Full Circle Magazine Is Not Affiliate1d with Or Endorsed by Canonical Ltd

Issue #23 - March 2009 full circle STEVE STALCUP THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UBUNTU COMMUNITY PROGRAM IN C - PART 7 WEB DEVELOPMENT - PART 4 SPREADING UBUNTU - PART 2

TROUBLESHOOTING TROUBLESHOOTING

USING THE COMMAND LINE HOW TO BE A GEEK GODDESS

Full Circle magazine is not affiliate1d with or endorsed by Canonical Ltd. p.04

Troubleshooting p.06

Program In C - Part 7 p.08 Web Development - Part 4 p.15 Spread Ubuntu - Part 2 p.19

full circle Becoming An Ubuntu User p.22 w w w . f u l l c i r c l e m a g a z i n e . o r g How To Be A Geek Goddess p.23 : Steve Stalcup p.24 p.26 p.28 p.30 P.23 P.24 p.32 P.08 P.15 p.33 : Task Managers p.35 p.37

30 .35 P.19 P..28 P. P icons: KDE4 Oxygen

The articles contained in this magazine are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. This means you can adapt, copy, distribute and transmit the articles but only under the following conditions: You must attribute the work to the original author in some way (at least a name, email or URL) and to this magazine by name ('full circle magazine') and the URL www.fullcirclemagazine.org (but not attribute the article(s) in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you must distribute the resulting work under the same, similar or a compatible license.

2 EEDDIITTOORRIIAALL

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t's true what they say, time does fly when you're having fun. Next month is the second anniversary of FCM. Full Circle magazine will Ibe two years old this coming April, and, in celebration of this (semi)monumental event, FCM#24 will be an uber-issue with surprises galore. What do we want for our birthday? I'm glad you asked. We'd like to see FCM slap-bang on the front page of SlashDot, and Digg if possible. Not only will it keep Robert happy, it's his life long aim to be on SlashDot, but it will expose FCM to many new readers. A readership of Ubuntu is a complete operating 25,000 each month is great, but we want more. We're greedy system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether at like that. I'm sure there are still many folks out there who haven't home, school or work Ubuntu heard of Full Circle magazine, and we can't have that. contains all the applications you'll ever need including word processor, Enjoy this month's issue, keep a close eye out for FCM#24 on the email application and web browser. 24th of April and good luck in this month's competition. Oh, and keep those emails coming! Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for Editor, Full Circle Magazine absolutely nothing. [email protected] Once installed, your system is ready to use with a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

3 French Police: We Saved Millions Xavier Guimard, who says that the Gendarmerie has been able NNEEWWSS By Adopting Ubuntu to reduced its annual IT budget France's Gendarmerie Nationale says by 70 percent without having to Ubuntu 9.04 Beta Released it has saved millions by migrating its reduce its capabilities. desktop software infrastructure away : http://arstechnica.com Both the from Windows and replacing it with server, and Ubuntu. desktop editions, of They began their transition to open Ubuntu 9.04 source software in 2005 when it Game Development Survey (Jaunty replaced Microsoft Office with Jackalope) OpenOffice.org. It gradually adopted Free Game Developer forum are beta have been released. It comes other software applications, including having a discussion about the with many new features, some of Firefox and Thunderbird. After the possible ways of funding an open which come courtesy of upstream. launch of Windows Vista in 2006, it source game project, and have A new GNOME release, a new decided to phase out Windows and placed the arguments into a X.org release, a new notification incrementally migrate to Ubuntu. survey to ask people their system, they're all in there. opinions. If you would like to At the current stage of the migration, take part in the survey, click the Since Ubuntu 9.04 comes with it has adopted Ubuntu on 5,000 source link below, as they are GNOME 2.26, it inherits its new workstations. Based on the success trying to get as many features: it comes with the of this migration, it plans to switch participants as possible. Brasero burning tool, better 15,000 workstations to Ubuntu by support for multiple monitors with the end of the year. It aims to have http://tinyurl.com/opensurvey a new configuration panel, better the entire organization, and all PulseAudio integration, and so on. 90,000 of its workstations, running This Ubuntu 9.04 beta also comes Ubuntu by 2015. with X.org 1.6, and several more A report published by the European video cards now use open drivers. Commission's Open Source Sorry if you didn't win this month, Observatory provides some details but in next months issue we'll be : http://www.osnews.com reviewing and from a recent presentation given by have copies to give away! Gendarmerie Lieutenant-Colonel

4 GNOME 2.26 Released burning backends. Note that the NEWS previous method of burning is NEWS still part of GNOME. Work on GNOME's mail and Canonical Launching Ubuntu groupware suite, Evolution , has Server Training Course focussed on users migrating from Windows. Evolution now Expanding its Ubuntu training supports importing Outlook .pst series, Canonical is planning to files, as well as support for make an Ubuntu Server training Microsoft Exchange's MAPI course available later this year. In protocol. This makes GNOME a blog posting Canonical, the much more suited to work with The GNOME team has released financial backer of Ubuntu Linux, Exchange servers. said that the new course is being GNOME 2.26, the latest release in the designed in response to requests 2.x release branch. As everyone There are also a few media- from both students and partners. knows, GNOME is a multi-platform related improvements, such as open source desktop environment. the automatic subtitle 'Deploying Ubuntu in the The 2.26 release continues GNOME's downloader plugin in Media Enterprise Environment' will be a policy of incremental updates to a Player. There's also a new five-day course designed for stable base, and as such, it comes volume control applet that intermediate-to-advanced system packed with a boatload of new makes full use of PulseAudio's administrators working in features. advanced audio features. The organisations which are about to old Gstreamer mixer is still GNOME 2.26 includes the Brasero deploy, or have already deployed, available to those who aren't CD/DVD burning tool as the default Ubuntu desktops and servers in using PulseAudio. the office, Canonical said. burning application. Even though GNOME already supported burning Other new features include, “Participants will acquire the capabilities, Brasero brings new among others, video chat in skills they need to deploy, features to GNOME such as audio Empathy, better multi monitor configure and maintain Ubuntu track preview, track splitting, volume support, and fingerprint reader Server Edition within an normalisation, full multisession support. enterprise infrastructure.” support, integrity checks, a cover : http://www.osnews.com : http://www.tectonic.co.za editor, and support for multiple

