- wlug - University of Waikato Mail Lists

Standards NZ notes "No"
by Michael McDonald 30 Aug '07

30 Aug '07

The voting has taken place. http://www.standards.org.nz/news-and-seminars/current-news/New+Zealand+cast… Michael

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Microsoft's Open XML
by Shannon Skinner 30 Aug '07

30 Aug '07

Did anyone else notice the Microsoft advertisement placed in yesterdays Waikato Times (Wed, Aug 29, page 8)? It was basically a PR piece lobbying Standards NZ to accept Open XML as an ISO standard, disguised as an open letter to all New Zealanders. Using such emotive headings as, "Protecting our heritage, our future....", and "This is about much more than technology - it is about New Zealand", it also gives these bullet points: - Protect our heritage - Provide choice - Secure our future - Foster innovation - Give confidence I'm surprised they didn't continue with the following: - Cures global warming - Ends world hunger - Saves the whales ;P There's been quite a bit of coverage of this on the usual tech sites, but here's one that popped up this morning for me: Linux Foundation Urges 'No' Vote On Microsoft's Open XML Format http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201803012 "Microsoft Office's Open XML or OOXML is the default file format for documents built and used by Office applications. The Linux Foundation says the format "is specific to Windows and other Microsoft products," it relies on references to "many Microsoft proprietary specifications" that are not publicly available and it is uncertain whether Open XML "can be used with other operating systems, like Linux."" For the pro-Open XML lobby group: http://www.openxmlcommunity.org/ Given Microsofts history of "embrace and extend" when it comes to standards, is there an expectation that they will behave differently this time? If you feel so inclined, you could send Standards NZ an email with your views on the matter: http://www.standards.co.nz/about/contact-us/default.htm Cheers Shannon

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Gnash 0.8.1 released
by Ian McDonald 30 Aug '07

30 Aug '07

Those of you are interested in open source flash players might be interested in: http://gnashdev.org/?q=node/42 >From my experience Gnash is slowly getting better - my two test sites are Hell Pizza and You Tube and with each release more gets displayed! This project is well worth supporting as Flash is one of the last proprietary things needed to browse the web, now Java is going open source. Ian -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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Re: [wlug] Saturday Workshop.
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 29 Aug '07

29 Aug '07

Hi All, If any one who is going to the fixit meeting has a Feisty 64bit install disc it would be helpful as I downloaded a 64 bit version of Feisty .ISO and saved it to my windows ntfs partition then burned it with my Gnomebaker in Dapper only to find the CD had two file errors on it. Maybe dragging it across to Ubuntu corrupted them. Also if I can get a successful install(64 or 32 bit) I would probably need a help with my broadcom wireless card set up. Regards John ----- Original Message Follows ----- > We will be holding a Saturday Workshop on Sept 1st at > Oxford St Church. > > Bring your computer along, and we'll try to help with any > issues you may be having. Or you may be able to help > someone else. > > Full details are on the wiki: > http://wlug.org.nz//SaturdayWorkshop.2007-09-01 > > > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Re: [wlug] Saturday Workshop.
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 29 Aug '07

29 Aug '07

Given Ian's information, if anyone has the 7.10 beta I would appreciate it. John ----- Original Message Follows ----- > On 8/29/07, jaytee(a)clear.net.nz <jaytee(a)clear.net.nz> > > wrote: Hi All, > > If any one who is going to the fixit meeting has a > > Feisty 64bit install disc it would be helpful as I > > downloaded a 64 bit version of Feisty .ISO and saved it > > to my windows ntfs partition then burned it with my > > Gnomebaker in Dapper only to find the CD had two file > > errors on it. Maybe dragging it across to Ubuntu > > corrupted them. Also if I can get a successful > > install(64 or 32 bit) I would probably need a help with > > my broadcom wireless card set up. > > Regards John > > > I think you may find Ubuntu 7.10 (in beta) is great for > wireless - that has been my experience anyway - does all > the wireless wrapper stuff magically. > > I've been using it for a while now and would certainly > recommend it for trickier things such as this. > > Ian > -- > Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ > Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz > Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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AGM notice, voting and proposed constitutional change
by Ian McDonald 29 Aug '07

29 Aug '07

Folks, Here is another periodic notice to remind you that the AGM will be held on 24th September 2007. For you to vote you must be an official member, although you have 90 days to pay if you do not have the $20 with you at the AGM. The method of voting proposed for the AGM is simple first past the post voting. We will put this to a vote at the AGM so if people feel strongly about STV for example, and the majority agree, then we can have STV. You will be required to have a method of counting the vote though so if you wish for STV you will need an electronic system for this. It is proposed to alter the first paragraph of rule 9 of the charter (which is our constitution) from: The funds of the society shall be held under the control of the officers of the committee. The treasurer and secretary shall have joint required signing rights, and operate the bank accounts, handle investments, and make payments as needed. to: The funds of the society shall be held under the control of the officers of the committee. The officers shall have joint signing rights with a minimum of two signatories required, and operate the bank accounts, handle investments, and make payments as needed. The purpose of this change is so that the president or vice president can also sign cheques (which they cannot do at present). As a safeguard there must be a minimum of two signatories. -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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Saturday Workshop.
by Bruce Kingsbury 29 Aug '07

29 Aug '07

We will be holding a Saturday Workshop on Sept 1st at Oxford St Church. Bring your computer along, and we'll try to help with any issues you may be having. Or you may be able to help someone else. Full details are on the wiki: http://wlug.org.nz//SaturdayWorkshop.2007-09-01

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FSF v Microsoft - The gauntlet is thrown down.
by James Pluck 28 Aug '07

28 Aug '07

The free software foundation have taken MS to task over their declaration that GPLv3 doesn't apply to MS! http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9767420-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547… -- James Pluck PalmOS Ergo Sum "Dear IRS: I would like to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list..."

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MythTV distros
by Ian McDonald 28 Aug '07

28 Aug '07

Here's an article over at Linux.com looking at three different distros for MythTV: http://www.linux.com/feature/118668 -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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Features of Ubuntu 7.10
by Ian McDonald 27 Aug '07

27 Aug '07

This is a good article http://lunapark6.com/ubuntu-gutsy-gibbon-710-new-features.html I'm enjoying using the beta of it at present. Well worth using when it comes out! Ian -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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