KCLUG

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3271 discussions

DRM and the PRO-IP Act - Limited time opportunity? Shameless self-promotion?
by Sean Crago 26 Oct '08

26 Oct '08

When I left KC to serve in Kathmandu I lost my address near Gladstone. As such, I reverted to the congressional district where I grew up in Illinois. You guys probably cover four or five districts in MO and KS, though, so I figured I'd drop you a link to the open letter I just hammered out to mine. If Yahoo, MSN, WalMart, et al are going to pull the plug on their DRM servers right before the passage of the (still far from perfect) PRO-IP act, why not use the opportunity to get ammendments passed that allow consumers to bypass the DRM? If it's getting railroaded through anyway, let's turn it to good: The DMCA trust should go both ways, if it's to be retained at all: Consumers shouldn't get their shit turned off if they respect the DMCA's provision preventing them from unlocking their files. http://mrzaius.com/blog/?p=108 Sean Crago Kathmandu

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Re: Anyone experienced with Twiki or other wikis?
by Sean Crago 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

Just to throw one more out there: DokuWiki has a lot to be said for it. I'll probably exclusively use MediaWiki in the future, due to my much deeper understanding of the syntax and ability to grab GFDL'd template code and the like from the Wikipedia. In the past, though, I always used DokuWiki for my own sites. It is extremely nice and easy to roll out and, while still full-featured and quite attractive, it has the some of the lowest overhead of any of the mainstream wiki engines. It's plenty small enough to run in an embedded environment, too. Sean Crago Kathmandu

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Anyone experienced with Twiki or other wikis?
by Greg Brooks 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

All, I need to get a wiki set up with multiple workspaces and some other bells and whistles. My problem: I don't have time to do it. Time to spec it out? Yes. Time to do it? Notsomuch. Is there anyone on-list who's set up or admin'd a good-size wiki before and is looking for freelance work? I'd rather just farm this out and have someone smarter than me focus on it. At this point, I'm leaning toward Twiki - basically trading off speed for the fit, finish and feature set of Twiki. However, I'm willing to listen to arguments about other platforms (Free Software or commercial). Please contact me directly at gregb(a)west-third.com unless, you know, you want to have a public discussion about the pros and cons of various wiki platforms. :) Thanks, Greg

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Recommends for "just a browser" live distros- either existing ones or comments on making one.
by Oren Beck 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

As a result of past discussions on using free to cheap hardware for Linux some folks are sharing ideas. One of my campers here suggested I "bribe" programmers to improve his kiosk Linux experience! That evening produced about 10 pages of scribbled notes on must do and cannot EVER do events. Then a near equal amount of "would be so cool" functionalities. The upshot is we soon grasped a fundamental common element. A web browser was 100% of the user interaction with whatever that user was doing! So? Nothing earth shaking in that. The recurrent theme/s in comparing all 3 lists? must do FOO- never can let BAR happen - would be neat if it could? ALL centered on insulating a user from preventable frustration . The user sits down and accesses the web. NO tech skill needed. - For the duration of their session every step builds a "Go Back" button buffer. Saving and printing in some mode akin to assisted repartitioning tools. The information above was harvested from comments made by campers and staff over the last year or so that the kiosk has been up. Let me fill in the background if anyone on list missed it. I have been using both Puppy and Damn Small for a public guest kiosk here at the campground. Subject to minor annoyances it's been an overall success. The question to me is what other options exist for this niche? Or is there potential in craft building such a distro? I would consider trading camping and fishing as incentives. Basically I think our membership has the collective skills to make several sorts of world improvements. Or just to share ideas in a different sort of meeting space The idea being? To get a group session out here sometime next spring where we'd compare the winter's projects.

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Re: Free, Linux-compatible Dialup Internet Service Providers
by Sean Crago 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

NetZero might not be the most Linux-friendly ISP out there but, back in the day, if you called and asked for regular PPP credentials they'd give 'em to you. I did this twice for Windows users that had machines that were so antiquated and underpowered that they struggled to simultaneously run the adware and a proper IE session. Tested the credentials w/Linux's pppd, and they worked just fine. The only thing that might prevent this from working in your case is that they were both paying customers and the fact that all this was 2-3 years ago. Also, be prepared to lie and not tell them that you're using a *gasp* unsupported operating system - Obviously a $0-$10/month dialup ISP isn't going to be getting the cream of the tech support worker crop, so far as their ability work with multiple OSes goes. Worth a shot, if you can't find anything else local. Sean Crago Kathmandu

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Free, Linux-compatible Dialup Internet Service Providers
by Leo Mauler 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

