Now I remember why I'm not a fan of Ubuntu
by Dick Turpin
Hi All
Well I managed to get Ubuntu on the Fujitsu Amelo D-7830 I needed to
add *acpi=off pnpbios=off* after running all the updates (107 of them)
with a hopeful glee like a six year old on Christmas day I started the
Beryl install process.
1st up is xgl-server "Go on my son" sudo apt-get install xgl-server
Wait for it... apt-get "Get stuffed xgl-server requires libc6 2.4.1
but 2.3.0 is to be installed, unmet dependencies" I know says /me,
I'll enable backports, world, universe and anything else I can find.
(Mr Bavige sound from Family Fortunes) bhaaaarp bhaaaarp "dependancies"
Alright I'll google for it, apparently libc6 is twenty gazillion light
years ahead of everyone so Ubuntu thinks its really cool to stick it
in the update tree.
Maybe I could downgrade but;
1. I don't know how
2. I can't be arsed to learn .deb, dpkg, aptitude and whole deluge of
other stuff.
3. Have wasted enough time without sitting on the web for 10 hours
trying to find the correct libc6 then struggling with apt/aptitude
getting the dam thing installed.
I only installed Ubuntu because it has the very latest Beryl stuff but
I may go back to being two months behind with Beryl releases and
install opensuse instead.
Its so much easier with rpm :-p
--
Dick Turpin
"Stand and deliver!"
18 years, 2 months
moving partitions from large disk to smaller one.
by Chris Snow
I'm at the end of my shagging tether with this.
I'm tying to shift a 55 odd gig partiton (sda1) on to a 20 odd gig disk
(hda1).
here's my MO... boot gparted - shrink the huge partition sda1 (source) down
to the size of hda1 (dest - the 20 ish gig drive) dd the mofo over, sort
booting out later.
Simple right? Not for yours truely :-(
Snag is that # of cylinders on the disks differ. Using gparted to shrink
sda1 to the size of hda1 doeseny work.
Having seen a jolly good (widely aclaimed) post here:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?t=362506&page=2 I
thought great, I can do the math(s) with different cylinders and change the
size of both sda1 and hda1 so they end up the same then dd is my friend.
Nothing doing, according to yon post, my disk (hda) should be 40017915
sectors BUT fdisk say it's actually 40021632. (using ths same maths I get my
sda to be 117210240 and fdisk concurrs so I know the calculation is correct)
$ banner Help!!!
Does anyone have any experience with this? In desperation I'm trying
dd if=/dev/sda of=/dev/hda bs=4096 and let uncle Bill (yup I'm cloning
an NTFS partition) try and pick up the pieces!
PS this is written with the assistance of 1.5 bottles of red so cut me
some slack if it's a load of old Rolex
Ta Chris
18 years, 2 months
Here's one for ya (Possibly Kevan?)
by Dick Turpin
Hi All
OK so I've come by a Fujitsu Amelo D-7830 P4 3GB every distro I tried
refused to install even Live CD's seem to just sit there. There is
nothing wrong with the ROM drive to be fair I think its a BIOS issue
(Gonna flash it tonight) Anyway I finally managed to get Mepis
installed on it by pretending it was an old machine from the "Install
Choices" section the installation is now fully updated.
I'd like to get the latest Ubuntu/Kubuntu on it but this looks like it
can only be acheived via the Internet can I do the -dist-upgrade trick
like you can do with Hoary--->Dapper?
My plan is to edit the sources.list and give the Ubuntu 6.10 repos
1. Will this work?
2. Will it replace Mepis with Ubuntu?
--
Dick Turpin
"Stand and deliver!"
18 years, 2 months
Something that might be useful
by Kevanf1
http://inpics.net/index.html
Some of you may have heard about this site so just ignore this if you
have. For those who haven't it is dedicated to pictorial tutorials
(sorry for that mouthful). They have a growing number of tutorials
with the latest being one for MySQL. Not, MySQL for people who know
programming but written specifically for those of us who loathe and
detest any form of programming :-)
The following link is not yet public knowledge as it is not linked on
the website. I get the newsletter from these guys so have a weeks
grace to view the stuff :-)
http://inpics.net/mysqlbasics.html
There are also very useful tutorials on Open Office and various other
open source products.
--
==============================================
Don't take it to the tip recycle it via the Freecycle(r) Network.
For a group near to you look here:
Worldwide
http://www.freecycle.org/
United Kingdom
http://uk.freecycle.org/
============================================
Kevan Farmer
Linux user #373362
Staffordshire
18 years, 2 months
Linux can get you out the cack
by Dick Turpin
Hi All
There's not much real relevance to this post other than to mention a
couple of good distros and some bits I discovered.
