- main - earth.li

Re: This list and html email.
by John Seago 18 May '06

18 May '06

Having the signature lines that I do, I was most embarrassed a short while ago to find that I was sending HTML mail to this list. I promptly turned it off, (I'm using Kmail), only to find that it wouldn't stay turned off and it took me nearly a whole afternoon to get it to turn off and stay turned off. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

2 1

RE: [ALUG] Evil Computers
by Keith Watson 18 May '06

18 May '06

> From: Wayne Stallwood Sent: 17 May 2006 22:21 > On Wed, 2006-05-17 at 12:09 +0100, Tracy Dickerson wrote: > > > > Then the next morning after switching on, the network card > > seemed to be found but would not connect to the outside world. > > Nothing had changed and I can't work out why this has happened. > > Does the card have a link status light, if so is it on ? > > What does ifconfig say ? (you may have to be root to run > that, depending on your distribution) > > Also run route to list the routing table and ping whatever is > shown as the default gateway (that is the ip address of your > housemates router) > > If that works then try pinging an external address like google on > 66.249.93.99 > > If that works then your name resolution is broken and you > need to look at the contents of /etc/resolv.conf > > This should have something like > nameserver (ip address) where IP address should usually be the same > as the IP address of your housemates router (the address > returned as the default gateway when you ran the route command) > > With that info we should be able to track it down. Had a similar problem with an old Dell laptop a while back. Using a Live Linux CD (Ubuntu Breezy Badger in this case - it's only a matter of time before some marketing type christens them "boot'n'go" :o) ) was very useful in tracking down hardware vs. software issues. Regards, Keith ____________ CONNOISSEUR, n. A specialist who knows everything about something and nothing about anything else (q.v. EXPERT). Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary

1 0

RE: [ALUG] This list and html email.
by Keith Watson 18 May '06

18 May '06

> From: Adam Bower > Sent: 17 May 2006 21:01 > > I just thought I'd drop a quick email to the list just to > clarify that the Alug list is a plain text only list but I'm > bending the rules a bit for new joiners to the list as I feel > it is better to let them participate and get involved with > Alug instead of freezing them out straight away. > > When we get new people join the list who have a mail held for > moderation because it has an html part I am going to let the > post through and then mail the new joiner directly asking > them to try and post in plain text only. (Obviously if they > have posted with html and it has created a massive > attachment then I will not allow it to go to the list). > > Obviously this isn't set in stone as it's up to the people on > the list what we do but I'd like to hear a few opinions of if > people think I'm doing the right/wrong thing. > > Thanks > Adam Although I have no axe to grind wrt html mail I must admit that my sight is poor enough that I find plain text easier to deal with (and there's the admin issue of the consequent bloat in message size). I go along with Adam on this, I think a quiet word off list would be a friendly way to ask new members (and the odd recidivist :o) ) to refrain from submitting html posts. Regards, Keith ____________ TWICE, adv. Once too often. Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary

1 0

Evil Computers
by Tracy Dickerson 17 May '06

17 May '06

Hey guys and gals, Thank you for all your helpful posts and for welcoming me so nicely. I know have a pc at home (a friend of mine gave me his old one). I have a new problem for you to think about (if you would like to) The network card worked fine to install Fedora Core 5 on top of Windows 98 from the internet. When Windows had been wiped and Fedora was installed, I managed (with a little trouble) to connect to the internet and get all my e-mails etc (lovely 206 of them *sigh*) Then the next morning after switching on, the network card seemed to be found but would not connect to the outside world. Nothing had changed and I can't work out why this has happened. I have deleted all the network settings and rebooted, this didn't help, so I took out the network card and re-seated it. Again nothing happened. The only thing I can think of that I have not tested is the network cable that runs into my housemates router. This also hasn't changed or moved and we checked the router. He is getting a connection. Puzzled now. Any suggestions before I buy a new network card and start again? Tracy x _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

2 1

Bletchley Park
by Richard Lewis 17 May '06

17 May '06

Hello ALUG, Just before we all left last night, I remembered that a little while ago on IRC mention had been made of a possible trip to Bletchley Park. Now that the weather has taken a turn for the better, I wonder if anyone still thinks this may be fun? There's a fairly informative website at: http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/ They do group weekend visits between 10:30 and 17:00 for 8.00 GBP per head for 20+ people and allow (possibly require) booking. Maps and various route planning info: http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/content/visit/findus.rhtm For those of us in Norwich, the train journey is not all that good: AFAICT you need to go through London (Liverpool St -> Euston) and it takes about 3:30 hours. By road it will probably take about 3 hours (A11, through Thetford, Cambridge, A428 through Bedford to Milton Keynes). Any thoughts? Cheers, Richard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Richard Lewis Sonic Arts Research Archive http://www.sara.uea.ac.uk/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

7 20

Re: [linux-users] Segfaults with Firefox-1.0
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 17 May '06

17 May '06

On 17-May-06 David Johnson wrote: > On Wednesday 17 May 2006 13:53, Ted Harding wrote: >> >> If anyone else would like to try this and report >> results, I'd be obliged. >> > > I'm seeing the same issue with my Firefox (v1.0.8), > but Konqueror has no problems with it. > > Accessing it with popup blocking disabled seems to fix it, > so I guess it's a bug in Firefox's popup blocking... > > Regards, > David. Thanks, Dave (Gilbert) for confirming that firefox can be flaky, and David (Johnson) for the above. Yes, you were right! Disabling pop-up blocking solves the problem. The reason http://www.shop.bt.com bombs right out is that you get one of those smarmy "special offers and competitions" popups while the top page is still loading. You're not meant to miss it! (Which leads me to wonder: can a website send a popup which might force a popup blocker to segfault? Good way to get you to turn off the blocker ... ). Thanks, and all best wishes, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 17-May-06 Time: 14:21:46 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

1 0

Segfaults with Firefox-1.0
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 17 May '06

17 May '06

Hi Folks, I've been noticing a tendency for my Firefox-1.0 to segfault when accessing certain sites. It may not be Firefox of course, but a possible (e.g.) RAM weakness or something else hardware related. The message to the terminal is always run-mozilla.sh: line 451: 2894 Segmentation fault "$prog" ${1+"$@"} which is a line in the startup-script. One site which seems to trigger it every time is http://www.shop.bt.com If anyone else would like to try this and report results, I'd be obliged. With thanks, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 17-May-06 Time: 13:53:05 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

4 3

Encryption
by Richard Brooklyn 17 May '06

17 May '06

The other day, I got myself a new laptop, all is well and good with it running Ubuntu Dapper. I saw a article in Linux Format about encrypting the hard drive. I did follow it closely, but was unable to make it work. This was probably due to me trying to encrypt / instead of something like /home so I gave up. But I do wish to try again. I've just downloaded OpenSUSE 10.1, which gives the option to encrypt during the installation. It [the OpenSUSE install] seems to work pretty well, especially if you're just a single user, you can set a nice long password for /home, and it will ask for the passphrase during start-up, which I was very happy with. But it's got me wondering. Exactly how secure is this? Let's say I can use either OpenSUSE 10.1 or Ubuntu Dapper .. Say someone steals my laptop. Is it possible they will ever get hold of my data (ie. decrypt it)? Should I be encrypting more than just /home? (I was thinking about /tmp -- but I don't want to keep entering in loads of passphrases on every boot). Is it possible to encrypt / at all? That would be very handy, then it's just one passphrase, and I know that everything is secure, but I know I can expect a performance hit with this (which is not important). Cheers, Richard.

4 9

64 bit operating systems
by Nick Daniels 16 May '06

16 May '06

Hi Many thanks for all the advice: I downloaded Suse 10.1x64 this weekend and it runs perfectly, and detect all my hardware, however, I am determined to get Kubuntu/ Ubuntu running as well The problem with the Xsever not starting in Ubuntu 64 bit appears forums, with the answer "change the driver from "nv" to "vesa" in xorg.conf" How can I edit xorg.conf from the command line? Kind regard- Nick Daniels

2 2

NHS to use Linux
by Stuart Bailey 16 May '06

16 May '06

Thought this might be of some interest... http://www.novell.com/offices/emea/uk/news/press/2006/newsletter_nhs.html -- --------------------------------------- Stuart Bailey BSc (hons) CEng CITP MBCS LinuSoft (Owner) Linux Specialist (0845) 6583563 http://www.linusoft.co.uk ----------------------------------------

1 0

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 15 May '06

15 May '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Heeeelp! My display system is rather messed up.
by Barry Samuels 14 May '06

14 May '06

First an apology. This message may appear twice because I forgot to set my identity in the mailer so the first one may not make it. I'm running Debian Testing (Etch). I've been waiting 6 months to do an update because K3b was missing from the distribution for about that time and it has just reappeared. So I did the update and then discovered that my mga drivers from Matrox no longer work. I see that other people had the same problem. There is an MGA driver package listed but it depends on the xserver-xorg-core package which isn't in the distribution (this is getting ridiculous). Matrox don't (yet?) provide a driver for xorg 6.9 but after a search I found that someone had modified the latest Matrox driver to suit 6.9 which I have now installed. There is still something seriously wrong with the display system however and I don't know if it's an xorg thing or something else. I don't think it's the new MGA driver because I get console problems even if I don't run X. If I run 'joe', the editor, from a standard console (No X) I find I cannot get out using Ctrl-C, it's just ignored, but I can exit with Ctrl-K-X. However I then have to type 'reset' to get the console to behave properly. Whilst in the editor I often can't scroll down to see the end of the file. I cannot start X as a user but I can as root. If I start X as root and then exit I have to do the 'reset' thing again. I can start KDM as root and then log in as a user but if I logout, back to KDM, I'm stuck because Ctrl-Alt-Fn doesn't work either. All I can do is reboot. Is this likely to be an xorg problem and where do I look to solve it? -- Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

