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USB Obesity!
by ted.harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 18 Aug '07

18 Aug '07

Hi Folks, I suspect I've done somthing foolish (OK, maybe several things). Yesterday, browsing round Tesco, I spotted 1GB USB sticks on sale for £9.97. Looked like a bargain, so I bought one. OK, maybe a gamble, but at low stakes. Branded "TESCO / TECHNIKA", "Manufactured in Taiwan for Tesco Stores Ltd."; the info on the front of the pack is in English, on the back in Polish, Czeck, Hungarian and Slovak. After I got home, I gave it a whirl by plugging it in, mounting /dev/sda1 (which is where my USB sticks go) onto /flash (my mount point for this kind of thing), made a directory /Ted on it, and squirted about 300MB at it from one of my "junkbox" directories (which also has a few sub-directories of junk), using cp -a 00_junk /flash/Ted (Maybe "-a" was a mistake). Lots of messages up on the console about not being able to set permissions (OK, expected, since it wouldn't be a Linux file system). Then, after a bit a lot of messages "bad FAT"! Also, at the same time, lots of complaints about multibyte names (which I don't have). A couple of messages about Interrupt from USB. Hmmm. Multi bite, bad fat ... Obesity??? Finally it was done. I could read from whatever had gone in immediately under /flash/Ted, and the sub-directories were there, but if I changed into one of these I couldn't read anything in there. Clearly a bit of a mess. So I deceided to delete everything and think again. Deleting top-level stuff OK, but the sub-directories wouldn't play. Finally decided to start from scratch. Started fdisk on it, blew away all the partitions, planted a new Linux one (type 83), and tried to mkfs an ext2 filesystem on it. Got message that the kernel couldn't make head nor tail of it, and would continue using its stored FAT (previous version) untile the next reboot. Well the previous FAT was no good by now, so I re-booted. Well, you've guessed it -- the thing is now totally useless. Can't do a thing with it! It won't mount on /dev/sda1 of course, since there's no filesystem. So, to come to the point: 1. I'd be interested in any suggestions and expertise about how to set up a Linus partition on a zapped/blank [which?] USB drive. This would presumably involve addressing some /dev/usb*** just as one would for /dev/hda, say, if doing the like for a standard HDD. No big deal if you can't be bothered -- it was only a tenner, so I'll just have to fine myself 4 pints of beer. 2. Also interested in any suggestions about whether I should have bought it in the first place (with implications about possibly ever buying another one). With thanks, and happy weekend to all. Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <ted.harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 18-Aug-07 Time: 08:41:43 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Linutops et al
by Matthew Holland 17 Aug '07

17 Aug '07

Laurie wrote: > I wish there were something out there of a similar size with space for a > 2.5" HDD... While trying to read up on Linutops I found this RegHardware article on alternatives: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/30/diskless_linux_web_pcs/ Of particular interest to me is this one, although depending on your app you may need something more powerful: http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html Matthew

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Coin Selector supported by Linux
by Ben Francis 17 Aug '07

17 Aug '07

Hi all, Does anyone know of a "coin selector" or "coin acceptor" with a USB interface which is supported by free Linux drivers? I'm talking about the mechanisms on coin slot machines which send signals to an embedded computer when coins are inserted. I've had a quote for a product which includes an EMP 800 coin selector (http://www.custom.it/ing/money/03-01.htm) and I've managed to get hold of a data sheet for it so I can write my own driver, but I'm wondering if there is a similar product which already has support under Linux. Apologies for cross posting, but I feel I may need to cast the net quite wide for this unusual question :P Many Thanks Ben -- Ben Francis http://krellian.com

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Re: [ALUG] Linutops (was Coin Selector supported by Linux)
by Wayne Stallwood 17 Aug '07

