full circle OSMOS ISSUE #37 - May 2010
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full circle magazine #37 contents ^ full circle My Opinion p.18 Ubuntu Women p.24
Program In Python Pt10 p.07 Ubuntu Games p.26
My Story p.15 MOTU Interview p.21 Read how one user began way back with kernel 1.2, and another user came from the 80's using a Screenlets p.12 Tandy TRS 80-III. Command & Conquer p.05
Streaming Media p.14 Review - Lubuntu p.20 Letters p.22 Top 5 - Tiling Windows p.32
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full circle magazine #37 contents ^ EDITORIAL
This magazine was created using :
Welcome to another issue of Full Circle magazine. here's good news this month if you're looking for a lean, mean, distro for your laptop or notebook. Not only is there a review of (Ubuntu + the LXDE desktop), but (Moblin + Maemo) version one is released. And if that's not enough the latest version of is out (v5.0) which is now based on TUbuntu (Lucid in this case)! I've always had a soft spot for Puppy, so I'll definitely be trying 'Lucid Puppy' on my old EEE 701 PC. I'll report back on that hopefully next issue.
I'd also like to thank all the people who've been sending us well wishes on our third birthday edition. Those messages really make it all worth while and help realise that even us non-programmers really can help the community. Ubuntu is a complete operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. I hope you'll all be buying the latest issue of Whether at home, school or when it's released in your part of the work, Ubuntu contains all the world. Rikki at Ubuntu User has been kind enough applications you'll ever need to give Full Circle a full page ad, for free! Hence including word processor, email application and web browser. why we, in return, support Ubuntu User. So, if you Ubuntu is and always will be free can't find Ubuntu User in your part of the world, of charge. You do not pay any drop them an email via their website. licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business, for absolutely nothing. Editor, Full Circle magazine [email protected] Once installed, your system is ready to use with a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.
use the new 'contents' link to jump to the contents page from any other page! full circle magazine #37 contents ^ NEWS
Kernel; modern 2D/3D variations built on the project's MeeGo v1.0 Released graphics stack including Kernel Puppy Linux turns to "Woof" build system. For Netbooks Mode Setting, non-root X; Ubuntu for version 5.0 Introduced in November 2008, universal plug and play; voice and joined last year with a he Linux Foundation he Puppy Linux project and data connectivity with related Puppy Package this week released the has released version Connman connection Manager (PPM), Woof can build open source MeeGo 5.0 of its fast, small- manager, Ofono telephony a Puppy variant from the OS for Intel Atom- footprint Linux distro, stack and BlueZ Bluetooth; packages of any Linux distro, Tbased netbooks. The "uber- Tbased for the first time on and next-generation file including Debian, Ubuntu, platform for the next Ubuntu. Puppy Linux 5.0 is system BTRFS as the default Arch, Slackware, and T2, generation of computing built from Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid file system. according to the project. devices,” can be installed over Lynx binary packages, and a USB drive, according to the debuts a "Quickpet" The OS includes applications : DesktopLinux.com Foundation. for instant access to email, application suite, choice of synchronized calendar, tasks, browsers, and a boot-to- MeeGo v1.0 is geared at appointments, recently used desktop feature. developers and provides them files, and real-time social “with a stable core foundation networking updates all on the Code-named "Lup," or "Lucid for application development homescreen. It also has Puppy," Puppy Linux 5.0 is and a rich user experience for support for multiple languages. "typically Puppy, lean and fast, netbooks,” the foundation friendly and fun," claims the said. Tools for development of : InformationWeek.com project. Puppy is the MeeGo Handset widely admired by user experience will be those who like made available next their Linux distros month. fast and lean.
The platform is Puppy Linux 5.0 is comprised of Intel’s the mainstream Moblin and Nokia’s member of a Maemo projects. It growing family of features a 2.6.33 Puppy Linux
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ COMMAND & CONQUER
f you own a laptop, you've The first thing you'll need to who can log in via SSH. To do probably often checked do is set up an SSH server on this, open /etc/ssh/sshd_config: your PC, or sign up for a shell Fifth step: your emails, read up on Create SSH keys (if you account/virtual private server sudo vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config news, or done something want to). Since this step is Ionline - while travelling. If somewhere, if you don't optional, I won't cover the already have it set up. If you Once it's open, change the you're like me, you'll cringe exact commands. If you wish to already have access to an SSH line “PermitRootLogin yes” to inwardly whenever you do so, generate keys, follow the account, skip ahead to step 7. “PermitRootLogin no” and add knowing full well that there instructions in the wiki (see the the line “AllowUsers may be someone else link in the Further Reading connected to the free/public user1,user2,user3” somewhere First step: in the file. You need to, of section). hotspot running a packet Install OpenSSH server on course, change “user1” to the sniffer and hoping for a few your Ubuntu system: passwords or banking data. I actual username, while user2 Sixth step: and user3 should be replaced have set a firm “no banking on- sudo apt-get install openssh- Configure your server/PC to the-road” rule for myself and server openssh-client with any other accounts who allow internet access, and my family, but I'm also worried are permitted to connect to the configure dyndns. I have never about our other passwords and server. For example my line configured dynamic DNS for Second step: would read: any computer, so I will leave private data. This is where SSH Create a backup of port-forwarding can be those instructions to the wiki /etc/ssh/sshd_config AllowUsers lswest extremely useful. It uses SSL to article (second link of my encrypt all the data it sends; it cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config ~ Further Reading section). A Since I have only one uses the public wifi for nothing short-term solution would be to permitted account and user, more than a link to whatever create a cron job to run the that is what I would enter. your SSH server happens to be Third step: following command Modify the sshd_config file. (home server, home PC, work You can read up on possible curl server, virtual private server, options using the man page: Fourth step: http://www.whatismyip.org etc.); and it protects your Restart the SSH server after you've completed your traffic both to and from your man sshd_config and to redirect the output into changes to the configuration computer from most packet your Dropbox or Ubuntu One file: sniffers and man-in-the-middle The basic configuration folder, so you can check it from attacks. should simply be to disable sudo /etc/init.d/ssh restart other computers. i.e.: root login, and to specify users
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ COMMAND & CONQUER curl disconnect from the http://www.whatismyip.org > ssh -D 8080 lswest@localhost SSH server. ~/Dropbox/IP.txt
