- Talk - lists.gtalug.org

Low cost Linux Laptops...
by Colin McGregor 18 Feb '26

18 Feb '26

My computing is largely based around a classic style mini-tower and some Raspberry PI computers. But I sometimes need to take things on the road, for which I have a low-end laptop that originally came with Windows 10, and I replaced that with Debian GNU/Linux. When it comes to computing on the move, I see it as an accessory to my desktop, no heavy duty tasks. This mobile arrangement all works for me (your mileage might vary). When I was getting that laptop I ignored the Chromebooks as they didn't seem capable of doing anything other than ChromeOS. Well, live and learn, below is a video about installing Linux on a Chromebook, Yes, there are some ... somewhat ugly hoops ... you have to jump through to get Linux on a Chromebook. Then you have to deal with the limitations of a Chromebook, limited RAM, sluggish CPU, and limited storage. Still, it can be done, using a lightweight Linux distribution, and well, knowing everything is limited. I am in no rush to replace my current laptop (it is running just fine for what I want to do), but next time I have to shop for a laptop, I will at least consider a Chromebook (at least as long as I am confident I can put a Linux distribution on the device). So, anyone looking for portable Linux on a VERY tight budget may want to consider this. https://youtu.be/iydjjpvkoDE?si=FCYCCuNZBVQjUxsv

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Testing Stalwart email server: replacement for postfix / dovecot / etc.
by Ron 13 Feb '26

13 Feb '26

I've been giving this https://Stalw.art email server software a test and it's *slick*. I like that users can set their own passwords without me having to provide RoundCube (PHP + ... + ... + plugin for RoundCube). It also allows users to enable at-rest encryption. Supports CalDAV / CardDAV / WebDAV out of the box. Supports SMTP / IMAP / POP / JMAP. Supports OAuth and OpenID Connect. I haven't been able to test all the features, but am quite pleased with what I've seen so far. Providing email with calendar and contact support without needing postfix / dovecot / opendkim / Nextcloud / PHP / Redis / ... is really sweet. If anyone wants an email account to try for themselves, let me know.

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Wayland vs Xorg
by Ron 12 Feb '26

12 Feb '26

I made the switch recently, and have some things to report. It's noticeably faster - a pleasant surprise. Screen sharing via Nextcloud works, expecting Jitsi et al to work too. Audio issues resolved: I use OS-level microphone muting instead of app muting (Jitsi, Nextcloud, etc). No longer are the hot-keys and mouse actions on widgets out of sync, leaving me unsure if I'm muted or not. Works 100% of the time. The audio quality *seems* distinctly better in Nextcloud meetings. Finally, an extremely odd issue where WebRTC sounded terrible with crackling and popping sounds *only when 3rd monitor* enabled is *gone*. That took months to realize the sound was fixed when I disabled that monitor - now I don't have to do that. (YouTube audio was never an issue, just WebRTC.) I'm running KDEneon FWIW.

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recordings of University of Waterloo "Cryptography, Security, and Privacy" talks
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 10 Feb '26

10 Feb '26

The most recent talk was by Bruce Schneier, very notable in the field. This talk can be understood without much background but quite interesting and important. <https://crysp.uwaterloo.ca/speakers/>

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CORRECTION: General Meeting Tomorrow
by Alan Heighway 09 Feb '26

09 Feb '26

GTALug Monthly Meeting <https://www.gtalug.org/?p=369>January 12, 2026/in Meetings <https://www.gtalug.org/?cat=4>/by Alan Heighway <https://www.gtalug.org/?author=3> Description: Join us this month for a round table discussion with the general membership, where participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, raise questions, and engage in open dialogue on topics important to our community. Speaker: All of you! Agenda: 1. Discussion 2. Adjournment Date / Time: *February 10th, 2026 19:30 EST* Location: Online using Nextcloud: https://hub.gtalug.org/call/7m45sf9i NOTE: *A*lan *H*eighway <http://heighway.ca/> heighway.ca 416-712-5247 VA3WAH / VA3YKZ [image: Please consider the environment before printing]