1 0

Heeeelp! my display is rather messed up.
by Barry Samuels 14 May '06

14 May '06

I'm running Debian Testing (Etch). I've been waiting 6 months to do an update because K3b was missing from the distribution for about that time and it has just reappeared. So I did the update and then discovered that my mga drivers from Matrox no longer work. I see that other people had the same problem. There is an MGA driver package listed but it depends on the xserver-xorg-core package which isn't in the distribution (this is getting ridiculous). Matrox don't (yet?) provide a driver for xorg 6.9 but after a search I found that someone had modified the latest Matrox driver to suit 6.9 which I have now installed. There is still something seriously wrong with the display system however and I don't know if it's an xorg thing or something else. I don't think it's the new MGA driver because I get console problems even if I don't run X. If I run 'joe', the editor, from a standard console (No X) I find I cannot get out using Ctrl-C, it's just ignored, but I can exit with Ctrl-K-X. However I then have to type 'reset' to get the console to behave properly. Whilst in the editor I often can't scroll down to see the end of the file. I cannot start X as a user but I can as root. If I start X as root and then exit I have to do the 'reset' thing again. I can start KDM as root and then log in as a user but if I logout, back to KDM, I'm stuck because Ctrl-Alt-Fn doesn't work either. All I can do is reboot. Is this likely to be an xorg problem and where do I look to solve it? Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

1 0

Any Asterisk users out there? Dial out fails, but dial in works
by Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. 13 May '06

13 May '06

I'm attempting to set a small PBX system. I'm using Asterisk @ Home 2.8 with a Digium TDM11B card. The fxo card is in port 4, the fxs card is in port 1. I have the phone-line connected to port 4 and the phone unit to port 1. My /etc/zaptel.conf is: fxoks=1 fxsks=4 loadzone=uk loadzone=uk My /etc/asterisk/zapata.conf includes: echocancel=yes echocancelwhenbridged=yes echotraining=400 callerid=<my callerid> signalling=fxo_ks group=1 context=default channel => 1 signalling=fxs_ks callerid=asreceived group=2 context=incoming channel => 4 My /etc/asterisk/extensions.conf is: [globals] OUTBOUNDTRUNK=Zap/4 [incoming] exten => s,1,Wait(1) exten => s,2,Answer() exten => s,3,Playback(hello-world) exten => s,4,Hangup() [outbound] exten => _9XXXXXXXXXXX,1,Dial($(OUTBOUNDTRUNK)/${EXTEN:1}) exten => _9XXXXXXXXXXX,2,Congestion() exten => _9XXXXXXXXXXX,102,Congestion() The _9XXXXXXXXXX should allow me to call number like 07770 123456 using a 9 prefix from the phone, if I understand the documentation correctly. Some of this information was from the supplier of the card and others were from Asterisk O'Reilly book. Incoming calls work as expected, but as soon as I attempt to use my phone to dial a number, it hangs up. I hear a dial-tone to begin with, but pressing a single button makes it hang up. The log from Asterisk is: --Starting simple switch on 'Zap/1-1' --Hungup 'Zap/1-1' What is wrong? This is really confusing. I'm a newbie to Asterisk so if there is something I have missed above, please point it out. -- Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. http://www.ashleyhowes.com/ "The proper function of man is to live, not to exist." - Jack London

2 4

Digital Sound Inputs on Trust soundcard
by David Noble 13 May '06

13 May '06

Hi all, I seem to be having problems with recording the digital input on my new soundcard (chipset has been identified as CMI 8738). I am running a S/PDIF line from my digital mixer (at 48kHz) to the input. I know for sure there is output on the line, as when I hit the 'loop' switch, I am able to monitor a return. Sound playback works fine (tested in Audacity, amaroK and Xine), but I am unable to select the digital input to record (in Audacity), although analog seems to work fine. The idea behind getting this sound card was to be able to record losslessly from the mixer. The inputs appear to work fine under 'doze (and SoundForge), although I had to fiddle about with sample rates. I would really like to be able to record using Linux, and finally convert my machine over to a Linux only box. Any help would be much appreciated. I am unable to speak on IRC as I am at <strike>prison</strike> boarding school. Kind regards, Dave

1 0

New NeSS Website -- and Linux!
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 13 May '06

13 May '06

Hi Folks, Inspired by a TYV report this evening on the Govt's new "Neighbourhood Statistics" website (aka "NeSS"), I just gave it a try: http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Can any of you get it to work with a browser supported by Linux? Even with popups enabled for this site, my Firefox doesn't cut it. Nor Mozilla. Thanks, and all best wishes, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 11-May-06 Time: 19:15:02 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

8 7

[ALUG Announce] [ALUG] 2nd Thursday Norwich Meet : Reindeer, Dereham Road
by Jonathan McDowell 13 May '06

13 May '06

ALUG Announce Please send announcements to Announce(a)lists.alug.org.uk Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce ----- The monthly "Second Thursday" ALUG Norwich Pub Meet is this Thursday, 11th May. It's at the Reindeer pub on the Dereham Road, just opposite the City Gate. People will be there from 8pm-ish, though there may be a few people there earlier. Topics for discussion will no doubt be as varied as ever. The Reindeer has a reasonable selection of beer as well as decent coffee (with biscuits, if you're lucky). Directions to the Reindeer can be found at: http://www.alug.org.uk/venues/reindeer.html Pictures of some of the regulars, and irregulars, and, well, just some pictures of people that might or might not turn up are available from: http://www.earth.li/~noodles/Photos/2006-02-ALUG/ http://the.earth.li/~noodles/stilvoid-alug/mp20050811/ http://www.earth.li/~noodles/Photos/2005-01-ALUG-Xmas/ http://www.earth.li/~noodles/Photos/2004-08-ALUG/ Which should hopefully aid those of you wondering who to look out for. We're /normally/ just to the left of the main entrance, though sometimes we've ended up at the far end of the pub beside the pool table, as there are comfy seats at that end. J. -- ] http://www.earth.li/~noodles/ [] Where are we going? And WHY ARE [ ] PGP/GPG Key @ the.earth.li [] WE IN THIS HANDBASKET?!! [ ] via keyserver, web or email. [] [ ] RSA: 4DC4E7FD / DSA: 5B430367 [] [ ----- Send discussion replies to main(a)lists.alug.org.uk (Reply-To set) Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce

2 2

Re: [linux-users] New NeSS Website -- and Linux!
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 12 May '06

12 May '06

Many thanks to all for the interesting replies. It looks as though I should bite the bullet and upgrade from Firefox 1.0 to 1.5. Best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 12-May-06 Time: 09:48:24 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

4 4

Linux hardware compatability lists
by Adam Bower 12 May '06

12 May '06

Hi, I just got a comment on my blog from a guy who was looking for information on how well the Canon Powershot A430 worked with Linux. (For my dads birthday we purchased him an A430, and when i plugged it into my Ubuntu laptop it auto-detected it and asked me if i wanted to get the pictures off it, very simple, more so than other operating systems I suspect). Part of the purpose of my blog posting was so that the info would get picked up by search engines if people wanted to find out if this camera worked with Linux. Anyhow, the comment left on my blog was similar to "thanks for posting this I wanted to know if this camera worked with linux and your page is all I can find using google" and the suggestion to add it to the Linux HCL at http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/ anyhow, this made me think are there any other generic Linux HCL lists that I should be posting this information to? What puts me off linuxquestions.org is that it appears to be a web-forum (which I detest) whereas if it was a wiki I'd have the information on there by now. Thanks Adam -- jabberid = quinophex(a)jabber.earth.li Avoid ID cards, renew your passport: http://www.renewforfreedom.org/

2 1

Re: Greetings
by Jenny Hopkins 12 May '06

12 May '06

> From: Paul <lists(a)bulldoghome.com> > Hi Tracy > > Always nice to see a new face in place of the hairy old ones ;) > Oi! Speak for yourself, our Paul! I shaved yesterday........ Welcome to alug, Tracy. Jenny

1 0

Anything like Picasa for Linux?
by chrisisbd＠leary2.csoft.net 12 May '06

12 May '06

Are there any programs like Picasa which run on Linux? I'm after something for organising my digital and scanned photographs. I don't want anything very clever, Picasa is actually pretty close to what I want except that I'd prefer to be able to manipulate the *real* folder hierarchy rather than a pseudo-hierarchy. -- Chris Green (chrisisbd(a)leary.csoft.net)

3 5

Greetings
by Tracy Dickerson 12 May '06

12 May '06

Hey, My Names Tracy and I have just found you guys. I have always been interested in alternatives to Windows OS and it wasn't until I bought a PC of my own and a close friend of mine suggested I ran Linux on it that I moved in this direction. I had seen more than enough of his computer and the way it looked and felt to know that this move was for me. At this point we installed Red Hat 9. Loved this. Was fab. Then came along Fedora and we swapped to that. Again loved the way it worked and felt so all was good. Time went on... My Sys-Admin (as I refer to him now) moved to Worcester and got involved with the Malvern LUG group and I have been a silent member of their mailing list for just over a year I think. I am now at the stage (ok have been for a while) where I would like to run Fedora from the Terminal window but am finding the commands difficult to structure. Add to this that my pc is at the moment dead (Motherboard failure) and I am waiting for a friend of mine to dig out an old one of his so I can get up and running again. I have Fedora 5 waiting to be installed and am looking forward to this very much. Sorry this has been a long post; promise to keep them short in future. I hope to be at the next meeting (but not tonight I am afraid) and hope that you guys will welcome a Fedora lass into the fold. Regards, Tracy x _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

5 4

Beginning of the end for SGI
by Wayne Stallwood 12 May '06

12 May '06

I was talking to someone about this at the kit meet (sorry I forget who) Whoever it was, Your prediction was pretty much spot on. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060508/sfm098.html?.v=45 Tis a sad day even if you didn't like SGI kit, If they weren't so broken as a company then they would be a good example of how a company in the Unix world embraced Open Source rather than being threatened by it. I don't know how much input SGI has on OpenGL and XFS now..I presume these projects will continue without them should they vanish or be bought up ? I wish I still had my Indy so I could give it a hug.

