Xorg woes yet again :-(
by Kevanf1
Once again I have messed up a distro. Why? Because I simply wanted
to view my screen without getting a headache. Is it too much to ask?
Ok, this is what I did. Having set up Kubuntu 7.10 over the weekend I
have it running nearly perfectly. All apart from the resolutions
being pants. 60hz (I forget what actual setting that is on) is the
best I could get yet I now the monitor and the graphics card supports
much higher. I normally have the refresh rate set at around 72hz.
So, I delved into the xorg.conf file. I moved one setting to the
front of all the rest (this has been suggested as fix for when the
refresh rate is too low). This setting was something like 1024x
whatever @72 . I then tried restarting X and hey presto it won't :-(
I am getting tired of this with the buntu's they can never seem to
get things right in this respect. My monitor and graphics card are
there in the list so why does it not work correctly? SuSE gets it
right and when 10.3 has settled down I may just install that and be
done with it.
In the meantime, apart from this annoyance I quite like the way
Kubuntu is. So I persevere.
Now, what I would like to know is.... can anybody remember the way to
reconfigure X from the command line for a Debian based distro? I've
totally forgotten :-(
--
==============================================
Kevan Farmer
Linux user #373362
Staffordshire
18 years, 10 months
Re: [Staffslug] Minutes from Keele meeting
by Kris Douglas
On 23/10/2007, Dave@Staffslug <Dave(a)staffslug.org.uk> wrote:
>
> Kris,
>
>
>
> Thank you for the excellent minutes!
>
"On 23/10/2007, Peter Brooks <peter(a)theneb.co.uk> wrote:How have we such
detailed minutes?
Do you have such a superb memory or a sound recorder?
Oh and if you didn't notice I was extremely tired that meeting, by the
end of that night I'd been up 36 hours because of the Student Radio
Station going live that day."
No worries. I was keeping topic headings in notepad, then recalled it from
my superbly powerful memory banks :) ... Well, not really. I do it as a job
for the Young Enterprise thing at my school... I tried last time but failed
and ended up making some rubbish notes.
--
Kris Douglas
Softdel Limited Hosting Services
Web: www.softdel.net
Mail: kris(a)softdel.net
18 years, 10 months
Minutes from Keele meeting
by Kris Douglas
This meeting was kindly hosted by Peter Brooks at the Keele University. Four
people were present: Kris Douglas (webbox.uk(a)gmail.com), Stuart Bell (
sailing1(a)gmail.com), Peter Brooks (peter(a)theneb.co.uk), Peter "Dick Turpin"
Cannon (dick_turpin(a)archlinux.us).
The first thing we discussed was Compiz Fusion running on Arch Linux. It
seemed that the battery life wasn't affected too much, considering Peter C's
laptop was second hand. He said he could get at least two hours out of it.
The battery life on Linux still isn't up to the spec of Windows, but that is
because of the lack of companies releasing open source drivers, meaning its
harder to get full efficiency from hardware. On the long run, Linux is more
efficient than windows when it's used on fully compatible hardware.
We then went on to talk about how different revisions of Toshiba laptops
have many different features. Stuart was moaning that his Toshiba didn't
have the pointer, just a trackpad. Peter B then went on to say how Toshiba
made some of the best laptops. We all agreed that Tosh hardware runs Linux
well.
Next we were discussing about the good and bad of compiling software on
Linux, and how a required dependency 20 minutes into a compile causes a
total failure and the requirement to search for it.
We also discussed the best and worst features of package management systems
for Linux. Peter B explained how he liked Portage so much, as it had many
tools for blacklisting things you do not want to install. But Peter C went
on to say how he liked PacMan as it made installing software easy, and had
an easy to remember name.
Next we talked about how BSD wasn't really succeeding. Peter B mentioned how
BSD was caught stealing GPL'd code and using it under the BSD license.
Stuart said that he read about the OS, but didn't use it.
With the release of KDE4, the latest and greatest version of KDE's Desktop
Environment, we discussed how it isn't as good as the current KDE, and how
it would be worth trying. Nobody in the room wanted to install KDE, but we
did theorise about it.
We went on to say that Linux runs on most hardware, with very little or no
tweaking required. Stuart commented on the fact that there is probably a
distro for the Commodore 64. (Sadly, after looking up, there were no
distributions good enough to run on the C64's powerful hardware.)
Internet installation is available on many distros, Peter C said how much he
liked the fact you can do this, rather than downloading a full CD or DVD you
can just download an 18meg CD and get what you need for your OS from the
Repo. Everyone agreed that this was a very good way of installing Linux, BUT
only if you had broadband, this process would be a nightmare on dialup, in
which case you would order a CD. (These disks can be purchased by the tried
and tested store, www.linuxiso.co.uk)
Irssi is a terminal based IRC client for UNIX systems. It also supports SILC
and ICB protocols via plugins. The Peters talked about how useful and easy
to use it was. I havn't used it, but I definitely intend to check it out,
www.irssi.org.
