BLUG was started in 1998 by a small group of computer geeks in Bellingham, Washington who wanted to get off Windows and learn from local Unix gurus. Our focus is on Linux and all Open Source software.
We hold a presentation meeting the first Thursday of the month at Bellingham Technical College in Campus Center room 201 (CC201). On the third Wednesday, we hold an informal organization meeting with the time and location being Bellingham Makerspace (located in the Bellisfair Mall, next to Dicks Sporting Goods). We also put on special events including the regional LinuxFest Northwest in the Spring.
Next Meeting
Security in the modern Environment
08/20/2025 at 05:30 PM
Josh will be discussing (and demonstrating!!) security tools, software, and hardware for the modern environment. Expect HAK5 gadgets and anything Defcon had in their store in the last few years.
Past Meetings
Embedded Systems
11/01/2001 at 12:00 AM
This month will feature how Linux can be used on the Embedded front, and how normal appliances (such as an Mp3 Player or Dreamcast) can utilize the full power of the penguin.
If any time allows, John Blanford will do a presentation on the Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP). You can see more information about that at:
http://www.ltsp.org
Just say no (to XP) Install Fest
10/04/2001 at 12:00 AM
Just say no to Windows XP Linux installfest!! Bring your box down to BTC and get help installing or just configuring your Linux box. If you ever wanted to get on Linux, this is the time! We will also have some discussion about Wireless in Bellingham
Wireless, E-Smith
09/06/2001 at 12:00 AM
Ever since Qwest announced its DSL service will be assimilated by the Borg ..(err Microsoft)..
And @ home has reported to be in financial difficulty, many people have voiced the need for a Wireless high-speed network throughout Bellingham to keep us connected to the internet.
Michael Dodd works at OpenAccess.org, a Non-Profit ISP in Bellingham providing dial-up, DSL, and internet hosting to companies non-profit and regular.
Wireless Notes:
* Have interested BLUG members serve as relays, and get a discounted access price (around $20/month)
* Antenna is a white tube that connects to an embedded Linux system which serves as a gateway to everything on the relay.
* Speeds would be up to 11mb/sec throughout Bellingham, but 1mb to the internet. As more people join, possibility of increasing Bandwidth
* No major companies to go through, (no Qwest or AT&T)
* No TOS.. Run all the servers you want and you can request a static IP for your server.
* In order for the link to work, we need to place relays in strategic places such as:
– Alabama Hill
– BTC area
– Squalicum Harbor
– Lummi Island
– Toad Lake
– And more, depending on how far we wish to expand.
We have started mapping out some existing BLUG members who have submitted addresses in the past. If you wish to submit your address, send an Email to japerry@bigfoot.comand we will add you to the map.
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In other topics, John Blanford introduced to BLUG the E-Smith server. It is a web-administration server which allows easy control of a Linux machine without needing to know a whole lot about Linux.
E-smith is its own server, meaning you cannot install it over a preexisting system, but it is built on Red hat 7, so anything that runs on RH7 will work with E-Smith.
Some of E-Smith’s Features:
– E-smith Manager: a simple Web-Interface for your network. You can create new users, change system security, change email settings, set up shares, etc.
– Gateway & Firewall: Can act as a firewall out to the real world or just forward your internal clients
– E-mail server: Secure (Qmail) reliable email server for POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP accounts.
– File and Printer Sharing: Supports both Windows, Linux, and Mac networks for file sharing and printer sharing.
– i-Bays: Allows a single folder to be shared throughout the network and even the Internet.
– VPNs: Support windows VPNs using PPTP.
– Secure Webmail: Access your mail safely anywhere on the net.
– SSH: Provides a secure connection to your server for console commands.
– Web Server: Works with Apache and also comes with MySQL and PHP.
– FTP Server: Allows people to share files over internet
– DNS Server: Reduces IP address look-up by storing repeatedly used addresses locally.
– Proxy Server: Temporarily stores information that is frequently accessed for better network performance.
– Tape Backup: Can backup to Tape to prevent data-loss.
– RAID1 support: Protects Hard drive Failures
– Company Directory: Provided through LDAP
– Server-Only mode: Allows addition servers to be on the network that don’t act as Gateways
– DHCP: allows clients to dynamically receive IP addresses.
– Dynamic DNS Service: Provides an automated way to notify dynamic DNS services when your IP changes so it can publish a new record for your domain.
– Netlogon: Uses the NT PDC for centralized login
For more information on E-Smith, including the ISO to burn to CD, go to: http://www.e-smith.com
Summertime Party
08/02/2001 at 12:00 AM
A change from last year, we decided to have the summer party outside instead of at Boundary bay. We reserved a shelter at Fairhaven park and people brought their systems to play games and troubleshoot. We also had some good salmon on the BBQ, as well as Chuck Busby’s Gumbo and Jason Pieper’s first Apple Pie.
Mini Install-Fest
07/05/2001 at 12:00 AM
Many people showed up with thier Linux boxes in hand to recieve help of all sorts. People with windoze and Linux machines reinstalled linux or installed it for the first time.
Linuxfest 2001
04/28/2001 at 12:00 AM
LinuxFest 2001 was a HUGE success, and we estimated around 100 – 200 people attened. Presentations were stading room only, Tutorials taught many newcomers to Linux, and many people came home with a raffle item! More Information on the Fest:
* – Linuxfest 2001 Photos Recently Updated (7-13-2001)
* – Linuxfest 2001 Press Release
* – Linuxfest 2001 Schedule
Nessus Security Tool
04/06/2001 at 12:00 AM
John was hoping to present this at the March meeting, but since there was too much Linuxfest things to work on, he decided to wait until April. Nessus is a commonly used tools by admins (And Hackers) to Audit servers for exploits. To get Nessus, goto: http://www.nessus.org to get more info and to download it.
This program also uses Nmap, another commonly used tools by admins(and Hackers) to Audit servers for ports that are open. You can find this program at: http://www.insecure.org – They also have the top ten security tools, which includes a link to Nessus, the number one on thier list.
Planning at Stuarts
03/22/2001 at 12:00 AM
Irvin and John had the BETA versions of the flyers and brouchres to show at this meeting, and we also decided on distribution spots for the flyers.
LinuxFest Planning
03/01/2001 at 12:00 AM
With our confirmation of using D1, D2, D5, C5 as our rooms, we started to plan out the schedule for each room. There is still room for Vendors! If your company uses Linux, and you want to advertise, please Email Bill Wright at bwright@az.com
DNA Web Application
02/01/2001 at 12:00 AM
Max showed how JAVA can be used with an ORACLE database to manage DNA data at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The server side portion of the application runs on Linux and talks to an Oracle database on Solaris where the genetic data is stored. The user interface includes webforms that talk to an API created by Plands.com and a Java Applet created by Max Sturmia that provides a visual interface to the miroarray slide in a user’s experiment and the data obtained at each location on the slide.