5 to see if they show any CCOOMMMMAANNDD AANNDD CCOONNQQUUEERR indication of having recognized Written by Lucas Westermann your USB stick. If the drive is recognized by the system you 've noticed that there were to find out what you need to do to can, for a more specific error quite a few posts on Ubuntu resolve the issue. message, try mounting the USB Forums in the last couple of stick manually, and see why it is I A more difficult problem to weeks about how to troubleshoot failing. troubleshoot is if, for example, you errors that occur. Therefore, I insert a USB stick and it isn't decided I'd cover some basic The above commands and recognized by Nautilus. The first things I do when trying to find ideas can apply to almost any command that should be run is: where a problem is occurring, so issue that you might encounter, that I can google for a solution dmesg|tail as long as you have a basic (unless I can fix it without that). understanding of where to look. For general knowledge, logs are See if the output of that refers to The next suggestion, however, is stored under /var/log/, and there the insertion of a USB stick, or for slow boot times and to see are system logs (for everything), anything that relates to your specific what exactly is going on when and then a collection of logs for problem. If it doesn't appear in the you start the computer - in case applications or processes. output you can try either extending something is hanging and the amount of output you see by causing a large delay. The first thing that should be adding the -n argument to tail, and This is done by a program done - if an application crashes on the number of lines you want startup (e.g. Firefox freezes and called boot chart which is in the displayed. So seeing 14 lines of Ubuntu repositories. You can just crashes after you launch it) - is to output would be: launch the application from the install it with: terminal - then any errors that dmesg|tail -n 14 sudo apt-get install bootchart arise are displayed in the terminal. If that gives you an error Otherwise, you can remove and re- Once it's installed, you merely message, the best solution would insert the stick in a new USB slot, or have to restart your computer be to either copy and paste the check the outputs of and then you can view the gist of the error into google for a sudo fdisk -l resulting chart in eye of gnome search, or else, if you understand (default image viewer) - by the error, to use that information lsusb navigating to the

6 /var/log/bootchart/ folder and little. For example, if you're working investigated in the man pages opening the correct image (they on a wireless connectivity issue, or a (using the “man” command are named by date). wireless device not being recognized, covered in an earlier article of post the output of commands such C&C), and using the commands Also, hardware issues can be as ifconfig, iwconfig, lshw -C will also greatly help your checked by the program lshw, Network; if it's a USB wireless understanding of them. which lists hardware information. dongle, then also the output of lsusb, The most useful way to do it is to if it's PCI then lspci, etc. This helps run it using the -C flag, and then because whoever decides to help the section (display, network, you won't have to ask for any more etc.). So, for example, wireless information if you supply enough in http://www.troubleshooters.com/t issues would be checked with: the first post, and any subsequent promag/200007/200007.htm sudo lshw -C Network replies may be able to answer your question without a long back and This command displays details forth, which usually can last for a day on your network devices (ethernet or two (depending on timezones and and wireless), and lists as much time of day the post was created). information as possible, from Just keep in mind that the more capabilities to drivers, and so information is supplied, the more forth. The most important is information someone has to work probably to check that it isn't with to solve a problem that they can disabled, and that the driver is neither see nor physically listed (it will be in the last line of troubleshoot. the device section and denoted with “driver=[drivername]”). This article was created to be a useful guide to give people has learned all he On a last note, if you run into somewhere to start when trying to knows from repeatedly breaking his system, then any errors or problems you are solve problems on their own, or to having no other option but to unable to troubleshoot or fix, improve their chances of getting discover how to fix it. When he attach as much information as support when they need to ask for it. finds time, he also publishes a possible that could be relevant to It is by no means exhaustive, nor are blog at http://lswest- any request you make. Too much the commands listed explained ubuntu.blogspot.com. information is better than too thoroughly. Any commands can be

7 HHOOWW--TTOO Written by Elie De Brauwer PPRROOGGRRAAMM IINN CC -- PPAARRTT 77

only what happens with memory (de)allocation. The tool discussed FCM#17-22 - Program In C - Parts 1-6 here is named gdb (The GNU debugger), and to this tool there are no real limits - if there is something related to an application which you want to examine, GDB is the tool. On a regular Ubuntu system, gdb can be installed by entering: Dev Graphics Internet Multimedia System sudo apt-get install gdb

All IDE's on a Linux system which allow debugging will typically have CD/DVD HardDrive USB Drive Laptop Wireless the text-mode gdb as a backend. Here, I will focus on using gdb from n part 6 of this series, I showed the command line, but know that panels. At the top, you have the you some non-intrusive ways when it comes to complex data panel where you can Iof examining applications. In debugging, it can sometimes be display variables and browse this article, I will present a tool useful to have a graphical view on through their contents. In the which allows you to dig deeper, to things. One of the older graphical middle, you can see the source do some post-mortem analysis, frontends on gdb is called (Data panel where the source code is and to examine the inner working Display Debugger), you can install it shown - here you can place of an application. Where by typing: breakpoints. And the bottom strace/ltrace/valgrind are really panel allows you to see the gdb sudo apt-get install ddd nice tools, they will show only a interaction. You can either type part of what really happens; Above right is a screenshot of ddd gdb commands in there, or you strace shows, for example, only in action. It consists of three large can click the matching buttons. system calls, while valgrind shows

8 The example in this article is called . There is already an ifstat application in Ubuntu, but 01. #include this application behaves the same 02. #include but is simpler. The application is 03. #include presented in Listing 1 and Listing 04. #include 2. The goal of the application is to 05. typedef unsigned long long ull print, every 2 seconds, the 06. int parseDevFile(const char * iface, ull *bRx, ull *pRx, 07. ull *bTx, ull *pTx) interface rate of a given network 08. { interface. It is basically a while 09. FILE * fp = NULL; loop (Lines 29-49) which reads 10. char * line = NULL; /proc/dev/net and prints the 11. unsigned int len = 0; incoming and outgoing interface 12. fp = fopen("/proc/net/dev", "r"); rate for a given network interface 13. if(fp==NULL) in both kilobytes per second and 14. { as packets per second. The main 15. return -1; function itself is rather simple 16. } 17. while(getline(&line,&len,fp)!= -1) (Lines 51-60). Here we check if 18. { there is one parameter given from 19. if(strstr(line,iface)!=NULL) the command line. This one 20. { parameter will become the 21. interface the user wants to sscanf(strstr(line,":")+1,"%llu%llu%*u%*u%*u%*u%*u%*u%llu%llu", monitor. If no parameters, or too 22. bRx, pRx, bTx, pTx); many parameters, are given, a 23. } message is printed which 24. } 25. fclose(fp); instructs the user how to use the 26. free(line); application. Up until now, nothing 27. return 0; really new has been shown, all 28. } new things are in the parseDevFile() function (Lines 5- Listing 1: ifstat.c (part 1) 28), so the new things are briefly discussed here. This function will open /proc/dev/net and parse its

