BELUG meeting Tuesday, August 13th, 2025 at 6:30pm

[Steve Herber]

BELUG: Supporting Linux and open source for 21 years.

The next BELUG meeting is Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30pm.

The Zoom link, with password, is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/131116407?pwd=OFkwZzZWMVhDdlhMTU91K2lOVkQvZz09

Meeting ID: 131 116 407
Passcode: 117647

The in-person location is at the North Bellevue Community Center:

North Bellevue Community Center
4063 148th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA. 98007

Please come early to help set up the room.

The meeting will follow this format:

introductions all around
collect technical questions to answer later
a review of the previous meeting topics
a review of a digital photography tool
ntp server and pool.ntp.org
our best answers to your technical questions.

The yearly SeaGL Linux conference is at the UW Hub on November 7th and 8th:
https://seagl.org/attend

Last month we covered these topics:

github: https://github.com/

Jorge was at the meeting and is still pursuing a pc-fixit event
in the ballard area. I can pass on your email address if you
are interested in helping.

We discussed other linux groups around north america

Alex put together a system with these tools and the links are to
the proxomx helper script:
alpine linux
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=alpine
docker
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=docker-vm
jellyfin
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=jellyfin
contacts/calender, maybe this one:
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=fluid-calendar
health check i/o ??
paperless
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=paperless-ngx
which now has this ai addon
https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=paperless-gpt

We cover a wide range of topics for new and old linux users.
I hope you can attend our next meeting.

Thank you,
Steve Herber her...@herber.us cell: 425-281-0355
Software Engineer, UW Medicine, IT Services

Subject: Meeting Summary for BELUG
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2025 03:28:41 +0000 (UTC)
From: Meeting Summary with AI Companion <no-r...@zoom.us>
To: ko...@univention.com


Meeting summary for BELUG (06/10/2025)

Quick recap

The meeting covered a wide range of technical topics, including backup
solutions, Linux-based photography tools, and the challenges of transitioning
from Windows to Linux. Participants discussed various software options for
photo editing and image management, as well as the potential applications of AI
in automating tasks and generating web links. The group also explored
organizing events to help users migrate to Linux and refurbish older computers,
emphasizing the importance of proper preparation and data backup.
Next steps

Steve/Team: Plan potential install-fest event details, including backup
requirements, liability considerations, and distribution selection
Randy: Write up recommended steps for users migrating from Windows 10 to
Linux, including data backup procedures and password management
considerations
Steve/Team: Consider organizing a dedicated session about implementing AI
tools locally, particularly for automation tasks
Steve: Create a web page listing Linux photography tools and seek
Steve: volunteers for future tool presentations
Steve: Follow up with the Ballard Rotary Club contact regarding their
Steve: computer refurbishment event plans
Steve: Evaluate room setup and microphone placement for optimal audio
Steve: quality in future meetings

Summary
Backup Solutions and AI Ventures

Steve and Kevin discussed backup solutions, focusing on Proxmox's standalone
backup server with deduplication capabilities for virtual environments. They
also touched on Red Hat Identity Management and the challenges of working with
younger founders. Steve mentioned his involvement in AI ventures, including
co-coaching with a therapist and a sales research optimization project. The
conversation concluded with a brief mention of Gen Z work preferences and
scheduling.
IPv6 and Docker Networking Challenges

Steve discussed his experience with IPv6, including setting up DNS64 and prefix
delegation, and encountered issues with three websites that had incorrect IPv6
addresses. He also mentioned resolving problems with WireGuard on Android by
using a forked version with an IPv4/IPv6 toggle. Alex shared that he updated
his desktop and server, with the server running Debian as a NAS, and asked
about Docker container communication for certificate updates, to which Steve
suggested using a script to handle restarts rather than direct container
communication.
Technical Setup and Software Discussions

