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Console switching stopped working - update (No replies anyway :-(
by bjsamuels＠beenthere-donethat.org.uk 13 May '04

13 May '04

Original message =============================================================================== I have just upgraded my Debian Sarge/Testing system which included a number of X related packages and console switching (Ctrl-Alt-Fn) has stopped working when running X. Even Ctrl-Alt-Backspace won't drop me back to the command line even though X was started using '/etc/init.d/kdm start' from the command line on console 1 which is what I have always done. It just restarts X/kdm. ============================================================================== I have traced this to the /etc/X11/xkb/rules files. Reverting to the old one has cured the problem. I have tried comparing both files but they appear to be so different as to make this impossible for me! Could someone, with appropriate knowledge, have a look at the new file and see if they can point to the bit that stops console switching from working? My XF86Config-4 keyboard section is: Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Generic Keyboard" Driver "keyboard" Option "CoreKeyboard" Option "XkbRules" "xfree86" Option "XkbModel" "pc105" Option "XkbLayout" "gb" Option "XkbVariant" "" EndSection Changing pc105 to pc104 doesn't make any difference. Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain /etc/X11/xkb/rules: =============================================================================== // $Xorg: xfree86,v 1.3 2000/08/17 19:54:42 cpqbld Exp $ // // Rules for resolving XKB components for use with XFree86 // Copyright 1996 by Joseph Moss // // 2002 Modifier: Ivan Pascal The XFree86 Project // $XFree86: xc/programs/xkbcomp/rules/xfree86,v 3.61 2003/02/20 04:36:09 dawes Exp $ // // Layouts that still need be composed by old rules ! $oldlayouts = az bs ca ca_enhanced de_CH fr_CH hu hu_qwerty lt_std mn vn // If you want non-latin layouts implicitly include the en_US layout // uncomment lines below //! $nonlatin = am ar ben bg by dev el ge_la ge_ru guj gur il il_phonetic\ // ir iu kan lo mk mm ml ori ru sr syr syr_phonetic tel th\ // tj tml ua ! $pcmodels = pc101 pc102 pc104 pc105 ! $mac = macintosh macintosh_old ! model = keycodes macintosh_old = macintosh powerpcps2 = powerpcps2 pc98 = xfree98(pc98) abnt2 = xfree86(abnt2) * = xfree86 ! $azerty = be fr fr-latin9 ! $qwertz = al cz de hr pl2 si sk ! layout[1] = keycodes $azerty = +aliases(azerty) $qwertz = +aliases(qwertz) * = +aliases(qwerty) ! layout = keycodes $azerty = +aliases(azerty) $qwertz = +aliases(qwertz) * = +aliases(qwerty) ! model = geometry microsoft = microsoft(natural) microsoftpro = microsoft(natural) microsoftprose = microsoft(natural) dell101 = dell(dell101) flexpro = keytronic(FlexPro) omnikey101 = northgate(omnikey101) $pcmodels = pc(%m) jp106 = pc(jp106) everex = everex(STEPnote) winbook = winbook(XP5) pc98 = nec(pc98) abnt2 = pc macintosh = macintosh(macintosh) macintosh_old = macintosh(macintosh) * = pc(pc104) ! model variant layout = symbols macintosh nodeadkeys * = macintosh/us(extended)+macintosh/%l%(v) $pcmodels nodeadkeys $oldlayouts = en_US(%m%_v)+%l%(v) * nodeadkeys $oldlayouts = en_US(pc105%_v)+%l%(v) ! model layout = symbols pc98 nec/jp = nec/jp(pc98) abnt2 br = us(pc101)+br $pcmodels us_intl = us(%m)+us_intl $mac us = macintosh/us(extended) $mac en_US = macintosh/us(extended) $mac * = macintosh/us(extended)+macintosh/%l%(v) $pcmodels intl = us(%mcompose) * intl = us(pc104compose) * jp = jp $pcmodels $oldlayouts = en_US(%m)+%l%(v) $pcmodels $nonlatin = pc/pc(%m)+pc/us+pc/%l%(v):2 $pcmodels * = pc/pc(%m)+pc/%l%(v) * $oldlayouts = en_US(pc105)+%l%(v) * $nonlatin = pc/pc(pc105)+pc/us+pc/%l%(v):2 * * = pc/pc(pc105)+pc/%l%(v) ! model layout[1] = symbols $pcmodels * = pc/pc(%m)+pc/%l[1]%(v[1]) * * = pc/pc(pc105)+pc/%l[1]%(v[1]) ! layout[2] = symbols * = +pc/%l[2]%(v[2]):2 ! layout[3] = symbols * = +pc/%l[3]%(v[3]):3 ! layout[4] = symbols * = +pc/%l[4]%(v[4]):4 ! $inetkbds = airkey acpi scorpius \ brother \ btc5113rf btc5126t btc9000 btc9000a \ cherryblue cherrybluea \ chicony chicony9885 \ compaqeak8 compaqik7 compaqik13 compaqik18 armada presario ipaq \ dell inspiron \ dexxa diamond genius \ ennyah_dkb1008 \ hpi6 hp2501 hp2505 hp5181 hpxe3gc hpxe3gf hpxe4xxx hpzt11xx \ hp500fa hp5xx \ honeywell_euroboard \ rapidaccess rapidaccess2 rapidaccess2a \ ltcd logicdit logicdp logicdpa logicdpa2 logicdo logicfn \ logicdn logidak logiik itouch logiitc logiik logiink itouchin \ mx1998 mx2500 mx2750 \ microsoftinet microsoftpro microsoftprose microsoftoffice \ oretec \ propeller \ qtronix \ samsung4500 samsung4510 \ sk1300 sk2500 sk6200 sk7100 \ sven symplon toshiba_s3000 trust trustda yahoo ! model = symbols $inetkbds = +inet(%m) ! model layout = compat pc98 nec/jp = pc98(basic) * * = complete ! model layout[1] = compat * * = complete ! model = types * = complete ! option = symbols grp:switch = +group(switch) grp:lswitch = +group(lswitch) grp:win_switch = +group(win_switch) grp:lwin_switch = +group(lwin_switch) grp:rwin_switch = +group(rwin_switch) grp:toggle = +group(toggle) grp:shift_toggle = +group(shift_toggle) grp:ctrls_toggle = +group(ctrls_toggle) grp:alts_toggle = +group(alts_toggle) grp:ctrl_shift_toggle = +group(ctrl_shift_toggle) grp:caps_toggle = +group(caps_toggle) grp:ctrl_alt_toggle = +group(ctrl_alt_toggle) grp:alt_shift_toggle = +group(alt_shift_toggle) grp:menu_toggle = +group(menu_toggle) grp:lwin_toggle = +group(lwin_toggle) grp:rwin_toggle = +group(rwin_toggle) grp:sclk_toggle = +group(sclk_toggle) grp:lshift_toggle = +group(lshift_toggle) grp:rshift_toggle = +group(rshift_toggle) grp:lctrl_toggle = +group(lctrl_toggle) grp:rctrl_toggle = +group(rctrl_toggle) grp:lalt_toggle = +group(lalt_toggle) lv3:switch = +level3(switch) lv3:menu_switch = +level3(menu_switch) lv3:win_switch = +level3(win_switch) lv3:lwin_switch = +level3(lwin_switch) lv3:rwin_switch = +level3(rwin_switch) ctrl:nocaps = +ctrl(nocaps) ctrl:swapcaps = +ctrl(swapcaps) ctrl:ctrl_ac = +ctrl(ctrl_ac) ctrl:ctrl_aa = +ctrl(ctrl_aa) altwin:menu = +altwin(menu) altwin:meta_alt = +altwin(meta_alt) altwin:meta_win = +altwin(meta_win) altwin:left_meta_win = +altwin(left_meta_win) altwin:super_win = +altwin(super_win) altwin:hyper_win = +altwin(hyper_win) compose:ralt = +compose(ralt) compose:rwin = +compose(rwin) compose:menu = +compose(menu) ! option = compat grp_led:num = +leds(num) grp_led:caps = +leds(caps) grp_led:scroll = +leds(scroll) ! option = types caps:internal = +caps(internal) caps:internal_nocancel = +caps(internal_nocancel) caps:shift = +caps(shift) caps:shift_nocancel = +caps(shift_nocancel)

