[KLUG Members] KLUG Meeting Notes for 09/30/2003
magoo
members@kalamazoolinux.org
01 Oct 2003 00:22:47 -0400
KLUG Meeting Notes: Tuesday - September 30, 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: (27 active KLUG participants)
*****************************************************************
LTSP [Linux Terminal Server Project]
by Dirk Bartley
The Linux Terminal Server Project is the icing on the open source
cake. Linux and open source software make keeping track of and
paying for licensing a non-task. Now learn how to make the most
of your hardware investments by using inexpensive diskless
workstations on everyones desktops.
PRESENTATION SUMMARY:
**********************
"LTSP is a great way to deliver Linux to many desktops inexpensively."
Dirk Bartley used a KLUG LTSP client (with Red Hat 9 and applications
on the KLUG LTSP server) attached to the KLUG XGA projector for his
presentation tool this evening. The applications he used were Impress
from OpenOffice.org, X terminal, and the Mozilla web browser. He had
two additional LTSP clients set up, one launching from a thin client
box that had a flash ROM programmed to load the LTSP client files.
PART ONE - BACKGROUND AND CONFIGURATION DETAILS
Dirk began with a 17 slide Impress presentation with lots of general
and technical information taken from http://www.ltsp.org and organized
into an easily understandable format. He popped back to the terminal
window occasionally to show us the configuration file structure.
* Background on LTSP
* Why Use LTSP?
- Minimum system Dirk recommends is a P1 with 24 Mb RAM
* What Makes LTSP Work?
- Explanation of X Windows
- Explained a way to demonstrate how X Windows works on your network
------------------ SERVER ------------------
* Setting Up a LTSP Server
- DHCP for client to get an IP address and where to get kernel and
what NFS share to mount.
- TFTP to transfer the Linux kernel
- A display manager like Gnome GDM, KDE KDM, or the generic XDM
- Need the RPM's for LTSP
o ltsp_core-x.x.x-i386.rpm required
o ltsp_kernel-x.x.x-i386.rpm required
o ltsp_x_core-x.x.x-i386.rpm GUI / Display Manager
o ltsp_x_fonts-x.x.x-i386.rpm fonts (if no font server used)
+ How to Set Up dhcpd.conf (example on ltsp.org)
+ TFTD Set Up
+ NFSD Set Up
+ Naming Considerations
+ TCP Wrappers
+ Display Manager Set Up
+ Auto Configurations with Scripts and Templates
------------------ CLIENT ------------------
* Setting Up the LTSP Terminal (Client)
+ Discussion of the Choices for Floppy Boot and EPROM
or Flash ROM Boot.
- EPROM/PROM/Flash ROM chip goes on the NIC for boot.
+ Printing Configuration (1)
+ Sound Configuration (1)
(1) You can custom configure each terminal or make uniform
PART TWO - The LTSP demonstration
Dirk launched into the next phase of his presentation which included
three Linux LTSP terminals. Two of the PC's were inexpensive old
Windows boxes that only had motherboard/video/floppy/NIC (no hard
drive) in the case. The third machine was a thin client unit that
loads the LTSP software from Flash ROM. This terminal cost $25.
Each workstation had a display monitor, keyboard, and mouse. PII's
with 4 Gb hard drives and 64 Mb memory can be purchased for about
$25. He urged everyone to use the clients to see how they performed.
The KLUG LTSP server is an 800 MHz PIII with 512 Mb RAM and a single
20 Gb hard drive running on a 100 Mbps cat5+ network. The various
applications ran great, in fact, at the speed of the server and not
the clients.
PART THREE
Dirk showed us the LTSP web site http://www.ltsp.org documentation
location and discussed how to use this reference. He recommended
that you check out the LTSP mailing list for answers and said the
traffic was fairly heavy.
He answered many general questions throughout the presentation and
concluded with answers to specific questions including live LTSP
demonstrations. He covered a huge amount of technical territory
while keeping it varied enough in presentation format to prevent us
from experiencing information overload or becoming disassociated
dozers. By the way... Dirk is the volunteer who configured the
LTSP server and demonstration terminals for KLUG at the Chamber.
We saw how things have changed since the three previous LTSP KLUG
presentations done by Adam Williams in July of 2000 and Glenn
Jacobson of Unique Systems in September of 2000 and November of
2001. [Adam warns that this info is old and could harm your system
if instructions are followed.] "LTSP is a great way to deliver
Linux to many desktops inexpensively."