3 3

64 bit Operating Systems
by Nick Daniels 11 May '06

11 May '06

Hi I have been attempting to install Linux on my AMD 3.4 GHz 64, on Ubuntu/Kubuntu 64, the X server fails to start/crashes, likewise on Debian 64, with Fedora 64 screen starts O.K. but mouse pointer disappears at logon. Suse 10.0 installs O.K. in i386 mode, but fails to find sound (Intel ICH with ALC 655) Kubuntu installs O.K. in i386 mode and finds everything. likewise Debian i386 Kororaa (gentoo) i386 installs O.K. and gives correct Nvidia driver and even 1600x screen System has onboard Nvidia 6100, and 1GB ram. Has anybody any suggestions for a 64 bit system, or ideas how to get a working 64 bit system or any other (Linux) operating system to try please. Kind Regards - Nick Daniels

5 9

Given In To Pressure... Sorry
by Simon Royal 10 May '06

10 May '06

Before I start I would like to state I am a devout anti-Microsoft user and this pains me. My main machine is a Mac of which I am very pleased with. In all the years I have owned a Mac they never let me down, they just work and very well. My venture into Linux has come to a halt. My ThinkPad 380ED has been stripped of Damn Small Linux and replaced with Windows 98 Second Edition. There was no speed increase over Windows and the age of the machine limited me to the distro's I could use. With Damn Small Linux being the best option, I was annoyed by the limited amount of software and support for it. I know Microsoft are switching off support for 98 & ME in July but the wealth of knowledge and software and supported hardware under these operating systems was a drawing point for me. My wife also wants to use the laptop and Linux is no place for someone with little computing knowledge. So apologies as I seem to bail out on Linux. When I eventually purchase a new Mac I intend to dual boot with Ubuntu or something similar as I will have a better choice of full blown distros rather than cut down one aimed at low end machines. Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

7 6

Ethernet conundrum
by Peter 10 May '06

10 May '06

Well, it gets more and more baffling. Checked the bios. Identical on both machines. Checked the switch settings. Identical. Checked the WOL header. Nothing on either of them. Swapped hard drives. The condition stays with the hardware, doesn't follow the drive. Reset bios to defaults. Nothing changes. As it shouldn't, since I had previously reset it by removing the battery. Gave up, and furiously put in another card, thinking, this should not be possible, I should be able to figure this out! Works fine on eth1. Peter

1 0

XML & XSL
by jt＠imen.org.uk 09 May '06

09 May '06

Yeah I know this isnt a strict linux question but you guys are leet so... My dad has a slight problem with his coursework. He's been given a peice of XML which is terribly formatted - there is a lot of duplication of data. The XML in question is sitting at http://www.imen.org.uk/pd.php?id=24 The first stage of the problem was to break it down per invoice - instead of having four lines containing shipping data etc, he wants only one set of that per invoice,and the rest of the information to be sub that. Thats relativly easy using a key: http://www.imen.org.uk/pd.php?id=25 Now this leads onto stage two... Each invoice contains information about individual suppliers. This information again contains information which isunique per line (prodCode) but also information which isnt (supplierName). Again, the problem is to only show suppliername once for each line, so that the first output would show three sets of lines, the first one containing two products, the second and third containing one. (as opposed to the output that that gives you which is four lines of one output line each). Now I've tried lots of things - I cant generate a composite key based on the parent id because they all have the same parent - if file was structured better it could be sorted better. Any ideas? (I worked on this for about four hours lastnight, plus whatever my dad did on it and still no closer to a solution... is it indeed possible?) Thanks JT

2 1

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 08 May '06

08 May '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

A Few DSL Questions
by Peter 07 May '06

07 May '06

How to stop Dillo loading at startup? Yes, this drives you crazy if you don't stop it. Go to /home/dsl/.xinitrc. You need to comment out the dillo line by putting a # sign in front of it. I think this was covered in the DSL FAQ. Don't know about radio. Someone said DSL is Debian, and yes it evidently is, but I found that some packages didn't seem to be installable with apt-get, when they were installable with Debian. I never did figure out why. It must be modified in some way so dependencies don't always work quite correctly? Are you using jwm or fluxbox? DSL-not (the slightly bigger one) is worth trying too, but the version I tried didn't have some features that are in the little one. But it did have better applications. Didn't try apt-get. Peter

1 0

A Few DSL Questions
by Simon Royal 07 May '06

07 May '06

Hi Yet another few Damn Small Linux questions from a newbie. Fingers crossed everything is going fine including wireless surfing. 1. I have my wireless network set up via Prism 2, only I have to set it up each time I restart the machine. Is there anyway I can have it auto configured each time I switch it on? 2. Everytime I boot up I am faced with a Dillo 'intro to DSL' screen. How can I stop this appearing? 3. I also have downloaded and installed a small util to show the wireless strength, but that too doesn't load on start up - how do I do this? Regards Simon

1 0

Ethernet conundrum, continued
by Peter 05 May '06

05 May '06

Well, the saga continues. It doesn't have much practical significance, but its an intellectual challenge, and its driving me crazy! I have these three Compaqs. They are just about identical. They are all PIIIs, though two have 128Mb and the other 192. That's the only difference. I installed mandriva 2006 on all three in the same way, using the same boot disk and installing over the net from the same site. Two of them are sitting next to each other on a table, connected to identical monitors. I have removed the battery on both to reset the bios (necessary to remove password to do the install). I've checked all the settings, and they are all set the same in bios. The only change I made to defaults was to set the time. I've checked that the ethernet chipset is the same, and it is. On one, the network goes off at keyboard power off, and comes back on at power up from the base unit power switch. On the other, everything reports fine at startup, but the little light on the built in ethernet port never comes on, and the network is first unavailable, then if you do ifdown eth0 followed by ifup eth0, it shows host unreachable. The light remains off. Then if you do a soft power down, disconnect the power, reconnect the power, the light comes on, boot then causes it to give you the identical messages at startup, but this time it works. Well, today, on the third one, which also does this, I put in a different pci ethernet card. It worked perfectly. Set it up as eth1, removed the other ethernet, eth0. Soft off, it goes off, restart, it comes back on. The only slight oddity was that it seemed very slow indeed in both printing and accessing the printer's web page. It took several minutes to spool a one page document with a couple of screenshots on, and displaying the printers web page was rather slower than I would have expected over a 100mbps LAN connection. But it worked on the problematic power aspect exactly as it should. I had the vain hope that maybe it could be something to do with manual addressing, so took in a router and set one of the ones that doesn't work to DCHP, but of course this didn't help. Its before that stage that the ethernet is failing to come up. Of course, I can just put in a second extra ethernet card in the one that doesn't work, and probably will have to, but its driving me nuts. This should not be possible. Or if it is, there should be some explanation of what is different about the one that works. I guess I can swap the hard drive of the one that works with one that doesn't and see if that makes a difference. I could try installing Debian on another hard drive, and see if that makes any difference. I just do not want to be intellectually defeated by this! Any other ideas? Any ideas about anything else one could do to narrow down the problem? Peter

2 1

more free stuff
by Phil 04 May '06

04 May '06

Hi - I have some stuff to clear from the dining table before I get in anymore trouble, so; One generic beige tower, P2, MMX board, wouldn't guess how old but does have on board USB and an ethernet card, keyboard, Microshaft mouse and a Compaq 17" tube. All free. The tube is good, I just have no space, and need it all to go. The hard drive did have SuSe 9.0 on it last time it was booted, comes up with CMOS error now - I'm a PPC/Mac kinda guy and the wonders of BIOS leave me cold... Mail me if anyone wants it, as the address suggests, it's in Shelfanger

2 1

Damn Small Alternative
by Simon Royal 04 May '06

04 May '06

Hi I know I have posted a lot lately regarding my Linux box, so sorry if this is irritating. I am looking for a possible alternative to Damn Small Linux. I have it running on my ThinkPad 380ED and it is ok. Currently with 48MB RAM it is fine, even have a wireless card running. I have an upgrade to 80MB coming to give it a little boost. Everything is working fine except Dillo keeps quitting and Firefox freezes the whole machine from time to time. As I will basically be using this machine as a wireless web/email machine I need a stable distro. Are there any other distros that are easy to configure, run on a P166 with 80MB RAM at a pleasant speed, can be booted by floppy as my 380ED wont boot from CD and have good wireless capabilities. A light window manager like fluxbox or icewm would be preffered over gnome or KDE. Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

4 3

Just testing if I'm back connected
by chrisisbd＠leary2.csoft.net 04 May '06

04 May '06

Sorry for the 'noise', I lost my main E-Mail machine a week or so ago (not my machine) and I've moved all my E-mail to Csoft in Canada and I'm just checking it out. -- Chris Green (chrisisbd(a)leary.csoft.net)

1 0

Re: [ALUG] Damn Small Alternative
by Richard Lewis 04 May '06

04 May '06

On Thu, 4 May 2006 11:37:37 +0100, "Simon Royal" <s.royal(a)totalise.co.uk> said: > > Are there any other distros that are easy to configure, run on a P166 > with 80MB RAM at a pleasant speed, can be booted by floppy as my 380ED > wont boot from CD and have good wireless capabilities. A light window > manager like fluxbox or icewm would be preffered over gnome or KDE. > > I can't remember whether anyone mentioned this when you were working on this eariler, but have you tried Debian? You can boot the installation from floppies: http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch04s03.html.en http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch05s01.html.en#floppy-boot and then pick only the packages you want to get your minimal system running. It includes Xfce and various other light-weight window managers and you get a choice of kernels. You can install over the network (from floppies) or from CDs (with floppies). Cheers, Richard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Richard Lewis Sonic Arts Research Archive http://www.sara.uea.ac.uk/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

2 1

Re: [ALUG] Keyboards
by John Seago 04 May '06

04 May '06

On Wednesday 03 May 2006, David Simon Cooper <david.cooper(a)uea.ac.uk> wrote: > > The only downside is that I could not get the software to work well > > with FC3 or FC4. I have had an answer from "Cherry" now who referred me to the downloads on this page: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/cymotion-line/cymotion-line_master_linux.… scroll down to "Download Software" Click the download Software for Linux gives you Debian 3.1, Fedora 4, Mandrake 10.1, source code of KeyM@n Software, SUSE 10.0and SUSE 9.x. Nothing covers what I want, but it may be useful for you. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

1 0

DSL Alternatives
by Peter 04 May '06

04 May '06

> Are there any other distros that are easy to configure, run on a P166 > with 80MB RAM at a pleasant speed, can be booted by floppy as my 380ED > wont boot from CD and have good wireless capabilities. A light window > manager like fluxbox or icewm would be preffered over gnome or KDE. Yes, at least one comes to mind. Get the Debian boot floppies, and install Debian over the net. Use Windowmaker as the desktop. Install KOffice as the Office package and Firefox as the web browser. Use Sylpheed for email. Use xfe for a file manager. This was perfectly usable for me on a 200mhz MMX with 64MB memory. It didn't fly, but it ran just fine. The Debian boot floppies may even let you install from CD. Its likely that doing a similarly minimalist install from Slackware would work as well, but I did not try that. If you don't like Windowmaker, try Fluxbox in this scenario. I think WM is a lot better to use, and not much slower, if at all. Also consider fvwm. Peter

