- wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

REMINDER: WLUG meeting is on Monday
by Meeting Reminder Bot 22 Apr '10

22 Apr '10

There's a Waikato Linux Users Group meeting on Monday: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Film screening: Patent Absurdity: how software patents broke the system Against the backdrop of of the current Bilski case in the US Supreme Court, the film features a series of interviews explaining the absurdity of software patents and how we got into this mess. In light of the recent decision by a select committee that software should NOT be patentable in New Zealand, the WLUG committee decided that this would be a good time to screen this film, and discuss some of the issues surrounding software patents. Patentable Inventions: We Recommend amending clause 15 to include computer programs among inventions that may not be patented. We received many submissions concerning the patentability of computer programs. Under the Patents Act 1953 computer programs can be patented in New Zealand provided the produce a commercially useful effect. Open Source, or free, software has grown in popularity since the 1980s. Protecting software by patenting is inconsistent with the open source model, and its proponents oppose it. A number of submitters argued that there is no "inventive step" in software development, as 'new' software invariably builds on existing software. They felt that computer software should be excluded from patent protection as software patents can stifle innovation and competition. In general we accept this position. http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/B6E4F834-C47A-426A-86B8-F573ED4F5E04/… April 26th 7:30pm MS4.G.02 (http://www.waikato.ac.nz/contacts/map?MS4)

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permission bit calculator script ???
by newbie01 linux 22 Apr '10

22 Apr '10

Hi, Does anyone have a permission but calculator script that I can use or know any that I can get from somewhere? Currently Googling, and so far can't find one that is a script ... Thanks in advance.

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ANNOUNCE: WLUG meeting is one week away
by Meeting Reminder Bot 18 Apr '10

18 Apr '10

The Waikato Linux Users Group have a meeting in one week from today: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Film screening: Patent Absurdity: how software patents broke the system Against the backdrop of of the current Bilski case in the US Supreme Court, the film features a series of interviews explaining the absurdity of software patents and how we got into this mess. In light of the recent decision by a select committee that software should NOT be patentable in New Zealand, the WLUG committee decided that this would be a good time to screen this film, and discuss some of the issues surrounding software patents. Patentable Inventions: We Recommend amending clause 15 to include computer programs among inventions that may not be patented. We received many submissions concerning the patentability of computer programs. Under the Patents Act 1953 computer programs can be patented in New Zealand provided the produce a commercially useful effect. Open Source, or free, software has grown in popularity since the 1980s. Protecting software by patenting is inconsistent with the open source model, and its proponents oppose it. A number of submitters argued that there is no "inventive step" in software development, as 'new' software invariably builds on existing software. They felt that computer software should be excluded from patent protection as software patents can stifle innovation and competition. In general we accept this position. http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/B6E4F834-C47A-426A-86B8-F573ED4F5E04/… April 26th 7:30pm MS4.G.02 (http://www.waikato.ac.nz/contacts/map?MS4)

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Seeking DDR Ram
by James Pluck 14 Apr '10

14 Apr '10

Hi All! A friend has been given a desktop machine but it only has 512 meg of ram and is sluggish. He has asked me if anyone has some second hand DDR ram he might be able to purchase. Has anyone got any ram they want to sell? Cheers James. -- James Pluck A Cruce Salus

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Fwd: [nzlug] Cross-Post: PublicACTA Outputs: Wellington Declaration & Petition
by Bruce Kingsbury 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Just in case anyone missed this on the other lists ;) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mark Foster <blakjak(a)blakjak.net> Date: 11 April 2010 22:01 Subject: [nzlug] Cross-Post: PublicACTA Outputs: Wellington Declaration & Petition To: nzlug(a)linux.net.nz, aucklug(a)linux.net.nz Cc: nzlug-announce(a)linux.net.nz Greetings everyone, and apologies for the cross-post. This issue bears some publicity! The Wellington Declaration generated by the folks who attended the PublicACTA event this weekend in Wellington, is something I believe we LUG'rs should be getting behind. Refer the following: http://publicacta.org.nz/wellington-declaration/ http://publicacta.org.nz/sign-the-wellington-declaration/ If you support the statements made in the URL above - and really, I'd be surprised if you don't - please sign the electronic petition at this URL: http://www.gopetition.com/online/35443.html All signatures added before Tuesday morning NZ Time will be appended to the Declaration when it is communicated to the NZ Government negotiators, who (it is hoped) will circulate it to all the ACTA delegations. Background: ACTA (the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement or ACTA) is a controversial international treaty being negotiated in a series of secret meetings. ACTA is proposed as a plurilateral trade agreement for establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement. It is being negotiated between the US, Canada, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, Mexico, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, the negotiations have extended beyond trade and physical counterfeiting to potentially cover non-commercial infringement of copyright material by ordinary citizens and issues of digital rights management. PublicACTA was organised by InternetNZ to give the public opportunity to critique the known and likely content of ACTA proposals. Several issues abound in ACTA; the scope of the agreement is much wider than simply an agreement around trade, and the ramifications should it come into force will be dire for New Zealanders. The NZOSS, which many of you will know of and know that I am also involved with, have taken their stance regarding ACTA to the Government: http://nzoss.org.nz/news/2010/nzoss-submission-acta Please be aware of ACTA, and if you support the position being taken by InternetNZ, NZOSS and many, many other groups and NGOs both in NZ and worldwide, show your support. Cheers Mark Foster Administrator - NZLUG, AuckLUG _______________________________________________ NZLUG mailing list NZLUG(a)linux.net.nz http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug -- Disclaimer: By sending an email to any of my addresses you are agreeing that: 1. I am by definition, "the intended recipient" 2. All information in the email is mine to do with as I see fit and make such financial profit, political mileage, or good joke as it lends itself to. 3. I may take the contents as representing the views of your company. 4. This overrides any disclaimer or statement of confidentiality that may be included on your message.