You'll then be asked to Hopefully, this I explained cron jobs in accept the rsa id from the article is useful for Issue 24, in case you want a server, to which you answer those who are very deeper understanding of it. If “yes”, and then you will need security-conscious, not, the following steps will set to supply your password (if you and maybe it will up a cron job to do the above don't have a key file increase awareness command every day at 12 p.m. generated). Once you've for some everyday (noon): entered your password, you'll security problems be greeted with the normal crontab -e $USER that many people fail SSH prompt. You'll need to to realize. Naturally, Add the following line to the leave the connection there are more uses file: active/window open (unless for this, and the you run it in screen or tmux - proxy can be used in 00 12 * * * curl then you can simply detach the Evolution/Thunderbird http://www.whatismyip.org > session). , as well as many ~/Dropbox/IP.txt other programs, but I felt that this was the most https://help.ubuntu.com/commu Once this step is complete, Eighth step: Configure the SOCKS proxy universal/more useful scenario nity/DynamicDNS – Wiki article you're ready to begin. in Firefox. This is simply done in which it would be used. As on installing and configuring
by going to Edit > Preferences always, I'm happy to answer dynamic dns Seventh step: > Advanced tab > Network sub- specific questions, or take You'll need the following tab > Connection Settings. requests for articles by email. information: Once that opens, configure the Send any feedback, questions, settings shown in the image and so forth, to IP address of your server, above right. [email protected] with the username and password, or a words “Command & Conquer” username and a key file (from (or just C&C) in the subject line. step 5). Ninth step: has learned all he knows Disconnecting from the from repeatedly breaking his SOCKS proxy. Simply change system, then having no other To connect and forward all https://help.ubuntu.com/9.10/se the configuration to “Auto- option but to discover how to fix traffic over port 8080 to your rverguide/C/openssh- it. You can email Lucas at: Detect proxy settings for this SSH connection, run the server.html – Wiki article on [email protected]. network”, or to “No Proxy”, and following command: installing OpenSSH
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ HOW-TO Program In Python - Part 11
with another program. Think of search box. There is a wealth ndex.xml?query=80013 FCM#27-36 - Python Parts 1 - 10 the libraries we import. Some of information here. Now, let's of those can be run as stand- jump to the API web page: Replace the 80013 U.S. ZIP alone applications, but if we http://wiki.wunderground.com/i code with your postal code or import the application as a ndex.php/API_-_XML if you are outside the U.S. you library, we can use many of its can try city, country - like functions in our own program, One of the first things you Paris, France, or London, and we get to use someone will notice is the API Terms of England. else's code. In this case, we Service. Please read and follow will use specially formatted them. They aren't onerous, And the link for the Dev Graphics Internet M/media System URL addresses to query the and are really simple to abide ForecastXML: wunderground website for by. The things that are going http://api.wunderground.com/a information about the weather to be of interest to us are the uto/wui/geo/ForecastXML/index. - without using a web browser. xml?query=80013
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless Some people might say that an API is like a secret back and calls. Take Again, replace the 80013 door into another program - some time to scan over them. U.S. ZIP code with your postal that the programmer(s) code or city, country. ast time, I promised you intentionally put there for our I'm going to skip the that we would use our use. Either way, this is a GeoLookupXML routine, and let Let's start with the current XML expertise to grab supported extension of one you look at that on your own. information. Paste the address weather information application for its use in other We will concentrate on two into your favorite browser. Lfrom a website and display it in applications. other commands: You'll see a great deal of a terminal. Well, that time has WXCurrentObXML (Current information returned. I'll let come. Sounds intriguing? Well, Conditions) this time, and you decide what's really read on, my dear padawan. ForecastXML (Forecast) next important to you, but we'll We will use an API from time. look at a few of the elements. www.wunderground.com. I hear Fire up your favorite the question “What's an API” browser, and head to Here's the link for For our example, we'll pay rising in your throat. API stands www.wunderground.com. Now WXCurrentObXML: attention to the following tags: for Application Programming enter your postal code or city http://api.wunderground.com/a Interface. It's really a fancy and state (or country) into the uto/wui/geo/WXCurrentObXML/i phrase for a way to interface
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 11 When we find a tag we are """ w_currents.py interested in, we save that text Returns current conditions, forecast and alerts for a into a variable that we can use given zipcode from WeatherUnderground.com. to output the data later on. Usage: python wonderground.py [options] Once we have all our data, we Options: -h, --help Show this help display it. Fairly simple in -l, --location City,State to use concept. -z, --zip Zipcode to use as location Of course, you can add other tags that are of interest Start by naming your file Examples: w_currents.py -h (shows this help information) to you. However, these tags w_currents.py. Here's the w_currents.py -z 80013 (uses the zip code 80013 as will provide enough of an import portion of our code: location) example to take you as far as """ you would like to go. from xml.etree import ElementTree as ET
Now that we know what we import urllib class CurrentInfo: will be looking for, let's start """ coding our app. Let's look at import sys This routine retrieves the current condition xml data from WeatherUnderground.com the gross flow of the program. import getopt based off of the zip code or Airport Code... currently tested only with Zip Code and Airport code For location, First, we check what the Next, we'll put a series of user has asked us to do. If she if zip code use something like 80013 (no quotes) help lines (above right) above if airport use something like "KDEN" (use double-quotes) passed a location, we will use the imports. if city/state (US) use something like "Aurora,%20CO" or that, otherwise we will use the “Aurora,CO” (use double-quotes) if city/country, use something like "London,%20England" default location we code into Be sure to use the triple the main routine. We then pass (use double-quotes) double-quotes. This allows us """ that getCurrents routine. We to have a multi-line comment. def getCurrents(self,debuglevel,Location): use the location to build the We'll discuss this part more in pass request string to send out to a bit. the web. We use urllib.urlopen def output(self): pass to get the response from the Now we'll create our class def DoIt(self,Location): web, and put that in an object, stubs, below right, and the pass and pass that object to main routines, which are shown ElementTree library function #======on the following page. # END OF CLASS CurrentInfo() parse. We then close the #======connection to the web and start looking for our tags. You will remember from
