September 2007 - main

Re: [ALUG] Linux can't connect to the Internet
by CDW (Linux) 13 Feb '08

13 Feb '08

(Ted Harding) wrote: > On 19-Aug-07 18:17:50, CDW (Linux) wrote: >> (Ted Harding) wrote: >>> There's a lot of possibilities for this! >>> >>> One thing to look at is whether you have a default gateway set up >>> in Linux. If (as root) you enter the command >>> >>> route >>> >>> you should see somthing like >>> >>> Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface >>> 192.168.1.0 * 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0 >>> 127.0.0.0 * 255.0.0.0 U 0 0 0 lo >>> default 192.168.1.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0 >>> >>> where the "192.168.1.1" should be replaced by the IP address of >>> your actual router. If you don't get a "default" line in the output >>> from "route" then nothing for outside will get to the router. >> I get the following :- >> Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface >> 192.168.1.0 * 255.255.255.0 U 10 0 0 eth0 >> 169.254.0.0 * 255.255.0.0 U 10 0 0 eth0 >> 127.0.0.0 * 255.0.0.0 U 0 0 0 lo >> default 192.168.1.51 0.0.0.0 UG 10 0 0 eth0 >> >> Ah. I've just noticed that there's a 169.254.0.0 address in my list. >> That would appear to come from a DHCP config but I purposely didn't >> set that so would that be stopping it working? If so, how do I remove >> it? > > I don't think it matters. I get the same too (on a Red Hat 9 system) > without any DHCP going on. It's supposed, I think, to represent some > alternative network numbering, and as far as I know is simply a dummy. Thanks for that info. -- __ __| |_ __ __ .-----------------------------------------------. / _/ _` \ V V / | mailto:cdw_alug@the-walker-household.co.uk | \__\__,_|\_/\_/ |_______________________________________________|

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Using a virtual machine to build packages
by Mark Rogers 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

I sometimes find I need to build applications from source for use on a live server. I don't like the idea of installing build tools on the server, so I want to create a virtual machine on my desktop to build the applications so all I need to do is install them on the server. As a specific example, I have an Ubuntu-based mail server using postfix (installed from repositories). However, I need to add virtual mailbox quota support, using the patches here: http://vda.sourceforge.net/ So my theory is that I can create a new Ubuntu VM, install the postfix source package and compile tools, apply the patch, then build the .deb from that to install on the live server, replacing the version in the repositories. Is that a sensible approach? If yes, although I have a rough idea what is needed I'm on the edge of my knowledge. Once I have the source installed and patched (assuming that the instructions with the patch help me get that far!) how do I then build the .deb, and how to I install it so that it doesn't conflict with the existing package from the repositories? PS: Rereading the above before posting, it might come across that I'm asking for help setting up the VM - that bit I can do. It's the step sideways from a complete binary install from repositories which is making me nervous! Mark Rogers

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SYLEHAM KIT MEETING... OR Walsham-le-Willows
by James Freer 01 Oct '07