I was asked this question on another list. After a little poking around, I was surprised to learn that there were a few still in existence, albeit with some restrictions. I'm going to pass on the information so that you can tell someone who needs dialup Internet access (such as on that older computer running Linux that you just gave them for free) but can't afford a monthly subscription service. NOTE: There is one more ISP, JUNO/NETZERO, which offers 10 hours a month of Internet service for free, and has lots of local numbers nationwide, but they make you look at lots of ads and have a Windows-only client (and most people report that they add up your time so sneakily you rarely get 10 hours a month). All of the options below are Linux-friendly free dialup ISPs. > If you live in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, > New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Southern > Florida, *OR* if you have unlimited long-distance > service on your phone line, there is a regional ISP > which offers free local dialup service (and thus > free dialup service outside their region if your > long-distance is unlimited). > > http://www.freedialup.org/site/ > > You register on their website to find out their list > of phone numbers, then dial into a server phone > number. The username is "your phone number", the > password can be anything at all (please pick a > non-offensive word). > > The service has two limitations: the ports for SMTP > (outgoing E-mail) and NNTP (usenet newsgroups) have > been blocked, so you will not be able to do either > one, even with a third-party service. All other > services, including POP3, are available. It is > suggested that you use web-based E-mail to do E-mail > with their service. > > ======================== > > The Western Washington State region, including Seattle, > has its own free dialup ISP, and like the East Coast > free dialup ISP they don't mind if you call > long-distance (with your unlimited long-distance > service) to use their ISP: > > http://www.nocharge.com/connect.htm > > Like the East Coast free dialup ISP, the SMTP (outgoing > E-mail) port is blocked on their service, but otherwise > the Internet service is unfiltered. You can use their > Windows Dialer or your own dialup connection software > (thus this one is also good for Macintosh and Linux > users). The username and password are right there on > the page, and you don't even have to register on their > website to use their free dialup ISP. > > ======================== > > If the problem is that you only use the Internet > occasionally and can't afford a monthly plan, but > might occasionally want to be able to use more than > 10 hours of Internet in a single month, "Budget > Dialup" is a company which offers prepaid Internet > service. On a Windows system, you can use their > software and get the first five hours free, but you > don't have to use their software to connect to their > dialup servers, meaning you can use other operating > systems like Mac OS or Linux. > > You buy a package of time, and then have a year in > which to use it. The current plans, for calling a > number local to you, are 10 hours for $5.95, 20 > hours for $9.95, and 60 hours for $28.95. If you > don't do a lot of downloading, 20 hours will last > you for a month or two of browsing and E-mail. > Buying additional time will give you one more year > to use both the new time and any old time from > previous purchases. > > http://www.budgetdialup.com/

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[Fwd: [alg] Open source technology and politics]
by lowell 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

The perfect solution to our (perceived?) problems?

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Donate Your Old Hardware to Those Who Can Use It [Blog Action Day 2008]
by JDP/Frogman 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Sent to you by JDP/Frogman via Google Reader: Donate Your Old Hardware to Those Who Can Use It [Blog Action Day 2008] via Lifehacker by Kevin Purdy on 10/15/08 There are lots of cool things you can do with leftover hardware, from building a home-baked server box to reviving an old laptop and beyond. But one of the best hacks you can pull off is making your gear available for the people and communities that can't afford the latest and greatest. I recently met and signed up with a local non-profit that refurbishes and installs computers for those in need, and learned a bit about how anyone can help do the same. As part of Blog Action Day 2008, I'm listing below a few links and resources for those looking to help, and a few quick tips on donating your hardware (or your time). Photo by Strutta.com. Having been blessed with a somewhat flexible schedule and a surfeit of geeky know-how, I wanted to see if I put the skills I normally use in my free time to use for a greater cause—having read that such is the best way to find a cause you can stick with. A few weeks back, I happened to drive by the storefront for Buffalo, NY's Computers for Children, which does exactly what it sounds like. I emailed the directors asking how I could help, and was invited in to take a tour and submit an application and my resume (a formality many non-profits must require, for various legal and insurance reasons). Some of the systems that end up at Computers for Children (CFC) come from bulk upgrades at corporate or governmental entities, but personal donations can be crucial in filling in the gaps. An IT department might, for example, yank the hard drives from an entire fleet of beige desktop boxes for security or salvage purposes, leaving them mostly useless for renovation purposes. Personal donations also bring in the more unique consumer-oriented hardware that can be put to use in creating group servers, teaching children how to use digital cameras, and filling out otherwise perfectly good systems missing one crucial part. From my brief interviews and tour at CFC, I learned a few things about what similar charities are looking for: - Working hard drives: They're often the first thing to go on otherwise functional systems, and while you may think your 40 GB Maxtor is too tiny for your MP3 vaults, it's perfect for a shared community center or school system. - Non-white monitors—LCD, if possible: This may not be true at all firms, but CFC has a surfeit of white or beige CRT units (a.k.a. big old-school monitors) that don't match with the increasingly dark-colored systems they're working on selling and renovating. If you've got a dark-framed monitor you're thinking about pitching, consider helping a charity out. - Read the requirements: Most non-profits and community donation centers will list on their web sites the minimum requirements for the systems they're looking for. Take a glance before you hop in the car—dropping off your far-outdated gear just leaves them with heavy, space-taking stuff to get rid of. - No computer geniuses required: You may not be a pro at setting up KVM systems or firmware upgrades, but many technology-focused charities often need volunteers to help set up and explain the systems, and newer technology like blogging and digital cameras, to schools, community classes, and other causes. In other words, if you're reading this blog, there's a good chance your skills can be put to good use. I'm looking forward to putting in time with CFC, and you can likely find a similar group you can donate to, volunteer for, or otherwise help out with. Here's a short list of some potentials: - The National Christina Foundation, which also works with Dell's recycling program to accept hardware. - TechSoup's resources page, which points to a variety of resources in the left-hand "Donate Computer Equipment" box. - Computers for Schools is a Chicago-based group with affiliates in 34 states. Here's a list of drop-off points. - Microsoft has a list of ten tips for computer donation, including advice to keep the OS intact, if possible, and guides to wiping your personal data off your hard drive before donating. - UsedComputer.com has a extensive list of computer donation groups, along with recycling resources for the stuff that just isn't needed. - Open-source firm Untangle teams up with the yearly LinuxWorld conference in San Francisco to organize Installfest for Schools. Hit the link to learn more about donating or setting up a Linux-flavored Installfest in your own town. Got a local or national non-profit that helps put hardware and other technology to use in the communities that need them? Share the link in the comments. Things you can do from here: - Subscribe to Lifehacker using Google Reader - Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