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NZ Computer Society National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM)
by David Hallett 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

NZ Computer Society National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM) 18 March 2010: 12:00pm - 1:45pm Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub City Campus, Gate 5 Tristram Street, Hamilton NZCS are proud to kick off the new National ICT Series, beginning with well-known IT Skeptic Rob England presenting on what would appear to be regarded as the utopia of service management, RealITSM... A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm Idealised models such as ITIL®, COBIT and ISO20000 are all very well for theoretical discussions, but more and more people are discovering these models just don't fit the way we do things in the real world. Join the movement that is sweeping the ITSM community. Find out about Real ITSM, as it is done in the real world. Making IT Real. Get Real. RealITSM, that is... In this light-hearted and humorous presentation Rob England, the well known "IT Skeptic", introduces Real ITSM, as documented in the book "Introduction to Real ITSM" (see www.realitsm.com) RealITSM is the methodology of implementing IT service management as it is done now in the real world, thereby saving costs, minimising impact and ensuring acceptance. Realitsm (pronounced "realism" with a slight lisp) is the underlying philosophy of primarily ensuring a tranquil life for IT staff. After all, life is hard for us IT types! The main threats to IT stability, or at least the stability of the IT team, are change, accountability and reduced spending. Realitsm is about eliminating these threats from the IT environment, in the best interests of all in IT. A harmonious IT environment requires adherence to the following Realitsm principles: * Ensure a stable operating environment * Maximise adaptability to change * Promote involvement through collectivist decision-making * Maintain morale through reduced group accountability * Maximise revenue and funding for the IT department * Maximise benefit and value for the IT staff Realitsm may be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, however by reflecting on the motivations of teams and managers that unknowingly subscribe to some of its principles, a level of clarity on the importance of service management becomes apparent. This is a not-to-be-missed presentation for anyone in the Service Management space or those interested in a humorous presentation from one of the more colorful figures in New Zealand's IT scene. Note: Light lunch provided. Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others. Registration required at the following URL: http://www.nzcs.org.nz/events/waikato_bop/114-National_Series_A_Harmonious_… Regards, David Hallett, BSc, MNZCS ITCP P.O. Box 15-516 Hamilton, New Zealand Phone: +64-7-210 5520 Mobile: +64-21-802 256

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Re: [wlug] Ge Force FX 5200
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 05 Apr '10

05 Apr '10

Hi I have an agp card with "fx5200" written on the back however it only has a vga and a video out plug. I guess we are talking on different levels as I am not really a geek just trying to be helpful. If it is of some use to you just let me know regards John ----- Original Message Follows ----- > Hello, > > I am looking to build a MythTV box for a friend using a > satellite card to capture/watch/record Freeview. > > I've already got my own box working. > > Prior to HD, I understand the Nvidia GeForce FX5200 was > considered a good graphics card and is infact what I use > (more by luck than design). It has an TV-OUT RCA socket. > > Would anyone on the list have something like that spare > that they would be willing to sell? > > If you wish to reply, please reply to me off list. > > Cheers, > > Chris > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Batch renaming Photo's
by John 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

For those who were at the meeting today, I succeeded in getting a program that will batch rename my photos easily (K Rename) having had a couple of wee trial runs I am sure I can get what I need from this. Liz, Many thanks for your offer of a script. I am quietly thankful that I will not require it :) Regards John

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WLUG Fixit Meeting is today!
by Meeting Reminder bot 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

A reminder, the WLUG Fixit Meeting is today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday Mar 6th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm SaturdayWorkshop at Te Whanau Pūtahi (http://www.wlug.org.nz/TeWhanauPutahi) the community church at the end of Oxford Street. We'll have the usual tables, power, various ISO's, Internet, coffee and light lunch, etc.

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Internet problems
by Michael McDonald 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Was installing Ubuntu 9.10 on some relatively old hardware (c2002-2004) at SeniorNet this afternoon and had an unusual problem. I could ping google.com but could not go to Google site on Firefox. I could bring the router/modem status up on the browser. That page has an automatic refresh, and I got the impression that the transmission speed was slow. There was a brief (at least 0.5sec?) blank screen between successive frames - something I don't recollect having seen happening before. Computer has been fine in the past - used to run Windows XP - and had beta Windows 7 running for several months (after upgrading RAM and optical drive). Double-checked by running Puppy 4.3 ... no problems at all with the Internet. Tried, I think (there's no guarantee that what you've done is what you think you have done!) putting ISP DNS server address directly in eth0 settings, but it didn't appear to make a difference. Tried both auto DHCP and manual settings. Has anyone experienced this before and know how to get around the problem? Is there a problem with the NZ Ubuntu server? Was testing on a spare computer yesterday and wanted to add some software. Seems the NZ server wasn't playing ball and I only succeeded after changing to the main server. My main system is set to the NZ server and I've not noticed any problems!! Finally, getting back to the computer I was dealing with today ... installing Windows 7 beta several months ago was an interesting exercise. The installer was quite happy with the LCD screen plugged in at the time, but Windows 7 itself refused to display on it. It wasn't until I substituted an ancient CRT monitor that I discovered that Windows 7 had installed successfully. Michael

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