01 Oct '07

Message: 8 Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:15:08 +0100 From: samwise <samwise(a)bagshot-row.org> Subject: Re: [ALUG] Syleham Kit Meeting To: "ALUG - mailing list" <main(a)lists.alug.org.uk> Message-ID: <c9ae1fc80709280915l5e34d695nf5be5a4fe119f8d8(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi, At the last Ipswich meet, James repeated his request for a kit meet, though he's less keen on travelling to Syleham. Is there any interest in a kit meet in the near future? James was suggesting that if only the Suffolk-dwellers would like one, then we could perhaps host one of our own somewhere in the Ipswich area. I'm less keen on that, as last time I went, I enjoyed meeting the wider members of ALUG I don't normally get the chance to see in person. Plus, I think with car sharing that petrol costs etc. shouldn't be a major factor (I'd be happy to drive 3 or 4 people). So, is there any interest in a kit meet some time soon? If so, would you prefer Syleham, or a more local venue? Peter. Hi Folks I met Peter in Tesco just as i was clearing the last of my junk from my old garage there. His first paragraph wasn't quite what i said. I've driven across to Ipswich to meet folk but i get back rather late... i currently look after my old mother and she gets rather confused these days and the returning late is a bit of an issue. I'd be delighted if some folk wanted a meeting at Syleham as it's only about 10 miles for me. I get the impression that folk aren't keen to travel due to the cost... and then there is the cost of the Syleham venue to meet. What i did say was that social meetings are great but i'm keen on learning as much as i can on Linux which is only possible at a venue where we have tables etc and can lay out all our 'kit'. The impression i've got is folk don't want to travel to Syleham and would rather have a meeting in their area i.e. Ipswich or Norwich. However, Syleham is central for all perhaps and that's why it was chosen in the past. A FREE VENUE - is a possibility i.e. where i live in Walsham-le-Willows. We have an Annexe/summer house beyond the garage 10ft x 30ft which is my 'office'.[No comments on proper units of measurement please... the EU have now decided that the UK doesn't have to go metric by 2012!]. Plenty of room now that i've got shot of the junk. I don't use wireless but have broadband with an 8 port ethernet hub and shortly homeplug. This week two of the sliding windows are having new sills but after that... i've got two large dining tables in there - plenty of room for 10-12 folk (or 2/3 car loads). I don't know how long kit-meetings have been in the past but we could make a day/morning/afternoon of it - as long as folk want. Not sure that i could promise a meal for that many but certainly tea/coffee. A pub is just up the road if wanted. Ample parking two doors down in the village car park (free). If well planned - a kit meeting should be worthwhile with all folk going away having got answers to what they wanted to know! I've got two spare machines for experimenting with... james

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LinuXmas Celebrations
by samwise 29 Sep '07

29 Sep '07

Hi, That time of year is rapidly approaching, and the pre-booking season is upon us. Does anyone fancy doing something with the LUG for Christmas? We could have a grand get-everyone-together-somewhere bash, and toast the health of ALUG. That might take some organising, and whether it's a central location or in Ipswich / Norwich, a good proportion of people might have to travel and arrange lifts home (if it's a boozy celebration). Alternatively, we could keep the divide going and just have separate events (if on separate nights, that gives some the opportunity to attend both!). Scale-wise, I was thinking of just going for a meal and maybe a drink or too after - tho I'm open to suggestions. If you want to spend the day bowling, paintballing or karting, I'm sure we can arrange something! So, then. Who's up for it? Would you prefer a whole regional thing, or smaller county events? Plus any ideas on what you'd like to do ... Peter. P.S. Do I have to move this thread to the ALUG Social mailing list, bearing in mind there's a lot ppl not currently on there atm (which is why I raised it here first)?

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Laptop without Operating System
by Nick Daniels 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

Hi I am looking for a cheap new laptop without O/S (£300-400) just for my Ham Radio I have found Novatech, does anyone know of, or have used any other company please? Kind Regards -Nick Daniels

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Syleham Kit Meeting
by James Freer 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

Hi Folks If you recall our chat on IRC a while back about a Kit Meeting. The suggestion was that i should post some ideas. I've managed to get Ubunutu on my spare machine with no problems - gulp. I've got a Compaq P3 500mb and it seems to run ver 6.10 fine so far. Someone was going to throw it out so i gave it a 'good home'. I was wondering if folk would be interested in a meeting shortly... or series of meets. I've now got loads of questions on linux and on computing in general. While it's fine to chat on IRC i thought it would be nice to get folk together. Topics for a meeting from my point of view: * installing software and using wine [i've Ubuntu Hacks and Ubuntu Linux Bible by Von Hacks but it's still hard going] * pros/cons of different distros [I've chosen Ubuntu as there seemed to be more available for it but would like to see other distros that folk use] * compiling programs from source * computer architecture [modern m'boards for Linux... what's not needed for Linux i.e SATA etc] * using linux for websites to enhance security * internet connection via power sockets [can't remeber what these are called!] As a result of this post and responses we can get a meeting organised covering all needs and interests! james

