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New system (hardware) advice wanted
by cl＠isbd.net 07 Sep '06

07 Sep '06

As I've said elsewhere I'm thinking of buying a new system unit to run Linux (probably Slackware) and Win2k as a virtual machine. I think I'll probably go for a dual-core processor as they seem to have reduced to sensible prices now. What's the current thinking as to which is best value for money between the AMD Dual core processors and the Intel Core 2 Duo ones? Is there anything else fundamental that will affect the performance (well obviously there is!) that I may miss? I don't need anything super whizzy in the graphics department as I don't play any games, good 'business' graphics is all I need. So a big fast disk drive and lots of memory seem to be the other obvious requirements. Any/all suggestions welcome. -- Chris Green (chris(a)halon.org.uk)

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That KVM issue
by Jenny Hopkins 07 Sep '06

07 Sep '06

And whilst I'm on the subject of posting solved problems: I posted a while ago about a mouse problem with a set of eight debian boxes running from a Belkin KVM, and Wayne pointed me in the direction of the firmware of those particular KVM models. I set our hardwarey bloke on to the task and he was sent a few different firmware changes to make. He did this and reported the changes, none of which solved the problem, and finally Belkin requested we send the switch back to them for tests. They promised to send a reply-addressed box for this. Two weeks later, still no box, and since several weeks had gone by before that with these eight production-essential machines out of action, we had to shrug and order a known-to-work DLink KVM. This was a great shame, as the Belkin was an easier to use design in that you could select the channel required at the press of a button, whereas the DLink you have to tab round. Also because i was pretty pleased that Belkin were being so supportive and helpful and then disappointed they couldn't even post a box. So the solution was that we didn't solve it but bypassed the problem. Jenny

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Tesco Internet Phone?
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 07 Sep '06

07 Sep '06

Hi Folks, Anyone been using a Tesco Internet Phone with Linux? Any comments? Thanks, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 07-Sep-06 Time: 12:53:46 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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rsync problem
by Jenny Hopkins 07 Sep '06

07 Sep '06

Hullo there, A colleague of mine is having problems using rsync to the server I run that he accesses over an openvpn connection, since he made some changes at his end. I've asked him to type out the problem so I can ask on this list. He says: <startnick> While trying to rsync using openvpn and the Vonage supplied Linksys RT31P2 router, the file transfer stalls. This is true whether rsyncing via ssh, rsync server or nfs mounted volume. Using rsync without openvpn or without that router and all is well. No other app seems to have the same problem though I haven't tried many but ssh seems fine for example. Openvpn (v 1.6 I think) only uses udp packets AFAIK so shouldn't need GRE or any other sneaky protocol passthrough. The rsync stall seems to happen after the initial preamble of authorisation and making file lists. Some directories are created but no files are sent. Any clues most welcome. My problem is that I want the Vonage router to be close to the main feed so that its QoS can optimise its VoIP channel. Nick <endnick> Thanks, Jenny

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MS SBS 2003 replacement
by Wayne Stallwood 05 Sep '06

05 Sep '06

Has anyone looked at either of the following http://www.scalix.com/ http://www.open-xchange.com/ I am looking for an alternative to SBS to offer small businesses. The key points are point and click manageability for everyday tasks such as adding users, mail account administration etc, Simple deployment, and inter-operation with Outlook (preferably with most if not all features supported (public folders, calendar sharing etc etc.) As to the other SBS features, VPN's, File and Print sharing and some thing to replace sharepoint I already know how to do quite well in linux so the only missing link is a point and clicky administration interface (some of which is filled by webmin) but these are secondary requirements to the Exchange like functionality. Open-Xchange looks to be pretty suitable, however the GPL version is a complete pig to install unless you are running SuSE or Redhat enterprise products. Also it is pretty dependant on the paid version (with closed source additions) to get the desired functionality (too much dependence on closed source additions puts me in the same boat as SBS and if I include Redhat or SuSE server products, puts me in at the same or higher price point) However I would be interested to hear of any experience with these (or any other similar) products.

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DGS
by Bob Dove 04 Sep '06

04 Sep '06

Hi folks, I suppose you've all picked yourselves up of the floor after hearing the news that DGS (Dixons/Currys/PC World) are creating two thousand jobs in a new advisory service aimed at users of 'technology.' It doesn't matter where you bought your technology - you'll get straight talking expert advice DGS expect to earn billions from this venture - they haven't told us how but one has to presume a very expensive call centre. A story needed to bring mirth to a Monday morning! Ho Ho Ho! Perhaps some of the 2K new experts will advise them on how to explain a dual core processor! Cheers, Bob Dove.

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Brett Parker 04 Sep '06

04 Sep '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://xchat.org/windows/ - the UNIX client has a windows port! http://www.mirc.com/ (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

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I'm so glad ... [OT]
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 03 Sep '06

03 Sep '06

Hi Folks, Found on the Sunday Times "Doors"/"Don't Panic" web page this morning: The Sunday Times - Doors The Sunday Times September 03, 2006 Don't panic Nigel Powell answers your technology queries Q: I have an AVI file that I cannot delete. Help! Waleed El Tair, via e-mail A: Try creating a simple text file. Give it the same name as the file you want to delete, and copy it into the same directory. When Windows asks to overwrite, click yes, and delete. Alternatively, change your Windows Explorer view to icons and try again. If this fails, go to Start, Run and type in "cmd". Once the command prompt appears, type regsvr32/ u shmedia.dll, then delete the file. That's pure Kafka! I'm so glad I don't live in that world! Good morning! Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 03-Sep-06 Time: 08:38:33 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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A network conundrum
by Barry Samuels 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

Briefly this is the mystery: If I connect my laptop to my home network using an ethernet cable it can 'see' the printer but if I connect the laptop using wireless it cannot find the printer (neither can I ping it). Setup details: Computer A has two ethernet ports. Computer A connects to the router via an ethernet cable (eth0). Computer A also connects to the printer (eth1) - ethernet port and printer are on a subnet. Computer B also connects to the router. At first it could not find the printer until I set up a static route on the router which cured that problem. If the laptop is connected to the router via cable (eth0) it can find the printer but when connected via wireless to my wireless access point (which is connected to the same router) it cannot see the printer unless I add an appropriate line to the routing table on the laptop. Can anyone explain, to satisfy my curiosity, why this should happen? -- Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

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Seen on Jobserve...
by Keith Watson 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

...and might be of interest to list members... http://www.jobserve.com/W619E63A067AC6062.job Regards, Keith ____________ Can there be bliss when all that lives must suffer? Shalt thou be saved and hear the whole world cry? - HP Blavatsky

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