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[Alug Announce]AFFSAC schedule published
by MJ Ray 13 May '04

13 May '04

ALUG Announce Please send announcements to Announce(a)lists.alug.org.uk Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce ----- Thanks to Kevin Donnelly, the programme for the conference is now available on http://www.affs.org.uk/affsac.html as far as possible. If you register before noon on Friday, it helps us to make sure that there is enough lunch for everyone (TANSTAAFL). You need to be an AFFS member or apply to join on the day. -- MJR/slef My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know. http://mjr.towers.org.uk/ http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ for creative copyleft computing ----- 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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Dumpster Diving for hardware
by Ricky Bruce 13 May '04

13 May '04

One of my favorite pastimes when i was living in the US was stopping at piles of junk by the side of the road and picking up other peoples cast off equipment for free. Many a systems has been picked up dusted off, given a new life by tux and sold on at a profit. Since i moved backto the Yarmouth though the pickings have been decidely slim. Anyone know anywhere in the region where equipment is reguarly dumped? Any stories of great finds? Let us know Rick _________________________________________________________________ It's fast, it's easy and it's free. Get MSN Messenger today! http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger

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Pissup In A Brewery
by Daniel Silverstone 12 May '04

12 May '04

Hi, At the end of last year I organised a Pissup in the Milton Brewery. Popular as it was, I have agreed to organise one for the summer. We have a booking for the 18th June of this year, If you're interested, mail me. http://wiki.digital-scurf.org/PissupInABrewery If you add yourself, mail me too. D. -- Daniel Silverstone http://www.digital-scurf.org/ PGP mail accepted and encouraged. Key Id: 2BC8 4016 2068 7895

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Console switching stopped working
by bjsamuels＠beenthere-donethat.org.uk 12 May '04

12 May '04

I have just upgraded my Debian Sarge/Testing system which included a number of X related packages and console switching (Ctrl-Alt-Fn) has stopped working. Even Ctrl-Alt-Backspace won't drop me back to the command line even though X was started using '/etc/init.d/kdm start' from the command line on console 1 which is what I have always done. It just restarts X/kdm. My /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file has not been changed (Does not have today's date) and neither have any of the files in /etc/X11/xkb also all old dates. Any ideas please? Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

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Benchmarking Filesystems
by Craig 12 May '04

12 May '04

Spotted this via slashdot.org: http://linuxgazette.net/102/piszcz.html Thought I give this a mention. C

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Re: [ALUG] linuxvar4
by Steve Purkiss 11 May '04

11 May '04

If you are a Linux Value Added Reseller then you can sign up, yes. This is no demo. Is it that hard? You could always use the feedback form on the site to suggest improvements for the next version - it's all open source so we can improve it as it grows. Steve On Tue, 2004-05-11 at 11:35, Stan Fraser wrote: > OOOOOPPS! I thought cos because there was a form on the page to register > thats what I had to do, obviously I overlooked the the bit that said "demo > only not functioning yet" > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Steve Purkiss" <steve(a)open4.org> > To: "Stan Fraser" <stan(a)tyronet.co.uk>; "ALUG" <main(a)lists.alug.org.uk> > Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 11:20 AM > Subject: Re: [ALUG] linuxvar4 > > > > What's the problem Stan? > > > > Registrations aren't automatically authorised, they will be going live > > soon. > > > > Michael Breeze michealb(a)interactiveideas.com is doing them... > > > > Steve > > > > On Tue, 2004-05-11 at 11:13, Stan Fraser wrote: > > > Has anyone else had problems registering on this site? > > > Regards > > > Stan > > > > > > On Sunday 09 May 2004 22:20, Steve Purkiss wrote: > > > > Just launched a site which I thought you might like to know about: > > > > > > > > www.LinuxVAR.co.uk - a high-level introduction to Linux and Open > Source > > > > Software for the inquisitive UK SME. > > > > > > Good luck with this Steve, I will be checking it out shortly > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > main(a)lists.alug.org.uk > > > http://www.alug.org.uk/ > > > http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/main > > > Unsubscribe? See message headers or the web site above! > > -- > > Steve Purkiss > > > > Open for Organisations > > supporting open source software > > www.open4.org > > > > > > -- Steve Purkiss Open for Organisations supporting open source software www.open4.org

