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The
Mid Anglia Computer Users Group was founded in October 1988 as
the
Quanta Mid Anglia Subgroup. Quanta is the (Sinclair) QL Users ANd
Tinkerers Assn., the international QL user group. Over the years we
have moved on to various computers, Apple Mac, Amiga, Acorn, and
finally the Intel type PC. During this time various operating systems
have been in use but now there are only two main contenders. The Unix
System and the Microsoft Windows System. The images to the right have links to the download sites. Open Office, a cross platform office suite for Windows, Linux and Mac OS's. Ubuntu OS, an easy to use, Windows like operating system which does not suffer from any virus. The applications can be easily installed with the Synaptic Package Manager, all are free. A new version is available in April & October each year with automatic updates in between. All at no cost. Full Circle Magazine, THE Magazine for the Ubuntu OS, explains how things work. All editions available online as pdf files. FREE |
 The Alternative Office Suite  The Alternative Operating System  Free Ubuntu Magazine |
| The Unix System This
was one of the earliest systems in computers, most computers not using
Windows have a variation of this. Apple Mac's system is derived from
Unix (a very stable system). There are literally hundreds of variations
of Unix, the main group of which are the Linux systems.
These use the Linux kernel devised by Linus Torvalds of Finland. The Open Source community are continually writing new variations for specific purposes. Most computer controlled equipment has a Linux variation. Whilst open source programmers write their code and make it available to all, there are some closed source programming companies that actively co-operate with the open source community. Chief among these is SUN Microsystems Inc. who developed the Open Office suite from their Star Office suite. The original Netscape was renamed, Mozilla, it has developed the Firefox web browser, Thunderbird email client and various other applications. A person we are indebted to is Mark Shuttleworth, a South African Billionaire, who founded the Ubuntu Foundation with 10m dollars to ensure that the Ubuntu OS stays free of charge to all. Anyone who wishes to support the open source can make a donation to Ubuntu.com |
The Microsoft
Windows System This
was started by a group of enthusiasts who came together to develope a
system in the early days. Over the years they have attempted to control
the industry and community by a system of patents, copyrights and
licensing. The Widows system has probably led the way in developing
applications which were strictly controlled.
The open source community then followed by producing applications which did a similar job but were free to all to adapt to their own purpose. The MS policy of updating the system is to make previous versions obsolete and no longer supported, this has the effect of making people buy new computers when their old ones would still do what they need. They have also developed a system of "Microsoft Partners" which is another way of trying to dominate the market. Computer manufacturers are at last beginning to offer computers with Linux installed, they are considerably cheaper and most software is free as well, making a very considerable difference. |
| Quanta Mid Anglia Subgroup | |
In
the early days of the group we attended Quanta workshops in various
parts of the UK. We even attended QL workshops in Belgium and Germany. Two members at a Lolworth meeting  Ellis Rowell with a Minerva QL at Papworth Everard Village Hall  George Benton (Deceased), Ellis Rowell and Paul Bevan at a Quanta workshop at Thetford, Norfolk. |
Our own
meetings were held at the Village Hall, Lolworth, Cambs. at
first, then we moved to The Village Hall at Toft. With falling numbers
we then continued meetings at my own premises at Hardwick. Members at a Lolworth meeting  Setting up the Quanta workshop at Papworth Everard Village Hall |