Re: Reducing log file noise
> You need the device ID - lsusb to list. > > http://www.reactivated.net/writing_udev_rules.html > > > Will this run as root, because the script would need to patch > > /etc/inittab and then call 'telinit q'? > > No... the udev rule is instead of, not to enable inittab. If you really > need the always up testing functionality, then maybe look at DJB's > daemon tools. > > > Tom > > I can't believe I've just recommended some of Dan's software. Off for a > lie down! > > Cheers, > > Steve Thanks for the link Steve, and I think I now understand how to write the udev rule with the RUN+= assignment. What I don't understand is what to put in the script that I call since it has to return very quickly or detach itself. Do I just need to launch mgetty if the udev ACTION=add or kill mgetty if ACTION=remove? Presumably mgetty will still call ppp once a call comes in, and the rest of the dial-up settings remain the same. Tom
Re: Reducing log file noise
On Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:25:12 Solor Vox wrote: > I'd suggest using a udev rule that runs simple script to enable/disable > your tty. All you'd need to do is match your modem in a udev rule and > call a script to change your inittab. > > That way it only runs if/when the modem is plugged-in. > > Cheers, > sV > This sounds like a good solution - could you possibly give me a pointer on how to write the udev rule, because I haven't done this before? When the modem is plugged in the device is /dev/ttyACM0, and the driver module is cdc_acm. Will this run as root, because the script would need to patch /etc/inittab and then call 'telinit q'? Tom
Re: Reducing log file noise
On Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:19:33 Craig Falconer wrote: > Tom Munro Glass wrote, On 29/03/10 11:11: > > Mar 28 22:56:50 localhost init: Id "ACM0" respawning too fast: disabled > > for 5 minutes > > Your problem is that init is bringing up the process and failing. Not > that its logging too much. Thanks Craig - I figured that was the problem. Is there a way of making init quieter? Associated with this, is there a way of changing the disabled period from 5 minutes? Tom
Re: virtualbox - virtual screen size adjustment?
On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:56:35 Tom Munro Glass wrote: > On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:39:14 Nick Rout wrote: > > I am running virtualbox on a windows xp machine with slax linux as guest. > > > > windows host is running 1024x768 which sounds pathetic but I am > > comfortable with it. > > > > slax client starts at 1280x1024, which means its in a scrollable > > window. Its a pain in the proverbial. > > > > For the life of me I cannot figure out how to adjust the size that > > client will be. The only "display" setting seems to be the ram > > allocated to the disply driver. Should I just reduce this so that it > > thinks it cannot draw such a big screen? > > > > slax is booting from an .iso. > > A stab in the dark since I don't use virtualbox, but can you set the > resolution as a linux boot option? In other words just as the .iso starts > booting, type: > > linux vga=773 > > I use this technique with VMware Server. > > Tom Munro Glass > I forgot to say, check out the following url for a list of Linux video mode numbers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VESA_BIOS_Extensions Tom
Re: virtualbox - virtual screen size adjustment?
On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:39:14 Nick Rout wrote: > I am running virtualbox on a windows xp machine with slax linux as guest. > > windows host is running 1024x768 which sounds pathetic but I am > comfortable with it. > > slax client starts at 1280x1024, which means its in a scrollable > window. Its a pain in the proverbial. > > For the life of me I cannot figure out how to adjust the size that > client will be. The only "display" setting seems to be the ram > allocated to the disply driver. Should I just reduce this so that it > thinks it cannot draw such a big screen? > > slax is booting from an .iso. > A stab in the dark since I don't use virtualbox, but can you set the resolution as a linux boot option? In other words just as the .iso starts booting, type: linux vga=773 I use this technique with VMware Server. Tom Munro Glass
Re: Create preconfigured installation image for Mandriva
On Tue, 20 Jan 2009, Nick Rout wrote: > On Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 12:22 PM, Tom Munro Glass wrote: > > Although I am using Mandriva, I suspect this question would apply to many > > distros. > > > > I need to install Mandriva on several machines, and each installation > > needs to be set up the same way with a number of packages installed, the > > same users/passwords defined, etc. It seems to me that what I need to do > > is install and configure a master machine, then create some kind of > > installation image from this, but I don't know where to start. > > > > Any pointers would be much appreciated. > > > > Tom Munro Glass > > mandrivel was originally a fork of redhat, and redhat uses a system > called kickstart for exactly this purpose. I am not sure if kickstart > works with mandrivel, worth a look. > > google also produces this: > > http://www.informatik.uni-koeln.de/fai/ > > Also you can just clone the disk, especially if they are the same > size. You can do this by: > > 1. temporarily placing the target disk in the master machine and using > dd or cp or rsync (or probably other tools) to clone the master disk. > > 2. leaving the disk in the clone machine, boot the clone machine with > a live cd and then use rsync to clone the master hard drive to the > clone disk. Thanks for the information - it's given me the kickstart I needed! Out of interest, what don't you like about Mandriva? Is there something I should be warned about? Tom
Create preconfigured installation image for Mandriva
Although I am using Mandriva, I suspect this question would apply to many distros. I need to install Mandriva on several machines, and each installation needs to be set up the same way with a number of packages installed, the same users/passwords defined, etc. It seems to me that what I need to do is install and configure a master machine, then create some kind of installation image from this, but I don't know where to start. Any pointers would be much appreciated. Tom Munro Glass
Re: Mandriva questions
On Thu, 14 Aug 2008, Barry Marchant wrote: > Just found this. Looks like its distro & qt version independent. > > http://rpmseek.com/rpm-pl/qt-st-plugin-ibase.html?hl=com&cba=0:Q:80:::3 > > No dates though > > Barry > Thanks again for your help Barry - I followed the download link from your URL but it just took me to an empty directory. It does look like support has been pulled for this plugin and I will attempt to find out why and see if I can get it reinstated - Firebird is a good database and it would be a loss if Qt support disappeared. Thanks also to everyone else who contributed to this thread. Tom
Re: Mandriva questions
