Blog Entries

The Computer Science Club at the University of Waterloo is hosting two very big names in the computer science world next month:

- On Friday July 6 at 4:30pm, Richard M. Stallman (founder of the Free Software Foundation) will be speaking about "Copyright vs. Community in the Age of Computer Networks"

- On Tuesday July 17 at 7:00pm, Bjarne Stroustrup (creator of C++) will be speaking about "C++0x -- An Overview"

Both talks are being held in Room 116 of the Arts Lecture Hall at the University of Waterloo. Admission is free as in beer, I believe.

More information is available at the CSC website: http://csclub.uwaterloo.ca

If all goes well (?) people on the mailing list will see this post even if they never have visited the website in their lives. This increases the potential for spam, but it adds a level of communication that has been missing since the days of kwlug-forums.

Have you heard the radio ads for the CAAST? The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft and the BSA (Business Software Alliance) are running threatening-sounding radio spots. They claim that if you take action to become "compliant" before a certain date, that you can do so "without penalty."

We must thank CAAST for their awesome campaign in favour of Free Software.

Users of proprietary software can fall victim to extra-legal, software license enforcement raids by the jack-booted minions of the same software monopolies that fund the BSA and CAAST. Nice.

So things to do:
• Use only Free Software, as licensed under the GPL and similar licenses
• Use only Open Data Formats such as those in OpenOffice.org products
• Help a friend, or your employer migrate away from proprietary software
• Remember that in the minds of the BSA and CAAST the definition of "compliant" is "subservient"
• And of course, only use software with license terms you can agree with

Are my tag sets going to bother being consistent now?

I bet they won't!

Why doesn't hitting the cron page send me an update?

I am breaking the site again. When you come to the site and cannot read this, you will know who to blame.

I've been informed that the cafe at 43 Queen Street will now be staying open until 9:00PM. I can already hear a couple of people cheering, but not so fast... this also means more noise. At a meeting a few months back I had to have a chat with a couple of people left over from another meeting about the noise level at the front of the cafe (and I was sitting fairly close to the speaker). Noise could be a problem if the cafe stays open.

Obviously there are a number of advantages at TWC (the projector, not a bad space, centrally located in downtown Kitchener). But this change will mean that we might have to have some extra hands before the meeting.

If others have ideas about other places we could hold the LUG it might be worth looking at the venue discussion again.

Found a good site that points out how to set up skype for Fedora Core 6. I also had to download compat-libstdc++-33 to get it installed. Still having problems getting skype to recognize any voice recording. Double checked the microphone and no luck...

One of the projects that I wanted to see up and running at The Working Centre is a Freedom Toaster. If you haven't heard about the Freedom Toaster project before it's worth checking out at: http://www.freedomtoaster.org/

The Working Centre's Computer Recycling Project is almost set to open up again, we've been building shelves in our new space and sorting through the thousands of parts. When we are open it would be nice if people could just drop in with their own blank CDs and burn their own copy of whatever Linux distribution they want using the freedom toaster.

I've set aside a full size tower computer. Unfortunately I don't have large SCSI drives (9.1 GB is the largest) so I stuck 1 x 80GB IDE drive in the box, along with a couple of 9.1GB (10,000 RPM) UW-SCSI drives. The tower is a Pentium III loaded with SDRAM.

We also have a monitor and touch screen adapter (ISA unfortunately). I looked the adapter up once and it's suppose to be Linux-compatible.

I don't have the time to work on the box, and while I have one or two volunteers with good Linux knowledge, none have been around lately due to work commitments. If someone has some extra time and would like to finish building the Freedom Toaster it would be a big help for the community. While we're now a MAR, Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, I try to push Open Source software and Linux whenever I get the chance. Having the Toaster will help a lot since people can just drop in and create their own distro discs.

Re-posting a message from a search consultant.

(a) Linux/Unix graphics developer. Strong in development using C/C++ at the application layer. This would be
with a Multimedia organization in the GTA.

(b) A similar skill set, does not require the graphics knowledge. This is with a profitable wireless industrial router/switch product development organization. Again strong Linux ability at the middle to upper application layers.

(c) Other software development opportunities from the Microprocessor (embedded) layer, up to the GUI application layers.

(d) A Test Tool Manager. This person would have moved up the development ranks, and is now leading a group of at least 4-6 engineers. Someone who is strong in C/C++ and heavy knowledge in the graphics area. Either with Direct X or Open GL. Incumbent would be splitting 50/50 with coding and management.