2 1

Linux Success Thanks
by Simon Royal 03 May '06

03 May '06

Hi, Thanks for all your help with sorting me out a Linux setup and answering some of my newbie questions. I am writing this on my IBM ThinkPad 380ED, running Damn Small Linux and using a Linksys WPC11 v2.5 wireless card. This machine flys along, much different to the crawling it did with Windows 98. It really has brought this old piece of hardware back to life and is as easily as fast for browsing and emails as my 1Ghz eMac. Once again thanks. Simon @

1 0

RE: [ALUG] Free stuff
by Keith Watson 03 May '06

03 May '06

> From: David Reynolds Sent: 03 May 2006 12:27 ... > > These have been earmarked by Keith and are hence no longer available. "earmarked" = flagrant bribery with promises of free beer :o) Regards, Keith ____________ 'Remain steadfast...and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential.' - Epictetus

1 0

Re: [ALUG] Keyboards
by John Seago 03 May '06

03 May '06

On Wednesday 03 May 2006, David Simon Cooper <david.cooper(a)uea.ac.uk> wrote: > The only downside is that I could not get the software to work well with > FC3 or FC4. If you use the supplied SUSE distro or another stable distro > then you will probably be OK. I was going to try to hack some fixes as > you get the source code with the keyboard software, but I am only > intermediate C/C++ and the source files contained over 10,000 lines of > C++ code!. I decided that I was not going to spend a month getting the > software working with FC4! Well that's another question answered, looks like the choice is narrowed down to the 88 Key flexible, washable keyboard. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

1 0

Re: [ALUG] Keyboards
by John Seago 03 May '06

03 May '06

On Wednesday 03 May 2006 Adam Bower <adam(a)thebowery.co.uk> wrote: > You set it up as a 105 key keyboard and just ignore the bit that you > don't have a number pad as far as i know. Thanks for that Adam it solves most of my setup problems. On the matter of the "Linux" keyboard, I'm in the process of checking that one is not stuck with having to use SUSE if one buys it. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

1 0

Free stuff
by David Reynolds 03 May '06

03 May '06

Hi, I brought a couple of bits and bobs along yesterday to the kit meet, that no-one seemed interested in, so I thought I'd post them on here before junking/freecycling them. All were in good working order, last time they were used. HP Printer: I can't remember the exact model. Prints reasonably in colour and black and white. Unfortunately I couldn't find the power supply for it, but I would imagine a generic power supply would work adequately. (Edit: I think this may be Deskjet 710c: http://www.linuxprinting.org/ show_printer.cgi?recnum=HP-DeskJet_710C ) Old parallel scanner: I can't even remember the manufacturer of this. Good quality results, although a bit on the slow side, it being parallel rather than USB. Email me off-list if you are interested in these. Cheers, Dave -- David Reynolds david(a)reynoldsfamily.org.uk

1 1

Keyboards
by John Seago 02 May '06

02 May '06

Having given up smoking for several years, I no longer melt keys with hot pipe ash. It now therefore, proves worthwhile to spend more than a Fiver on a keyboard. Has anyone had any experience with either of the following; the "Linux" Keyboard: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/cymotion-line/cymotion-line_master_linux.… or more practically a washable one as shown on the Gadget show the other week: http://www.hela.co.uk/helashop/customer/product.php?productid=14 My only problem is that I learned to type 40 years ago on a Monotype keyboard, from the days when printing was still done with hot metal type, where the keys were balanced against compressed air, and a very light touch was needed not to get repeated letters. Every so often I have trouble logging in as my touch is too light for the keyboard I have. A further point, how does one set up an 88 key keyboard? I can't see one in xorgconfig Any comments would be appreciated. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

6 8

LCD Status
by Wayne Stallwood 02 May '06

02 May '06

Some people expressed interest in my LCD CPU Load display at the Kit meet. I have a couple of brand new smaller backlit single line 16 character LCD's left over from a project. You'd have to be handy with a soldering iron and provide your own Parallel cable, I'll provide wiring instructions and a sample lcdproc config. 16x1 isn't a whole lot of real-estate but using the sample clients in the lcdproc package it is possible to have things like load average with a simple history display even at this size screen. There are other clients floating around the net to display almost anything (or they are quite easy to roll yourself) On your PC you'll need a spare parallel port and either a source of 5V DC or a spare USB port (Hardly any current is needed so even a port on an un-powered Hub will be fine) £6 each inc P&P, contact me off list if you are interested. Regards Wayne

1 0

[ALUG] Please forward this into all of your friends, and them theirs
by Darren 02 May '06

02 May '06

Hi Guys We don't normally send out messages of a non-business related nature. However this ones important. One of my best friends girlfriend is doing a power walk for charity. Its no ordinary power walk and its no ordinary charity. * The charity is to help in the fight against breast cancer * Its a 26.2 mile walk * Shes doing it little more than a bra * Its the only Power Walking Marathon in the world * And it takes place over night! The Moonwalk in London takes place overnight on 20 May 2006 when 15,000 women and a few brave men will power walk a marathon or half marathon around central London with the united aim of encouraging health awareness and raising £6 million for breast cancer research and cancer care. I'm not capable of doing such an event, but I am willing to pass this onto as many people as possible. Karina is an amazing lady, if you can spare any amount of money to sponsor her we would appreciate it. Pictures of Karina (Right hand picture, middle) and the donation page can be found at the following URL https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/essexpinkladies Thank you for taking the time to read this plea. One last favor, would you please forward this onto everyone you know. The more people that read it, the more we may be able to make for charity. Thank you! Darren Casey http://www.php4hosting.co.uk

5 9

Recent convert wanted!
by Dave Briggs 01 May '06

01 May '06

Hello chaps I do a bit of work now and again for Living Without Microsoft [http://livingwithoutmicrosoft.org], and we have been thinking of some new features to run. One idea that we thought would be very useful would be a piece on an everyday PC user who had recently switched from Windows to Linux, hopefully to show others who might be tempted to make the switch that it really isn't *that* hard. It would be pretty simple, just a few questions emailed back and forth a few times. Our preference would be for someone not overly technically proficient, but that doesn't really matter. Anyhow - if anyone would like to volunteer that would be great. Feel free to do so off list. Cheers Dave

1 0

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 01 May '06

01 May '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Re: [ALUG] X Window - Which One?
by Peter 30 Apr '06

30 Apr '06

> Simon Royal wrote: > > Hi > > > > I have installed VectorLinux 4.3 on my ThinkPad 380ED. > > > > It comes with a number of x managers. Which one is the best. I don't recall whether Vector came with it, but for me WindowMaker will be the best combination of speed and usability. It is among the fastest you'll find, and of the fast ones, I think its the most usable. Yes, I agree with Ian that xfce is nice, though it will be a very early version that came with 4.3, and may not be as elegant as the current release, which is very nice. Ice is not bad, a bit crude aesthetically. I prefer Windowmaker. But WM seems to be very much a minority taste, don't know why. Also like enlightenment very much in concept, but have never actually used it day to day. But e is very fast and very different. Worth trying. Turn it on and amaze any neophyte friends you may have. E is the only one where you can log on and show it to someone and have them stare for a few minutes wondering what on earth it is. People's reactions to these things are interesting, so it I at least would be pleased to know which you like and why, if you have time to post. Peter

2 1

Re: [ALUG] Network problem (Update)
by Christopher Dawkins 30 Apr '06

30 Apr '06

> The problem was caused because there were two copies of lpd running. > I've no idea why. Since stopping both and restarting everything works. > > EXCEPT... > > I can't print from either Firefox or OpenOffice using Computer B. I've > used spadmin to set up the new printer but the output does not appear > in the spool directory and Firefox does the same. Strange. Are you using CUPS? Sounds like the problem we have on FreeBSD with CUPS. There are the system copies of lpr, lpd, lpq and lprm in /usr/bin and the CUPS ones in /usr/local/bin. Default paths use the system ones first. The usual effect is that KDE printing works while OpenOffice printing does not. There are several cures, one of which is to delete (or rename) the versions in /usr/bin. -- Christopher Dawkins Garnetts Corner, Braintree Road, Felsted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3DS cchd(a)pjcd.org 07816 821659 01371 821076

2 1

X Window - Which One?
by Simon Royal 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Hi I have installed VectorLinux 4.3 on my ThinkPad 380ED. It comes with a number of x managers. Which one is the best. Obviously this is no beast of a machine and I have DSL running FluxBox which looked great, but FluxBox on VectorLinux looks rubbish. Any advice. Simon

3 2

Re: [ALUG] Mysterious ethernet problem
by Peter 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

I'm not sure what the board is, but probably Intel? Its in a compaq deskpro and the lan chipset is intel 82558. Mandriva assigns an eepro 100 driver to it. The funny thing is, it works well enough to do a Mandriva network install - which is just as well, since no CD in it. And I have three of these I'm trying to get working reliably! The yellow light. Yes, I think it must be related to wake on lan, but evidently the way its working with mandriva, it would not wake. We start from the situation where the machine has been shut down from the keyboard. The light goes out. If power to the machine is turned off at the mains, paused, and then turned back on, then the yellow light comes on again. If the machine is then turned on at the power switch and booted, all is well, and the yellow light stays on. However on keyboard shutdown, the yellow light goes off again, and then does not come back on even on reboot. So wake on lan would not work I suppose. The yellow light seems from the manual to mean 'reception of link pulses' or 'scrambler lock' in 100mbps mode. Something must be happening at software shutdown to cause this not to work any more. Something must be restarted at mains power on to get it up again. But what? I've glanced through the near 300 page manual with no real enlightenment. Perhaps I should try Debian on the second one, and maybe Windows 2K as well, and see if there's any difference. Peter On Saturday 29 Apr 2006 10:47, main-request(a)lists.alug.org.uk wrote: > My experience of Intel motherboards over the past 5 years > is that the ethernet connect light shines when connected to a network > even when the PC appears to be off. I'm guessing this helps with Wake > On Lan. > > Perhaps the Linux driver is telling the ethernet adapter to power > down, and then nothing turns it back on again until you cold boot. > > What make is your motherboard? > > Regards, > Tim.

