🚀 go-pugleaf

Report on the SLUG meeting held at UTS on May 31st, 1996.

After some welcoming words from myself and a short question / answer /
discussion session, Grahame demonstrated his Willows system.

Willows is the Windows emulator running under X11. The system is
alos available for VMS and other Unices. The emulator part of Willows
was built by the development team as a test bed for their 'library'.

The original idea was to build a library that you could build Windows
compatible applications to. In the process, the Willows development
team built 'thunking' (32->16->32 bit call convertors) and other
tools to allow users to call DLL's for which there was no source
code.

It was impressive to see Solitaire, Paint and other applications
running at reasonable speeds on a DX33 system. Willows is available
for free, including the source, by signing a non-disclosure agreement.

After a break, with more animated discussion, and with a chance to talk
to Leonard Chan about plunging memory prices et al, Del (who didn't
know he was speaking till a day beforehand, sorry about that Del)
talked about using Linux in an Internet Service Providor (ISP)
environment.

The discussion was more general rather than specifically about
Linux (what can you say : it runs your favourite server programs
WWW, NNTP, FTP, POP, Sendmail / smail (we almost got into that one) well
on cheap hardware).

There was a lot of discussion, backed up by Anthony, about serial
cards and modems, with specific models and manufacturers bagged and
praised (or bagged a little less). The best comment from Anthony Rumble 
for intending Internet Service Providors was simply "don't".

Del stated that his own service was really only an adjunct to his
consulting business, and that it consumed far more time than he had
initially anticipated.

There was also some discussion about 'cheap' internet access
for SLUG members ideas. There were two strains : a five line idea
with dial up limited time access, and a permanent line allocated
(still dial up).

The savings would be brought about by : self administering (SLUG users
would not need hand holding (presumably)) - the system would be also
admistered by members, purchase of equipment by members up front.

Del had useful advice on numbers : four users could go through
ordinary multiport serial cards, much more would be a problem.
Cheap modems could be a real problem. Too many users sharing
a 28.8 link might also be a problem. Uncertainty about the future
re Optus / Telecom / cable modems etc. Access probably better by
taking bandwidth from an ISP than Telstra (as in Slyvia's original
proposal).

(Just to toss in a red-herring, microwave or wireless type links?)

Perhaps for those still interested it might be wise to revise
Slyvia's proposal with different numbers. The experience of Apana
and other 'co-ops' also show it might be wise to not over-estimate
our capacity to work together without debilitating arguments or
selfish abuse of other's goodwill. On the other hand, there are
numerous examples where co-ops do work well.

All in all a lively meeting with stimulating discussion; as usual
a cold Friday night with uncertain possibilites turning into
a productive event.

Many thanks to all who attended and Del, Grahame, and other audience
members who shared their invaluable experience.

Next month is a Newbie night again. Watch this space for more
details (always last Friday of the month at UTS).

Regards,
Jamie