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GTALUG General Meeting Reminder
by Alan Heighway 09 Feb '26

09 Feb '26

GTALug Monthly Meeting <https://www.gtalug.org/?p=369> Description: Join us this month for a round table discussion with the general membership, where participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, raise questions, and engage in open dialogue on topics important to our community. Speaker: All of you! Agenda: 1. Discussion 2. Adjournment Date / Time: February 09th, 2025 19:30 EST Location: Online using Nextcloud: https://hub.gtalug.org/call/7m45sf9i NOTE: *A*lan *H*eighway <http://heighway.ca/> heighway.ca 416-712-5247 VA3WAH / VA3YKZ [image: Please consider the environment before printing]

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NAS -- what protocol?
by William Park 09 Feb '26

09 Feb '26

To those running NAS, I'm thinking about turning my current i3-4170 desktop into NAS. What protocols do you use? Do you run both "NFS" and "SMB" on it? Or, just "SMB"?

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I'm available for presentations at your LUG meetings
by Steve Litt 07 Feb '26

07 Feb '26

Hi all, My 45 minute "HTML Derivation Via W3C Validator and xmlchecker.py" presentation was well received at GoLUG the other night, so I'd like to refine it and present it at a few other LUGs and/or BSD groups using Jitsi, Big Blue Button or Zoom remote meetings. The eight minute first segment highlights the following: * Benefit of writing valid HTML. * 2 Benefits of really knowing and understanding HTML. * 3 Benefits of making your HTML also be well formed XML. * Benefits of deriving HTML from the W3C validator and xmlchecker.py. * Mention of the three tools: W3C validator, xmlchecker.py, and a browser. * Mention that installation of W3C validator and xmlchecker.py will be detailed later in the presentation. The next segment derives a valid "Hello World" HTML starting from an empty file using the W3C validator exclusively, and then makes it well formed XML with the aid of the xmlchecker.py XML well formedness checker. We then correct this valid HTML written in well formed XML to be what we all know should really be in an HTML file. The next segment enlarges the HTML file with a few more lines, proves that HTML can be valid even if it's not well formed XML, and shows how to convert it to well formed XML. This segment features more sophisticated use of the W3C validator and xmlchecker.py. The next segment unveils use of a time saving debugging technique useful on any HTML which is also intended to be well formed XML, and also gives a peek at CSS. The next segment details the installation of both the W3C validator, which can be a massive headache if the wrong Internet instructions are followed, and the dead-bang easy installation of xmlchecker.py. The final segment is a wrapup of the presentation, and should finish within 45 minutes of the start. <<< NOTE >>> I also have a similar presentation for Rust, which I can give at any LUG or BSD group. SteveT Steve Litt Technical Trainer http://www.troubleshooters.com

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2/4/2026 GoLUG meeting, 7pm Eastern STANDARD time
by Steve Litt 04 Feb '26

04 Feb '26

Hi all, Where: GoLUG Online: https://meet.jit.si/golug When: Wednesday, 2/4/2026 7pm sharp Eastern STANDARD time Arrive 15 minutes early for Microphone check & discussion Who: Steve Litt, Troubleshooter, Developer, Tech Writer What: Free for all discussion of Open Source I'll present a 20 minute mini-talk on the benefits of making your HTML also be well formed XML, an XML well-formedness detector, a handy HTML troubleshooting test you can use if your HTML is also well formed XML, and having your own, locally hosted W3C HTML validity tester. After that, other people will present, as desired, and discussions will ensue. Hope to see you there. SteveT Steve Litt GoLUG Publicity Coordinator

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Ubuntu Server -- why so big?
by William Park 02 Feb '26

02 Feb '26

I'm trying to setup Debian/Ubuntu distro, small size, text-only, no desktop, in VirtualBox. So, I tried "Ubuntu Server 25.10", because website says 2.5GB should be enough. Well, fresh install takes up 7GB. The only optional thing I included is ssh server. Am I doing something wrong? What do you remember when you setup your Ubuntu Server?

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