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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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!)

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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

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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

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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

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ProFTPd
by Richard Lewis 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Hello, I've just changed my FTP daemon from ftpd to ProFTP so that I can set up anonymous FTP access to my server. Anonymous and normal accounts both work but I can only login from the localhost. If I try to login from elsewhere I get: ftp> open domain.net Connected to domain.net. 500 Sorry, no server available to handle request on domain.net Does anyone know how I can make it possible to login from anywhere? Cheers, Richard -- --------------------------- Richard Lewis Sonic Arts Research Archive http://www.sara.uea.ac.uk/ ---------------------------

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linux file/print server at home
by Neill Lillywhite 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

hi i'm new to linux but do have a wide experience in XP. however, not much networking beyond basic workgroups i'm looking to revamp my home network now the kids want their own PCs and i'm looking at configurations what i want to be able to do is: * store all the various people's data on a single server and back it up from there as appropriate * map the various 'My Documents' folders on the PCs directly to folders/shares on the server * share some printers on that server * i don't need true 'roving profiles' as such (but that /is /a possibility - my only concern really is the bandwidth overhead associated with XP syncing on logoff) * what i do need to do is have the various user folders read/writeable by the users *and *readable by the server admin group (ie: me) * any password changes that the XP users make need to be automatically synced with the various server accounts most of the PCs will be 'single user' only but one will need to allow 2 users access to their files - so if i go for roaming profiles fine, if not it's 2 users on that PC i guess i've done a fair bit of reading around this and am currently tinkering with fedora 5 trying to get it to act as a PDC - with spectacular lack of success thus far it has to be said !! so, first question i need to answer is - given the above functionality needs do i go down the workgroup or domain route ? once i know that i can practice on the fedora box and try to get it to do whatever i need to and take it from there (of course whatever route i go down i'm bound to screw up and come begging for help - but let's leave that for another day !!) thanks for all and any advice/suggestions neill

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Re: main Digest, Vol 9, Issue 32
by Tony 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:37:34 +0100 From: "Keith Watson" <keith.watson(a)kewill.com> Subject: RE: [ALUG] linux file/print server at home To: <main(a)lists.alug.org.uk> Message-ID: <63F7A21F1CA18143AFDBF28E2A7D6BBA030BDD52(a)endor.kewill-europe.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > From: Paul Sent: 31 March 2006 10:21 > > Hi Neill > > On Wednesday 29 March 2006 17:33, Neill Lillywhite wrote: > > i'm looking to revamp my home network now the kids want their own PCs > > and i'm looking at configurations > > > i've done a fair bit of reading around this and am currently tinkering > > with fedora 5 trying to get it to act as a PDC - with spectacular lack > > of success thus far it has to be said !! > > This sounds like an ideal application for LTSP from > www.ltsp.org - I've seen it in use in a domestic environment > and it appeared to work well. This may not be the best system > to set up without some experience of Linux, but it should > provide some food for thought. > > Of course, for file & printer sharing, a simple Samba server > may suit your needs better. I've never needed to fully > configure it, only once did I have to set up basic services > for a solitary W95/98 box.. If I had to do it again, I would > strongly recommend getting a copy of the "Linux Cookbook" by > Schroder. It covers virtually all the topics encountered when > building a network. > > And when the cookbook fails to answer a question, we are > always here to act as a safety net ;) > > Regards, Paul. I have a feeling that I've seen a thread along similar lines somewhere on the Ubuntu forums (or maybe it was the wiki), anyway why not pop over to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ or http://www.ubuntuforums.org/ and see if the search facility turns up anything? Regards, Keith It is very easy to do with Ubuntu, there are detailed instructions at http://www.howtoforge.com/samba_setup_ubuntu_5.10 but most of the instructions would apply to a Fedora setup. If the OP would like an original copy of Ubuntu, drop me a line and I'll stick a copy in the post. I found it much easier to set up than using Fedora especially using wireless (Ubuntu detected wireless adaptor automatically where Fedora didn't). Tony

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xdcmp
by Peter 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

Hoping this is not a silly question.... Is it possible, and if so how, to set up gdm (or kdm or xdm) so that when the login chooser comes up, it only offers the user to log in to an xdcmp session on the server? I have a user who cannot be expected to do anything except turn the machine on and log in. So navigating to xdcmp chooser from the welcome screen is not practical. Peter

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RE: [ALUG] linux file/print server at home
by Keith Watson 31 Mar '06

31 Mar '06

> From: Paul Sent: 31 March 2006 10:21 > > Hi Neill > > On Wednesday 29 March 2006 17:33, Neill Lillywhite wrote: > > i'm looking to revamp my home network now the kids want their own PCs > > and i'm looking at configurations > > > i've done a fair bit of reading around this and am currently tinkering > > with fedora 5 trying to get it to act as a PDC - with spectacular lack > > of success thus far it has to be said !! > > This sounds like an ideal application for LTSP from > www.ltsp.org - I've seen it in use in a domestic environment > and it appeared to work well. This may not be the best system > to set up without some experience of Linux, but it should > provide some food for thought. > > Of course, for file & printer sharing, a simple Samba server > may suit your needs better. I've never needed to fully > configure it, only once did I have to set up basic services > for a solitary W95/98 box.. If I had to do it again, I would > strongly recommend getting a copy of the "Linux Cookbook" by > Schroder. It covers virtually all the topics encountered when > building a network. > > And when the cookbook fails to answer a question, we are > always here to act as a safety net ;) > > Regards, Paul. I have a feeling that I've seen a thread along similar lines somewhere on the Ubuntu forums (or maybe it was the wiki), anyway why not pop over to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ or http://www.ubuntuforums.org/ and see if the search facility turns up anything? Regards, Keith ____________ When you boil rice, regard the cooking pot as your own head. - Zen Saying