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Re: [ALUG] linuxvar4
by Steve Purkiss 11 May '04

11 May '04

On Tue, 2004-05-11 at 11:27, Laurie Brown wrote: > Steve Purkiss wrote: > > > What's the problem Stan? > > > > Registrations aren't automatically authorised, they will be going live > > soon. > > > > Michael Breeze michealb(a)interactiveideas.com is doing them... > > You might want to try spelling that email address properly! > > Cheers, Laurie. You're right - ta. I think I've typed so much text lately it's all a blur now ;) -- Steve Purkiss Open for Organisations supporting open source software www.open4.org

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linuxvar4
by Stan Fraser 11 May '04

11 May '04

Has anyone else had problems registering on this site? Regards Stan On Sunday 09 May 2004 22:20, Steve Purkiss wrote: > Just launched a site which I thought you might like to know about: > > www.LinuxVAR.co.uk - a high-level introduction to Linux and Open Source > Software for the inquisitive UK SME. Good luck with this Steve, I will be checking it out shortly

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Aiptek Camera
by Leon Stedman 11 May '04

11 May '04

Some time ago I purchased an Aiptek "Pocket DVII 1.3 Mega digital camera. I would like to get this working under Linux. On connecting the camera to the USB port the following is logged: kernel: hub.c: new USB device 00:11.2-1, assigned address 6 /sbin/hotplug: arguments (usb) env (DEVFS=/proc/bus/usb OLDPWD=/ \ PATH=/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin ACTION=add PWD=/etc/hotplug \ SHLVL=1 HOME=/ DEVICE=/proc/bus/usb/001/006 INTERFACE=8/6/80 \ PRODUCT=8ca/105/100 TYPE=0/0/0 DEBUG=yes _=/bin/env) /sbin/hotplug: invoke /etc/hotplug/usb.agent () /etc/hotplug/usb.agent: Setup usb-storage for USB product 8ca/105/100 When I attempt to access the camera under gphoto: kernel: usb-uhci.c: interrupt, status 3, frame# 1901 kernel: SCSI device (ioctl) reports ILLEGAL REQUEST. kernel: SCSI device sda: 12288 512-byte hdwr sectors (6 MB) kernel: sda: test WP failed, assume Write Enabled kernel: sda: I/O error: dev 08:00, sector 0 kernel: I/O error: dev 08:00, sector 0 kernel: unable to read partition table is logged. I have also attempted to "mount" the camera using every file system I can think of without being able to read it. Any suggestions anyone? I must be doing something wrong! Leon Stedman

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New LinuxVAR website
by Steve Purkiss 10 May '04