Tel : 416-730-9188 x271 Email: richard@huntech.com
Fax: 416-730-9185 Web: www.huntech.com

This is a test of the instafaq 1.1 entry. It will hopefully appear indented to instafaq 1.

This is the body of the test instfaq 1 entry.

It's fun and easy to add a FAQ entry with the Drupal InstaFAQ tool.

1. Register on the web site. We don't allow anonymous visitors to post on this web site.
2. Log in.
3. Create content by selecting the "Create content" link in the left-hand side menu.
4. Create a Blog entry by selecting "Blog entry" from the Create content sub-menu.
5. Add the InstaFAQ List Name in the blogtags field. This InstaFAQ is tagged as "instafaq". Others might be "gardening centres" or "consultants".
6. Add your content to the body of your InstaFAQ entry.
7. Preview your entry to make sure it looks the way it should before you submit it.
8. Submit it.

Tips:

• The InstaFAQ blogtags field will "auto-complete" for you. Type the first letter or two of your tag and then select the tag you want from the list that is presented to you. This eliminates unneeded, duplicate (or misspeeeled) tags.
• You can create your own new InstaFAQs by adding a new InstaFAQ blogtag in the blogtag field when you create your entry.
• Once an InstaFAQ topic reaches a threshold size, it will automatically be added to the web site.

Drupal is a content management system. It provides flexible, powerful tools that are combined to make web sites.

"You're soaking in it."

InstaFAQ is a Drupal tool that allows web site visitors to create a FAQ (list of frequently Answered Questions) through their blog entries. If you are looking at a single entry you can find the complete instafaq here .

Here's my collection of Linux CD's/DVD's I've accumulated over the years. I've just typed the label descriptions I jotted down on them with marker at the time I created them. If you'd like a copy of one of these let me know prior to a lug meeting and I'll bring whichever ones are requested to be burned.

Mandrake
Linux Mandrake 7.0 (Air) - 1 CD
Linux Mandrake 7.1 (Hydrogen) - 2 CDs
Linux Mandrake 7.2 - 2 CDs
Linux Mandrake 8.2 - 3 CDs
Linux Mandrake 9.0 - 3 CDs
Virtual Linux (Mandrake 8.0 CD Boot) - 1 CD

Red Hat Linux
Red Hat Linux 6.1 - 1 CD
Red Hat Linux 7.2 (Enigma) - 2 CDs
Red Hat Linux 7.3 (Valhalla) - 3 CDs
Red Hat Linux 7.3 SRPMs (Valhalla) - 2 CDs
Red Hat Linux 8.0 (Psyche) - 5 CDs
Red Hat Linux 8.0 Docs (Psyche) - 2 CDs
Red Hat Linux 9.0 (Shrike) - 3 CDs

SME Server
E-Smith SME Server 5.5 - 1 CD
E-Smith SME Server 5.6 - 1 CD
SME Server 6.0 - 1 CD

Ubuntu
Ubuntu Linux 5.10 (The Breezer Badger) - 1 CD
Ubuntu Linux (Warty Release) - 1 Live CD
Ubuntu Linux 6.06 - 1 CD

SuSe
SuSe 8.2 Pro - 5 CDs
SuSe Linux 9.0 Pro - 5 CDs
Suse Linux 9.2 Live DVD - 1 DVD

Knoppix
Knoppix 3.2 - 1 CD
Knoppix 3.6 - 1 CD
Knoppix v5.0 - 1 CD

DSL & Puppy
DSL 3.0.1 - 1 CD
Puppy Linux 2.11 Seamonkey - 1 CD
Puppy 215CE Office Alpha - 1 CD
Muppy 006 - 1 CD
Pizza Pup 3.0 - 1 CD

