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10372 discussions

CD-RW drive problem
by Richard Lewis 04 Oct '04

04 Oct '04

Hello ALUG, I'm having problems with a CD-RW drive. I haven't tried to use the drive until now (except when I used it to install the OS, Debian sarge net-install disc). I was just getting round to designing the backup procedure for the machine and thought it would be neat if it automatically wrote the data to a CD. But I've run into problems with the drive itself: # cdrecord -scanbus Cdrecord-Clone 2.01a34 (i686-pc-linux-gnu) Copyright (C) 1995-2004 J°Zrg Schilling NOTE: this version of cdrecord is an inofficial (modified) release of cdrecord and thus may have bugs that are not present in the original version. Please send bug reports and support requests to <cdrtools(a)packages.debian.org>. The original author should not be bothered with problems of this version. cdrecord: No such file or directory. Cannot open '/dev/pg*'. Cannot open SCSI driver. cdrecord: For possible targets try 'cdrecord -scanbus'. cdrecord: For possible transport specifiers try 'cdrecord dev=help'. cdrecord: cdrecord: For more information, install the cdrtools-doc cdrecord: package and read /usr/share/doc/cdrecord/README.ATAPI.setup . Hmm, so I tried, # cat /etc/fstab # /etc/fstab: static file system information. # # <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass> proc /proc proc defaults 0 0 /dev/hda2 none swap sw 0 0 /dev/hda1 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1 /dev/hdb1 /home ext3 defaults 0 2 /dev/hdb2 /var ext3 defaults 0 2 /dev/hdc /media/cdrom iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0 /dev/fd0 /media/floppy auto rw,user,noauto 0 0 /dev/hdc /cdrom iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0 OK, so I tried mounting an ordinary CD-ROM # mount /cdrom mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/hdc, or too many mounted file systems Hrmmm, and # dmesg | grep ATAPI hdc: LITE-ON LTR-16102B, ATAPI CD/DVD-ROM drive hdc: ATAPI 40X CD-ROM CD-R/RW drive, 2048kB Cache, DMA And some excerpts from # lsmod isofs 32184 0 sg 34848 0 scsi_mod 109112 1 sg ide_cd 38020 0 cdrom 34720 1 ide_cd ide_disk 15872 6 ide_generic 1408 0 [permanent] ide_detect 1408 0 ide_core 141804 5 ide_cd,ide_disk,ide_generic,ide_detect,piix I'm not very good with hardware. Does anyone know what's wrong? Thanks very much, Richard -- Richard Lewis richardlewis(a)fastmail.co.uk

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 04 Oct '04

04 Oct '04

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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Disposing of old kit
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 03 Oct '04

03 Oct '04

Hi Folks, Does anyone have suggestions for disposing usefully (i.e. not simply taking it to the tip^H^H^H recycling centre) of assorted old computer kit? (a few monitors, vidoe cards, multiport serial card, ... ) Most if not all works, in some cases with a little encouragement. So maybe someone somewhere could find a use for it. Ideally within reasonable reach of the Ely-Downham axis. Best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 167 1972 Date: 29-Aug-04 Time: 21:41:47 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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IT systems specialists in e-Science and SAN at UEA
by Simon Jude 02 Oct '04

