- wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

Upcoming WLUG committee meeting (1 week yesterday)
by Craig Box 10 Mar '06

10 Mar '06

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. Craig

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Interview with Linus Torvalds about GPL3
by Ian McDonald 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

Quite interesting... http://www.forbes.com/technology/2006/03/09/torvalds-linux-licensing-cz_dl_… -- Ian McDonald Web: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4 Blog: http://imcdnzl.blogspot.com WAND Network Research Group Department of Computer Science University of Waikato New Zealand

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Novell hopes its next desktop will leapfrog Windows
by Ian McDonald 09 Mar '06

09 Mar '06

By Ingrid Marson http://news.com.com/Novell+hopes+its+next+desktop+will+leapfrog+Windows/210… Story last modified Thu Mar 09 12:05:50 PST 2006 advertisement Novell on Thursday unveiled the features that will be available in the next version of its Linux desktop product--SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop--which the company claims will be more usable than any other desktop product on the market. "We have made a big investment taking the Linux desktop past everybody. The usability work we've done is not to reinvent Windows, but to reinvent a better desktop," Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, Novell's director of marketing for Linux and open source, told ZDNet UK on Wednesday. "When Microsoft Vista ships it will catch up to us in a number of areas, but we'll enjoy six months where Novell's Linux desktop is in the lead," he said. The SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED), which will be available beginning this summer, is a "big change for Linux" as it is now suitable for all enterprise users, according to Mancusi-Ungaro. "Up until now the Linux desktop has primarily been deployed in specialized circumstances--as a fixed-function workstation or as a transactional desktop," he said. "Now, for first time, we can tell you with confidence that it can be deployed for general office workers." Important new features in SLED include an animated user interface and integrated desktop search. Other features that Novell is touting in the product include the addition of support for Microsoft Excel Macros and Pivot Tables in OpenOffice.org, and full support for all standard network and printing protocols, allowing plug-and-play functionality for cameras, USB drives, personal music players and printers. The animated GUI takes advantage of the XGL graphics software, which Novell made available to the open-source community last month. The GUI makes the Linux desktop more usable, for example, by providing visual cues to users when they minimize windows, according to Mancusi-Ungaro. "When users minimize windows to the panel at the bottom of the screen they will see it move there rather than vanish, so users are more aware of where they have put something," he said. As for desktop search, although the Beagle tool is already available in SuSE Linux Professional 9.3, this is the first time that Novell is offering seven years' support around the product. Novell carried out hundreds of usability tests and shot almost 1,500 hours of user-interaction video to aid the design of SLED. It claimed that each feature of the product has been "rigorously tested and refined for usability to ensure the best possible performance in a business environment." The results of the usability tests can be viewed on Novell's Better Desktop Web site. Ingrid Marson of ZDNet UK reported from New York. Copyright (c)1995-2006 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. -- Ian McDonald Web: http://wand.net.nz/~iam4 Blog: http://imcdnzl.blogspot.com WAND Network Research Group Department of Computer Science University of Waikato New Zealand

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Laptop considerations
by Mathew Carley 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

