- wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

Next year's presentations
by Roderick Aldridge 18 Dec '07

18 Dec '07

Wanted: presentations for the new year. The committee is trying to plan for a variety of presentations next year which will interest and benefit current members and make known the benefits of Linux and open source to others (and bring in new members). Make your suggestions please to the list or on the wiki at http://wlug.org.nz/IdeasForFutureMeetings or to any committee member. Preferably ones you can do yourself or can supply suitable presenter(s), but if the subject is intersting enough, other members may be able to suggest presenters. Roderick Aldridge WLUG Committee

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Useful ubuntu links for new software and running 32bit apps on 64bit systems.
by Chris O'Halloran 17 Dec '07

17 Dec '07

Some information that may be of interest to ubuntu users. Heaps of debian packages http://www.getdeb.net/ And for resolving depedencies for 32bit programs on 64bit systems http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=474790

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scanner2.malware-scan.com
by Michael McDonald 16 Dec '07

16 Dec '07

Has anyone else had problems with this site? It pops up a message telling you your computer is running slowly, scans your disk (I don't think it does , just makes believe it does), tells you you've got viruses, and tries to download fixes. Now, the interesting thing is that I've triggered it twice in the last few weeks, but I haven't the foggiest idea how. I've got a suspicion it may have been triggered by from my Gmail page, but when going back over my actions everything seems normal. Of course, since I'm running Ubuntu/Firefox I'm not unduly worried. I'm curious to know how I got directed there from supposedly safe sites (if it wasn't Gmail, then it must have been Computerworld NZ). I did a bit of a Google and came across this discussion on an Apple forum. Knowing the fierce loyalty of Mac owners and their claims of immunity from Internet problems, it was interesting to see that they also had the same experience as me ... but no clues as to why it was happening. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1239037&tstart=0 Now, this makes me worried for the Windows community. It would be extremely difficult for them to avoid damage in this instance. Closing the window in the normal fashion just gets you further into the mire. I don't know just what protection the standard anti-virus / anti-spyware programs and firewalls will give a Windows user ... and I certainly don't want to experiment to find out! Have you got any information / data / comments that you can add? Michael

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KDE 4 update
by Ian McDonald 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Ars has a good article here: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071213-afirst-look-at-kde-4-0-releas… -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz

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Fwd: [NZOSS-OpenChat] Ministry of Justice Open Source Discussion Paper
by Michael McDonald 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

The discussion paper is well worth reading. That paper would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Michael ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Don <don(a)catalyst.net.nz> Date: 12 Dec 2007 08:55 Subject: [NZOSS-OpenChat] Ministry of Justice Open Source Discussion Paper To: NZOSS OpenChat <openchat(a)nzoss.org.nz> This paper has been in draft form for a while. The MoJ has given it final release staus. http://nzoss.org.nz/news/2007/ministry-justice-open-source-discussion-paper I think it builds nicely on the Cunliffe speech I mentioned a few days ago. Cheers Don

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Arghhh - Help
by James Pluck 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

(I apologise for the spam if you've gotten this twice. I think the email I originally sent it from is not subscribed to this list). Hi all! I'm in a bit of a bind. We're experiencing very poor connectivity at the moment from Slingshot. We're lucky to be able to stay online for more than 3 minutes at a time. I've just called Slingshot support and a very bored woman who sounded like it was beneath her to even talk to me was very unhelpful. refused to run any checks on the line or check logs or anything at their end unless I tried an alternative router on the line. She basically wanted me off the phone as fast as possible - presumably so she could get back to her WoW game or Puzzle Pirates or something more important than actual customer support (I tell you - if we had someone who behaved like that to customers at Quicksilver they'd be on notice pretty bloody fast!) Anyway - does anyone have a spare adsl router that I could borrow for a day or so to do some troubleshooting and see if it is my problem or Slingshot's problem. I'm in the process of choosing another provider because we've not been hapy with the service from Slingshot for some time but I'd kinda like to work out if it's a hardware issue or a connection issue before we switch. If I had the knowledge and the skills I'd probably just bite the bullet and rewire the jackpoints in this house - the current phone wiring seems a little amateurish - but we've had no troubles with any telecommunications services up until a couple of weeks ago. I have a drum of cat 5 but no skills on how to use it - *sigh* anyways - if anyone has a spare serviceable adsl router they would be willing to loan me I would be most grateful! James. -- James Pluck PalmOS Ergo Sum "Dear IRS: I would like to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list..."