2 1

Spam, flames, toast et al.
by Bob Dove 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Come on Guys, Some-one asks for help with a reasonable charitable do, some of you immediately clog the ether with complaints! A gentle reminder to the transgressor (of which there is at least one in my inbox) is sufficient. No need to get carried away with a running argument - life's too short! Bob Dove.

3 2

Re: [ALUG] Network problem (Update)
by Barry Samuels 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

On 2006.04.28 19:42, Wayne Stallwood wrote: > On Fri, 2006-04-28 at 11:38 +0000, Barry Samuels wrote: > > The traceroute problem mentioned in the previous post was caused by > the firewall which has now been updated. > > > > Traceroute lists computer A as line 1 then the printer as line 2. > > > > Computer B still won't send the print job though. > > Still sounds very much like a firewally thing to me. > > Out of interest are you able to access the Jetdirect web admin page > from Computer B ? > > You could also try opening a telnet session to the printers port > (9100 I > think) > > Try telnet printeraddress 9100 > > It won't do anything useful of course (unless you can speak Jetdirect > IP protocol) but it will either fail to connect if it's a firewall > issue or either print garbage on the screen or just sit there blank > if it's ok. > Compare this to the results you get if you do the same thing on > Computer A Some more progress. The problem was caused because there were two copies of lpd running. I've no idea why. Since stopping both and restarting everything works. EXCEPT... I can't print from either Firefox or OpenOffice using Computer B. I've used spadmin to set up the new printer but the output does not appear in the spool directory and Firefox does the same. Strange. I can print from Gimp though. Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

1 0

USB WiFi
by Peter Hunter 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Just a follow up from my last message. I have done a bit of searching and found that I can use something called NDISWrapper (as mentioned in an earlier reply), I'm not too sure how to use it though. Anyway, it seems that this comes pre loaded in Linspire 5. I have looked on the CD, in the drivers folder, for the Belkin F5D7050, for the .inf file. It seems to be listed as rt73???.inf. There is also a .sys file. Before I attempt to use this can someone tell me HOW to do it please? Also, there are two folders, one for Win9x and one for 2kxp. Does it matter which one I use? They seem to have the same .inf / .sys files in them. Regards and thanks Peter

4 9

Re: [ALUG] Mysterious ethernet problem
by Peter 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Adam wrote: >I've had that before with some network hardware, it appears that the >kernel driver either doesn't leave the network hardware in a nice state >at reboot or the hardware doesn't like playing ball after a reboot, >possibly a combination of the 2 things. The way I fixed it was either >upgrade the kernel to a later version or stick a pci card into the >machine and disable the onboard lan. Thanks, I'd thought of trying an add-in card, and turning off the onboard lan, so I'll do that now to confirm. It would be nice however to be able to use the built in. Is there anything one could add to the startup or shutdown procedures? That would have the same effect on the built in ethernet as a mains switch off? Peter

2 1

no dvd playback
by robertj35＠tiscali.co.uk 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Hi it's Robert here, i was just wondering how i could get dvd playback on Kaffeine and whether it's possible to be able to play my Xbox without the need to have a tv card(or tv license).Yours Robert ___________________________________________________________ Tiscali Broadband from 14.99 with free setup! http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/broadband/

3 2

ThinkPad & Wireless
by Simon Royal 28 Apr '06

28 Apr '06

Hi I have decided to buy a cheap PC laptop and run Linux on it. I was going to buy a Mac laptop - being a Mac fan, but I can get a second hand PC laptop with higher specs cheaper than a Mac one. And as it is going to run Linux it doesn't matter. I have been told IBM Thinkpads are good for Linux can anyone recommend anything in particular? Also I want to buy a wireless PCMCIA card that will work on a laptop and under Linux, any suggestions? Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

6 12

Mysterious ethernet problem
by Peter 28 Apr '06

28 Apr '06

Has anyone heard of anything like this, and if so what did you do? The machine is a Compaq deskpro SFF, PIII. It is running Mandriva. The IP address is manually assigned, and its not connected to the Net, this is just for internal printing. You plug the machine in, boot up, and everything is fine. You can reach other addresses, print on a network printer, log into the network printers admin over the web browser (the printer itself, not CUPS on localhost). You can do file transfers from other machines. You then turn off using the gnome power control. System goes down, screen goes blank. Little light on back of network card goes out. Reboot, and network is unavailable. Do ifup eth0, comes up, however ping doesn't work in either direction and the other machines are not there. Connection refused is the message. The little light is still off. After much headscratching, shut down, turn off at mains, wait 20 secs, turn back on at mains. Little light comes back on, boot up, everything works.... What obvious thing am I missing? I would expect that it should go off at shutdown, and go on at bootup. The only other oddity is that Mandriva seems to think there are two network interfaces, one the card which really is in it, and another interface called sit0 or something like this. You can delete this without it affecting the eth0. I don't understand where this is coming from, if it matters, or what to do about it. Any suggestions gratefully received. Peter

2 1

Guinea Pigs required for Linux VPS trial..
by Martyn Drake 28 Apr '06

28 Apr '06

Hello, Long time no post :) Time for another crazy idea of mine. In an effort to help part-fund my shiny new dual core dedicated server (some of it's already funded by a web site I run), I'm contemplating using VMWare Server to "partition" the machine up into several segments and rent out a Linux virtual server for those wishing to experiment, host their own sites, or whatever. Suggested charging for 128Mb VM would be around the £25 per month mark. However, before I do ANY of that, I want to try different distributions with different applications and thus if anybody is interesting in testing such a beastie, I would be very grateful. Initally I'm looking to offer Debian and CentOS (4.x). Each VM would be equal share CPU. If anybody is interested, please can you drop me an email off-list. Regards, Martyn

6 8

[ALUG Announce] Reminder: Syleham Kit Meet Sun 30 Apr 2006 2pm-
by MJ Ray 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

ALUG Announce Please send announcements to Announce(a)lists.alug.org.uk Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce ----- Just a quick reminder for announce readers that there is a meeting on Sunday. See http://www.alug.org.uk/meetings/2006/04-30Sun.html or http://lists.alug.org.uk/main/2006-March/024264.html Also, I offer some transport to Syleham from places on the A134 Lynn-Thetford or A1066 Thetford-Diss: email me off-list. The next Norwich meeting will be Thu 11 May. See http://www.alug.org.uk/meetings/2006/all-NorThu.html If you'd like a meeting in King's Lynn, email me. While I'm writing, www.5quidhost.co.uk have offered any LUG member 3 months free on 6 months, or 6 months free on 12 months. Mention Anglian LUG when ordering. Thanks for reading! ----- Send discussion replies to main(a)lists.alug.org.uk (Reply-To set) Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce

1 0

ThinkPad Mania
by Simon Royal 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

After weeks of trying to find a ThinkPad to use for Linux and having no joy I have won five in the last week - a 770, 755CX, 380ED, 380ED & 760XL. I have decided to keep the two 380EDs and resell the rest. One of them is for my wife so she can wirelessly surf while watching TV, but she is not interested in Linux and will be running Windows 98SE or 2000. Bearing in mind the age of the machine, what's the best distro to use for a Linux newbie? I don't want to dual boot or to run anything too heavy on it. I want it for wireless surfing, emails, light word processing and expanding my knowledge of Linux. I know it is old, but I would like it to run pretty smoothly. I am fairly new to Linux and would prefer a distro with a GUI, but know that Gnome or KDE are resource hungry. I have been running Vector Linux SOHO live on my wifes PC and it seems pretty easy on resources and uses Xfce desktop manager, it also has special ThinkPad tailored settings. I have also dabbled in DSL, Knoppix and Ubuntu - the last requiring a better machine than the 380ED. I have an 802.11b wireless PCMCIA card which apparently works in Linux according to the box. So the ultimate question is, which distro will run relatively smooth, work on a 380ED, work with my wireless PCMCIA card and is pretty user friendly and configurable via GUI and not too much Linux knowledge initially. One final question, does anyone know the max hard drive and RAM you can put into a 380ED. Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

4 4

ThinkPad & DSL Help
by Simon Royal 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

Hi After weeks of searching I have a ThinkPad 380ED with Damn Small Linux installed. For a Pentium 166 machine with only 32MB RAM it is damn (no pun intended) fast. The 380ED has a built in CDROM drive which is bootable and built in floppy, unfortunately it's PCMCIA slots are 16 bit and not cardbus compliant, so my cardbus wireless card won't work on it. Firstly, Can anyone recommend a 16-bit wireless card that works well under Linux. It can be with a 802.11b or 11g card don't mind. I have heard that the Belkin FSD6020 v2 works straight out of the box in Linux and the LinkSys WCP11 v3 works with a bit of tweaking, but neither of these manufacturers websites mention anything about Linux. Secondly, I have bought a number of RAM chips for the 380ED. After searching Google for the exact spec, I realised it has 16MB on board non-removeable and a 16MB stick removeable, upgradeable to 64MB. The machine has an 80MB maximum support. None of the sticks I have bought work. Although DSL runs fine with 32MB it will run even better with 80MB so would like to upgrade. I noticed the sticks I bought where a lot taller than the one I removed and this is the only difference I can see. Any help here would be appreciated. The sound don't work at the moment but I have found a modprobe work around so will try that later. Any further advice or experience anyone has had with one of these or general ThinkPad problems, all info would be great. Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

1 0

USB Wireless
by Peter Hunter 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Hi everyone. I have been away from Linux for far too long. I was having withdrawals when a friend gave me a full unregistered copy of Linspire 5.0. I hastily installed this onto my laptop (which is running a 1.2GHz VIA C3 processor). It installed in super quick time, and everything was recognised and working OK, even my USB card reader. The Ethernet connection was setup without any help from me, and setting up the email account was simple. The one thing I haven't been able to get working yet though is my Belkin USB WiFi stick. I have a Belkin WiFi /Cable router in the ´work room´. The WiFi worked ok when I had winxp on it, so I know it´s all ok. Any ideas as to how to get it working would help please. Many thanks Peter

3 2

Newsforge: Why LUGs matter
by Keith Watson 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Haven't read the entire thing but it looks interesting; <http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=06/03/03/1813216> Regards, Keith ____________ The little things in life are as interesting as the big ones. - Henry David Thoreau

2 1

Sunday 30th April Kit meet reminder
by John Woodard 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Bring your box kit meet. Sun 30th April 2:00pm onwards at Syleham Village Hall. Meeting info: http://www.alug.org.uk/meetings/2006/04-30Sun.html Venue info: http://www.alug.org.uk/venues/syleham.html Cheers, BJ -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.6/323 - Release Date: 24/04/2006

1 0

Any kit meets planned ?
by Peter Onion 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Are there any plans for any "kit meets" this year ? Peter

8 19

Document Imaging systems
by Wayne Stallwood 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Does anyone know of an OSS Document Imaging System for Linux ? Specifically I am looking for a system that can batch scan invoices and delivery notes and then file them using a printed invoice/delivery number in either an integrated DMS or perhaps populate a MySQL database. Even filing them a filename generated from the invoice/delivery number would be sufficient. Essentially I want to make approx 7000 printed invoices a month available on an extranet (Possibly integrated with a CMS like Mambo) I have found a couple of non-free systems (1mage and others) but these are all either too expensive or too feature rich and I would far rather do this with OSS if possible.