We quickly mentioned Google Drive, which is basically a cross platform tool
for actually mounting your Google Mail account and using it as a hard drive.
It is an incredible tool and we all recommend you have a look.
http://www.viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm is the windows version.
http://richard.jones.name/google-hacks/gmail-filesystem/gmail-filesystem....
the Linux version.
Shrinking windows installations has become a reality, you can ditch all the
bloat, and just install what you need. Stuart mentioned how he really likes
the process, although it is easy to make mistakes on.
Are DAT tapes running out of time in the backup world? We talked about how
we can backup information onto anything. Rsync was mentioned by most of us,
and was said to be the best thing to use, especially as it is preinstalled
on Linux systems.
IRC channels are still here, but are some of them full of people that need
to learn to help themselves? Peter B said how the people in some of the IRC
channels are asking questions that can easily be found out on Google.
www.google.co.uk – Blimey, leave us alone.
The Gentoo Wiki is one of the best sources of information on the web for
System Admins. Peter B said how he used that wiki the most, for many
different operating systems. Check it out: http://gentoo-wiki.com/Main_Page.
The SUSE community IRC was said to be dead. Do they lack a real community?
We thought so.
The Ubuntu community is thought to be one of the best. But the wiki is full
of old and out dated information that is of no use to new users. This could
be the cause of the questions that we keep getting in IRC.
Partition managers were mentioned briefly. Is there one good partition
editor out there? Gparted was mentioned and some of the dedicated CD
solutions. But Peter B Seemed to think Fdisk did the job nicely.
A large topic was how some of the Linux coders were being lazy. You
shouldn't have to reboot your pc on installing software. You don't even need
to reboot to change an X configuration (Ctrl+Alt+Backspace) kills X and
restarts it for you.
Back onto the backup issue, we all agreed how backing up data was a very
important thing. Stuart said how he liked the mklivecd command in PCLinuxOS
that lets you create a total copy of your drive and settings and load it
into an installable CD.
Children shouldn't be allowed to use computers. They lack basic knowledge,
as do the parents, and end up compromising security by downloading files
like smilies and programs that cause damage. MSN isn't a good influence on
children.
We went on to say how viruses on Linux weren't a problem, but still, Windows
is a virus magnet. We all recommend that you use NOD32, which is one of the
smallest and most secure AV programs available. Forget about Norton and
McAfee.
Some of the "IT Technicians" in schools are barely qualified. Head teachers
and councils look out for the big shiny gold MICROSOFT CERTIFIED badge,
which is worth about as much as "dir" in Linux.
SVN is a good platform, one of the best ways of keeping up to date with
files. Stuart mentioned SVNUP which is his favorite SVN client.
--
Kris Douglas
Softdel Limited Hosting Services
Web: www.softdel.net
Mail: kris(a)softdel.net
18 years, 10 months
Kubuntu 7.10
by Kevanf1
Does anybody have Kubuntu 7.10 up and running? If so, and you have
the Nvidia card drivers installed, could you do me small favour? Have
a look in the screensavers section and try some of the GL savers.
Some seem to work for me while others I get nothing from. I know it's
old hat now but I happen to like having the Matrixgl screen saver
running. But it won't :-( MY system should be able to handle it
easily - Athlon 1800XP with 750mb of DDR RAM combined with a Nvidia
MX4000 128mb graphics card. The Nvidia drivers are installed as I
have checked on the X configuration files - it says NVIDIA not nv :-)
Besides which I have had the 'Matrix GL screensaver running in a lot
less powerful PC before now.
Oh, I had exactly the same when I was running Kubuntu 7.04 too :-( at
the time I thought it was lack of power or something on my PC as it
only had onboard graphics at that time.
--
==============================================
Kevan Farmer
Linux user #373362
Staffordshire
18 years, 10 months
3g modem no iface.
by stuart bell
Hello,
Can anyone help please?
I have a 3g USB modem running in Ubuntu 7.10.
I got it working (works fine) by following and slightly modifying some
instructions that I found plus an edit to wvdial.conf. I didn't
really understand any of this but it works!(the noob method)
I have no stats yet so no idea of signal strength or data volume.
Problem is that 'buntu doesn't see it as an interface which means that
the firewall does not start.