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Upcoming WLUG committee meeting (1 week today)
by Meeting Reminder bot 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

As per the WLUG charter, please note that there is a WLUG executive committee meeting one week from today. If you wish to get an item on the agenda for this meeting, please email it to secretary(a)wlug.org.nz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Do we have a meeting here? # Previous Minutes # Treasurers report # Correspondence # Matters # Server status # General business CommitteeMeetingTopics

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Intel 536epmodem with Ubuntu 7.10
by Ron Dean 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

I am trying to set up a computer for a refugee family so they have email I downloaded a driver for 7.10 and could hear dial tone and it would dial out at my home, but when I tried it in their home I could not hear dial tone . We were trying to set it up with Kiwi on line but they don't give any linux support. Any ideas ? -- Ron Dean 2 Shannon Place Nawton Hamilton Ph 8493904

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Re: [wlug] WLUG BBQ Late January?
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

January is good for me.. Regards John. ----- Original Message Follows ----- > WLUG committee have decided that rather than try to have > the end of year BBQ in December when everyone is leaving > for holidays, we'll hold in late in January after everyone > is back from holidays. > > So.. is everyone happy with a BBQ at Lindsay's place on > Jan 26th or would you prefer something earlier? > > > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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OLPC project close to home
by Michael McDonald 06 Dec '07

06 Dec '07

The article's a bit short on detail, but it's interesting to hear of this project. I'm not sure this is quite what Nicholas Negroponte envisaged, but the aim of "skilling up" under-represented groups (technology-wise) might be achieved with this project. Tindall funds OLPC scheme in Otara Ken Lewis Thursday, 29 November 2007 Stephen Tindall has called an Otara youth project that plans to link members using One Laptop Per Child computers via Wi-Fi a "silver bullet" for education and could potentially transform the country. http://m-net.net.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2085 Michael

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Bringing UK hardware to NZ
by Stuart Yeates 05 Dec '07

05 Dec '07

I'll shortly be returning to the Wellington area after 4 years in the UK. I'm looking at what hardware I should bring back and which I should sell/give away/bin before I leave. Does anyone know whether the ADSL systems in the UK and NZ are compatible? I'd like to bring back my wireless ADSL router back since it was top of the line 18 months ago. I'm planning on leaving my aged computers, but bringing back the larger disks and possibly the internal wireless card. Does anyone know of any traps there for the unwary? I'm aware that the SCART[1] plugs which all our UK TV/DVD/digital set top box systems use is almost useless in New Zealand, unless there's been a change since I left ? cheers stuart [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART -- OSS Watch: http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/

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WLUG BBQ Late January?
by Bruce Kingsbury 05 Dec '07

05 Dec '07

WLUG committee have decided that rather than try to have the end of year BBQ in December when everyone is leaving for holidays, we'll hold in late in January after everyone is back from holidays. So.. is everyone happy with a BBQ at Lindsay's place on Jan 26th or would you prefer something earlier?

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JOB: RimuHosting Opening For a Sysadmin (and a Java Developer)
by Peter Bryant 04 Dec '07

04 Dec '07

Hi Folks. We have a full (or possibly part time) position available for a Linux systems administrator. See http://forums.rimuhosting.com/forums/showthread.php?p=645#post645 We also happen to be looking for a Java developer. See http://forums.rimuhosting.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416 Cheers, Peter Bryant http://rimuhosting.com

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ADSL fault redux
by James Pluck 04 Dec '07

04 Dec '07

Hi all, After some testing - Telecom have determined there is no fault on the line that would be interfering with the dsl. I have noticed that after a few minutes of connectivity my network loses contact with the modem - no ping response - no traffic - and this loss off connection requires a hard reset to fix. This fault seems to occur regardless of whether the modem is hot or not (occurs even after the modem has been left switched off overnight. I strongly suspect my modem has gone past its best-before date. Kyle, Bruce, would I be able to arrange with one of you to borrow a spare adsl modem to try to confirm this fault? I don't have the cash atm to replace my modem but if I know it is definitely a modem issue then I can put one on layby to replace it. Kind regards J

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Rationale behind KDE4 changes
by Ian McDonald 01 Dec '07

01 Dec '07

Interesting article here: http://liquidat.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/kde-4-some-reasons-for-design-deci… -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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WLUG Fixit Meeting is today!
by Meeting Reminder bot 30 Nov '07

30 Nov '07

A reminder, the WLUG Fixit Meeting is today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday December 1st, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm We will be holding our SaturdayWorkshop at Te Whanau Pūtahi (http://zoomin.co.nz/nz/hamilton/enderley/-te+whanau+ptahi/?place/full_map) the community church at the end of Oxford Street. We'll have the usual tables, power, various ISO's, Internet, coffee and light lunch, etc.

