November 2007 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: [Wlug] Linux Choix?

by Mike Leo

Ubuntu is the current poster child for Linux. You can buy Dell desktops, laptops and servers with Ubuntu pre-installed, and I think even HP offers the same. I use it as my primary work desktop, and dual boot it on my work laptop. It just works. Though I prefer Debian because I like to tinker, the latest version of Ubuntu does everything it needs to with little help. If you are trying to sell Linux to someone, I think its the way to go. ~mike ----- Original Message ---- From: Greater Worcester Land Trust <gwlt(a)gwlt.org> To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 9:37:02 PM Subject: [Wlug] Linux Choix? It has been a while. I tried getting our nonprofit (Worcester land conservation) to adopt Linux some years back. Problem I had back then was weak graphic options, publisher options, Quicken options, and a lack of a good answer to running ArcGIS. I was beaten back into M$. I want another crack at this. I am looking to take a spare laptop and install a Linux OS and OS apps. Previously, some years back, I used to use what are now Mandriva Linux installs. Coming back to this I see that there are dozens and dozens of options these days. What, if any, of the options do the WLUG folk prefer/recommend. Thanks so much, Colin

Nov. 17, 2007

Linux Choix?

by Greater Worcester Land Trust

It has been a while. I tried getting our nonprofit (Worcester land conservation) to adopt Linux some years back. Problem I had back then was weak graphic options, publisher options, Quicken options, and a lack of a good answer to running ArcGIS. I was beaten back into M$. I want another crack at this. I am looking to take a spare laptop and install a Linux OS and OS apps. Previously, some years back, I used to use what are now Mandriva Linux installs. Coming back to this I see that there are dozens and dozens of options these days. What, if any, of the options do the WLUG folk prefer/recommend. Thanks so much, Colin

Nov. 17, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: Upcoming WLUG meeting

by Richard Klein

On Nov 15, 2007 7:19 PM, Conner Finlay <cfinlay(a)gmail.com> wrote: > What server?Freenode? I can't remember, but this was in the archives: Connect to: irc.freenode.net /join #wlug-ma -- Rich

Nov. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: Upcoming WLUG meeting

by Conner Finlay

What server?Freenode? On Nov 15, 2007 7:04 PM, Richard Klein <richspk(a)gmail.com> wrote: > On Nov 15, 2007 6:06 PM, Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > > > One last note - would the gentleman who was interested in getting the > > undergrads together to talk about Linux please contact me offline? I'd > > like to explore some ideas with you. > > I think his name was Kevin, and as of last night he wasn't on the > mailing list, but I think he's on the IRC channel (#WLUGMA, IIRC). > > -- > Rich > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- Conner Finlay AIM:TrickFinlay2 Email:cfinlay@gmail.com Mobile:(774) 276-1145

Nov. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: Upcoming WLUG meeting

by Richard Klein

On Nov 15, 2007 6:06 PM, Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > One last note - would the gentleman who was interested in getting the > undergrads together to talk about Linux please contact me offline? I'd > like to explore some ideas with you. I think his name was Kevin, and as of last night he wasn't on the mailing list, but I think he's on the IRC channel (#WLUGMA, IIRC). -- Rich

Nov. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: Upcoming WLUG meeting

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 HI Everybody, I just posted the slides from last night's WLUG meeting. Thanks, Frank, for giving a great talk. http://www.wlug.org/slides.html I was quite happy that the meeting was so well attended! We had 25 people at the meeting - definitely one of the best attended meetings we've had in quite some time. Also, we darn near filled the pizza restaurant, consuming a record 7 large pizzas! I hope everybody had a great time. One last note - would the gentleman who was interested in getting the undergrads together to talk about Linux please contact me offline? I'd like to explore some ideas with you. Thanks!! I look forward to next month's meeting to see you again. Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFHPND0Hl0iXDssISsRAs8DAJ9uhuAWsRi2rfHVYHUWKQfJKI2TXwCdHtvj dmGf0iw6FoO67m7ZUX9xrok= =FgQZ -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Nov. 15, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Motherboard search tool?

by John Stoffel

>>>>> "John" == John Stoffel <john(a)stoffel.org> writes: Gary> I built a PC for myself last May based on the AMD 64 X2 5600 and Gary> this motherboard: Gary> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131095 Gary> It works like a champ with no issues or problems. John> That is a nice board, and looks to be pretty much what I'd want. John> Plenty of built-in stuff, yet expandable down the road. Here's another one which has a couple more SATA ports, plus a second Gigabit port, for $10 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013 Boy, I'm starting to like Asus' boards.

Nov. 15, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Motherboard search tool?

by Gary Hanley

On Thu, 15 Nov 2007, John Stoffel wrote: > Did you > get a case with a front mount firewire port as well? Yep. This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119077 > My needs are simple, rock sharp 2-d text, and some OpenGL or video > performance for Stellarium or other graphics programs like that. Stellarium is very cool! I'm running it now with no issues. Had to configure my OpenGL for my Radeon x1600 Pro first. FWIW, I'm running Kubuntu 7.10 and Vista 64 Ultimate. Both are very stable. > most graphical game is pysol. :] I just don't have time/energy to > spend playing games right now, esp with two small kids in the house. I've been playing Half-Life2 in easy mode for the past 6 weeks. Ten years ago I would have finished it in hard mode over a weekend. :-) -- Gary

Nov. 15, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Motherboard search tool?

by John Stoffel

Gary> I built a PC for myself last May based on the AMD 64 X2 5600 and Gary> this motherboard: Gary> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131095 Gary> It works like a champ with no issues or problems. That is a nice board, and looks to be pretty much what I'd want. Plenty of built-in stuff, yet expandable down the road. I need PCI slot(s) because of my 8port serial board and my SCSI controller for tape backups. Eventually I'll be going down the line to something else, or a PCIe 1x SCSI controller, etc. Lots of room for expansion here. I reallly like this board for the firewire interface as well. Did you get a case with a front mount firewire port as well? Gary> I'm somewhat of an AMD fanboy but I'd admit Intel has the better Gary> processors these days, but if you are looking for an attractive Gary> price/performance ratio I think the AMD chips still have that Gary> edge. I'm mixed right now honestly. I really like how Intel has released lots of specs for their hardware, esp their video cards. AMD/ATI has made a good push in this direction too, so I'm leaning ATI for graphics no matter what. My needs are simple, rock sharp 2-d text, and some OpenGL or video performance for Stellarium or other graphics programs like that. My most graphical game is pysol. :] I just don't have time/energy to spend playing games right now, esp with two small kids in the house. I play Thomas the Tank engine instead now. *grin* Thanks again for all the suggestions guys! And gals... :] John

Nov. 15, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Motherboard search tool?

by Robert Krawitz

Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:21:05 -0500 From: "John Stoffel" <john(a)stoffel.org> Chuck> On Thu, Nov 15, 2007 at 11:39:07AM -0500, John Stoffel wrote: >> And of course I'm not totally sold on AMD, but I would like to support >> them since I like 64bit CPUs and the lack of hassle going over 4Gb of >> RAM, since I suspect that will be how I upgrade this system in the >> future, instead of getting more CPUs, etc. Chuck> Most new Intel chips support x86_64 and hence don't have a Chuck> hassle going over 4GB RAM. Yup, I realize that. And it is a factor, since I could even decide to go with a board with builtin Intel graphics and be able to go completely open source with decent performance. Any recommendation for an Intel board with builtin graphics that supports at least 8 GB of RAM?

Nov. 15, 2007