Meetings

*** Note:  New Meeting Location ***

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing
Topic: iPhone Photography…AKA Phonography, Presented by Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC:

The iPhone or Smart Phone has revolutionized modern photography. Almost everybody has one. Learn how to take your smart phone to the next level and its full potential as a photographic tool and artistic expression. We may lament the disappearance of the Point and Shoot camera but today’s smart phones can do so much more.

Bill will demonstrate some of his popular photographic apps that he uses on a regular basis for all types of photography. Remember, the best camera you have may be the one you have in your pocket. Don’t sell it short.

G. William (Bill) Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC has been involved with photography almost his entire life. His passion for teaching photography has been fostered by being chairman of the Photo Guild of Detroit’s Annual Photographic Seminar. Bill has presented many instructional programs in the Detroit area as well as at NECCC, SWMCC and PSA conferences. He has been a major supporter of the electronic capture photography both in his own club and the PSA. Bill served as the Chairman of the Electronic Imaging division. In 2012 at the San Francisco PSA International Conference he was awarded the Stanley B. Ashbrook, Jr. Memorial Award and the PSA Service Award for his contributions to digital photography and PSA. Bill was recently awarded as an honorary member, HonPSA, of the Photographic Society of America. PSA is a worldwide photographic organization.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux
Topic: Full review of various Linux distros (pros and cons of each):

Our current SIG-Linux Chair Sharan Kalwani will give us a full review of various Linux distros. Linux is clearly one of the most successful and popular open source projects out there. Linux supporters passionately will convince you to give it a try and encourage you to embrace the Linux way.

The number #1 hurdle for all new Linux users is the 300+ “flavors” that this operating system has. These “flavors” are commonly known as distros (from distribution). So, how to choose one? You can choose the most popular at the moment, or take heed of what your friend says, but your friends’ recommendation might work for him/her, but not for you! Plenty of folks have made the wrong decision leading to a good number of disappointments with this operating system. And some public venting, which hurts the Linux movement. So one needs to choose the right distro for your needs.

So, unless you are a professional, you would be easily confused by the various flavors out there (which by the way is actually a super positive feature) but….however learning which one of the most frequently used distros, that is right for you, can consume an inordinate amount of time.

In this talk, Sharan will explore several distros  so that our dues paying SEMCO supporter & SIG-Linux attendee, will not have to spend too much time web surfing, or twiddle their thumbs while the downloads are taking place, etc. Sharan hopes after this talk, you can choose the best distros for your long-term needs.

Linux offers us a wonderful open source alternative to proprietary software. In this talk: “Introducing Linux Distros” you can decide how to best make it work for you.

Who might benefit the most from this talk?
Newcomers to the Linux world who have to deal with the mind bendingly large number of choices/distributions.

Caveat
• (We could also spend the rest of the year going thru each one and effectively scare everyone away)

When: Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 3:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 29, “Class Coding Details” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

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

When: Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: Understanding Solar Power in Michigan By Dave Strenski:

SolarYpsi has been educating, designing, and installing solar power in Ypsilanti for over ten years. Dave Strenski, the founder of SolarYpsi, will be explaining how solar power works, how it attaches to your home, and the economics of solar power. Come and learn about solar power and bring your latest electric bill so we can size a system for your home.

Not able to attend? Check out Dave’s TEDx presentation about solar power or his article in HomePower Magazine. “Understanding Solar Power in Ypsilanti” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0pTz-Qc40 “Finally Walking My Solar Talk” http://www.homepower.com/articles/solar-electricity/design-installation/finally-walking-my-solar-talk

Dave holds degrees in surveying, civil, and mechanical engineering. He works as a principal engineer for Cray Inc, a company that designs and manufactures high performance computer systems. As a hobby, Dave plays with solar power.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Topic: July recess, will resume in August:

The SIG-Linux meeting for this month has been canceled, due to unavoidable conflict. Fear not, plenty is happening in the Linux World.
We will resume in August 2017, among the future topics will be:

1. Full review of various Linux distros (pros and cons of each) – you do not want to miss this!
2. All about Blender: AV editing (scheduled for September)
3. Practical Linux Topics (scheduled for October)

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 28, “A More Realistic Example” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

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

When: Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: Illuminating the Dark Web   By Scot Putney:

Many have heard of the “dark web” and perhaps even have wondered about it. Of course there are the trade rags
which most likely describe it in lurid terms, but often without proper context.
Go beyond the buzzwords with this presentation that explains the strategic aspects of the dark web,
technologies and greater risks.