10 May '04

Just launched a site which I thought you might like to know about: www.LinuxVAR.co.uk - a high-level introduction to Linux and Open Source Software for the inquisitive UK SME. The plan: Launch to the trade tomorrow (Mon 10th May) In IT trade press week after {work on www.open4.org shop - yes, I will be selling Mandrake, RedHat, SUSE, and sites based on XOOPS and OSCommerce, but need to pay the bills somehow - open4 membership is free} Launched to 'public' If you are a LinuxVAR, then sign up now and you will go far... The site is sponsored by Interactive Ideas, largest distributor of Linux in the UK, plus RedHat and SUSE. IMHO this is another great leap forward in the visibility of Linux and Open Source in the UK SME market and excited to be a part of the project. If you locate any teething problems please use the feedback form on the site. I will hopefully be needing lots of help answering questions on the www.open4.org forums where visitors are lead to for further info, so register on the site and make sure you set the notifications for the forums you want to be kept up-to-date with. Users will also be able to locate their nearest LinuxVAR or search by description, so make sure you get some good keywords in there. The vision is to help raise awareness and knowledge of Free/Open Source Software in UK SMEs. ***It is not a techie discussion forum"*** Please take your time to visit www.LinuxVAR.co.uk Thanks -- Steve Purkiss Open for Organisations supporting open source software www.open4.org

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dail-up problems after Installing new kernel
by Nick Daniels 10 May '04

10 May '04

Hi Many thanks for advice on downloading large files, I did reply but it appears to have been lost. I downloaded and installed Kernel 2.6.5 for Suse 9.0, my first attempt at this. all seemed OK except I could not connect to the internet without disabling the firewall. I checked and installed kernel again ppp was definitely enabled. I have repeated process in mandrake 9.2 with same results so it definitely me , any advice would be appreciated. Regards Nick Daniels

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 10 May '04

10 May '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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The whole meeting thing.
by Robert Frusher 09 May '04

09 May '04

I am not sure whether doing all the meeting negotiations in the mail list works very well. Maybe a location field a user profile, and then some sort of web based meeting setup tool might help? I read the mail list postings and find it hard to keep up... ps I spoke to people on the IRC channel, cheers guys, I got my Palm Tungsten E to sync with Evolution using multisync as was sugested. It works very well, now Evolution has all what my palm has on it. Does anyone know if it is possible to program Evolutions calendar like Outlook. I have a small VB script which generates appointments which I would like to do in Evolution.

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mail problems.
by Syd Hancock 09 May '04

09 May '04

Apologies for the 'test' email but for some reason none of the messages that I've sent to the list this morning about the next meeting have appeared and it is a big problem. Other messages *have* appeared, sent both before and after the missing messages, e.g. the report on yesterday's meeting and the test message. I have tried sending posts with and without urls. I have tried changing the smpt server (i.e. the authenticated server from the host for toufol.com amd the mail server for my ISP) and although both work normally for other messages, they do not for the posts in question. Very odd. When I queried this before it was suggested that it may be an ISP problem but I would have thought that using different smtp servers from different ISP/hosting companies would be a check on this? Can anyone suggest anything here? What could cause some emails to completely disappear when other messages to the same address and from the same account do arrive? It is very frustrating to waste so much time just sending out a simple announcement! There were no problems until a month ago when I was trying to announce the April meeting and there seem to be no problems with any other messages - apart from one that was lost on friday which was presumably due to the dns situation for part of the day. Now to see if this one gets through. Syd

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Reminder: evening meeting in Norwich this thursday
by Syd Hancock 09 May '04

09 May '04

The next 'second thursday' evening meeting in Norwich will be held this Thursday, the 13th of May at the City Gate, Derham Road, from about 8pm. Full details are on the ALUG website. The Norwich meetings and venues pages have been updated recently Venue and meeting details: http://www.alug.org.uk/meetings/2004/all-NorThu.html Venue: full address, photo, link to map etc here: http://www.norwichpubs.info/norwichpubs/pubpages/citygate.htm Syd

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RE: [Alug Announce]Norwich evening meeting: 13th May 2004
by Elisabeth Fosbrooke-Brown 09 May '04

09 May '04

>===== Original Message From main(a)lists.alug.org.uk ===== > >The monthly Norwich 'second thursday' evening social meet will take >place this week [snip] > There may or may not be a penguin on the table :-) I demand a penguin this time! sfr

