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Understand VM Stats p.14 Review - iRobot aPad p.25 Letters p.33 Top 5 p.42
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August 2010:
:
Ubuntu Open Week
http://fullcirclemagazine.org
B
efore I start this downloading all files of a type curl -u name:password something, and returns the
(useful for students who have https://mail.google.com/gmail results/HTML of the top result.
month's article, I have /feed/atom
a few corrections to web-portals with lots of It can also log you into your
make for my last research PDFs). For those Google mail account.
This command gives cURL a
article. Reader pointed wondering what the difference
user-name and password to
out that patch isn't installed by is between cURL and Wget, it's And Wget examples:
allow it to authenticate on the
default in Ubuntu, and also a subtle, but important,
website (in this case, Gmail's wget -r -l3
wanted to make me aware of difference. cURL pulls down the
atom feed), thereby gaining http://w3schools.com/css/
(vim-style diff HTML code and prints it to
access to the site without you
interface). STDOUT (i.e. returns it as the
having to open Firefox. This command sends Wget
output of the command), while
to w3schools.com, and follows
Moving on to this month, I Wget downloads the .html files.
These examples could be the links recursively for 3 levels
thought it would be fun to This means that cURL is ideal
used in a script that accesses (i.e. 3 Homepage --> CSS Intro -
cover two command-line tools for parsing certain streams (if
Google, searches for -> CSS Syntax). It should be
for downloading websites/web- you're writing a Google search
pages, namely, and script, for example), while
. You may be thinking Wget is useful for making a full
“but I have Firefox, why would I archive of a website.
need cURL or Wget?”. The
main reasons I use them Here are a few examples for
nowadays is when I need to cURL:
make an offline copy of a
website (not just one web curl -L www.w3schools.com/css
page) or to download a web
page/file when behind a This command tells cURL to
firewall that blocks that follow any redirects on the CSS
website. There are plenty of page of w3schools.com
other uses for them, such as (specifically, Location:
archiving your own website, pointers). On this site, it should
parsing websites within scripts, follow the “Next Chapter” links
quickly downloading something automatically.
without opening Firefox, or
full circle magazine #39 contents ^
COMMAND & CONQUER
noted that using a recursive restrictions on download which is useful for avoiding
website travel in Wget can put managers. The -c option tells strain on the server as well.
a large strain on a webserver, Wget to store any partially The -A option accepts a comma- http://curl.haxx.se/docs/httpscri
so it should always be used downloaded files so that the separated list of file pting.html – Great cURL
with the levels argument, in download can be resumed. extensions, or tutorial/manpage (some
order to minimize website wildcards/patterns. In order to examples were borrowed from
traffic. wget -r -l1 -A.pdf --no- reject any files of a certain here).
parent http://url-to-webpage-
type, use -R instead of -A.
with-pdfs/
wget -c -U Mozilla http://linuxtuts.blogspot.com/20
www.website.com
Hopefully this (admittedly 08/03/tutorials-on-wget.html –
This command tells Wget to
short) article has made the Great tutorial on Wget (some
I didn't include an actual link recursively follow a website for
power of Wget and cURL clear, examples were borrowed from
in this example, because I one level, and download any
and, as always, plenty more here).
couldn't think of a site that pdf files it finds. The --no-
information can be found in
applied off the top of my head. parent option tells Wget to
their respective manpages. For
However, this Wget command never follow a link up to the
anyone who has requests for
pretends to be Mozilla's parent directory (i.e.
command-line tools that I
browser (by altering the user www.test.com from
should cover, you can send me
agent) in order to get around www.test.com/something),
an email at
lswest34@gmail.com with
“FCM C&C” or “Command &
Conquer” in the subject line. If
I don't already know the tool,
I'll figure it out before I write
the article. For anyone who
comes up with a use for cURL
or Wget that they find quite
clever, feel free to share it with
me in an email as well.
T
his month, we talk especially for data input and
#!/usr/bin/env python
about using Curses in display, they used graph paper # CursesExample1
Python. No, we're not to design the screen. Each #-------------------------------
talking about using block on the graph paper was # Curses Programming Sample 1
one character position. When #-------------------------------
Python to say dirty words,
import curses
although you can if you really we deal with our Python myscreen = curses.initscr()
feel the need. We are talking programs that run in a myscreen.border(0)
about using the Curses library terminal, we still deal with a myscreen.addstr(12, 25, "See Curses, See Curses Run!")