The meeting began with Steve addressing technical issues related to audio and
video setup, ensuring participants could hear and see each other. Bill shared
his ongoing struggles with Microsoft's support for a hacked email account and
his consideration of switching to Apple due to software compatibility issues.
Bill also discussed his work on the Raspberry Pi 4, including installing new
software for digital imaging. David, a long-time Linux user, introduced himself
and shared his experience with Darktable, expressing interest in the community.
Marty confirmed his technical setup was functioning well, while Steve concluded
by acknowledging Marty's presence and moving on to Dave Compton, who mentioned
his work with a server called Dwarich.
Linux Privacy Alternatives Discussion

The group discussed alternatives to Google's location tracking system, with
David sharing his experience with a self-hosted Linux option that is still in
development. Steve raised concerns about government data collection and
suggested that phone carriers also track location data. The conversation ended
with Steve sharing his experience presenting at a digital imaging group about
Linux as an alternative to Windows for photography, particularly for those
facing privacy concerns with Windows 11 upgrades and subscription-based
software models.
Linux Photo Editing Tools Exploration

Steve proposed organizing a series of meetings to explore various Linux
photography and video editing tools, with a focus on still image editing. David
shared insights about different software options, noting that while Adobe
Lightroom is widely used, Darktable offers more complexity and features. The
group discussed the capabilities and categorization of various tools, including
GIMP, Digicam, and Pinta, with Steve planning to expand the list and schedule
future presentations on specific tools.
Linux Photo and Image Editing Tools

The group discussed various photo and image editing tools available for Linux,
including GIMP, Darktable, Raw Therapee, and Inkscape. They evaluated different
tools based on their features and functionality, with Randy sharing his
experience using GIMP for photo editing and Shotwell as a photo management
tool. Bill mentioned the recent update to GIMP 3.0.4 and its improvements. The
team also touched on video editing capabilities within Linux, mentioning tools
like Blender and OBS. They concluded by considering the inclusion of additional
tools like Krita and Drawing for their list, with Randy noting Krita's high
rating for functionality.
Photo Editing Software Alternatives

The group discussed various photo editing software options, with Randy
recommending Windows Server 2025 as an alternative to Windows 10 for better
performance and fewer issues. Sanjiv shared his experience using GIMP for
creating Facebook event pages, while Steve proposed creating a webpage to
gather volunteers for presenting on different photo software tools. Randy
shared a recent image rating list that highlighted Krita, MyPaint, and GIMP as
top options, and the group briefly discussed a collaborative drawing program
called Drawpile.
AI Applications and Automation Discussion

The group discussed AI applications and their experiences with AI tools. Steve
proposed using AI to automatically generate web links related to meeting topics
from meeting summaries, and Randy shared his experience using AI for specific
tasks like finding recipes. The conversation touched on the potential of AI to
replace traditional search engines and the importance of balancing information
sharing to avoid overwhelming users. Steve also mentioned his interest in
developing a shell script to automate the AI link generation process.
Linux Transition and Computer Refurbishing

Steve shared his experience of being hacked and discussed the need for a flash
drive to install Linux for people transitioning from Windows. Randy confirmed
that creating such a flash drive is possible. They also talked about a
potential event in the Ballard area to refurbish older computers with Linux,
organized by a member of the Rotary Club.
Linux Migration: Challenges and Solutions

The group discussed the challenges and steps involved in migrating from Windows
to Linux, with Randy emphasizing the importance of data backup and password
management. They explored alternative solutions like using Windows Server 2025
for those unable to upgrade and considered creating a guide for new Linux
users. Steve highlighted the need for proper preparation and addressed concerns
about printing and application compatibility. The conversation ended with
positive feedback on a new speaker system, though some audio issues were noted
that required further adjustment.
Linux Installation Festival Planning

The group discussed organizing an installation festival to help members
transition from Windows to Linux, with Steve proposing a two-day event in
August and September. They agreed to develop clear steps for participants,
including data backup requirements, and Randy suggested creating a flash drive
with the necessary Linux distribution. The discussion also covered the
potential use of Chromebooks as an alternative for some users, with Randy
noting that while Chromebooks are suitable for beginners, they lack the
flexibility needed for more advanced computing tasks.