On Thu, 14 Aug 2008, Barry Marchant wrote: > WHAT is wrong with the reference I gave you Its what you > asked for. > > Barry Here is what I get when I search on rpm.pbone.net as you suggested: You have chosen search in content of rpms. Display 1 - 1 hits of 1. Search took 0.34 seconds. Search results for qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib : Mandriva 2008 carroll.cac.psu.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrakelinux/official/2008.0/i586/media/main/release/qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib-4.1.1-3mdk.i586.rpm --- This is an old version of the package and it doesn't work with Qt4 4.3.4 Tom
Re: Mandriva questions
On Thu, 14 Aug 2008, Barry Marchant wrote: > What version of Mandriva are you running, The package is available for > 2007 and 2008. looks like 2008.0 and 2008.1. > > Go to rpm.pbone.net advanced search select mandriva2008 and enter > 'qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib' > > HTH > Barry I'm using the free version of Mandriva 2008.1. Searching the media on this site and any other mirror I have looked at, there are only 4 SQL plugin packages available: qt4-database-plugin-mysql-lib-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.i586.rpm qt4-database-plugin-odbc-lib-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.i586.rpm qt4-database-plugin-pqsql-lib-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.i586.rpm qt4-database-plugin-sqlite-lib-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.i586.rpm What I clearly need is qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.i586.rpm but this doesn't seem to exist, so that's why I believe I will have to build it. I have now compiled the Qt source from Trolltech and it created the library file libqsqlibase.so. I copied this into the directory /usr/lib/qt4/plugins/lib/sqldrivers and my application now works. I don't know why the ibase driver is not included along with the other 4 drivers, but as far as I can the package only needs to install the file libqsqlibase.so so hopefully I can make a package. Tom
Re: Mandriva questions
On Thu, 14 Aug 2008, John Rye wrote: > > as root: > > urpmi qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib > > John If only it was that simple - that package doesn't exist, at least not in any media I can find. There is an old package qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib-4.1.1-3mdk.i586.rpm I located somewhere but this doesn't work with the current release of Qt4. So unless you know where I can get a current qt4-database-plugin-ibase-lib package I think I'm stuck with building Qt Tom
Re: Mandriva questions
On Thu, 14 Aug 2008, Barry Marchant wrote: > Hi > > I have been running Mandriva since before mandrake 8. > > 1st question ... what is the app, is the src in a .mdk package? If so, > install the pkg as per normal, it will go into /usr/src/whatever. > > If it is a tar or similar pkg unpack it to /usr/src/... Konqueror is > excellent for this. Open 2 panels, unpack in 1 panel, goto usr/src in > the 2nd panel, then drag n drop the appropriate dir across. > > From there it is a normal compile but test before you install. You will > need the src package for your kernel installed before you compile. If > the compile bombs there may be other pkgs you need to install also. > > HTH > Barry Hi Barry, thanks for your reply. I have an application that I have written that uses Qt4 and in particular it needs to use the Firebird/Interbase driver. There doesn't appear to be a package for the IBASE SQL plugin, so I figure I need to build Qt myself. So I downloaded the qt4-4.3.4-6mdv2008.1.src.rpm package and tried to install it. First Mandriva warns me that I probably don't want to install it because it's a source package, but I say install anyway, but nothing seems to happen - I can find no trace of the source files being installed. I can always download the source from Trolltech but I'm curious why Mandriva won't install from the package. If I can solve this problem, the next step is that I need to compile Qt4 and then make a package that can be used to install the IBASE plugin on other systems. I'm not really sure where to start with this. Cheers Tom
Mandriva questions
Do we have any Mandriva experts on the list? I have some questions about how to install a source package and do a custom build, but thought I'd check first if there is someone here who can help me. Cheers Tom Munro Glass
Re: Zipping data in a C++ application
On Thu, 10 Jan 2008, Christopher Sawtell wrote: > http://www.zlib.net/ > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zlib > And outgoing links therefrom. > > On 1/10/08, Tom Munro Glass <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm developing a C++ application using Qt 4 as the primary library. I > > have a large block of data in a memory stream and I need to zip it prior > > to sending it via a socket to a Windows client application. > > > > Qt doesn't have support for zip, so I'm wondering how to go about doing > > this - > > any suggestions? > > > > Thanks > > > > Tom Munro Glass Thanks Chris - that was the pointer I needed. Tom
Zipping data in a C++ application
I'm developing a C++ application using Qt 4 as the primary library. I have a large block of data in a memory stream and I need to zip it prior to sending it via a socket to a Windows client application. Qt doesn't have support for zip, so I'm wondering how to go about doing this - any suggestions? Thanks Tom Munro Glass
Re: Video card compatibility
On Tuesday 10 October 2006 20:38, Hadley Rich wrote: > On Tuesday 10 October 2006 18:57, Volker Kuhlmann wrote: > > For the record, the 6600 chips are noticably more powerfull at little > > extra cost. The 6200TC version is particularly stripped of speed. As > > usual, if it's enough for you, go for it. > > This is a handy comparison table for Nvidia chips; > > http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/132 > > hads Thanks guys - got the card and it's working fine. Tom
Video card compatibility
Can anyone comment on the Albatron AGP6200A/AGP6200AL/AGP6200ALQ 128MB card? I'm not clear what the differences are between these models. I'm considering getting one for a machine running Gentoo. It won't be used for games, I just need a basic card with analogue & DVI outputs and a minimum of hassle to get working. Tom
Re: Problems with KPPP to ISP Inet
On Saturday 16 September 2006 17:58, Volker Kuhlmann wrote: > An external modem is the simplest and most futureproof solution. > Secondhand externals go for less than a new internal. > > If you want to make the software work because buying new hardware is > against the grain, do not recompile the kernel. Just recompile the > ltmodem driver. Note you must have the kernel sources installed though! > > You should not need to config the kernel. If you do, specifically > /usr/src/linux/.config must be identical to the one used to make the > distro kernel. Then only run make oldconfig. Do not run make clean or > make mrproper. > > You can then compile ltmodem in a suitable place and replace the one or > two *.ko files with the ones compiled. > > This procedure will help if and only if the ltmodem source you're > compiling is newer than the one you have, and fixes the problem(s) with > your particular lucent chip. Lucent chips used to always work; now there > are too many varieties and some are said to not work. If the box in > question is 2 years old or more, your chances with that modem card are > very low, but do try another live boot CD. Thanks for all the tips Volker. My neighbour is borrowing my modem for now