[SLUG] SLG for newbies

[Bob Garrood]

Hi

Just to say that arrangements for the SLG meetings aimed at newbies  are going 
ahead,  even though they have been delayed.

An interesting article, which seems to me to explain the biggest threat to 
open source since software patents is on:   
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foobar/4265

If you Google  "death of Microsoft" there are over 4 million entries.  

Here is the text for the second poster.  Please abuse.

"
Scarborough Linux Group is putting on a series of meetings to show why Linux 
is a better way to use computers.

Linux is the green alternative for computers.  If you, or your family, use a 
computer, you should bear in mind that a computer that uses Linux can last 
twice as long as computers with other operating systems.  This takes pressure 
off landfill sites and has a smaller carbon footprint than more commercial 
alternatives.  If you want to sustain the planet, you can start researching 
this topic at: http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13505_1-9831566-16.html

SLG (Scarborough Linux Group) meetings will begin by concentrating on 3 
different Linux distributions.  We chose them to show 3 good reasons to use 
LInux.

Do you have an antique, useless computer?  Does it just give a blue screen, or 
say "software error" when you switch it on?  Puppy Linux could be your 
answer.  It comes as a live CD, running from the cdrom drive, and it can even 
work on machines whose hard drive has failed.

Do you have a slightly younger machine with less memory than modern commercial 
systems seem to need?  Slackware is the oldest Linux distribution, but it 
uses "state of the art" software.  It is harder than some of the 
alternatives, but it it will teach you and your children principles that have 
been used in computer science for 30-40 years.  When you were taught 
Pythagoras theorem at school, you acquired knowledge that has lasted 2500 
years.  When your children are taught to use PowerPoint in primary school, 
they have a skill that will be out of date before they get a job.

Do you want the latest operating system, with the style to impress your 
trendiest friends?  You need to have, or buy, a reasonably new machine.  This 
means, for example, at least 384Mb of memory (RAM), whereas the Slackware 
runs in 128Mb (or even 64).   If so, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon is for you.

If you want more information you can find it by coming to our meetings, the 
next is on January 8th (7.00pm) at the Blind centre, 183 Dean Road (please 
use the side entrance in Roseville Avenue) , but usually these will be on the 
first Monday of each month.  We have social meetings on the third Monday of 
every month at the Valley pub.  

You can also look on the web at: http://www.scarborough.lug.org.uk/
or subscribe to the mailing list at: scarborough at mailman.lug.org.uk
"

Bob