24x80 screen. However, that myscreen.refresh()
to do some fancy screen
myscreen.getch()
output. limitation can be easily dealt curses.endwin()
with by proper forethought and
If you are old enough to preparation. So, go out to your
remember the early days of local office supply store and myscreen.border(0) command
computers, you will remember get yourself a few pads of to draw a border around our doesn't get called, your
that, in business, computers graph paper. canvas. This isn't needed, but terminal will be left in a major
were all mainframes - with it makes the screen look nicer. mess. So, make sure that you
dumb terminals (screens and Anyway, let's jump right in We then use the addstr method get this method called before
keyboards) for input and and create our first Curses to “write” some text on our your application ends.
output. You could have many program, shown above right. canvas starting on line 12
terminals connected to one I'll explain after you've had a position 25. Think of the Save this program as
computer. The problem was look at the code. .addstr method of a Curses CursesExample1.py and run it
that the terminals were very print statement. Finally, the in a terminal. Some things to
dumb devices. They had Short but simple. Let's .refresh() method makes our note. Whenever you use a
neither windows, colors, or examine it line by line. First, we work visible. If we don't refresh border, it takes up one of our
much of anything - just 24 lines do our imports, which you are the screen, our changes won't “usable” character positions
of 80 characters (at best). very familiar with by now. Next, be seen. Then we wait for the for each character in the
When personal computers we create a new Curses screen user to press any key (.getch) border. In addition, both the
became popular, in the old object, initialize it, and call the and then we release the screen line and character position
days of DOS and CPM, that is object myscreen. (myscreen = object (.endwin) to allow our count is ZERO based. This
what you had as well. When curses.initscr()). This is our terminal to act normally. The means that the first line in our
programmers worked on fancy canvas that we will paint to. curses.endwin() command is screen is line 0 and the last line
screens (those days), Next, we use the VERY important, and, if it is line 23. So, the very top left
B
efore we start, I need the one you downloaded. unless you're re-using a virtual Step 2:
to mention, for Please note that if your system disk. In the First Run Wizard,
anyone who may run isn't 64-bit compatible (and you'll need to hit Next, and Once you connect the ISO
into the same issues, running a 64-bit Operating click the folder icon with the image to the Virtual Machine, it
that reader was kind System), you can't run a 64-bit green arrow to open the Virtual should boot and greet you with
enough to inform me that he Virtual Machine. It's possible Media Manager (Fig. 2), where the Oracle VM BIOS splash (or
ran into a few issues with USB that Oracle has enabled you can add the ISO image the older VirtualBox BIOS
devices in a Windows XP virtual emulation of 64-bit systems (Fig. 3). splash), as seen in Fig 4. It
machine, which were only from within a 32-bit host, but I should then show Fedora's
solved after installing the USB don't know this for a fact, as all Grub menu (Fig. 5), and, finally,
drivers via the Hardware my Operating Systems are 64- the Login Window. I've also
Manager in XP. bit. In plain English: VirtualBox changed my keyboard to the
might let you run a 64-bit correct layout, and selected
Now that we've covered Virtual Machine from a 32-bit the “automatic login” user. In
creating the virtual machines Operating System (the “host”), order to sign in, just press the
themselves, I felt we could but it's fairly unlikely. For “log in” button.
start with a Linux distribution anyone who's like me, and has
that's different (uses the Red an archive of all 32-bit and 64-
Hat package manager), but not bit ISOs for the last two
too different, from Ubuntu. releases of every Linux and
Specifically, I want to start with Unix distribution they could get
Fedora Core 13. You can their hands on, just go ahead
download the most recent and grab a Fedora ISO image.
release (13) here:
http://fedoraproject.org/en/get- Step 1:
fedora. Whether you download
the 32-bit (i686) ISO image or After you've downloaded the
the 64-bit one, the process is ISO image, start the Machine
the same. Of course, the “Linux you wish to install it on. Upon
distribution” you choose in the starting up a Machine for the
drop-down list for the Virtual first time, you'll be greeted by
Machine should be the same as a First Run Wizard (see Fig.1),
full circle magazine #39 contents ^
VIRTUALIZATION - PART 2
Step 3: Step 5: Close the installation
program, reboot the virtual
After the desktop has Feel free to choose machine, and be sure to go to
loaded, you'll want to launch whatever hostname you'd like, Devices > CD/DVD Devices,
the “Install to Hard Drive” select the right time-zone, and and choose “unmount CD/DVD
application (Figs. 7 & 8). enter your root password in the devices”, in order to boot into
Continue on to the Keyboard next 3 steps of the installation. the install - instead of the ISO
Layout selection screen, where image.
you can choose your Step 4: Step 6:
corresponding layout (Fig. 9). I hope this has been a clear
Once you've selected the right Now you're asked to choose explanation for anyone new to
Now you'll be greeted with a
layout, you'll be presented with the hard drive to install on, of installing Fedora. In the next
window asking you what
a choice of “Basic Storage which there should only be one few issues, I plan to cover
partition layout it should use
Devices” and “Specialized (the Vbox drive), select it, and installing OpenSolaris,
(see Fig. 13). On virtual
Storage Devices”, of which you if you're asked to re-initialize FreeBSD, Ubuntu Server, and
machines, I generally just let it
want to choose the Basic the disk, do so (the disk should ArchLinux. However, I'm more
use the entire disk, unless I'm
Storage options (Fig. 10). be empty if you just created than happy to cover
planning on installing the same
the machine). See Figs. 11 & installations of most any Unix
OS onto a physical PC and
12. or Linux systems, or Windows
decided to do a test run in a
XP/Windows 7 in a virtual
virtual machine first. All other
machine. If you have a request,
options are up to you. Confirm
send me an email at
your decision with “write to
lswest34@gmail.com with
disk”. When asked, be sure to
“Virtualization Series” or “FCM
choose “install to Master Boot
Virtualization” in the subject
Record” for GRUB, in order to
line.
be able to boot.
