Re: [Dorset] Free Database software
On Friday, November 01, 2013 11:01 AM Simon P Smith wrote At the risk of being burnt at the stake :-) Many good suggestions in this thread but let me throw up one more... You said free software. Whilst I use postgres and MySQL extensively some clients are M$ shops and so the database must reside on MSSQL. There is a an SQLExpress version of this which includes the GUI management tools and database back-end which I use for portability testing. It is free as a download from M$. Thanks Simon. I have no moral objection to your suggestion, provided M$ do not gain, but I will try SQlite first. And thanks Ralph for your weblink. David -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Free Database software
On Friday, November 01, 2013 12:54 PM Andrew Montgomery-Hurrell wrote: Oh, regarding firebird, I find on my ubuntu box that: sudo aptitude install flamerobin Installs firebird and a GUI client called flamerobin, if you've got a preference for firebird over sqlite. Thanks but will try SQlite first -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
[Dorset] Free Database software
This may be outside what DLUG normally discusses. If so please say and I will look elsewhere. I am looking for free software to run under Linux to implement a small database. A free version of MS Access would be ideal! Access is part of MS Office professional and allows you to create and run SQL queries by point and click rather than needing to know SQL syntax. My database would live on one pc - no separation of server and client. Initially I thought Open Office/Libre Office Base would do the trick, but it only supports select queries, not Update queries, make table queries etc. Access allows data to be imported from a .csv file into a data table, and exported to .csv. In Base you have to cut and paste between spreadsheet and table table or query - unless of course you write VBA modules which is the hard way of doing things. I have tried downloading a version of Firebird but don't know what to do next. I cannot even find an install program. Any ideas? thanks David -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
[Dorset] Good news on Windows 8/UEFI?
Hi Folks Some while ago I decided it was about time to change from Windows to Linux. Having heard from you guys about the UEFI issue, and having other distractions I held off. I have now bought a laptop from Linux Emporium with Unbuntu 13.04 plus a beta version of 13.10 preloaded. It's running and am very happy with it. Learning to use the GUI is really easy. I am sure I will get to grips with the command language in due course when I am motivated to do so - by having an application for which I need it. I am in no hurry to put Linux on my desktop currently running under windows 7, but will get round to it. So for me UEFI is not currently an issue. The Lenova laptop reached Linux Emporium with Windows 8 and TPM installed. They told me that whereas previously it took them about 1 hour to install Linux now takes 5 hours and it seems they will not be continuing with that side of the business but instead focus on their software business. On the face of it bad news for the Linux community. However I have just found an undated article but seems recent 'Linux and Windows 8 Interoperability' at http://www.admin-magazine.com/Articles/Linux-with-Windows-8. To my untutored eye it looks promising. Am I right? Out of sheer curiosity I was wondering just how secure UEFI makes computers. I sometimes write programs in Pascal (an ancient 3rd generation language), which have to be compiled. I have occasionally send the .exe (Windows executable) files to others. This can be done either by disabling security on your email program or by using a memory stick. I asked a Microsoft community forum whether I could do the same if both machines were running Windows 8 with TPM. The answer I got was yes you can and the file will run on the recipient machine. One person got quite shirty and said that anyone who suggested otherwise was LYING (his word). So I followed this up by saying I was glad to hear that but what if I had created a virus. What does that say about UEFI and 'trusted' computing? No answer to that - what a surprise! regards David -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
[Dorset] Fw: Good news on Windows 8/UEFI? OOPS
Further to message below it now seems to me that the article referred to below is not recent. I wish people would date their articles. -Original Message- From: David Smith Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 3:21 PM To: Dorset Linux User Group Subject: Good news on Windows 8/UEFI? Hi Folks Some while ago I decided it was about time to change from Windows to Linux. Having heard from you guys about the UEFI issue, and having other distractions I held off. I have now bought a laptop from Linux Emporium with Unbuntu 13.04 plus a beta version of 13.10 preloaded. It's running and am very happy with it. Learning to use the GUI is really easy. I am sure I will get to grips with the command language in due course when I am motivated to do so - by having an application for which I need it. I am in no hurry to put Linux on my desktop currently running under windows 7, but will get round to it. So for me UEFI is not currently an issue. The Lenova laptop reached Linux Emporium with Windows 8 and TPM installed. They told me that whereas previously it took them about 1 hour to install Linux now takes 5 hours and it seems they will not be continuing with that side of the business but instead focus on their software business. On the face of it bad news for the Linux community. However I have just found an undated article but seems recent 'Linux and Windows 8 Interoperability' at http://www.admin-magazine.com/Articles/Linux-with-Windows-8. To my untutored eye it looks promising. Am I right? Out of sheer curiosity I was wondering just how secure UEFI makes computers. I sometimes write programs in Pascal (an ancient 3rd generation language), which have to be compiled. I have occasionally send the .exe (Windows executable) files to others. This can be done either by disabling security on your email program or by using a memory stick. I asked a Microsoft community forum whether I could do the same if both machines were running Windows 8 with TPM. The answer I got was yes you can and the file will run on the recipient machine. One person got quite shirty and said that anyone who suggested otherwise was LYING (his word). So I followed this up by saying I was glad to hear that but what if I had created a virus. What does that say about UEFI and 'trusted' computing? No answer to that - what a surprise! regards David -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Good news on Windows 8/UEFI?
