- WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

DWG to ... well anything else
by Ben Higgins Oct. 8, 2023

Oct. 8, 2023

So we have directory after directory of AutoCAD DWG files of the various floors of the campus. Beyond *creating* the floorplans, we have no use for AutoCAD - all our applications work better with high quality PNG or vector PDF files. I've been playing with Pipelines and jobs in GitLab recently, and I'm looking for a way to convert a DWG file to something more usable in my automation. Pretty much if a user checks in the updated DWG, it's exported to PNG and scp'd to our patch database server. I was trying QCad as there is a reference of dxf2png - but it keeps crashing in my instance of Fedora. Any thoughts? Benjamin J. Higgins 504 Carpenter Road Whitinsville, MA 01588 t: 508.266.0155 c: 617.615.6442 e: logicallyrogue(a)gmail.com ________________________________ This e-mail may contain confidential information, may be protected by applicable privileges, and may constitute non-public information. It is intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s) of the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender. Unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

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October meeting reminder!
by Tim Keller Oct. 8, 2023

Oct. 8, 2023

Our next wlug meeting is going to be on Oct 12th 2023 at Technocopia. Topic: TBD! Time: 7pm Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Next Meeting Sept 14th 2023 Location: Technocopia!
by Tim Keller Oct. 2, 2023

Oct. 2, 2023

Hey Everybody, We've got a meeting this week at Technocopia! Time: 7pm Date: September 14, 2023 Location: Technocopia 44 Portland Street 6th Floor Worcester MA. Virtual Location: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA Topic: Good question! Let me know what you want to talk about! I'm always afraid we won't have anything to talk about and then we end up talking for 2 hours!! We can definitely talk about Linux Kernel 6.6, Intel downfall bug and other stuff. We'll head off for dinner afterwards and continue the conversation. Snacks and refreshments will be provided! Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Next Meeting date will be April 20th 2023.
by Tim Keller Sept. 12, 2023

Sept. 12, 2023

I'm moving the meeting to next week as I've got a family obligation on Thursday. Thanks for understanding. Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Gridfinity open source organization..
by Tim Keller Sept. 11, 2023

Sept. 11, 2023

This isn't related to linux, but definitely cool. I've been working on getting my tools all organized and I came across gridfinity.xyz I thought others might find it interesting as well. Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Old DEC/Sun Video cables from late 1980s/early 90s
by Michael Voorhis Sept. 7, 2023

Sept. 7, 2023

Hey all: This isn't necessarily a Linux-related post so apologies up front, but this seemed like a good forum in case someone has old computer hardware and is looking for such things, or knows someone in such a situation. I've come across a cache of old video cable from about 30 years ago, Sun and DEC cables (and one Apple cable). They might be difficult to obtain now. I'm not trying to sell these cables; ideally I'd like to get them into the hands of some historian trying to keep their old computer hardware working. Thanks; list of cables follows: 6x 13W3/M-to-13W3/M cables, two of them Sun-branded and four generic. Since the non-sun cables were found in the same box as the sun video cables I assume they're all sun-compatible. 4x 13W3/M-to-4BNC/M Sun video cables. Two still bagged, all Tatung-branded. Tatung once manufactured of "Generic" (i.e., less expensive) Sun UltraSPARC hardware. 4x LCC17/M-to-3BNC/M DEC-branded BC29G-09 video cables, for some sort of Vax- or DECStation monitors. 2x DB15/F-to-3BNC/M DEC-branded BC23J-03 video cables, for some sort of Vax- or DECstation. These two are in somewhat rough shape. 1x 13W3/M-to-DA15/M Apple video connector, for Apple Mac-2 or Quadra machines of the late 1980s. [end of list]

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Displays for the needy
by David Glaser Aug. 21, 2023

Aug. 21, 2023

Hi Folks, I'm helping with the cleanup of a house that was owned by the deceased parents of a friend of mine. So far I have found 8 flat panel displays and at lease 40 hard drives (IDE/Parallel-ATA). I also found some all-in-one computers (display with a built in pc). Is there an organization here in the Worcester area (or environs) that can make use of them? Otherwise, I am going to trash them. Regards David Glaser -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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(virtual BostonLinux BLU Wed Aug16 6:30-9pm?) AlmaLinux OS
by Doug Mildram Aug. 15, 2023