so he can try out Linux, and I think he would be prepared to buy an external if it's the easiest solution. > A different distro isn't likely to help you. You're having a kernel > issue with a specific piece of hardware. Distros only differ by kernel > in: > * kernel version - newer supports more bleeding-edge hardware > * accidental bugs > * patches, fixes, improvements applied by the distro vendor > > Case 2 will help you only as a side effect, case 3 only if the vendor > applied something deliberately which pertains to your exact chip. > > > Yes it is inet.net.nz. I phoned them this afternoon and the guy on the > > help desk suggested I try tomorrow afternoon when there should be someone > > there who knows about Linux. > > Can you please remember to post (or email me privately) whether this ISP > needs the stupid mode in wvdial turned on? Please confirm your setp is > actually using wvdial, then try with both stupid setting and let me know > the result. I'm compiling an NZ ISP file with their specifics already > filled in. Thanks. I think I agree with Nick's post that wvdial is just another front end to pppd. I haven't got access to the computer at the moment to check out any details, but I did try adding 'Stupid mode = on' to /etc/wvdial.conf yesterday and it didn't make any difference. I would say it's fairly conclusive that the modem driver is the cause of the problems rather than the configuration. Tom
Re: Problems with KPPP to ISP Inet
On Saturday 16 September 2006 15:14, Volker Kuhlmann wrote: > > The modem from 'lspci' is 'Agere Systems LT WinModem'. > > Most of those should be good. > > > gives the error: 'Timeout expired while waiting for the PPP interface to > > come up'. ppp.log is (timestamps removed): > > > > sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 > > ] > > Negotiation stage with your ISP. > > > Terminating on signal 15 > > sent [LCP TermReq id=0x2 "User request"] > > sent [LCP TermReq id=0x3 "User request"] > > Connection terminated > > These lines are intermixed and must have come from different processes. > > The signal 15 (TERM) probably comes from kppp, to clean up a supposedly > hung process pppd. So either kppp gives up too early, or pppd takes too > long to establish a connection. > > Can you see any text strings which look like a login prompt, or some > clear text identification from your ISP in the logs? No nothing at all between LCP ConfReq and Terminating on signal 15. > If not, then your modem hardware driver is not working properly and no > data is exchanged over the link with your ISP. Looks like it's probably the driver then. I'm used to rebuilding kernels on Gentoo but haven't done anything like this with Kubuntu. Is it worth the effort or is an external modem the simplest solution? > If yes, your login is failing. Assuming your user code and password are > correct, you may have the wrong authentication protocol, or wvdial is > failing to detect the login prompt. Try setting wvdial's stupid mode to > the other state. > > Above is my best guess. > > Btw is this inet.net.nz ? > They claim they have a very user-friendly help desk... Yes it is inet.net.nz. I phoned them this afternoon and the guy on the help desk suggested I try tomorrow afternoon when there should be someone there who knows about Linux. Tom
Re: Problems with KPPP to ISP Inet
On Saturday 16 September 2006 14:10, Robert Fisher wrote: > On Saturday 16 September 2006 1:46 pm, Tom Munro Glass wrote: > > My neighbour is happy to convert from XP to Linux and I've installed > > Kubuntu 6.06.1 for him, but I'm struggling with getting KPPP to work > > (sadly he doesn't have broadband). > > > > The modem from 'lspci' is 'Agere Systems LT WinModem'. > > Alan (with help from heaps of CLUG members) struggled with this recently > until he got an external modem. > > I recommend you do the same. > > Rob Thanks Alan & Rob. I've just tried using an old US Robotics 56K FaxModem and sure enough it worked although the connection is only 33600. I've seen some threads saying that Mepis might work better with modems than Kubuntu so can you comment on this? I don't want to tell my neighbour to buy a modem if I can just install a different flavour of Linux for him. Or, if he does really need to buy a modem, can you recommend a current model that is known to work well? Cheers Tom
Problems with KPPP to ISP Inet
My neighbour is happy to convert from XP to Linux and I've installed Kubuntu 6.06.1 for him, but I'm struggling with getting KPPP to work (sadly he doesn't have broadband). The modem from 'lspci' is 'Agere Systems LT WinModem'. /etc/ppp/options is the default file installed with Kubuntu, but /etc/ppp/peers/kppp-options contains: noauth debug The modem appears to connect OK but doesn't seem to be authenticating. KPPP gives the error: 'Timeout expired while waiting for the PPP interface to come up'. ppp.log is (timestamps removed): pppd 2.4.4b1 started by , uid 1000 using channel 10 Using interface ppp0 Connect ppp0<->/dev/ttyLTM0 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1] Terminating on signal 15 sent [LCP TermReq id=0x2 "User request"] sent [LCP TermReq id=0x3 "User request"] Connection terminated Modem hang-up Exit I've tried using 'sudo wvdial' and again the modem connects, it starts up pppd but ends with the error: 'The PPP daemon had died: A modem hung up the phone (exit code = 16)'. Help please Tom
Re: Recommendations for a possible Linux convert
Thanks to all who replied. On Monday 17 April 2006 22:06, Andrew Errington wrote: > > Good idea. Pick one *you* like, since you might inadvertently become his > first point of contact... > > I like Mepis, but I think that stock Debian has a lot to recommend it. I'm a Gentoo/FreeBSD fan myself, but I've wanted an excuse to learn about Debian so this may be the opportunity. I thought Kubuntu would be simpler for a Linux newbie, but if it's too restrictive then stock Debian could be the answer. > If you want new- they've all got Windows on already. If you want 'new to > you' I'd thoroughly recommend scouring TradeMe for a late-model laptop, or > somewhere like the Computer Broker (now part of Computer Future) in > Washington Way for an ex-lease model. Either way you'll get something > reasonable and well-priced. It is my own personal opinion that something > as old five years or more is adequate for most tasks, and very cheap. I > just got a ThinkPad 600X (500MHz Pentium) for $250 on TradeMe. A definite > bargain, and well-supported by Linux (and IBM for that matter). Ideal for > web/email/OpenOffice etc. (Ye Gods! I can remember people running > businesses on 2Mb 386sx systems and Windows 3.1) The demo went well yesterday and my neighbour seemed to be very happy with KDE and OpenOffice. It turns out that he's probably looking for a desktop rather than a lappie, but either way the ex-lease route could be well worth investigating. The only sticking point yesterday was just at the end when he mentioned games - he's got a few Windows shoot-em-up games he'd like to be able to use, so I guess dual-boot is the best option there. Tom
Recommendations for a possible Linux convert
