Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Re: [BLUG] Linux podcasts?

It's been a while, but some good names I remember include:

The Linux Link Tech Show (Lots of dead air, but they cover a pretty
good range of stuff; adult content, often)

Lotta Linux Links (Good, random stuff)

FLOSS Weekly ("professionally produced", less dead air and such, was
quarterly for a while, but last I checked they were coming out pretty
regularly again)

Linux Outlaws (A German and a Brit, interesting perspectives random
topics you wouldn't get from a strictly American show)

Linux Basement

Software Freedom Law Show (Yes, lawyer geeks, pretty good)

Linux Action Show (Now Computer Action Show??? Loud and opinionated;
take with a grain or two of salt.)

On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 6:16 PM, Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu> wrote:
> Does anyone listen to any Linux/OSS related podcasts?
>
> What would you recommend?
>
> Cheers,
> Steven Black
>
> _______________________________________________
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> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>
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[BLUG] Linux podcasts?

Does anyone listen to any Linux/OSS related podcasts?

What would you recommend?

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 03:25:18PM -0500, Kirk Gleason wrote:
> All,
> You know, something that I have been curious about recently, that
> isn't necessarily Linux-related and is probably off-tpoic, is how to
> live a more DRM free life. As I look around (work, home, etc) I see
> people making decisions that they may not necessarily understand. As
> an example, I am still astounding by people who think they like iTunes
> for media management. I think it is about the worst tool I have ever
> used for managing my collection.
> But I digress. I watch my kids, who have iPods, and want to use
> Macs; and I wonder what kind of monsters I have created. I recognize
> why DRM is not in anyone's best interest (except may RIAA / MPAA), but
> as far as educating someone on how to divest themselves of the
> shackles of DRM I find myself woefully lacking.
> Does anyone have anything interesting?

Kids like the technology, but they also frequently want to share their
media. Talk to them about what they are legally allowed to do with their
media, and about the alternatives and they will more than likely want
the more free option.

Many kids illegally share music. Sharing music isn't implicitly illegal,
as if it is a Creative Commons license it is totally legal. (As it is
also legal to share MP3s from your personal band.) DRM crypled devices
make no distinction about whether it is legal to share particular music.
It can be an MP3 of yourself reading notes to study for class, and your
media player won't allow you to share it with your classmates.

On a fundamental level, DRM is a device used by bullies to prevent users
from legally using products they legitimately purchased. Kids understand
bullies, even if they've never encountered one outside of movies.

Did you know that some music CD DRM has physically damaged hardware?
It violated the spec in ways the CD-ROM drives couldn't handle and it
resulted in permanent damage.

With DVD region encodings if you move to Europe you can't just order a
US movie from the internet and watch it. In fact, you can't even just
bring your favorite movie with you from home and share it with your
European friends. You speak English, your friends speak English, you
want to watch it in English, but it won't work. You need to by the
European version, and if they never release it in Europe, you just can't
watch it. Explain this to a kid, and they'll tell you it doesn't seem
fair.

Proprietary formats are frequently used to bully folks. Tell a kid that
if free software FOO supports format BAR the developers could be sued
and it is likely the software will disappear forever. They'll likely
think when someone makes something on their own it is only fair that the
person can give it away for free if they want.

Shoot, tell a kid that they can't get a newer (used) computer because
whenever old computers go to Goodwill they have to throw away the CPU
as if they don't Microsoft will sue them and they'll start to think
Microsoft is a meanie. (It is also why pawn shops can only accept
computers complete with the original installation media.)

When the iPod connects to Linux, (some models have worked), it isn't
bound to a single machine like it is in Windows. You can plug someone
else's iPod to your computer and share music directly.

Something like Rockbox <http://www.rockbox.org/> allows a person to
share their media with any computer they come across.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

All,
You know, something that I have been curious about recently, that
isn't necessarily Linux-related and is probably off-tpoic, is how to
live a more DRM free life. As I look around (work, home, etc) I see
people making decisions that they may not necessarily understand. As
an example, I am still astounding by people who think they like iTunes
for media management. I think it is about the worst tool I have ever
used for managing my collection.
But I digress. I watch my kids, who have iPods, and want to use
Macs; and I wonder what kind of monsters I have created. I recognize
why DRM is not in anyone's best interest (except may RIAA / MPAA), but
as far as educating someone on how to divest themselves of the
shackles of DRM I find myself woefully lacking.
Does anyone have anything interesting?