02 Oct '04

Hi, I hope that nobody minds me posting a job advert to the list but I thought that there might be some interest the positions that are available at UEA. Simon ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 15:01:30 +0100 From: "Boswell Andrew Dr (ITCS) s139" <A.Boswell(a)uea.ac.uk> To: "Jude Simon Dr (ENV)" <S.Jude(a)uea.ac.uk> Subject: IT SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS in e-Science and SAN at UEA Dear Simon, If you know anyone who may be interested in these new posts in ITCS, please forward this message on. I'm very happy to have a chat with a chat anyone who wants to know more information. Andrew Dr Andrew Boswell Senior System Developer and e-Science Consultant IT and Computing Services email : A.Boswell(a)uea.ac.uk University of East Anglia phone : +44-1603-592349 Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK fax : +44-1603-593467 _____ [Current Vacancies] <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> [UEA Norwich] <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> <http://www.uea.ac.uk/> Issued by the Personnel Office Date: 2004 _____ Return to: Current <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/admin/welcome.htm> Vacancies: Administrative and Other Related Current <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/welcome.htm> Vacancies Index _____ Information Services Directorate IT SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS We are looking for two experienced IT Systems Specialists to join a small IT systems team within the Information Services Directorate. Post 1: Indefinite (Ref: AD269) Post 2: Fixed-Term for 2 years (Ref: AD270) One role is an indefinite post and the other a two-year post to provide additional support within the team during the installation of a storage infrastructure and e-science technologies at UEA. The postholders will be part of the IT systems teams which provides central server support at UEA and will be expected to work with the project teams for the two projects, supporting the installation, configuration, initial maintenance and service development of the storage and e-science technologies. The successful applicants will require in-depth OS skills in Linux (preferably Redhat) and Solaris, Microsoft Windows systems OS skills (preferably Active Directory, 2000 and 2003), Unix shell programming and high-level language programming. Experience of at least one of the following will be essential, preferably in a higher education environment; installation and maintenance of open source, operating system and commercial software under Unix/Microsoft, storage management and cluster/fail-over server management. Training on e-science and storage technologies will be provided as required. The postholders will require good communication, analysis and customer care skills. A flexible and self-motivated approach to work will be essential, as will good time management skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Salary will be in the range £22,507 to £29,128 per annum. Further particulars and an application form should be obtained from the Personnel Office, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ (e-mail: personnel(a)uea.ac.uk <mailto:%20personnel@uea.ac.uk> or answerphone: 01603 593493), to be returned by 12 October 2004. Please quote the appropriate reference number. _____ Further Particulars and an application form may also be obtained on-line: <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/admin/ad269.pdf> *Further Particulars in PDF format <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/forms/ac-r1.pdf> *Application Form in PDF format Notes: * Application forms obtained by this means should be printed, completed and posted to the UEA Personnel Office at the address shown above. * The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form at the end of the application form must be completed but will be detached and the information given will not be used in the selection process. * You should read <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/fp/guide-ac.htm> Guidelines for Candidates - Academic and Related Staff Appointments as well as any other relevant sections in <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/fp/welcome.htm> Further Particulars to assist you in completing your application. * Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents and if necessary can be obtained free from the Adobe website. <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html> [Get Adobe Acrobat Reader] _____ Return to: Current <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/admin/welcome.htm> Vacancies: Administrative and Other Related Current <http://www.uea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/welcome.htm> Vacancies Index

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Linux for kids for XMAS...
by Steve Purkiss 02 Oct '04

02 Oct '04

Hello again, My sis and a friend of hers are looking to buy PC & printer for use by "the kids" for XMAS. When I say kids, we're talking the 4+ age group. Obviously the adults will want mail, web, office, etc. but nothing too daunting - thought I'd ask if anyone has hardware + distro recommendations. We're talking easy-to-use once installed and cheap solution.... however I was thinking mini-ITX cases etc. Any ideas? I want to give them a good base to learn from ;) Steve p.s. thought I'd ask on here as still pretty lonely in LUGE at the mo... but it'll get there in time... -- Open for Organisations - supporting open source software http://www.open4.org Tel: +44(0)1245 611825 Mod: +44(0)7813 646457

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LinuxWorldExpo - get your free breakfast!
by Steve Purkiss 01 Oct '04

01 Oct '04

Hiya, In case I hadn't mentioned already ;) I'll be on stand 192 next week at www.LinuxWorldExpo.co.uk showing off www.LinuxVAR.co.uk and the XOOPS CMS/Portal. Interactive Ideas, sponsors of the site, are also laying on a free breakfast with product demos too from the likes of vmware and Sybase at the Hilton Olympia (both days + anyone can come along) so get fed first. Free tickets to the show also being given out then - if you still need a ticket then make sure you tick the box on the bottom of this form when filling it out: http://www.interactiveideas.com/company/breakfast.php See you there, Steve -- Open for Organisations - supporting open source software http://www.open4.org Tel: +44(0)1245 611825 Mod: +44(0)7813 646457