W
e are given precise knowledge just
excellent tools to know what the first $ pr -t -T --columns=2 /proc/meminfo
such as vmstat or or second columns
MemTotal: 2064980 kB Mapped: 50228 kB
top to monitor our mean, but the MemFree: 789700 kB Shmem: 9288 kB
system’s condition. If text payback is to have the Buffers: 40172 kB Slab: 34576 kB
mode doesn't suit your need, most complete data in Cached: 672872 kB SReclaimable: 15436 kB
your hand. SwapCached: 0 kB SUnreclaim: 19140 kB
there are graphical versions Active: 412140 kB KernelStack: 964 kB
such as KSysGuard or GNOME Inactive: 695540 kB PageTables: 6536 kB
System Monitor applet. For system-wide Active(anon): 188132 kB NFS_Unstable: 0 kB
However, for some people virtual-memory Inactive(anon): 215788 kB Bounce: 0 kB
statistics, the Active(file): 224008 kB WritebackTmp: 0 kB
these don't provide enough Inactive(file): 479752 kB CommitLimit: 2084704 kB
detailed information. For information is in Unevictable: 16 kB Committed_AS: 930940 kB
example, since we are going to /proc/meminfo. Among Mlocked: 16 kB VmallocTotal: 122880 kB
talk about virtual memory, this the other files are HighTotal: 1179464 kB VmallocUsed: 13100 kB
/proc/loadavg for HighFree: 137520 kB VmallocChunk: 50720 kB
question might arise: "from a LowTotal: 885516 kB HugePages_Total: 0
total of 512MB of used RAM, system load, LowFree: 652180 kB HugePages_Free: 0
how much is taken strictly for /proc/cpuinfo for SwapTotal: 1052216 kB HugePages_Rsvd: 0
anonymous page allocation?" detailed processor SwapFree: 1052216 kB HugePages_Surp: 0
specification and Dirty: 0 kB Hugepagesize: 4096 kB
There is no obvious answer if Writeback: 0 kB DirectMap4k: 147448 kB
you just check vmstat or top. capability, and AnonPages: 394708 kB DirectMap4M: 761856 kB
/proc/vmstat for even
So, what is the alternative? more detailed virtual
Go to the source: top, vmstat memory statistics. The above sample output is answer is: addressable inside
and the like actually extract taken from my laptop, which the kernel memory space,
the information from certain One clear advantage in has 2GB RAM installed. whether permanently or via
files in /proc. By directly checking /proc files over using temporary mapping.
viewing their contents, you are tools like vmstat is that you Let's start with the easiest:
looking straight at the heart of need just a simple text viewer, MemTotal. It shows the size of What is that supposed to
the information provided by like "cat". But if you want, you your physical memory that is mean? Although the BIOS
the Linux kernel itself. Some of can do something like that mappable by the kernel. (Basic Input/Output System)
them might not be prettily shown above right to better What's the meaning of detects - let's say - 2GiB, there
formatted, and may require format the output. "mappable" here? The short is a chance the Linux kernel is
GEM vs TTM
Credits http://lwn.net/Articles/283793/
is a 31-year
old Indonesian who lives in
Jakarta. He works as a freelance
writer, lecturer and trainer and
his blog is at: http://the-
hydra.blogspot.com. For further
discussion about this article or
other Linux questions you might
have, you can contact him at
mulyadi.santosa@gmail.com
I
n 2007, it became obvious Canada's foremost magazines hardware, you have to write all webcam I bought in China, and
that my Chinese bride and for the IT industry, and seven the software yourself. Much Cheese let me record videos
I should each have our years as a full-time caregiver. better to stay close to the with it. Most importantly,
own computers. (My first wife died from MS.) mainstream. Firefox worked nicely with my
Twice, I've managed a large online broker, Youtube,
My youngest son had department, and hated it both Mainstream, yes, but I Facebook, and Ability Online
discarded a couple of PCs by times. I'm a techie at heart. eventually found Windows Support Network - a site for
putting them in the basement, intolerable. Apple is too youth with disabilities or health
so I grabbed one and tried I was a director of a large expensive, so Linux was the issues.