--Kirk
On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 2:30 PM, Simón Ruiz <simon.a.ruiz@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 12:57 PM,  <pd335@comcast.net> wrote:
>> On a personal note, I am interested in recording music and I would love to
>> be able to build a cost effective powerful system to run some of the free
>> DAW's out for Linux systems.
>
> Have you heard about the open source musician podcast?
>
> http://opensourcemusician.libsyn.com/
>
> I met one of these guys out at Ohio LinuxFest and started listening to
> their podcast; very cool stuff, if you're interested in studio
> recording, very educational.
>
> Simón
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

--
Kirk Gleason

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 12:57 PM, <pd335@comcast.net> wrote:
> On a personal note, I am interested in recording music and I would love to
> be able to build a cost effective powerful system to run some of the free
> DAW's out for Linux systems.

Have you heard about the open source musician podcast?

http://opensourcemusician.libsyn.com/

I met one of these guys out at Ohio LinuxFest and started listening to
their podcast; very cool stuff, if you're interested in studio
recording, very educational.

Simón

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

One thing I have found lacking in audacity is it's inAbility to easily
record from multiple inputs. For this I will recommend jokosher. Also
for a dedicated multimedia recording distro check out http://ubuntustudio.org/

Cheers


Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 2, 2010, at 1:22 PM, Barry Schatz <sorbetninja@gmail.com> wrote:

> Look into the program Audacity for recording and audio editing. It's
> available on all the major platforms. If you're looking for something
> heavier, check out Ardour. I haven't tried these out myself, but no
> time
> like the present!
>
> -Barry
>
> pd335@comcast.net wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am new to the group and I have just a little experience with
>> Ubuntu.
>> It is on a laptop my wife and I use to search the web as we hang out
>> at home. No real heavy-hitting with it yet.
>>
>> I am very interested in learning more about how Linux/Unix/GNU/Open
>> Sourced operating systems are used in the real world. I work as a
>> basic desktop and hardware support tech and I mostly deal with
>> Windows
>> environments but ,I know that networking positions deal more with
>> unix
>> and other os's so I am trying to spend some time learning more about
>> other offerings.
>>
>> On a personal note, I am interested in recording music and I would
>> love to be able to build a cost effective powerful system to run some
>> of the free DAW's out for Linux systems.
>>
>> So, if you can cover how to more effectively use Ubuntu as a home
>> laptop, recording software, and more advanced usage but geared
>> towards a entry level person, I would love to get out and go to a
>> meeting!
>>
>>
>>
>> Have a good day,
>>
>> Patrick Davis
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> BLUG mailing list
>> BLUG@linuxfan.com
>> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

Look into the program Audacity for recording and audio editing. It's
available on all the major platforms. If you're looking for something
heavier, check out Ardour. I haven't tried these out myself, but no time
like the present!

-Barry

pd335@comcast.net wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I am new to the group and I have just a little experience with Ubuntu.
> It is on a laptop my wife and I use to search the web as we hang out
> at home. No real heavy-hitting with it yet.
>
> I am very interested in learning more about how Linux/Unix/GNU/Open
> Sourced operating systems are used in the real world. I work as a
> basic desktop and hardware support tech and I mostly deal with Windows
> environments but ,I know that networking positions deal more with unix
> and other os's so I am trying to spend some time learning more about
> other offerings.
>
> On a personal note, I am interested in recording music and I would
> love to be able to build a cost effective powerful system to run some
> of the free DAW's out for Linux systems.
>
> So, if you can cover how to more effectively use Ubuntu as a home
> laptop, recording software, and more advanced usage but geared
> towards a entry level person, I would love to get out and go to a meeting!
>
>
>
> Have a good day,
>
> Patrick Davis
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:14:21 -0500, Lord Drachenblut
<lord.drachenblut@gmail.com> wrote:

> I would like to see a "small" series dedicated on bash for the
> Newbie to the advanced user

I think it would be interesting to do a survey of the various common
shells, like bash, ksh, csh, tcsh, and zsh.