17 Aug '07

On Thu, 2007-08-16 at 22:51 +0100, Ben Francis wrote: > I could use a different thin client computer I suppose... Hmm I have looked at Linutops before (as a plaything/x terminal for downstairs) but really they don't stack that well for price performance compared to a machine built from one of the fanless MiniITX boards unless you really need a machine quite that small. I dunno how the Georde compares to a via chip, but you get many more options for interfacing on mini-ITX and you should be able to easily put together a board, psu, case, memory and flash storage for less than the price of the Linutop. You also get the advantage of expandable ram and other niceties then. You could match the size as well but only by going for nano or pico ITX both of which will push you over the price of the linutop with diminishing extras in terms of interfacing. Also I don't like the way Linutop are using what is obviously xubuntu for their "Plug and Surf key" without appearing to credit Ubuntu anywhere on the website.

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[ALUG Announce] 3rd Monday Monthly Ipswich Social Meeting : The Milestone, Woodbridge Road
by samwise 15 Aug '07

15 Aug '07

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 "Third Monday" ALUG Ipswich Social Meeting is scheduled again for next week (Monday 16th April) at 20:00: The Milestone Beer House 5 Woodbridge Road IPSWICH IP4 2EA Tel: 01473 252425 Map/Directions URI: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=IP4+2EA The Milestone pub is in the centre of Ipswich, near the now-defunct Odeon cinema and not far from The Regent Theatre. There is more information on the venue, including car parking info, on the ALUG wiki: http://www.alug.org.uk/wiki/moin.cgi/Meetings All are welcome, novices and experienced users. Hopefully, it shouldn't be too hard to find the pack, look for those huddled around a laptop! This month's meeting comprises a tutorial by Wayne (aka DrJeep) on video editing, DVD creation etc. using free software. We also need to discuss next month's tutorial and find a suitable volunteer. Feel free to ask for further information on the Main ALUG mailing list. Hope to see you there, Peter. ----- 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

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Mesages From Netgear Router
by Nick Daniels 15 Aug '07

15 Aug '07

Hi I have had Netgear DG834g for about two years now. I installed Etch on Mon, and since then I have been receiving email such as TCP Packet - Source:209.112.135.123,50394 Destination: xxxx DOS, never had these before. If I start torrent I am getting 20+ per minute, upon turning on this morning there was three timed at 01:00 etc although router was off. BTW Many thanks for help with line speed problem a while back, I ended up asking Plusnet for MAC, line suddenly went from 900k to 4Mb and dropouts ceased almost immediately. Kind Regards - Nick Daniels

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Digital cameras
by Peter Alcibiades 14 Aug '07