I've got a couple of Laptops in at the minute (WinXP) that have
problems the one has a rubbish key board so reinstalling wont work
with an external one as the USB ports don't work at BIOS level the
other refuses to let you access the HDD from any windows box.
"I know I'll use a LiveCD" (Not the one Stuart was on about by the
way) not having anything to hand I downloaded the latest Knoppix disc.
Beryl comes as standard now that's pretty cool for a LiveCD so if you
fancy having a look at beryl but don't fancy installing it give
knoppix a try, I must have done something wrong because even after
changing the language some of the items were still in German.
I have an old Ubuntu Live CD I'm not a great fan of this over hyped
distro but it is very good for getting people with little to no skill
out of the do do. True I had to do
#sudo nautilus so that the file browser worked with root permissions
but it accessed the locked HDD no problem a quick change from eth lo
to eth0 (DHCP) and I'm busy copying the contents of 'Documents and
Settings' to a network drive.
I also used qparted to format the HDD on the dodgy keyboard one so
that USB drivers are loaded at the pre-install stage from WinXP. So
there I am using Linux to recover two Windows machines.
Told you there was not much point to the post.
--
Dick Turpin
"Stand and deliver!"
18 years, 2 months
Fw: Re: Linux-refurbished Laptops for Nepal Appeal! [follow-up]
by Richard Smedley
Hello all,
There were a number of points raised in question over the
charitable actions of a small shop in Mid-Wales, who asked
for GNU/Linux Laptops, to send to a school in Nepal.
Particular objections came from people who considered all
foreigners dishonest, or only needing pencils, but there
were also many reasonable and valid concerns, so I asked
the original poster, and the shop-owner, to answer some
of these points - to address the considerable fears that
the campaign seemed to raise for people.
Alan Hill, of the Souk in Llangollen, has below addressed most
of the points brought up on some of the lists - I suggest anyone
with further questions CCs him in your list reply, or reply
directly to him off-list, as appropriate.
I have removed from his mail a binary attachment containing
a copy of a hand-written letter from the school's headmaster
asking for various items, with computers at the top of
the list.
- Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Begin forwarded message:
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:57:07 -0000 (GMT)
From: "thesouk.uwclub.net" <thesouk(a)uwclub.net>
To: "Richard Smedley" <smedley358(a)btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: [lugmaster] Fwd: Linux-refurbished Laptops for Nepal
Appeal!
>
Dear Richard
Thanks very much for forwarding Matts email to the N Wales LUGs. I was
very interested in the responses you received. I realise that people
have responded on the basis of very little information, indeed some of
the comments are exactly the sort of thing I would have said in the same
situation. I would like to take the opportunity say a bit more about
what we do and also to respond to the points made. I realise that you
are only the conduit for these so forgive me if at times I speak
frankly.
My wife and I run a shop and very soon an online shop. We have recently
started to import goods from Nepal for wholesale and retail. We have
done this in part because we have become disillusioned with the current
concept of fair trade which allows companies such as Tesco and
Sainsburys to wave the fair trade flag as part of their marketing
strategies. (see War on Want report Nov 06). I deal directly with
producers in Nepal that pay their employees a reasonable wage (relative
to Nepal), have reasonable working conditions for their employees,
dont employ kids, etc. I have visited many producers in Nepal and have
selected a small number (who have satisfied our conditions) to do
business with.
Further to this we also support the Shree Garma School in the
Solukhumber region (up near Mt Everest). We support them by donating
approx. 10% of the retail cost of each item to the school. This
donation takes the form of the actual cash or things the school have
stated they need.
I am also working on a longer term project to fund a small
hydro-electric generator for the school (the school has no power)
possibly in conjunction with the charity Practical Action (see the
Guardians Christmas appeal). The school has also very clearly stated
that they, as their highest priority, would like computers. (see
attachment)
We do not place any conditions on what the school uses these funds for.
We also occasionally ask people to make a donation in the form of
things, in this case old laptops. We do not ask for money. We have
found that when we tell people about what we do many will either buy
our products or want to donate some money. Preferring not to take cash
donations we ask people to go to the Pound shops and buy a £worth of
pens and pencils etc which we can add to what we take over.
We do this because we want to make a social investment in the third
world country we source our goods from. In these times of global
trade, the rape of the third world and unrestrained corporate
capitalism were are trying to find a way of conducting our business
that sit comfortably with our political and ethical views, either that
or were just well meaning Guardian readers.