A new neighbour told me yesterday that the Win98 laptop he uses for email, browsing and basic Office documents has run out of disk space so he can no longer update his Norton antivirus files! I've offered to demo Linux to him and I'm thinking of suggesting Kubuntu since this often seems to be recommended on this list for newbies. I think he's probably going to be looking at buying a new lappie, so can someone point me in the direction of a retailer that can supply the hardware without paying M$ tax? He's not interested in broadband at the moment, so is there anything I need to watch out for in terms of modem compatibility? Tom
Re: OT: Transcription software for Linux
> Actually, on the nch website, as well as the aforementioned 'scribe' is > also a program called 'switch'. It is for converting audio to different > formats. > > My wife does this sort of work too, and frankly it was easy to install the > Olympus software on a cheap laptop which was running Win 98. Aside from > that, I understand the problems clearly, and would be glad to assist > creating a solution. > > As I see it there are two problems. One of these is created by Olympus, > and the other is a general problem. > > Problem 1: Audio input. > Despite the fact there are cheap MP3 thumbdrives with FM and recording > facilities, a lot of places have dedicated dictation hardware. The Olympus > stuff is pretty good, so you will encounter it everywhere if you are > dealing with this sort of thing. As has been pointed out, the sound file > format 'dss' is proprietary. Olympus provide a utility for converting DSS > to WAV (Windows-only), and you can of course convert WAV to MP3 trivially > if you want. Alternatively the 'switch' software from NCH is supposed to > work under Wine, so that might be a good solution to Problem 1. > > Problem 2: The Transcription Environment > Transcribers use a foot pedal to control the playback of audio whilst they > are typing. Typical features are pause/play, fastforward and rewind. > Having a foot pedal means that the hands can stay on the keyboard. > Pressing special keys to control the audio is tedious, and reaching for the > mouse is right out. I can think of many solutions to this problem, > assuming the audio is available in a playable format (such as wav or mp3), > and a controllable audio player is available (such as xmms, or mpg123). > What you need is to get the hardware to control the software. The Olympus > pedal connects via USB or serial. I'd suggest it would be trivial to make > a small script that polls the serial port and sends commands to the audio > player. No, I have not done it with an Olympus pedal, but I have done it > with other similar hardware. > > If you didn't have a pedal, I can think of three ways to build one: > Get USB keyboard. Hack keyswitches and wire in footswitches. Pressing > footswitches generates keypresses. > Get USB or serial mouse. Hack buttons on mouse as above. > Hack existing keyboard. Wire foot switches into keys that are defined as > 'hotkeys' for keyboard operation of transcription software. Foot switch > input is then identical to pressing a hotkey. > Oh, building a foot pedal is also trivial- get one from Jaycar, get an old > sewing machine from the SuperShed, make something with MDF and > microswitches (or even some hinged blocks of wood that press on mouse > buttons on the floor). > > Finally, you need some shell scripts or a bit of a GUI to tidy all the > background stuff away so that the user can use it without having to know > what's going on behind the scenes. > > So, whilst I can see a few solutions, this is why I installed it on > Windows. > > A Thanks for a very interesting post Andrew. It confirms what I suspected, and that is that although it is almost certainly possible to get something working in Linux, this is one of the few applications where you are better off sticking to Windows. I tried out the Windows version of the free Scribe software yesterday afternoon, and it works OK. However, it is not as useful as the DSS Player Pro software from Olympus. Firstly, Scribe doesn't integrate with Word/Excel and show the playback status/controls in a toolbar at the bottom of the application. Secondly, Scribe does doesn't sound as clear as DSS Player when you slow down the playback speed. I suspect that this would be an even bigger problem if you convert the DSS file to another format and use a standard media player. Most of the work seems to be for transcribing DSS audio into Word/Excel files, and I am now convinced that the best solution for this is the Olympus software. I raised the original question because if there was some good transcription software transcription software for Linux, my wife would prefer to specialise in creating OpenOffice documents using her favoured operating system. This probably isn't such a great idea after all. Tom
Re: OT: Transcription software for Linux
On Monday 10 April 2006 20:06, Volker Kuhlmann wrote: > > Thanks to all who replied, but apart from running Scribe on Wine it looks > > like a lost cause. > > Did you track down the Linux converter I mentioned? No I didn't track this down, but I have a had a play with the free Scribe software. The website also has some information about how to wire up your own pedal for a com port connection. > > Sorry Craig - I can't provide a sample because we don't have recording > > software, only Olympus playback software for Windows. > > I could probably make a DSS sample, if that helps anyone (which I > doubt). When you install Scribe it gives you a sample DSS file if anyone wants it. > > The Olympus foot pedal connects to usb or a com port. Nick I'm sure > > you're right that the pedal just emulates keys, but the hands off control > > is really essential and I don't think hot keys would work very well. > > The point probably is that the pedal translates into key strokes, and > that you then configure your audio player to start/stop on those > keystrokes. > > Volker Tom
Re: OT: Transcription software for Linux
Thanks to all who replied, but apart from running Scribe on Wine it looks like a lost cause. Sorry Craig - I can't provide a sample because we don't have recording software, only Olympus playback software for Windows. The Olympus foot pedal connects to usb or a com port. Nick I'm sure you're right that the pedal just emulates keys, but the hands off control is really essential and I don't think hot keys would work very well. Thanks again, Tom On Monday 10 April 2006 15:49, Craig FALCONER wrote: > Tom: can you record something to a dss file then put it available on a web > page somewhere? > > > > -Original Message- > From: Nick Rout [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, 10 April 2006 3:47 p.m. > To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz > Subject: Re: OT: Transcription software for Linux > > > I looked at these some years ago and IIRC the foot pedal emulated keys on > the keyboard, so it should be easy to hack something up that will start > stop and short rewind some player software. It would be almost trivial in > something like mplayer to re-define the keys that perfomred thjose > functions, so that the keyboard emulating footpedal would work. > > But the problem appears to be to actually get something to play .dss files > in linux. > > I saw a reference to a windows suite that would play the files, and worked > in wine here: http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/ > > I am asking about codecs on the mplayer list, but I am not hopeful.
