December 2004 - wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

DVD playback under linux
by Daniel Lawson 04 Jan '05

04 Jan '05

Santa was nice to me this year and gave me a Pioneer DVR-108 for christmas. After installing this into my gentoo box, I was fairly happy to see that I could run gmplayer dvd:// And have it start playing the dvd. However, it appears that mplayer isn't so good at playing the root menu. After some discussion on IRC, totem was suggested. I'd never really liked totem, and had found mplayer a much better player, but I tried it. Currently it seems that DVD playback with the gstreamer backed to totem is dead. http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=71519 implies rebuilding totem without gstreamer support should do the job, but that seems tedious. Does anyone have any experience with DVD playback under linux? (distro agnostic, I'd just like to see what software/versions people are using) Daniel PS: Happy New Year - was going to claim FP for 2005 but I see Perry was posting at 3am.

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[Fwd: Cheap older PC]
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 03 Jan '05

03 Jan '05

We have been giving some thought to buying a SECOND HAND older computer - something like a 500mhz machine - to put a full Linux system on, if we cant get the LIVE versions I am tinkering with to operate to the point of being able to send/receive email and view the occasional website. I have had some suggestions to where I might get something, from list members, but so far what I have viewed have been beyond our currents 'means.' Further suggestions would be appreciated. Linz -- Our website has changed slightly. new URL is www.geocities.com/judenlinz Phone nz07-896-8826 -- Our website has changed slightly. new URL is www.geocities.com/judenlinz Phone nz07-896-8826

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I am looking to buy a DVD Writer
by Ron Dean 03 Jan '05

03 Jan '05

What brands work with linux or doesn't it matter

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Acceptable use of the WLUG Mailing List
by Meeting Reminder bot 31 Dec '04

31 Dec '04

The WLUG mailing list is the discussion-list extension of the Waikato Linux Users Group. As such, we expect members of this list to adhere to the principles espoused in our official Charter[1], in particular, Rule 6, which covers the activities on this mailing list. While this is an Acceptable Use Policy, the WLUG committee do recognise the need for informal discussion among list members, and draconian administration is not the goal of this policy. Please keep in mind, however, that your comments to this list do represent the WLUG, and while it is good to be seen as an organisation with a sense of humour, some comments may do serious harm to our credibility as a serious advocate of GNU/Linux and all things Free Software/Open Source related. List discussion: * Should not commit slander or libel against any person or organisation * Should not be unprofessional or petty, especially with respect to the names of other software companies * Should not indulge in ad hominem attacks * Should not reproduce copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder * Should not indulge in marketing or advertising, other than on a private sale basis, or advertising of jobs - which may be announced once only. * Should maintain a reasonable level of spelling and grammar * Should be honest * Should not promote or denigrate political, cultural, or religious views * Should not continue inflammatory or abusive threads * Should accentuate the positive, without hyperbole or blatant misrepresentation Posters who consistently violate these guidelines will be dealt with at the discretion of the List Maintainer. If you feel you have been unfairly dealt with, you have recourse to any member of the WLUG Committee[2]. [1] http://www.wlug.org.nz/WlugCharter [2] http://www.wlug.org.nz/WlugCommittee

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What distro is best fit for amd64?
by Nigel Nguyen 31 Dec '04

31 Dec '04

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi all, I gonna get a new desktop with AMD64 cpu. However, I just wonder what distro will be best fit for it ? So far, I got two recommendation: 1> Yoper as it customize for i686-or-higher (but personally, I don't think i686 will be in par of amd64 arch) 2> Gentoo (compile in 64-bit mode) Anything else? Howevre, if I go for gentoo, then - - Will there be a significant improvement if I compile in 64-bit mode rather than 32-bit with arch=athlon-xp and sse2 enable ? - - If I compile in 64-bit mode, will I be able to install some 32-bit apps on top of that as I heard that some plugins like flash / wma /wmv are not yet availabe for 64-bit & some apps neither (OOo & Cedega/WineX) Thanks lots in advance, Happy holidays, Nigel -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Thunderbird - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFB0/ck8Zb1b6sN9OgRAlvxAJ9eFWJMfOWPJIomTTTtmktSSYGPaQCfSMlS tiqxr4Whkvik1PXQx6O169Y= =4MoD -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: Re: [wlug] ISO meaning
by Stephen Pearce 30 Dec '04