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Fwd: Computerworld TopNews | Kiwicon demo uses PlayStation 3 to crack passwords
by Michael McDonald 29 Nov '07

29 Nov '07

Another interesting article Michael ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Computerworld TopNews <info(a)fairfaxbm.tx.co.nz> Date: 29 Nov 2007 13:17 Subject: Computerworld TopNews | Kiwicon demo uses PlayStation 3 to crack passwords KIWICON DEMO USES PLAYSTATION 3 TO CRACK PASSWORDS http://s0.tx.co.nz/at/tep34n611218j139974i196841f2c7091635a4t9s4z PS3 used to conduct over 1.4 billion MD5 calculations a second, says Kiwi researcher

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How To: Run the olpc's Sugar OS in Ubuntu
by Michael McDonald 29 Nov '07

29 Nov '07

Seems to run quite well. A bit strange at first. Michael ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Google Alerts <googlealerts-noreply(a)google.com> Date: 29 Nov 2007 11:02 Subject: Google Alert - ubuntu OR OLPC How To: Run the olpc's Sugar OS in Ubuntu Wired News - USA Well, it turns out it's pretty easy to install the xo's Sugar OS as an Ubuntu virtual machine. Tom Hoffman has posted some instructions for installing Sugar ... <http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/11/how-to-run-the.html> See all stories on this topic: <http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/200…>

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Network latency simulation
by Glenn Ramsey 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Hi, In order to test some software I am developing I need to introduce a network delay between a machine and the rest of my LAN. After a bit of web searching I discovered that this is supposed to be simple to do, you just set up Linux as a transparent bridge and use the iproute tools to simulate network behaviour. However I can't get it to work how I want. I have an old AMD K6/500 box with 2 10bT ethernet cards running Xubuntu 7.10. One card is connected to my office LAN switch and the other to a hub, like this: MachineA---switch---eth0/bridge/eth1---hub---MachineB I have installed bridge-utils and iproute and I have configured the bridge machine according to the bridge-utils documentation by removing the eth0 and eth1 entries and adding a br0 to /etc/network/interfaces : auto br0 iface br0 inet static address 192.168.1.251 network 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.1.255 gateway 192.168.1.1 bridge_ports eth0 eth1 This works fine and MachineB can get an address via DHCP and see the rest of the network. Now I need to add a delay so that all traffic between MachineB and the rest of the network has some latency. In order to add a delay, according to [1] I just need to do this: $ tc qdisc add dev DEV root netem delay 100ms I have done this for various combinations of eth0, eth1 and br0 but it only seems to delay traffic to and from the bridge itself, not traffic being relayed through the bridge. Does anyone know how to set this up to delay traffic going through the bridge? Glenn [1] http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Net:Netem#Emulating_wide_area_network_de… -- Glenn Ramsey <glenn(a)componic.co.nz> 07 8627077 http://www.componic.co.nz

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RandR
by Ian McDonald 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Given graphics was focus of last meeting this might be of interest: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=927&num=1 Talks about RandR 1.2 and how to use it. -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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Fwd: "Open Source DataTurbine Initiative" Biology lunchtime seminar tomorrow (fwd)
by Ian McDonald 25 Nov '07

25 Nov '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tony McGregor <tonym(a)waikato.ac.nz> Date: Nov 26, 2007 10:22 AM Subject: "Open Source DataTurbine Initiative" Biology lunchtime seminar tomorrow (fwd) To: cs-staff(a)cs.waikato.ac.nz > Open Source DataTurbine Initiative > > Tony Fountain, Paul Hubbard, Sameer Tilak, Ilya Zaslavsky > University of California, San Diego > > The vision of large-scale sensor-based Observing Systems, to address > the U.S. National Research Council's "Grand Challenges" for > environmental science, relies on robust cyberinfrastructure. Streaming > data middleware is an essential component of this cyberinfrastructure, > providing the foundation for reliable data acquisition and instrument > management services. The environmental science and engineering > communities are currently engaged in the early planning and > development phases of the next generation of large-scale sensor-based > observing systems. The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative is a new > NSF-funded project to empower these communities with Streaming Data > Middleware. > > Large-scale sensor-based observing systems face a number of > significant challenges in design and operations, including > heterogeneity of instrumentation and complexity of data stream > processing. These systems incorporate instruments from across the > spectrum of complexity, from temperature sensors to acoustic Doppler > current profilers, to streaming video cameras. They typically require > integration of instruments from various vendors and R&D labs. > Requirements on the cyberinfrastructure include scalable and secure > support for real-time data acquisition, instrument and data stream > management, and analysis and visualization. To address these > cyberinfrastructure challenges in a principled manner, we launched the > Open Source DataTurbine Initiative. > > DataTurbine is a robust open-source streaming data middleware system > that satisfies the core requirements for sensor-based environmental > observing systems. It is relatively mature and has been tested in a > variety of real-world streaming data applications. It facilitates the > development of complex distributed streaming data applications, > including real-time virtual observatories and telepresence > collaboratories. The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative combines > commercial-quality software support with an active and engaged user > and developer community. In this talk we share our vision and invite > domain scientists and developers to join the Open Source DataTurbine > Initiative. We also discuss our experiences and results from > real-world deployments of DataTurbine. Further details about the Open > Source DataTurbine Initiative can be found at: > http://www.dataturbine.org > > > When: Tues 27th Nov 12:00noon > Where: Room A.G.30 > > <<37 sem 271107 Fountain.doc>> > Vicki Smith > Administrative Assistant > Biological Sciences > The University of Waikato > Private Bag 3105 > Hamilton > > Ph 838 4148 > Fax 838 4324 > > -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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Fwd: "Open Source DataTurbine Initiative" Biology lunchtime seminar tomorrow (fwd)
by Ian McDonald 25 Nov '07