Might have to try that next time the machine powers off because I forget to open the window and let some snow and cold air in to my apartment ;-) The overheating was a real problem over the Summer (July/August/September) whilst I was in Bordeaux and Nice; because the laptop would power off just randomly if I wasn't giving it some airflow underneath by letting it sit on top of a pen (underneath where the fan is) or something - especially during the day. I kind of forgive it, though - I didn't feel like working in those temperatures either. Still, I don't know if I would recommend an Acer to anyone again... They have just kind of lost my trust. I have one client back in NZ who brought one about a year ago, and I never hear the end of it, as it too, sounds like its a dudd. Different model, though. Perhaps its just sub-NZ$2500 Acers :-( Long story short I am in the market for a new laptop as well, so it will be interesting to see what laptop is chosen here. Gavin Denby wrote: Sorry to hear about the issues, I have several acers and we had a similar but easily fixed problem. The poor airflow is really bad dust protection, So what we do is use a household vacuum cleaner and the crevice tool (narrow slot thing) to vacuum all the cooling ports. Diagnostics usually show a 15 - 20 degree drop in the CPU temp after this. No need to open the Laptop, but it pays to not do while its running. Could be worth a try -- Regards Mathew Carley **UUSI** Nopeita tietokonepalveluita ja ohjausta @ www.fingeekit.com (Avaamme pian!) HostENZ Data Services A Carley Network Media Ltd. (NZ) Company http://www.hostenz.co.nz mathewc(a)hostenz.co.nz Phone (Suomalainen Yhteyshenkil?/Svensk Kontakt): +358 4 4925 0459 Phone (Helsinki Office): +358 9 2316 3712 Phone (Finland Cellular/English): +358 4 0418 6944 **NEW** Phone (France Cellular): +33 6 1811 9475 Sony IVE Number: 243 700 9835 Skype: mgcarley MSN Messenger: mgcarley(a)hostenz.co.nz The information contained in this electronic mail message and any attachments are confidential to Carley Network Media Ltd and it's subsidiaries, and may contain proprietary information or may be legally privileged. See http://www.cnmltd.net/email/ for our standard email disclaimer. Errors & Omissions Excepted. Prices in this email do not include GST unless stated otherwise.

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Re: [wlug] wlug Digest, Vol 177, Issue 3
by Mathew Carley 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

In my experience, I would not buy another Acer - especially a cheap one. Not because of the lack of Linux support (I've run several Debian Based distros including Breezy and Xandros, Suse 9, 10, Fedora and probably others without too much trouble). The main reason is the fact that I've had so many problems with the hardware; including the fact that my machine in particular is badly designed (very little airflow over the processor, which is prone to overheating - lucky I can just open the window, and because its -10 outside it cools down OK). I've had the motherboard and hard drive replaced (in the first year) and the second hard drive died just 3 weeks ago. Their 2-hour warranty service agreement is misleading (I used to work for an Acer reseller until about 3 years ago), if I unplug the speakers or a pair of headphones, there seems to be a short of some sort which causes the machine to just turn off... and... I'm sure there are other things too. It went in for warranty service (for periods up to a week, even if I drove to Auckland to hand-deliver the machine) I think 4 or 5 times in its first year. Perhaps I just got a lemon. I do remember someone else at an installfest a year ago having the same overheating problem that I did with the same model of laptop, though. Normally I wouldn't speak so badly of a product or brand, but this thing has just been ridiculous. Lucky for me I have just had the opportunity to acquire a nice Mac, so I'm happy about that. I'll be using this laptop as a media center in my apartment or something. Go for the Toshiba or something similar. I wish I had gone and got a Toshiba. I will put it this way: if the motherboard chipset is Intel, chances are most (if not all) of the bits and pieces attached will work in Linux. Not always true, but something I would use to gauge the likelihood of something working. Also, if you can get an ATi video processor on board, thats usually a good thing, right? Fujitsu Siemens are supposed to be OK, but I'm not sure about the differences between FS in Finland and FS in New Zealand (the same way that HP and NEC/Packard Bell are very different in quality between the USA/NZ and Japan/NZ respectively). As for the power brick - I dont think I have seen one for a laptop that is not capable of handling 100-250v and 50-60Hz, so it shouldn't be a problem. Keep in mind that the next Ubuntu will be coming out in a month or thereabouts, so perhaps if something doesn't work in Breezy 5.10, it might work in 6.04? Mathew -- Regards Mathew Carley **UUSI** Nopeita tietokonepalveluita ja ohjausta @ www.fingeekit.com (Avaamme pian!) HostENZ Data Services A Carley Network Media Ltd. (NZ) Company http://www.hostenz.co.nz mathewc(a)hostenz.co.nz Phone (Suomalainen Yhteyshenkilö/Svensk Kontakt): +358 4 4925 0459 Phone (Helsinki Office): +358 9 2316 3712 Phone (Finland Cellular/English): +358 4 0418 6944 **NEW** Phone (France Cellular): +33 6 1811 9475 Sony IVE Number: 243 700 9835 Skype: mgcarley MSN Messenger: mgcarley(a)hostenz.co.nz The information contained in this electronic mail message and any attachments are confidential to Carley Network Media Ltd and it's subsidiaries, and may contain proprietary information or may be legally privileged. See http://www.cnmltd.net/email/ for our standard email disclaimer. Errors & Omissions Excepted. Prices in this email do not include GST unless stated otherwise.

