CLI goodness

BASH

A good session on CLI fun – who knew that a simple dash could make so much difference to a su, eh?

And hands up who knew that you could have a carriage return in the middle of a filename?

Be honest, now!

Seriously, this session really showed that there is a lot of knowledge and experience across all sorts of areas in the group, and the discussion was excellent, and possibly, as someone commented, the most Linux-focused we’ve had in a while!

Remember, man and info are your friends.

Thanks to everyone for coming and for contributing so much.

June end meeting – report

Dave gave a talk about his project to pack a small radio and Pi computer and LCD display into a secondhand Pelican case to make, what the American’s call a Go box – this was still unfinished but functional. The Pi and hdmi computer ran off a cheap phone-charger type psu giving 5v out via usb – the radio ran from a 12v 7a/h  SLAB battery – both powered the set for the evening around 1 to 1.5 hours. The radio sat in a hand-cut (and cut hand!) piece of chair foam with sections cut for the parts – including a vital antenna matching device – for demo’s sake wasn’t yet in place. The case still needs holes drilling for external connections – but hopefully to show the Septemeber Hamfest see www.telfordhamfest.co.uk

Postscript: Despite being a working setup Dave’s since realise that the antenna matching unit doesn’t fit in the case and allow the lid to close without damaging the LCD. Pause for re-think.

 

September 1st 2013 – LUG table at the Hamfest event

We carry the message about Linux and Open Source to the public again this September

The group has a table to show Linux, open source software and hardware to radio amateurs and others attending the Telford Hamfest organised by Telford and District Amateur Radio Society.

Members come along and support us and anyone interesed come along and say hi.

We hope to have radio related setup (based on HamOS Linux distro) connected to a radio to transmit and receive contacts, also a Reprap owned by Chris G and also decoding systems to show weather satellite imagery and possibly some Raspberry Pi things.

More informaiton soon – but have a look at;
http://www.telfordhamfest.co.uk
http://www.tdars.org.uk

Next Meeting 28th June at Telford College

We have Martin Farrow of Versacloud along this month who will be interviewed about his many years of working with industry level Linux provision at a level many people dream of doing but never will. It will be an interview and questions session.

Also bring along comments about putting together a demo of Linux, robots and Arduinos for the Telford Hamfest in September.

Download the poster

slugTCAT280612_

April Meeting review – another successful evening

Thanks very much to David Philzacklea for the talk and answering questions on how Linux / open source is used to keep his company  Jumbo IT Service Ltd of Newport going. The company process data for many organisations – both public and private – for whom all the term ‘mission critical’ is very real. Much of the work was done by our own Lee Cashmore.

David gave an interesting talk / presentation to show how systems and data that are so important to the company (and other companies / organisations) is made available to process and kept secure. He described how effective yet economic hardware is used through investment in programming open source OS’s and applications. The core of value is extracting what Open Source can enable and making best use of it – not just trusting what other global organisations tell you that you need and having to trust them with it.

Working on databases or monitoring them is their job – they have solid back up, restore and disaster planning which could enable them to walk away from any of their workplaces should the worst occure – and be continuining operations either from home or mobile locations within promises made in SLAs. Having such important data and its value, really focussed their activity on making sure that nothing is broken or lost . He also described their use of VM machines for efficiency and as part of protecting from disasters.

David talked about how hardware continues to operate (but with planned replacement if need be – without effectiving the organisation. It was a refreshing thing to hear how a successful company is not romanced into handing over substatial control and funds to corporates who operate on FUD.

Thanks David – he offered to do a follow up talk – we’ll be scheduling one in late in the year.. Search “Jumbo IT Services Newport”  for more information on them.

All in I think we had 15 attendance – continuing the good numbers we are getting now we have regular talks and demonstrations.

Look forward to next months meeting at Telford College – but after that till September we’ll need a Summer Datcha to relocate to. Dave H

 

March meeting – a busy successful evening about Cloud computing

The UKITA/BCS took on our evening and provided two excellent speakers from industry. We counted 45 people at the meeting – which included a class of HND Computing students from the College.I t opened at 6.30, arrivals chat and tea/coffee and  7pm  the event began.

The first speaker of the evening was Phil Oakley who presented a clear and simple explanation of summing up the gathering of services current and historical to provide the concept of Cloud computing – clearing out some misconceptions about it being something new.
The second speaker, Victoria DIggines spoke on the security concerns and legal consequences of where Cloud users data might be actually physically located in the world. The local laws can be a surprise and potential heavy financial risks if legal agreements  are not put in place before taking advantage of the ‘Cloud’  When moving data storage and virtual – buyer-beware!

If you don’t pay for something – expect same level of support at worst. Free Cloud computing for example, like Googles docs, storage and apps are fine but based really only on you valuing your data at how much you pay for them.  Many of us store personally owned data and files in our online emailers – fine if you know you’re taking a risk.  If you have a business you need to assume the worst and get advice so as not to put your business at risk.

Ed Bedell introducing the evenings speakers Phil Oakley and Victoria Diggines. Inset, more images from the evening.