Aaron W. Hsu

--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:14:37 -0500, Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu>
wrote:

> Coupled with VirtualBox it should be a good time.

Speaking of VirtualBox, I'd be willing to demo the latest version of
VMWare Workstation as well.

Aaron W. Hsu

--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

Hello,

I am new to the group and I have just a little experience with Ubuntu. It is on a laptop my wife and I use to search the web as we hang out at home. No real heavy-hitting with it yet.

I am very interested in learning more about how Linux/Unix/GNU/Open Sourced operating systems are used in the real world. I work as a basic desktop and hardware support tech and I mostly deal with Windows environments but ,I know that networking positions deal more with unix and other os's so I am trying to spend some time learning more about other offerings.

On a personal note, I am interested in recording music and I would love to be able to build a cost effective powerful system to run some of the free DAW's out for Linux systems.

So, if you can cover how to more effectively use Ubuntu as a home laptop, recording software, and  more advanced usage but geared towards a entry level person, I would love to get out and go to a meeting!

 

Have a good day,

Patrick Davis

 

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Mon, Feb 01, 2010 at 11:37:38PM -0500, Aaron W. Hsu wrote:
> [...] I'd consider the following
> just "basic" sets that we would want:
>
> * Ubuntu
> * Slackware
> * RHEL/Fedora
> * Debian
> * SUSE Enterprise
> * FreeBSD and OpenBSD

I'd like to add:
* DamnSmallLinux (DSL)
- It fits on a 50MB business card CD and live-boots (novel for the size)
* Ultimate Boot CD
- Not Linux, but free and highly useful for various diagnostics
* FreeDOS (with source)
- Just in case x86 hardware shows up that's not at least a 386.
* Foresight Linux
- I've been meaning to look at it for years now.

I have some experience with the first of the three I've mentioned.
DSL and the UBCD have been particularly helpful in the past.

Some of us should have bootable USB devices for our distributions of
choice (and perhaps a Netbook edition). (The Ubuntu family makes this
exceptionally easy.)

I've attempted to use the Canonical's Wubi tool
<http://wubi-installer.org/> but my only attempt to use it was with
Mythbuntu instead of a supported variant and the finished result didn't
boot when it was done. When it works, it should be better for testing
Ubuntu than Virtualbox, as while there is some additional file-system
overhead (it does not create a separate partition -- it installs in the
normal Windows partition), it does not run in a virtualized environment
and so it has full control of the other resources.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

Bouncing off mark's climagic Twitter/ident.ca account I would like to
say I would like to see a "small" series dedicated on bash for the
Newbie to the advanced user

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 2, 2010, at 12:07 PM, Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu> wrote:

> On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 03:12:22AM +0000, Mark Krenz wrote:
>> Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
>> right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session
>> where
>> we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
>> may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
>> Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards
>> new
>> users.
>
> I just wanted to state that I agree with Mark here.
>
> My only real thought was that people should think about what they want
> to see. As the thread has been lively, it appears it is working.
>
> Cheers,
> Steven Black
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 01:33:17AM -0500, Aaron W. Hsu wrote:
> Good to know that all the BSDs should be represented then. :) I'm actually
> more capable with OpenBSD than FreeBSD. One thing that I really don't like
> at some install fests is the insistence on using a single distribution for
> the installation. I think part of the fun and enjoyment comes from the
> distro bantering that you get, so long as the newbies get the right distro
> on their system.

It seems to me it would also be a good place to have the more
experienced users try installing new/different distributions they've
been meaning to try. (At least, between helping the new folks.)

Coupled with VirtualBox it should be a good time.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 12:02:29AM -0500, Kirk Gleason wrote:
> [...] Maybe
> we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
> personal fav) on the list too.

If you're going to include NetBSD at the install-fest, you should bring
a good demonstration of NetBSD -- some crazy hardware you have sitting
around that runs nothing current -- except NetBSD.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 03:12:22AM +0000, Mark Krenz wrote:
> Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
> right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session where
> we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
> may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
> Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards new
> users.

