Sikander Rashid

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

We will be using zoom for this meeting. This link will be active on day of meeting.

Click here to be connected to the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later.

Members will also receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

Election of Officers and Board Members-at-Large. Based on the nominations in the Dec 2020 meeting, ballots were mailed to all members. All ballots must be mailed in. The closing date for receipt of completed ballots is Jan 17, 2021.

The open positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two Board Members‑at‑Large. You can also write in any member including yourself for any of the positions.

When: Sunday, Jan 10, 2021, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Free Software

Presented by John Kennedy

Learn about many alternative programs that you can get for free to do your computing tasks. Many of these programs are cross-platformed (meaning they have versions for Windows, Macs, and Linux) so it’s easy to share files with just about anyone. 

John Kennedy is the APCUG Advisor, Regions 3 (includes Michigan) & 6 along with being the APCUG Zoom Host/Moderator, and Co-Chair of the Linux SIG/Help Desk for the East Central Ohio Technology User Club. 

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Jan10, 2021 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: ZorinOS.

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

Last month we did Linux Distros revisited. In each month (starting in 2021), we plan to discuss one of the distros mentioned in the December talk.

For January we will be checking out ZorinOS. Touted as an alternative to Windows with a similar look and feel, ZorinOS comes in 4 flavors: Lite, Core, Education and Ultimate (the latter qualifies for paid support).  I chose the Education version since I am a teacher-at-heart. This should be fun! Feel free to email any question beforehand so we can  tailor the talk to your tastes!

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

When: Sunday, Jan 10, 2021, at 3:00 P.M.

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

We will be using zoom for this meeting. This link will be active on day of meeting.

Click here to be connected to the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later.

Members will also receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

Nominations for Officers and Board Members-at-Large. We will be taking nominations for candidates to run for our 2021 Officers and Board of Directors at the beginning of our meeting.

The open positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two Board Members‑at‑Large. You can nominate any member including yourself for any of the positions. Please consider running for these positions.

When: Sunday, Dec 13, 2020, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Tune Up Your Windows PC

Presented by Jere Minich

Free up space, adjust and clean up. Update, Uninstall, and perform other simple tasks to ensure the PC runs at peak performance. This can be done anytime as it requires no special tools or in-depth computer knowledge to complete. All of these tasks have been performed on numerous PC in the past with positive results.. 

Jere served for more than 20 years as a computer operator and instructor in the Navy. After retirement, he moved with Joyce to Leesburg, Florida.

Currently, he teaches classes in Windows 10, iPad, and iPhone, at the Leesburg Library, and at the college for the Lake-Sumter Computer Society. He holds numerous Technical Webinars for User Groups across the country.

He is a member of the APCUG Speakers Bureau, APCUG Advisor for Region 5, (jminich@apcug.org), and is a frequent presenter for APCUG Virtual Technology Conferences. (VTCs)

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Dec 13, 2020 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: Linux distros revisited

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

It has been 2 years since we last looked at Linux distros. It is time to revisit it again and see what has changed since then.
Also we will share a list of what others are recommending to try out based on a variety of criteria which is the beauty of Linux – there is always something for everyone. And if you don’t like it – one can create yet another distro!

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

When: Sunday, Dec 13, 2020, at 3:00 P.M.

When: Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2 PM.

Rick Fink will talk about the Host Pres SQL database that will be used with his game program.

All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

This link will be active on day of meeting

When: Sunday, Nov 8, 2020, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

Click here to be connected to the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later.

We will be using zoom for this meeting.

Members will also receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Home Automation – An Introduction

Presented by Bill James

This presentation shows how Home Automation technology allows us to control our connected devices and appliances from a central hub using our Smartphone or Tablet. The presentation will explain how we can set up a system using widely available home automation devices. Are you worried about home automation devices listening in on your conversations? Wonder if your devices can be hacked and don’t know how to keep them from being hacked? Bill will answer these questions and more in this presentation, maybe making it a little bit easier to take the first step to automate your home and get a better price for it when you sell. 

Bill James is Vice President of the Computer Club Of Oklahoma City.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Nov 8, 2020 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter)

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

In all of the previous editions of SIG-Linux, only once have we briefly spoken about the Linux kernel itself and in another episode about the vast suite of performance/monitoring tools.
In the November 2020 brief session, I will introduce you to a new software tool for the Linux kernel called eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) , which started life as bpf (now called “classic” or cBPF), which has now excited developers, and spawned a movement of its own. It will be brief but fun. In 2021 we can dive more into it, and also expect more Linux kernel stuff (ver 5.xxx  onwards) as well.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

When: Sunday, Nov 8, 2020, at 3:00 P.M.

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2020, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

We will be using webex for this meeting. Prior to the meeting, please go to webex.com and download the webex client onto your device.