I run wvdial in a terminal whilst connected.
ifconfig gives me:
stuart@stuart-laptop:~$ ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:0E:7B:98:50:1B
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)
eth1 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:0E:35:59:AE:66
inet addr:192.168.1.71 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::20e:35ff:fe59:ae66/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:821 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:597 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:305578 (298.4 KB) TX bytes:165767 (161.8 KB)
Interrupt:11 Base address:0x4000 Memory:cffff000-cfffffff
lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)
ppp0 Link encap:Point-to-Point Protocol
inet addr:10.211.148.117 P-t-P:10.64.64.64 Mask:255.255.255.255
UP POINTOPOINT RUNNING NOARP MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:6 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:7 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:3
RX bytes:90 (90.0 b) TX bytes:129 (129.0 b)
Amazing! This is the first time I've seen it listed as ppp0, it used
to be eth0:avah. must be the new kernel in ubuntu 7.10.
Whilst connected wvdial shows:
WvDial<*1>: WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.56
WvModem<*1>: Cannot get information for serial port.
WvDial<*1>: Initializing modem.
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: OK
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: OK
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
WvDial Modem<*1>: OK
WvDial<*1>: Modem initialized.
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATDT*99***1#
WvDial<*1>: Waiting for carrier.
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATDT*99***1#
WvDial Modem<*1>: CONNECT
WvDial<*1>: Carrier detected. Starting PPP immediately.
WvDial<Notice>: Starting pppd at Sun Oct 21 20:13:43 2007
WvDial<Err>: Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/pap-secrets: Permission denied
WvDial<Err>: --> PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) may be flaky.
WvDial<Err>: Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/chap-secrets: Permission denied
WvDial<Err>: --> CHAP (Challenge Handshake) may be flaky.
WvDial<Notice>: Pid of pppd: 6600
WvDial<*1>: Using interface ppp0
WvDial<*1>: local IP address 10.211.148.117
WvDial<*1>: remote IP address 10.64.64.64
WvDial<*1>: primary DNS address 149.254.201.126
WvDial<*1>: secondary DNS address 149.254.192.126
Oops! Having just checked firestarter setup again it now shows ppp0!!
Must be the update to 7.10
I'll post this anyway to keep you all amused.
See you at Keele
Stuart
18 years, 10 months
Keele,lifts and all that jazz
by ArchLinuxUser dick_turpin
Hi all
I coming to the meet, I'll bring my ArchLinux Laptop so "I'll show you mine
if you show me your's" Kevan do you want a lift? anyone else in Bridgtown
area need a lift?
I shall leave work at 5.30pm sharp so if you can get to me or you are not
too far away from Bridgtown BUT on route I can take you and drop you back.
Where do I go?
Who do I ask for?
--
Regards
Dick Turpin
http://www.cannon-linux.co.uk
Arch Linux is an independent i686-optimized community distribution for
intermediate and advanced Linux users. Utilising a Rolling Release System
packages are regularly updated and an ISO release is just a snapshot to the
stable packages at that time. So there's no need for a fresh install the
command 'pacman –Syu' upgrades the whole system.
18 years, 10 months
Re: [Staffslug] [Staffs] Informal Meet at Keele?
by Richard Smedley
On Sun, 2007-10-14 at 23:37 +0100, Peter Brooks wrote:
> I've booked the room but alas I haven't checked it out yet.
> But let's steam ahead anyway.
> The meeting will be next monday (22nd October) from 6pm til 9pm (possibly later)
Sorry Peter - I'm not going to be able to make it
tonight (family commitments for half-term).
Hope it goes well :)
- Richard
--
Free Software in Education:
http://www.openschoolsalliance.org/who-are-we
18 years, 10 months
Douglas Michael Phillips
by Russell Phillips
Since at least some of you have met Jen & I, you might like to know that
on Friday morning, at 05:59, Jen gave birth to our first child. His name
is Douglas Michael Phillips, he weighed 7lb 2oz, and was 19.75 inches
long. Medical issues meant that he came just over 2 weeks early, but
both mother and son are well (exhausted, but well none the less)
There is a photo of him at
http://www.phillipsuk.org/tmp/DouglasMichaelPhillips.jpg
18 years, 10 months
Re: [Staffslug] Informal Meet at Keele? (Orig Post from the [Staffs] mail list)
by stuart bell
On 23/09/2007, Dave@Staffslug <Dave(a)staffslug.org.uk> wrote:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: staffs-bounces(a)mailman.lug.org.uk
> [mailto:staffs-bounces@mailman.lug.org.uk] On Behalf Of Peter Brooks
> Sent: 20 September 2007 00:46
> To: Staffs(a)mailman.lug.org.uk
> Subject: [Staffs] Informal Meet at Keele?
>
> Hello Everyone,
> What would the interest of holding a lug meeting a Keele University,
>
Good idea.
18 years, 10 months