Points raised
1.
people in Nepal need pencils, shouldn't be let near a computer
I agree with this statement whole heartedly and to that end we regulary
send stationary to the school. Computers would not have been my
priority, if it was up to me Id have picked electricity or glass for
the windows or even better shoes for the kids etc, however it is not up
to me, and therefore not for me to tell the people of this school and
village what is good for them. (The luxury of being neither a charity
nor a Christian I suppose).
2.
wouldn't have the electricity anyway, old laptops have no battery
life, They dont have electricity, that is correct. There is power to
the village (although few can afford to be connected to it) so
recharging the computers or rather recharging car batteries for the
Laptops to run off is possible. We are also currently looking at small
solar or wind rechargers
3.
this is just a scheme to dump toxic waste on the third world.
Why would I want to go to all this trouble and expense to first collect
and then dump toxic waste in the third world when I could use the laybys
and open spaces of North Wales ??? ( A real puzzler this one).
4.
.the computers will never get there
All of the things we buy/raise get there because I or my friend, who was
born in the village, take them ourselves when we visit Nepal. Our next
trip is planned for May/June.
5.
not a charity - it's not even a registered company
No, we are not a charity, we are a small business. We are also
individuals who wish to make a small contribution to others. I know its
not the most fashionable of businesses practices but we want to see if
we can combine the two. We have been supporting various charities over
the years (education and sponsorships being our preferred areas) but as
with the fair trade brand we have become somewhat disillusioned.
Amongst numerous concerns is that many charities supporting third world
issues, Oxfam for example, are large corporate entities with all the
paraphernalia that accompanies such organisations. The current chief
exec. at Oxfam is on approx. £80k a year + expenses + car + generous
pension plan and has recently overseen the multi-million pound
relocation of the organisations HQ. No prizes for guessing where the
cash for all this comes from. For some this is OK, to function an
organisation must have a viable structure. For me though, I like to
think that if I donate something its going to go to the people I have
donated it to.
I do not wish to denigrate the good work of many charities, indeed I am
in discussion with Practical Action about a possible collaboration but
anything we raise from others gets to the people the others wish to
help. Does your respondent believe that is it only Registered Charities
that are able to do something useful? When you donate to something to
what you believe is a good cause will you only donate it if there is a
Registered Charity acting as the middle man?
As for the point regarding us being a registered company. As sole
traders we are not required to be registered at Companies House but if
your responder would like to come and visit our shop in Llangollen (on
Oak Street) to further check us out he/she is welcome. Might I further
suggest he/she may find greater use for his/her talents in the CIA or
maybe the FBI, - just a thought.
5. ..will be sold by the Nepalis, they will only be used for porn
anyway. Having met the teachers and pupils of the school I know that
their requests are sincere and that they will make the greatest use of
what ever resources we can assist them with. This is an isolated and
impoverished community in the High Himalayas and there does not seem to
me to be a quick buck mentality. As I stated earlier, we place no
conditions on what we give to Shree Garma School. However it is not for
me to judge or dictate how this school chooses to use these resources.
That means that if the wish to sell them or wank themselves into a
frenzy every hour on the hour, it is up to them. These people are not
children or ignorant savages, they are capable of making informed
decisions on what is best for their community. Maybe with a few laptops
they can become even more informed and also have the means to argue
these rather insulting points for themselves.
I asked Matt to contact you as I believed that Linux Users may be
interested in what we are doing and may further be interested in
offering some assistance. The help we are trying to give this school
is geared towards their empowerment. Surely Linux users can see this
point. Im not only after a few old laptops but also some expertise in
setting the things up in a more egalitarian way and not dependent on
the Microsoft Monster. There have been some great responses from Matts
email and I feel confident I can achieve our aims, particularly on the
technical support side.
I would welcome any further enquiries about what we do and will gladly
supply further info, photos etc. Thanks for your help and the
opportunity to respond to the points raised.
Alan Hill
The Souk
Oak Street
Llangollen
> I forwarded your e-mail to some LUGs near N Wales, thinking you'd
> be able to get offers/help/advice.
[snipped summary of some of the responses on a couple of the lists]
> If you want help from LUG members you will have to answer some of
> the points raised on these lists.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> - Richard
[original mail to lugmaster list, left in for those not following
well...]
> On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:27:38 +0000
> "Mark Broadbent" <mgjbroadbent(a)googlemail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I've been asked by a member of my LUG (Herefordshire) if the
>> following notice could be circulated around as many LUGs as possible
>> please.