9 29. void dumpInterfaceUsage(const char * iface) contents, the counters we are 30. { interested in will be stored in the 31. ull ifaceBRxOld=0, ifaceBTxOld=0, ifacePRxOld=0, ifacePTxOld=0; bRx, pRx, bTx and pTx pointers 32. ull ifaceBRxNew=0, ifaceBTxNew=0, ifacePRxNew=0, ifacePTxNew=0; which are passed when calling 33. const int SLEEP_TIME = 2; 34. this function. By passing pointers, 35. we are capable of changing the if(parseDevFile(iface,&ifaceBRxOld,&ifacePRxOld,&ifaceBTxOld,&ifacePTx values of these variables from Old)==-1) return; within the function. The function 36. sleep(SLEEP_TIME); will return 0 on success, or -1 37. while(1) when opening the file has failed. 38. { 39. In this example, it is the first if(parseDevFile(iface,&ifaceBRxNew,&ifacePRxNew,&ifaceBTxNew,&ifac time we open a file - on Line 9 ePTxNew)==-1) return; there is a file pointer declared. 40. printf("%s In: %8.2f kbyte/s %5llu P/s Out: %8.2f kbyte/s Line 12 contains a call to fopen() %5llu P/s\n", iface, 41. (ifaceBRxNew-ifaceBRxOld)/(SLEEP_TIME * 1024.0), (man fopen for details), the first 42. (ifacePRxNew-ifacePRxOld)/SLEEP_TIME, argument is the file we want to 43. (ifaceBTxNew-ifaceBTxOld)/(SLEEP_TIME * 1024.0), open, the second argument says 44. (ifacePTxNew-ifacePTxOld)/SLEEP_TIME); how we want to open this file. In 45. ifaceBRxOld=ifaceBRxNew; ifaceBTxOld=ifaceBTxNew; this case “r” means we want to 46. ifacePRxOld=ifacePRxNew; ifacePTxOld=ifacePTxNew; open the file for reading. Once we 47. sleep(SLEEP_TIME); are done with reading from the 48. } file, we close it using fclose() on 49. } 50. Line 25. 51. int main(int argc, char **argv) 52. { 53. if(argc != 2) Let's discuss C-style I/O: 54. { fopen(), fclose(), fread(), fwrite() 55. printf("Usage: %s interfacename\n", argv[0]); calls are part of the C-standard, 56. exit(1); and these should be available on 57. } 58. dumpInterfaceUsage(argv[1]); each platform. open(), close(), 59. return 0; read(), write(), however, are part 60. } of the POSIX standard, and these Listing 2: ifstat.c (part 2) 10 are the actual internal system Lines 19-24 do the actual parsing flags passed to the compiler, this calls. One usually uses fread() of the line read from the file. Line 19 means that debugging symbols when reading from a file. checks if the interface name is are embedded within my binary, However, if you look at the somewhere within the line we read and this will allow the debugger manual page, it would tell you (meaning we read enough lines). If to get more precise information. that you need to specify a buffer - we are at the correct line, sscanf() the size of an element and how will be used to convert the values on When I try to start the many elements to read - and this the line to the unsigned long long application, and I pass by is not really convenient in our variable we are using in the accident 'b' as the interface case. This is why we make use of application. Notice that the '*' within name, the application behaves getline(); this function takes a the formatstring means that we are as follows: pointer to a pointer as first not interested in this value. edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ argument, and a pointer to an ./ifstat b Now, compiling and running the integer as a second argument. Segmentation fault application gives the output below Internally, this function will always when I examine the activity of my read a full line, and it will either Now, what happened here: wireless link. copy the data to the buffer passed apparently our application tried if there is enough room, or it will to access some memory which reallocate a new buffer if there is didn't belong to the application, not enough room (see man Unfortunately, this article is about the kernel didn't like this, and getline for details). All we should debugging, and although this sent us a signal SIGSEGV. As a keep in mind is to free the pointer example seems to behave now, it is result, the application getline() allocated for us (Line 26). far from perfect. Notice that I terminated. There are two compiled the example with the -ggdb options we could adopt in this situation; we could either restart the application in our debugger and do some live debugging edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ gcc -ggdb -o ifstat ifstat.c there. Or we could obtain a core edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ ./ifstat wlan0 wlan0 In: 1.36 kbyte/s 16 P/s Out: 1.50 kbyte/s 16 P/s file and do some post mortem wlan0 In: 103.25 kbyte/s 84 P/s Out: 4.61 kbyte/s 54 P/s debugging. When you encounter wlan0 In: 1.29 kbyte/s 15 P/s Out: 1.50 kbyte/s 16 P/s a situation like this with any of the packages your distribution has to offer, and you file a bug

11 report, people will often ask you the application was terminated due and we see here that we are stuck for a core file. It's useful to know to a segmentation violation. We at a line which contains a 'b' how to create these core files, so entered where, and gdb responded (which we passed as interface), that's what we'll do first. with a backtrace - a list of all but the strstr() which searches for functions that were called - we see a ':' has returned NULL since there edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ ulimit -c unlimited we started at main, then entered is not ':' in the header. So, dumpInterfaceUsage, then entered sscanf() tried to read from edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ parseDevFile, which called sscanf. memory address 1. ./ifstat b Thus, usually one hopes (and here In order to have the same effect one is usually correct) that the on a live session, start gdb, and Segmentation fault (core problem lies within the code you just pass the binary as the first dumped) wrote, and not within the library you argument. At the gdb prompt, you called. So our guess here would be edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ type run followed by the startup that we did something wrong when ls -hal core arguments. And the same will calling sscanf(). So, to be sure, I happen: -rw------1 edb edb 280K 2009- asked gdb to print the line variable, 03-07 13:33 core

With ulimit, limits to certain edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ gdb ifstat core resources can be set, the size of a GNU gdb 6.8-debian corefile is one of these resources, Copyright (C) 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc. and nowadays this is by default License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later set to 0. When we set this to unlimited, an application can This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. dump a core file (a core file is a There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law. Type "show copying" dump of the working memory of and "show warranty" for details. an application). Now let's take a This GDB was configured as "i486-linux-gnu"... look at it using gdb (right). warning: Can't read pathname for load map: Input/output error. Now what have we done here? Reading symbols from /lib/tls/i686/cmov/libc.so.6...done. We started gdb, and passed our Loaded symbols for /lib/tls/i686/cmov/libc.so.6 binary, and the core file, as Reading symbols from /lib/ld-linux.so.2...done. startup arguments. gdb told us NOTE: and several other libc.so.6 errors. 12 edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ get a gdb prompt when the showing an expression every gdb ifstat breakpoint is encountered. We time) on the line pointer which decide to step through this function contains our string (the output is (gdb) run b by issuing a number of steps a bit trimmed down for Starting program: commands (this equals executing formatting reasons). But we see /home/edb/fullcircle/c- one line of code). After the fopen() that we go through the while 7/ifstat b call, we investigate whether the file loop without executing the Program received signal pointer is valid; it seems it is. So we sscanf. So we can only conclude SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault. decide to put a display (this is that the interface “bla” does not

