TAPCUG Linux SIG (Special Interest Group)(bookmark this page) A Division of Tacoma Area PC Users
Group (TAPCUG) 
The TAPCUG Linux SIG mission is to get everyone switched over to Linux, a better computer operating system,
by helping to install it on existing computers or by selling Linux computers at A+ Computers.
Linux based Android phones and Chromebooks have been wildly successful but we don't yet have a good selection of affordable Linux laptop or desktop computers we can buy in stores and online. We are working to finally bring affordable Linux laptop or desktop computers to the market place. On site meetings were not bringing new Linux users like they did when we started in 2001. Google Hangouts have had insufficient attendance partially because some people were technically challenged in making it work. Again the goal is new Linux users not body count.
Therefore we are looking for new ways to accomplish our mission. Currently we are doing a blog, working to be involved with Makerfest and building Linux computers for those that need them but cannot afford them. Currently we are getting far more persons converted to Linux this way than we could any other way! Our Linux computer donation program is making great progress! Perhaps you know of someone who needs one. SIGs or Special Interest Groups can have different forms, not just regular meetings you have to physically attend.
If you need help getting switched over to Linux, contact Joel, fox7799 at gmail dot com . (no meetings at SE Tacoma Community Center).
The TAPCUG General
Meeting is usually the 2nd Saturday 9:30 AM at
9112 Lakewood Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98496. We usually arrive at 9 AM for setup and conversations. History of Linux and Open Source Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a student at Helsinki University who wanted a better operating system for his desktop computer. Linux has grown rapidly to where it now runs on more hardware than any other operating system in the world. It is the leading operating system on business servers, mainframes, etc. Over 90% of the fastest supercomputers run on Linux including the ten fastest. Desktops, laptops, etc. sold around the world run on Linux except that proprietary Microsoft and Apple computers still appear to have a monopoly in the United States. Much of the embedded systems in phones, tablets, TVs, video games run on Linux. Linux based Android phones and Chromebooks have a huge market share. Ubuntu Linux based computers are much better but ironically you still can’t go into a store or online in the US and buy affordable (under $500) Linux laptop or desktop computers. We hope to change that in the near future. Linux can also be very easily installed on existing Windows and possibly Apple computers. Because of built in security such as netfilters and iptables, Linux is much more secure which is why you need to switch to it. Millions of dollars are wasted fixing or recovering files on proprietary Windows and Apple computers using copyright laws. Linux and other open source software is developed by millions of persons around the world using an open source license which says that you are free to use the software but if you make improvements you must share those improvements with everyone. This is the opposite of copyright and much more beneficial for everyone. Blog: We had a great time at LinuxFestNorthwest Apr 28-29, 2018! We demonstrated the Pine64 development board, details here. This or similar will be motherboard of the upcoming $89 11.6" Pinebook laptop with Xubuntu. See details on the Pinebook from FOSDEM 2018 here. We introduced Xubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint XFCE 18.3, Kubuntu 18.04 and Arch Linux.  How to get started with Xubuntu (or any Ubuntu) here. Makerfest Saturday Nov 4, 2017 10 AM-3 PM at Washington State Fairgrounds Agriplex, Puyallup, details here. Our first time at Makerfest exceeded expectations with
over 1200 people attending. Other booths included robotics, virtual
reality, 3d printing, beer making, young kids working on computer
hardware, etc. We ran out of TAPCUG Linux SIG flyers and almost out of
TAPCUG and A+ Computers flyers/cards. Google Hangouts, https://hangouts.google.com/ , is the best way to have free online meetings on Linux, Microsoft and Apple computers or phones. Open source computing means a better future for us!, details here. Discover LibreMesh networks here. The Ubuntu phone continues at https://ubports.com/ . Samsung Linux On Galaxy means full Xubuntu desktop on smart phone! details here. See how to switch between Wayland and Xorg display servers in Xubuntu 17.10 here. How to rip DVD's here. To upgrade Ubuntus to the next release you can enter 'sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade' in the command line. UEFI explained here. Having a good firewall to protect you is very important. http://gufw.org/ gives you extra protection over what you have on your router. Just install it, go to firewall and turn it on. An easy way to turn a document into a photo or image is to create it in Libreoffice Writer, export it as a pdf document, open that pdf in Gimp and export it as an image (.png, .jpg, etc.).
Use the 'youtube-dl (youtube url)' command to download youtube videos, details here.
To avoid future DNS attacks we may want to consider OpenDNS, details here.
Contact us: fox7799 at gmail dot com Linux is
much more
secure because its roots are from Unix, Bring
your used computer equipment for free to A+ Computers, We are Linux distribution neutral and try out all
sorts of Linux distributions.  Linux file system. Introduction
to Linux here.
Check back often for the latest updates. News
 Get started with Linux now! Discover why you should switch to Linux here.
Linus says 2017 will be the year of the Linux desktop! details here. $79 ARM Linux laptop with Remix OS released (we need Xubuntu), details here.
See how to install your favorite Linux on an Android phone here.
Linux Torvalds TED talk Feb 2016 here.
ARM Linux laptops could have replaceable CPU cards! details here. RISC-V processors are coming, details here. ARM64 Linux computers are coming!, details here. Windows, Mac users
advised to install Linux Mint now! details here.
Users are advised to
avoid Windows 10! Details here.
Microsoft will make Windows 10 harder to dual boot, details here. Windows users may be forced into crappy Windows 10! details here. See why children should use Linux here.
Events (date format MM/DD/YY)Apr 28-29/2018 LinuxFest Northwest, Bellingham, WA Nov 3, 2018 10 AM-3 PM Makerfest, Puyallup Fair Agriplex Jan 08-11, 2019 CES (Consumer Electronic Show), Las Vegas, NV
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