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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 17 Jun '02

17 Jun '02

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.openprojects.net in the #alug channel, you can take a look at www.openprojects.net to get more info on the openprojects network. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server uk.openprojects.net" or "/server eu.openprojects.net" 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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Re: [Alug] Xplanet (a bit off topic)
by Ricardo Campos 14 Jun '02

14 Jun '02

> > http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/ > > You might also like to try http:///www.heavens-above.com Many thanks to all... now if anyone knows how to turn the lattitude 52.628 to the 52.(direction).628 notation, please e-mail me off-list ;)... -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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So, what died?
by Richard George 13 Jun '02

13 Jun '02

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 My PC is currently a very sick penguin; I think that the HDD has died, but I also have my suspicions that it could be the IDE interface. Short of swapping drives (as I don't have a spare), can anyone hazard a guess as to how I work this out, or if it could be something else entirely? Errors include (from memory) {hdb: drive not ready error} Typing 'ls' returns a set of io errors, one naming each file in the directory. Typing 'clear' (or mount, etc) returns 'command not found' Shutting down gives me a console that repeats 'ext3 journal aborting' ad infinitum. Eventually I just powered it off. TIA for any help, Richard - -- http://www.fromtheshadows.com/ Fingerprint: 542C ADA9 47CE 7AA8 2274 PGP Key http://www.fromtheshadows.com/gpg 496A FC43 312C 3D94 2CC8 The less you know about something, the easier it is to hate and fear it. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org iD8DBQE9CGCM/EMxLD2ULMgRAvQOAJ0dz7Xtvn3b+VPSWB2Bt3s3dPOcvQCeJpj7 azvEsglkX1pzn6CP2228avE= =MR+A -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: [Alug] Debian security
by Ricardo Campos 13 Jun '02

13 Jun '02

> stable is *old*. It's missing pretty much every bug introduced > anywhere in about the last two years, a luxury that any more recent > distribution doesn't have. Like:- http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/25608.html ;-) > (Of course, it's also missing most features introduced in anything > during the last two years.) Which is why I run testing. stable would be fine for servers, but I like using my home computer to the best of it's abilities. > If you're not running stable - well, security.d.o doesn't have updates > for testing and unstable. Well, surely *someone's* scrutinising the security of the new packages? And Woody was set to be frozen in May... -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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Re: [Alug] retry: So what died?
by Ricardo Campos 13 Jun '02

13 Jun '02

> Shutting down gives me a console that repeats 'ext3 journal aborting' ad > infinitum. Eventually I just powered it off. I assume dmesg and /var/log/messages provide no clues? Can you turn off journalling? Perhaps you could try booting from a rescue floppy/CD and mount the drive and see if you get the errors still. *realises that someday it will probably happen to him* -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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retry: So what died?
by Richard George 13 Jun '02

13 Jun '02

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 If I can persuade pine to send this from the right account, this time... (and apologies to the moderator) My PC is currently a very sick penguin; I think that the HDD has died, but I also have my suspicions that it could be the IDE interface. Short of swapping drives (as I don't have a spare), can anyone hazard a guess as to how I work this out, or if it could be something else entirely? Errors include (from memory) {hdb: drive not ready error} Typing 'ls' returns a set of io errors, one naming each file in the directory. Typing 'clear' (or mount, etc) returns 'command not found' Shutting down gives me a console that repeats 'ext3 journal aborting' ad infinitum. Eventually I just powered it off. TIA for any help, Richard - -- http://www.fromtheshadows.com/ Fingerprint: 542C ADA9 47CE 7AA8 2274 PGP Key http://www.fromtheshadows.com/gpg 496A FC43 312C 3D94 2CC8 A friend is someone who knows how to distract a runaway brain - Millie -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org iD8DBQE9CGKJ/EMxLD2ULMgRAlcwAJ9MmM6+cdYIsgsKW3CEfkUniKypYACfSqEl 5s1MDt/dYUZLihEdWOQ7OgY= =28A5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Debian security
by Ricardo Campos 13 Jun '02

13 Jun '02

I just had a thought- I still get updates from Redhat about vulnerablilities on their system- often 2 or 3 a week. And I was wondering- how come I don't keep having updates for Debian? I have security.debian.org in my sources.list, but apt-get upgrades rarely downloads anything. Surely more vulnerabilities exist? Am I missing something? -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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RIP Act
by Ricardo Campos 12 Jun '02

12 Jun '02

Sorry about this, but this is an issue regarding all IT professionals, all users of encryption and in fact all people in our country. Please read the article and forward this message to anyone who might be interested. >http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/06/11/156240&mode=thread&tid=158 > This comment http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=34017&cid=3679592 has > the necessary links for you to do your bit... -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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Xearth prog
by Paul 12 Jun '02

12 Jun '02

Hi Folks Saw a neat world map running on a laptop that could plot user defined points and lines on it. Where can I get the source code for it ?? Regards, Paul.