Ubuntu on it. It seemed to work computer user group, and next option. Gutsy Gibbon had
fine, so I replaced the tiny hard chairman of its annual everything I needed: Office In mid 2009, the power
drive with a 250 GB unit, and conference for three years, applications, email, web supply on my elderly computer
bought a modern LCD monitor. which drew more than 1,000 browsing, and much more. I failed, and I decided I *needed*
I checked online for a wireless attendees each year. When I like to take pictures, and GIMP a high-performance system,
card which would "just work", designed and let me fix them up. I got which was completely
and bought a D-Link DWL- built an honest- involved with unjustified. I had swapped
G510. (The router is on the to-God Full Circle components many times, but
other side of the room, but a hardware serial Magazine as this was the first time I built a
long Ethernet cable would be, port for my a volunteer computer, starting with an
at best, unsightly.) For a minor Commodore copy-editor. empty case. I actually installed
expenditure, I was up and PET, I learned I had a Linux Mint 7, a variant of
running. My new wife could set that if you cheap Ubuntu. It "just worked." The
up her (previously my) have only components I carried over
Windows XP machine to have unique from the previous system were
Chinese Simplified as its the monitor and the wireless
primary language. adapter.
I
development I was doing. It all at searching in Google. Wiki, I found the cures and,
purchased an Acer Aspire
"just worked." well, what can I say? I’m now
One ZA3, a.k.a. AO751h, in
As for my Ubuntu, I stick completely hooked!
December, and I suffered
With my "high with the mainstream. I tried
with the pre-installed
performance" system, I tried Cairo Dock and found it As I'm a Radio Ham, all that
Windows Vista Home Basic until
some video editing. I bought interesting, but not as useful software available at my
the end of January. I was in the
an inexpensive camcorder, as the regular menus. The eye fingertips for my hobby is
mind set of purchasing
and used Cinelerra. There are candy in Compiz is OK, but not great, and I was soon up and
Windows 7 until I went to my
lots of online tutorials, and the really relevant to me. I enjoy running with Xastir APRS, and,
local Ham Radio club - where
software "just works." Very smartdimmer, a program after noticing some of the
one of the guys had something
nice. which dims my monitor at games, I was soon reliving my
called Ubuntu on a Laptop.
dusk and brightens it at dawn. misspent youth with Oolite
After a couple of hours chatting
I also used Skype for I've tried several other distros, amongst others. Thanks guys
and having a play, I was won
frequent video-conferences but for me, Ubuntu is where for a great user friendly OS,
over by just how easy Linux
while my wife was in China. it's at. and putting the fun back into
had become, so the morning
During the winter there's a 12- computing again!!
after I took the plunge and
hour time difference between
made myself a bootable USB
China and Toronto, so we
stick with Ubuntu 9.10.
chatted during my evening,
Well, after 15 minutes
her morning -- and waved at
of going through the
each other, which is a very
install questions, and
nice way to connect.
completely wiping off
Windows from my hard
I'm active on the Ubuntu
drive, I had
Forums, where I try to answer
successfully installed
questions from newbies, or at
the new OS. I knew
least move them in the right
there were going to be
direction. The same questions
problems with the
come up again and again, and
AO751h, with the
I try to be supportive instead
GMA500 and the
of saying, "why didn't you
sound, but upon
Google your problem?" Now
searching the Ubuntu
I
t is true, my friends. The Guns 'n' Roses. Linux is an • GNU is a recursive GNU and Linux are, in fact,
world at large does not imported vinyl floor-covering. acronymn: "GNU is NOT Unix". different, or why you need a
care about the 'GNU' or As the name of a software It fails to define what GNU is slash to signify the
the 'Slash'. Or, for the vast platform, it has not caught on and, worse, it introduces either/or/and/maybe/possibly/us
majority, the 'Linux' part either. and never will. Trying to teach another foreign word: Unix. ed-to-be relationship. Slash just
the world to 'correctly' name Only geeks think recursive sounds unacceptably violent,
We are in what we call 'the GNU-slash-Linux is like trying acronyms are in any way and we must censor it lest our
silly season': that slow-news to teach a fish to ride a remotely cool. While the babies grow up to be serial-
period between the public unicycle. fanboys are sniggering at how killers.
holidays, of daylight-saving, clever is the GNU acronym, or
camping vacations, and the • Nobody outside of the IT preaching at us as to why the • People stop listening.
lack of any real stories. The industry or open-source ideals of GNU's founders
time when the anchorman's hobbyists has any idea what should be recognised, the rest • Life is too short.
"and finally..." story is a skate- Linux may be. Even if you of the world is screaming
boarding duck. In the open- explain that it's an operating "speak English, boy!" The rest No apologies, then, to Mr.
