If you want to try out Linux, you will want a Linux distribution. This includes not only the core operating system but lots of other software running on it. (For a Windows analogy, Linux is the NT kernel or DOS, and a Linux distribution is all of Windows and most of the software you install on it.)

At the Open Source Lab, we can provide CD/DVD images and some help to get you started. Just contact the club and we'll get you going.

You all really need to set an avatar in your account settings. That way the forums feel more homely and have some personality. My other ulterior motive is that I need sparklies to look at while I'm on the site and being bored :)

When you're logged in just click "my account" and then on that page hit "edit". At the bottom of the main edit page there's a "Pictures" section where you can upload an 80x80 (or less) picture for an avatar. I set it to 80x80 so that it'll still fit in the little message box when you make a one-line forum post.

As has been suggested at several meetings the department will graciously pay for several ACM memberships for CS Club students. Now we actually have firm directions for how this payment will actually be done. Here's the scoop --

Anyone who wants an ACM membership should pick up a form from Dr. Jarvis' office, fill out everything except the payment part, and return it to Dr. Jarvis. The QMCS department will cut the check from there.

In a case like John's, where he already filled out and paid for his renewal he should talk to Kathleen Goodwin at the department office to square the reimbursement.

We got our first bit of spam today in Trac :( I knew it would come eventually. We're going to have to get Trac logins working and restrict access to posting in Trac to registered users.

*UPDATE* You can't actually see evidence of the spam anymore since I deleted the revision logs. If we would have left the spam revisions in the logs the spammers would have still achieved their goals by having their links existant in the revision log.

It was suggested at our last meeting that we get a webcam set up and capturing video from the Open Source Lab. Let's get some discussion on --

1. Do people like this idea? Are you comfortable with it? Does anyone feel it's a violation of privacy if we have it monitoring the back few computers of the OSL?
2. What model of webcam should we choose? Be mindful that it must be supported under Linux

In regard to the 2nd point, about a model of webcam it seems Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 is still for sale at NewEgg and it is supported by Linux UVC.

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