[wplug-announce] Wplug's first newsletter

[Beth Lynn]

Hello,

WPLUG is proud to announce the first edition of the newsletter

			"The Open Pitt"

Since this is brand-new, we are looking for your input regarding
content, formatting, and distribution. Please contact the editors
with your comments by emailing top at wplug.org

You may download a pdf verison or a text version of "The Open Pitt"
at this url: http://www.wplug.org/top/

We thank everyone who worked very hard to make this possible.

Thanks,
Beth Lynn Eicher
WPLUG Board Chair

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 THE OPEN PITT
      What's cooking in Linux and Open Source in Western Pennsylvania

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Issue 1                         June 2004
www.wplug.org
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In this issue:
  Red Hat's Latest: Fedora Core 2
  April/May Roundup
  From the Editors: Welcome!
  Annoucement: New User Tutorial

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                              Coming Events

Jun. 5:  General User Meeting, Topic: Cobind Desktop.  10am to 3pm, 1507
         Newell-Simon Hall, CMU
Jun. 12: New User Tutorial, Topic: Linux Basics with SUSE 9.1.  10am to
         3pm, 1507 Newell-Simon Hall, CMU
Jul. 10: Installfest.  10am to 5pm, 1507 Newell-Simon Hall, CMU
Jul. 17: General User Meeting.  10am to 3pm, 1507 Newell-Simon Hall, CMU

                    The public is welcome at all events
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Red Hat's Latest: Fedora Core 2
by Carl Benedict

Released May 14th, the latest in the Fedora line of Linux operating
systems is Fedora Core 2 (codename: Tettnang).  Keeping in time with
Fedora Core 1, Fedora Core 2 puts you near that technological edge yet
again.

What's New in FC2?
Like its predecessors, Fedora Core 2 boasts quite a bit of software.  You
can get the OS in the form of 4 install CDs or 1 DVD.  There are also 4
source RPM CDs available for download, as well as a rescue CD.  Discs were
also released for 64-bit x86 processors.  Base i386 software includes the
Linux kernel 2.6.5, GNOME 2.6, KDE 3.2.2, SELinux, OpenOffice.org 1.1.1,
and X.org's X11R6.7.0.

The 2.6 series kernel offers many improvements over prior kernel versions.
Among these are performance enhancements and improved hardware support.
>From a user perspective, increased system responsiveness is one of the
most noticeable features.  Also included is ALSA, which will replace OSS
as the default Linux sound architecture.

Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is included but not enabled by default.
It is an implementation of mandatory access control in the Linux kernel
allowing greater control over security using a policy-based system.
SELinux can be installed by passing the parameter "selinux" at the
installer command line, although I chose not to for this article.

The XFree86 implementation of the X Window System has been replaced with
the X.org version.  Based on XFree86 4.4RC2, X.org has made quite an
extensive list of enhancements.  Most notable are improved video driver
support and performance, and IPv6 support added to the X11 server.
Perhaps the most obvious change is the naming convention--all of the
previous tools and files named "XF86" have been changed to "xorg" (e.g.,
XF86Config is now xorg.conf).

Installation
I decided to test FC2 on two machines.  The newer PC has an Athlon XP 2600
and 512 MB of RAM, while the older one contains a Pentium III 650 and 160
MB of memory.

The install process is not unlike that of previous versions of Red Hat or
Fedora.  You set up your locale, timezone, network configuration,
firewall, root password, and partition your hard disk.  Several packaged
environments such as "workstation", "desktop PC", "server", and "custom"
are offered.
I chose "workstation" for both, which requires CD #1 and CD #2.  The last
step of the install process tells you which CDs are needed to complete the
installation, based on the selections you have made.  This is a great
feature and will inevitably save someone somewhere from a potential
headache.  Package installation took less than 30 minutes on both
machines.

After completing installation, the system reboots and runs "firstboot", a
graphical utility that lets you do things such as test sound output, add
user accounts, and install additional software.

You are then presented with the default desktop.  I experienced no
problems running under the default configuration on either machine, nor
did I have to tweak anything to get hardware working.  However, some
software does not ship with Fedora due to licensing issues.  After a
Google search and installing a few libraries, MP3 playback was a reality.

The next issue to deal with was accelerated graphics.  The drivers from
<http://www.nvidia.com/> are the best choice for performance for gaming or
anything OpenGL-related on NVidia-based cards.  To use them, I had to
change a few options in the stock Fedora kernel and rebuild it from
source.
Since I was going to the trouble of recompiling, I grabbed and used the
latest stable kernel (2.6.6) from <http://www.kernel.org/>.  After
compiling, installing, and rebooting, I had a responsive system with
accelerated 3D graphics.