Dirk Bartley, a WMU graduate, works as a systems administrator for
Schupan Aluminum Sales, a division of Schupan and Sons. His passion
for free software comes second to spending time with his wife Dawn,
an Upper Peninsula native, and taking Shelly - their sheltie /terrier
mix pound pooch - for a walk. These interests are only followed by
his love of playing ice hockey. Dirk was Chairperson of KLUG for
2001 and 2002 and now serves as Recording Secretary. He has been
the KLUG Librarian for 4 or 5 years, setting up the web-based DB
for the KLUG library. He remains an active promoter of Open Source
software in the community and frequent KLUG presenter.
II. NEXT KLUG MEETING - TUESDAY 10/07/2003
******************************************************************
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 ! ! !
=====================================================================
RED HAT 9 RELEASED TO OSS COMMUNITY
Red Hat has announced it is releasing the Red Hat 9 core to the open
source community as part of a new project called Fedora. And while
the core will be released to the community, the project remains
closely watched over by Red Hat and will receive guidance from Red
Hat software engineers.
http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php?id=357123420&fp=16&fpid=0
=====================================================================
INTERVIEW WITH JEREMY HOGAN OF RED HAT
Jeremy Hogan tells us a little about the just released Fedora project.
What's in the release is what would have gone in Red Hat Linux 10,
if there was one.
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/09/27/0005.html
=====================================================================
FEDORA PROJECT: UPDATED FEDORA CORE TEST RELEASE: SEVERN
On our ftp site is the place where you will see
The stuff that we've been working on since 1993!
We're tired, we're droopy
We're all a little loopy
It's a Fedora Core Test Release Come and join the fun!
http://linuxtoday.com/developer/2003092502126NWRHSW
(Note: already had their second release this week.)
=====================================================================
INTERVIEW WITH LINUS TORVALDS FROM NYT MAGAZINE
"David Diamond drills Linus on topics from filesharing (sharing is
good) to SCO (trying to claim paternity on his child) to his rivalry
with Bill Gates (doesn't care enough to be a nemesis) in next week's
New York Times Magazine."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/26/2011202
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
EU PARLIAMENT APPROVES SOFTWARE PATENTS
"The voting has just ended. Few good and several bad amendments
were accepted."
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/
1253227&mode=thread&tid=155&tid=185&tid=99
=====================================================================
LINUX KERNEL V2.6.0-TEST6 RELEASED
"The latest in the series of beta kernels was just released by the
fine folks who have given us Linux. Enjoy!" The Changelog has a
hefty 240K of miscellaneous changes..."
http://developers.slashdot.org/developers/03/09/28/
1642222.shtml?tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
LINUX KERNEL BENCHMARKING: V2.4 VS. V2.6-TEST
"Cliff White recently posted some re-AIM multiuser benchmark results
comparing the stable 2.4.23-pre5 kernel against the 2.6.0-test5 and
2.6.0-test5-mm4 development kernels. In his conclusion he makes
reference to earlier scheduler tests posted by Mark Wong saying,
"Short summary: we mostly rock.""
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/25/1556210
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
SAMBA V3.0.0 RELEASED
"The fine folks at Samba.org released their newest version of the
popular free Windows File- and Print Server. Most famous additions
are Active Directory integration and possibilities to form NT4 trust
relationships."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/25/129234
&mode=thread&tid=162&tid=185&tid=99
=====================================================================
SAMBA OFFERS NT V4.0 ESCAPE ROUTE
"'This is an escape route for people stuck on NT 4,' Samba co-lead
Jeremy Allison tells us. 'Anything you can do on NT 4, we can do...'"
http://linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2003092601126OSSVSW
=====================================================================
BEOS MAX EDITION V3.0 RELEASED
"After Be went down, 2-3 "distros" of BeOS 5 PE (the free version of
BeOS) were created and continued making releases by literally
tweaking the internals, patching the kernel etc. in order to bring
BeOS up to speed with new hardware. Additionally, these distros
include lots of third party software. BeOS Max Edition is the most
popular of the bunch, and version PostgreSQL Beta Testers Needed
v3.0 came out today.
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/
1530222 &mode=thread&tid=185&tid=187&tid=190&tid=87
=====================================================================
SLACKWARE V9.1 RELEASED
"Slackware 9.1 is now officially released. This is another great
release, featuring GCC 3.2.3, GNOME 2.4.0, KDE 3.1.4, ALSA, and
Kernel 2.4.22.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/27/1256230
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=164&tid=185
=====================================================================
GET TO KNOW SLACKWARE V9.1
"For almost a week now, I've been using Slackware 9.1, and I am
literally having a blast..."
http://linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2003092500526RVSLSW
=====================================================================
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF STALLMAN'S ORIGINAL GNU POST
"Sep 27, 2003 is the 20th anniversary of Stallman's original Usenet
post describing his vision of GNU. Good time for reflecting...
