[Aslug] ASLUG : Let's spread the word!

[Adrian Casey]

Greetings all!

I've been away for a couple of weeks so I've been catching up on emails etc.  
One thing I have noticed is that there are several people who come to the 
meeting but are not on the distro list.  Getting on the distro list is now 
easier than ever!  You can either visit the link at the bottom of this email 
or directly from the ASLUG web page.  Obviously if you're receiving this 
email, you are already on the list so you don't need to subscribe.  However, 
if you want to change you details, you can do so using this page.

If you know anyone who would like to get on the list, please point them at 
the web page or forward this message to them.

I installed OpenOffice.org V1.0 yesterday and I must say I'm very impressed 
so far.  It seems more responsive than StarOffice 5.2 and the functionality 
provided must surely give MS executives nightmares.

My brother runs a business down South and would dearly like to run an all 
Linux shop.  He's impressed by the price / performance of Linux but must be 
able to do his day to day word processing and spreadsheets.  Currently, he 
runs Lotus Smart Suite.  I've given him a copy of OpenOffice for Windows and 
installed RedHat 7.3 for him in a dual-boot configuration.  He's going to 
take a close look at OpenOffice and if it can all that he needs, he'll be 
making the jump.  I'm confident it will do all that he needs.

I received my first copy of Linux Format under subscription the other day.  
It comes with 2 CDs and is just a bloody great mag!  The CDs contain lots of 
good stuff including the latest OpenOffice, Opera 6.0, Mozilla rc3 and a 
preview of Netscape 7. 

This leads me to the next subject : sharing software.  One thing I don't 
think we do enough of is making CDs available at meetings for anyone who 
wants them.  Yes, we often lend CDs but really, with the cost of blanks these 
days we should be able to give copies away (on the understanding that the 
recipient replaces the blanks used).  

I'd encourage everyone to use the ASLUG mailing list to request copies of 
CDs.  For example, if someone wants OpenOffice, they send a request to the 
mailing list.  Hopefully someone will burn a copy and reply to the mailing 
list that they have "filled the order".  The CD can then be given to the 
requestor at the next meeting (and the requestor brings along a replacement 
blank CD).  I know several of you also have ADSL and may like to download the 
latest ISO images of popular distros.  These could be made available to 
members of the usergroup.  If only I could get ADSL... :-(

Obviously, we must limit our copying to material distributed under the GPL or 
similar.  We must *not* undermine commercial organisations by copying CDs 
containing non-GPL material for example, CDs only available when purchased in 
a boxed set or similar.  Please read the licence agreement of your CDs / 
software carefully before copying them.

We can do our job as Linux and opensource advocates by making free software 
available as freely and widely as possible.

So, to get the ball rolling, I've got OpenOffice, Netscape 7 and Mozilla rc3  
available.  If anyone wants a copy, let me know and I'll burn it for the next 
meeting (23rd July).

And last, but not least, there is finally a 
Darwin Linux User Group!  Take a look at http://www.darlug.org/index.php.

-- 
Cheers.
Adrian Casey.
Alice Springs Linux User Group
+-----------------------------------------------------+
       WWW :  http://www.aslug.org.au
Mailing List : http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/aslug
+-----------------------------------------------------+
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Stuck with a hung X programme ? Just run xkill on a  xterm and 
your mouse pointer will change into  a "killer". Just click on 
the culprit window and the latter will get killed instantly.

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