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Re: [ALUG] Re: Finesko & Firkin Pub
by Jonathan McDowell 08 May '04

08 May '04

On Sun, Jan 18, 2004 at 02:51:44PM +0000, Chris Walker wrote: > On Sun 18 Jan, Bryce Martin wrote: [snip] > > Just a thought. We left the Firkin pub pretty quickly and went > > across the road to the City Gate Weatherspoon pub. > > It no longer belongs to Wetherspoons as it was sold in early December > 2003. > > > It has the right atmosphere for a meeting in my opinion. The seating > > and lighting are very good and tables can be brought together. There > > is no music but the place has a lively congenial atmosphere. As an > > added bonus you can get a curry if you're hungry. > > I'm not sure what the policy of the new owners (London & Edinburgh > Inns) is towards food and so that too may change. > > Take a look at http://www.norwichpubs.info/norwichpubs/centpubf.htm > for info on the 'Finnesko & Firkin' and you will see that too is > scheduled to close soon for refurbishment. It's been bought by a local > brewery, famous for their Black Dog Mild and so hopefully it will > improve the atmosphere. Sadly it's unlikely to include using the > brewing equipment. FWIW it's now the Reindeer again and I was there for a couple of drinks with some friends this evening. Seem pleasant enough. Music level was low, it wasn't busy (possibly as it's only just opened) and there were 7 of us there and I think double that could have fitted, which doesn't seem any less than we normally have at the Thursday meets. Atmosphere seemed better than the City Gate has been recently, especially allowing for the fact it wasn't that busy. Might be worth a try again at some point (but not this month, as I won't be around for the Thursday meet). June 18th perhaps? J. -- noodles is known for its

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installed udev, lost my swap space!
by Dennis Dryden 07 May '04

07 May '04

Ok maybe i shouldn't of installed udev(cant remember why i did) but since i installed it on my Debian unstable box ive lost my /dev/cdrom and /dev/dvd links. I also don't seem to have any swap space anymore (explains why quake3 has been locking up my box on map loading). I've done a few quick searches and can't seem to find any udev howto's, can anyone point me in the right direction? Is adding two lines to /etc/udev/links.conf the best way of setting up /dev/cdrom and /dev/dvd device nodes? Dennis

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More Speed Please
by Stan Fraser 07 May '04

07 May '04

Have put together a computer MB Aopen AX6LC, PII 300, 96mb Ram, ATI Radeon 8500 Graphics Card, SuSE 9.0 and it seems to run as if its in mega slow mode. Can't run any arcade type games as its so slow, any hints on how to speed it up a bit. Also how do you disable the system sounds when a dialog etc opens. Regards Stan ------ This mail box is protected by SpamWeed. http://www.spamweed.com

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More Speed
by Stan Fraser 07 May '04

07 May '04

Thanks for all the help. It was just an experiment so may relegate it to windows 3.1 or try using it as a firewall with "smoothwall" or as a doorstop. ------ This mail box is protected by SpamWeed. http://www.spamweed.com

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New news and a Tux too!
by Steve Purkiss 07 May '04

07 May '04

Hiya, There's new news and a Tux too on www.open4.org so be sure to visit soon. The site is as everything in this industry, entirely what you decide to make of it. I sell sites based on XOOPS and OSCommerce with hosting and support, plus some official distros and some not-so-official steve compilations... The 'other' site is launching next week which will be providing coach loads of tourists, so feel free to come have a look around and I will be providing more in the way of 'furniture' over the next few years. Anyone see value in a member homepage editor? Would provide a "shopfront" for anyone FOC. Thanks -- Steve Purkiss Open for Organisations supporting open source software www.open4.org

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Webcam help
by Wayne Stallwood 06 May '04