source world, we usually get system, nobody cares what's of the world wants Stallman, or to the Free
another outbreak of the an operating system. Unless recognisable brand labels, Software Foundation, or to the
argument for the 'correct' you had to install a Windows made out of proper words like Open Rights Group, or to the
terminology. Yes, my friends, as program yourself (and many 'Dolce and Gabana'. M-and-M's many academics from Berkeley
the purists never tire of telling millions of people never do), is just about acceptable to Oxford who can legitimately
us, we must refer to our you will think Windows is the because you grew up with it. hold up their papers and
operating system of choice as computer. Most users have no licences and Venn diagrams. I
"GNU-slash-Linux." idea that an iPhone needs an • Nobody, but nobody, tries to am not going to study the list
operating system to work. It preserve a distinction between of "Words to Avoid (or Use with
And here's why you should just works. Mostly. Sometimes. component parts of a single Care) Because They Are
ignore them: At least it looks cool all the brand, especially when one Loaded or Confusing" because
time, and that's what matters. part is effectively ancient GNU-slash-Linux is itself loaded
• To most people on the To most users, an 'Android' history, like the Enigma code- and confusing. The battle is not
planet, a Gnu is an especially phone is a brand name for breaker and the Casio only lost, but pointless and
grumpy member of the moose compatibility's sake, like 'Blue- calculator. The moment you irrelevant. Just call it Linux and
family. Slash is the guy in the Ray' or 'Hoover'. insert the slash you become a install it on every device you
silly hat and poodle-perm from pedant. Nobody else cares that can get your hands on.
O
ver the course of the look at all the devices, and about “magic” as though it’s a is nice: the aPad is nicely
last few days, I’ve answer the one question that is business model. The Chinese seated in foam casing with all
been playing around important here at dudes just do what they do its accessories underneath. For
with an Android Knightwise.com: how does this best: knock off whatever is a cheap knockoff device, it’s
tablet PC, and comparing it to technology work for us. popular and throw it out there well presented.
the Apple iPhone / iPod / iPad at a fraction of the price. And
environment. In this article, I'll Lets face it people, the you know what? Sometimes it : The iRobot aPad
try to give you an impression Apple iPad costs about the works. Sometimes, they is a 7-inch touchscreen tablet
of what I think of these touch- same as a kidney transplant, actually make a product that is that looks like an undersized
tablet-like devices, while well perhaps not that much, decent, cheap, and a functional version of the iPad. It has a
avoiding becoming a zealot for but, for those unaffected by approximation of whatever is Rockchip processor, and comes
any of them. So I'll forgo the Steve Jobs’ reality distortion popular on the market. with 1 GB of built-in storage.
ritual sacrifice of my Visa card field, it might still be a lot of Sometimes. Other times they There is room for a micro SD
upon the altar of Steve Jobs, money. But, what are you make crap that looks like slot at the bottom, along with
and try not to become the going to do? Major competitors whatever is popular. With the two micro USB connectors.
dreadlock wearing Android such as Microsoft and Dell are iRobot aPad it’s a little bit of Along with a power switch and
geek just yet. I’ll try to take a still rushing to get their version both. Let’s start off with the a power connector (5v) there
of the iPad from price. I paid about 200 euros are 2 more buttons on the
their developers for this little toy (~£150). If you device, one on top to access
onto the Google or eBay around, you’ll the menu functions, and one at
production line. probably find them for less. So the front to go back to the
So, thank god for for the price of one iPad you’ll home screen.
the Chinese. have 2 or even 3 of these. The
These masters of question is, does it show? The resistive touch screen is
KIRF (keeping it fairly responsive, and the built-
real fake) don't : They guys who in motion sensor lets you flip
have fancy CEOs did the box took a good hard the image on the 800x480
who look at the iPad box and made display on its side just like an
refuse to a sensible clone. The Android iPod. The screen is OK, but in
wear a logo on the side notifies you no way comparable to the
tie and that it’s not going to be an (three times more expensive)
speak Apple product. The packaging display of the iPad, but it does
full circle magazine #39 contents ^
REVIEW - IROBOT APAD
the trick quite nicely indoors. come with built in 3G IRC clients, podcatching as the iPad’s. But, it’s about
The device comes with B/G wifi capability, but should support applications, Google one third the price of the iPad!
and built-in speakers. The tethering of a 3G dongle or integration - you name it, they For this price, you get a slightly
latter suck, rendering the aPad cellphone. have it. I was so pleasantly smaller (more portable?)
worthless as a stand-alone surprised by the Android device that gives you a lot of
media player. You need to hook : The aPad is ‘ecosphere’ that I’ll probably joy. People who say that a good
up external speakers or a very promising device - low ditch my Blackberry in favor of device has to be expensive are
headphones to enjoy music. cost, well built, a decent an Android device soon. wrong. The best device is not
The casing is well done - it’s screen, and a great operating necessarily the 600-euro tablet
made to look like an iPad (my system. The downside is it just : The aPad is not an that lets you surf the Web; It
version came with a cheesy feels a little sluggish. iPad, but by this I don't mean may be the 200-euro device
Apple knockoff logo on the Sometimes the device is a tad it’s not as good. There are that lets you do (almost) the
back, though not all do), which slow to respond. Whether this points where this little tablet same thing for a lot less. The
is something they should not is from an underpowered device ranks far below the winner can be the device that
have done, because the device processor (unlikely since impossible parameters set by gives you the most bang for
stands up well by itself without videos run fine), or a poor its Cupertinian overlord. This is the buck. This fact makes the
trying to impersonate its touch-screen hardware choice, mostly true where the aPad iRobot aPad worth a look.
