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Linux Lives
by tom potts 05 Aug '05

05 Aug '05

Not that I thought it would die but: http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/688 and http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20050804095846895 ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

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Playing video DVD's
by Peter Hunter 05 Aug '05

05 Aug '05

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help me with this. I am running Mandriver LE 2005 with the Gnome desktop. I decided it would be nice to play a dvd, but when I load a dvd movie I get the playing window comes up, and then an error message, which says: DVD - Error Code "The source seems encrypted, and can't be read. Are you trying to play an encrypted DVD without libdvdcss?" I have done a search for 'libdvdcss' but can't find it, and don't know what it is anyway. Can anyone help me to solve this problem? and (hopefully) help me to be able to play dvd's. mtia Peter

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Problems with tar
by Stuart Bailey 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

I'm using a SCSI 72Gb tape drive on a Fedora Core3 system which has recently been updated with the latest kernel (about 2 weeks ago). The tape backup (using tar -cf /dev/st0 ...) had been working fine - for about 5 months, and was used to restore data at that time. I have just discovered that the backup has been failing recently. When I run tar -cvf /dev/st0 ... only 2048 bytes are backed up before this message is displayed: tar: /dev/st0: Wrote only 2048 of 10240 bytes tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now If I then run tar -tvf /dev/st0, I get all the files upto the point at which the error message was generated. Any ideas what may have gone wrong? Are there any tools to run diagnostics on the tape unit? Many thanks Stuart -- --------------------------------------- Stuart Bailey BSc (hons) CEng CITP MBCS LinuSoft (Proprietor) Linux Specialist (01953) 601294 (07778) 383739 http://www.linusoft.co.uk ---------------------------------------- ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please email postmaster(a)linusoft.co.uk immediately. You should not copy or use this email or attachments for any purpose nor disclose their contents to any other person. NO BINDING CONTRACT WILL RESULT FROM THIS E-MAIL UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT IS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF LinuSoft. LinuSoft cannot accept any responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. *************************************************************************

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Migrate apps from Internet Explorer to Mozilla
by tom potts 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/wa-ie2mozgd/ looks interesting ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 01 Aug '05

01 Aug '05

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. 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 tkirc, bitchx, xchat 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://freshmeat.net/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

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Advance needed on DVD rewriters and buying components online
by Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. 30 Jul '05

30 Jul '05

I have questions on two areas. The first is a recommendation for a good producer of DVD Rewriters. Most seem to support all the formats including dual layer. I'm planning to use only DVD+RW really. By good, I mean regular firmware and driver updates, excellent build quality and reliability. Normal stuff really :) At present, I am looking at either Sony or Plextor. Do you agree? I had bad experiences with Philips (the unit died after 1 week) and the usual OEM unbranded poop. The second item is a recommendation for a good online source of components. You know, a company with a real returns policy and good support :) All of my local companies in Norwich, even Anglian Internet, have annoyed me to the point where I don't want to do business with them any more. AI used to be good, but my last two visits to their shop left a bad taste in my mouth after they tried repeatedly to suggest and almost force me to buy overpriced options instead of what I really wanted. -- Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. http://www.ashleyhowes.com "May your spirit be renewed in earth's solitary places." - Native American Indian Blessing

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Live CD's
by John Seago 30 Jul '05

30 Jul '05

Someone has asked for my help in trying out Linux via Live CD's, Knoppix seems obvious, as does Ubuntu. I also thought I might include a couple of the Slackware based Live CD's, does anyone have any other suggestions? -- John Seago GNU/Linux User #219566 http://counter.li.org AFFS http://www.affs.org.uk/

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100BaseT PCMCIA cards
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 30 Jul '05

30 Jul '05

Another Q (on topic this time ... ) Do people have good suggestions for 100BaseT PCMCIA ethernet adapter cards (wired, not wireless) that work well on Linux (and, hopefully these days, don't cost much)? Thanks again! Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 29-Jul-05 Time: 15:20:43 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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[OT] How does online purchase work?
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 30 Jul '05

30 Jul '05

Hi Folks, I'm wondering about the mechanism underlying say on-line purchase. Superficially, it seems you tell someone your card number, and they then somehow communicate with your bank and get money out of your account without further intervention by you. If that's all that's needed, then anyone who knew your card number could do the same. So does anyone know what the underlying mechanism is which authorises the bank to hand out the money when asked by someone who knows your card number? I suppose a similar question arises when someone knows your bank's sort code and your account number (as when you authorise a direct debit or standing order). Though I suppose, in that case, there's a piece of paper signed by you which ends up at your bank. But would it be possible in the absence of a signed authorisation? (I think I've actually done this when paying a bill on-line, though my memory is now not sure of the details). Somewhat curious ... 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: 29-Jul-05 Time: 15:11:49 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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RE:How does online purchase work?
by tom potts 30 Jul '05

30 Jul '05

For security reasons most online purchasers normally proxy through a merchant bank or similar service- ie their web site never takes the card details. The reques is handed over to the proxy site which takes the card details and amount to be deducted and does a few checks. If the sum to pay is less that a certain amount (£50 or so but depends on the card and arrangements) that the card has sort of agreement to pay out that sum. If its more that that then a credit check will be run and refused if insufficient credit on the card. Once the payment is 'agreed' normally the transaction is handed back to the vendor web site with a transaction ID. The money is not removed from the card at this point! In theory once the product is delivered the vendor company then the vendor can go to the proxy and get the money transfered using the transaction ID. Not many companies seem to wait till delivery to collect the money and of course you can rack up lots of agreed transactions before the money is removed from your account so the vendor is not guaranteed payment. Theres a lot more but I can here the delete keys going.... ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com

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