0xb7fd26c7 in rawmemchr () from /lib/tls/i686/cmov/libc.so.6 edb@lapedb:~/fullcircle/c-7$ gdb ifstat (gdb) break parseDevFile But here we did not make use of Breakpoint 1 at 0x80485da: file ifstat.c, line 11. the core file. The following (right) (gdb) run bla Starting program: /home/edb/fullcircle/c-7/ifstat bla is the output of a live session. Breakpoint 1, parseDevFile (iface=0xbf96175d "bla", bRx=0xbf961290, When we started the pRx=0xbf961280, bTx=0xbf961288, pTx=0xbf961278) at ifstat.c:11 application with 'bla' as a 11 FILE * fp = NULL; (gdb) step parameter, we saw that all our 12 char * line = NULL; rates remained zero. So we (gdb) step decided to take a look. If 13 unsigned int len = 0; something goes wrong, we (gdb) step suspect it to be in parseDevFile, 15 fp = fopen("/proc/net/dev", "r"); so by calling break parseDevFile, (gdb) step we tell gdb to place a breakpoint 16 if(fp==NULL) when this function gets called. (gdb) print fp $1 = (FILE *) 0x9e20008 This means the application will (gdb) step start and work as normal, but it 21 while(getline(&line,&len,fp)!= -1) will interrupt and present a gdb (gdb) display line shell each time the breakpoint is 1: line = 0x0 met. After setting the breakpoint, (gdb) step we start the application and we 23 if(strstr(line,iface)!=NULL)

NOTE: and several 'line = 0x9e20170' errors. 13 exist. When we issue cont to But I hope that this is sufficient to let application! Make sure it prints a continue execution, we see the the reader understand that gdb warning when an interface next time the program encounters allows you to examine how an cannot be found, and make the the breakpoint we are dropped application is running; how it is interface matching more back to the gdb shell. making use of the system. And I intelligent. strongly advise everybody who works with C applications to invest In this article I introduced first some time in getting to learn to work is a the concept of C style I/O, and the with gdb, since this will prove to be Belgian Linux fanatic, and use of getline(), but I also gave a an extremely valuable tool when it apart from spending time with his family, he enjoys playing bird's eye overview of gdb. Due to comes to troubleshooting applications. When it comes to with technology, and spends his limited space, I have been able to days waiting for Blizzard to finally only scratch the surface of gdb. exercises for this article, fix the release Diablo III.

' ' is reviewed on page 23 of this issue.

14 HHOOWW--TTOO Written by Brett Alton WWEEBB DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT -- PPAARRTT 44

many others), is not the be-all-and- end-all programming language used Assuming you made your first FCM#20 - 22 - Web Dev. Part 1 - 3 on the Internet. Nor is it the best. website after reading part two of A number of programming this web development series in languages are available for web Full Circle #21, we will continue developers, including, but not limited to modify the 'index.html' file to, Python, Perl, Ruby (and Ruby on which we saved in the localhost Rails), Java (JSP), ASP, ASP.net, etc. folder. Heck, if you want to get into some Dev Graphics Internet Multimedia System esoteric programming, you can even use C, C++, or many other low-level programming languages. Editing many pages will quickly become a nuisance if But, what you need to understand you wanted to add, for example, CD/DVD HardDrive USB Drive Laptop Wireless is that every language is different a page called birds.html, or edit and has its different uses and the footer on all the pages purposes. Some are procedural, because it is now, for example, rogramming languages are some are object-oriented, and some 2010. In PHP, you can make your meant to automate tasks are mixed. If you want to try Python, page dynamic by splitting off Pand make life easier. PHP is go right ahead! In fact, I encourage each section and making it no exception. it. Plus, it looks great on a résumé to modular. However, PHP, no matter how know more programming languages great, easy to use, or heavily – right? Some employers will hire you First, we'll split off the CSS into propagated (an estimated 20 only if you have experience with another file. This isn't required, million installs, and used by ASP.net, while others will like you to but is done as good practice, websites and programs such as have only PHP and Python. Learn and you should do this for Facebook, Wikipedia (MediaWiki), what you feel comfortable with, and almost all aspects of your Digg, Wordpress, Yahoo!, and what the industry dictates (if you're website (CSS, javascript, PHP or interested in money!).

15 anything that is repeated Now, to make the rest of the should contain the following files throughout the website). website more modular, take the code and folders: beginning with and Put the code (below) in a new localhost/ ending in '', and place it in a folder called 'css', and name the css/ folder called 'inc' under the filename file 'screen.css'. screen.css 'header.php'. inc/ In index.html, delete: footer.php Do the same for '

Menu:

' header.php called 'menu.php' inside the 'inc' index.php folder. and replace it with Now, inside 'index.php', add Lastly, create 'footer.php' inside the following code to the very ' and href="css/screen.css" /> end with ''. id="content">' to the div tag ('

') just before the menu include where the *{ '

', menu used to be: color: #ececec; and put it inside a inside the localhost background-color: #212122; } folder, beside and the following code at the #footer{ 'index.html'. You very bottom: border-top: 1px solid #ccc; may now delete } 'index.html' as we font-size: 80%; more. text-align: center; } Right now, your To the astute reader, you'll localhost folder notice that all we've done is

16 taken the header, menu and your very first piece of PHP, and your and: footer code out, placed in an first PHP function (the include() (2) encase your PHP code external file like we've done with function). Whenever you write PHP inside PHP tags "". our CSS, and then included it in code, it is important to: our 'index.php' file. There are exceptions to this rule (1) have the filename end in .php, You've also been introduced to

My First Website!

Hello, and welcome to my first website! Please bear with me as I am just getting started in web development, but there will be much more to come soon!

'; break; case 'dogs': echo '

I like dogs!

'; break; case 'cats': echo '

I like cats!

'; break; case 'lizards': echo '

I like lizards!

'; break; } ?>

17 (as with almost everything I've that the switch statement will in between each page with no touched on so far), but these two accept: 'home', 'dogs', 'cats', and problems, and witness the practices are best for security, 'lizards'. The 'default' case will be the changing content. convenience, and consistency. content used if none of the formerly Try to experiment for yourself, listed cases are used. (e.g. and add a fifth page called If you surf to http://localhost/index.php?page=bird 'birds', and see if you can get it http://localhost/index.php, you will s). This isn't the most effective way working. notice no difference between the with dealing with a broken query 'index.html' file we previously string, but it's a start. Please note that this is a very created and the 'index.php' file basic introduction to PHP. When we just created. Now, inside inc/menu.php, modify creating websites that use your code to look like this: include's, there are security

Menu:

factors that should be Lastly, for our introduction to

Home
Dogs
Cats
Liza rds

behind it constitutes a query string). This now enables us to pass a Proper query string format variable called 'page' to 'index.php' - would look like this: with the content 'home', 'dogs', 'cats' is an Ubuntu http://example.com?variable=5. or 'lizards', depending on which link enthusiast, computer We will use this in just a second. is clicked. technician and software engineer from Toronto, Canada You will also notice the cases You will then see that you can go