Click here to be connected to the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later. Let it install Webex.exe if this is your first time using Webex. You will have to enter your name and email address.

Members will also receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Code Rush Movie 

Presented by Wolf 

The Mozilla web browser was released as an open source project on March 31, 1998. To celebrate 22 years of the Mozilla project we’ll be showing the movie ‘Code Rush’ which documents the last-minute rush to get the source code ready for release by the promised deadline.

The movie follows several Netscape engineers as they battle all kinds of problems getting everything ready for release.

As an extra special feature, we’ll have with us one of the prominently featured Netscape engineers who lived through the adventure.  Wolf (formerly known as Scott Collins) will be on hand to offer his comments and answers to your questions about the movie, and what it was like to work on what would become such an important project.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2020 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: Open source hardware

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

This month we will kick things up a notch and talk about Open Source Hardware! For many years we have heard about open source software, but you may be pleased to hear that there is a growing open source hardware movement afoot. While not all visible as Linux and friends, it deserves to be known and shared with all. We will spend the hour drinking from a fire hose and wealth of information on this topic.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2020, at 3:00 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

Rick Fink will will discuss recent changes to his game program and the A.I. modules that he is working on.

All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, Sept 19, 2020 at 2 PM.

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, Sept 13, 2020, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

We will be using an open source software jitsi.org. Click here to be connected to the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later.

Members will also receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Powershell: An Overview

Presented by Ryan Berry  

Ryan will present a brief overview on how to use PowerShell to automate the administration and management of both Windows and Linux machines. 

Ryan has over 20 years of application development experience working in technical leadership, architecture, development and support delivery roles helping customers, partners and ISVs envision and progress innovative ideas into functioning applications solving real world business and engineering challenges.  From line of business applications running mission critical Enterprise workloads to time sensitive real-time software running robots and lasers on the plant floor, Ryan’s background in development has spanned across many verticals, technologies and platforms.

Ryan has been at Microsoft over 13 years in many different roles in Microsoft services, consulting, support and most recently helping Enterprise customers across the US understand how to leverage cloud computing effectively as a Cloud Solution architect. 

Ryan has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and currently resides in Grand Blanc, MI with his wife Sara, daughter Ellie (15) and son Jack (18).  In his free time, he swims for US Masters swimming, competing in meets around the state. He is also a software mentor at Grand Blanc school’s FIRST robotics team and speaks occasionally at Microsoft user groups and high school career fairs in the community.  

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Sept 13, 2020 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: Linux shell roundup

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

Following right on the heels of the Power Shell presentation in SIG-Computing, we will quickly make folks aware of the huge variety of shells available in the Linux/Open Source world. Shells have been around since the earliest UNIX kernel and several inspired creations since then. We will briefly shine a little light on: bash, tcsh, zsh, and fish. While it is hard to do comprehensive coverage in 40 minutes or so, we will try to answer the question – which Linux shell is the best, how many types of shells are there, etc.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Sept 13, 2020, at 3:00 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

Rick Fink, one of our members will introduce us to a free book on Python called “Python Programming for Beginners. No BS Beginners guide to Python Programming.” There is a $7.99 shipping and handling charge.

Rick will also talk about the latest version of his game program. All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 2 PM.

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, Aug 9, 2020, at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice.

We will be using an open source software jitsi.org. Please click here to join the meeting. Please join the meeting about 1:00 PM or later.

Members will receive an e mail on the day of the meeting, with the link and any further details and instructions about how to log on to the meeting.

SIG-Computing Topic:  Mesh Wireless Networking

Presented by Jeff Marraccini  

Previously limited to expensive commercial installations, over the past five years, mesh network technologies are now mainstream. Capabilities, pricing, ease of use, and longevity will be discussed along with a sampling of the current offerings, including some that are very open source friendly!

With the growing number of Internet of Things, home automation, shelter in place device growth, and other wireless usage needs, the time has come for mesh networking!  

We will also cover differences between “range extenders” and true mesh network deployments, and unfortunately, the current vendor lock-in with mesh networks. 

Jeff Marraccini is Senior Vice President, Global IT Systems at Altair Engineering, Inc. in Troy, Michigan.  He works with a very talented global team to support VPN services and remote work technologies for 75 sites around the world.  He has been with Altair for 23 years in various IT roles.  He lives in SE Michigan and may be emailed at marraccinijd@semco.org

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Aug 9, 2020 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.

SIG-Linux Topic: What is new in the world of Linux

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

This will be a round up of major news events in the Linux world (and a bit on the open source frontlines as well) which have taken place in the last 6 months.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, Aug 9, 2020, at 3:00 P.M.

Where: Meetings will be on line until further notice. Click on link shown above.