OT: Transcription software for Linux
My wife does some part time work transcribing Olympus audio files to Office/OpenOffice documents, but since she became a convert a couple of years ago, she would much prefer to work exclusively in Linux. I'm looking for some software to play back Olympus .dss files using a foot pedal to control it, but so far Google hasn't pointed me in the right direction. Anyone know any solutions for this? Tom
Re: X-Server question
On Wednesday 05 April 2006 08:54, David Kirk wrote: > > Better yet, from the everyday PC you could ssh in to the junk PC, > export $DISPLAY=everydaypc:0 and run your favourite CD burning > application. It will display on the everyday PC, but run on the junk > PC using the junk PC's devices. I do this from my Windows PC at work > using Cygwin/X. Instructions are on the wiki at > http://clug.net.nz/index.php/Cygwin. > A really neat alternative to Cygwin is Xming: http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/ Xming is very simple to install and use. Tom
Re: kororaa
> in the video'd demo you could, for example, wrap a movie window around > the corner of the cube and have it playing on two of the cube's > surfaces. > > Whether it updated as you moved the window or the cube around i cannot > recall. > > more when i find what i did with the damned avi - would help if i could > vaguely remember what the file was called. > > Probably will be on the laptop (which is off and remote) Check out http://www.novell.com/linux/xglrelease/ - you can d/l the video or watch in streaming flash. Tom
Re: Help with sed
Thanks for the feedback guys. In the end I discovered the following REALLY
helpful web page "Sed - An Introduction" at
http://www.grymoire.com/Unix/Sed.html. As it says in th introduction, the
documentation for sed is poor, but it's a really powerful tool if you can
find out how to use it.
This helped me to produce the following script which does exactly what I want,
and does it very quickly. Although my requirement is very specific, I hope
the technique for dealing with multiline search and replace might be useful
for others.
#!/bin/bash
sed '
# Look for 'Type=0x21'
/Type=0x21/ {
# append the next line to the pattern space
N
# Look for 'Label=...00'
/Label=...00/ {
# Replace 'Type=0x21' with 'Type=0x22'
s/Type=0x21/Type=0x22/
# print the modified data
P
# Append the extra line
a\
EndLevel=1
# then delete the first line
D
}
}' $1 > /tmp/tempfile
mv /tmp/tempfile $1
Tom
On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 18:02, Volker Kuhlmann wrote:
> > Type=0x21 Type=0x22 # Same as previous except
> > Label= 2200 Label= 2200 # different value for Label
> > blah, blah EndLevel=1
> > blah, blah
> >
> > The bit that's got me stumped is how to handle the Label line. Can
> > someone please give me hint how to do this?
>
> The problem I have with sed is that it's line oriented, not record
> oriented, and your job is record oriented. (Personally I'd use gawk.) It
> can be a pain to match across lines in sed, but it's possible in GNU
> sed.
>
> The match condition I'd try for the label line is whether the number
> ends in 2 zeros. You'd have to match all from the type= to the label= in
> one expression, and if matched, perform one or more search/replaces, and
> write out the result with any additional stuff you want appended after
> label= . You can ignore any text following label= in the same record.
>
> Does that help?