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Norwich technology event
by MJ Ray 30 Sep '04

30 Sep '04

There is a possibility of any space that becomes available at a fully-booked technology business event in Norwich in 2 months. Because of other commitments, I don't think I will be able to make full use of it. Are any other ALUGgers' firms interested in sharing? Email me directly, then I'll let you know if I get the offer and we'll see what we can do together. -- MJR/slef My Opinion Only and not of any group I know Creative copyleft computing - http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ LinuxExpo.org.uk village 6+7 Oct http://www.affs.org.uk

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Over What Resources Is nice Nice?
by Dan Hatton 29 Sep '04

29 Sep '04

I have a large ftp transaction in progress, with an ADSL-connected machine as the client, and my life would be more comfortable if other things (specifically X11 connections, with the same ADSL-connected machine as the X server) got priority over the ftp transaction for using the ADSL modem. I tried renice 20 [PID of the ftp client], which reported that it had changed the priority of the ftp client from 0 to 19, but this doesn't seem to have speeded up my X applications any, so I'm guessing that nice priority settings only apply to CPU, not to network bandwidth: is this right? If so, how can I make the ftp client be "nice" about network usage? -- Thanks Dan Hatton <http://www.bib.hatton.btinternet.co.uk/dan/>

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RE: [ALUG] Eye Candy
by Dave Briggs 29 Sep '04

29 Sep '04

Hi all, I am new-ish. I still haven't found a GUI which I find intuitive. One of the problems with the current Windows system, and which is copied by KDE and Gnome, is the 'Start' menu system for loading programs. I hate it. It's better in KDE, where onmy set up all the applications are organised by type making it much easier to find stuff. But it is still a pain. There is also, for me, an illogicality between using a 'Start' type menu, and the desktop - i.e. one being for apps and one for files (roughly). I just don't think this makes sense. Windows compounds this further of course by having a third environment - the Explorer. I'm not sure what my ideal GUI would have. Probably Desktop-only, with a folder with applications on it, and one for files. Perhaps a floating toolbar with regularly used apps and the time and stuff on it, but even that might be making things too complicated! Anyone else care to describe (as much as they can) their ideal GUI? Dave -- Dave Briggs http://www.palimpsest.org.uk - The Home of Informed Debate on the Web

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PHP developer wanted with PM potential
by Steve Purkiss 28 Sep '04

28 Sep '04

Hi all, I need some help, so I'm looking to employ a PHP developer, preferably with exerience of OSCommerce and/or XOOPS but not essential. If you know of any local to Chelmsford please let me know off-list. Thank you, Steve

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 28 Sep '04

28 Sep '04

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Coax ethernet plumbing ...
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 27 Sep '04

27 Sep '04

Hi Folks, I had always laboured under the belief that when you implement a network using coaxial ethernet cable, you basically had to have a single linear cable with pick-off at T-pieces along its length, and that branching coax structures were not on. In particular, if you needed, say, to connect a laptop [C] to an ethernet between machines [A] and [B], and it wasn't feasible to extend the cable beyond [A] or [B] to reach [C] but the middle of the cable itself passed not too far from [C], then I thought that the only solution was to bring the cable in a long loop to [C] and connect to a T-piece in the middle of the cable. I.e. [A]--------- -------------[B] | | | | | | | | | | \ / T | [C] However, thinking about it a bit and then trying it out, I discover that you can in fact set up a branching coax network. The trick is to use spare T-pieces to implement the branching. Like this: [A]----------T-------------[B] =I [T-piece at 90 degrees] | | [C]-----=I [T-piece on branch cable] | | [more machines on branch if you like] | =I [terminated T-piece to close branch] The trick is the first T-piece at 90 degrees, whose lateral ("male") insert is plugged into the "female" socket of the T-piece doing its usual job on the main cable. The ("female") end of the "branch" cable is then put onto the other "male" insert of the first T-piece at 90 degrees. This piece of trickery ensures valid connection (and indeed functions just like the normal connection at the ethernet card). And you will of course need a terminated T-piece at the far end of the "branch" cable in the usual way. No doubt this could be extended to a whole tree of coax, though shortage of spare T-pieces (and spare machines to hook onto them to test it) prevents me from testing it. Apologies if it's not new to you, but since I hadn't heard of it being done before I thought I'd share the idea. Best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 [NB: New number!] Date: 26-Sep-04 Time: 16:25:41 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Re: [ALUG] Apache front for Tomcat/Cocoon
by Richard Lewis 25 Sep '04