I just wanted to state that I agree with Mark here.

My only real thought was that people should think about what they want
to see. As the thread has been lively, it appears it is working.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Mon, Feb 01, 2010 at 08:54:41PM -0500, Paul Purdom wrote:
> Steven Black wrote:
> > On a similar note to talk about changing the meeting time, I think we
> > should discuss what we want to talk about at the meetings.
> >
> For a group like BLUG, it seems to me that the topics are going to have
> to depend very much on what people are willing to talk about. Having
> said that, it seems like that some effort should be made to alternate
> really basic talks that would be of interest to new members with more
> advanced talks that would be of interest to people who would themselves
> be interested and able to give talks.

Regular presentations on generally common areas of interest could help
ease the line between "advanced topics on FOOBAR" and "basic topics on
FOOBAR". If new folks are going to be interested in it, and we want
new folks to arrive regularly, it makes sense to revisit these things
regularly. This makes the basic half of the presentation an easy revisit
of the previous presentation, (with research to see if any basic task
has changed in recent versions), and the "advanced" segment of the
presentation can cover particular fancy/useful techniques, or even
changes coming up in future versions.

> It might also be a good idea to start each meeting by asking whether
> people have topics that they would hope someone would give a talk on.
> There is a basic problem there, what we want may not match what anyone
> can talk on. For example, I want a talk on setting up GIS (geographic
> information systems), and probably do a few more people, but we don't
> seem to have anyone to give the talk.

I also think that having a small group which does a research
presentation may also work. People want to learn about FOOBAR, but no
one knows enough to do a presentation. Two or more people get together
to do some research, take notes, make some things happen for themselves,
then do a presentation on their research in a meeting.

Cheers,
Steven Black

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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:31:47 -0500, Brian Wheeler <bdwheele@indiana.edu>
wrote:

> I never understood the appeal of OpenBSD with Theo at the helm...he's
> kind of like anti-Linus, except without the goatee.

Have you seen the new installer? If you want a newbie to "install" their
system quickly, you probably won't find a more streamlined installation
process than OpenBSD now. Everything from intelligent auto-partitioning on
up is done fairly well (amazingly improved) and I honestly haven't found a
nicer install program anywhere.

Of course, once you install it, there is that nice "configuration by text
editing" that Windows users are *not* used to. That's the main hump as I
see it. One big benefit of OpenBSD compared to Linux is that things are
usually "black and white." They work fairly seamlessly, or they are not
supported.

As for non-newbie users, well, it's hard to find an easier to administer
firewall/router. The general system performance of OpenBSD lags Linux, for
sure, but administering an OpenBSD box is really quite breezy.

Aaron W. Hsu

--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

On Tue, 2010-02-02 at 10:21 -0500, Robert Freeman-Day wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> Kirk Gleason wrote:
> > Install fest sounds like it could be a good time. Maybe
> > we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
> > personal fav) on the list too.
> >
> > I am going to encourage my co-workers to take that survey, so that
> > Mark can get some good feedback.
> >
> > woot!
> >
> > --Kirk
>
> Too bad the NetBSD community did not like the idea of the live DVD
> project GNOBSD. I know there are other ways to do it, and other issues
> involved as well, but this really did look promising for newbies:
>
> http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20100201#feature

That was OpenBSD, not NetBSD. I like NetBSD for resource constrained
machines (Sun 3/60, DECStation 5000/120, etc) but on modern hardware it
is a little...um...old school for my tastes. Not that I'm a big fan of
eye candy, but my tinkering time is at a premium these days.

I never understood the appeal of OpenBSD with Theo at the helm...he's
kind of like anti-Linus, except without the goatee.

> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
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>
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> FWQAnR9yPEt+DeOynk9bzsf6HpZOOPDy
> =P5Uh
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug


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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Kirk Gleason wrote:
> Install fest sounds like it could be a good time. Maybe
> we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
> personal fav) on the list too.
>
> I am going to encourage my co-workers to take that survey, so that
> Mark can get some good feedback.
>
> woot!
>
> --Kirk

Too bad the NetBSD community did not like the idea of the live DVD
project GNOBSD. I know there are other ways to do it, and other issues
involved as well, but this really did look promising for newbies:

http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20100201#feature
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux)

iEYEARECAAYFAktoQuwACgkQup357T5MfTY17QCg0TjIIHo79QzQOPCumuYtXboM
FWQAnR9yPEt+DeOynk9bzsf6HpZOOPDy
=P5Uh
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
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Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

I'm an enthusiast that doesn't claim to know much. I moved my personal
computing environment to desktop Linux (SimplyMEPIS) some three years
ago, and haven't looked back. I've also been an active participant on
newsgroups and forums that cater to the newbie, and have helped a number
of people get up and running.

That said, what you guys talk about here is waaay over my head 90% of
the time. What I could bring to the table is an ability to talk at a raw
newbie level (I'm not that far removed from it), and anticipate and
accommodate all the questions and concerns that an unsophisticated but
curious Windows user would have. What I've found is that once it's
installed and the basic configuration is made, a convert from Windows
will very much appreciate the stability, security, and performance that
desktop Linux can provide.

---
Mark Warner

Kelly McEvilly wrote:
> I'm in! When and Where!
>
> I have a mail server running on Redhat that I'd really like to be able to manage more effectively.
>
> I have a 'test box' that runs CentOS that I play with.
>
> Total Noob though...
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Krenz" <mark@slugbug.org>
> To: "Bloomington LINUX Users Group" <blug@cs.indiana.edu>
> Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 10:12:22 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?
>
>
> Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
> right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session where
> we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
> may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
> Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards new
> users.
>
> While the more experienced users out there want something more
> interesting to them, they can also just go find something by themselves.
> They don't need as much help with Linux. They already know where to go
> (sorry but its true). You'll still get the socialization you want.
>
> I think an intro/install meeting would cover a lot of the stuff below
> anyways as people ask questions about what apps to use, whether to use
> Gnome or KDE, etc.
>
> I don't think BLUG has had a real install fest since the 90s, which
> seems crazy. We should try one again. So I think each meeting should
> be less presentation driven and more focused on helping people
> individually. Then we also could have more regular meetings, less worry
> about who will present and more time for socializing. Plus people
> outside the group would start to see exactly what to expect.
>
> On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 01:44:02AM GMT, Steven Black [blacks@indiana.edu] said the following:
>> On a similar note to talk about changing the meeting time, I think we
>> should discuss what we want to talk about at the meetings.
>>
>> Do we want informational meetings? If so, what topics?
>> + How do you do FOO using BAR?
>> + How can you use FOO to replace the commercial/Windows-only BAR?
>> + The trials and tribulations of migrating from FOO to BAR.
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want reviews and/or demos of software? If so, how do we determine
>> the software to review/demo?
>> + Two+ people jointly review the FOO, BAR, and BAZ products to do FOOBAR.
>> + Someone gives a presentation on the awesomeness of FOOBAR.
>> + Recounting the awesomeness that was FOO-con, and why you should go
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want to start having annual presentations on the state of FOOBAR
>> software for Linux? If so, how do we determine which FOOBAR to use?
>> + Graphics/3D software?
>> + Office software?
>> + FOOBAR-types of games
>> + light-weight window managers?
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want to have meetings where we plan group/community activities?
>> + Install-fests?
>> + CD hand-outs?
>> + Bloomington Linuxfest? (A larger Indiana Linuxfest with CINLUG?)
>> + Perhaps planning an annual Linux gaming night?
>> + etc.
>>
>> Would folks be interested in changing the structure of the meeting so
>> that people can get more out of it even if they're less interested in
>> the core presentation?
>> + Perhaps a more formal introduction with regular segments.
>> - upcoming releases, software to watch, new distributions, etc.
>> + (other ideas?)
>>
>> I'd like to see more people involved in each meeting, whether that's
>> more joint presentations, small 5-10 minute regular segments of some
>> sort, or if it is something more. Part of this is because many hands
>> make light work, but part of it is that if there are four people which
>> each contribute in some small way to the meeting, the speaker is
>> guaranteed to have at least four people to listen to the presentation.
>>
>> I'd also like to advocate for annual presentations on particular
>> software areas. Software changes quickly, and things can change fast
>> while we're focussed on our day-jobs or other projects. Before we know
>> it, there can be a great product that almost everyone is using, which
>> we've never heard about.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Steven Black
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> BLUG mailing list
>> BLUG@linuxfan.com
>> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>>
>

_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

I hate to reply to the middle of a thread, but I want to stay on topic.