18 HHOOWW--TTOO Written by Grant Paton-Simpson SSPPRREEAADD UUBBUUNNTTUU -- PPAARRTT 22

Ubuntu's growth on the desktop. of web hosting plummeted once you could use non-Microsoft FCM#22 - SPREAD UBUNTU - PART 1 technologies. Even Internet Explorer users have benefited enormously as Microsoft has had The key idea is critical mass. Once to play catch-up. Firefox gained critical mass, the web- Similarly, once Desktop Linux browser war re-ignited, the internet reaches a certain level of usage, became a much better place for it will be too big for hardware Dev Graphics Internet Multimedia System developers to work in, and the cost and software producers to ignore. This will mean better drivers, and more native Linux versions of important

CD/DVD HardDrive USB Drive Laptop Wireless applications. This is already beginning to happen.

hy should we bother persuading other people Wto try Ubuntu? Isn't it enough that the option is there if we want it? Why do we have to be so obsessed with beating Windows (or Apple OS X) all the time? These are the sorts of things I have heard some bloggers say. In response, there are four main reasons we should encourage

19 innovation. As a side note, this is find old television series on the why we should be pleased to see internet, and pay a reasonable competition from other desktop price to download them. DRM Software has reduced Linux distros - it keeps the pressure enables media cartels to ignore enormously in cost. In the late on, e.g. to improve boot speed. public demand, and it should be 1980s, WordPerfect 4.2 for DOS resisted. Unlike Vista, Ubuntu cost me NZ $1,500. Now the does not support DRM, and this equivalent sum would get me a is another reason we should good desktop PC plus a small support Ubuntu. notebook - including all software. Digital Rights Management (DRM) Open-source software, such as is being removed from music, but Ubuntu, has accelerated this visual content is still too hard to trend. Large software companies (legally) search, access, and view. We should be able to do things like do not have a natural right to Yes, a careless or gullible user hyper-profitability, and software can compromise the security of becoming a commodity is great any computer system, but news for consumers. Windows is too risky for the common desktop user. All things being equal, Ubuntu will provide them with much better security. I Monopolies are bad for have seen numerous Windows consumers, especially when the machines so infested that they dead hand of a monopoly in one ran like 286s. area is able to extend into other areas. A vibrant and growing Computer use has increasingly desktop Linux community can become Internet use, and make possible whole new Ubuntu is perfect for such a categories of innovation. The purpose. stagnation of web browsing (no tabbed browsing, slow Javascript etc.) under Internet Explorer 6 The real price of a Windows highlighted the dangers of relying machine includes the hardware, on one company as the source of the OS, the applications, plus all

20 the protection you need to buy (to burning, etc.). Did I mention they are prevent the machine being taken all free?! over). Then, there is the constant work of keeping the security systems up-to-date, and running Desktop Linux is not the complete the various checks and tests. The answer for everyone. Not all Total Cost of Ownership is much Windows applications run higher than it may seem. successfully under Wine, and, Already, Linux is having an sometimes, there are no native Linux impact on the cost of software. alternatives, especially for specialist The option of Linux on netbooks business applications. This is less of has substantially limited an issue now that virtualisation is Microsoft's ability to extract viable for the ordinary user, but will monopoly profits from XP on the still be an issue for some users. same platform. It will be interesting to see what impact this ultimately has on OS pricing. Desktop Linux matters, and promoting Ubuntu is currently the best way to support that. Community is one of the best things about Ubuntu. The helpfulness, the positive attitude, and the sense that people don't help other people only for money.

is a Ubuntu has lots of top-class software developer from applications available, including Auckland, New Zealand, with a Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, PhD in Sociology. Married to Elizabeth GIMP, VLC, Pidgin, Inkscape, with 4 lively children, and a custom RhythmBox, Transmission database business (http://www.p- s.co.nz). (BitTorrent), and Brasero (CD

21 MMYY SSTTOORRYY Written by Lars Blomgaard BBEECCOOMMIINNGG AANN UUBBUUNNTTUU UUSSEERR

bout 6 years ago, I tried to desktop right away, and the fact that work, Web surfing, email, and install Fedora (FC 3) on my there were new versions every six learning about the terminal. The Adesktop, because I needed months. I also experienced that if I best part is, if I need a program, to run a simple Web server for a needed help, there was a community I just go get it, and it works right school experiment. Since it was ready to answer away. my questions. my first experience with Linux, I In the got confused and didn't have the When I first saw future, I'll still courage to get in depth with the the wubi installer, I be learning setup. At that time I thought the had to try it. At more about information was scarce first I experienced the Linux (information probably was some crashes in world and accessible, but I didn't find it). the GUI (or x- Ubuntu. I will Therefore, I decided to install server), and the encourage Windows, and run XAMPP instead wireless network others to try to solve my problem. had some Ubuntu, since At my university, I was handed difficulties it's easy to a CD with Ubuntu 5.04 by one of connecting and use. The only my teachers. That was my first staying connected. thing that's experience with the Ubuntu When the next release came out, all keeping me from exclusively distribution. We (my friends and I) these problems were solved, and the running Linux is its inability to began by installing Ubuntu on one wubi is running smoothly and stable. run my games. I know there is a of the school desktops, to see Wubi is now a permanent part of my Wine solution to this issue. I how it worked. Since we hadn't desktop machine. have tried to install and run had much experience with the games, but have not succeeded, I have borrowed a laptop from my use of the terminal and the setup unfortunately. I won't blame work that is running Intrepid Ibex of a Web server, we used the Linux for that, but I hope that it (clean install on hard drive). I have, machine only as a Web surfer. I will get better in the future. so far, been pleased with the laptop liked the look and feel of the installation, which I use for office