30 Dec '04

What about incremental writing to cdr under linux .. I have not worked out how to use a cdr as I can under windows .. to act as a large ..non erasable floppy. Stephen

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Linux greeny
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 29 Dec '04

29 Dec '04

I started with computers in 1980. DOS was an infant at the time. I started to develop software at the time using Basic, progressed to QuickBasic and now VisualBasic. About four years ago, I put a version of Mandrake Linux on a Windows ME computer. Every knows that ME was a 'virus' of a system. About a month after putting a Linux partition on it, I got a warning that an error had occurred in Linux which could destroy my Windows partition. This had happened several times before and nothing happened when I told it to continue. Bad move. It destroyed my HDD entirely. Since then my wife has said no more Linux on your computers. I recently hunted for a LIVE CD version of Linux and now have two. Mandrake Move - which looks really good, and Ubuntu Live, which is also great, but can access the HDD and has already changed my screen setting from 75hz to 60 and I cant change it back. I think I'll go with the Mandrake - but - I cant get it to recognize my 56k internal Modem now my USB printer. It wont write to the USB memory stick either although it has located it. Someone gave me some instructions for finding my modem, but I'm afraid I was too 'green' to go into action. I'm going to need a 'pictured painted' for me on this. However, if I cant get the setting written to the memory stick, what is the point in trying to use the system? I will have to put in my system and internet settings each time it loads. Not practical! Where do I start? Linz -- Our website has changed slightly. new URL is www.geocities.com/judenlinz Phone nz07-896-8826

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web site
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 26 Dec '04

26 Dec '04

A little bit of help required. We have a new site on Geocities - www.geocities.com/judenlinz I am having difficulty in making a photo appear in the appropriate box. Can anyone assist? I can send the little bit of code to anyone who wishes to contact me personally, so they can peruse it to see what I am doing wrong. May I thank some kind soul/s in advance. Linz

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USB Memory sticks
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 24 Dec '04

24 Dec '04

Is it safe to connect and disconnect USB Memory sticks with the power on?

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ISO meaning
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 23 Dec '04

23 Dec '04

I haven't been able to discover a glossary to let me know what a .iso file actually is, what .iso stand for. Someone?

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[Fwd: Conference in Sydney Australia, July 2005]
by Oliver Jones 23 Dec '04

23 Dec '04

If anyone is interested in attending an IEEE conference in Sydney.... -- Oliver Jones <oliver(a)deeper.co.nz> Deeper Design Limited

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RE: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD
by David Nicholls 23 Dec '04

23 Dec '04

Good lord... I have the ISO at home, would you like me to make you a copy? -----Original Message----- From: Judy & Lindsay Roberts [mailto:judenlinz(a)orcon.net.nz] Sent: Thursday, 23 December 2004 6:43 am To: Waikato LUG Subject: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD I have downloaded Ubuntu Live Linux which is two files which are about the size of a CD. I have Nero Burning and now wish to make a bootable CD with these two files. What procedure do I use to accomplish this please? Linz _______________________________________________ wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz Unsubscribe: http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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ISO meaning
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 23 Dec '04

23 Dec '04

I haven't been able to discover a glossary to let me know what a .iso file actually is, what .iso stand for. Someone?