>
> Volker
Help with sed
I've got several large files that require some repetitive multiline search and replace operations, and I feel sure that sed can do this, but I can't figure out how to do it. The pattern I'm searching for in the input file is "Type=0x21" followed by "Label=abcde" on the next line, where abcde is a 5 character number with leading spaces. If abcde is a multiple of 100, (d=0, e=0) I want to replace the first line with "Type=0x22", and add a third line "EndLevel=1" For example: BEFORE: AFTER: Type=0x21 Type=0x21 # No change required because Label= 120 Label= 120 # Label not multiple of 100 blah, blah blah, blah Type=0x21 Type=0x22 # Change Type value Label= 100 Label= 100 blah, blah EndLevel=1 # Insert extra line blah, blah Type=0x21 Type=0x22 # Same as previous except Label= 2200 Label= 2200 # different value for Label blah, blah EndLevel=1 blah, blah The bit that's got me stumped is how to handle the Label line. Can someone please give me hint how to do this? Tom
File associations for Firefox in KDE
If I use Konqueror for web browsing and a link points to something like a .pdf or a .doc file, Konqueror automatically opens the file in the appropriate application such as kpdf or kword. But if I use Firefox as the browser, it doesn't seem to know about the standard file associations, and it usually pops up a dialog asking if I want to save the file or open it with some application that I have to browse for. How do I make Firefox use/inherit the standard file associations? Regards Tom Munro Glass
Re: OT: Xtra broadband
On Monday 08 November 2004 13:37, Paul Swafford wrote: > Telecom's 2M/192K deal is excellent .. although rumours of it being an > automatic upgrade to the 256k/128k customers might not be true .. I > didn't trust that so I requested the change and sure enough it happened > on time just as I have come to expect from Telecom. > I might not have been their biggest fan in the past and they could still > do better but finally their DSL offerings are remotely affordable and > useful. > > Regards > > Paul Swafford Are you saying that Telecom won't upgrade your connection unless you ask them to? I had a letter from Xtra a couple of weeks ago saying that my Surf Flat Rate account would be upgraded to Jetstream Plus automatically sometime during November or December. Should I be chasing them to do the upgrade now? Regards, Tom Munro Glass
Re: Recommendations for ADSL modem/switch
On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 11:48, Brad Beveridge wrote: > Upon further reading, the Puretek modem has no firewall, only NAT. The > Billion does have firewall support. I'm probably going to run IPCop behind the router anyway, but I figured that two firewalls are better than one, and the reason for wanting an integrated switch is so that I have the option of using it as a DMZ. The Billion prices are certainly attractive and Ascent should be getting more in a few days - anyone used them or heard any comments about them? Tom
Recommendations for ADSL modem/switch
It seems that JetStream has finally made it over the Ports Hills and is available in Governors Bay! So I'm looking for recommendations for an ADSL modem / 4-port 10/100Mbps switch combination. I've heard good things about the NetGear DG834, anyone around here used this? Regards, Tom Munro Glass
Re: backups
On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 13:35, Dave wrote: > Hi all > > I was looking for suggstions for a backup utility > > I'm waning to .tar file onto a second "backup harddrive", via a daily cron > job, and archive to CD every couple of weeks > > previously on Mandrake I used Drakebackup whhich was easy to use (but a bit > tempermental) > > I have had a look at a few others, Kbackup which is installed on this > distro- but seems a bit difficult to set up > > Has anyone got favourites?? Check out rsnapshot at http://www.rsnapshot.org - a really useful tool based on rsync that handles local and remote backups. Tom Munro Glass
Re: Viewing compressed mail?
On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 16:37, Michael JasonSmith wrote: > On Fri, 2003-11-28 at 16:20, Tom Munro Glass wrote: > > I'm using an in-house IMAP server to store my users' mail, and I've > > discovered archivemail which I run from cron to compress messages more > > than 90 days old. Archivemail seems to generate a compressed mbox file, > > but the question is how can I view this in a nice user-friendly way? > > How friendly an application is depends on the user. If you are on the > command line "zless" will open a compressed file and view it. > Unfortunately I do not know how to convince KMail to open a compressed > MBox file, though I am sure the code to do it is not difficult. > > Sorry, that is all the help I can give. Thanks for the tip but I don't consider the command line to be friendly enough in this situation. I want non-technical users to be able to view individual messages just as they would with normal mail folders. Just trying to think of other options, is there any way of working with compressed maildirs rather than mbox files? Tom
Viewing compressed mail?
I'm using an in-house IMAP server to store my users' mail, and I've discovered archivemail which I run from cron to compress messages more than 90 days old. Archivemail seems to generate a compressed mbox file, but the question is how can I view this in a nice user-friendly way? Ideally I would like to be able to use a standard mail client such as KMail (or Outlook) to view the archives, accepting that it may be considerably slower. Tom Munro Glass
Re: Help with awk
Thanks to all who replied to the question - it's given me a number of options
to consider.
Cheers,
Tom
On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 13:08, Matthew Gregan wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 08, 2003 at 12:36:14PM +1300, Peter Glassenbury wrote:
> > What about using $0 (whole line) and
> > length($1),length($2),length($3) and substr($0,sumoflengths)
> >
> > or something like that ?
>
> It won't work. You need to take into account not only the length of the
> already used fields, but also the field separators between the fields.