1 0

lppaswd file
by Nick Daniels 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Hi I have installed Kororaa-xgl, all works fine, except printer. The print manager wants a password (neither root or user) In Suse I used lppasswd -a However in Kororaa I get: xgl nick # lppasswd -a Enter password: Enter password again: lppasswd: failed to backup old password file: No such file or directory How do I create, or can I create the password file? Regards - Nick Daniels

1 0

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Vector graphics formats importable by Windows?
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 23 Apr '06

23 Apr '06

Hi Folks, I'm wondering what vector graphics forms (i.e. not bitmap) are importable by Windows applications such as Word. When one makes a graph in Linux, the principal such output format available is PS or EPS. Now, while EPS can be imported (and will print on a PS printer), it does not display on screen since Win support for PS is grudging at best. And it certainly cannot be edited in Word! The "standard" Windows vector graphics format is WMF or EWMF, but normal Linux applications will not create this format. So the question is: what (if any) vector graphics formats can both be created on Linux and imported into WinWord so that Word can handle them as flexibly as it can proprietary formats? With thanks, and best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 14-Apr-06 Time: 08:58:39 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

6 6

Re: Damn Small Linux & Vector Linux (Nick Daniels)
by Peter 21 Apr '06

21 Apr '06

DSL now is coming out with a less minimalist alpha, bundled with Gumeric and Abiword, 80+Mb. Might be worth a try? I found apt-get problematic on quite a few applications in the original DSL. I found even Vector too slow on a K6. Roll your own minimalist Debian is quite good. I used it with Windowmaker and found it perfectly adequate. This was on a 200MMX. Alas, trying this makes you wonder why, on this old hardware, you really want to replace W98. Security maybe. But the combination of Office 98 and W98 on a really old machine, its hard, maybe impossible, to get the same combination of performance and features... Peter

1 0

Damn Small Linux & Vector Linux
by Simon Royal 20 Apr '06

20 Apr '06

Hi As you know I am still trying to setup a machine permanently with Linux. I have gotten very cheaply a Thinkpad 755CX and a Thinkpad 770. I have been playing with Damn Small Linux, which you probably are aware is aimed at very low-end machines. On my wifes 1.3Ghz Duron it screams along. I have read that it is very good with hardware and even with wireless cards. All I want this machine for is wireless surfing and to tinker with Linux. I know it would be easier to run Windows 98 or something, but I can't stand the fact of owning a Windows machine - having my wifes is bad enough. I was also looking at Vector Linux also aimed at low end machines. Any way, has anyone used Damn Small Linux or Vector Linux and offer any advice. The Thinkpad 755CX is a Pentium 75 with no CD and no USB and cost me £1.50 The Thinkpad 770 is a Pentium 350 with CD and USB and cost me £20 I am probably going to strip some of the parts from the 755CX to put in the 770 and bought it basically because it came with an IBM power pack which the 770 didn't. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Simon Royal -- >- Visit my website www.simonroyal.co.uk >- The box said Windows 2000 or better, so I bought a Mac

1 0

Damn Small Linux & Vector Linux
by Simon Royal 20 Apr '06

20 Apr '06

Hi As you know I am still trying to setup a machine permanently with Linux. I have gotten very cheaply a Thinkpad 755CX and a Thinkpad 770. I have been playing with Damn Small Linux, which you probably are aware is aimed at very low-end machines. On my wifes 1.3Ghz Duron it screams along. I have read that it is very good with hardware and even with wireless cards. All I want this machine for is wireless surfing and to tinker with Linux. I know it would be easier to run Windows 98 or something, but I can't stand the fact of owning a Windows machine - having my wifes is bad enough. I was also looking at Vector Linux also aimed at low end machines. Any way, has anyone used Damn Small Linux or Vector Linux and offer any advice. The Thinkpad 755CX is a Pentium 75 with no CD and no USB and cost me £1.50 The Thinkpad 770 is a Pentium 350 with CD and USB and cost me £20 I am probably going to strip some of the parts from the 755CX to put in the 770 and bought it basically because it came with an IBM power pack which the 770 didn't. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Simon Royal -- >- Visit my website www.simonroyal.co.uk >- The box said Windows 2000 or better, so I bought a Mac

3 2

Backup internet access via dialup 'pay as you go' providers
by Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. 19 Apr '06

19 Apr '06

I want to be able to use a backup provider for my internet access via dialup when I have problems with my current ISP (NTL). Are there companies still around which do dialup internet access where you only pay for the phone call when you use it, and are member using such services? If so, please let me know who you use and why? I'm planning to use dialup as a backup instead of an ADSL line from someone else in order to keep the cost down. Thanks in advance for your help. -- Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. http://www.ashleyhowes.com/ "A martial art is like a mirror in which you look at yourself before you wash your face in the morning. You see yourself simply, the way that you are." - Bira Almeidai

5 5

Thinkpad 755CX
by Simon Royal 18 Apr '06

18 Apr '06

Hi Does anyone know any information on the IBM Thinkpad 755CX or where I could get some. The IBM site is useless unless you already own a thinkpad and can provide a number of it. Regards Simon Royal -- >- Visit my website www.simonroyal.co.uk >- The box said Windows 2000 or better, so I bought a Mac

3 2

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 17 Apr '06

17 Apr '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Meeting report: 2nd Thursday Norwich pub meet, 13th April
by Jonathan McDowell 15 Apr '06

15 Apr '06

To make up for forgetting to send a meeting reminder this week, here's a brief meeting report. Despite the lack of a reminder there was a good turn out. Richard Lewis, Steve Engledow, Dave Reynolds, Becca Sibley, Paul Corner, Rob[0] (no idea about surname), Neil (again, no idea about surname), Adam Bower, Brett Parker, Eli and myself where all there. We were happily ensconced in our usual corner to the left of the door. A game of Frustration (which appears to be renamed Ludo) was played, though I'm not sure if it was ever completed. Likewise Steve kept starting random games of Pontoon. More on topic discussions included Neil talking about his Zaurus (I no longer have mine), comparisons of recent AMD/Intel chips (in particular with respect to power consumption) and the difficulties of producing a document management system when all you've got is Word (with an interesting diversion into how UK deers got briefly blamed for BSE in Chile). I've no idea what went on at the other end of the table though. A good night I think with a good turnout. Hopefully we'll get an equally good result at the Syleham kit meet in a couple of weeks (Saturday 30th April). J. [0] Dave claims Rob looks like Noel Fielding of the Mighty Boosh, as seen at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8586532516895205430 -- Revd. Jonathan McDowell, ULC | umop 3pisdn w,I u3ym hx3s os w,I

5 5

Slax and network?
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 13 Apr '06

13 Apr '06

Hi Folks, I thought I'd toy with Slaxkware in the shape of the "Slackware Live", or "Slax", CD for which an ISO can be downloaded from http://slax.linux-live.org/ It seems very nice! But there's a network problem which puzzles me. I tried it on a laptop, whose normal LAN address is 192.168.1.5, using as gateway another machine on that net is 192.168.1.3 and which also connects to an ADSL router which has address 192.168.1.1; and has a second NIC for local subnet 192.168.0.0 So, once I'm logged in to Slax (which defaults its network to 192.168.0.0), I ifconfig -a eth0 192.168.1.5 which seems to do that job OK; then route del default eth0 route add default gw 192.168.1.3 eth0 which also seems to do that job OK. When I now do ifconfig and route the results are identical to what that laptop has in normal use. However, while I can ping 192.168.1.3 [the gateway nachine] ping 192.168.1.1 [the router] any attempt to say ping 192.168.0.1 [a third machine on the other subnet] or any external IP address such as ping 130.88.200.20 fails. It's as though the gateway is not acting as a gateway. I can't make out why this should be so, since the laptop setup looks the same as it does in normal use, and nothing has been changed on any other machine. Any ideas, anyone? With thanks, and best wishes, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 13-Apr-06 Time: 11:26:03 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

2 2

Firefox foreign characters problem
by Chris Green 12 Apr '06

12 Apr '06

When I run Firefox on Solaris (and I think Slackware, so it is a Linux question, sort of) I get odd funnies in the character display when displaying Polish characters such as:- a with a cedilla l with a line through it etc. These are characters which don't have 'west' European equivalents. I have no problems with French accents or German umlauts. If I run my Windows copy of Firefox the characters display correctly. Under Solaris/Linux the characters are displayed as the right character but either too large, or too small or in a different font. It's not the View - Character Encoding setting, that is correct (and if you change it the characters in question change to funny symbols). So, what do I need to do to get these characters displayed correctly? -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence."

