The Vision of CLUE is to nurture a Canadian Information Technology environment which promotes collaborative innovation as well as open standards and the rights of consumer.

The Mission of CLUE is to promote the use and development of free, open source software, by providing a public voice to the community of its Canadian users, developers and supporters. CLUE will enhance this community's ability to share resources, define standards, and promote its values within Canadian society.

The Tillsonburg Linux Users Group is pleased to present author and TV and radio personality, Marcel Gagné, at its April 5 meeting. Marcel is the author of several Linux books including Linux System Administration: A User's Guide and Moving to Linux: Kiss the Blue Screen of Death Goodbye!. He is also the author of the Linux Journal's most popular column "Cooking with Linux." Marcel frequently appears as a guest on G4 TechTV's hit show 'Call For Help' with Leo Laporte. Doors open at 6:30 p.m and the event is free and open to all.

Let me introduce myself to the CLUE community. My name is Jim Elliott and I am the advocate for Open Computing (including Linux and Open Source) at IBM Canada Ltd. (which covers Canada and the Caribbean). I have been working pretty much full-time on Linux since mid-1998. First as the launch manager for Linux on IBM mainframes for the Americas and then since January of 2002 in my current role.

My web site is at ibm.com/vm/devpages/jelliott where you will find copies of presentations I have made at public events recently on Linux and Open Source.

As an exhibitor at the LinuxWorld show and conference in April, CLUE can make available free show passes (PDF format) to all our members and supporters. Just follow the link and print out the pass (or just follow its instructions if you are registering online).

This message comes from the organizers of the LinuxWorld show and conference, to be held in Toronto April 24 to 26 2006. Note that anyone with a CLUE registration (ie, if you have a linux.ca alias) is eligible for this promotion. CLUE will have a presence at the show and conference; more details will be presented as they are finalized.

We’re excited to have the support of CLUE for LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld Conference and Expo 2006. Featuring the latest in strategic technology, this year’s event will draw a host of key figures in the IT community, from forward-thinking users to decision-making executives.

This is your chance to be part of a high-profile environment at a special price. As a CLUE member, you receive a 25% discount on ALL admission packages and free admission to the tradeshow – Just use code A101 when registering.

If you live in or visit Toronto, I suggest you stop at the Linux Caffe, 326 Harbord, right on the corner of Christie.

davamundo, the proprietor/perpetrator, wrote me after the HLUG meeting, and I took the bus over the other day. It was very cold and very windy, but inside it was quite cozy and the barista served me a fine double espresso.

I noticed a lot of books (for those who like to read and sip), there's wireless, and the menu looked OK, though I didn't sample anything.

But I'm into supporting penguins -- even in the Northern Hemisphere.

Check it out!

There has been a lot of discussion about software patents and how evil they are over the past months. Even without the insanities concerning RIM and those concerning "business methods," there has been a lot to really dislike.

But nothing has gotten my back up the way patents (in the US) have been distributed on mathematics.

No, I'm not kidding.

If you studied advanced algebra or calculus, you know that Fourier analysis is an important and often-employed method. It is based on the notion that complex wave forms can be approximated by a sum of sinusoids, each of a different frequency. There are a number of techniques that have been developed to perform analyses employing computers.

The popular Groklaw website, which has been following the SCOGroup lawsuits against its partners and customers, has provided a review of last week's Hamilton event with which Bob Young, Ren Bucholz and Peter Salus. Groklaw had earlier promoted the event.

About halfway down in the comments is an interesting and informative addendum to the origial report.

My own personal thanks go to Ron Harwood and the HLUG gang for staging such a well-run event, and to Peter Salus for coming up with the idea. I'm happy that the meeting topic went well beyond the specifics of the SCO case, as there are many current issues in Canada (such as the new government's approach to copyright) that require attention.

HLUG Special Event February 1st with Peter Salus - This Groklaw article discusses a meeting in Hamilton:
Peter Salus, Bob Young, owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Lulu.com digital publishing, founder of The Center for the Public Domain, and co-founder of Red Hat Software, and EFF's Policy Coordinator, Americas, Ren Bucholz will be the guests at the Hamilton Linux User Group on February 1st. The topic of the panel discussion will be Linux v. SCO and the relevant freedom issues and legalities.