On Friday, October 11, 2013 3:29 PM Simon P Smith wrote The UEFI does not stop you running executable code on the windows operating system, you need something like lumension/sanctury for that sort of control. Where it does sit is between the BIOS and bootloader so that only signed operating systems with matching keys in the UEFI will boot on the machine. This stops, for example, students in the school, booting school PCs with memory stick operating systems. On my personal laptop I have switched off UEFI (most devices allow this) and boot into Linux and then use Windows8 as a KVM guest. Recent Linux distros (Ubuntu 64bit for example) actually detect UEFI on installation. Hi Simon Thanks for explaining. You make it seem as though there is no issue with UEFI. As I said it is not an issue personally for me at the moment, so I won't ask you to waste your time explaining further. Will try to get to next meeting in Dorchester. Regards David -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-11-05 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wanting to change APOLOGIES
Just to say that due to a series of domestic disasters, I have neither the money to buy a laptop nor the time to get up and running with Linux in the near future. Thank you all for your advice which I am filing carefully, and hope to resume in a few months. David Smith -Original Message- From: C A Wills Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:45 PM To: Dorset Linux User Group Subject: Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wanting to change David It may be worth looking at Novatech.co.uk in Portsmouth, as they supply computers laptops without an OS or pick your own selection of M$ options. Service is very good and normally no problems with replacements or help. For us in the East Dorset it's an hours drive to go and view/collect if that's required. On-line and Telephone help is also available. Here's plenty of help in the group as well as in the forums. I changed when I bought a new Dell laptop with Vista installed, couldn't get on with it and installed Ubuntu, dual booted and after a month found I wasn't using Vista so reformatted and changed fully to Linux, never looked back! Good luck *Clive A Wills* /Powered by Linux Open Source Software/ On 21/03/13 18:20, Terry Coles wrote: On Thursday 21 Mar 2013 11:49:37 David Smith wrote: One more question - the laptop I buy will have webcam and audio built in. Will there be any problem with drivers? Not with any laptops I've used, but they've all been Dell. I can't speak for any other manufacturer's offerings, but audio and webcam types are fairly well covered in Linux these days. BTW, there is a potential issue with new Laptops that come with Windows 8; try 'Linux UEFI' in Google to get a flavour of the problem. There are workarounds, but it might be better to avoid the issue and get an older model that still retails with W7 on it. I know Staples and PC World have still got stock and there are still plenty available online. -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wantingto change
Thanks Terry for the warning, Staples have an Acer with windows 7, but am a bit stuck until internet connection restored enough so I can look at spec. - also get this sick m/c working properly. Sorry cant get my email program to add the s to previous messages in thread. David -Original Message- From: Terry Coles Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 6:20 PM To: Dorset Linux User Group Subject: Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wantingto change On Thursday 21 Mar 2013 11:49:37 David Smith wrote: One more question - the laptop I buy will have webcam and audio built in. Will there be any problem with drivers? Not with any laptops I've used, but they've all been Dell. I can't speak for any other manufacturer's offerings, but audio and webcam types are fairly well covered in Linux these days. BTW, there is a potential issue with new Laptops that come with Windows 8; try 'Linux UEFI' in Google to get a flavour of the problem. There are workarounds, but it might be better to avoid the issue and get an older model that still retails with W7 on it. I know Staples and PC World have still got stock and there are still plenty available online. -- Terry Coles 64 bit computing with Kubuntu Linux -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wanting to change
Thanks Tim, will pass on Bournemouth but hope to meet some of you in Dorch sometime. Thanks to rest of you for all your advice. I will carefully store all your messages and refer to them when I get that far. One more question - the laptop I buy will have webcam and audio built in. Will there be any problem with drivers? many thanks David -Original Message- From: Tim Waugh Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 9:26 AM To: Dorset Linux User Group Subject: Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wanting to change -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
[Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wanting to change
At present I run a desktop under Windows 7. I bought one of the first 64 bit pcs running Windows 7 - so new that there was no proper driver for my HP printer/scanner and so for a while I had no OCR software. It was great at first but a number of registry errors built up and in spite of buying a registry cleaner it is running slow, and I am told what I 'should' be doing is to spend real money employing a microsoft certified person to maintain windows twice a year! So I want to move to Linux, but how? I cannot afford to be non operational for long. I have decided I really need a laptop and so intend to get that running under Linux first. It seems that buying one with Linux pre installed is not the most economical option. I can buy a TOSHIBA Satellite C850D-11Q 15.6 Laptop from pc world for £290. It has 320 GB hard disc so I could afford to have Windows and Linux installed at the same time. I don't fancy a cloud computer. I would continue to back up user files on memory sticks. Having Windows there would help if I had to back to pc World with a suspected hardware problem. My intention would be to install Linux straight away. I have a few questions please and would be grateful if someone could answer any he/she is able: 1. Is this the right way to go and if so what distribution would you recommend? Should I buy DVDs or download? 2. Is it simple to find say printer drivers that run under Linux? I seem to remember that when I phoned HP they had no drivers for Linux. Their software for the HP printer/scanner/copier has things like OCR software included, but if this was not included in the driver I could find, could I scan something as image and use different software to convert to character? Not that I do this very frequently. 3. Do I need antivirus software? (MACs now do) Any other security software essential? 4. Does Linux have a full screen console? (see below) 5. Does Linux have the equivalent of DOS batch files? FYI I run the following software at present: Open Office Foxit pdf reader Firefox duckduck search engine Windows live mail - but would use Tbird. Free Pascal: I am not up to writing Graphics interfaces so keyboard input and display output is via the 'console' which in Windows is no longer full screen - very annoying. I initiate both compiling and running of programs using DOS batch files. Avast antivirus. I have in the past created a website by typing naked html into a text editor. Have also written a bit of javascript and php. However in the future I will stick to using wordpress.com. I am a dinosaur brought up on punched cards and struggle to keep up. regards David Smith aged 72 -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Hi from pissed off Windows user in Weymouth - wantingto change
Many thanks to Andrew and Terry. That's plenty to be going on with. Will let you know how I get on. regards David snip -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-04-02 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
