MAIL YOUR LETTERS Got something to say? An idea for a new magazine feature? Or a great discovery? Email us: [email protected] LINUX VOICE STAR LETTER FIND OF THE FORTNIGHT Thanks for the pointer to looks good on the 10.1–inch Tanglu [DistroHopper, LV008]. LED 1024x600 display. Even from the live DVD Installation to my netbook the KDE version was more completed in about 30 responsive than I would minutes. Tanglu detected expect on my Gateway the netbook platform then LT4004u with Intel Atom configured the desktop for the N2600 CPU and 3600 KDE 4 netbook GUI. Graphics Media Accelerator System Monitor showed (GMA). It just booted and got four threads consuming less down to business without than 20% of CPU capacity, needing any intervention from indicating that Tanglu me. Other flavours of OS have installed the Intel drivers for been troublesome with this the GMA: SolydK failed in this combination of CPU, GMA and area, resorted to software Broadcom network interface. rendering of the graphics, Debian, but with with graphical polish and a regular release cycle… In the past, I have found producing a single-thread CPU sounds familiar… sounds like Ubuntu! KDE to be ponderously load of around 70% capacity – baroque despite being well- SolydK took over two hours to Ben says: I’m glad you like it! made that it’s refreshing to developed. The newer version install too We see so many Debian/Ubuntu see a distro trying something of KDE delivered with Tanglu Andrew Shead respins with minimal changes authentically new. WE FAIL A couple of points. Your Arduino The use of Processing is entirely tutorial [in LV011] contained an optional: for standalone projects error. The Arduino does not run the where the Arduino is to run Processing language, although it’s autonomously there is no choice a commonly held misconception other than to use a sketch written that it does. In fact “sketches” are in C/++. written in C or C++ as is evident Secondly I notice you regularly if you examine the code in the advocate DOSBox rather than article. Processing is a language DOSEMU for running DOS that runs on another computer programs. The last time I looked at and communicates using a serial this – admittedly some years ago Wire stuff up, then protocol with an Arduino running a – it was evident that DOSBox was now offers this capability, but it write code to make cool standard firmware “sketch” called designed for games, reducing the didn’t when I tried it. It struck me things happen – that’s Firmata. The following link makes effective CPU speed accordingly. as a case of horses for courses. the simple genius this clear: DOSEMU runs DOS programs fast It’s a great magazine and I’ve behind the Arduino. http://playground.arduino.cc/ and is a program I use daily. Of just renewed my subscription! Interfacing/Processing course it’s possible that DOSBox Peter Hinch 12 www.linuxvoice.com MAIL DRINKING Congratulations on hitting the one year mark! I have gladly renewed my subscription. Any thoughts on allowing subscribers to set up an auto-renewing subscription? I have that set up with your former publication, and it is a very nice convenience. And, great mugs! Yes, you all do look great in your photographs, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the coffee/tea mug (do you even drink tea from a mug?). After having my letter featured in LV002, I had to have one. It looks better in person than it does on your website. I was a bit apprehensive about having a piece of ceramic shipped from overseas, but your shipping department did a fantastic job on the packaging. The form fitting styrofoam container took the trip over the pond in grand style, showing a bit of wear and tear, but protecting its precious cargo without fail. The ability to publish an outstanding magazine AND ship mugs unbroken internationally? What other skills are you hiding? Paul Olson, Oklahoma, USA Americans! Thanks to should have got it running for new one at a time). On the mug question: Graham’s packing skills, Andrew says: Thanks! We’re all subscriptions as well. At first we could I drink tea from a 50-year-old pint your mug will reach the amazed by how quickly the year only take payments via PayPal, but mug that Mike brought me back from shores of liberty whole has gone by. It’s funny you should we’re incrementally improving things Germany. Hidden talents: Graham and unbroken – mention this: we do have Direct Debit (incrementally because if anything plays the piano. Mike can juggle. http://shop.linuxvoice. payments enabled for renewals now, went wrong it would be up to Ben to Ben was Worcestershire under-10s com/product/linux- and by the time you read this we fix it, so we’re only adding options freestyle wrestling champion. voice-mug. www.linuxvoice.com 13 MAIL TUTORIAL DÉJÀ DUP DÉJÀ DUP TUTORIAL What to back up? DÉJÀ DUP: BACKUP FOR Do you really need to backup your entire home directory, or is Then there are apps that create their own directories to just an overkill? Here’s what you need to know while selecting store files. Most prompt you for the location, while some may directories for backup. Most modern distros keep the files create them on their own during installation. Make sure you TUTORIAL you’ve created or downloaded under directories such as check for and include such directories which are usually listed EVERYONE ~/Documents, ~/Downloads, and ~/Desktop, so you’ll want to under the Preferences section of the apps. Be vigilant, though. include them in your backups. Also don’t forget to check Some of these directories contain cache directories, which DISTRO HOPPER /home for any important documents. Some apps, such as needlessly add to the backup’s size. Finally, if there’s a piece Get acquainted with the easiest backup tool on the planet to help email clients, also keep your downloaded emails, attachments of software that’s crucial to you and you don’t want to spend MAYANK SHARMA and address books under hidden directories beneath your time downloading it again, back it up by saving the cache you save yourself from the inevitable data apocalypse. home folder, so make sure you include them as well. directory for your distro’s package management system. e care about you. No, we really do. Which is WHY DO THIS? why you should believe us when we say Next, move on to Storage location and use the Drop- Once the backup has been created, the Overview As you might expect when one • You’d really risk losing Wthat sooner or later you will lose valuable down list to pick one of the supported locations. This window will inform you when the last backup was data? data. You can spend a fortune on a storage medium can be a local hard disk, a remote location that you taken and when the next one is scheduled. • Quick to set up and easy that’s anti-scratch, dust-resistant, heat-proof and connect to via FTP or SSH, or a cloud storage service to use. contains no moving parts, but what you really need to like Amazon’s S3. Depending on the storage location Déjà Vu • Designed for the do is to invest some effort in backing up your data. you select, the app will ask you for further details. For To restore files from the backup, launch the app and be that my own script isn’t the everyday desktop user. distro hops, backing up one’s data Although it isn’t particularly time consuming, example, if you select the FTP option, you’ll be asked click on the Restore button in the Overview section. backing up data requires careful thought and to provide the IP address of the FTP server along with The app will launch the Restore wizard, which will first preparation, and involves more than just zipping the authentication information and the location of prompt you for the location of the backed up files. files into a tarball. Unfortunately this means it’s often Although it’s changed somewhat, the main interface of folder where you want to store the backups. To save Just like before, select the remote location where most efficient at backing up but neglected. This is where Déjà Dup comes into play. the app still essentially contains only two buttons – to the backups to Amazon’s S3 it’ll need your S3 Access you’ve backed up the files and enter any associated It’s different from the plethora of other tools in that back up and restore data. Key ID and for the Rackspace Cloud Files service it’ll information such as the IP address and your login is important. But I had an issue it has a minimal interface so as to not overwhelm need your username. credentials. new users. But it’s based on the powerful Duplicity Déjà Dup gives you the flexibility to include a large Finally, you can switch to the Scheduling section Déjà Dup will then scan the remote location and command line backup tool and provides just the right directory – for instance /home – in your backup, while and select a policy for keeping old backups. By default, in the next section it’ll display a time-stamped list of I know I can restore my stuff. I number of features for desktop users who aren’t used specifying parts to leave out, such as .cache/.