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 11 previous articles the "if can do by now. def usage(): __name__" line. If we are print __doc__ calling this as a stand alone Finally, we create an def main(argv): app, we will run the main instance of our CurrentInfo location = 80013 routine - otherwise we can use class that we call currents, and try: opts, args = getopt.getopt(argv, "hz:l:", ["help=", this as part of a library. Once in then pass the location to the "zip=", "location="]) the main routine, we then "DoIt" routine. Let's fill that in except getopt.GetoptError: check what was passed into now: usage() the routine, if anything. sys.exit(2) for opt, arg in opts: def DoIt(self,Location): if opt in ("-h", "--help"): If the user uses the "-h" or "-- usage() self.getCurrents(1,Location) help" parameter, we print out sys.exit() the triple-commented help elif opt in ("-l", "--location"): self.output() location = arg lines at the top of the program elif opt in ("-z", "--zip"): code. This is called by the Very simple. We pass the location = arg usage routine telling the app to location and debug level to the print "Location = %s" % location print __doc__. getCurrents routine, and then currents = CurrentInfo() currents.DoIt(location) call the output routine. While If the user uses the "-l" we could have simply done the #======(location) or "-z" (zipcode), that output directly from the # Main loop will override the internally set getCurrents routine, we are #======if __name__ == "__main__": location value. When passing a developing the flexibility to location, be sure that you use output in various ways if we main(sys.argv[1:]) double quotes to enclose the need to. string and that you do not use early code. If, when you are all spaces. For example, to get the The code for the getCurrents wrapper to make sure that if happy with the way your code current conditions for Dallas, routine is displayed on the next something goes wrong, the app is working, you can remove Texas, use -l "Dallas,Texas". page. doesn't just blow up. Under the anything related to debuglevel. try side, we set up the URL, If you are going to release this Astute readers will realize Here we have a parameter then set a timeout of eight into the wild, like if you are that the -z and -l checks are called debuglevel. By doing seconds doing this for someone else, be pretty much the same. You can this, we can print out helpful (urllib.socket.setdefaulttimeout( sure to remove the code and modify the -l to check for information if things don't 8)). We do this because, test it again before release. spaces and reformat the string seem to be going quite the way sometimes, wunderground is before passing it to the we want them to. It's also busy and doesn't respond. This routines. That's something you useful when we are doing our Now, we use a try/except
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 11 way we don't just sit there case is "Aurora, CO". That's waiting for the web. If you want what we want to use as our def getCurrents(self,debuglevel,Location): to get more information on location. Next, we are looking if debuglevel > 0: urllib, a good place to start is for "observation_time". This is print "Location = %s" % Location http://docs.python.org/library/ur the time when the current try: llib.html. conditions were recorded. We CurrentConditions = 'http://api.wunderground.com/auto/wui/geo/WXCurrentObXML continue looking for all the /index.xml?query=%s' % Location If anything unexpected data we are interested in - urllib.socket.setdefaulttimeout(8) happens, we fall through to the using the same methodology. usock = urllib.urlopen(CurrentConditions) except section, and print an tree = ET.parse(usock) usock.close() error message, and then exit Finally we deal with our except: the application (sys.exit(2)). output routine which is shown print 'ERROR - Current Conditions - Could not get top left on the following page. information from server...' Assuming everything works, if debuglevel > 0: print Location we start looking for our tags. Here we simply print out the sys.exit(2) The first thing we do is find our variables. # Get Display Location location with the for loc in tree.findall("//full"): tree.findall("//full"). Remember, That's all there is to it. A self.location = loc.text # Get Observation time tree is the parsed object sample output from my zip for tim in tree.findall("//observation_time"): returned by elementtree. What code with debuglevel set to 1 self.obtime = tim.text is returned by the website API is shown bottom left on the # Get Current conditions in part is shown below. next page. for weather in tree.findall("//weather"): self.we = weather.text # Get Temp This is our first instance of Please note that I chose to for TempF in tree.findall("//temperature_string"): the tag
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 11
def output(self): print 'Weather Information From Wunderground.com' print 'Weather info for %s ' % self.location print self.obtime print 'Current Weather - %s' % self.we print 'Current Temp - %s' % self.tmpB print 'Barometric Pressure - %s' % self.baroB print 'Relative Humidity - %s' % self.relhum Full Circle print 'Winds %s' % self.winds Podcast Fahrenheit and Celsius values. If you wish, for example, to display only Celsius values, you can use the
The full code can be Topics in episode six include: downloaded from: is owner of • News - Ubuntu 10.04 released , a • Opinions http://pastebin.com/4ibJGm74 consulting company in Aurora, Colorado, and has been • Gaming - Steam coming to Linux? Next time, we'll concentrate programming since 1972. He • Feedback on the forecast portion of the enjoys cooking, hiking, music, ...and all the usual hilarity. and spending time with his API. In the meantime, have fun! family.
Location = 80013 Weather Information From Wunderground.com Weather info for Aurora, Colorado The podcast and show notes are at: Last Updated on May 3, 11:55 AM MDT Current Weather - Partly Cloudy http://fullcirclemagazine.org/ Current Temp - 57 F (14 C) Barometric Pressure - 29.92 in (1013 mb) Relative Humidity - 25% Winds From the WNW at 10 MPH Script terminated.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ HOW-TO Add Screenlets
Screenlets are little widgets a minute to play around with it, that you can put onto your moving it around the screen N/A Screenlets are small desktop to keep track of and so on. (Note: if you want a applications (written various items, including RAM, screenlet to start when your in Python) that can be CPU, disk usage, date and computer starts, choose the described as "the time, weather, and even the “Auto start on login” option on virtual representation latest news. They are not only the left.) of things lying/ easy to use, but they don't get standing around on in the way, and are relatively We can find many more your desk". Sticky- light on the system. We will screenlets online, in addition to notes, clocks, rulers... Dev Graphics Internet M/media System cover just two, and the rest you the ones which come with the the possibilities are can try out on your own. program. endless
To install the screenlets program, go to a terminal and Screenlets see the screenshot below. CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless type in the following: The first screenlet we'll look at is called Folderview sudo apt-get install screenlets Screenlet. Those of you who have seen the new KDE4 However, for those who desktop and loved the prefer to install the program in Folderview applet will want to Synaptic or add/remove, just use this. This is simply a search for screenlets and desktop screenlet that you can install it there. After that, go to use to quickly get to some Applications > Accessories > folder in your home directory Screenlets. You will see an (or anywhere else, for that assortment of various matter). See the screenshot preinstalled screenlets that you (right) for an image of it. The can use. To use one, just click second is called Terminal on it, then click Start/Stop over Screenlet and it is just that, a on the left, and you should see terminal that sits on your it pop up on the desktop. Take desktop for easy access. Again,