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Warren Hughes (IBM) is out of the office.
by Warren Hughes 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

I will be out of the office starting 07/03/2006 and will not return until 09/03/2006. Hi, thanks for your email. In my absence for urgent queries please contact Wayne Goss on +64 21 375592. Otherwise I will respond tomorrow March 9. Cheers, Warren.

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Re: [wlug] more laptop consideration
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 08 Mar '06

08 Mar '06

----- Original Message Follows ----- > Sorry to hear about the issues, I have several acers and > we had a similar but easily fixed problem. > > The poor airflow is really bad dust protection, So what we > do is use a household vacuum cleaner and the crevice tool > (narrow slot thing) to vacuum all the cooling ports. Phew I bet you have to chock the fan first or it would huper drive :-) <quote> Laptops are great but if you want a workhorse that keeps on trucking for years at a time, nothing beats a (under-the-)desktop box. ;)<end quote> I agree with Oliver but a desk top is hard get get around with.. John > > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Re: [wlug] New laptop
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 07 Mar '06

07 Mar '06

Hello all It just gets better all the time. Matt told me to bring a full distro (after showing me e-live) and see if it installs ok if not get some thing else. I cant argue with that so will try it before long Watch this space. John ----- Original Message Follows ----- > another Hint ... If you go into the powerhouse store, Ask > Matt at the Support counter of his opinion, After he gets > past how great e-live is as a distro > if the store wont let you boot a live Linux cd, you > should be looking elsewhere. Again Matt will have some > experience here as its his "Job" to try these sorts of > things (and he gets to mix business and pleasure) > > At the end of the Day you can never do too much homework. > > Good luck and let us know what you end up with and why. > > Daniel Lawson wrote: > > >Again, as Craig suggested, take an Ubuntu livecd into DSE > and try it out. > > >_______________________________________________ > >wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > >Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > wlug mailing list | wlug(a)list.waikato.ac.nz > Unsubscribe: > http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Warren Hughes (IBM) is out of the office.
by Warren Hughes 07 Mar '06

07 Mar '06

I will be out of the office starting 07/03/2006 and will not return until 08/03/2006. Hi, thanks for your email. In my absence for urgent queries please contact Wayne Goss on +64 21 375592. Otherwise I will respond tomorrow March 8. Cheers, Warren.

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Fwd: Re: New laptop
by jaytee＠clear.net.nz 06 Mar '06

06 Mar '06

Sorry Drew I meant to "reply all" John ----- Message Forwarded on Mon 6/3/2006 ----- From: "" <jaytee(a)clear.net.nz> To: Drew Broadley <drew(a)corrupt.co.nz> Subject: Re: [wlug] New laptop Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:58:24 +1300 Someone mooted that if the frequencies are the same <50mhz> then the power outlet voltage is fairly unimportant there fore it should run on an American outlet. Yes there are 110v transformers available I was hoping not to have to get one though, hence my question(s) John ----- Original Message Follows ----- > jaytee(a)clear.net.nz wrote: > > I also wonder if it is likely to run properly on > > 110 volts.. > > Well, I'd hope you'll be running it on ~12-15v ;) > > You should be able to get an American version of the 240v > transformer brick you get with it. > > - Drew

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