22 BBOOOOKK RREEVVIIEEWW Written by Cathy Malmrose HHOOWW TTOO BBEE AA GGEEEEKK GGOODDDDEESSSS

Admittedly, there was little in the book that easier to use. My daughter did her first was appropriate for me. I already know how clean install of Ubuntu at five years to set up a desktop (and can build one with old. A neighbor complained that he my eyes closed), but I am not the book's couldn't possibly use Linux because Christina Tynan-Wood audience. My friends are the audience, the “it's too hard”. When we got home, my December 2008, 344 massive population of non-geeky; even a- daughter asked if she could try pages technical people are the intended audience. installing it. We wiped one of the Geek Goddess appeals to women who are desktops (which had been doing ISBN: 1-59327-187-9 seeking the savvy that is currently beyond Windows / Ubuntu performance their reach. benchmark tests), and handed her an install CD. She couldn't read all the Geek Goddess has a tremendous amount of instructions, so she asked her six year humor, and a highly personal writer's voice. I began reading “How To Be a Geek old brother, “What does this say?” For the mainstream, this is the ideal Goddess” while traveling to visit family They pressed Enter until the install approach. Personally, I found the and friends who were not technically was complete. So, dear Christine Tynan- stereotypes unnecessary and distracting, inclined. I was surrounded by people Wood, trust me – Ubuntu is easy but my less technical friends, when I read it who did not know their desktop nor enough to use, and should be included to them, found this approach comforting. laptop make nor model, let alone the in your book's next printing as a Go figure. actual specs. Within this context, the delightfully easy operating system. Geek Goddess book was a highly useful The number of people using Linux - Ubuntu Here, I'll even write the first line for tool. in particular - is growing so quickly that her: “Ubuntu, Apple or Windows? incorporating new users with grace, I found myself marking pages to share Deciding which operating system to especially the a-technical ones, is not an with these friends. I marked the section use is one of the easiest decisions you easy task. In reading this book and writing on security software for a friend who is will make. Pick the one that works best this review, I am choosing to focus on the constantly sabotaging her desktop's - currently Ubuntu - with the others positive – if this book helps some women ability to fend off viruses. I marked lagging as a distant second or third take ownership of their computing power nearly every page in Chapter 5 for a choice to be used only if you must...” friend who shops online, and we enjoyed more seriously, then kudos to the author. looking at some of the new leads Maybe, in her next printing, she'll expand together. I read parts of Chapter 11 to a her section “Apple or Windows?” to include grandma who takes great pleasure in Ubuntu. It would have been a smart choice communicating with friends through for her to include it in the current printing. blogs and email. In general, the book Ubuntu is easy enough to install, and even http://nostarch.com was quite useful for the non-techy crowd.

23 MMOOTTUU IINNTTEERRVVIIEEWW Taken from SSTTEEVVEE SSTTAALLCCUUPP

Behind MOTU is a site featuring interviews with those known as 'Masters of the Universe' (MOTU). They are the volunteer army of package maintainers who look after the Universe and Multiverse software repositories.

learning experience due to a failed dual-boot install) As for packaging, there's a lot of great resources I used to learn the basics of packaging. The From the time I messed up that “Old” Ubuntu packaging guide, installation to last October, that’s the Debian New Maintainers when I decided to give Kubuntu a Guide. I wish there were such spin. tools as the MOTU videos and MOTU recopies when I started learning packaging. These new guides really help break down 31 I’ve had the goal of joining the MOTU the process into manageable Central Ohio, USA team for some time, but really didn’t bite-size tasks. get serious until the beginning of the vorian Hardy cycle. My “New Years #Ubuntu-motu on freenode was Resolution” for 2008 was to join the (and is) the fastest way to get MOTU team. With this goal, I started my questions answered. by contributing in small ways, and Everyone on the MOTU channel gradually tackling larger and more is willing to offer a helping hand, I have been using Linux for a little complex tasks. Then, in what seems or at least point you in the right over 3 years now. My first distro like no time at all, I was getting new direction. was Ubuntu (5.04). For me, this packages into Ubuntu and Debian. was a great crash-course in running Linux (which was a forced

24 I love working with such a great will be amazed at what they group of people, who truly are have been missing ;) (I know I My main focus will be helping ensure fulfilling a mission of Ubuntu, by was when I used Kubuntu for the Kubuntu is a top-shelf release. pushing out the very best that first time) Another area I am focusing on is Open Source software has to helping with the sponsoring queue. I offer. The team atmosphere is had some wonderful sponsors who tremendous. spent time reviewing my contributions and teaching me how – Jedi Master Yoda to improve. The best way I know to thank them is by doing the same for Set goals, then jump right in! For other contributors and MOTU me, goal setting was the key hopefuls :) More importantly, fixing I spend all my other spare time between wanting to be a MOTU, these bugs makes for a better with my four kids and wonderful and actually working towards release. wife. becoming a MOTU. It will be frustrating at times, but it will also be very exciting. I clearly remember the frustration I felt while trying to figure how to With KDE make specific things work, and 4.1, long the thrill of finding the solution. time KDE You can’t learn how to do this users can stuff and not fail (a lot) along the expect to be way. pleased with what Most importantly, the MOTU team Kubuntu has is awesome to work with! to offer. I Everyone is willing to help answer honestly a question, help steer you in think people finding solutions, and giving new to the K honest feedback. desktop environment

25 Every month we like to publish some of the emails we receive. If you would like to LLEETTTTEERRSS submit a letter for publication, compliment or complaint, please email it to: [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space reasons.

n the FCM#22 Top 5 there was Writer of Letter of the Month wins an arcticle about Handbrake. two metal Ubuntu case badges! At the end you stated that it's I egarding Marianne Popps not in the repositories and that one should install the .deb file question in FCM#22: I am using from the site. Unfortunately, Rthe Skype application (right) - that's not enough, when you use they have a version for Linux you can Ubuntu 8.04 you will also need download it from: libxcb-render-util0 from the Jaunty http://www.skype.com/download/skype repo. It's available (and working, I /linux/) - with a simple Logitech checked) from here: camera which came with its own http://packages.ubuntu.com/jaunt headset and microphone and it works y/libxcb-render-util0 great. You should try it.

Ed:

saw your article in FCM#22 and Ed: the way I create a bootable 'd just like to suggest my IUbuntu USB is this: boot an favourite DVD ripping Ubuntu system (live CD or other), . Ireplacement for DVD Shrink, put in the USB stick, select "install to K9Copy. It's a Qt application, so USB" in the menu. Ubuntu will then ccording to X.org[1] some the users need the Qt libraries take care of it all. Does your method video drivers cannot installed, but it seems to have all provide advantages over my lazy Adisplay modes that are not of the features of DVD Shrink and method? found in the video device's BIOS. is laid out in quite an intuitive way. So while the device may nominally support 1024x768,

26 and may work in Windows using contact with when developing on netbook interface of Easy Peasy, some tricks in the driver, it may Ubuntu myself. I have often had to they can just install their favorite not currently be possible in Linux. create my own .deb files to work desktop environment on top of it I have an which I around issues such as old versions, and not do a complete re-install. believe falls into this category. missing packages, etc. I've given up I am not a fan of the netbook working out those kind of issues on remix interface and do: [1] Launchpad and getting them http://www.x.org/wiki/FAQVideoMo sudo apt-get xubuntu-desktop updated in the distribution because des the process is simply too slow. This keeps the EEE PC kernel On an unrelated note, Teamspeak with a new desktop. For those and Ventrilo are mentioned; who have the 1000 model (which however, Mumble is not. Mumble is has two SDD's) you could maybe n response to Edward Hewitt's open source cross platform and is explain how to format the 8GB piece in issue 22 of Full Circle: just as good, if not better than the for "/" and the 32GB for /home? IFirstly, if EA was ever to other two mentioned. support Linux, the community would need to listen to some of the criticisms they have already said about the system. You can read more about this here on my don't know if this blog: is on all EEE PCs, http://andrewfenn.blogspot.com/2 Ibut it should be 009/02/ea-linux-support.html pointed out: on my EEE PC 1000 the only Not only does EA make some bootable USB port is valid points on the faults of the one on the left distributions such as Ubuntu, but side, the two on the Steve Streeting, the creator of right would not boot Ogre3D has too (you can read his the USB at all. comment on the page above, his nick is Sinbad). These criticisms You could also let should be addressed because people know that if they are things I have come into they do not like the

27 UUBBUUNNTTUU WWOOMMEENN Written by Myriam Schweingruber LLyyddiiaa PPiinnttsscchheerr IInntteerrvviieeww

LP: Exactly, I am one of the Kubuntu LP: I am, right. Mainly, I hang Council people. around in the channel to help newbies and people who had a bad day and need to vent. Having a place to do that is really helpful. LP: Since shortly after I started using Linux I think. That was around Breezy.

