CambridgeLUG

I thought this would be of interest to everyone. This guy's got the right idea. Give people an alternative and a brief explanation about what you can you instead of the "boxed" license you to death software you buy in the stores. Great list of commonly used programs and their open source alternatives. One of the great things about the open source community is that each person doing their part really does make a difference.

http://whdb.com/2008/the-top-50-proprietary-programs-that-drive-you-craz...

There was a question regarding getting a UPS to communicate with a computer system running Linux. Here are a few links that I hope will be helpful.

For the APC brand of UPSs http://www.apcupsd.com

For multiple brands of UPSs have a look at NUT(Network UPS Tools) http://www.networkupstools.org/ They include a listof supported UPSs on the site.

In general selecting a UPS that has a serial port is recommended. This is due to the fact that serial communication protocols(what "language" the data is being sent over the wire) in most, but not all cases is more standardized.

http://www.chumby.com/

I could see lots of potential uses for this hackable Linux gadget.

bob

OLPC "Give 1, Get 1" promo starts Nov. 12 in the U.S.

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7776628038.html

I was wondering if this might be an opportunity for CambridgeLUG members to collect together and buy a pair of these machines. I'm sure there is a worthy charity in Cambridge who would welcome the 2nd unit.

If we could round up 20 willing members that would only amount to $20 per person.

bob

http://portableapps.com/suite

I'd love to see this demonstrated in an upcoming LUG meeting. Alas without broadband it is impossible to try out myself.

bob

This article contains some sensible ideas for how to make money with open source software.

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/12068_3686616_1

I particularly like the tutorial video thoughts.

bob

There are many ways to create a Linux LiveCD. In the upcoming presentation, I will be focusing on the following topics.

1. Why use a LiveCD?
2. Simple overview of Knoppix, Ubuntu, Slax and Other distros.
3. Why did I select Slackware vs the other Linux distributions?
4. Are there any open source tools available for creating a custom LiveCD?
5. What are the LiveCD internals?
6. What are the space limitations?
7. What are the performance issues?
8. How about configuration issues between computers?

In a recent linux.com article
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/05/25/1536219
the adventure of implementing an open source solution in the BC school system was described.

By all accounts it appears to be a success story. Why can't this be done in Ontario?

bob

If you attended my SIMPL talk at the last LUG meeting and would like to create some SIMPL code, or if you just want to roll up your sleeves and learn a little about writing some Linux code, the iCanProgram Introduction to Linux Programming - 07 Summer edition is open for you.

All we ask in return is that you make a voluntary contribution to Cancer Research in memory of one of the iCanProgram cofounders.

I have contacted Matt Tharma, the author of the SIMPL liveCD which was shown at my recent LUG talk (May14). He has agreed to give us a talk on "How to build a custom liveCD", at our July meeting.

Using Slackware Linux as the base Matt will describe to us the process
required to create a custom liveCD.

I'll leave the detailed description up to Matt as soon as he gains posting privileges for a blog of his own.

bob