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[ALUG Announce] ALUG Kit meet in Mid Suffolk
by John Woodard 30 Mar '06

30 Mar '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 ----- ALUG kit meeting. 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 ----- 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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Slightly off topic - domain registration question
by Chris Green 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

I'm afraid this isn't really a Linux question but I'm sure I'll get a helpful answer here anyway. I have some domains registered via http://www.ukfsn.org/extras/ (it's ukfsn reselling a US domain registry) and now I want to host the actual sites with another US company where we have isbd.biz registered and hosted. To do this properly do I need to transfer the domains the to registrar that hosts isbd.biz? I know I can forward from the existing host but I believe that does have some down sides to it. A FAQ or something on the general suject of domains would be useful, the FAQ's at the hosting/registration sites tend to have a rather narrow approach. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence."

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RE: [ALUG] Re: Any kit meets planned ?
by Keith Watson 29 Mar '06

29 Mar '06

Might also want to take a look at the Kororaa Xgl Live CD <http://kororaa.org/static.php?page=static060318-181203> , although I've seen a couple of comments saying that it can be flaky for some combinations of h/w. I've run it on my old Athlon 1.3Ghz + nVidia GForce setup and it works ok but nothing to tempt me away from bog standard Ubuntu :o). Regards, Keith ____________ BORE, n. - A person who talks when you wish him to listen. - Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary > From: Peter Onion Sent: 29 March 2006 10:18 > > > If I do come is anybody (who hasn't got the patience or hardware to > > get it running properly themselves) interested in a demo of XGL and Compiz ? > > > > My machine is running it quite smoothly now..but it's a lot of kit to > > lug down if nobody is particularly interested. > > Yes please. I do have hardware capable of running it, but > I'm a bit reluctant to "break" my current working setup until > I've actually seen it working to decide if it really is > anything other than "3D eye candy". > > Peter

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Help!
by Peter 27 Mar '06

27 Mar '06

Hi guys, Do you know of a nice competent person in London who would be willing to help a lady with her Windows laptop, for a reasonable fee? The problems are to do with the broadband connection, and most recently with BSOD occurring on sending mail. A hard crash, the only way to restart was by removing the battery. Also the Windows firewall switches itself on and off for no apparent reason. This is an extremely intelligent and competent person, but with little technical knowledge. Once properly set up and working, will be fine to use it going forwards. I'm not able to support this over the phone, and am not there often enough to do it in person. I have wondered about whether Linux would be a more predictable environment, but that would be complicating things again, and further reducing the number of people who can give support. If you do know of someone who you could vouch for personally and professionally, who'd be willing to fix windows for her, I'd be very grateful, Peter

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 27 Mar '06

27 Mar '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!)

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Trying to contact someone
by Stuart Fox 23 Mar '06

23 Mar '06

Is anyone in contact with Tony Bronze? Im having trouble sending email to his freeserve address, well ANY freeserve email addy Cheers Stuart -- The problem with the world is stupidity. Not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

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Talks offered Ted Haegar from Novell and Jono Bacon
by David Reynolds 23 Mar '06

23 Mar '06

Hi, Jono Bacon (of Lugradio fame) visited us in #alug today and has offered his and Ted Haegar talks. I thought I'd post it to the list since a lot of people don't hang in the IRC channel all day. Details are below: Begin forwarded message: > Hey, > > Both Ted Haegar from Novell and myself will come and do some talks. > Both Ted and I offer two presentations each, so you can pick one for > each of us: > > Ted's Presentations: > > * Linux Desktop Innovation at Novell - demonstrating such elements as > Xgl, Beagle, the new Main Menu for Gnome, and Novell's latest > contributions to OpenOffice.org. > * Implementing Novell AppArmor - providing a practical how-to on > quickly securing desktop and server applications with Novell AppArmor. > > My presentations: > > * On the Front Line: Convincing People the Inconvincible - this > presentation covers how to perform effective advocacy, and covers a > number of areas and concepts that LUG members can make use of. > * Building the Next Generation Linux Desktop - this presentation > discusses where the desktop came from, how it developed, and where it > is going in the future. This will include coverage of bleeding edge > software and coverage of usability issues. > > We are thinkin of scheduling this for Thu 21st April. > > If you could let me know how much interest there is that would be > great. > > Jono As he says, could we have a show of hands as to who is interested and can make it on August 21st? Cheers, Dave -- David Reynolds david(a)reynoldsfamily.org.uk

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Video DVD Copying
by Keith Watson 22 Mar '06

22 Mar '06

Having last night successfully rescued (i.e. copied) a favourite DVD that had a crack slowly spreading from the centre outwards, I wondered if there are any favourite (preferably OSS) DVD clone packages list members may have? . I looked at various Windows and Linux options and eventually gave k9copy a try and was pleased with the straightforward way it worked. Regards, Keith ____________ I would love to change the world, but I can't get the source code to compile without errors.

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