06 May '04

I have found my 3Com Home Connect camera under a pile of other rubbish. When I plug it in all looks good, I get..... May 6 20:17:41 linux kernel: hub.c: new USB device 00:07.3-2, assigned address 2 May 6 20:17:41 linux kernel: usb.c: USB device 2 (vend/prod 0x4c1/0x9d) is not claimed by any active driver. May 6 20:17:45 linux kernel: usb.c: registered new driver vicam May 6 20:17:45 linux kernel: ViCam based webcam connected May 6 20:17:45 linux kernel: ViCam webcam driver now controlling video device 0 May 6 20:17:45 linux insmod: Using /lib/modules/2.4.21-215-athlon/kernel/ drivers/usb/usbvideo.o May 6 20:17:45 linux insmod: Symbol version prefix '' May 6 20:17:45 linux insmod: Using /lib/modules/2.4.21-215-athlon/kernel/ drivers/usb/vicam.o So far so good, now if I cat /dev/video0 the little led on the front of the camera lights up and loads of data'ish garbage appears in the console window. Here is where it starts to go wrong The application I want to use the camera with (gnomemeeting) starting that gives me a "Error while setting the frame size." message when I select /dev/ video0 as the video device. So now I want to hook up some sort of viewer to see if there is actually a picture comming out of the camera. So I tried xawtv and that just gives me a blue screen (not of death), I figured that it needs v4l to function. So I ran v4l-conf v4l-conf: using X11 display :0.0 dga: version 2.0 mode: 1280x1024, depth=24, bpp=32, bpl=5120, base=0xd0000000 /dev/video0 [v4l2]: ioctl VIDIOC_QUERYCAP: Invalid argument /dev/video0 [v4l]: no overlay support Here is where I start getting lost. Is there some step to process the stream from the camera I am missing, I thought that was the job of the Vicam driver. How do I set up v4l if it is incorrectly configured ? and do I need v4l to use the camera in gnomemeeting or does it access it directly....Or is there a better way to control/view the camera.

1 1

sshd and PAM
by Tim Green 06 May '04

06 May '04

I appear to be suffering the riddle of sshd and PAM on one of my Debian Stable boxes. Both boxes have ssh_1%3a3.4p1-1.woody.3 (i386) installed, but only one of them has the stuff in /etc/ssh/sshd_conf about "UsePrivilegeSeparation" (yes), it has decided today to nolonger allow ssh connections with interactive keyboard password entry. Also in sshd_conf the "PAMAuthenticationViaKbdInt" is set to "off" to be compatible with the privilage separation. If I invert these two settings I still can't loggin after it asks about 6 different ways. The maddening thing is even "ssh 127.0.0.1" doesn't work on the bad box - returns "Permission denied, please try again." What should I change to restore normal connectivity? Ta. Tim.

2 2

Suse kernel updates
by Wayne Stallwood 05 May '04

05 May '04

Is it me or does SuSE seem to release lots and lots of Kernel updates to 2.4.21 YOU is inviting me to download 2.4.21-215 to replace the -202 that I updated to only about a month ago, this one apparently fixes "Various security related bugs have been fixed inside the Linux kernel which could allow local attackers to either elevate their privileges or to cause a DoS attack. The fixes consist of - a fix for the memleak in do_fork() - a fix for the MCAST/setsockopt() buffer overflow (CAN-2004-0424) - a fix for the permission problem on /proc/scsi/qla2300/HbaApiNode - a fix for the buffer overflow in panic() (CAN-2004-0394)" I am sure I am getting offered at least one kernel update a month (it certainly feels like that sort of frequency) I cannot remember applying any kernel updates to my previous installation of SuSE 8.0, is it that SuSE are just very good at offering updates to relatively minor flaws or is it that 2.4.21 is ridden with security flaws. I wouldn't mind too much but currently my kernel is a little tainted by both the Nvidia drivers and VMware modules, both of which I assume may need to be compiled against the new kernel, also it just ruins my uptime score :o) What do other users who are less fortunate and on 56k dial up do, persevere the lengthy download or simply ignore most of which seem to be local vulnerabilities ? Do other distros have such an aggressive kernel update schedule ?

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