Meetings

July 8, 2018 – SIG-Computing: 3D printing; SIG-Linux: Systems performance

General Announcements

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

Note: New location starting in July. Starting with our July meeting, we will be meeting at Lawrence Technological University (Southfield Campus) 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075

The university is essentially at the northwest corner of 10 Mile Road and Northwestern Highway https://goo.gl/maps/5Et615QaRCP2. The meeting is in room M213 of the Wayne H. Buell Management Building. For details on entry to the campus, where to park and how to get to the meeting room go to https://www.wordpress.semco.org/?page_id=1638

When: Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Lawrence Technological University (Southfield Campus) 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 (click on links above)

SIG-Computing Topic: 3D printing

Presented by  Jeff Jimison

3D Printing is the process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model by laying down many thin layers of material in succession.  Jeff will discuss 3D Printing and its applications.  He will demo a working 3D printer and discuss how to get started with 3D printing.

Jeff Jimison is Lab Supervisor at The Idea Lab at the Birmingham Baldwin Public Library.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Lawrence Technological University (Southfield Campus) 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 (click on links above)

SIG-Linux Topic: Systems performance

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

This talk will cover the six important areas of Linux systems performance i.e. observability tools, methodologies, benchmarking, profiling, tracing, and tuning.

This will be discussed over the next six meetings.

Sharan will  include simple recipes for Linux performance analysis areas such as: tuning (using vmstat, mpstat, iostat, etc), overviews of complex areas including profiling (perf_events, flame graphs), static tracing (tracepoints), and dynamic tracing (kprobes, uprobes), and much advice about what is and isn’t important to learn.

This talk is aimed at everyone: DBAs, developers, operations, etc, and can be applied in just about any environment running Linux, bare-metal or the cloud.

When: Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.

Where: Lawrence Technological University (Southfield Campus) 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 (click on links above)

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Lawrence Technological University, for providing our meeting space!

June 10, 2018 – SIG-Computing: The New TV Standards; SIG-Linux: Encryption Basics

General Announcements

Richard Jackson, vice president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

Note: New location from next month. Starting with our July meeting, we will be meeting at Lawrence Technological University (Southfield Campus). Maps and details of the Building and classroom will be posted with the July announcement.

When: Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing Topic: The New TV Standards

Presented by Tom Allen

Tom Allen, our SIG-Computing chairman, will discuss the recently approved new TV standards.  These new standards will dramatically change how we experience TV and will affect flat panel TVs as well as streaming video.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.

Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux Topic: Encryption Basics

Presented by Kevin O’Brien

Encryption is a topic very much in the news these days, and it is something you use every day even if you don’t know it. Most web sites encrypt the connection when you go there, and you want any site that collects your information (such as credit card numbers) to encrypt that data. But you may not know much about how encryption works. In this presentation we’ll develop a basic understanding of encryption.

Kevin O’Brien is a Project Manager for Ford, and a LibreOffice fan. He is recording a series of tutorials on LibreOffice for Hacker Public Radio, and has presented on this topic at Ohio LinuxFest, Penguicon, Indiana LinuxFest, and local Linux user groups. He always prefers to use free software.

When: Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

May 13, 2018 – SIG-Computing: Hyperledger a Blockchain Technology; SIG-Linux: Shotcut video editor

General Announcements

Sharan Kalwani,  president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing Topic: Hyperledger a Blockchain Technology

Presented by Bret Carpenter

Picture Illustrating how Hyperledger works.What is a Distributed Ledger? Bret Carpenter will discuss Blockchains technology that can be used to record promises, trades, transactions or simply items we never want to disappear.

He will also debate the need for trust in a world of distrust. Hyperledger is incubating and promoting enterprise grade. This will include open source business blockchain technologies, distributed ledgers, smart contract engines, client libraries, graphical interfaces, utility libraries and sample applications.

Bret Carpenter is the Hyperledger Organizer of Troy.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.

Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux Topic:  Shotcut video editor

Presented by: Sharan Kalwani

Shotcut is a free and open-source cross-platform video editing application for FreeBSD, Linux, OS X and Windows. Started in 2011 by Dan Dennedy, Shotcut is developed on the MLT Multimedia Framework, in development since 2004 by the same author.
ShotCut appears to have the right balance between basic video editing and professional approaches. (sometimes called ‘prosumer’). We will look at this in the same way as we previously examined Avidemux, OpenShot and Cinelerra. This is the fourth examination at open source video editors in the series.

When: Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

June 16, 2018 – SIG-Programming: Python (April and May Meetings Canceled)

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Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2:00 P.M.

April 8, 2018 – SIG-Computing: LinkedIn basics; SIG-Linux: Shotcut video editor

General Announcements

Sharan Kalwani,  president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing Topic: LinkedIn Basics for Beginners

Presented by Jarrett Waddy

Jarrett will discuss the many features of LinkedIn as they align to building professional and business brands. As an interactive workshop, participants will learn the various components and steps to take to create a LinkedIn profiles and will examine strategies to leverage network connections, groups and discussion forums.

Attendees will also leave the workshop with creative approaches to maximize LinkedIn Education. to remain current and competitive in today’s forever changing industry markets.