LP: Right, and of course to LP: Back then, I wanted to try Linux, encourage women to go out and wasn't sure which distribution to there and make Ubuntu rock by choose. As everyone was talking coding, bug triaging, promotion, about Ubuntu and how cool it was at and so on - there is something to Lydia Pintscher (above): Sure. I that time, I gave it a try. But I also do for everyone. It just am Lydia, from Germany, Free heard people talk about Kubuntu. So, sometimes takes a little time to Software enthusiast, cat herder, after 2 hours of playing with Ubuntu, find that task. social media Ninja, and some I installed Kubuntu, fell in love, and more. I am mainly doing am using it ever since. I love how community management for KDE, applications are integrated, and of LP: I am a student of computer and specifically Amarok. I am also course it is blue! I love blue! science, but, honestly, there are known as Nightrose on IRC. a lot of people out there who write better code than I do. And projects like KDE and Kubuntu are much better served by me

28 doing community work and LP: I think packaging is promotion than coding. ;-) It is a something only few women do, skill set many projects need. and it would be nice to change that.

LP: Think about what you like to do. You don't have to be an expert LP: It is a challenge. But really, at it. We all started small and had there's lots of people around to to learn. Once you know what you help you get started, and it is an like, go to the responsible team, incredibly rewarding feeling to and ask how you can help. Most LP: Yes we have KDE-Women, but it have your first package in the of them will be glad to help you basically has been dead for quite a Ubuntu archive, installable by get started. If you don't know long time, which is a good thing. thousands of people. what you like, or are afraid to go around the community on your own, come to our IRC channel or LP: It shows that women in KDE feel mailing-list. We'll try to help. And comfortable enough in the whole as I said before: there is KDE community, and are well something for everyone; don't be integrated. I hope we will reach the For more about our interview afraid to ask. same with Ubuntu Women soon. One series, check out our website: step to that goal would be to get http://wiki.ubuntu- more women involved in all parts of women.org/Interviews Ubuntu.

29 UUBBUUNNTTUU GGAAMMEESS Written by Edward Hewitt FFOOSSSS GGAAMMIINNGG SSUURRVVEEYY

his week's main article is game-related projects. written by Joseph Guarino. He Humorously enough, 95% Tposted a FOSS (Free and Open actively play FOSS games, and GAME NEWS Source Software) gaming survey on 88% agree that there are tons of Ubuntu Forums, and has written FOSS games! This was a far cry • about his findings from the survey. from the rants I got from friends - The Linux in the community who claimed My primary efforts with the survey community was pleased to otherwise. A heartening fact was were to gauge community perception hear about the support of that, within the FOSS surrounding FOSS gaming, and open Eve Online for Linux, back in community, a full 56% of the a productive dialogue on the issues November 2007. However, it survey users had contributed, surrounding it. In many discussions has been announced that volunteered or donated to these with gamers, friends, and fellow LUG Eve will stop support of projects. I know that, outside our members I found some uniform Linux, due to lack of community, this number is much misconceptions relating to FOSS demand. lower because people don't games, and Linux as a gaming understand the need to • platform. The survey paralleled my contribute. Only in supporting - The critically acclaimed efforts with a speech at SCALE, so I these projects in the many ways puzzle game, World of Goo, went forward to gather the FOSS we can (becoming a project has been released for Linux. community's collective member, donating, advocating, This game has been highly opinion/wisdom where little to no etc.) will they thrive. As part of received by PC Gamer and data existed. The overwhelmingly this survey, I offered a prize, and GameSpot. You can buy or positive response of nearly 700 users a $100 donation to the FOSS download the demo from: was quite heartening. The gaming project of the winners http://2dboy.com/games.php misconceptions I tested were along 3 choice. The $100 went to one of common veins: my favourite FOSS FPS's - Nexuiz.

Sourceforge.net shows As nearly 30,000 FOSS games and

30 Linux users, many of us don't feel for the everyday user. The end as though the hardware vendors game (pun intended) was to see us as a valid market open the dialogue to move us opportunity. Our simple survey forward on these challenges. stats show that, on the contrary, Personally, I believe we, as a we want games on our platform of community, need to look at choice. Nearly 64% consider Linux Linux Gaming in a new light. Our a gaming platform, and a full 60% challenges are less technical think that hardware vendors need ones, and more about building to improve support for Linux. and supporting community, Personally, I don't think that rallying industry, improving our vendors realize how far the Linux business/marketing/PR efforts - desktop has come, and the to make the changes we need. business opportunity we In my own efforts I am starting a represent. Let's vote with our companies and less to the podcast to highlight the many dollars, and make them independent ones. Some smaller amazing FOSS gaming projects, understand. Support the game companies do deserve connect with industry, and companies that support our recognition for consistently actively challenge these past community! supporting our community, and assumptions. Please join me as deserve our support in return. 90% of 04/09 at use Wine or other compatibility www.opengamingnow.com. Now it's time for our community to let A full technology to play Windows games on Linux. This makes me wonder our voice be heard. Anyone else 90% want to buy commercial tired of dual booting? games on Linux, and 85% would what would happen in 2009 if more be more likely to buy a game title games came natively to the Linux if it has a native Linux version. platform. Linux users want games on their There are many paths to improving , aka chewit, is a own terms, and I know they can Linux's penetration into the desktop keen PC gamer and be a profitable segment for these marketplace, and gaming could sometimes enjoys console gaming. He is also on the commercial game companies. certainly be one of them. We are at a Arguably, this applies mostly to development team for the Gfire point with the Linux desktop that it's project (Xfire Plugin for Pidgin) larger commercial game increasingly a ripe gaming platform

31 If you have Ubuntu-related questions, email them to: QQ&&AA [email protected], and Tommy will answer them in a future issue. Written by Tommy Alsemgeest

Basically, yes. The easiest With that much RAM, and way to keep your settings doing only normal Q Awhen reinstalling Ubuntu is to Acomputing tasks such as have a separate home partition. If internet and email, you should you are going to keep your existing technically not need swap space. home files, make sure you copy the However, if one day you use up hidden files and folders as well. all your RAM, your PC would The best alternative to probably crash. It would be like Photoshop is definitely going skydiving without a GIMP (right). It is very A backup parachute. powerful, and works under Q Windows and Linux. The previous issues of Full Circle Magazine are a good place to learn more about Q GIMP.