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/26/1423205
&mode=thread&tid=117&tid=99
=====================================================================
STALLMAN: THE FREE SOFTWARE MOVEMENT *IS* POLITICS
If the idea that the GNU/Linux operating system is about politics
comes as a surprise to many of its users today, this is because they
have forgotten its origin.
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/09/26/0008.html
=====================================================================
LARGE SCALE MANAGEMENT - LINUX VS SOLARIS?
"I work for a college that offers undergraduate computer science
classes, and the school would like to add a new lab with about a
hundred computers for students to use, for various class projects.
After some non-trivial effort, we convinced the school to set up a
Unix lab rather than a Windows one. However, we can't decide whether
to go for Solaris or Linux." Read the great responses they received.
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/26/0150210
&mode=thread&tid=102&tid=106&tid=185&tid=187
=====================================================================
LINUX ADVOCACY FROM THE TRENCHES
"Tom Adelstein, longtime Linux advocate and consultant has spent the
last year working closely with state, local, and federal government
open source software initiatives."
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/25/1811225
&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185
=====================================================================
ENTHUSIASM, LINUX AND THE FACTS
But the geeky image of Linux is fading quickly. Current desktop
implementations of Linux are professional, and the available
office applications are up to professional standards.
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/09/26/0003.html
=====================================================================
TRUTH AND LIES ABOUT LINUX SCALABILITY
For 32-bit architectures, Linux is at the head of the pack: Memory
and file sizes can now scale to the limits of 32-bit hardware. On
to 64-bit!
http://www.linux.org/news/2003/09/25/0003.html
=====================================================================
POSTGRESQL BETA TESTERS NEEDED
"PostgreSQL Beta Testing has begun. The more testers, the merrier.
Interesting new features include a new Binary I/O protocol,
ability to inline simple SQL functions, and an error message
wording scheme that provides 3 layers of detail!!."
http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/
1630229&mode=thread&tid=162&tid=185&tid=99
=====================================================================
APPLE RELEASES DARWIN V6.7, V6.8
"In an ongoing effort to keep the FreeBSD core of OS X open source,
Apple has updated Darwin to 6.7 and 6.8, which corresponds to the
OS X 10.2.7 and 10.2.8 updates, respectively. Source code is
available."
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/1511230
&mode=thread&tid=122&tid=179&tid=185&tid=190
=====================================================================
ANTI-SPAMMERS DDOSED OUT OF EXISTENCE
"Not one, but two anti-spam services announced their closure
yesterday due to DDoS attacks, massive Joe jobs, threats, and
the total lack of interest shown by law enforcement.
monkeys.com pulled the plug at midnight with an announcement
that makes you think of a suicide note. Short time later
compu.net went the very same way. So, when will we see a
distributed RBL that can stand up to distributed attacks?"
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/
132216&mode=thread&tid=111&tid=126&tid=95
=====================================================================
FREEBSD V4.9-BETA I386 ISO WITH PACKAGES AVAILABLE
"FreeBSD Release Engg. Team's Murray Stokely has put together a
FreeBSD 4.9-BETA ISO image for i386 with the latest package build."
http://bsd.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/24/1257233
&mode=thread&tid=122&tid=185&tid=190
=====================================================================
MASS. WANTS TO USE LINUX-TYPE SYSTEMS
Massachusetts is the first state to adopt a broad-based strategy
of moving its computer systems toward open standards.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1300728,00.asp
=====================================================================
LINUX A H(CR)ACKER'S DELIGHT?
"A recent study came up with some startling conclusions. Linux
machines, it turns out, is the victim of more successful attacks..."
An online forum tackles the latest Mi2g study."
http://linuxtoday.com/security/2003092700126OPSWNT
=====================================================================
KLUG MAKES LINUX AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL COMPUTER SHOW
A team of KLUG volunteers and officers were on hand at the last
fairgrounds computer show to tell people about KLUG and Linux.
They talked with lots of people and demonstrated Linux for many.
BS-Ware was readily available with nice labels and jewel cases.
To volunteer for a future show contact: showperson@kalamazoolinux.org
A1 SUPER COMPUTER SALES Sunday October 5, 2003 10:00AM TO 4:00PM
Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds - admission $5 2900 Lake Street
http://www.a1scs.com <--- Check for changes in schedule
=======================================================================
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.
=====================================================================
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.
=====================================================================
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 Install fests.
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
notetaker@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