LINUX USER GROUP IN BAMENDA

Mr. Chi took the floor and gave a dynamic explanations of different operating systems , he gave advantages and disadvantages of the following operating systems :MS DOS, MS Windows, Unix OS/2 and Linux. Mr. Chi also explained a brief history of some computer companies and how they actually emerged. During this presentation the advantages of Linux over other operating systems was stressed i.e security ,98% virus free, Open office was examined. Mr.Chi adviced members to make an effort to understand a variety of software in the computer market so that the group can come out with very good analysis of grograms for the public. It was very interesting when the issues of computer jargons came in e.g GNU, GNOME, GUI,GIGO, WYSIWYG,and UBUNTU,EDUBUNTU,KUBUNTU where explained.Mr Chi talked of the books he has published and there are presently in the market:

1) Easy Guide for Microcomputer Users(A death Blow to Computer Illiteracy in Africa(Published in 2000)

2)Easy Guide on Application Software (2000)

3)Easy Guide on Computer Troubleshooting and Maintenance(2002)

4)Easy Guide on Internet Security and Networking ( to be published soon )

Mr Chi promise to make these book available to members to explore and strengthen their skills and knowledge on IT.

Immediately after the theory presentations there was installation of EDUBUNTU on Mr. Simon Tefoit (member) computer this was not successful because he was supposed to come along with his keyboard which was going to be use for the installation. He equally wanted two operating systems to be installed i.e MS Windows XP and EDUBUNTU it was adviceable for Win XP to be installed first before EDUBUNTU.This exercise was suspended to be handle within the week.

New members who come where introduced to the LUG Homepage by Miss Chanceline and it was agreed that next meeting will be focused on HTML .An assignment on HTML was given to all members to go home and try it.

The group is actually going through some difficulties namely:

a) Difficulties in updating the homepage at some cyber café in town the cost of time is estimated to about 2000frs CFA per week. Mr Fotang Michael and Miss Chanceline were assigned to work on the updating of the homepage, while others are bing trained .

b) We need a projector for our presentation it is very difficult for us to make presentation using small laptops and the blackboard specially on meeting days when the attendance is very high. We have about 42 members at moment.

We need some money to prepare attractive handouts/brochures for the public to create awareness of Linux and our group.We plan to go to some radio and television centres. We will write a project proposal for this activitiy.

Besides our Long-term goals the sustainability of the group is another problem. Members present during the meeting of 30th June 2007 suggested that a Cyber Café can be opened with Ebubuntu installed on all computer and that this can be a very good way to sustain the group and also for publicity.

Mr. Chi said dynamic members of the group will be recomended to teach and carryout maintenance of computers in some Higher Institution of learning in Cameroon as from next academic year.The meeting ended at 7.00pm with Micheal Fotang, Chanceline was agreed that next meeting we will concentrate on HTML and some theory.

NB: We have an email address all communications will now be sent to lugbamenda@immerda.ch and also put on our homepage. We will no longer sent individual mails to members.

We will like that michel should come back quickly to Cameroon and may be with other people who can join him to help us grow in the world of technology and also to help us know more on open source software.