25 Sep '04

On Friday, Sep 24, 2004, at 16:59 Europe/London, Martijn Koster wrote: > I've not needed to setup a reverse proxy, but the mod_proxy > documentation page says you need a: > > ProxyRequests Off > <Proxy *> > Order deny,allow > Allow from all > </Proxy> > ProxyPass /foo http://foo.example.com/bar > ProxyPassReverse /foo http://foo.example.com/bar > > Do you have an Allow like that? > I do now! Thanks very much, its all working now. On Friday, Sep 24, 2004, at 17:02 Europe/London, Andrew Savory wrote: > > On 24 Sep 2004, at 16:42, Richard Lewis wrote: >> I've got two Cocoon (2.1) webapps running under Tomcat (4.1) on my >> server (Debian, j2sdk1.4-sun, Apache 2.0). My network service >> provided has given me two aliases for the machine which I want to >> point to the two webapps. > > For shame, Richard, for shame. This is not the cocoon-users mailing > list, you know ;-) I tried them but no one answered :-( Anyway ALUG people are much more often correct about things than anywhere else ;-) > > Dump Tomcat, run both sites through Jetty (you really -don't- want to > run two Cocoon instances, look at mount-table.xml for the quickest way > to mangle your Cocoon urlspace safely. Follow the wiki docs, they are > very good. (Actually, its just one Cocoon instance). Is Jetty really better, I thought the documentation said that Jetty was provided for a test environment rather than production? Thanks for your help, Richard

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Apache front for Tomcat/Cocoon
by Richard Lewis 24 Sep '04

24 Sep '04

Hello ALUG, Thanks for your help with getting Tomcat going as a non-privileged daemon. The reason I was trying to do that was because it was suggested as part of a solution for this problem: I've got two Cocoon (2.1) webapps running under Tomcat (4.1) on my server (Debian, j2sdk1.4-sun, Apache 2.0). My network service provided has given me two aliases for the machine which I want to point to the two webapps. As I understand it, I can use virtual hosting and mod_proxy with Apache to re-direct requests which use these two aliases to the webapps running on port 8080. My Apache and Tomcat set up is as follows: apache2/mods-enabled directory: php4.conf -> /etc/apache2/mods-available/php4.conf php4.load -> /etc/apache2/mods-available/php4.load proxy.conf -> ../mods-available/proxy.conf proxy_connect.load -> ../mods-available/proxy_connect.load proxy_http.load -> ../mods-available/proxy_http.load proxy.load -> ../mods-available/proxy.load userdir.conf -> /etc/apache2/mods-available/userdir.conf userdir.load -> /etc/apache2/mods-available/userdir.load ============================================================== apache2/sites-enabled directory: cursus.uea.ac.uk -> ../sites-available/cursus.uea.ac.uk studios.uea.ac.uk -> ../sites-available/studios.uea.ac.uk ============================================================== apache2/sites-available directory: cursus.uea.ac.uk -> /var/webapps/cursus/cursus.apache.conf studios.uea.ac.uk -> /var/webapps/studio/studio.apache.conf ============================================================== apache2/httpd.conf: <Files *.apache.conf> Order deny,allow Deny from all </Files> NameVirtualHost *****:80 ============================================================== /var/webapps/cursus/cursus.apache.conf: <VirtualHost ****:80> ServerName www.cursus.uea.ac.uk ServerAlias cursus.uea.ac.uk ServerAlias www.cursus ProxyRequests off ProxyPass / http://localhost:8081/cocoon/cursus/ ProxyPassReverse / http://localhost:8081/cocoon/cursus/ ProxyPass /styles http://localhost:8081/cocoon/cursus/styles ProxyPassReverse /styles http://localhost:8081/cocoon/cursus/styles </VirtualHost> ============================================================== /var/webapps/cursus/studios.apache.conf: <VirtualHost ****:80> ServerName www.studios.uea.ac.uk ServerAlias studios.uea.ac.uk ServerAlias www.studios ProxyRequests Off ProxyPass / http://localhost:8082/cocoon/studio/ ProxyPassReverse / http://localhost:8082/cocoon/studio/ </VirtualHost> ============================================================== /var/webapps/tomcat/conf/server.xml: [snippet] <Connector className="org.apache.coyote.tomcat4.CoyoteConnector" port="8081" minProcessors="5" maxProcessors="75" enableLookups="true" acceptCount="100" debug="0" connectionTimeout="20000" proxyName="www.cursus.uea.ac.uk" proxyPort="80" useURIValidationHack="false" disableUploadTimeout="true" /> <Connector className="org.apache.coyote.tomcat4.CoyoteConnector" port="8082" minProcessors="5" maxProcessors="75" enableLookups="true" acceptCount="100" debug="0" connectionTimeout="20000" proxyName="www.studios.uea.ac.uk" proxyPort="80" useURIValidationHack="false" disableUploadTimeout="true" /> The problem is that when the user requests the URL http://cursus.uea.ac.uk/ or http://www.studios.uea.ac.uk/ the server returns 403 'Forbidden'. $ tail log/apache2/error.log gives: [Fri Sep 24 16:22:17 2004] [error] [client ****] client denied by server configuration: proxy:http://localhost:8081/cocoon/cursus/ Accessed using the :808[012] suffix, the webapps both work fine (though the network firewall will stop access from outside). If anyone could help me I would be very grateful indeed as I've been puzzeling over this for days and really can't think of anything else that might sort the problem. Thanks in advance, Richard