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RE: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD
by David Nicholls 23 Dec '04

23 Dec '04

I've installed ubuntu before... Very nice and easy to do. As I said if you want a copy of the latest install cd instead of mucking around yourself (why is it 2 files anyway? I just got a single iso file off linuxisos.org) drop me a line. The install is incredibly easy, it's virtually insert cd and leave running. If you want advice or help, I can give some limited help (still learning myself), but I'm more than willing. I suggest you check out some of the reviews that are around to find out about ubuntus little quirks. Ubuntu is based on the debian unstable release, and the code is tweaked a bit to be (of course) more stable. New updates are released every six months. I eventually swapped to suse for various reasons, but plan on installing ubuntu on my next machine. Cheers... david -----Original Message----- From: Gavin Denby [mailto:redhat(a)ihug.co.nz] Sent: Thursday, 23 December 2004 12:35 pm To: Waikato Linux Users Group Subject: Re: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD The best nero trick I know for an iso image is to edit the name name.iso ------> name.nrg nero will then know it is an image and will handle it from there just accept the defaults and let it make the cd (s) But since you seem to be installing onto your hard drive you might want someone to help you here, maybe someone local to you in the lug will be willing to help you with this. > I have downloaded Ubuntu Live Linux which is two files which are about > the size of a CD. I have Nero Burning and now wish to make a bootable > CD with these two files. _______________________________________________ wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz Unsubscribe: http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD
by David Nicholls 22 Dec '04

22 Dec '04

That's both the live and the full install cd by the way. Merry christmas all. Cheers... david -----Original Message----- From: Judy & Lindsay Roberts [mailto:judenlinz(a)orcon.net.nz] Sent: Thursday, 23 December 2004 6:43 am To: Waikato LUG Subject: [wlug] Ubuntu Live CD I have downloaded Ubuntu Live Linux which is two files which are about the size of a CD. I have Nero Burning and now wish to make a bootable CD with these two files. What procedure do I use to accomplish this please? Linz _______________________________________________ wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz Unsubscribe: http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Shutdown Problem
by Gun Caundle 22 Dec '04

22 Dec '04

I'm using CentOS 3 When I shut down it hangs at the: 'Sending all processes the TERM signal' (or KILL). I hold in the power button to complete the shutdown. Is this doing any damage to files etc?

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Ubuntu Live CD
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 22 Dec '04

22 Dec '04

I have downloaded Ubuntu Live Linux which is two files which are about the size of a CD. I have Nero Burning and now wish to make a bootable CD with these two files. What procedure do I use to accomplish this please? Linz

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Mandrake Move setup
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 22 Dec '04

22 Dec '04

I am trying to set up Mandrake Move (Live CD). Several things I dont seem to be unable to accomplish at this stage. 1) Cant set up an Internet connection. I have used the default selections (selected radio buttons). I have an IHUG account for the purpose. I had difficulty finding out where my modem was attached (Windows says Com3). I get this error message 'An unexpected error has happened: output in file /usr/share/config/Kppprc failed: read only file system.' 2) My USB Key is connected, but cant seem to save settings to that at present. It shows up in Konquerer but not in the File Manager (Ksomething or the other). In Konquerer, it will not permit me to copy files from Key to Floppy. Does floppy have to be formatted in special format for that? Konquerer reads the floppy formatted in Dos ok, for I put some text files on it to test. Thats enough for one day I think. Cheers Linz

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Modem for Linux
by lilypatc＠ihug.co.nz 21 Dec '04

21 Dec '04

Hi all I haven't been in touch since the installfest in may? Working all hours and Linux has taken a back seat. I have just got a modem going in the Linux box, Not counting the slow machine with a hardware ISA modem that I took to work for check E-mail at night, Don't want pirate windows in case Micro$oft did an audit so it has Mandrake 10. Showed the other techs that it not so different to windows to use in GUI. Anyway the modem I found is a Pragmatic FMI-IA56 which uses an Intel 536 chipset which Intel suply driver for Linux for, including some precompiled drivers for Mandrake 10 and some other popular distros. They seem to work OK for Mandrake 10. It is a V92 hardware mode (HCF) not the old driverless hardware type. I did have it run a little eratic but the instructions mentioned a reset command "AT&F" which seems to have sorted it. Hope someone finds it usefull Regards David Bowen

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Testing again
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 21 Dec '04

21 Dec '04

Testing again

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Testing
by Judy & Lindsay Roberts 21 Dec '04

21 Dec '04

I am testing whether I have the correct address for wlug mail list Linz

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A request...
by Craig Box 20 Dec '04