Other Linux's
Topologi Linux 3.1.0 Lite - 1 CD
Topologi Linux 3.1.0 Full - 1 CD
Topologi Linux 3.1.0 Extra - 1 CD
Smoothwall Linux 1.0 - 1 CD
Smoothwall Linux 2.0 (Mallard) - 1 CD
Slackware Linux 9.0 - 1 CD
Lycoris Linux - 1 CD
Lindows OS 4.0.302 - 1 CD
Lindows OS 4.0.304 - 1 CD
Gentoo Linux 1.4 rc4 - 1 CD
Clark Connect Home Edition 1.3 - 1 CD
Astero Linux 4.008 - 1 CD
geexbox 0.98.7-en.i386 - 1 CD
pfsense 1.0 Live CD - 1 CD
Live Plone 2.0 RC5 - 1 CD
Symphony OS beta1 pr1 108 - 1 CD
Debian Sarge (Net Install) - 1 CD
IPCop 1.4.10 i386 - 1 CD
KnoppMyth R5D1 - 1 CD
Belinux Solarius Live CD - 1 CD
Project Looking Glass lg3d 3D Java Desktop live CD 2.3 - 1 CD
Dynebolic 1.3 - 1 CD
Crux - PPC 2.0 - 1 CD
Asterio Security Linux v6 - 1 CD
Simply Mepis 3.3.1-1 - 1 CD
Arklinux 2005.2-RC3 - 1 CD
Auditor for systems with intel BG wireless cards (IPW2200) - 1 CD
Slax Kill 5.0.6 (Kill Bill) - 1 CD
Slax 5.0.6 - 1 CD
Movix 0.3.1 RC2 - 1 CD
Movix 0.8.3 - 1 CD
Limp-vkk ver 1.1 (boot from cd mplayer) - 1 CD
Demudi-live 1.2.1-i386 - 1 CD

Does anyone think it might be helpful to have a few profiles/ambassadors on the kwlug.org web site to introduce newcomers to the LUG? People could then put a face to the club when they first attend a meeting... just an idea.

Job Posting

Computer Recycling
Project Developer/Marketer

Full-time Temporary
Job Creation Partnership Project **
Funded through Service Canada

March 26, 2007 (40 weeks)
$423 per week

The Working Centre’s Computer Recycling project has moved to a new location and is expanding its outreach to local businesses to encourage the recycling and refurbishing of used computers.

This project will expand the quality and number of refurbished computers made available to people living on a limited income.

The Project Developer/Marketer position will:
• Assist in developing a marketing plan for approaching local companies
• Assist in developing promotional materials
• Contact businesses to discuss the Computer Recycling project
• Arrange pick-ups, donations of computers for recycling
• Do pick-ups, verifying shipments, and confirming arrangements with local businesses
• Assist with integration of these donations into the Computer Recycling project
• Assist with distribution of computers; work with local agencies to distribute refurbished computers
• Support volunteer activities

Skills/Knowledge Required:
• Basic technical knowledge of computer hardware
• Some marketing experience an asset
• Good communication skills; customer service experience; good organizational skills
• Motivated and willing to work hard within this creative community project that offers the chance for applied learning
• Drivers license an asset

Apply as soon as possible, in person or by mail, with a resume to:
The Front Desk
The Working Centre
58 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON N2G 1V6

Or by email to computerrecycling@theworkingcentre.org

** Eligibility: Must be on EI or have received EI in the last 3 years (or have received maternity/paternity benefits in the last five years), and be currently unemployed.

Job Posting

Warehouse/Shipper-Receiver
Computer Recycling

Full-time Temporary
Job Creation Partnership Project **
Funded through Service Canada

March 26, 2007 (40 weeks)
$423 per week

The Working Centre’s Computer Recycling project has moved to a new location and is expanding its outreach to local businesses to encourage the recycling and refurbishing of used computers.

This project will expand the quality and number of refurbished computers made available to people living on a limited income.

The Warehouse/Shipper-Receiver position will:
• Assist in shop set-up and organization of workshop
• Assist in organizing systems for incoming and outgoing computers
• Assist in the set-up and administration of the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher project
• Test components, build refurbished machines, prepare machines for distribution
• Assist with distribution of computers
• Support volunteers in the above activities

Skills/Knowledge Required:
• A strong knowledge of computer hardware
• Organizational skills; warehouse experience an asset
• Good communication skills; customer service experience
• Knowledge of database management
• Motivated and willing to work hard within this creative community project that offers the chance for applied learning

Apply as soon as possible, in person or by mail, with a resume to:

The Front Desk
The Working Centre
58 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON N2G 1V6

Or by email to computerrecycling@theworkingcentre.org

** Eligibility: Must be on EI or have received EI in the last 3 years (or have received maternity/paternity benefits in the last five years), and be currently unemployed.

Please migrate your old FLOSS fund nominations to the new Nominee content type. Thank you.