Aug. 15, 2023

Decades (199x-2010) before I found wlug/WPI/you!, I'd (rarely..road wimp, became too lazy,etc..) go to MIT/Cambridge for geek-meetings that a UNIX SysAdmin --> linux-lover might enjoy. I stopped attending their meetings decades ago, but I kept listening quietly to the "discuss" (primary email thread/list of BLU) that I think it morphed into: Boston Linux and Unix http://www.blu.org (trivia: "Announce" includes "Discuss" list, which I get in digest, so a dozen+week becomes sm handful per week. TMI,but see also http://www.blu.org/about_blu/ for a hint at BLU history + leaders. HEAR YE and cool/modern format(s): BLU Meetings, at least some like THIS WEEK's, allow you to --- ATTEND and be yourself? LIVE, with Jitsi, see below, or --- PEEP apparently live and/or later ? with YouTube Live Stream, also below. So this month/week's topic would be new-to-me! Almost-too-timely if you're into Enterprise/RedHat, it seems. Comments and corrections welcome in advance about Alma, or BLU... I know a couple of you (Chuck and who else?) listen(ed) to BLU/discuss! -doug EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT via "discuss" list: Tue, 15 Aug 2023 From: Jerry Feldman via Announce <announce(a)lists.blu.org> To: BLU Announce <announce(a)blu.org> Cc: Greater New Hampshire LUG <gnhlug-discuss(a)gnhlug.org> Subject: [Discuss] Boston Linux VIRTUAL Meeting , Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - AlmaLinux OS EVENT: When: August 16, 2023 7:00PM EDT (6:30PM for Q&A) Topic: AlmaLinux OS Speaker: Benny Vasquez Chair of Board of Directors, AlmaLinux (attending Maybe) AND Jack Aboutboul Community Manager for AlmaLinux (definitely attending:spkr) Location: Online: https://meet.jit.si/blu.org Live stream: https://youtube.com/live/a1t2emQp46Q?feature=share Summary: Overview of AlmaLinux OS Abstract: AlmaLinux OS is an Open Source, community owned and governed, forever-free enterprise Linux distribution, focused on long-term stability, providing a robust production-grade platform. AlmaLinux OS is ABI compatible with RHEL. Alma Linux Foundation: https://almalinux.org/

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Reminder! Meeting tonight at Technocopia! Time: 7pm!
by Tim Keller Aug. 15, 2023

Aug. 15, 2023

Hey Everybody, We've got a meeting tonight! Location: Technocopia in Worcester: 44 Portland St, Worcester, MA 01608 Virtual Location: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA As for a topic, I haven't really thought one up, but I'm just sure stuff will come up! I'd love people's ideas for what to install on a chromebook that's no longer taking updates.. Bunsenlabs looks promising.. I'll bring snacks and refreshments and afterwards we'll head off for dinner! Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Hierarchical note taking, Joplin, Trilium, browser extensions, etc..
by Tim Keller Aug. 14, 2023

Aug. 14, 2023

At last night's meeting, a new attendee brought up a problem she was having and one of the solutions that got bandied about was Joplin. After doing some research, this might be my new note taking app. Another very interesting FOSS tool out there is called "Trilium" https://github.com/zadam/trilium As much as I like google's keep.. I'm fully aware that google capable of just pulling the rug out from under me in a moment's notice. I've spun up U22.04.3 server and I'm going to tinker with Joplin and possibly Trilium and let people know what I think of them. Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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FYI - Article about Framework brand laptop
by David Glaser Aug. 11, 2023

Aug. 11, 2023

FYI https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/turning-my-framework-laptop-into-a-… -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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Meeting tomorrow at Technocopia at 7pm!
by Tim Keller Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

Hey Everybody! I know we were just there.. but getting back onto our schedule of the 2nd Thursday of the month means we'll eventually have two meetings close together. Date: August 10th, 2023 Time: 7pm Location: Technocopia in Worcester: 44 Portland St, Worcester, MA 01608 Virtual Location: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA As for a topic, I haven't really thought one up, but I'm just sure stuff will come up! I'd love people's ideas for what to install on a chromebook that's no longer taking updates.. Bunsenlabs looks promising.. I'll bring snacks and refreshments and afterwards we'll head off for dinner! Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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WLUG Meeting this month!
by Tim Keller Aug. 9, 2023

Aug. 9, 2023

Hey Gang! If we go back to our normal schedule we'll be at Technopia this Thursday. Would that work for people or would next Thursday work? Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Questions on Technocopia
by hammerron Aug. 1, 2023

Aug. 1, 2023

These questions may be more directed at Tim, or Kevin (if he gets these emails): Does Technopia allow food and drink? Would rooms for any future WLUG meetings there have access to AC outlets for laptops with Mesozoic age batteries that won't hold a charge? Ron

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WLUG Meeting next week! July 13th 2023.. Tentative topic is keyboards, RedHat.
by Tim Keller July 30, 2023

July 30, 2023

While not entirely linux related, keyboard preference is something that we all have opinions on. I'll bring along a couple interesting keyboards that play nicely with linux. I know we'll definitely talk about the the RedHat decision as well. It'll be interesting to get Joshua's perspective on this as well. I'm still working out a location on the WPI campus, I'll let everybody know when I get more details. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Happy Sysadmin Day
by Tim Keller July 28, 2023