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ ADD SCREENLETS selected “Stick to Desktop” mess around with Installing Screenlets because I want this screenlet the properties of We will first start off with to be on all of my desktops (1, whatever screenlets installing them. Go to 2, 3, etc.). I also picked “lock you use, to adjust www.gnome-look.org, and, on position” because I tend to them to your the left side, you will see a accidentally move the preferences. After search bar. First look up screenlets around. The next all, that is what Folderview, and your result tab you see is the Folder tab. Linux is all should lead you to the page for Here you can set how many about–choices. it. Download it there, and then icons you want in this go to your downloads folder. screenlet, and also the folder So have fun with Click and drag the tar.gz file path. If you wanted, you could screenlets, and if into the screenlets manager have numerous Folderview you want more, just and it will install it for you. screenlets running on your click on “get more Repeat the same for Terminal desktop for whatever different screenlets” at the Screenlet, and install it. Next, places you wanted to access - bottom of the Screenlets start them up and play around your home folder, your Manager (shown above right). with them. downloads, documents, etc. Last up, you will see the Look Next up is setting the tab. Here you can set the look properties on these screenlets. of the screenlet, such as color, We'll start off with Folderview. opacity, border widths, and Right-click it and select other things. Play around with properties. You will see three the settings until you find tabs: About, Themes, and something you like. Just Options. The Themes folder is remember, if you want to have where you can find various the screenlet look nice, and themes for a screenlet. In this you want opacity, you will need case, there is only the default either Compiz to be on, or one. Next is the Options tab. Metacity compositing (I prefer Here you will find the actual Metacity compositing–it's a lot settings for this particular lighter on the computer, and screenlet. You can look through doesn't require fancy graphics the options and select what cards). Next up you can play you will need. For example, I around with Terminal Screenlet and its properties. You should
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ HOW-TO Stream Media, Ubuntu & Xbox 360
The problem that occurs just ignore this message. The N/A when you try to connect an USHARE_NAME=Name_Of_Your_Serv server will work properly even Ubuntu PC with an Xbox 360 is er if the error is shown. that the gaming console does USHARE_IFACE=wlan0#x0d; not recognize the computer in (enter the network device to be With the server running, the network, because Ubuntu used here; e.g. wlan0, eth0, ...) navigate to the video library on has no recognized media your Xbox, and select the server included. A possible USHARE_PORT=49153#x0d; media server you have created. solution is called uShare, which is a part of GeeXboX, a Linux USHARE_DIR=/path/to/media If the media server does not Dev Graphics Internet M/media System distribution for Home Theater USHARE_ENABLE_XBOX=yes#x0d; appear on that list, you will PCs - see related links at the have to check your firewall and end for more information on Although UPnP suggests router (e.g. forward port GeeXboX. uShare basically sets otherwise, it might be that you 49153). My router blocked my CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless up a UPnP (Universal-Plug-and- will have to restart your Xbox first attempts, until I re- Play) server which provides the after you saved the config-file configured NAT. If everything Xbox 360 (and other UPnP and started the uShare-server - goes well, you'll be able to ne of the main devices) information about by typing ushare -x on a enjoy your favorite movies benefits of media files stored on a terminal (-x is necessary to from your settee with the Xbox Microsoft's Xbox 360 computer in the home network. activate Xbox-compatibility). 360's remote controller in your O is the ability to On my machine, which uses a hand. stream media data, e.g. videos The program itself is wireless-adapter to connect to from a PC with Windows available from the Ubuntu the network, uShare told me running on it, to the gaming repositories – the package to “Interface wlan0 is down.” - [1] http://ushare.geexbox.org/ console. This is especially be installed is ushare. After a useful if your graphics card successful installation, you will does not support a direct have to open the configuration connection to a TV and you file, which is located in want to watch movies you /etc/ushare.conf and edit it to have saved in your PC on your suit your needs. Here is an television. example of how to configure it (important settings only):
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY STORY Kernel 1.2
y current uptime was well high performance compute workstation is a over 3 years cluster using MPI to work custom-built Intel until I retired on a special problem I Core i7 2.93GHz, it in favor of a was trying to solve - M12GB RAM, 1.75TB RAID (8 dedicated worked so well that my spindle SATA II RAID5) array, 2 firewall/router bank of UPSs started dual-DVI Sapphire ATI Radeon /VPN device. chirping about an HD 4850 graphics cards, dual It kept the overload condition. CDRW/DVDRW/BluRayROM bad guys at optical drives, ABS Canyon 695 bay the entire case, 2 20" and 2 24" LCD time according monitors running Ubuntu 64-bit to the log files. workstation. I've got many I've been using Linux since machines running about 1992 when Linus Linux (mostly Torvalds gave a presentation at Ubuntu): a couple of a USENIX conference on this 10TB rack-mount custom- neat new thing he was doing. I built servers running Ubuntu client started out with the RedHat 64-bit server for file sharing sites; a server running Ubuntu CDROM distributed by Digital and VM hosting; an old Dell 9.04 64-bit server as a web Equipment Corporation at that server running FreeNAS (BSD host VM server; and an old Dell USENIX (RedHat 2.1, Kernel based) as a near line Optiplex SX260 bolted to the v1.2). I used RedHat, then (hierarchical) backup server; wall next to my firewall as my Fedora, then Fedora Core, and an old laptop running MRTG, Nagios, SNMP, then Ubuntu. I still have that obdgpslogger on top of Ubuntu Wireshark, syslog, and Splunk RedHat CD. 9.04 64-bit workstation for my LAN monitor running a custom car telematics; my laptop hardened version of Ubuntu My first hardware firewall running ubuntu 9.04 64-bit server. was an old 486 16MB machine workstation with VirtualBox for with Fedora 4 that I built and those very rare times I need to I have even configured all 8 configured myself. Its max do something in Windows at or 10 of my machines into a
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY STORY How Ubuntu Became My OS
y computer story Technology in college and got Computer Programming), because they needed a C begins when I was to learn some C programming. which included a basic UNIX programmer and were having in grade 10. I opted I worked in the electronics field course. By 1999, I was working difficulty getting someone who to take the one- for a few years, but I always for a company as a was willing to program in C. Myear computer course my high enjoyed programming at home programmer writing business There seemed to be an school offered. This was a in my spare time, usually applications, but unfortunately unwarranted fear of pointers (a course on computers, but it writting BASIC programs in the language was COBOL on C language way to look at a was specifically focused on those days. I decided to return the mainframe. I know there memory location) among the programming in BASIC. The to college, and this time I are those who love COBOL and staff, so I had no competition in computer lab had enough TRS- enrolled in Business the mainframe, but I was not getting this position. This is 80 III computers so that every Information Technology one of them. I was able to when I first began writing student had a machine to use. Specialist (BITS, a.k.a. make a move to a new project, software on AIX (IBM's version The TRS-80 III was built by of UNIX). It was version 4 of Tandy Radio Shack in 1981 and AIX, and I used X Windows sported a peppy Zilog Z80 some, but most work was done processor running at a blazing in the terminal. Since I was 2.03 MHz. It had a fancy built- familiar with this environment, in monochrome monitor, two 5 most of the bash scripts that ¼ floppy disk drives, and 48 K were needed got assigned to of RAM, and it used TRS DOS me as well. That was a nice for its operating system. little bonus.
