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C programming style question
by Chris Green 12 Aug '05

12 Aug '05

As a pleasant background task I'm re-programming astime (an X clock) to work more the way I want it to. It's currently written in ANSI C and shows evidence of different programmers having been involved at different times. Nothing wrong with that but it is a bit inconsistent in the way it does things. I'm trying to improve its style as well as making it do what I want, so, finally to my questions! It has *lots* of configuration parameters which specify things like colours of the hands, font to use for text, size of clock, etc. etc. There's something like 50 or so of them. In the existing code some are globals, some are members of a structure called 'state', there appears to be no good reason for this division. The problem is how to 'hand them around' between different parts of the code, if they're all globals it's easy to initialise them as well as create them in a file called, say, astime_config.c, this avoids the need to create them and *then* initialise them separately. However, apart from so many globals creating problems of its own, it then requires a 'extern' declaration for every value in a header file so that other source files can access the values. On the other hand if they're all in a structure (or maybe two or three structures) the structure can be declared in a header file and only a few 'extern' declarations are needed (one for each structure). However initialisation is then messy as it's of the form:- struct Fred fred = { <lots of numbers and strings> }; where it's difficult to document and keep tabs on all those constants. Is there a good way around this problem or have I just got to bite the bullet and decide on one or other of the above and go with it? C++ solutions are just as welcome but I can't see that helping really. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence."

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Eeeeep! I forgot to send this reminder! Tonight is Norwich ALUG Social night...
by Brett Parker 11 Aug '05

11 Aug '05

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi all, I've been busy, and I entirely forgot to send the reminder for the 2nd Thursday ALUG Social night... It's tonight! Thurs 11 Aug 2005, starting from ~ 8pm ish in the Reindeer on Dereham Road in Norwich. As is usual, I shall probably be there from ~ 7.30pm ish, I'll be wearing a blue shirt and jeans, probably sitting at the table just to the left or right of the door (depending on which is available when I get there), smoking (or at least the tin and lighter will be on the table), and there will be a pint glass full of something bitter tasting in front of me. (That should help anyone out that's looking for us that hasn't been before)... WARNING TO THOSE THAT HAVE MET ME BEFORE: I am less hairy again, the beard has gone, I am still me but you might not recognise me at first glance. Usual random topics will come up, beer, brewerys, cool projects, etc, etc. Directions to the Reindeer can be found at: http://www.alug.org.uk/venues/reindeer.html Someone remind me that I need to send a patch to mjr with some more dates etc, it appears that the last meeting listed on the meetings page was last month (ooops!). Pictures of some of the regulars, and irregulars, and, well, just some pictures of people that might or might not turn up are available from: http://www.earth.li/~noodles/Photos/2005-01-ALUG-Xmas/ Which is from the ALUG Christmas meal (which was very very good). There's some other pictures somewhere, but I can't for the life of me remember where at the moment. Hope to see lots of you there! - -- Brett Parker web: http://www.sommitrealweird.co.uk/ email: iDunno(a)sommitrealweird.co.uk -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.1 (GNU/Linux) iD8DBQFC+21PEh8oWxevnjQRAjJmAKCVy9HFRruzpRe5Y0j5XRRhZ1q6GgCgorUy 5leueataPVHDZgxezsBEv0g= =WrT2 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Monitoring router firewall logs, how to work out what's doing what?
by Chris Green 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

I have a Zyxel Prestige ADSL router which does my NAT and is also a firewall. I'm fairly happy that I have the firewall set up correctly, however I'd like to be able to interpret what I'm seeing in the router logs. For example over the past few minutes I see lines like the following and some of them I don't really understand what's talking to what. Aug 10 12:30:31 zyxel RAS: src="192.168.13.3:137" dst="192.168.13.255:137" msg="Firewall default policy: UDP (L to L/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" OK, this is a Win2k computer on my LAN talking to the ISDN router, I can understand this. (The ISDN router is there for historical reasons, it's not used at the moment) Aug 10 12:31:16 zyxel RAS: src="192.168.13.44" dst="224.0.0.251" msg="Firewall default policy: IGMP (L to L/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" This is from a networked HP 7310 printer but I don't understand the dst address, where does 224.0.0.251 come from? It has no relation to my 192.168.13.xx subnet. Aug 10 12:31:16 zyxel RAS: src="192.168.13.44" dst="224.0.1.60" msg="Firewall default policy: IGMP (L to L/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" This (again from the printer) always appears immediately after the other printer one. Another 224.0.x.x destination. Aug 10 12:33:34 zyxel RAS: src="61.55.188.229:3381" dst="84.51.144.229:1433" msg="Firewall default policy: TCP (W to W/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" Now this I don't follow, it's from the 'outside' to the Zyxel router (I have the static IP 84.51.144.229 from my ISP). Is this a probe of some sort? The port numbers seem rather odd. Should the router be telling me what it's doing with this, e.g. is it blocked/refused? Aug 10 12:34:26 zyxel RAS: src="82.76.43.200:1627" dst="84.51.144.229:1433" msg="Firewall default policy: TCP (W to W/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" Another similar one. Aug 10 12:34:54 zyxel RAS: src="192.168.13.1:32978" dst="200.23.51.205:123" msg="Firewall default policy: UDP (L to W)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" This is my Linux box talking to cronos.cenam.mx, by the sound of the name it's probably asking what the time is using NTP. Yes, that's it, 123 is the NTP protocol, so I'm happy with this one. Aug 10 12:34:59 zyxel RAS: src="218.94.232.240:2611" dst="84.51.144.229:1433" msg="Firewall default policy: TCP (W to W/PRESTIGE)" note="ACCESS FORWARD" devID="D9C103" cat="Access Control" Another one to port 1433, which turns out to be "#Microsoft-SQL-Server" what on earth does this suggest? -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence."