>
> This should do the trick:
>
> #! /usr/bin/awk -f
> {
> printf("1: \"%s\" 2: \"%s\" 3: \"%s\"\n", $1, $2, $3);
>
> rest = index($0, $4);
> printf("rest: \"%s\"\n", substr($0, rest));
> }
>
> Cheers,
> -mjg
Help with awk
I'm trying to parse a log file, very similar to /var/log/messages, where there are some quite well defined fields at the start of the line, but then some free form text at the end. I can extract and process the first few fields quite easily with $1 $2 $3 etc, but how can I get awk to print out the rest of the line after field $3 and ignore any delimiter characters in the free from text? For example, consider the input 01/10/2003 01:02:03 MyCommand: Here is some free form text from command When parsed with awk: $1 = date (01/10/2003) $2 = time (01:02:03) $3 = command (MyCommand:) ?? = Here is some free form text from command Any ideas? Tom Munro Glass
Re: OT: Hardware suppliers (was: Re: Distro for a server)
Thanks Tim. It's easy to find suppliers with Google, but that doesn't tell you how helpful the companies are. I'll give Ascent a call later today. Tom On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 01:48, Timothy Musson wrote: > > I can recommend Ascent: > > http://www.ascent.co.nz/ > > They're based in Wellington but use local suppliers (i.e. Chch for us) > when possible. > > Tim
Re: Hardware compatibility
make menuconfig does seem to be the closest thing to an answer for Gentoo, but even that is not exhaustive in the information it provides. And how do I find out what other distros include in the kernel? Since this will be a server, I won't be wanting any exotic peripherals but what is important is good SCSI/Raid support. This machine will be well overspecified for my own needs, but it's a trial for a client who will need real performance. Tom On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 15:59, Nick Rout wrote: > On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 15:22:49 +1200 > > > > > Load the kernel sources and go to:- > > > > file:///usr/src/linux/Documentation/ > > > > also you could do a:- > > cd /usr/src/linux/ > > make menuconfig > > and have poke around to see if your hardware has > > a configurable driver. > > > > FWIW > > I have an ASUS mobo with a scsi host adaptor made by ASUS > > from the adaptec 2940UW chip-set. > > It's run Linux more of less continuously for 6 or 7 years. > > > > What more could a fellow want? > > umm I think he wants a new computer and there is sometimes a lag between > chipset release and proper kernel support. theres nothing worse than a > server that won't run the ide interface at full speed because the poxy > motherboard is not fully supported (yet). > > Chris is basically right, hardware support is in the kernel BUT: > > * different distros patch different stuff into their kernels and > therefore support diiferent hardware. > * different distros have different levels of automated support for some > hardware. eg its all very well if your distro's kernel recognises your > kamakooza usb hard drive keyring thingy, its another matter if your > distro automagically mounts it for you with correct user/group > permissions. you can fix those things if your distro doesn't do it right, > but it depends on the level of futzing around you want to do. > > > -- > > Sincerely etc., > > Christopher Sawtell
Hardware compatibility
Thanks to all who contributed to my question yesterday about server distros. I'm now looking at various hardware options including mobos, SCSI and raid. The problem is that any hardware compatibility lists I find seem to refer to RedHat 7.x and maybe SuSE but I can't find any mention of RedHat 9, Debian or Gentoo. So how do you find out if your preferred hardware components are supported - there's gotta be a web site somewhere with this information? Tom Munro Glass
Re: Distro for a server
Thanks Nick. Yet more information to try and remember! Tom > usefule article here on screen > > http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6340
Re: Distro for a server
Many thanks for the tip about screen. I'd never heard of it but it looks incredibly useful. I've just emerged it on my Gentoo machine, and see it's already available in RH9 I stuck on a test machine in England. This gets my vote for "Tip Of The Day"! Tom On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 12:35, Jim Cheetham wrote: > On Wed, 2003-09-03 at 12:13, Tom Munro Glass wrote: > > Yes, the larger installation will be very remote - in England! > > That shouldn't put you off, I co-admin a bunch of FreeBSD machines in > the UK, only 300ms away over 23 hops ... > > I use screen on the remote box, so I can ssh in and restore the screen > session, getting multiple shell sessions all held open and running (i.e. > some of them page log files, so I can leave them running while I'm away > from the box ...) > > Also useful to leave long possibly-interactive commands running, in case > you're worried that your link to the server might go down. As long as > the server stays up, screen keeps your jobs running. > > -jim
Re: Distro for a server
Getting slightly OT, but could you suggest some reputable local hardware suppliers? I've built my own PCs in the past but in recent years I've found it hard to match the price of suppliers such as Dell, especially for servers. Tom On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 11:29, Jim Cheetham wrote: > > I don't know about Dell, but other over-hyped PC assemblers (Gateway, > Compaq) chock up their machines with non-standard hardware, to make it > more difficult for you to move away from their platform. Get a generic > box, with industry standard components. You'll be more able to swap out > broken hardware if you do. Adaptec for SCSI controller, 3Com for network > card, that sort of thing. Other manufacturers make good, well supported > hardware too :-) > > Software RAID isn't too bad a choice, it depends on why you want it. > Also consider a journalled filesystem, there's nothing worse than an > emergency reboot followed by a 60-minute fsck cycle on a server ... > > -jim
Re: Distro for a server
Yes, the larger installation will be very remote - in England! Downloading updates won't be a problem, but rpm hell might be! I've only had a few hours playing with RH9, so I've yet to encounter that particular torture. I don't mind command-line admin providing I know how to drive the individual applications, and that's where this group is so useful. Tom On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 11:33, Jim Cheetham wrote: > Sounds like you're supporting this box from afar, then. Whatever OS you > choose, make sure you're happy with command-line admin, and as far as > possible, try to use the same OS in all your installations, to reduce > surprises when you're working in a hurry! > > But you need updates :-) If a company is paying for this box, they may > be happy to pay for updates from a third-party, like Red Hat. On the > other hand, if they're expecting you to do this as "part of the > service", free-as-in-beer updates are nice ... as long as you can > squeeze a few meg down their network connection without being hammered. > > In the case of limited bandwidth, it's better to check/download often > (daily?) than in batch. You don't have to have the actual > installations/upgrades done until you're available to monitor the > machine, if you like. > > -jim
Re: Distro for a server
Hi Chris, I thought I might get a Gentoo vote from you ;-) Must admit that I'd probably find Gentoo easiest to work with, but maybe it's time I was less one-eyed! Thanks for the Scyld link - looks very useful. Tom Munro Glass On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 10:41, Christopher Sawtell wrote: > Take care to choose a higher class of NIC, some of the el-cheapo ones are > just rubbish. Make sure it is fully supported by an open source driver. > http://www.scyld.com ( Donald Becker's company ) > > > > Previously I've been happy with FreeBSD, now I'm also happy with Debian > > The devil you know is orders of magnetude better than the one you don't. > > Gentoo has a very nice update method.