competitor. is unclear to me. When you run tries to be an iPad. Its quality
too many applications on the of build is fine, but it’s not as
: The aPad comes device at once (yes this baby good as the iPad’s. The screen
with android 1.5 and a fair does multitasking), the aPad quality is good, but not as good
share of apps. Although I gets a little slow, but quitting
changed the settings to some apps, and clearing up
“English”, some dialog boxes memory, speeds it up.
are still displayed in Japanese
or Chinese. There are quite a : The one
few applications installed such thing that makes this tablet
as the Facebook app, a Gmail rock is the abundance of
client, an audio and video Android applications. Since the
player, and even a few games. Android OS is a lot more open
The home screen has a built in than the iPhone OS, you will
Google search bar that lets you find a lot more applications
hit the Web with the OS- with a high geek factor. Sure,
provided browser. Once you there is the occasional ‘fart
configure the Wifi, you are app’ but the Android market is
good to go. The aPad does not a geeks Valhalla. SSH clients,
full circle magazine #39 contents ^
MOTU INTERVIEW Jonathan Carter
working on, it’s called Warty.” It questions on the #ubuntu- mistakes, even experienced
was a pre-release of Ubuntu motu IRC channel. Even the packagers are also human and
4.10, which I installed on a most experienced developers make mistakes. I’ve never had
server the first time. I’ve been and packagers there are a MOTU yell at me or be
an Ubuntu user since. always friendly and welcoming. impatient for not knowing
anything, so just get in there
When did you get involved with What’s your favorite part of and try not to stress.
the MOTU team, and how? working with the MOTU?
: 27
Are you involved with any local
:
I was in London in 2005 for the I enjoy learning, the MOTU Linux/Ubuntu groups?
Cape Town,
Edubuntu Summit where I met team is very open, and they
South Africa
Oliver Grawert, my first MOTU never mind sharing information Yes, I’ve been on the Cape
:
mentor. At that time, work got or knowledge. I’ve worked in Town Linux Users Group
highvoltage
in the way a lot with my MOTU corporate environments where committee for a few years and
progress. Before Ubuntu people are afraid to share I’m the co-leader (we have two
How long have you used Linux,
existed, it was one of my knowledge because it may leaders who share
and what was your first distro?
aspirations to one day be a make them seem less valuable responsibilities) of the Ubuntu-
really good Debian contributor, if other people had the same ZA team. I’m stepping down
I’ve been using Linux since
and hopefully one day I will be, knowledge as they did. The from both soon since I’ll be
1999. I started out with Red
but universe seems like a real MOTUs are great at solving working a lot in other countries
Hat Linux, and did lots of distro-
good place to start. problems and helping others next year. I’ll still be involved in
hopping. After that, I settled on
do so. both, and may take leadership
Debian in 2003.
What helped you learn roles in them again in the
packaging and how Ubuntu Any advice for people wanting future.
How long have you been using
teams work? to help out MOTU?
Ubuntu?
What are you going to focus on
I initially looked at the Debian Be patient. Packaging can be in Lucid and beyond?
I was working for the
New Maintainers Guide, but I tricky sometimes - whether it’s
Shuttleworth Foundation at the
found paging through the just making a bug fix, or For Lucid, I’m going to focus on
time, and my manager dropped
Debian Policy Manual to be getting a whole new piece of Edubuntu, and I’ll also do
a CD on my desk and said
much more useful. I’ve always software into the archives. upstream work on LTSP Cluster.
something like “This is the new
had good experiences asking Also, don’t be afraid to make There are many things that are
Linux distribution that Mark is
Streaming To PS3? Ubuntu's good name. I'm Survey Says... Horses For Courses
pretty sure Linux users don't
I I I
read the article explaining like it when people discovered your magazine read Robin Catling's
how to stream media from characterize them as being through an add in Ubuntu article on the iPad with
Ubuntu to a Xbox360 and I "too broke to use a real OS." I User, downloaded a couple interest. I could never buy
was wondering what think Full Circle works best of issues & thought it was any product from a
options are available for PS3 when it's being positive and great, so I downloaded some supplier who overcharges and
and whether or not we will see trying to build things up rather more and saw that you locks their customers in the
a comparable article on the than tear them down. And, for conducted a survey with some way Apple does.
topic. Thanks for a great the record, I don't own an iPad interesting results.
magazine. and switched away from Mac I have purchased a Kindle
years ago. Now that you've had and would prefer it to an iPad
exposure in print to people like to read documents any way. I
Still love your magazine. me would you consider doing will list just two things that the
Ed: Thanks for your time and another survey to see if/how Apple can't do. I can read
consideration. the results would change? books on the Kindle in the
brightest African sunlight
I know your magazine is without any reading difficulties.
aimed at Ubuntu, but I quite And, I read every day and don't
Ed: like the idea of some coverage have to recharge the battery
of a "Guest distro" every three for at least two weeks.
MyPad months or so.