20 Dec '04

If there is anyone on the list that has up to date contact details for Sahil Gupta, could they please email Liam Venter at liam(a)lan1.co.nz. (No discussion on this matter please) Craig

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RE: [wlug] Why do I bother with Linux?
by David Nicholls 20 Dec '04

20 Dec '04

If only they'd release mac OSX for x86... <sigh> Cheers... david -----Original Message----- From: Oliver Jones [mailto:oliver(a)deeper.co.nz] Sent: Sunday, 19 December 2004 8:00 pm Subject: [wlug] Why do I bother with Linux? Sometimes I think I'm a masochist for using Linux. I have put all my MPEG4 audio on the USB2 external HDD I was talking about previously. I tried importing all the audio into Rhythm Box. Rhythm Box proceeded to consume all of my RAM and swap. I managed to kill the app and restart it. It appeared to have imported most of the audio. I went about playing some songs. Changing between them etc. Rhythm Box proceeded to play them for a while then when trying to change between Black Eye Peas songs it locked up the ALSA sound card driver. Whoop. I don't think I'll be playing with Rhythm Box again. After a reboot XMMS proceeeded to play the m4a files with the MPEG4 Audio plug in I must have installed a while back. No track info though. *sigh* And we wonder why those crazy Windows users stick to their unstable OS and why legions of Linux geeks are fleeing at great haste to Mac OS X. Ah well, back to flagellating myself. Regards -- Oliver Jones <oliver(a)deeper.co.nz> Deeper Design Limited _______________________________________________ wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz Unsubscribe: http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Why do I bother with Linux?
by Oliver Jones 19 Dec '04

19 Dec '04

Sometimes I think I'm a masochist for using Linux. I have put all my MPEG4 audio on the USB2 external HDD I was talking about previously. I tried importing all the audio into Rhythm Box. Rhythm Box proceeded to consume all of my RAM and swap. I managed to kill the app and restart it. It appeared to have imported most of the audio. I went about playing some songs. Changing between them etc. Rhythm Box proceeded to play them for a while then when trying to change between Black Eye Peas songs it locked up the ALSA sound card driver. Whoop. I don't think I'll be playing with Rhythm Box again. After a reboot XMMS proceeeded to play the m4a files with the MPEG4 Audio plug in I must have installed a while back. No track info though. *sigh* And we wonder why those crazy Windows users stick to their unstable OS and why legions of Linux geeks are fleeing at great haste to Mac OS X. Ah well, back to flagellating myself. Regards -- Oliver Jones <oliver(a)deeper.co.nz> Deeper Design Limited

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Re: [wlug] Linux LVM and Windows.
by Stephen Pearce 19 Dec '04

19 Dec '04

Hi, I had the same problem ... with fedora 2. I ended up doing away with LVM. As I understand it is only useful if you are likely to fill your partitions and need to resize them. I thought this might be useful initially, but as I don't create many huge files, I don't think I would ever use it even if I could get it working. When I looked into it they were doing a major change in the code .. it might be simpler now .. I've forgotten it and not regretted it. Stephen > > From: Oliver Jones <oliver(a)deeper.co.nz> > Date: 2004/12/19 Sun PM 06:47:27 GMT+13:00 > To: Waikato Linux Users Group <wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz> > Subject: [wlug] Linux LVM and Windows. > > On my laptop I've installed Fedora Core 3. By default FC3 uses Linux > LVM for the install partitions and swap. It only puts /boot on a > separate "Linux native" partition. I also have Windows XP installed on > my laptop in a 20GB partition at the front of the drive (hda1). > > When I booted Windows today (a rarity) I noticed that the LVM partition > is showing up as a drive letter in Windows. The disk manager doesn't > show it with a file system but I am concerned Windows XP will do > something stupid and try and write to the device at some point and fruck > my Linux install. > > Does anyone else have experience with Windows XP and Linux LVM? How can > I hide the LVM drive from Windows. Is there a way of telling Windows > the get the hell away from that partition? > > I've never used LVM before so I'm in the dark a bit. Any help would be > appreciated. > > Regards > -- > Oliver Jones <oliver(a)deeper.co.nz> > Deeper Design Limited > > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

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