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Re: [ALUG] Tomcat daemon
by Richard Lewis 24 Sep '04

24 Sep '04

On Friday, Sep 24, 2004, at 13:08 Europe/London, Martijn Koster wrote: > On Fri, 2004-09-24 at 12:59, Richard Lewis wrote: >> Hello ALUG, >> >> I'm trying to write an init script to get Tomcat (4.1) to start at >> boot. (On Debian). >> >> I've created a file: >> /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh >> ===================================== >> >> export TOMCAT_BIN=/var/webapps/tomcat/bin > > Try adding: > >> #!/bin/sh > D'oh! OK, thanks for that - it now picks up tomcat.sh and the daemon starts fine. I've just found one more problem though: it won't stop!! # /etc/init.d/tomcat stop doesn't return any errors but I had a look and found that the directory /var/run/tomcat was empty; it seems its left no process id file. Is this why it can't stop? Also, # ps -Al inclues: 0 S 103 5156 1 4 85 0 - 77414 schedu pts/0 00:00:21 java which must be the tomcat process. Might it be confused because the process is called 'java' not 'tomcat'? Thanks for any help. Cheers, Richard

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Tomcat daemon
by Richard Lewis 24 Sep '04

24 Sep '04

Hello ALUG, I'm trying to write an init script to get Tomcat (4.1) to start at boot. (On Debian). I've created a file: /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh ===================================== export TOMCAT_BIN=/var/webapps/tomcat/bin export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/j2sdk1.4-sun case "$1" in start) $TOMCAT_BIN/startup.sh ;; stop) $TOMCAT_BIN/shutdown.sh ;; restart) $TOMCAT_BIN/shutdown.sh $TOMCAT_BIN/startup.sh ;; *) echo "Usage: tomcat.sh {start|stop|restart}" ;; esac exit 0 ===================================== which works when I run it (e.g. # /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh start). So far, so good. Next I created a new init script from /etc/init.d/skeleton: ===================================== #!/bin/sh set -e export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/j2sdk1.4-sun PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin DAEMON=/var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh NAME=tomcat DESC="Tomcat 4.1 Servlet Engine" PIDFILE=/var/run/tomcat/$NAME.pid SCRIPTNAME=/etc/init.d/$NAME # Gracefully exit if the package has been removed. test -x $DAEMON || exit 0 case "$1" in start) echo -n "Starting $DESC: $NAME" start-stop-daemon --start --quiet --pidfile $PIDFILE \ --chuid tomcat:tomcat --exec $DAEMON --user tomcat --group tomcat echo "." ;; stop) echo -n "Stopping $DESC: $NAME" start-stop-daemon --stop --quiet --pidfile $PIDFILE \ --exec $DAEMON --user tomcat --group tomcat echo "." ;; restart|force-reload) echo -n "Restarting $DESC: $NAME" start-stop-daemon --stop --quiet --oknodo --pidfile \ $PIDFILE --exec $DAEMON --user tomcat --group tomcat sleep 1 start-stop-daemon --start --quiet --pidfile \ $PIDFILE --chuid tomcat:tomcat --exec $DAEMON --user tomcat --group tomcat echo "." ;; *) # echo "Usage: $SCRIPTNAME {start|stop|restart|reload|force-reload}" >&2 echo "Usage: $SCRIPTNAME {start|stop|restart|force-reload}" >&2 exit 1 ;; esac exit 0 ===================================== but # /etc/init.d/tomcat start returns: Starting Tomcat 4.1 Servlet Engine: tomcatstart-stop-daemon: Unable to start /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh: Exec format error Similarly, # start-stop-daemon --start --pidfile /var/run/tomcat/tomcat.pid --chuid tomcat:tomcat --exec /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh --user tomcat --group tomcat returns: start-stop-daemon: Unable to start /var/webapps/tomcat/bin/tomcat.sh: Exec format error Removing --chuid, --user or --group doesn't make any difference either. Does anyone know how I can make this work? Cheers, Richard

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ssh & cvs