In Closing
Fedora Core 2 delivers a lot of the newest technology from the Linux
world, all rolled into one distribution.  It has met my expectations for a
Linux distribution, while staying within the bounds of current open source
software.  FC2 also took less time to configure to my liking than any
previous Red Hat release.  I feel the Fedora team has taken a step in the
right direction for the Linux desktop.  I look forward to seeing what the
next release brings.  Fedora is located at <http://fedora.redhat.com/>.

Carl Benedict works for Pittsburgh Techs <http://www.pittsburghtechs.com/>
in Cranberry Township.

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April/May Roundup

Apr. 17 Inflow Site Visit: Paul Painter presented an introduction to high-
availability computing, concentrating on networking applications.  Inflow
<http://inflow.com/location-details.asp?id=9> provides application
hosting, colocation, and business continuity services.  After lunch, we
toured the data center to see the redundant systems first-hand, from
multiple routers to the diesel backup generator.  A copy of Paul's slides
is available at <http://www.wplug.org/files/inflow.ppt>.

Apr. 24 Erie Installfest: ErieLUG <http://erie.wplug.org/> hosted its
first installfest ever at Mercyhurst College.  Eight WPLUGers made the
trip up to assist.  It looks like ErieLUG is off to a running start.

May 1 Security Doubleheader: Professor Christopher Belcher of the
Community College of Allegheny County guest-lectures in the Software and
Information Assurance <http://sia.ccac.edu/> program.  He covered
performing a minimal Linux installation, removing unneeded services, and
limiting privileges granted to server processes.

Bill Moran of Potential Technologies took a more outside-in approach,
discussing port scans and firewalls, as well as tools for diagnosing and
reacting to an attack.  He also illustrated real-world examples of
attacks.
A PDF copy of Bill's slides is available at
<http://www.potentialtech.com/wmoran/>.

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 From the Editors: Welcome!

The Western Pennsylvania Linux Users Group (WPLUG) is proud to present the
inaugural issue of The Open Pitt.  Chances are you've heard of Linux and
used it, too, even if you aren't quite sure what it is.  It has gone from
being a hobbyist's toy to powering millions of websites like Google and
Amazon.com to starring in an IBM Superbowl ad.

Starting up a new publication is a daunting task, especially with an all-
volunteer crew having little publishing experience.  But Linus Torvalds
didn't let limited resources or lack of experience deter him from creating
the Linux kernel, so we will follow his example and push forward.  With
luck, we'll have at least a tiny fraction of the success Linux has had.

One goal of The Open Pitt is to serve as the voice of WPLUG.  So far, 2004
has been a busy year, with high turnout at meetings and other events.  In
addition to WPLUG activities, we will also report on the newly-formed
ErieLUG as it gets up and running.

More broadly, though, The Open Pitt exists to serve everyone in Western
Pennsylvania who is using, evaluating, or even just contemplating putting
Linux and other Free and Open Source software to work for them.  Even if
you never plan to drop in on a user meeting or installfest, we want The
Open Pitt to keep you up-to-date on what's happening locally as well as
some of the more noteworthy Linux events from around the world.

If you're only a little curious about all this, keep reading The Open
Pitt.  To find out more, join the mailing lists at <http://www.wplug.org/>
or come out to a meeting.  Everyone is welcome.

Want to install Linux but aren't sure how to proceed or having trouble?
WPLUG's monthly installfests can provide the help needed to get you up and
running.  Linux can even sit alongside your current Windows or MacOS
installation, letting you choose which one to run on power-up.

If you know anyone who might be interested in what you're reading here,
please pass along a copy of this newsletter to them.  In Open Source and
Free Software, sharing is not only allowed, it is encouraged!

In that same vein, we'd like you to share your experiences.  If you have a
story to contribute or feedback on an article, fire off an e-mail message
to us at <top at wplug.org>.

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New User Tutorial - June 12, 10am to 3pm

Beth Lynn Eicher will present a free tutorial on Linux basics, including:
  * Choosing a distribution
  * Filesystems and permissions
  * Using the command line
  * Kernels and bootloaders
  * Security suggestions
  * Basic desktop usage
  * Using Knoppix as a rescue disc or as your main Linux desktop

You may bring a computer along, but one is not required.  Those who RSVP
to <bethlynn at wplug.org> will receive a free Knoppix CD.  Make sure to RSVP
if you plan to bring your computer.

If you have any specific topics of interest or questions you would like
addressed at the tutorial, please e-mail them to Beth Lynn.

===========================================================================
The Open Pitt is published by the Western Pennsylvania Linux Users Group
<http://www.wplug.org/>

Editors: Elwin Green, Vance Kochenderfer

Copyright 2004 Western Pennsylvania Linux Users Group.  Any article in
this newsletter may be reprinted elsewhere in any medium, provided it is
not changed and attribution is given to the author and WPLUG.