July 28, 2023

Happy Sysadmin day! Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Installing ubuntu on a mac..
by Tim Keller July 26, 2023

July 26, 2023

So funny enough another Mac fell into my lap and our success with Matt's mac encouraged me to get U22.04 installed on a 2014 macbook pro.. I tried to install using Ventoy only to hit this issue: https://github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/issues/52 I ended up writing the ISO directly to my scratch stick and installing from there. Just a heads up if you end up tripping on this. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Lab bench giveaway
by John Stoffel July 24, 2023

July 24, 2023

Hi all, I've got an 8' lab bench to give away, but I need it picked up this week at the latest. It's 8'w x 30"d by dunno.. 40" high? I can get better numbers. It weighs a ton, is super solid, and has stainging and some imperfections. It's been in my garage for years and shows it. Any takers? I'll be posting to my town (Boylson) freebie group later tonight. Please email me or TEXT my number befow. John john(a)stoffel.org 508-736-5499

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Red Hat controversy
by Joshua Stone July 21, 2023

July 21, 2023

Hey everyone, I didn't talk about the Red Hat controversy at last night's meeting, namely the decision to stop publishing RHEL sources to git.centos.org <https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/furthering-evolution-centos-stream> and the implications this has on the various RHEL clones. If there's anyone still interested in hearing about the rationale behind this recent decision and the response that's created from clone makers, then I recommend listening to the following Linux Unplugged episodes: Caught Red-Hatted | LINUX Unplugged 517 (timestamp 00:08:39): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-mXDI-keo The Clone Grift Wars | LINUX Unplugged 519 (timestamp 00:06:02) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYn_xlOma4 I hope that brings some much-needed context to the discussion. - Josh

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Thoughts or experience with long range (350ft) wifi
by Bradley Noyes July 21, 2023

July 21, 2023

Hello W-luggers — I have an out-building where I’d like to have wifi. The distance is about 350ft. There are some trees in the way, but not a thick forest. I’m curious to know if anyone here has recommendations on outdoor, long range wifi equipment. Perhaps something with a parabolic antenna or otherwise directional antenna. The following article (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/08/point-to-point-wi-fi-bridging-betwe…) recommends some TP-Link wifi routers, which is likely the route I’ll try. Any one willing to share thoughts or experiences would helpful. Thanks! — brad

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Awesome meeting last night!
by Tim Keller July 21, 2023

July 21, 2023

Hey Gang, We had an amazing meeting last night, I'd like to thank Kevin from Technocopia for providing us the space, we will be back!! We had a number of random interlopers just show up and the discussion quickly pivoted from keyboards to linux drivers and the unix philosophy. The conversation then shifted to analog control devices and a guy named Rick gave us all a great education on analog process and control technologies. Then to cap things off, a maker named Matt showed up with an iMac and asked if we could help him get Linux Mint installed, in classic WLUG fashion we jumped at the opportunity and in no time flat we got him sorted out. It turns out that machine is slightly too old to run DeVinci Resolve, but I believe it'll be a great machine for him to get some basic linux knowledge. I believe we've found a new space to hold meetings, it's going to get interesting and weird! Later, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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WLUG Meeting tonight: LOCATION CHANGE!!! WE ARE AT TECHNOPIA!! 7PM
by Tim Keller July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023

Hey Gang! We are going to be at Technopia tonight at 7PM! Address: 44 Portland St, Worcester, MA 01608 Virtual Address: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA Topic(s): Keyboards, RedHat not being cool, etc. As usual we'll be going out for dinner after the meeting (we'll figure it out there) I don't know the food/drink policy at Technopia so I'll hold off on bringing that stuff until I know better. See you there!!! Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Where to hold meetings..
by Tim Keller July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023

Hey Gang, It appears that WPI isn't going to work out for us as a stable place to hold meetings. I have two questions to ask the group. 1. Does the second Thursday still work for people or would a Wed/Fri work better? 2. How far would people be willing to drive? As for the second question, doing some research, Leominster public library has meeting rooms (I'm also a LPL member) and they're open till 9pm. Moreover, Leominster has great afforable places to eat. I believe it's likely too late for me to schedule a meeting at LPL, but I can always call and ask. So I suspect this months meeting (which is going to be this Thursday) will be virtual. Though I'll let people know asap. Let me know what you think, I'd really like some input. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

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Wireless Earbuds
by hammerron July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023

I see what looks like a bunch of people using wireless earbuds when doing a video chat. I am wondering if anyone would share their opinion about them, pros/cons, and if you recommend any certain ones (hoping not a budget strain). Ron

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Email Encryption on an Android Phone
by hammerron July 16, 2023

July 16, 2023

Just an update, if anyone's curious. The friend decided not to encrypt after all, but has started to use the K-9 email client for Android

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