I'm willing to demonstrate Virtualbox (http://www.virtualbox.org/) for
anyone interested. It's handy for anyone who wants to try a distro in a
more persistent fashion than a LiveCD without risking their existing OS
install. It works with the major OS hosts (Windows, OS X, *nix) and does
so very well. This is be a great tool for newbies who are unsure of what
they're getting into as well as more experienced users looking to try a
new distro.

-Barry

Mark Krenz wrote:
> Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
> right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session where
> we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
> may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
> Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards new
> users.
>
> While the more experienced users out there want something more
> interesting to them, they can also just go find something by themselves.
> They don't need as much help with Linux. They already know where to go
> (sorry but its true). You'll still get the socialization you want.
>
> I think an intro/install meeting would cover a lot of the stuff below
> anyways as people ask questions about what apps to use, whether to use
> Gnome or KDE, etc.
>
> I don't think BLUG has had a real install fest since the 90s, which
> seems crazy. We should try one again. So I think each meeting should
> be less presentation driven and more focused on helping people
> individually. Then we also could have more regular meetings, less worry
> about who will present and more time for socializing. Plus people
> outside the group would start to see exactly what to expect.
>
> On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 01:44:02AM GMT, Steven Black [blacks@indiana.edu] said the following:
>
>> On a similar note to talk about changing the meeting time, I think we
>> should discuss what we want to talk about at the meetings.
>>
>> Do we want informational meetings? If so, what topics?
>> + How do you do FOO using BAR?
>> + How can you use FOO to replace the commercial/Windows-only BAR?
>> + The trials and tribulations of migrating from FOO to BAR.
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want reviews and/or demos of software? If so, how do we determine
>> the software to review/demo?
>> + Two+ people jointly review the FOO, BAR, and BAZ products to do FOOBAR.
>> + Someone gives a presentation on the awesomeness of FOOBAR.
>> + Recounting the awesomeness that was FOO-con, and why you should go
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want to start having annual presentations on the state of FOOBAR
>> software for Linux? If so, how do we determine which FOOBAR to use?
>> + Graphics/3D software?
>> + Office software?
>> + FOOBAR-types of games
>> + light-weight window managers?
>> + etc.
>>
>> Do we want to have meetings where we plan group/community activities?
>> + Install-fests?
>> + CD hand-outs?
>> + Bloomington Linuxfest? (A larger Indiana Linuxfest with CINLUG?)
>> + Perhaps planning an annual Linux gaming night?
>> + etc.
>>
>> Would folks be interested in changing the structure of the meeting so
>> that people can get more out of it even if they're less interested in
>> the core presentation?
>> + Perhaps a more formal introduction with regular segments.
>> - upcoming releases, software to watch, new distributions, etc.
>> + (other ideas?)
>>
>> I'd like to see more people involved in each meeting, whether that's
>> more joint presentations, small 5-10 minute regular segments of some
>> sort, or if it is something more. Part of this is because many hands
>> make light work, but part of it is that if there are four people which
>> each contribute in some small way to the meeting, the speaker is
>> guaranteed to have at least four people to listen to the presentation.
>>
>> I'd also like to advocate for annual presentations on particular
>> software areas. Software changes quickly, and things can change fast
>> while we're focussed on our day-jobs or other projects. Before we know
>> it, there can be a great product that almost everyone is using, which
>> we've never heard about.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Steven Black
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> BLUG mailing list
>> BLUG@linuxfan.com
>> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>>
>>
>
>

_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

I'm in! When and Where!

I have a mail server running on Redhat that I'd really like to be able to manage more effectively.

I have a 'test box' that runs CentOS that I play with.

Total Noob though...


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Krenz" <mark@slugbug.org>
To: "Bloomington LINUX Users Group" <blug@cs.indiana.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 10:12:22 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?


