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
=====================================================================
THE FEDS LOVE LINUX
Three weeks ago, John P. Stenbit, chief information officer of the
U.S. Department of Defense, issued an agencywide memo that has Linux
lovers rejoicing. The brief outlined the DOD's policy on acquiring,
using and developing open-source software, including the Linux
operating system. By creating an official policy, the DOD is
"outing" open source, a technology that was stuck in government
limbo, neither condoned nor outlawed.
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/18/0137239
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=146&tid=185&tid=99
=====================================================================
LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS FROM EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS?
"The engineering faculty of Sherbrooke University, the Sherbrooke
University LUG and Mandrake Canada just released a Linux
distribution called EduLinux, which is based on Mandrake 9.1.
The event had good press coverage [in French]. Now, it looks
like several universities in Canada are interested in the
project. EduLinux targets novice users and educational users,
alike. As one of the leader of the project, I wonder if other
universities or corporations are endorsing Linux like this?
What does Slashdot think of the future of this kind of
personalized Linux distribution?" Note that the Canadians
aren't the only ones doing this, NewsForge reports that
the Swiss are, too. How long do you think it will be before
colleges in the US start following suit?
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/18/0137239
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=146&tid=185&tid=99
=====================================================================
LINUX IS NOT READY FOR THE ENTERPRISE (OPINION)
Linux and other open source projects require too much customization,
and doubts about the legitimacy of open source code could get users
tangled up in lawsuits. Besides, many Linux supporters are a bunch
of potty-mouthed malcontents. Enterprises are better off staying
away from Linux and open source -- or at least thinking through
the possible liabilities, argues guest columnist Rob Enderle.
http://linuxtoday.com/it_management/2003061901226OPBZDP
=====================================================================
MY VISIT TO SCO
The full story of what one person who signed SCO's NDA encountered
on his trip to Lindon, Utah.
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6956
=====================================================================
MOZILLA V1.4RC2 RELEASED
"Mozilla 1.4RC2 has been released. It looks like the final version
of 1.4 may be out soon. It looks good although there are some
problems with java on old linux systems (discussed here). 1.4
will be a long lived branch that some distributors will base
versions of their own software on (e.g. Netscape planned release,
codenamed "buffy"). 1.4 will be the last version of Mozilla
released as a suite, after that the switch to separate browser,
e-mail etc. applications will take place."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/18/142212&mode=thread
=====================================================================
UK GOVT WARNED: DON'T BUY GPL SOFTWARE
"ZDNet is reporting that a UK IT industry body backed by Microsoft,
IBM, Intel, BAE Systems and other high-tech heavyweights has urged
the UK government not to commission open-source software, and
particularly not software covered by the General Public License.
According to Intellect, which lobbies for about 1,000 UK IT
companies, the requirement of open-source licences for software
funded by the government could have a negative impact on
competition for contracts, the quality of the resulting software
and even the confidentiality of government departments. In
particular, Intellect recommends that the government drop the
GNU General Public License (GPL), the licence upon which the
GNU/Linux operating system is based, from its list of acceptable
default licences for government-funded software, and steer clear
of the GPL generally."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/19/197213
&mode=thread&tid=126&tid=163
=====================================================================
MSN PLANNING TO TAKE ON GOOGLE?
"CNet is reporting what should be no surprise, Microsoft appears
to be readying itself to take on Google for a position as the
top search engine. The long range impact on the relationship
between MSN and Yahoo/Inktomi is likely at risk."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/19/1738257
&mode=thread&tid=109&tid=126&tid=187&tid=95
=====================================================================
KNOPPIXMAME V1.0 RELEASED
"KnoppixMAME is a bootable arcade machine emulator with hardware
detection and autoconfiguration. It works automatically on all
modern and not-so-modern hardware, including gameports and
joysticks. It is powered by Knoppix Debian GNU/Linux, X-MAME,
and gxmame." Update: 06/19 23:18 GMT by S: Although there are
earlier versions in the release directory, looks like V1.0 hasn't
made it onto the FTP just yet. Meanwhile, Jim points out the
AdvanceCD image, which is "..also a bootable ISO image of a
minimal Linux distribution containing MAME, but weighing in at
16 MB rather than 200 MB so there is more room for ROMs."
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/19/1427228
&mode=thread&tid=127&tid=186&tid=202
=====================================================================
NEVERWINTER NIGHTS FOR LINUX
"Today I received an email from Tux Games that I never thought
I'd get: confirmation that they were shipping me Neverwinter Nights
complete with Linux installer! I didn't believe my eyes, so I
checked out bioware's web page, and it was confirmed, the linux
client is complete. Also check tuxgames.com which states that
they are completing the installer and plan to ship games on
Monday, 23 June."
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/20/1221207
&mode=thread&tid=127&tid=186&tid=206
=====================================================================
GENTOO, FINK AND DARWINPORTS JOIN FORCES!
"In order to better provide freely-available software to users
of Mac OS X & Darwin, we Fink, Gentoo, & DarwinPorts commit
ourselves to work together." A unified front for free software
on OS X is something that was needed."
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/20/2047239
&mode=thread&tid=179&tid=185&tid=190
=====================================================================
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.
=====================================================================
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.
=====================================================================
KLUG NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO FILL SEVERAL VACANT POSITIONS
Nutrimaster and Education Director volunteer slots are still vacant.
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
>><< 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