The evening finished with a set of questions which could have gone on well after 9pm the default closing time for the College. People who came along all passed good comments on the event and location – special thanks to Ed Bedell  of UKITA/BCS for the organisation and promotion of the event.

The  requirement of our access to a free room for meetings is to provide an event  that would be of use to students at the College. This certainly was. This event was an example of the voluntary sector (us!) enabling young people to make valuable contacts directly into industry.  Here’s hoping this is the seed of future success. The Colleges head of computing, Ed, is looking for us to repeat this type of event – but about VMware in the next College year (September onwards).

Next month is a return to normal service – but this event certainly was a success.

March meeting – visiting talks about Cloud computing

UKITA/BCS will be putting on a free talk with two speakers for the evening called
“Realise the Cloud’s silver lining while managing its jagged edges”

For this night only  please register here:
http://ukita20120329.eventbrite.co.uk

free tea/coffee provided

The event takes place in our usual meeting place at Telford College on Thu. 29th March from 6.30 to 9pm in College room E211

The link above contains information on getting to the College – note there is a lit car park and there is security at the College.

The event will be postered and security will advise on getting to the room – a lift is available for those who are unable to take the stairs.

Location information for next meeting at Telford College

24th November 7pm meeting for a talk by Jon Farmer about UbuntuP
See http://www.tcat.ac.uk/other/collegeinfo/map.html (look for the T) at Telford College Wellington Telford TF1 2N

 

Download this poster!SlugNov2011

Shropshire LUG goes Telford Hackaday

From our reporter on the spot, John Alexander, along with other SLUG members took part in the first Telford Hackaday.

Strike While The “Soldering” Iron is hot they say.

An entourage of 8 members arrived with machines and various half projects and being organised at short notice we were intending this to be more of a “show and tell” rather than full workshop.

John A actually demonstrated the equipment required to deliver true 1080p from ANY capable PC to any Full HD TV using a VGA-HDMI converter allowing us to watch rather too many simultaneous  episodes of HAK5 http://revision3.com/hak5

John Darley, showed off his handy work with a part built  “Cup Cake CNC” From Makerbot Industries http://www.makerbot.com.
An excellent piece of kit which actually extrudes molten plastic onto a table to create 3D objects including rather cleverly,  parts for further Makerbots.

Fortunately we do not need to fear Robot domination as of yet since John as yet to finish the extruder head and commence the building his New Model Army!

Here’s an example of what Robots eat! 😀

Others spent time fiddling with a mobile satellite dish attempting to get a DVB-S PCI card to fire up (better luck next time Jim!!)

Chris Cutler and son Rob were busy assembling a WIFI listening device.

Nothing worse than an emergency with your Plumbing Mr Darley to the rescue.
I’m sure this wasn’t what he expected from the term Water sports!

Well earned Cup of Coffee!

Later John A (Always one for his toys) demonstrated the USB powered MIMO 7″ LCD monitor he got from Scan Computers and how  to get it working under Linux using libDLO.

http://libdlo.freedesktop.org/wiki/FrontPage

Jim been rather “camera shy” after the Satellite debarcle

John D in a “knot” with Fedora 10

Over all a great time was had. Thanks again to all those who turned up at such short notice especially the new guys who didn’t know what to expect from the SLUGs!!

Both the main SLUG meetings and the Hackdays rely on you to make them successful. Interested leave a comment  or turn up to our regular SLUG meetings last Tuesday of the month at the Station Inn Horsehay

2010 January meeting report.

A surprisingly healthy turnout for the January SLUG meeting despite the cold.

Half the members consuming an equally healthy Steak Dinner and Pud.
(Remember to bring an empty stomach with you to meetings as Tuesday is steak night with free pud …Excellent value !)

Many Demos and much talking :

Demos
=====
VGA and HDMI converters and Upscalers showing how to get a full 1080p on your TV from ANY computer Linux/Windows or MAC. Ideal for media presentations or conferences.

Sumvision Media player (Cyclone MKV) and how to get to the Busybox prompt and access the embedded Linux system

Digimode Radio again 😉 Thanks Dave for a good chat

Various small Linux machines (Acer/Asus Beasts) and iPhones in Evidence

Talking Points
==============
Telford Hackerspace feasibility
Visit to Birmingham Hackerspace
http://www..fizzpop.org.uk/

I see the Brummie LUG want to go there or at least have a talk about it :
http://birmingham.lug.org.uk/meetings/

WSPR (more Radio Stuff :D)
http://wsprnet.org/drupal/

Plus many other bits including a big Hi to the “Newbury Massive” Lee C,John A !!

Remember that SLUG relies on your participation. If you are reading this and don’t remember it then you weren’t there and missed out, get your self down to the Station Inn on the Last Tuesday of every month (including the cold ones!!).

FEBRUARY Meeting
================
23rd of Feb 19:30 onwards …Come earlier and get your Cow Dinner ordered!
Location: Station Inn
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=station+inn+horsehay&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=station+inn&hnear=horsehay&cid=9443180385690869677

Topic (provisional)

John Alexander depending on commitments will be discussing his trip to the
FOSDEM conference in Brussels
http://www.fosdem.org/2010/