I found out that I really I had been hearing the enjoyed programming, and, rumblings about Linux for a while some people struggled little while, and heard that it with it, I usually finished my was getting more user friendly program and added additional and that I could install it on my features to it beyond the home PC. That sounded good requirements. to me, so I decided to give Linux a try. I purchased a three- Upon graduation, I decided inch-thick book called to take Electronics Engineering Mastering Linux Premium
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY STORY - HOW UBUNTU BECAME MY OS Edition, which contained two In mid 2000, I began it. It just worked. I began CDs of Red Hat Linux 6.0 and working for IBM, and my job exploring the OS menus, tried some additional Linux software role changed as I began doing browsing the Web, and then I such as Corel WordPerfect 8 for mostly web development. I spotted the terminal. I popped Linux. I was very excited to get was seeing Linux on servers open the terminal window and Linux installed on my home running many websites and I issued a few commands, and PC, and it met the minimum figured that was Linux's niche, that is when I knew, I had to system requirements: 486 MHz so I didn't revisit Linux on the have this OS. CPU, 16 MB RAM, 500 MB HD, desktop for several years. It and a bootable CD-ROM. It wasn't until 2007 when I was I did a little searching on my looked as if I was all set to go. I reading an article company's internal website installed Red Hat Linux over (http://www.popularmechanics. and found out that there was Christmas break of 1999 amid com/technology/upgrade/42309 already a very active Ubuntu all the impending doom of the 45.html) in Linux community in IBM year 2000 bug. This is where (PM) magazine that I saw Linux running Ubuntu on their my troubles began. The Linux on the desktop as something I ThinkPads as their primary OS. CD had a very limited set of wanted to try again. PM had There were packages available hardware drivers, and after built a Mini Monster PC running for employees with all the much internet searching on a Linux OS that I had never necessary IBM software. Well, dialup, I came to realize that I heard of called Ubuntu. The the rest of the story is history, would not be getting GNOME, article spoke very highly of I started with Gutsy, upgraded or KDE, or even the ugly X Ubuntu, which could be to Hardy, etc. I use Ubuntu Windows, on my PC. Even downloaded for free from the every day, and now for some worse was that my MODEM Ubuntu website. I decided to reason I get a silly grin when was not supported - this meant check it out and see what this some one has a blue screen in no internet. I played for a while strangely named OS was like. I Windows XP or their Vista in the Linux terminal, but with downloaded the ISO disk refuses to boot. That is when I Windows 95 sitting there image and created a live CD tell them about Ubuntu. playing games, music, videos, from it. I put it in my ThinkPad and surfing the web, Linux on and booted it up. Amazingly, it my PC wasn't very attractive. I recognized all my hardware, was disappointed and put the and Linux was running from Linux book and the Red Hat the CD. I was shocked, disks away in the attic for amazed, and very impressed storage. to see how far Linux had come from the previous time I tried
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY OPINION Help A New User
fter years of being Here's the approach I use: I question because he doesn't questions again and again. You annoyed with log on to the Ubuntu Forums. I provide enough information. can kindly point out to them Microsoft, anti-virus click "New Posts", then click Telling the person how to get that a Google search will find vendors, and "Last" to get messages which that information doesn't solve the answer, which has been Aexpensive buggy software, you are usually an hour old. I scan the problem, but it can help sitting waiting for them all this decide to try the Ubuntu CD down the column labelled the OP move toward the time. Be nice, and you will add your buddy gave you. You "Replies", looking for posts solution. For example, if it's a to the number of people using install it, and it works. Almost. which have zero replies. I let question about sound, it might Ubuntu, one at a time. my mouse hover over the be useful to know what sound There's just this one little message subject, which hardware is in the OP's A housekeeping note: if you problem, but it's a deal- displays the first couple of lines computer. Usually, the terminal do much of this, you will find breaker. Being a bright guy, of the message. If it looks like command " " will display yourself "subscribed" to a large you post a message on Ubuntu something I might be able to the video and sound hardware number of message threads. Forums asking for help. No one help with, I right-click on the identification. Likewise, " " You will need to take a few answers. Oh well, you can subject, and select "open in will identify most webcams. minutes now and then to always give it a few more new tab". Telling the OP how to run the unsubscribe. Start at "User CP," years; maybe then you can command, and suggesting that then near the bottom of the escape the clutches of Now I'm looking at the he search the forums using page is "list subscriptions." Microsoft. message. One of the that information, will often help Once again, we use "Last" to interesting items is on the left, him get the solution. find the message threads How can we stop this from a line which shows "beans". which have been inactive for happening again? Even a reply This is the number of If you're going to spend time the longest time. Click the which doesn't solve the messages the person has doing this, you have to be good "notification" boxes, select problem can help the original written, and if it's less than a to yourself: recognize that you "Delete subscription", then poster (OP) find a solution. By dozen, the OP is probably a won't be able to solve every "go". discovering new user. These are the ones I problem. For example, I don't magazine, you have proved really try to help in some way, understand Linux permissions Give a solution, and you that you can find things, and even if I don't have the final well enough to help anyone have made a person happy. you could probably spend half- solution. with them, but I know a lot Show him (or her) how to find an-hour giving back to the about hardware. You also have solutions, and you have made community from time to time. Quite often, a new user to avoid getting frustrated with them happy for many, many doesn't get any reply to a people asking the same days.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ full circle magazine #37 contents ^ REVIEW Written by Robin Catling and Dan (from the Full Circle Podcast) Lubuntu
: Xubuntu is not sonux/home/notes-to-myself). : The first thing (PCManFM), calculator the lightweight There are some little tweaks that impresses on (Galculator), image viewer Ubuntu it should be. I've done that could have used running Lubuntu on (GPicView), text editor It's easy on CPU, but a GUI, but I figured them out. It my modest Compaq (Leafpad), archive manager Duses about the same memory runs snappily on my EEE PC701 REvo laptop (Pentium-M, 512 MB (Xarchiver), web browser as Ubuntu. Lubuntu, however, overclocked to 900Mhz with RAM) is the small memory (Chromium or Firefox), mail has much lower memory usage 512 MB RAM, and, with /usr footprint. Don't take my word client (Claws), chat program as well as lower CPU usage squashed, it leaves nearly 3 GB for it, there are convincing (Pidgin), bittorrent client than any of the 'buntus, free of the 4 GB solid-state benchmarks online for both (Transmission), audio player including Xubuntu. I used to hard disk. And it's beautiful. Live CD and installed Lubuntus (Aqualung), video player use Xubuntu, and recommend Memory usage is typically (start with Linux Magazine - (MPlayer) - still takes up only it to family and friends, but around 100 MB, and climbs to http://www.linux- about 170 MB of RAM, leaving became frustrated by things about 175 MB when I have mag.com/cache/7520/1.html). you plenty of working memory. that seemed clunky and Firefox (with several It beats Karmic on Gnome, and occasionally slow, such as extensions), VLC, Skype, Xubuntu on Xfce, by a mile. The PCManFM file manager slightly blurred text, the Parcellite, network manager, The Evo used to take 60 needs a little more maturity to memory-usage thing, and and EEE-control