1 0

Thinkpads
by Syd Hancock 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

Just a note to agree with the recommendation for the T23 Thinkpad. Got one from a seller in Ipswich via ebay a couple of years ago and it still serves me very well - very good value for money. Just about everything works in linux including sound and ethernet - out of the box on a stock mandriva 2006 install and no doubt just as easy on other distros. All those handy function keys for volume, screen brightness, switching to external monitor, suspend to ram etc all work although 'hibernate' to disk using acpi doesn't work for me yet. I use a wireless card in the card-bus slot and it switches cleanly and automatically from ethernet to wireless and back again. Using the GUI tools to setup ethernet and wireless networking was very simple - has to be as I'm no techie. Not a 'desktop-replacement' and no 3D graphics in the X driver but in general it does everything that you need from a laptop on a day-to-day basis. Handles KDE, OpenOffice.org, Firefox etc with no problems. I added a DVD-ROM/CD-writer and K3b works fine. I take it to school sometimes and connect to the overhead projector and sound system to play music DVDs to the kids as a special treat - helps me to enjoy work more too :-) Syd

1 0

php-xml, mandriva etc - long
by Syd Hancock 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

Hi Dave Briggs Apologies for not threading - just read the posts on the archive. First - hopefully you are using MDV2006 and not an earlier version and especially not one of the magazine cover disks that appear from time to time. Because of the lead-in time before publication they are always outdated and in some cases have had various packages added and removed randomly. If you cannot d/l a recent version then email me. 1. Internet connectivity on your linux box - you really do need this for any distro in order to install updates as well as new packages. Can you use ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on the windows computer and connect your mandriva box to it with ethernet? I've done this in the past with no problem - that was pre-XP though so things may have changed e.g. not sure if XP-home has ICS - it seems to lack most things that are useful. 2. easyurpmi - hopefully you have googled for this by now but if not, here is a brief intro. urpmi is the mandriva command-line utility for installing rpm packages. It has the major advantage of handling dependencies unlike classic 'rpm' as well as several others. The Software Installer in MCC (Mandriva Control Center) is a GUI front-end to this and other utilities - generally slower than command-line (of course) but has many useful sorting functions, information about all files and file-locations to be installed etc etc. easyurpmi is a website (group of mirrored websites) that make setting-up the sources for apps very easy. You just put in your system details (processor, distro version, repository types required etc) and then copy/paste the output into a root command line terminal. Try 'man urpmi' for more info. http://easyurpmi.zarb.org is the place to go. You need as a basic minimum update-source, main, contrib, plf-free and plf-nonfree. You can then disable the CD/DVD installation media (in MCC) if you wish as main contains more packages than fit onto the DVD/CDs. php-xml may be an example of this. I would suggest installins update-source first and installing all the updates. Even on dial-up it can be done overnight. plf will let you install stuff that enables encrypted-dvd reading and many other non-free multi-media formats that make the jolly old inter-web such a joy to use (heh...). plf are now hosting repositories for ubuntu as well. 3. php-xml is on the devel (aka 'community') mirrors in 'main' and may well be on the 'official' branch of the main tree. In fact many people, myself included, use the devel (aka 'community' in MDV2006 although not in earlier versions) repositories instead of the so-called 'official' sources (hopelessly confusing naming conventions BTW). Despite its name, devel contains the most recent and (generally) stable versions. If you do this then you do not need a seaparate 'update-source' and you will need rregularly to update all sources and install updates from the command line as root: urpmi.update -a; urpmi --auto-select 4. Then there is 'cooker' which is the stuff actually in the process of being developed - not for general use. It's the same structure that debian uses of course. 5. There are many other repositories of rpms built for mandriva although reports of how stable they are vary widely. 'Seer of Souls' (yeah, really) has a good reputation at present although I don't use it myself but does offer things like KDE3.5 etc that mandriva has not yet incorporated. google will find it for you if you want to give it a whirl - and selecting/deselecting repository sources in MCC is very quick and easy. 6. Look in the boot section of MCC - you should be able to set the options to login your user and start X from there if they were reset when you changed the graphics driver. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me off-list if you prefer. Syd

1 0

Re: ThinkPad & Wireless
by Robert Grant (DEV) 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

>> from work... if only shockwave and some decent qualitative >> research software were available for linux things would be >> perfect. > >Not sure what you mean by "qualitative research software" >(let alone "decent") -- if you were more explicit we might >make some good suggestions! I've been doing quantitative >research with Linux for the last 23 years, and by now there's >a lot of good stuff about. But "qualitative" -- what do you >need for this? > 'Qualitative' analysis software is designed for research based on sources such as interviews, observational notes or transcribed media. The core functionality is to allow some kind of 'coding' of text files. For example, when reading through my interviews with Tanzanian businessmen I mark any section of text that deals with 'source of start-up capital'. Then whenever I want the software will show me on a single page all the passages relating to this concept. Obviously, there are lots of other such concepts like 'gaining a good reputation', 'doing business with kin' and so on. The software allows me to organise these in various ways, do boolean searches for passages relating to combinations of concepts, incorporate quantitative data on respondents and much else besides. People used to use boxes of index cards to do this kind of work. I use QSR's package Nvivo, which is not available for Linux. Neither, I believe are the other half-dozen widely used programs. I apologise however, that this remark was rather lazy in that I have not investigated this very thoroughly yet. I was carried away at both the fact that I've got a few things working well in Kubuntu recently (remember I am a strugluger) and that for once perhaps I could offer something relevant here (the 3Com Xjack card info). Best wishes, Rob

1 0

php-xml
by Dave Briggs 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

Hi guys Managed to get Mandriva to work in the end - set the graphics driver to be a generic ATI one and it seems to work - though I have to log in and load KDE by hand now. I want to install MediaWiki to have a play with it, and have created the database, put everything in place but the installation php script is moaning that I don't have the php-xml package installed. A quick google has proved pretty inconclusive, and there is no sign of this on Rpmdrake. Any clues on where I can get this from? One complication is that I don't have internet access on this machine, so I have to download it on my Windows box and transfer it across. Cheers Dave

10 12

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 10 Apr '06

10 Apr '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Re: ThinkPad & Wireless (Rob Grant)
by R.Grant＠uea.ac.uk 09 Apr '06

09 Apr '06

[Simon Royal wrote] > Hi > > I have decided to buy a cheap PC laptop and run Linux on it. I was > going to buy a Mac laptop - being a Mac fan, but I can get a second > hand PC laptop with higher specs cheaper than a Mac one. And as it is > going to run Linux it doesn't matter. > > I have been told IBM Thinkpads are good for Linux can anyone recommend > anything in particular? > > Also I want to buy a wireless PCMCIA card that will work on a laptop > and under Linux, any suggestions? I agree that Thinkpads are an excellent choice, both in general and for Linux in particular. For wireless, some web research told me that any card with an Atheros chipset should be supported by my distro- Kubuntu Breezy- so I ordered a 3Com Office Connect Xjack 3CRXJK10075 11g card from Amazon for just under £40. This worked out of the box beautifully. It has a retractable arial, so no awkward protrusion when not in use. Pushing the arial in also turns off power to the card. The only downside is a flashing green LED that you could use to guide in an aircraft- but a small piece of black insulation tape cures this. The card is actually easier to use in Ubuntu than in XP, which I have on the same machine as a dual boot. I think that maybe this is because installing the 3Com software was a mistake. Anyway, just getting it to connect is rather clunky. Opting for Thinkpad also means that you can take advantage of a lot of helpful stuff that others have written on the web about their experiences with linux. There are also packages written specifically for the machine to get features such as volume on-sreen display and trackpoint configuration working. The first of these is easily accessible from the Ubuntu repositories. The other requires a little fiddling with kernel patches. Trackpoint is so splendid imho, that I wouldn't buy another laptop without it. The relative 'stickyness' of its functioning in Ubuntu is one of the very few downsides compared to Windows. So even though I am probably the least technically able person on this list by a long way I'm going to try and do the kernel patching. Or at least I would if I didn't suspect that the patch will be included in the kernel that ships with Dapper. On the downside this will mean compiling driver modules for the built in winmodem again- but if I can do it anyone can. The Thinkpad I have by the way is a T22, PIII 900MHz 256MB purchased from ebay second hand for about £305 including shipping in 2004. The only upgrade I've done is to replace the 20G HD with a 60G one when it burnt out. A lovely keyboard for typing and a nice sharp display. Case has cracked near the DVD/floppy drive bay: my holding it by the front edge probably contributed to this. Now the thing is working pretty beautifully with Kubuntu. Plays most DVDs (mission-critical as I have no TV) using Mplayer, which also records audio streams like BBC, all my mp3s with Amarok, opens Word, Excel and Powerpoint files from work... if only shockwave and some decent qualitative research software were available for linux things would be perfect. By the way, if you do decide to give the 3Com card a try, make sure that you check that the precise model you go for has actually got a supported chipset like Atheros- that is why I gave the full part spec above. Best wishes, Rob

2 1

Mandriva on Toshiba laptop
by Dave Briggs 08 Apr '06

08 Apr '06

Hi chaps I am playing around with different distros at the moment, and having got Ubuntu working on my Toshiba laptop, I soon got bored and had a go with Mandriva. I'm finding that even more boring, though, because the b*st*rd thing won't work. It either gets as far as the KDE desktop loading up, plays a little tune, then keeps playing the last note of that tune on, and on, and on... Eventually I get bored, and switch the thing off. Then, when I startup again, it only gets as far as the KDE loading screen, it says something like "restoring session" and *then* hangs. Any ideas on what might be wrong, and what I might be able to do to get things going again? Assume I know nothing, because I don't! Cheers Dave

2 2

Re: [ALUG] Talks offered Ted Haegar from Novell and Jono Bacon
by MJ Ray 08 Apr '06

08 Apr '06

I wrote about the 20th April meeting offer: > Either way, I'll publicise it if I have final details by Tue 4th. Are there confirmed details for this talks meeting yet and do you need any help with it? Best wishes, -- MJ Ray - personal email, see http://mjr.towers.org.uk/email.html Work: http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ irc.oftc.net/slef Jabber/SIP ask

2 2

Newbie Distros
by Simon Royal 08 Apr '06

08 Apr '06

Hi I am looking at different distros. I need high hardware compatibility, ease of use for newbies plus reasonable speed out of dated hardware. I have yet to find a laptop, but have been looking at anything from Pentium 2 300Mhz upwards. Ubuntu I have tinkered with Ubuntu 5.10 live cd on a G3 iBook 500Mhz with 386MB ram and an AMD 1.3Ghz desktop with 768MB RAM and both were ok speed wise. I know an install would speed things up anyway. OpenSUSE I have heard good things about OpenSUSE but I don't know how power hungry it is. Vector Linux Finally I was looking at Vector Linux as it is aimed to run comfortably with only 32MB RAM and under a 1gig install space, but I don't know anyone who has used it. If you could help point in the right direction for a low specced distro that runs on a laptop and is usuable on a daily basis without having to delve to much into the Linux underbelly just to get things going. Kind Regards Simon Royal ---- www.simonroyal.co.uk The box said requires Windows 2000 or better, so I bought an Apple Mac