by Paul 23 Sep '04

23 Sep '04

Hi Folks After discussing a small problem about ssh and cvs with Brett last night, it was suggested I post the problem here... I am attempting to set up a cvs server behind a firewall using ssh for security. The port forwarding works and has been tested from the outside, as does cvs access. At the moment, I have set up a usr account for each person requiring write access to the cvs repository.. However, I do not want to allow remote users to have shell access on the cvs server. Is there a simple way I can disable shell accounts for selected users and still have ssh & cvs working with some degree of security ? Regards, Paul. -- Pieces of seven, pieces of seven - A parroty error. "To err is human...to really f*** things up requires the root password."

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Software Patents
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 22 Sep '04

22 Sep '04

Hi Folks, This morning's "You and Yours" on Radio 4 had quite an interesting item on the US "patent piracy" scam, and the considerations which the EU are applying to the issue. Though not primarily about software patenting, this topic did come up. What was interesting was the indication that the EU is considering applying more of a "real technological invention needed" criterion as compared with the US practice whereby a firm can apparently slap a patent on anything provided only that no-one has thought of doing that before. While US lawyers do seem to regard this as a joke, none the less the lack of proper investigation by the Patent Authorities means that it happens, with the result that it's simply not possible in the US for people without million-dollar funding to fight a patent and it's more in their interests to accept a costly but affordable licensing agreement with the "patent" holder. The program is not yet up for "Listen Again", but should be by tomorrow. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/ Best wishes tgo all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 [NB: New number!] Date: 22-Sep-04 Time: 13:17:57 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Security, what does one need in reality?
by Chris Green 21 Sep '04

21 Sep '04

Since we are soon to get an 'always on' broadband connection with a fixed IP address (it's not ADSL, it's wireless but that doesn't affect things really) I'm looking into what new things I will be able to do and the security thereof. I have already resurrected an old machine and have installed ipCop on it, that's fine and will block most external access. However I do want to allow *some* access, in particular I want:- ssh access to the ipcop box, this will allow some administration and will also allow access (via another ssh connection) to my Linux server machine on the GREEN side. Access to an IMAP server on the Linux server on the GREEN side by port mapping through the ipCop box. (I know a separate ORANGE subnet is really the way to go but that means yet another machine I have to administer etc. which I want to avoid) In the real world how vulnerable will these two be? Will I get incessant hacking at the open SSH port on the ipCop box trying to guess the password or will it just be the occasional port scan? Assuming the password is secure enough (i.e. unguessable enough and not published on the internet somewhere) will I be basically OK? I may be able to limit the SSH access in particular to only certain client IP addresses but I want the IMAP to be accessible from anywhere. The IMAP server will probably only have two or three accounts on it and I will have control over passwords (though not where they're kept maybe). Does anyone here have any experience of how vulnerable in reality such systems are? I'm not after Fort Knox, I just want things to be reasonably safe. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence."