running. seconds-plus to boot to the compete with Thunar, but it's a Thunar (the file manager) not desktop, LXDE takes exactly competent and robust always functioning correctly or I'm not in any way affiliated 30. Yet you're not restricted; application that doesn't hog crashing when in tree mode. with or profiting from gtk2 applications are well resources like Nautilus or promotion of LXDE, but I love supported, and Synaptic hooks Dolphin. I had been following LXDE it. It's more attractive, lighter, up to the Ubuntu repositories (Lightweight X11 Desktop more stable, and faster than for package management (so If you want a lightweight Environment) for about a year, XFCE. I realize Lubuntu may you can pull down Open Office 'buntu solution, this is the one. and finally started using it in not be perfectly polished just to replace the default Abi-Word Ubuntu about 8 months ago yet, but soon I anticipate the without crippling the machine). when I spotted a custom question of the need for "LXubuntu" ISO image online. Lubuntu will be replaced by the Lubuntu comes with a I'm currently using Ubuntu question of the need for selected set of lightweight Karmic Mini with LXDE, which I Xubuntu. applications, and even loading installed according to Masonux up a full complement - terminal (http://sites.google.com/site/ma (LXTerminal), file manager
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MOTU INTERVIEW Stefan Lesicnik
the MOTU team, and how? What’s your favorite part of ackaging) in Johannesburg! I started to contribute during working with the MOTU? the Intrepid cycle. I am not a I love being able to improve What are you going to focus on great programmer (although I something I use and work with in Karmic? really enjoy it), so I mainly everyday. I enjoy the I am currently working on a started with small fixes - challenges and learning more way to assist in the syncing of adding a watch file, about how an operating system security fixes from Debian to incorporating a patch, looking and community fit together Ubuntu. Furthermore, I would : 28 at various bugs and trying to technically, and also socially. like to look at the process on : assist. I attended or read the how the merges and syncs are Johannesburg, logs of all of the Ubuntu Any advice for people wanting conducted, and how this can South Africa developer week sessions to help out MOTU? be improved. I want to get : (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubunt Just do it! There is an initial Google Gears into the archive, stefanlsd uDeveloperWeek), and curve when learning the basics, as well as assist with followed the MOTU resources but it gets easier. You don’t sponsoring work from How long have you used Linux, from the wiki need to be a programmer to contributors. and what was your first distro? (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MOTU/ help, and there are great I’ve been involved with Linux GettingStarted) resources and people to assist What do you do in your other since around 1996. After you. Join us on IRC and ask spare time? leaving school and doing an What helped you learn questions! The MOTU I focus a fair amount on my MCSE (sorry!), I knew I wanted packaging and how Ubuntu mentorship program also is real job and social life. I love to work only with Linux. My first teams work? there to help you – reading, and learning new distribution was Redhat 3.0.3 I like to try to do something https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MOTU/ things (currently German and (Picasso). myself. It’s typically then when Mentoring Python mainly). I run into all the problems, and How long have you been using deepen my understanding of Are you involved with any local Ubuntu? how things actually work. I Linux/Ubuntu groups? After using Gentoo for many started by upgrading some I am involved with the Ubuntu- years, I finally moved to packages (GPA), and then ZA loco (http://wiki.ubuntu- Ubuntu Feisty, and haven’t finally packaging something za.org/). On the 27th of June looked back since! (Google Gears). 2009, we ran our PackagingJam (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Jams/P When did you get involved with
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ [email protected] LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space reasons.
Gord replies: searching forums and Less Complicated TurboPrint workarounds, someone n FCM#36 there are two s an Ubuntu user and suggested TurboPrint for Linux. commands that I believe a Full Circle reader The program lets you try it for are overcomplicated. . here in the States, I a month before you buy it. wanted to point out a IThe first one is on page 32, Apiece of software that has not Within minutes I had full in Q&A. Finding a file or only helped me, but several printing abilities. I was more directory is much easier by Ubuntu Hardware others, make a complete than willing to purchase this using: switch to Ubuntu. This saving piece of software. Ubuntu and hought you might like grace is called TurboPrint Pro the Linux community in a picture of a sudo updatedb for Linux general have so many great hardware vendor who (http://www.turboprint.info/). people who work so hard to locate .dwg is supporting Ubuntu. provide the rest of us free The photo shows the side of It's not free software, but I software. But on the hardware the box I got from an office then: am very happy it exists. I have driver front, focusing on one store which contained an I/O been a Canon printer fan for thing, and doing it well, find ~ -iname '*.dwg' Magic USB, external, 8 x DVD- some time. My first jump into deserves a little reward. RW which indicated it is the Linux world left me cold On page 33 it is totally supported in Ubuntu. Nice to when I couldn't get two of my obsolete to create a file and see that hardware vendors are printers to work. Printing in then to fire up gedit. Instead starting to come around! general seemed like an the output of sudo lshw should afterthought to Linux. Once I be piped to less or more tried Ubuntu, I wanted to make 9.10 Woe-Free sudo lshw | less this my goto operating system read the "My Opinion" from here on out. Once again, written by William Arledge or: printer support was very poor in FCM#34, in which he for Canon. I could have severely criticizes Ubuntu sudo lshw | more purchased an HP, but after all, I I9.10 and says that the system had spent a good deal of works badly with all things: money on my current printer. booting, HDD, video, hibernate, After a good long session of Internet.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ LETTERS eyebrows, nostril, and so on. I have not had a quarter of What's Your Top 5? your problems. It works normally here and for many Andrew Min is unable to do a Top5 for next month (FCM#38, months! I installed it for some Ed: but fear not, he'll be back for FCM#39) so I'd like to throw the of my friends and they have floor to you, the readers, for next month. not had any complaints at all. What did you do with your system? I don't even know how For each application you must submit: to get your problems! . • it's title • a homepage URL • a single screenshot • a one hundred word explanation of why it's crucial to you • and the package name, or detailed instructions on how to Podcast Feeds install the app. orry if this is a dumb Another Way question ... but I want you have a better chance of being published if you write your five pieces in the order detailed above. know nothing about the to subscribe to a feed author of the article (GIMP S for the Podcast (only) 2, FCM#36) and I do not on my laptop, and to the wish to offend amyone, magazine on my desktop. I Ibut the author is not utilising can't find out how to subscribe the potential of GIMP. Using the to them individually. Free Select Tool described here is quite inconvenient and demands a lot of time. Robin replies: I would copy a layer, add a mask to the layer, then - using a large brush - erase all unnecessary detail and then use Gaussian Blur on the layer. After that, with a small paintbrush (on the mask) I would erase the eyes,
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ UBUNTU WOMEN Penelope Stowe Interview