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[ALUG Announce] 3rd Monday Monthly Ipswich Social Meeting : The Milestone, Woodbridge Road
by samwise 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '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 back again next week (Monday 17th September) 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! Feel free to ask for further information on the Main ALUG mailing list. This month's meeting includes a comprehensive overview of virtual machines - what they are, what they aren't and what are the options for available for use on a typical desktop system. 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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Fedora 7, not 100% stable, video drivers?
by Chris G 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

Well I'm getting on quite well with my Fedora 7 system. I now have Vmware Workstation 6.01 installed on it. There were problems with Vmware 6 on Fedora 7 but these seem to have been resolved by 6.01. As this is one of the reasons I moved to Fedora from Slackware (simple, no hassle, installation of Vmware) this is a big plus for me. It's also been very easy to get apache up and running, and printers, as regards ease of use, instllation, etc. Fedora 7 has been excellent. However!!! .... It's not 100% stable. I originally thought the problem was with the Gnome desktop so I have reverted to my FVWM window manager and, although that seems to have reduced the frequency of crashes it died in much the same way just now using FVWM. The display simply freezes, no diagnostics, no drama, nothing. Keyboard no longer works, cursor is frozen, can't switch to alternate console or anything. The kernel is still running because I can ping the system from my garage system but no services are running, i.e. I can't ssh into the system to shut it down or anything. The only way out is to hit the reset button. Subjectively it feels like the crash/hang occurs when there's a lot of graphic activity, for example the last crash occurred just as CUPS redrew the whole browser window after installing a printer. Other crashes also seem to be at graphically intensive times and the Gnome desktop does work the graphics harder than fvwm so that might explain why it dies more often using Gnome. There's absolutely nothing in /var/log/messages, there isn't a syslog. The video hardware is Nvidia and Fedora 7 isn't using the same Nvidia drivers that Slackware did. With Slackware I had to compile/install the Nvidia driver myself (downloaded from Nvidia) but the Fedora installation recognised the card and has drivers, the xorg.conf file says:- Section "Device" Identifier "Videocard0" Driver "nv" EndSection Does anyone know if there are any stability problems with the "nv" driver? Would I be better off getting the latest Nvidia supplied one? I'll do some Google searching on this front but any comments would be welcome. -- Chris Green

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pc for sale
by Richard Bensley 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

PC for sale: -Core2Duo E6000 4MB -2GB RAM (2x Corsair Twin XMS Pro) -Geforce 7950GT 512MB -2 x 200GB SATAII Maxtor -Samsung DVD-RW+/- SATA -Asus P5B Deluxe Motherboard -Creative Audigy 2 PCI sound card -Hauppage PVR 150 MCE -All inside a MASSIVE Chieftec towercase, plenty of room for expansion, ALL 7 fan bays filled with quiet silverstone fans. (http://www.chieftec.com/ba-02b-b-b.html) -580w Taga modular PSU She's lean, she's mean, previously used for Video and 3D, but the internal drives never saw much use other than OS and software. (NOTE: no monitor, mouse, or keyboard) £450 ono excluding delivery, I am 20 miles outside of Norwich down the A146 in Loddon if you want to pick it up. work phone: 01502 716622 +2371 mobile: 07884112398 Cheers Richard

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Truncating text files at non-ascii
by Mark Rogers 27 Sep '07

27 Sep '07

Does anyone have a suggestion for a quick way to process several hundred files, truncating them where ascii text ends and binary data begins? I'm in the process of recovering data from a corrupt drive, and I've recovered loads of would-be Thunderbird mailboxes (ie mbox files). However, since there is no good way to determine the end of an mbox file from its raw data (that I know of anyway!) what I have is loads of 10M files which start "From - " and end 10MB afterwards. So a 10k mailbox is 10k text and 990k rubbish that was next on the drive, which typically is binary data. So I need to scan the files, find where the ascii stops and the binary begins, and truncate them at that point. (Ideally it will be clever enough to allow a few binary chars through in case of any binary chars in the emails, for example unencoded pound signs etc. But something far more basic would be a good start!) I'm guessing that awk ought to be able to do it, something along the lines of reading line by line, and if the line has more than (say) 5% non-ascii data in it then stop, otherwise print that line and continue. I'm just not sure how to go from pseudo-code to real code (nor whether that was the best place to start anyway). Mark Rogers

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