Jarrett Waddy is the founder of Resume ReVamp, LLC, which supports human capital development, personal branding and employer diversity & inclusion initiatives for various clients.
He holds both a Masters degree in Human Resource Administration from Central Michigan University and a B.B.A in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.

Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux Topic:  Shotcut video editor

Presented by: Sharan Kalwani

Shotcut is a free and open-source cross-platform video editing application for FreeBSD, Linux, OS X and Windows. Started in 2011 by Dan Dennedy, Shotcut is developed on the MLT Multimedia Framework, in development since 2004 by the same author.
ShotCut appears to have the right balance between basic video editing and professional approaches. (sometimes called ‘prosumer’). We will look at this in the same way as we previously examined Avidemux, OpenShot and Cinelerra. This is the fourth examination at open source video editors in the series.

When: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

March 17, 2018 – SIG-Programming: Python

snake-312561_1280

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

At the last meeting, among other things, we briefly discussed how to add a GUI using Tkinter. This month we are having a special guest, Jeff Pynnonen, who will demonstrate programming in Python on a $30 Raspberry Pi computer. Jeff has been using a Raspberry Pi for a number of years. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 2:00 P.M.

March 11, 2018 – SIG-Computing: Blockchain Introduction; SIG-Linux: Cancelled for March

General Announcements

Richard Jackson, vice president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

Note: Nominations are being taken for the position of SIG Computing Chair for 2018. This is open to all members. Please send your nomination (or self nomination) to board@semco.org or president@semco.org (either one will work)!

The election will be conducted during the March 11 meeting.

When: Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing Topic:

Blockchain Introduction: What it is and what can it do?

Presented by David Smith

Most people have heard about bitcoin. Experts predict Bitcoin will be worth anywhere between $0 and $1,000,000 per coin in the future. What experts do agree on is blockchain, the technology enabling bitcoin, is a breakthrough that will have many uses in the future.

Cryptocurrencies are a new and growing industry. People with cryptocurrency knowledge are in high demand. Come to this presentation and learn if this industry is something that interests you.

David Smith will explain what blockchain is and how it works in a way all attendees can understand. After explaining the basics Smith will explain design features and trade offs of different blockchain architectures. Then he will cover current and future applications of blockchain technology.

 

David is founder and Managing Director for the Bitcoin Strategic Trading Fund. He participated in the initial token sales for Simple Token, Civic, and Ethereum.

Prior to focusing on full time investing he founded two consultancies and was the Chief Technology Officer for multiple software product startups including some blockchain products.

David is an early investor in Bitcoin. He has been interviewed for media like: WILX News 10, Michigan Business Rap, Lansing State Journal, Consumers Digest, WKAR Current State, Michigan Business Network, Detroit Free Press, Lansing Business Monthly, Lansing Area Capital Gains, NBC Chicago, CBS MoneyWatch and USA Today.

David has written on Bitcoin for Benzinga.com (syndicated to Yahoo Finance) his personal blog Bitcoin Bulls, and has given over a dozen presentations on bitcoin including the inaugural events of Coin Congress (Singapore), CoinAgenda (Las Vegas), and Congressional Bitcoin Education Day (Washington DC).

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.

Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux Topic:  Cancelled for March

Presented by:

Our presenter had to cancel the SIG Linux presentation due to a family illness.

The following is a write up FYI, of the topic (Shotcut), which is tentatively rescheduled for the April meeting.

Shotcut is a free and open-source cross-platform video editing application for FreeBSD, Linux, OS X and Windows. Started in 2011 by Dan Dennedy, Shotcut is developed on the MLT Multimedia Framework, in development since 2004 by the same author.
ShotCut appears to have the right balance between basic video editing and professional approaches. (sometimes called ‘prosumer’). We will look at this in the same way as we previously examined Avidemux, OpenShot and Cinelerra. This is the fourth examination at open source video editors in the series.

When: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

February 17, 2018 – SIG-Programming: Python

snake-312561_1280

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to continue reading the book for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2:00 P.M.

February 11, 2018 – SIG-Computing: OneNote; SIG-Linux: Cinelerra, an open source video editor

General Announcements

Sharan Kalwani, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.

When: Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 1:15 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Computing Topic: Time to take notice of OneNote:

Presented by Hermine Turner

Hermine Turner is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and President of the Detroit IT User Group.

Hermine will present the many faces of One Note, Microsoft’s FREE premier notetaking software with features that simplify the ability to capture and share the information for your personal use, in school or in business.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation.

When: Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.

Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

SIG-Linux Topic: – Cinelerra, an open source video editor:

Presented by Sharan Kalwani

Our SIG-Linux Chair Sharan Kalwani will give us a full review of various Linux  video editing tools. He will continue in the series to look at the next video editing tool on his list- in the FOSS world.

Cinelerra is one of the more sophisticated editing tools and has an interesting web site as well. Developed by folks in the professional video editing field, it was one of the earliest 64 bit NLE tools (2002?). Seems to have been inspired by Adobe Premiere and AVID, we will check out its features

When: Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00 P.M.
Where: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Meeting Room 2 (in basement). Ask at Front Desk.
Map to meetings at Bloomfield Township Library

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Bloomfield Township Public Library, for providing our meeting space!

January 20, 2018 – SIG-Programming: Python

snake-312561_1280

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to continue reading the book for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to attend.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 2:00 P.M.