everything, and, while I don't me Ubuntu was the way to go. IL: What are your roles within believe in knowledge for I'll admit I'm not a full-time the Ubuntu community? knowledge's sake, I do believe user and I'm not sure I'll ever that anything you learn can be be. However, I've always been My current big project is trying useful and often is. interested in free culture, so to revive the Ubuntu using free software is a natural Accessibility Team. It's been IL: What inspired you to get progression from that. I'm going on quietly as a support involved in the Ubuntu much more a philosophical only team using the mailing list community? user than I am a "this just and forums for a few years, but works" person, especially as I I'm hoping to get it to a point PS: The short and immediate increasingly need accessibility where it's updating answer is that a friend tools, many of which don't "just documentation for what's badgered me about it enough work" yet in any Linux available, and where there's over about 6 months before I distribution. some organisation addressing got actively involved. The what the team would like to longer answer is that I finally Also, working on Ubuntu is see in future Ubuntu releases : Firstly, please got to the point where I something I can do when I'm as well as some coordination tell us a little about yourself. stopped being too shy to get physically unable to do much with upstream. There's been a
involved, which had to do a lot else. I have a physical lot of enthusiasm from people : I’ve been an with having friends who were disability, and sometimes am for this, so I'm hoping it all Ubuntu user on and off for involved and were enthusiastic limited to things I can do lying comes together. Accessibility is almost 3 years now (my "other about getting me involved. I’d down, but as long as I have my such a difficult thing because it distro" is, admittedly, MacOS). been using Ubuntu long laptop I can still be doing is so varied. What I need is Until recently, I was working in enough beforehand that it things for Ubuntu. completely different from what publishing, but I've quit my job wasn’t a huge jump to getting someone with a visual and am now exploring involved, just a personal hurdle. Finally, I love the Ubuntu impairment needs. Even possibilities for what I'll do community. It’s one of the people with other mobility next. I figure it’s a good time to As for why I started using friendliest communities I know problems may have different be adventurous and push past Ubuntu, I've always had friends of any type, and I do think the needs than I have. There’s also things I’d planned, and look at who were Linux geeks, and I community is the strongest a huge emphasis on new possibilities. finally got around to giving it a part of the operating system. discussions to focus on
try in 2007, and everyone told development, and I'd like to I tend to be interested in
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ UBUNTU WOMEN branch that out some - involved in Ubuntu. Is there PS: I'm a pretty solid book because we really need to anything you haven't done geek (mostly fantasy, but I do update documentation and that you'd like to try? branch out). My main client at awareness. Ubuntu could open the job I just left was a science itself up to a large group of PS: A better question is if fiction and fantasy publisher, new users if accessibility could there's anything I haven't done so it was a wonderful way to be improved, or even if people that I don't want to try. I feed my book addiction. I'm knew what already existed. definitely want to get involved also very interested in with documentation. I think it's disability studies and disability I am also one of the team that really important, plus it's rights, and I'm quite interested runs the Ubuntu User Days for somewhere that I can put skills in how much of the disability new users. We started Ubuntu I already have to use. I'd also rights and studies movements User Days to provide a day of like to learn how to bug triage these days happens online as more basic "how to" for setting- and help out the bug squad. well as offline. up and using Ubuntu, and the Also, one of the things I'm first one was a great success. going to do - when not working My non-techblog is The next one is June 5th. I’m - is try to learn to program. I wheeledtraveler.blogspot.com, hoping it goes as well as the took a couple of programming although it’s seen less use first. We’ve got so many ideas courses in college, and so will recently as I’ve traveled less for what we want to have probably try to refresh my and not been spending time happen. It’s nice to see it all memory of those languages blogging. Since I theoretically come together. and pick up Python. I'm sure have more time now, that there are other things I either should change. Finally, I'm active in Ubuntu haven't thought of, or am not Women where I have been remembering that I want to do, helping to get the mentoring but generally it comes down program running again, and to: if I hear about it, it's have been doing anything else probably on my long list of they ask me to do. I was a little things to learn or do eventually less active towards the end of when I have the Lucid cycle. However, I’ll time/energy/resources. be getting more involved again as I have more time. IL: What other things are you interested in outside of OSS IL: You've done quite a lot in and Ubuntu? the short time you have been
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ UBUNTU GAMES
There is no story to the GAME NEWS game. It requires completing - 47 levels with varying aims and In the Mac Steam Beta degrees of difficulty. The game installer there is code which starts off fairly simply. There references support for Linux is a nice tutorial to guide on Steam. No official you through the early announcement yet though. parts of the game. You will be flying while you your mote all over Osmos, are trying watching other motes flow by - around, absorbing to get all is a very relaxing experience. A This year's version adds motes easily, but the great game to play after a new levels, improved soon the game achieveme hectic session playing an action graphics, and gameplay becomes nts. game. tweaks. ridiculously hard, by adding harder puzzles and new The The game looks spectacular. kinds of motes. At times gameplay is Space-like effects really suit smos is a brand-new you may find some of the nothing like you the game. The glow of the commercial game levels almost impossible. will have experienced motes looks brilliant as they released in the last However, Hemisphere before. To move your mote move calmly through Osmos. few weeks from O developers have solved this around, you move your cursor It's minimalist, but looks Hemisphere Games. It's a problem by adding 'Procedural to the side of the mote you stunning. The sound is high puzzle game, based on generation'. If you get want to push it from. You can quality - the game's sound physics, and set in the ambient completely stuck on a level, do short quick bursts to quickly track is one of its best aspects. world of Osmos. The world is you can hit this button from the turn or adjust your mote, or As I have mentioned before, very elegant and space-like. menu. Then a new randomly long clicks to speed up your the game is very relaxing, and This is where you propel your generated level is created for mote. However, every time you the soundtrack complements 'mote' around the world - you to complete, so you can move your mote, it will begin to this. absorbing smaller motes to continue playing Osmos. As shrink, so you will need to be make you larger. However, you you play the game, you will careful not to become too Osmos is a great game with must watch out for larger unlock achievements which small. The whole flow of the an unique atmosphere and motes which could absorb you! add replay value to the game game is very relaxing, pushing gameplay. There is plenty to
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ UBUNTU GAMES do, and there are unlimited random levels to play if you get stuck, which is likely as the difficulty increases quickly. The graphics and sound are excellent, and suit the game's atmosphere. "Achievements" adds finish to the game, and makes you play the game more to get all the achievements. It would be nice if Osmos had some online features, such as downloadable mods, or online leaderboards. Osmos is available for $10, with a deb installer available. There is even a demo with a few levels you can try out. Osmos is definitely worth a try for Full Circle would like to thank gamers and non-gamers alike. Hemisphere Games for supplying our review copy of Osmos. Score: 8/10
: Plenty of Levels Random Generated Levels Great soundtrack Achievements Ed Hewitt : Nice to have mods and online support
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ [email protected] Q&A Please include as much information as you can about your problem.