Q There is a very comprehensive how-to on Adial up modems in the Ubuntu Community Documentation at: https://help.ubuntu.com/commun ity/DialupModemHowto

32 Your chance to show the world your desktop or PC. Email your screenshots and photos to: [email protected] and include a brief paragraph about your MMYY DDEESSKKTTOOPP desktop, your PC's specs and any other interesting tidbits about your setup.

I've been using Linux for a couple of years now and have tried To my shock, after upgrading to Kubuntu 8.10, KDE3.5 was gone. I dozens of distros. My favorite is Ubuntu 8.041 LTS. I like Linux for had been meaning to switch to KDE4 for a while, and as it seems the ability to customize it to my liking in terms of the applications like I now had no choice, I decided to make the most of it. As you and themes. In the past I've been frustrated with the amount of can see, I have Avant Window Navigator at the bottom and two spyware and viruses I've had using XP. Linux affords me a safer plasma widgets for monitoring what's happening in my computer, computing experience. There are eight PCs in my household, and as well as controlling Amarok. Apart from that, I have Swiftfox, Windows licensing makes this cost prohibitive. I've turned several Emesene and Konversaton open for web browsing, MSN and IRC friends onto Linux for those same virtues. I do still use some respectively. Windows programs, but find Wine a great utility to have. I can share all the files and music on my home network, whether they be running Windows or Linux. And since I also play guitar, I've begun exploring home audio recording applications like Rosegarden, Ardour and Hydrogen.

33 MMYY DDEESSKKTTOOPP

I first tried Linux several years ago and I've tried many window This is my Ubuntu 8.10, installed on a 8GB USB memory stick. It managers and distros from e17 to SuSe. Now I use Ubuntu on has Clearlooks OSX theme and icons and Compiz with the my laptop and on a desktop-PC (Pentium III) with IP-Fire. cylinder effect enabled. AWN dock bar is at the bottom of the Currently I'm using Ubuntu 8.10 on my Asus A7J with Compiz, screen with customized Pidgin and Thunderbird launchers that Cairo-Dock, Conky and Screenlets. My Asus A7J is a CoreDuo indicate unread messages. Some interesting programs installed (2x1,8Ghz) with ATI X1600 for video display. include those related to network security assessment. Now I can easily plug it in anywhere I go, and use my own set of applications in my choice of environment. I have booted it on platforms other than those I installed it on and it detects new hardware at boot time. There is just one issue of a lag in programs loading up or when too many are running.

34 TTAASSKK MMAANNAAGGEERRSS Written by Andrew Min

http://live.gnome.org/Tasque http://blog.sarine.nl/ Tasque is a simple yet The prize for the oldest powerful GTK task and most respected task manager. It has managers goes, hands standard to-do list down, to GToDo, the features such as ancient Linux to-do list. multiple lists, but It's been around for what really sets it ages, but it still has the apart are two things: tools you need. Included Remember the Milk are multiple task lists, an integration and export-to-HTML function, Evolution integration. multiple categories, Remember the Milk is priority, a tray icon, without a doubt my notifications, advanced sorting, and much more. You favorite web-based can also get a handy Gnome panel applet for task manager, and Evolution is one of the best PIM accessing your task list from the task bar. It certainly clients around. This superior integration is what doesn't have all the bells and whistles of, say, really makes Tasque one of the most popular task Thinking Rock, but it's incredibly useful and managers on the Linux desktop, and my personal barebones at the same time. favorite. To install GToDo, use the ` ` package in the To install Tasque, use the ` ` package in the `universe` repositories. You can also get the tray `universe` repositories. applet using ` `.

35 http://quicklist.sourceforge.net/ http://www.trgtd.com.au/ http://makagiga.sourceforge.net/ QuickList is a way to, well, quickly make ThinkingRock is the most popular GTD- Makagiga is a powerful mini-PIM app. lists. It's actually for more than just to- style task manager around. Based on Along with the multiple to-do lists, it do lists, acting more like a database the popular lifestyle pioneered by sports an integrated RSS reader, program. At the start, you can add text, David Allen, this is a powerful (but notepad, support for collecting images numeric, date, or time columns to the very hefty) app. It's not just a to-do and links, bookmarks, a presentation left, center, or right. You can then input list; it's a powerful time-management mode, a built-in search engine, a the respective data into the columns. It's tool to simplify your life. It has console, and plugins for anything else perfect for a barebones to-do list, since everything you could possibly imagine, you can think of. It even supports you can add basically whatever feature including criteria, topics, context, and widgets and themes. And despite the (name, description, date, time, priority, much more. As the website jokingly fact that it's written in Java, it's neither completion/incompletion, and so on) by notes, "If you don't have time to bloated nor out-of-place on a Linux just adding another column. Users download and use this software, then desktop (it uses Oxygen icons, but looks familiar with spreadsheets and database you really need it." So if you like GTD fine in Gnome). programs will feel especially at home. and don't mind heavy Java apps, check out ThinkingRock.

Makagiga isn't in the repositories To install QuickList, use the yet. However, you can install it ` ` package from the To install ThinkingRock, follow with the .deb package at `universe` repositories. the instructions at http://url.fullcirclemagazine.org/2d http://url.fullcirclemagazine.org/8 da71 has been a Linux 48f54 addict since he first installed openSuSE in VMWare. Learn more about him at http://www.andrewmin.com/

36 HHOOWW TTOO CCOONNTTRRIIBBUUTTEE Full Circle Team - Ronnie Tucker [email protected] We are always looking for new articles to include in Full Circle. For article guidelines, - Rob Kerfia ideas, and for issue translation, please see our wiki: [email protected] http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuMagazine - Robert Clipsham Please email your articles to: [email protected] [email protected]

If you would like to submit news, email it to: [email protected] Mike Kennedy Send your comments or Linux experiences to: [email protected] Robert Orsino David Haas Hardware/software reviews should be sent to: [email protected] Gord Campbell

Questions for Q&A should go to: [email protected]

MyDesktop screens should be emailed to: [email protected]

If you have questions, you can visit our forum: www.fullcirclemagazine.org

And our thanks go out to Canonical, the Ubuntu Marketing Team and the many translation teams around the world.

A magazine isn't a magazine without articles and Full Circle is no exception. We need your Opinions, Desktops and Stories. We also need Reviews (games, apps & hardware), How-To articles (on any K/X/Ubuntu subject) and any questions, or suggestions, you may have. Sunday 05th April 2009. Send them to: Friday 24th April 2009.