Scot has a solid background in proper computer security. He has spent 14+ years at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti
as a Senior Systems Engineer and Senior Security Analyst. He is very supportive of encouraging talent in the
computer security field, having served as the main judge and doing the scoring engine for the Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.
He has also appeared on radio: W.R.I.F. 101.1 FM Morning Show as “The  Guru” every Friday for 3 years (the Drew and Mike Show).
In addition he has also appeared on National PBS Kids Show “Speaking up with Dr. Dunn” as an internet expert.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Topic: Group Discussion on Net Neutrality:

This will be a member discussion on the timely topic of Net Neutrality. A few ground rules will be explained at the meeting which everyone will be asked to follow. This will help us keep on topic with a lively but not overly contentious discussion.

When: Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 4:00 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 28, “A More Realistic Example” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

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

When: Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: File Management In the Terabyte Age / Part 1: File Managers

SEMCO member Michael Rudas will be our presenter. Any craftsman will tell you that the right tool for the job is important—a wrench can drive nails, but a hammer works better. So it is with file management.

This presentation will discuss how the right file managers can make it easier to organize and manipulate your data, including dealing with compressed archives. Both Windows and Linux will be discussed, including ways in which Linux can make your life easier if you are a Windows user.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Has Been Cancelled

SIG-Linux has been Cancelled. Due to circumstances that day, Sharan Kalwani will be unable to attend. The member discussion on Net Neutrality will be rescheduled.

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 27, “Class Coding Basics” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

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

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: Intro to Manufacturing Robotics

Brad Triden and Nathan Barhorst will be our presenters. Robotics is a broad term describing a machine that carries out a complex sequence of tasks.  In this discussion, we will cover some of the modern day applications of robots in general, and discuss specifically on how robots are utilized in the manufacturing world.  We will also discuss some of the emerging robotic technologies that are becoming more common place in the industry such as safety systems, vision, and autonomous vehicles.

Brad and Nathan each have 17 years of industry experience working with robots and manufacturing software. They have worked on a diverse set of software applications ranging from PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), robot systems, custom application software, to various other industrial computers/controllers. Today they work in the Research & Development division at DASSAULT SYSTEMES – DELMIA, who creates engineering software applications targeted at everyone in the manufacturing sector.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Linux Monitoring Landscape:

Our current SIG-Linux Chair Sharan Kalwani will share a bird eye view of various Linux (and UNIX) based monitoring tools and suites.
Surprisingly there are numerous tools out there, many open source, a few proprietary ones as well. Some of these will include: Xymon (formerly known as Big Brother), NAGIOS, Zabbix, ganglia, Munin, Monit  and a few others. Each tools itself can qualify for a demanding 4 to 6 hours worth of detailed examination, so we will limit ourselves to the outstanding features of each. There are both stand alone monitoring and distributed monitoring categories, so bring your seat belts.

At the same SIG-Linux meeting in April (beginning at 4:00 P.M.), attendees should bring a number of presentation ideas for future SIG-Linux discussions, demos and presentations – one particular topic the current SIG-Chair hopes to have is: “Various Linux Distros”. In May 2017, we hope to have an open and participatory discussion on: “Net Neutrality – pros and cons”, so reflect on this and bring your thoughts.

However SIG-Linux is driven by ideas *and participation* from the membership. So bring your suggestions ideas to the next meeting in April,
(or feel free to post them to the semco.org website discussion area), Email works too!

When: Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 4:00 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 26, “OOP: The Big Picture” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

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

When: Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.