Those are all well and good, but I think the first couple should get
right back to the basics. The first one can be an install session where
we can help anyone install Linux for anyone that wants too. The group
may have gotten too far away from people just getting starting with
Linux and we probably should get back to being focused more towards new
users.

While the more experienced users out there want something more
interesting to them, they can also just go find something by themselves.
They don't need as much help with Linux. They already know where to go
(sorry but its true). You'll still get the socialization you want.

I think an intro/install meeting would cover a lot of the stuff below
anyways as people ask questions about what apps to use, whether to use
Gnome or KDE, etc.

I don't think BLUG has had a real install fest since the 90s, which
seems crazy. We should try one again. So I think each meeting should
be less presentation driven and more focused on helping people
individually. Then we also could have more regular meetings, less worry
about who will present and more time for socializing. Plus people
outside the group would start to see exactly what to expect.

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 01:44:02AM GMT, Steven Black [blacks@indiana.edu] said the following:
> On a similar note to talk about changing the meeting time, I think we
> should discuss what we want to talk about at the meetings.
>
> Do we want informational meetings? If so, what topics?
> + How do you do FOO using BAR?
> + How can you use FOO to replace the commercial/Windows-only BAR?
> + The trials and tribulations of migrating from FOO to BAR.
> + etc.
>
> Do we want reviews and/or demos of software? If so, how do we determine
> the software to review/demo?
> + Two+ people jointly review the FOO, BAR, and BAZ products to do FOOBAR.
> + Someone gives a presentation on the awesomeness of FOOBAR.
> + Recounting the awesomeness that was FOO-con, and why you should go
> + etc.
>
> Do we want to start having annual presentations on the state of FOOBAR
> software for Linux? If so, how do we determine which FOOBAR to use?
> + Graphics/3D software?
> + Office software?
> + FOOBAR-types of games
> + light-weight window managers?
> + etc.
>
> Do we want to have meetings where we plan group/community activities?
> + Install-fests?
> + CD hand-outs?
> + Bloomington Linuxfest? (A larger Indiana Linuxfest with CINLUG?)
> + Perhaps planning an annual Linux gaming night?
> + etc.
>
> Would folks be interested in changing the structure of the meeting so
> that people can get more out of it even if they're less interested in
> the core presentation?
> + Perhaps a more formal introduction with regular segments.
> - upcoming releases, software to watch, new distributions, etc.
> + (other ideas?)
>
> I'd like to see more people involved in each meeting, whether that's
> more joint presentations, small 5-10 minute regular segments of some
> sort, or if it is something more. Part of this is because many hands
> make light work, but part of it is that if there are four people which
> each contribute in some small way to the meeting, the speaker is
> guaranteed to have at least four people to listen to the presentation.
>
> I'd also like to advocate for annual presentations on particular
> software areas. Software changes quickly, and things can change fast
> while we're focussed on our day-jobs or other projects. Before we know
> it, there can be a great product that almost everyone is using, which
> we've never heard about.
>
> Cheers,
> Steven Black
>
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

--
Mark Krenz
Bloomington Linux Users Group
http://www.bloomingtonlinux.org/
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug

Re: [BLUG] BLUG meetings topics?

I would absolutely agree with that. Since I started my current job,
where we have a lot of flexibility to experiment, we have run all
kinds of different OSS OS's, including all f the BSDs, and most of the
major flavors of Linux -- even Yellow Dog. It really sounds like it
could be fun.

--Kirk

On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 1:33 AM, Aaron W. Hsu <arcfide@sacrideo.us> wrote:
> On Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:02:29 -0500, Kirk Gleason <kgleason@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Install fest sounds like it could be a good time. Maybe
>> we can even throw the forgotten BSD (that would be NetBSD -- my
>> personal fav) on the list too.
>
> Good to know that all the BSDs should be represented then. :) I'm actually
> more capable with OpenBSD than FreeBSD. One thing that I really don't like
> at some install fests is the insistence on using a single distribution for
> the installation. I think part of the fun and enjoyment comes from the
> distro bantering that you get, so long as the newbies get the right distro
> on their system.
>
>        Aaron W. Hsu
>
> --
> A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>

--
Kirk Gleason

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