Open Source Software for Windows
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© 2006 The Dayton Microcomputer Association, Inc. TM Volume 32 Issue 3 www.DMA.org May 2007 Association of PC User Groups (APCUG) Member April 24 General Meeting Topic NEW Location NEW Time Open Source Software Parking is FREE Directions & map See … page 4 for Windows Isn’t that an Oxymoron? Nancy Christolear - Guest Speaker n oxymoron (plural oxymorons or, away or sale at a nominal price. We'll A more rarely, oxymora) (noun) is a So why does this make Microsoft's also talk about some new and exciting figure of speech that combines two nor- Balmer nervous? Microsoft equates the developments in OSS. mally contradictory terms. source code for its products as intellec- - Wikipedia tual property. No one can make And here is the key, once you begin changes to Microsoft code but Microsoft. using OSS applications, switching oper- Steve Balmer Microsoft CEO, has gone This is how they have maintained control ating systems becomes quite easy. You out of his way to blast the Open Source of the marketplace. Companies who already know how 90% of what you want community and the concept of Open want to create applications for Windows to do works, significantly reducing the Source. So it may come as a surprise to where they must see or modify the learning curve. Which will give you a you that there are a lot of applications source code pay for the privilege. As a choice next time Microsoft decides to available for the Windows platform that result, that cost is passed on to you the charge for an update to fix their Win- are Open Source. What does this consumer. dows system..... mean exactly. Open Source software is very often dis- Nancy is an mathematics instructor at Open Source Software (OSS) is soft- tributed Free of Charge or at a signifi- Sinclair Community College. She leads ware where the source code is released cantly reduced price. You can experi- the Digital Photography SIG, is heavily with the product and is available for you ence the freedom of Open Source with- involved with the Linux, Genealogy, and to modify if you feel it is necessary. out leaving your familiar Window's plat- Gaming SIGs, and served as Chair for Wikipedia describes OSS as: form. To quote Don Corbet (the Linux Computerfest 2005. Guy) “Its just an Operating System.” All “Open source software an operating system does is make the Nancy Christolear has been a fan of refers to any computer soft- hardware work. OSS since 1998. Originally introduced ware whose source code is to the Linux operating system, Nancy available under a license (or We will show you a variety of High Qual- found one of the easiest ways to get up arrangement such as the ity OSS for the Windows platform, in- and running was to use OpenOffice and public domain) that permits cluding the office suite from OpenOf- its predecessor, Star Office. Nancy pre- users to study, change, and fice.org as well as GIMP (Gnu Image sented seminars on OSS for Windows at improve the software, and to Manipulation Program), which rivals Computerfest in 2004 and 2005. Since redistribute it in modified or Adobe Photoshop. Copies of then Nancy has also expanded her use unmodified form.” TheOpenCD will be available for give- of OSS into other areas as well. Page 2 May 2007 CONTENTS CONTACT INFORMATION BUSINESS DMA® Officers & Trustee 2 GENERAL Map to DMA® Meetings 4 Info Line 937-222-4DMA Boardroom Banter 5 Website www.dma.org June Meeting Date Change 16 E-mail info @ dma.org Calendar 20 Mailing Address P.O. Box 4005, Dayton, OH 45401-4005 FEATURES Resource Center 119 Valley Street, Dayton, OH 45404-1712 1 Cover Story: Open Source for OFFICERS & TRUSTEES Windows President OPEN president @ dma.org Mailing Lists 5 OTAP 6 Vice President Gary Turner vice-president @ dma.org Fare Thee Well, Warrick Mann 7 Treasurer Chuck Gelm treasurer @ dma.org “I Know This Is In There” 7 Secretary Martin Arbagi secretary @ dma.org by Altair Ego Microsoft Tech Day 7 Trustee - A Jim Bellan jimbellan @ earthlink.net Vista Alternatives 8 Trustee - A Ron Williamitis rwilliamitis @ yahoo.com 9 Book Review By Leo Parts Trustee - A Todd Collins toddc @ woh.rr.com The Deals Guy 10 12 Trustee - B Chuck Gelm chuck @ gelm.net Vista Vexes Trustee - B Dan Tasch taschda @ dma.org Dayton LANfest Sights 13 Hardware Review: VIA C7 14 Trustee - B Glady Campion campiong @ dma.org Obituary: John Warner Backus 15 Trustee - C Martin Arbagi martin.arbagi @ sbcglobal.net Board Minutes—March 17 Trustee - C John Hargreaves jrhprinter @ earthlink.net 18 E-Books from the Dayton Library Trustee - C Jim Ullom jullom @ woh.rr.com A=Trustee 3 yrs from 9/06 B=Trustee 3 yrs from 9/05 C=Trustee 3 yrs from 9/04 DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRS DMA® SIG Meeting List 3 OTAP Glady Campion otap @ dma.org About to Expire Memberships 16 Membership Glady Campion membership @ dma.org and New Members Dave Lundy membership @ dma.org Membership App & Renewal Form 19 19 Programs Jim Ullom programs @ dma.org Friends of DMA Fundraising OPEN The DataBus OPEN editor @ dma.org DMA® Website Dave Lundy webmaster @ dma.org DaytonLANfest David Neely nherzhul @ hotmail.com WirelessDaytonDays Peter Hess info @ wirelessdaytondays.org DMA® MEETINGS I-75 Airport Springfield GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME I-70 ATTENTION: Dayton Dayton NEW XeniaLOCATIONUS-35 Jefferson St eetings start at 7:00 p.m. Visit us on the web at US-35 I-675 www.dma.org or email to info @ dma.org for informa- forUS-68 the Warren St M Miami Valley tion or directions. Hosp. Brown St General MeetingsU.D. Stewart St Our monthly General Meeting consists of a brief opening, SR-48 Arena Edwin C. NCR U.D. SIG and committee reports, announcements, and a 60-90 Moses Blvd Kiefaber SEE PAGEPatterson 4 minute program by a guest speaker, followed by door prizes Blvd Oakwood Ave for members. After the meeting, the group adjourns to a Cincinnati for instructionsDrawn by Dave Lundy local eating establishment to socialize. I-75 SR-48 S. Main Revised Dec. 4, 1996 In our search for a better meeting location, our next meeting will be held at the Huber Heights Athletic Foundation DMA®'s Arrow Logo is a trademark, and DMA® & Computerfest® are registered trademarks of the DAYTON MICROCOMPUTER (HHAF) Center. For last minute announcements always check www.dma.org ASSOCIATION, INC., an Ohio 501c(3) non-profit organization. Volume 32 Issue 3 Page 3 he DataBus is published monthly by information about advertising, please con- T the Dayton Microcomputer tact our Editor at: The DataBus, P.O. Box Association, Inc. (DMA®). 4005, Dayton, OH 45401-4005 or email to: [email protected]. The deadline for submitting material is the first Monday of the month of Permission is granted to non-profit publication. Submit files to the editor, organizations to reprint or quote any Association, Inc. This issue was com- [email protected], preferably as an email material contained herein (except that posed using Microsoft Publisher 2003 attachment in MS Word, Wordperfect, which is copyrighted elsewhere) provided DMA®'s Arrow Logo is a trademark, and or .TXT (with line breaks). The editor credit is given to the author, Dayton DMA® & Computerfest® are registered reserves the right to edit for clarity, length Microcomputer Association, Inc. & The trademarks of the Dayton Microcomputer & style, and to hold or reject any portions DataBus. The Editor requests that when Association, Inc., an Ohio 501c(3) non- of submitted copy. reprinting material from The DataBus you profit organization. forward a copy of the reprint to the Editor. Advertisements and want ads are accepted for publication. Non-commercial The opinions expressed in any article or credit-card size ads are free to DMA® column are those of the individual author members. Commercial Credit-card size and do not represent an official position Best User Group Coverage ads are $15.00 per issue for members. of, or endorsement by, The Dayton Large Newsletters Our circulation is targeted to computer Microcomputer Assn., Inc. Nameplate and ‘98 & ‘99 users, technicians, & IT Managers, and is Logo created by Bob Kwater, all rights InterGalactic Conferences currently 300 copies. To receive more reserved, The Dayton Microcomputer New York, NY The DataBus Staff Editor OPEN [email protected] Calendar Dave Lundy [email protected] ® DMA SIGs MA® sponsors numerous Special Gaming SIG meets the last Saturday of Software Development SIG is currently each month at 4:00 p.m. for a 24-hour Interest Groups (SIGs) catering to on hiatus until a new SIG leader can be D LAN-party at 119 Valley Street. Contact the individual interests of its members. found. Any DMA member would qualify. David Neely: nherzhul @ h otmail.com Want to start a new SIG? Contact a Contact any DMA Officer or Trustee for www.DaytonLANfest.com DMA® Officer or Trustee! more details. Amateur Radio SIG meets the 1st Tues- Genealogy/Family History SIG meets Pizza SIG is held immediately after every day of each month, 7:00 p.m. at 119 Valley the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 General Membership meeting with plenty Street. Contact Todd Collins: 937-299-9685 p.m. at 119 Valley Street. Contact Jay of casual conversation, friendly debates, toddc @ woh.rr.com or Shawna Collins: Finley: jotaito @ aol.com and of course, Pizza! sjcollins @ woh.rr.com Hands-On-SIG meets the 2nd Tuesday Come join us! www.dma.org/k8dma and 4th Wednesday of each month, 7:00 Apple-Dayton SIG meets the 3rd Mon- p.m. at 119 Valley Street.