Steve Jobs has never heard
I
love Full Circle and have of the saying "horses for
been a long-time reader, courses".
but in the future do you Ed:
think we could do without ' My friend has an iPad and
the Apple flamebait cartoons? was quite disconcerted when I
They're not funny. Saying showed him my old Fujitsu
"MyPad" isn't fooling anyone, Sielens Lifebook Tablet
and I think petty cross-platform portable, about the same size
sniping just drags down but a little thicker. That also
I
code is:
charges for the hardware. was particularly interested a webserver. You have also
http://pastebin.com/Pk74fLF3
in your series of articles saved it from hitting the
related to setting up a recycle bin as well, or finding a
Please check:
server system using new home via ebay.
http://fullcirclemagazine.past
Ubuntu server. Recently I had ebin.com for all Python (and
List Of Packages come to the conclusion that my future) code.
I
2 year old Asus EEE PC 2G Surf
n addition to the dpkg had become pretty much
method: open the Synaptic useless and hence I hadn't
package manager and go actually used it in quite a
to File > Save Markings as. while. Then I looked back
through some of your articles
Choose a name & location, and it got me thinking about
where it won't get written over using the machine as a
in the upgrade e.g. a USB stick webserver. Obviously not for
if you don't have a separate high traffic, but still it's a
/home partition. Make sure that webserver none the less.
you tick the 'Save full state,
not only changes' box before The EEE PC (or any netbook)
you save. at first glance doesn't seem to
be an obvious choice for a
After upgrading, enter all server. However, a second look
your apt-sources, and open at its low power consumption,
Synaptic, go to File > Read low level noise and tiny
markings and go to the file you physical size make it ideal for
previously saved. Click 'Apply' anybody looking to run a
and Synaptic will download & server in their home for
Q Q
The computer I use files. You have to be careful to page, near the top, is a button Running Lucid after
doesn't have an install the dependency before labelled "Make PDF". You can the update to Firefox
Internet connection, the application. download the manual from 3.6.6 the browser
and I browse the web there. freezes (totally
on another PC elsewhere. How unresponsive) when it's
Q
can I download Ubuntu I recently installed launched.
Q
Kubuntu desktop to I was given an old
A
packages so that I can save
them on my USB flash drive try it out and get a laptop which has 256 Delete secmod.db
and take them back to install feel for something MB of memory. Which from your firefox
on the offline PC? different. Now I want to remove version of Ubuntu do profile.
it. you suggest for it?
A A A
Go to the web site
"packages.ubuntu.co Go to this web page: It is not yet an
Q
m" then select your http://www.psychocats official member of the I got a WUSB54GC
version, and then the .net/ubuntu/puregnom Ubuntu family, but wireless adapter. How
application you want. e Lubuntu seems to the can I get it working?
best version to use with 256 The command lsusb
When an application needs MB of memory: shows the adapter as:
Q
something else to be installed Where can I learn http://lubuntu.net Bus 001 Device 002: ID
more about using the 1737:0077 Linksys
(dependency), the website will
A
show you. It can be handy to Linux command line,
Q
the so-called Terminal? How can I enter the (Thanks to B K in
have a list of what is already
Ubuntu Forums) What
A
installed on your computer, copyright symbol (©)?
Full Circle Magazine you have is a
created by:
has included a series WUSB54GC v3 and
not WUSB54GC, which is a
A
dpkg --get-selections "*" > called Command and
Desktop/apps.txt Conquer since issue Type Ctrl-shift-U, different adapter. Just do this:
14. All the back issues can be then a9 and a space.
Then copy the file "apps.txt" In Accessories/Terminal:
downloaded from the Full Circle See Wikipedia, "List of
onto your flash drive. That
website. Another resource is at Unicode characters."
way, you can see whether you gksudo gedit
http://en.flossmanuals.net/gnuli /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.con
already have the dependency
nux. On the left side of the web f
full circle magazine #39 contents ^
Q&A
Add this line at the end:
Dial-up Internet Access With A USB Modem
Q
After the upgrade to
blacklist rt2800usb 10.04 (Lucid Lynx),
Songbird won't play One easy way to connect to the internet using a dial-up
Save and close then reboot m4a files. How can I account is to buy a USB modem which the manufacturer
and create your wireless fix this? describes as "Linux-compatible".
connection.
A
In • Install Gnome PPP (available in Synaptic Package Manager)
Q
Accessories/Terminal,
I connected an old enter these • Access System > Administration > Users and Groups
hard drive to my commands:
computer as an • Access Advanced Settings (enter password)
external USB drive, cd ~/Songbird
and want to retrieve the files • Open User Privileges Tab
export SB_GST_SYSTEM=1
from it. However, when I click
on the files, I get the message: ./songbird Make sure everything (especially “Connect to internet with a
Access to /media/c885571b- modem” plus “Use modems”) is checked then plug in your
a6e5-4a2d-937a-
78af7050910/george/Courses/hi external (USB) Linux-compatible modem [in this example I'm
st388/Passion.doc was using a USRobotics USR Model 5637.]
denied."
