Although we are no longer in full lockdown there are still uncertainties and restrictions. So for the present we are continuing to hold out meetings online.
I hope you are all keeping safe and well and will be able to join us online. Contact Gareth ( or to iceni@woolridge.org.uk ) if you don't think you are on our meeting list of participants for online meetings if you are interested in joining in; since he is sending out the links prior to each meeting. There is nothing to download or install and we still meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. via Jitsi.org Video conferencing.
Peter
Virtualisation uses software to simulate hardware functionality so that multiple operating systems and applications can run on a single server. Also known as virtual machines.
It has been suggested in the Kelser model that there are 7 types of virualisation.
www.kelsercorp.com/blog/the-7-types-of-virtualisation/ is a useful overview.
I don't suppose we are going through all 7 but this should be an interesting evening particularly for those who use VM and other technologies regularly.
Peter
This was an open topic on Jitsi.org and discussions ranged over several subjects.
This turned into something of a computer surgery evening.
Peter had several annoying problems, which he did not have time to solve, but they wasted time when ever he needed to write the Newsletter for example.
1) Sorting out page order in PDF files generated by the GhostScript and PDF software used with Easiwriter as a save as PDF option. There is no definite answer to this problem at the moment. here at the moment. The notes suggest there is a field to reverse page output; but I can't find out how to invoke this. I have since figured out an other way to do it.
2) The use of UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) for protection of a NAS if the power failed. Peter has an APC personal Powercell unit which he wanted to use but realised that it needed to be able to interconnect with the NAS in order to switch of the NAS if power failed, which needs about a minute, and this should work unattended. Duncan showed how to set up the UPS feature on his QNAP NAS. Peter has the Synology NAS which may be different. He needed to look into this.
3) Interconnection of RISCOS machines with the rest of his network using NFS via applications !Sunfish and/or !Moonfish.
Duncan gave an elegant demonstration using Sunfish of the same directory nd files visible from both X6 and Windows 10 residing on his NAS displayed.
He named his directory from his NAS "RamesesDuncan", for example, because Rameses was a store city!
It was important for Peter to check that he had the same network set up everywhere. (which he has).
Peter also had had to reset his network key after a visit from a BT technician who copied it to check his improved speed. In doing so he had to reset his Vonets bridge to factory setting in order to set up the new number. (2.4GHz ).
It won't connect to the 5GHz network.
There was also discussion on the irony of MS Linux used with AZURE from which they make most of their money!
Also a discussion on availability of IP addresses and MAC addresses.
We also chatted about call blocking phones and the prevalence of spam calls.
Other topics were 3D printing as Peter is now half-owner of a 3D printer with his son. So we might get talks on this next year! A Creality Ender - 3 V2.
There is a good piece of Open Source software called FreeCAD which enables you to be able to assess the volume , time and shape of your object.
Gareth and then Michael managed to join us later in the evening.
Gareth mentioned another program called Octoprint which enables printing of a camera bracket for the Raspberry Pi.
If anyone would like to present a talk please let us know. As always there is scope for adjustments as we go through the year and we are hoping the Covid restrictions will have eased and we can have the social functions. Once the restrictions allow in-person meetings it has been suggested that we alternate our meetings between online and in-person as it has been quite convenient for several of us to avoid going out but still attend a meeting. Gareth suggests this may need a decision at the AGM.
Peter
| ICENI Future programme 2021/2022 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| September 22nd | Virtualisation | All |
| October 20th | Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Microbit | All |
| November 17th | Slides and Video | All |
| December 15th | Gadgets and Party | All |
| 2022 | ||
| January 19th | Social Evening | All |
| February 16th | Photo and Video Editing | All |
| March 16th | Home Networking and Network Storage | All |
| April 20th | Apps and App Stores | All |
| May 18th | AGM + Extras | All |
MEETINGS WILL NOW BE HELD ONLINE BUT STILL ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FURTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW.
Our meetings are held at the Bourne Vale Social Club, Halifax Road,
Ipswich IP2 8RE ,
for a map and other details please see the website. http://icenicomputerclub.org.uk
Membership fee currently £15, visitors free.
"ICENI does not have any Insurance cover for computers or other equipment so please be advised that you bring machines to the club at your own risk."
However many household insurance policies will include cover away from home often with no increase in premium. (Ed.)
Our website URL is
http://icenicomputerclub.org.uk
Email to: iceni@woolridge.org.uk
I am open to suggestions on what people would like to have included in the website. If anyone would like a copy of our old newsletters on CD this could be arranged.