4 3

Cobalt RAQ4
by Mark Rogers 08 Apr '06

08 Apr '06

I have a Cobalt RAQ4 sat in front of me, which I either need to reinstall with its native OS or stick something else on it. I don;t have any particular purpose in mind for it, although as it has two network ports I'm thinking of using it as a gateway/firewall. Suggestions for an OS/distro? -- Mark Rogers More Solutions Ltd :: 0845 45 89 555

5 9

RE: [ALUG] Re: [Fsfe-uk] Date Stamp
by John Seago 07 Apr '06

07 Apr '06

There still remains, for me at least the puzzle that unless I set Kmail to display the FULL headers of the digest messages from FSFE, the 'Long Headers' date everything from FSFE UK Thu Jan 1 00:59:59 1970. I have however carried out an experiment 'Standard Headers', 'Brief Headers' and 'Fancy Headers' don't display the date on the email, (the digest version), at all. Having changed the headers there seems to be no alteration to the date displayed in the folder. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

1 0

Zero-width non-breaking space/Unicode byte-order mark
by John atkinson 07 Apr '06

07 Apr '06

I have a new computer loaded with SuSe Linux 10.When I attempt to invoke a program I have successfully used in the past for many years I get the response "cannot execute binary file". The file, (written for me years ago) forming the program has "execute" permission. I understand this means that the operating system realises this is a program, but not a standard binary program file containing machine instructions. I was told the operating system looks for an interpreter program to run it. The interpreter, not containing the expected character sequence, uses the default system interpreter and looks at the first line of the file, finds that it contains non-printable byte values and so condemns it as a binary file. My program file, as written, contains only printable characters and starts with the identifying #! /bin/sh It turns out that to the first character in the file there has been added a "Unicode byte-order mark" otherwise known, I am told, as a "zero-width non-breaking space". This by its nature is not a printable character nor a visible one. It is one, however, devilishly difficult to get rid of on a permanent basis. Following directions I tried, starting with the command "locale". The output indeed ended with "UTF8", the initial cause, I understand, of all the trouble. Again following directions I typed "LANG=en_GB" followed by "locale" again and then, using "vi" edited the file. The hated rogue character showed as three components in blue. When, using "x", I got rid of them, I thought I was on top of the problem, but the final stage which I will quote in full defeated me. This is 'Finally, edit the file $HOME /.bash_profile and insert "LANG=en_GB" or "LC_ALL=en_GB" as appropriate to prevent the problem coming back'. The computer crashed. Moreover, I have not succeeded in locating the file. I suspect I have gone about it in the wrong way. I would be grateful for the exact key strokes required to get the file into "vi". It seems strange to me that Linux, without my knowledge or my permission should insert a zero-width non-breaking space that not only prevents a program, very important to me (and, no doubt others), from working, but makes it difficult to handle the file because the first byte is not a printable character. Please forgive my abysmal standard of computer literacy. In mitigation I would point out that I have been in touch with several gurus with, it seems, a total absence of familiarity with the zero-width non-breaking space alias the Unicode byte-order mark. John Atkinson (Ancient John -- and I do not mind being called that because I now am ancient)

2 1

HTML
by John Seago 07 Apr '06

07 Apr '06

It would appear, despite my signature lines that I have been sending HTML email, I have two installations of Slackware 10.2 and the HTML Toolbar has been turned on on one installation. and that when using that installation I have been sending HTML email's. I did think that it may have been turned on by my wife, however she has only used the browser to look up the likely implications for her chickens should Avian Flu break out. I can only apologise to any to whom this has caused inconvenience. -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

3 2

Re: [Fsfe-uk] Date Stamp
by John Seago 06 Apr '06

06 Apr '06

On Thursday 06 Apr 2006 12:01,MJ Ray <mjr(a)phonecoop.coop> wrote: > Is this the only list with this effect for you? Yes. > Has anyone else on fsfe-uk noticed it? I have raised it once or twice with FSFE, I have no knowledge that others have the same problem, or indeed if it is considered to be a problem. > Can ALUG help us at all? -- John Seago GNU/Linux Registered User No. #219566 () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments

4 3

Re: [Fsfe-uk] Date Stamp
by MJ Ray 06 Apr '06

06 Apr '06

John Seago <johnseago(a)two-ravens.org.uk> > I find that once again FSFE-UK has reverted to not timestamping emails > to me at all, and they are again arriving at my machine, allegedly, on > Thu Jan 1 00:59:59 1970 Is this the only list with this effect for you? Has anyone else on fsfe-uk noticed it? Can ALUG help us at all? Hoping, -- MJR/slef Laux nur mia opinio: vidu http://people.debian.org/~mjr/ Bv sekvu http://www.uk.debian.org/MailingLists/#codeofconduct

2 1

RE: [ALUG] Ubuntu/Win2K Dual Boot
by Keith Watson 03 Apr '06

03 Apr '06

> From: MJ Ray Sent: 03 April 2006 07:27 > > Simon Royal <s.royal(a)totalise.co.uk> > > I have two hard drives in it at present, one of which is a slave and I > > use to store my stuff on. If I was to replace it as it is only a > > 540MB drive with another bigger drive, say 2-5GB would this be enough > > to run Ubuntu on? > > Surprisingly, Ubuntu recommend 2GB of disk space as a minimum > for their standard desktop install. > > > Also how would this be affect her Windows installation on her primary > > drive? > > Not at all, although you'll need another way to boot. > > > Would installing Ubuntu interfere with booting up as I obviously want > > Windows to be the default boot method and have a boot menu that I > > could select Ubuntu on when I wanted to use it. > > I would hope that Ubuntu's boot manager (Grub, with any luck) > can do this simply, but I've not had Windows installed for > 11 years now. I've done this several times over the past couple of months. The Ubuntu install will allow you to specify where and what you want your partitions to be and will pick up the fact that you already have other OSs installed (i.e. windows) and set up grub to run dual-boot. It will set up Linux to be the default but it's a simple matter to edit the grub menu config "sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst" and tweak it to how you want (hint: run "sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst.old" first, then you can roll back if you get something wrong - been there, done that, etc - which is where the Ubuntu Live CD is a godsend!!). As for partition sizes; you'll need a swap partition of somewhere between 256 and 512 meg depending on your memory size (I find the size Ubuntu suggests usually works fine) and although a 2Gb partition is good enough for the basic install, if you want to install any significant extra packages or all the multimedia goodies (see http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/03/12/209257 or, imo even better, http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/) then you'll probably want 4Gb. If you have spare disk capacity then 5Gb should keep you happy for some time :o). Regards, Keith ____________ A bend in the road is not the end of the road... - unless you fail to make the turn.

1 0

Ubuntu/Win2K Dual Boot
by Simon Royal 03 Apr '06

03 Apr '06

Hi I have been toying with putting Ubuntu on my eMac and dual booting with OSX. I have decided I want leave my lovely Mac well alone. Its an all-in-one machine and I would need to repartition the main drive to dual boot and my recent attempts with Yaboot have not been too successful. It would be easier to try it on my wifes PC. I have two hard drives in it at present, one of which is a slave and I use to store my stuff on. If I was to replace it as it is only a 540MB drive with another bigger drive, say 2-5GB would this be enough to run Ubuntu on? Also how would this be affect her Windows installation on her primary drive? Would installing Ubuntu interfere with booting up as I obviously want Windows to be the default boot method and have a boot menu that I could select Ubuntu on when I wanted to use it. Any help in setting this machine up to dual boot Windows 2000 - which is already installed and I don't want to mess up - and Ubuntu would be greatful. Regards Simon Royal >- The box said Windows 2000 or better, so I bought a Mac

4 3

Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 03 Apr '06

03 Apr '06

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. Historically, these used to be the only time a lot of us would be about, now the channel has some usual faces that are there most of the time (except at silly o'clock, when we might be sleeping, or on the second thursday of the month, where we might be drinking in the Reindeer), so don't feel limited to visit during this time, come visit us when ever you feel like it! The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include xchat, irssi and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://www.irssi.org/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

1 0

Kit meet booked
by John Woodard 02 Apr '06

02 Apr '06

I have booked the Mid Suffolk venue Syleham and Wingfield Village hall for a kit meet on Sunday 30th April 2:00pm - 6:00pm. Details of the venue and a map are available at http://www.alug.org.uk/venues/syleham.html. Normal waivers apply, your kit is your responsibility, please mark it and any associated cables etc. I will open the hall up at around 1:30ish to allow kit to be assembled etc. and will get the bar open if it is required. Any questions please post to the list. Cheers, BJ -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/296 - Release Date: 29/03/2006

3 2

PHP fopen writing to a device node
by Wayne Stallwood 02 Apr '06

02 Apr '06

I am trying to write some data to a device node in php..It works fine, however I am having trouble handling errors. What I want to do is, if the device fails..then prompt the user and write the data to a file instead. At the moment if my fopen fails because say the device node doesn't exist, or is busy, or because my script doesn't have the right privileges then it can be trapped with something like if (!$handle = fopen($lpdev, 'w')) { echo "Cannot write to ($lpdev) Using dump file"; $handle = fopen('/tmp/dump.txt'); } However if the device node is free but the device on the end of it isn't responding..it just sits there waiting. I have also tried if ($handle = fopen($lpdev, 'w') === FALSE){ echo "Cannot write to ($lpdev) using dump file"; $handle = fopen('/tmp/dump.txt'); } or trying to trap it with "or die" None of those seem to work either, if there is nothing responding on $lpdev (/dev/lp0) the fopen will just sit there trying to write to it (seemingly for ever) So I am guessing what I need is some sort of timeout on the fopen after which it exits and runs the alternative code....but part of me is thinking that fopen is really meant for files not devices and files are either there or not and writable or not..hence my trouble. Am I using a square peg to fill a round hole..or is there a way of wrapping up the fopen to get it to do what I want. Help as always is appreciated

2 4

Wireless wires
by linux＠davebriggs.net 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Hello chaps I have gotten hold of a Netgear MR814 and am trying to get it set up with my Tiscali broadband, using a Sagem F@st dsl modem. Anyway, the problem I have is that the cable that currently goes from the modem to the PC ends with a USB wotsit, wheras the router needs it to be an ethernet one. Tiscali sell something called a RJ45 Network Cable (1) - is this what I need? Also, I have been supplied with a USB wireless adaptor, but would plugging the router straight into the PC with an ethernet cable produce better results? (before you ask, the wireless is for my laptop!) Thanks in advance Dave 1 - http://www.tiscali.dslshop.co.uk/product_details.asp?idProduct=248

4 6

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

main