Devon and Cornwall GNU/Linux Users Group

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Jan 2016 Tech Jam

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The January Tech Jam will be on 9th January  12:30 to 3:30 at Paignton Library and info centre.  Full details are on the Tech jam website including a few ideas as to what will be there in terms of demos.  As always if you want to bring something to demo,  or need help feel free to come along or just come for a chat / social visit.

http://torbaytechjam.org.uk/

The tech jam can also be found on social media

Diaspora,  twitter & facebook or chat to us on IRC.   Again full info on the website.

 

See you on the 9th January.

About GNU / Linux

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One of the aims of the DCGLUG Is to promote GNU / Linux and Free software.   But what does this all mean.

Free software in the context of the group refers to software that is FREE as in FREEDOM rather than simply free as in cost.   The free software foundation set up by Richard Stallman in 1985 defines free software by giving users 4 basic freedoms which are:

  • The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0).
  • The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
  • The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
  • The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

You can read more about this on GNU Project website.

What is GNU.?

Back in the early 80’s the UNIX operating system came with source code,  when the owners of UNIX decided to make people pay for the software they also took away access to this source code.  So Richard Stallman set up the GNU project to create all the tools that came with Unix as free software so hackers could carry on as before and be able to modify the tools / software to fit in with their needs.

So what is Linux.   Linux refers to the kernel of the operating system,  this part carries out tasks such as memory / disk management, process management etc.  It was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, who at the time was a student at the University of Helsinki in FInland.  Linus is still involved with development to this day.

So what is GNU + Linux or GNU / Linux

While the GNU project simply created the tools used within the Unix operating system it did npt have a kernel to run on.    The GNU project did start on a kernel called HURD but this development was slow.  So when Linus created and eventually released the kernel under the GPL the concept of GNU + Linux was born as there was now both a kernel and related tools to get work done.

Links

GNU Project

Free Software Foundation (Boston, MA)

Free Software Foundation Europe

November 2015 Tech Jam

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The next Torbay Tech jam is on Saturday 14th November 2015.  1 – 3:30 pm at Paignton Library.   For more information please go to the Tech jam website.  Where you will find more information as to what is planned for the event.

If you would like to set anything up then feel free to come from 12:30.

We are on the FIRST floor of the library,  so please go through the main entrance,  and head for corridor on the left (near the cafe) you will find the lift,  go up the lift come out and turn right we will be in rooms 10/11 & 12.

Collabora deal will provide savings on Open Source office softwar

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Looks like the communities work has finally started to pay off this deal is really good for the taxpayer.

A new deal between the Crown Commercial Service and Collabora Productivity will provide public sector organisations with savings on Open Source office software.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/collabora-deal-will-provide-savings-on-open-source-office-software

All we need now is for colleges to start using this software too as part of their teaching, or at least make people aware that there are alternatives out there.