>>
>> All follow-ups to this should be directed to Matt Rhys-Roberts at
>> eccn(a)spherica.demon.co.uk
>>
>> Thanks
>> Mark Broadbent
>> Herefordshire LUG
>>
>> ---------------
>> A small business in North Wales has hit upon the idea of supplying a
>> school in an impoverished area of Nepal, with refurbished laptop
>> computers running Linux. In their own words:
>>
>> "The Shree Garma Secondary School is in the Solukhumbu district of
>> Nepal and is only 40 miles from Everest. It is extremely isolated and
>> there are no roads. It can be reached by an internal flight from
>> Kathmandu followed by a three hour walk. It is obviously very poor
>> and most people are subsistence farmers.
>>
>> The school caters for around 150 children of all ages. They have only
>> the most basic facilities and no electricity. Their main priority is
>> to have computers. Initially we are going to try and supply them with
>> six lap top computers which can be charged in houses which do have
>> electricity and longer term our aim is to develop a hydro power
>> station which could potentially provide electricity to many houses as
>> well as the school.
>>
>> Katlan Trading Company based at The Souk in Llangollen is committed
>> to helping this school through importing goods from Nepal. A
>> percentage of all sales will go direct to the school. We are not a
>> registered charity but instead are aiming to help through direct
>> trade."
>>
>>
>> The company wishes to enlist the help of any UK LUG members who can
>> a) gather unused laptops, b) install Linux on them, and c) send them
>> to a central collection point to be announced.
>>
>> The ideal Linux distro remains to be decided, since equipment will
>> vary greatly. However it is hoped, hardware permitting, that each
>> laptop will have installed on it a minimum of: a working X server,
>> OpenOffice (or smaller office apps for lesser machines), a graphics
>> package, printer and network support, email, IRC, and of course the
>> Nepali language as far as possible. There appears to be a Nepali
>> distro already underway at http://www.nepalinux.org/ , which may be
>> suitable for some hardware. For lesser machines, perhaps Damn Small
>> Linux, Vector Linux or Knoppix may be more appropriate.
>>
>> The village has no phone network yet, but one is anticipated there
>> within the next 2 years!
>>
>> Please contact me if you can contribute in any way to this project. I
>> aim to help coordinate efforts to source donated laptops, test them,
>> install appropriate software, then perform a final quality check. We
>> are still at the planning stage, seeing who's really available to
>> help. No doubt this project could generate some very good publicity
>> for Linux abroad, waste prevention and fair trade.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Matt Rhys-Roberts, Wrexham
>> eccn(a)spherica.demon.co.uk
>> (Herefordshire LUG member)
>>
>> PS. Further reading for inspiration (it looks like there's already a
>> good & growing Nepalese Linux user base!):
>>
>> http://www.researchut.com/repository/linux-nepal.html
>> A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting GNU/Linux in the
>> kingdom of the Himalayas
>> http://www.nepalinux.org/
>> The new release NepaLinux 1.1 is a relatively bug-free and revised
>> version of the previous beta release.
>> http://www.linuxnepal.com.np/aboutus/
>> A Linux enthusiasts' site in Nepal
>> -------------------------
>> -------------------------
>
18 years, 2 months
Rain
by Dick Turpin
Hi All
So now we have rain, I wonder how many drivers are looking out the
window with trepidation? I'm looking forward to going shopping later
and being stuck behind some muppet driver who thinks that a light
shower equates to a tsunami?
"Aww gawd I better drive at 15 mile an hour I might slip in this
stuff, just because my tyres are designed to grip in the wet and I
have wipers that less than a gram of water might make me have an
accident"
Dicks law: If you get unnerved by rain or snow 'do not drive' you're a
danger to others!
--
Dick Turpin
"Stand and deliver!"
18 years, 2 months
Magazine offer
by Kevanf1
There is a guy I know on the Wolves LUG who has a load of Linux
magazines (not necesarily 'Linux Magazine') to give away. Somebody
was going to have them on the Wolves LUG but they now can't. He may
still have them so if anybody is interested I can put you in touch. I
cannot guarantee that he still has them though and you would have to
journey into Wolverhampton to pick them up. It would be worth it
though to boost you Linux knowledge.
Let me know if you are interested and I'll contact him.
--
==============================================
Don't take it to the tip recycle it via the Freecycle(r) Network.
For a group near to you look here:
Worldwide
http://www.freecycle.org/
United Kingdom
http://uk.freecycle.org/
============================================
Kevan Farmer
Linux user #373362
Staffordshire
18 years, 2 months