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USB
by Bob Dove 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

Hi folks, Further to my earlier message; If I take the memory card out of the camera and insert into USB card reader - the USB driver recognises it as a new drive and the data is accessible. Using the camera supplied USB cable, the camera software has to be installed or it is not recognised. Cheers, BD.

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Keeping time correct
by Chris Green 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

My Linux box runs all the time and, while the system clock is reasonably accurate, it does drift a bit. What utilities and time source do others here use to keep their clocks accurate? Do you just run netdate with a known good time source from your crontab or what? -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by incompetence."

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Ubuntu 5.04 CDs Going Spare
by Keith Watson 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

I have 10 copies of the pukka (Live+Install CDs in a card wallet) versions of Ubuntu 5.04 in my hot and sweaty hands. 5 are for the x86 architecture and 5 are for 64 bit (AMD64/EM64T) architectures. If anyone would like a copy of either (or both) sing out and we'll arrange getting one to you. Regards, Keith ____________ It's not what the eye sees, but that which makes the eye see. - The Upanishads

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RE: [ALUG] Ubuntu 5.04 CDs Going Spare
by Keith Watson 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

> From: Anthony Anson Sent: 08 August 2005 14:36 > > The message > <63F7A21F1CA18143AFDBF28E2A7D6BBA02309ED1(a)endor.kewill-europe.com> > from "Keith Watson" <keith.watson(a)kewill.com> contains these words: > > > I have 10 copies of the pukka (Live+Install CDs in a card wallet) > > versions of Ubuntu 5.04 in my hot and sweaty hands. > > Tell me - apart from the Live CD aspect, is there much to be > gained by having Ubantu and Debian? (And Knoppix, for that matter...) > Personally I think the Debian package management system is one of the best I've come across for unix based OS like GNU/Linux. The really nice thing is the way in which it sorts out any dependences (which means that you can request a nice little 25K package to be installed and find Debian telling you that it needs another 10M of dependant libraries for the software to run!, but then, probably best to know this up front). Similarly Ubuntu and Knoppix provide nice coherent configurations of applications in one simple package. I'm particularly impressed by Ubuntu and its hardware detection script at install time. I've switched to using it as my main distro. Mainly because it makes the whole install/upgrade task a complete no-brainer. > > 5 are for the x86 architecture and 5 are for 64 bit (AMD64/EM64T) > > architectures. > > Ah. Whoosh! What's the x86 architecture? And how would I know > if my AMD box is 64-bit? > Well the glib answer is "if you have to ask probably you haven't got 64 bit" but I suspect that there's a more technically correct answer. Anyone care to provide it? :o) > > If anyone would like a copy of either (or both) sing out and we'll > > arrange getting one to you. > > I'm holding my fire on that until I find whether it's > loadable, and if so, there's a really good reason for having it. > Have a play with the Live CD and see if you like to look and feel. Also have a look at the official Ubuntu web site (http://www.ubuntulinux.org) and the unofficial ubuntu starter guide (http://ubuntuguide.org) > -- > Tony http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ > > The only way to tell when a Finn is in love with you is that > they look at your feet instead of their own. Regards, Keith ____________ If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a hyacinth - Persian Proverb

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RE: [ALUG] [To Keith Watson] et al.
by Keith Watson 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

> From: Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk Sent: 08 August 2005 15:53 > > Hi Keith > > I seem to be experiencing assorted wierdness trying to email > to keith.watson(a)kewill.com, so unfortunately I'm reduced to > using the list to say: > > Thanks, Keith! > > Best wishes, > Ted. > De nada Ted :o) General note to list: our email servers here at work are in the midst of a major overhaul at present and will be doing very silly things for sometime to come. If you want to email me personally please use my 'kpwatson' account at 'ukfsn.org'. hithenkyew, Keith ____________ CHRISTIAN, n. - One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbour. - Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary

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[To Keith Watson]
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

Hi Keith I seem to be experiencing assorted wierdness trying to email to keith.watson(a)kewill.com, so unfortunately I'm reduced to using the list to say: Thanks, Keith! Best wishes, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 08-Aug-05 Time: 15:50:04 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Debian Sarge on Sparc64
by Stuart Bailey 08 Aug '05

08 Aug '05

I'v ejust installed Debian Sarge onto an old UltraSparc 10 (64bit), with 256M RAM and it seems to run quite nicely (although Gnome is a bit slow). However, there are a few quirks: The kernel is 2.4.27 - I was hoping for a 2.6 kernel. I don't really understand why 2.4 is only available. Because of this, some other daemons don't run (like hald), reporting that a 2.6 kernel is required. Also, I haven't managed to get the sound to work. Apart from that, i can recomment Debian on the Sparc 64. -- --------------------------------------- Stuart Bailey BSc (hons) CEng CITP MBCS LinuSoft (Proprietor) Linux Specialist (01953) 601294 (07778) 383739 http://www.linusoft.co.uk ---------------------------------------- ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please email postmaster(a)linusoft.co.uk immediately. You should not copy or use this email or attachments for any purpose nor disclose their contents to any other person. NO BINDING CONTRACT WILL RESULT FROM THIS E-MAIL UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT IS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF LinuSoft. LinuSoft cannot accept any responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. *************************************************************************

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