25 Nov '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tony McGregor <tonym(a)waikato.ac.nz> Date: Nov 26, 2007 10:22 AM Subject: "Open Source DataTurbine Initiative" Biology lunchtime seminar tomorrow (fwd) To: cs-staff(a)cs.waikato.ac.nz > Open Source DataTurbine Initiative > > Tony Fountain, Paul Hubbard, Sameer Tilak, Ilya Zaslavsky > University of California, San Diego > > The vision of large-scale sensor-based Observing Systems, to address > the U.S. National Research Council's "Grand Challenges" for > environmental science, relies on robust cyberinfrastructure. Streaming > data middleware is an essential component of this cyberinfrastructure, > providing the foundation for reliable data acquisition and instrument > management services. The environmental science and engineering > communities are currently engaged in the early planning and > development phases of the next generation of large-scale sensor-based > observing systems. The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative is a new > NSF-funded project to empower these communities with Streaming Data > Middleware. > > Large-scale sensor-based observing systems face a number of > significant challenges in design and operations, including > heterogeneity of instrumentation and complexity of data stream > processing. These systems incorporate instruments from across the > spectrum of complexity, from temperature sensors to acoustic Doppler > current profilers, to streaming video cameras. They typically require > integration of instruments from various vendors and R&D labs. > Requirements on the cyberinfrastructure include scalable and secure > support for real-time data acquisition, instrument and data stream > management, and analysis and visualization. To address these > cyberinfrastructure challenges in a principled manner, we launched the > Open Source DataTurbine Initiative. > > DataTurbine is a robust open-source streaming data middleware system > that satisfies the core requirements for sensor-based environmental > observing systems. It is relatively mature and has been tested in a > variety of real-world streaming data applications. It facilitates the > development of complex distributed streaming data applications, > including real-time virtual observatories and telepresence > collaboratories. The Open Source DataTurbine Initiative combines > commercial-quality software support with an active and engaged user > and developer community. In this talk we share our vision and invite > domain scientists and developers to join the Open Source DataTurbine > Initiative. We also discuss our experiences and results from > real-world deployments of DataTurbine. Further details about the Open > Source DataTurbine Initiative can be found at: > http://www.dataturbine.org > > > When: Tues 27th Nov 12:00noon > Where: Room A.G.30 > > <<37 sem 271107 Fountain.doc>> > Vicki Smith > Administrative Assistant > Biological Sciences > The University of Waikato > Private Bag 3105 > Hamilton > > Ph 838 4148 > Fax 838 4324 > > -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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REMINDER: WLUG meeting tonight!
by Meeting Reminder Bot 25 Nov '07

25 Nov '07

There's a WLUG meeting tonight: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7:30pm, TW.2.05 (http://www.wlug.org.nz/TW) 3D desktops.. compiz-fusion and Xgl?

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Linux graphics survey
by Ian McDonald 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

Given Monday's topic this is timely. I can't go to the meeting as will be in Auckland :-( http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=924&num=1 -- Web1: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4/ Web2: http://www.jandi.co.nz Blog: http://iansblog.jandi.co.nz

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REMINDER: WLUG meeting is on Monday
by Meeting Reminder Bot 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

There's a Waikato Linux Users Group meeting on Monday: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7:30pm, TW.2.05 (http://www.wlug.org.nz/TW) 3D desktops.. compiz-fusion and Xgl?

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