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Tar - Argument list too long
by Ashley 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

I have a CD with a number of files on. I am trying to extract a list for files with a certain extension and then copy them to another location with the directory structure intact. To do this I choose tar and find: cd /mnt/cdrom tar -cf ~ash/test.tar `find . -name "*.dwg" -print` This would create a tarball, which I could copy, and expand into a new location. However, on running the command the following error is returned: "/bin/tar Argument list too long" There are probably around 4000 files on the CD with a .dwg extension. How can I get around this problem? Is there a better solution to what I am trying to achieve? -- Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D http://www.ashleyhowes.com "when all the animals of this world are gone, man will die of loneliness"

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re:lower spec linux
by tom potts 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

I've got a Suse 5.2 that I've succesfully loaded on 386 with 4 meg ram! I've also got a RH4.2 but havent tried that but I believe once you've installed that and set up a large enough swap you can then put 7.2 on as an upgrade If its looking at the outside world check it with Saint/Satan though (see other mail in 11/06 listing) Tom __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com

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mySQL Update problem....
by Simon 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

Hi everyone... I'm trying to update a few columns on one row using an sql statement, but I don't seem to have the correct syntax... I'm using :- $dbh->do("update <tablename> set <column1> = <new-value1> <column2> = <new-value2> where <column3> = <value3>"); This doesn't work... however if update only one column it does, so I figure I must be missing something. I've looked through the docs and can only find update examples with one column to be updated. Please help!!!!!! Simon

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Security and the Internet
by bsamuels＠beenthere-donethat.org.uk 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

(Running Debian 'Testing' with kernel 2.4.18) I chanced to read a copy of Linux Format magazine recently which had an article about security and appropriate software. That prompted me to install PortSentry. But not long after that it occurred to me that I am already running a firewall (iptables) and, in theory, nothing undesirable should be getting through (I did say 'in theory'). Under those circumstances PortSentry would seem to be surplus to requirements so I uninstalled it again. Is it overkill to run a firewall and PortSentry? The same article also mentioned Saint (previously Satan) so I had a go at that. It lists a number of potential weaknesses on my system, lpd for example, but doesn't say what the potential weaknesses might be or how to fix them. How can I find out more on this? This then prompted another train of thought. If inetd starts (and I assume stops) services such as Exim when an internet connection is established why do we need /etc/ppp/ip-up.d and ip-down.d to start and stop additional services. Why can't it all go in inetd (or Xinetd)? Although I have a dial-up connection at the moment I am looking to the future to when I may have ADSL (should BT ever get round to my area - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!) and a permanent connection. Best wishes Barry Samuels (My memory is so bad I suspect it was programmed by Microsoft)

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Sorry...
by John Woodard 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

Due to some poxy virus which has knocked me sideways I couldn't make today's meeting/installfest. Hope all went well and beat the Syleham score of just one sucessful install. -- cheers, BJ

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Re: [Alug] CGI perl script help needed.... sorted
by Simon 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

I read the O'Reilly book and misunderstood it... I consider myself duly enlightened and a happy bunny with a working script... Thanks, much appreciated.. Simon On Monday 10 Jun 2002 7:54 pm, Richard Kettlewell wrote: > Simon <simon(a)sparksy.org.uk> writes: > > I've been asked to do a cgi in perl that will create and delete user > > accounts.. > > > > So I've setuid a script, but can't get it to add users using a system > > call.. > > > > system("/usr/sbin/useradd", "-g 45 -s /bin/false -d > > /home/popusers/users/goresmail/<userid here>"); > > That's not how you use system() in Perl. > > system("useradd", "-g", "45", ...); > or system("useradd -g 45 ..."); > > "man perlfunc" has the details.