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ITEC: The Economy Got To Them Too
by Leo Mauler 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

The Kansas City Linux Users Group booth at ITEC is #423. It looks like some folks on this list will get their wish, albeit in a "monkey's paw" fashion: the booth package for "Associate Partners of ITEC!" does not come with electricity, meaning that there will be no demo PC, but also no "onsite burning of LiveCDs", and no laptops which need to be plugged into an outlet. No demonstration machines whatsoever. If anyone can burn up another 50 Ubuntu 8.04.1 LiveCDs and drop them by ITEC, that would be most appreciated. I've only managed 50 so far. I have 100 paper sleeves so if you show up with a spindle of 50 burnt CDs I can stick them in sleeves. I'm going to print up a bunch more brochures like from last year as well. Without any demonstration systems we are going to run out of CDs and printed materials quickly. The booth package for "Associate Partners of ITEC!" also did not come with a table or chairs (it did come with a curtain back wall, side curtain mini-walls, carpet on the floor, and an open ceiling), so I've set up a 4' table with a red tablecloth. If someone could bring another table, that would be nice, and aim for a dark red tablecloth. If you want to come by and hang out, or sit in the booth for awhile greeting attendees, remember to bring a chair. Whomever has the KCLUG banner needs to bring it by, and the KCLUG librarian needs to bring the Linux books, so that there will be subjects to talk about. Personally I'm annoyed. Stephen Fry recently did a 45 minute video about Free and Open Source Software, and the Birthday of GNU, titled "Happy Birthday To GNU", and released it in OGV (Ogg/Thedora) format with a "Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works" license (which permits it to be converted into other formats to distribute it widely, such as through YouTube or on a DVD, as long as it is disseminated in its complete form), and it would have been a wonderful addition to the KCLUG booth. Y'all can download and view a copy of this video, which Stephen Fry and GNU both want distributed as widely as possible, through blogger links, http://stephenfry.com/blog/?p=52, and through the GNU website: http://www.gnu.org/fry/happy-birthday-to-gnu-download.html Lots of different sizes, from a high-res 125MB OGV file to a dial-up 3MB OGV file, and sizes inbetween. One of the medium sized versions has English subtitles, there are several sizes in French, and there is even an Ogg Audio file of the program.

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A question about the "how to make it work" issue of my week.
by Oren Beck 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Shortest summary is: I am trying to get a drive image-for want of better semantics- that will be a plug in-power it up-and it goes to a working desktop with net if possible- needing near to zero human input. There are obviously non trivial parts of the process. Yet- let me explain how the query came about. A friend came over earlier this week bearing the HD from his Gateway P133 Win98 old system. In an attempt to copy files onto backup media- the drive was accidentally installed as primary master. Which of course resulted in a failed attempt by windows to boot hardware it lacked information about. Which caused a query. How can a Livedistro be replicated onto a HD? The simple elegance of a pre-imaged drive that on initial boot acts identical to Knoppix etc for autodetection and bringing up a functional net connected if possible browser. Think it over a moment as to what is and NOT involved. The two prime factors desired here are an ultimate "it just works" function level. And having it do so absent other than trivial human interaction wherever possible. Sounds a bit non-trivial at first but is it really that hard? Here's my current "missing links" list. What is the best tutorial for remastering Live distros in overview? What is recommended for scripting automatic local identification thru IP or whatever. IF there was a comparatively painless way to automate the "where am I in the world?" issue- several set up queries in the dialog go away. Can anyone direct me to an explanation of how/why an installed from Live distro seems to lack the auto detect on startup properties ? And yes- I have been asking around about some parts of this a while. and Google etc seem not to be yielding good enough to use data. -- Oren Beck 816.729.3645

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