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Graphical 'diff' with proper X cut and paste
by Chris Green 21 Sep '04

21 Sep '04

I'm looking for a graphical (GUI/X) diff command which allows proper X cut and paste. I've found xdiff (well, one of them, there are a couple) and mgdiff but neither allows one to select lines from the display and to paste them elsewhere. They both expect you're trying to merge the diff'ed files into an output file so the select actions only decide whether what you have selected goes into the output file or not. What I need to do is to be able to see differences between two files and paste them into a third file which is (probably) open in a different window. I can't find a diff utility which allows me to do this. Does anyone have any recommendations? It needs to be fairly 'generic unix' as I want it to run on a Solaris box. I'm quite happy to compile stuff but I'm not happy if the program needs lots of specialist libraries. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk)

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FIPS and Windows
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 21 Sep '04

21 Sep '04

Hi Folks (andapologies for cross-posting) I've always had a good experience with 'fips' when using it to back Windows into a suitably restricted space prior to installing Linux. However, on these occasions it has been effectively a virgin preinstalled Windows with which I have done little or nothing. I'm now wondering about using 'fips' to resize some Windows partitions amongst themselves, this being a Win installation which has been actively used for years, and has a lot of user files and extra installed software, so this situation is beyond my experience. The situation is possibly complicated by the fact that the Windows partitions are not all distinct primary partitions: some are "logical" partitions within an "extended" partition. (In effect the aim of the exercise is to increase the size of C: at the expense of "E:", "F:" and "G:" and to re-allocate space amongst the latter, in the presence of a partition "D:" which is on a different drive and would have comwe out as "G:" were it not for a re-assignment of drive letters under software control ... If anyone has experience of going down this road I'd value hearing about it! (Sorry, too, for being somewhat off-topic!) Best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 [NB: New number!] Date: 20-Sep-04 Time: 18:14:51 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Eye Candy
by Wayne Stallwood 21 Sep '04

21 Sep '04

Adam's last post got me thinking about the use of Eye Candy in software. What do the group think are good and bad examples of effects or eye candy. For example ( this is going to be a popular one I feel ) I absolutely hate the dog that appears when searching for a file in Windows XP (Spot I think it's called), it adds nothing to the search functionality and just wastes some screen estate. On the same OS I quite like the transparent mail notification that appears when Outlook 2003 receives a new mail (if you haven't seen it, it pops up above the system tray with a brief summary of the incoming mail over the active windows but transparent enough to still see the active window through it) It's pretty handy as it usually catches my eye and appears for long enough and with enough information for me to make a judgement as to whether it's a mail I need to deal with now or leave for later.

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[Fwd: Re: [ALUG] Eye Candy]
by Stechjo 20 Sep '04

20 Sep '04

>> I was going to say gvim, but "apt-cache search" digs up vim-gnome, >> vim-gtk. vim-lesstif, and vim-tcl instead. >> >> Hmmm .... > Welcome to the confusing world of vim! :D Nah, it's easy: # USE="-gnome gtk" emerge vim ;)

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 20 Sep '04

20 Sep '04

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Drawing program for plans, layouts, etc. wanted
by Chris Green 18 Sep '04

18 Sep '04

I've been looking for a simple program to draw plans and maybe flowcharts and other similar layout type things for ages (like years!). However I've never really found anything that fills the bill. Has anyone got any suggestions? I'm currently playing with Qcad which is OKish but it's not as intuitive as I would like for the basic operations of drawing rectangles and moving them around. If I can't find anything better I may persevere with Qcad but it's really both more and less than what I actually want. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence."

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