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iptables: modprobe failing
by Ricardo Campos 11 Jun '02

11 Jun '02

When I recompiled my kernel to 2.4.18, I added basically most of the Netfilter modules as, err.. modules. However; modprobe ip_tables /lib/modules/2.4.18/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o : init_module: Device or resource busy. lsmod doesn't show any ip_tables or similar modules loaded. I installed the iptables package (debian), but I get the same error. Any ideas? TIA Ricardo -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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Fw: lower spec linux
by Glen Tyler 10 Jun '02

10 Jun '02

Hi all, I'm looking to put Linux onto a couple of i486s with 16 and 12 MB RAM, and 420MB HDDs. I have got RH7.2 but that won't install on these machines. I'm looking for something older (maybe RH 6.0/6.2 ish), or some other distro that is suited to this type of machine. If anyone has any old discs around that they don't want I'd gladly refund postage etc... I have never used Debian, or Slackware although I'm told that they might be best for this purpose. Sorry can't make the install days, I don't live close enough by. many thanks Glen

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CGI perl script help needed....
by Simon 10 Jun '02

10 Jun '02

Hi Everyone... I've been asked to do a cgi in perl that will create and delete user accounts.. So I've setuid a script, but can't get it to add users using a system call.. system("/usr/sbin/useradd", "-g 45 -s /bin/false -d /home/popusers/users/goresmail/<userid here>"); The apache error log is saying there no such group 45, when there is.. The command works fine at the command line, I'm just stuck as to what I'm missing or doing wrong... TIA Simon

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Re: July meeting // was Re: [Alug] Install day 2k2 - first report
by Dryden 10 Jun '02

10 Jun '02

>2. Would fenland people like an informal local meeting in late June? I know >there are some other LUGgers out here (including some interesting ones I've >not seen for a few meetings) and I'm very aware that we still don't have >anywhere in Cambs or W.Norfolk, so I'd suggest just meeting up in a pub >(pref near a railway station) one evening or weekend day. Good/bad idea? >MJR Good idea id say but what town? on of the towns along the kings Lynn to london(kings cross?) line? What about eely(bad sqelling sorry)? You can even get a train from Norwitch or thetford i think. Dennis Dryden ********************************************************************** IMPORTANT: This email and its attachments are intended for the addressee only and may be confidential. If they have come to you in error you must take no action based on them nor must you copy or show them to anyone; please telephone us immediately. The contents of this email and attachments represent the views of the sender and are not necessarily the representative of the views of The College of West Anglia **********************************************************************

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Re: [Alug] Sorry...
by Ricardo Campos 10 Jun '02

10 Jun '02

>Well, actually... did we get a successful install? :-/ Well, if we disregard X, then we did have at least one... (Off to find out how to set up a Guillemot Hercules 3D Prophet Kyro2 series graphics card.... meant to be nvidia but doesn't work as one grrrr) Ricardo -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 10 Jun '02

10 Jun '02

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.openprojects.net in the #alug channel, you can take a look at www.openprojects.net to get more info on the openprojects network. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server uk.openprojects.net" or "/server eu.openprojects.net" 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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Today's meeting
by MJ Ray 09 Jun '02

09 Jun '02

I will be bringing: As much of the ALUG library as I have. New additions include the userfriendly.org comic book "The Root Of All Evil". Other people with library books, please bring them with you if you come. Some posters and stickers. A bundle of Mandrake CDs. 8.1 anniversary and 8.2 download. Couple of paper-thin mousemat things -- all must go! Four i386 binary sets of Debian 2.2... would love to get a 3.0 preview if anyone has one.

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Another spammer nuked
by Paul 09 Jun '02

09 Jun '02

Hi Folks Last weekend I received an email with the subject header of:- Need Leads - Sales? Here's A Solution From: "paul.corner" <paul.corner(a)tesco.net> Extremely annoyed when I saw the "From" field, I decided to try to track the b****d down that was forging my name. The trail left in the email header proved to be next to useless as was to be expected. A google search of the IP address the miscreant had included in the spam provided a little info - One link indicated that you would be forwarded on to another site where a vb script would infect your system and harvest the address book. Going to the IP address - http://32.97.166.75/usinet.chan44, I was indeed redirected somwhere. This was turning in to a tiresome trail as the initial java script did not produce any useable IP info.... Going back to the first IP address of 32.97.166.75, I quickly found it to be an AT&T server with a UK based service center provided by IBM. A short email to IBM pointing out that their services were being used in propogating viruses and in time the practise would damage their corporate reputation. Some small success can be reported - IBM has removed the full URL from their server - A slap in the face of the bastard that faked MY address. Regards, Paul. Another 25+ spams tonight to work my way through for a UK connection.

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Re: [Alug] X server: connection refused
by Ricardo Campos 08 Jun '02

08 Jun '02

> ("su -" didn't tho, still got the error). "su -" worked for me, but it would only launch it in the terminal. "su -m" allowed me to have xemacs. I guess I could have ssh'd in, and I don't have sudo installed. Still "su -m" solved the problem adequately enough. Thanks! Ricardo -- Get your free email from www.linuxmail.org Powered by Outblaze

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Apologies
by John Seago 08 Jun '02

08 Jun '02

Please accept my apologies for absence from tomorrows meeting, I shall be shooting a competition and thus unable to attend. -- John Seago

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