A
• Open Gnome PPP, click on Setup, click on Detect (Gnome
You can change the PPP will then detect the modem), after detection close the
ownership and group setup box, and enter your connection information such as
permissions of the login, password, local telephone number of ISP and so on.
files to your current
username. For example: • Click Connect.
sudo chown username:username When connection is established, open your browser and surf!
-R /media/c885571b-a6e5-4a2d-
937a-78af7050910/george
To end the session and exit, close the browser and click
will change the ownership of Disconnect.
the folder /george, and all of
the files and folders below
/george, to your current
username.
My name is Yuri and it´s my Xubuntu on my old computer - I'm running Ubuntu 9.10. My computer has the following
with 512 and a Celeron II. features:
I don´t like light themes, and hate blue on the desktop - so - Memory: 1.5 GB
I choose dark grey. - CPU: AMD Athlon
- Harddisk: 80 GB
Window border - agualemon. - Theme Shiki-Wise
Wallpaper - gulp - I don´t remember where I found it.
Theme - xfce-dusk. It is working perfectly, and I'm very happy because it
And wbar with GUI (wbarconfig). recognizes all the hardware that I have attached: a webcam,
two printers, and a scanner. I have been working with Ubuntu
On the panel I use the applet ¨window switch¨ to see only since version 6.06, and now I'm waiting for 10.04.
icons of apps. You see mine on the screenshot.
I have used Ubuntu since version 7.04, and now I use 9.10, Hi! I'm El Achèche Anis, and I'm 21 years old.
Karmic Koala, on a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 - with Intel Atom
N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, and 160 HDD. Resolution is set I'm a big fan of Ubuntu. I started using it from version
at 1024 X 600. Everything works fine: wireless card, Compiz, number 7.04. Now I'm a member of the Tunisian Ubuntu
emerald, etc. I used the Mac4Lin theme to change my LoCo. This is how my desktop looks, with Compiz Fusion,
Ubuntu to look like an Apple (I wish I had an Apple Laptop). I AWN and Screenlets SysMonitor (I changed the default
installed Avant Window Manager (AWN) to replace the Ubuntu logo to Ubuntu-tn logo).
bottom panel with the Curve Blue Theme that I found in
http://gnome-look.org. I also added caio-clock at the My PC is a TOSHIBA A300-19P with an Intel Centrino and
desktop.The wallpaper I also found at the Mac4Lin wallpaper. 3GB of RAM.
It's cool. I love my Dell Mini and Ubuntu.
The first place you should look for help is the official Ubuntu Alongside the official Ubuntu Documentation is the Ubuntu
Documentation. It contains a lot of useful how-to articles for Documentation Wiki. It's similar in scope and purpose to the
basic functions, like listening to music, surfing the internet, or official Documentation, but, like many wikis, any user can edit
editing documents. In addition, the Ubuntu Documentation it. As a result, it's much more comprehensive (albeit less KISS-
contains answers to some frequently asked questions, like friendly) than the official Documentation. It contains hundreds
“Why does Gnome Keyring ask for my password whenever I of articles, from installing Acrobat Reader to setting up Madwifi-
log in?” It's edited by a dedicated Documentation Committers ng on a Macbook Pro to configuring Zenoss. It also contains
team (only seventeen members at the writing of this article). handy articles for users switching from other operating
As a result, the articles are less comprehensive, but are systems.
almost always easy to understand and read.
Ubuntu Manual is a nice alternative to both the official For some users, the Ubuntu Manual may seem too basic. If
Documentation and the Documentation Wiki. While both of that's the case, try Ubuntuguide. Maintained at the Linux
these are laid out as webpages, the Ubuntu Manual team, led Center of the University of Latvia, this unofficial guide
by Benjamin Humphrey, created a PDF book. It includes basic presents, in book form, a lot of handy (and slightly more
instructions for most of the software included, making it a advanced) tips and tricks for Ubuntu users, like dual-booting
very handy one-stop reference manual. It also includes both Ubuntu and Mac OS X, installing VMWare, and enabling
print and screen versions, and, in the future, will include proprietary codecs - like libdvdcss2. The site also hosts a
various translations into different languages (though at the similar Kubuntuguide, for KDE users, and a list of open-source
time of this writing, it’s offered only English). alternatives to commercial software.
http://podcast.ubuntu-uk.org/
Mike Kennedy
If you would like to submit , email it to: news@fullcirclemagazine.org
David Haas
Gord Campbell
Send your or Linux experiences to: letters@fullcirclemagazine.org
Robert Orsino
Lucas Westermann
Hardware/software should be sent to: reviews@fullcirclemagazine.org
And our thanks go out to
for Q&A should go to: questions@fullcirclemagazine.org
Canonical, the Ubuntu Marketing
Team and the many translation
screens should be emailed to: misc@fullcirclemagazine.org
teams around the world.
... or you can visit our via: www.fullcirclemagazine.org