Can I move the screen hanging down. I would How can I change the "maximize, minimize, like the display to be upside- name of my computer? e.g., aptitude show vlc (Thanks close" buttons to the down so I can read it. The to from Ubuntu Q right in Lucid? laptop has an nVidia FX 5200. Q Forums for this tip)
open gconf-editor Enter the following Open I have a Sony Vaio from terminal, then command into Accessories/terminal laptop (vgn-sr21m). go to apps > metacity Accessories/Terminal: and enter this Using Karmic I can not > general and, finally, A command: Q record voice from the Achange button_layout value to A laptop's microphone. :maximize,minimize,close. gksudo gedit gksudo gedit /etc/hostname /etc/X11/xorg.conf Open Accessories > (Note the upper-case "X" in My computer has a The file contains one line, Terminal and enter: "X11"!) Blu-Ray player. How the name of the computer. can I watch Blu-Ray Then: If there is no Device section Q discs in Ubuntu? A add one, otherwise just add an gksudo gedit /etc/hosts gksudo gedit "option" line to it as follows: Most Blu-Ray discs /etc/modprobe.d/alsa- Make the name change. base.conf have an excessive Section "Device" level of "digital rights After saving the file, reboot. Option "RandRRotation" "True" Add this line, or modify an management". If you EndSection existing line to say "auto": Agoogle blurayandhddvd (blu How can I quickly ray and hd dvd, but all one Save the file and reboot. check on whether a package is installed? options snd-hda-intel word), the first search result Now you can enter this model=auto command in Terminal: Q should be the Community writeup on playing Blu-Ray Reboot and configure the Open Accessories > discs. xrandr -o inverted input levels, using "mic" not Terminal and enter "front mic." I have a laptop To make the display right- this command: mounted under a side-up, use this command: A (Thanks to on kitchen cabinet (see the Yahoo Ubuntu Linux Group.) xrandr -o normal aptitude show (name of Q next page) with the package)
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ Q & A which answers your question. Tips and Techniques I've only seen it once in my life! If your search is very Your Answer is in the specific, it usually returns a few Cloud dozen results. If you get thousands of results, you need It might seem as though a to work on choosing specific person writing this column words which go right to the would need to know everything heart of the question. about computers, but it's not true. In selecting what search results to follow, I will go first My primary skill is being to any result in the Ubuntu able to use a search engine Community Documentation. more effectively than most Some of the Community Docs people, and I hardly ever need are outdated, so I quickly try to Google's advanced features. establish whether this one is, Most of my searches include and whether it matters. three or four words, and one of Second, I check threads in the them is "linux," or "ubuntu." Ubuntu Forums, especially if the word "solved" appears in If hardware is somehow the title. There are numerous tab, on the assumption that I Has this worked for me? involved, I will include a model blogs by people who will want to come back to the Since choosing Ubuntu I have number for the hardware, such sometimes write about Linux, search results. I don't think this had many questions, and I as vgn-sr21m, which is a model some of whom are very qualifies me as a pessimist; have always been able to find of Sony laptop. "Sony laptop" is knowledgable, and excellent there's a reason Google the answer by searching! I use too vague to be useful. writers. In some cases, a provides many search results. the Ubuntu Forums a lot, but I vendor site contains essential have never started a thread The other word or words information, especially if you The Ubuntu Forums contain there. relates to the question. For want to download a manual. a search function, which I have example, questions in this Finally, there are other forums only found useful when I am issue used these words: blu- in the Linux universe, which searching for a single word. ray, invert, name. can sometimes be useful. Even then, Google is usually a better choice. If you make a perfect When I follow a search search, you will get one result, result, I always open it in a new
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY DESKTOP [email protected]
This is my Linux desktop. I've used Linux for several years, This is a screen shot of my Toshiba Satellite laptop running and my favorite distro is Ubuntu due to its ease of use. Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex. Hardware Specifications: CPU is an Intel Pentium Dual core, 1.7 GHz; RAM is 1.5 GB; H.D.D is 160 GB; In this screenshot, I'm running Ubuntu 9.10 with Gnome. Graphic card has 256 MB. The system is dual boot with The background is Adrenaline_by_vargeEEEEn from Microsoft Windows 7, but I rarely have to boot Windows. Deviantart and I use Conky for system monitoring. I use Emerald Theme Manager to run the theme SlicknesS. The system is running Screenlet with pidgin plugin and other stuff. I run almost every kind of application on my laptop, The computer is a HP 2230s laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo because I am a Computer Science student and like to try T5870, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, and a 12.1" screen. Most of every open-source application. Each one always works the hardware worked straight away in Ubuntu except for properly. Some of the applications I've installed are Java the webcam and the fingerprint reader. compiler, Eclipse, VLC player, Google desktop, Google Chrome web browser, Stardict, Inkscape, Wireshark, Skype, and Filezilla.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ MY DESKTOP
Hello, here is my desktop. I'm running Ubuntu 9.10 on a This is my laptop's desktop. machine with an Intel Core Duo E7400 processor, ATI Radeon HD4670, Gigabyte EP31-DS3L, and 4GB RAM. Everything Avant Windows navigator is the dock. Wallpaper is from works great and out-of-box. DesktopNexus. The theme is zni3 from gnomelook, and the icon pack is Black and White Style from deviant art. Wallpaper: http://www.therapycompanion.com/wp- content/uploads/2009/09/aero-blue-abstract-wallpaper.jpg Laptop is a Compaq Presario c700 with 2 GB of RAM, 120 GB Sidebar is Conky application (http://conky.sourceforge.net/) HDD and is dual-booting Windows XP Professional and Linux Dockbar is AWN (http://wiki.awn-project.org) Mint 7. Gnome Color Chooser (http://gnomecc.sourceforge.net/) for text color in Gnome panel. I use Windows for gaming, and Mint for pretty much everything else - that being mostly Gimp, Inkscape, and all Everywhere are custom icons of the other fabulous design tools in Ubuntu.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ TOP 5 Tiling Window Managers
AwesomeWM Xmonad http://awesome.naquadah.org/ http://xmonad.org
AwesomeWM is a dynamic tiling window manager written in Another dynamically tiling window manager written in Haskell. Lua. It can handle both floating and tiling window layouts, Floating layer is always on top. Configuration files are and does not handle floating windows in the “always above” documented well, and the program itself is robust. Excellent way that most other tiling window managers do. It contains a program to help you hone your Haskell skills, or to give you a built-in panel and system tray, and has excellent multi- view into the possibilities of Haskell. Allows customization of monitor support. Sadly, the configuration syntax does change workspaces by screen (i.e. different tags and layouts on a fairly frequently, making a re-write of the configuration file second monitor than the first). Requires xmobar or a custom necessary. dzen bar for panel/system tray.
Package: in universe repository. Package: in universe repository.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ TOP 5 - TILING WINDOW MANAGERS
DWM I3 http://dwm.suckless.org http://i3.zekjur.net
DWM is a dynamic tiling window manager written in C. It is i3 is a dynamic tiling window manager written in C, written intended to be a small, single-binary system, never from scratch. It is fast and stable. It is also documented well, exceeding 2000 Source Lines of Code. Uses tags on windows and offers resources to allow developers to easily contribute to manage floating and tiled windows, giving fine-grained to, or modify, i3. It generates workspaces dynamically (and control over each window. Requires a re-compile after every there is no limit). Similar pros/cons to the previous tiling change of the configuration file. Excellent system to use and window managers. expand on if you're learning C. Floating windows are, again, always on top (but can be brought to the front from a Package: in universe repository separate workspace).
Package: in universe repository.
full circle magazine #37 contents ^ TOP 5 - TILING WINDOW MANAGERS
PyTyle http://pytyle.com
PyTyle is a Python script intended to mimic the behaviour of a tiling window manager within a different window manager. Due to the fact that it is a script, it can be used in Openbox, Gnome, and so forth. Does not dynamically tile windows, but is presented by members of the is lightweight and easy to use. Sadly, no deb files currently United Kingdom’s Ubuntu Linux community. exist, but there are instructions for installing the script on the wiki above (using a setup.py file). We aim is to provide current, topical information about, and for, Ubuntu Linux users the world over. We cover all aspects of Ubuntu Linux and Free Software, and appeal to everyone Package: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pytyle/files/ from the newest user to the oldest coder, from the command line to the latest GUI.
Because the show is produced by the Ubuntu UK community, the podcast is covered by the Ubuntu Code of Conduct and is therefore suitable for all ages.
http://podcast.ubuntu-uk.org/
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full circle magazine #37 contents ^