14 Aug '07

This is the advice a friend of mine gives. His cameras cost thousands and he is a prize winning photographer. I am not a photographer, so have no idea of the merits of his advice, but take an interest in it because of a general interest in technology and because I have someone else to buy for. Here is a summary. 1) OS does not matter unless you are using RAW. Otherwise you are using a card reader, and any OS will manage jpeg. If you are shooting in RAW the program to read it in is very important, and not all programmes come for all OSs. There is something about Macs and Canons - the best RAW software seems to come only for windows. 2) More megapixels are not better, in fact they are probably worse in compact cameras, because noise rises as the pixel size gets smaller. You will see this particularly in low light conditions. 3) There are two reasons why SLRs are better, and a lot better, than anything else, if quality is what matters. One is size of sensor. They have big sensors, less noise. The other is that they do not use power to deliver the view through the viewfinder. This means more rapid operation, less power consumption. The difference between the alleged semi-pro small sensor cameras and true SLRs is huge, and way out of proportion to the difference either in cost or size. I think his view is, though he doesn't say this explicitly, that the 'semi pro' ones which look like SLRs but are not, is like lipstick on a pig. The only thing to use, if you are serious about picture quality, is an SLR. The difference, he says, is huge. 4) When considering SLRs, worry about dust. Every time you do a lens change, dust will be attracted to the sensor. Cleaning up the dust in photoshop or equivalent will be inredibly time consuming. He uses these special brushes,very expensive, to get the dust off the sensor. There are different ways of getting the dust off automatically now with different makes. Worry about dust. Worry about how you are going to manage, how much its going to cost, whether you have to return for maintenance to get it done. Think hard about whether you actually need to change lenses, and if not, get the kind of lens that is flexible enough to leave in place forever. If you're a pro you can't avoid changing lenses. As an amateur, plan so you don't have to. 5) More optical zoom is not better. It is impossible to make 12 x optical zoom lenses that are as good at any given zoom as a non-zooming lens. So anything more than 4 or 5 x zoom means compromising quality at all zoom levels. 5) Image stabilisation is fine, but beware of processing that increases sharpness. What you want is a stabilised image, with as little processing as possible. If any sharpening is going to be done, do it yourself on the PC. Otherwise you risk ending up with a pre-processed image where further processing will just degrade quality. 6) He has cameras that cost 5k plus. Nevertheless, the ones that he is surprised to find give him excellent shots and surprisingly good quality are the 200 pound or so compacts with moderate MP and Zoom count. He particularly mentions a Fuji whose model number I have forgotten. It had quite a high MP count. I can find out if you want. 7) Some of these, particularly the more expensive ones, have all kinds of manual controls. He has been surprised to find that they don't appeal to him at all, though in SLRs he is very manual control oriented. He actually prefers simple point and click in compacts, and doesn't quite know why the ones which allow him the freedom he has with his expensive SLRs always seem to get left at home. I found these conversations interesting because they are so different from anything you read in reviews. As a consequence I bought for my nearest and dearest a then high end 3 x zoom 4MP camera, a couple of large compact flash cards, and a reader. It has worked brilliantly. Its easy to use, the quality is excellent, the zoom is about right, its purse or jacket pocket size, and it goes everywhere. Its certainly not what I had in mind before I asked him. Peter

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Respawning a script
by Richard Lewis 14 Aug '07

14 Aug '07

Hi ALUG, I have a Python script which seg faults occasionally. Its running on a server so I don't pay it much attention and the seg faults don't matter particularly. But I would like it to be running most of the time. Does anyone know of a way of making it automatically start again after it has crashed? I guess its kind of like respawning but I don't think I want init to be in control of it. I guess I could write another script which keeps an eye on the first script's pid and restarts the script when the pid disappears. But before I do, I was wondering if there's a more automatic or more elegant way of doing it? Cheers, Richard -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Richard Lewis http://www.richard-lewis.me.uk/ JID: ironchicken(a)jabber.earth.li -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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Are there any Python and/or mail experts here?
by Chris G 14 Aug '07

14 Aug '07

I'm considering writing a python script to do some mailbox manipulation but I'm finding the documentation a little confusing, or at least a little lacking. I'm looking at:- http://docs.python.org/lib/mailbox-maildir.html http://docs.python.org/lib/mailbox-mbox.html What I can't quite get my mind round is why the Maildir sub-class of Mailbox has list_folders(), get_folder() etc. whereas the Mbox sub-class doesn't have these methods. >From the user's point of view maildir and mbox mail work the same, you can have a list of mbox folders in exactly the same way as you can have a list of maildir folders. In fact the Maildir sub-class documentation is not at all clear about what you get when you call list_folders(), a list of folders at what level in the hierarchy? -- Chris Green

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Digital Camera recommendations
by samwise 14 Aug '07

14 Aug '07

Anyone got any recommendations or hints / tips for buying a digital camera. Looking at a budget of £100 - £150, for general all-round use - preferably fairly compact. What should I look for when buying a camera for use with Linux? What are the main open source apps and what do they need the camera to support? Is one that connects as a USB mass storage good enough? or should I expect more integration than that with the right camera? Any recommended manufacturers which work best with open source software? Amazon link recommendations welcome! TIA, Peter. P.S. I'm running Debian Testing, if that makes a difference.

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