Re: Distro for a server
This installation is for a very small network, but if it does everything that's required I'm likely to get the job of introducing Linux servers into a medium size company that currently has half a dozen NT4 servers and around 50 desktops. Tom Munro Glass On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 10:28, Chris Hellyar wrote: > 'urro.. > > If you want a 'low geek' server ie: easy(ish) install, hassle free(ish) > updates etc.. RedHat + RHN subscription is hard to beat. > > If you don't mind a bit more fiddling Gentoo or Debian are good for > updates with Debian having a longer track record. > > If this is for a medium to large business RedHat will be the better > option, because written DRP documentation for Gentoo or Debian is never > going to pass peer review unless the entire company is very Linux aware. > > Having said that, if you're talking about a small business, and you've > got some keen staff you can use any distro as a server > > Just my $0.02 worth. > > Chris H. > > On Wed, 2003-09-03 at 09:55, Tom Munro Glass wrote: > > Following on from the distro wars, anyone got any comments about the best > > distro for a production server? > > > > I'm soon going to be setting up a Linux server which marks the beginning > > of a migration away from Win2K servers. The server will be used for file, > > print, web, database, and groupware. I'm considering a Dell PowerEdge > > 600SC with RedHat 9 installed with command line only. I'm considering > > using a second cheaper machine which will be rsync'ed to the server for > > backup. > > > > I get the impression that most people on this list are using Linux on > > desktops, but any hints or advice about setting up a production server > > would be much appreciated. > > > > Tom Munro Glass
Re: Distro for a server
Hardware support is certainly a major consideration. I've had reasonable support from Dell in the past, but I've heard that if you play around with the operating system, their support suddenly vanishes. This is why I'm thinking about buying Dell packaged with RH9, although I'm much more familiar with Gentoo. Good advice about the processor/disk speed Jim. I will definitely be using SCSI and would like to use raid but it's too expensive. Tom Munro Glass On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 10:41, Jim Cheetham wrote: > Having a good relationship with the hardware supplier is essential, as > there is a surprisingly high delayed-reject-rate in some common > components. I've seen SCSI controllers work fine for a week, then start > to crash ... SNIP > It all depends on how much love and attention the server is going to > get, and how stable an environment it lives in. I've run an old Intel > desktop PC, P90 and 256Mb RAM with SCSI disks, as a server successfully > over the last few years. If you don't ask it to do much, you don't need > much! Too many people go charging off to get the fastest CPU, never > realising that the server sits at 99% idle all day long ... Fast disks, > on the other hand, are always a good investment ... and they will make > up for a shortfall in RAM. > > -jim
Re: Distro for a server
I was wondering about FreeBSD but have read about there being hardware compatibility problems with some Dell machines ... not that I have to use Dell. Perhaps my question should have been "any hardware/distro combinations recommended for a server?" Tom Munro Glass > Previously I've been happy with FreeBSD, now I'm also happy with Debian > > :-) > > -jim
Distro for a server
Following on from the distro wars, anyone got any comments about the best distro for a production server? I'm soon going to be setting up a Linux server which marks the beginning of a migration away from Win2K servers. The server will be used for file, print, web, database, and groupware. I'm considering a Dell PowerEdge 600SC with RedHat 9 installed with command line only. I'm considering using a second cheaper machine which will be rsync'ed to the server for backup. I get the impression that most people on this list are using Linux on desktops, but any hints or advice about setting up a production server would be much appreciated. Tom Munro Glass
Re: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS
> There are other ways to access smb shares: > > in konqueror travel to the url smb://machine/share and a > username/password dialog will pop up. Odd - this seems to work for some shares but not for others. It's almost like it's connected to some shares as a Guest and therefore isn't able to read the files/directories in the share. > are you logging into the NT domain that stores the shares? take a look > at the functionality in samba that allows scripts to be run when you log > on. (or does that run scripts on a windows client when you log into a > samba-based domain? - dunno) Errr, I don't think I'm logging onto the NT domain, but that would probably be a good idea. I really new to this stuff so I don't exactly know what I'm doing but I will check out samba in more detail. Thanks for the pointer. > I feel we are both missing something real obvious here What I'm trying to achieve is the equivalent of mapped drive letters being reconnected when I logon to a Windows machine. For example, my G: drive is always mapped to \\kiwi\development. So when I logon to my Linux box I want to be connected to \\kiwi\development and I'm assuming that this means that I need to have it mounted somewhere such as ~\development. Tom
Re: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS
> > In ~/.profile I'm using several commands like > > > > mount -t smbfs //server/share ~/share -o credentials=~/.credentials > > doesn't this mean every time you log into a shell it does the mount > again? or tries to? Yes, this is happening so obviously I'm doing this wrong. Also just realised that normal users can't use mount so I'm really barking up the wrong tree! So I'll start again by asking how I should do this. Basically I want normal users to be able to access a number of shares on a Win2K server and they must connect using their own username and password. Ideally I would like them to be able to set up their own mount points, but I could live with root having to set it up for them. Any suggestions, Tom Munro Glass (now using KMail)
RE: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS
Title: RE: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS Sorry Nick and everyone else on the list. Despite me selecting plain text format, Outlook still sent the message as HTML. I'll be switching over to KMail ASAP! Tom > -Original Message- > From: Nick Rout [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Tuesday, 1 April 2003 21:26 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS > > > please can the html mail to the list!! >
Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS
Title: Mounting (and unmounting) SMBFS In ~/.profile I'm using several commands like mount -t smbfs //server/share ~/share -o credentials=~/.credentials to mount various Windows network shares when a user logs on. Question 1: ~/.credentials contains the username and password because I can't find a way of getting the logon password. Is there a solution to this? Question 2: Since I'm mounting the network shares when the user logs on, should I umount them before he/she logs off, and if so, how can I do this automatically? Cheers, Tom Munro Glass
FW: Software development tools
Title: FW: Software development tools Thanks for the info guys, I've installed KDevelop overnight so will check that out later along with some of the other suggestions. I would find switching to Kylix quite easy, but I wonder about its future. What's the consensus, or is there a consensus, about Java? I used to think it was too slow, and I heard a number of less than favourable comments about it when I mentioned it at InstallFest. And what about C#, .NET and things like the Mono project, any comments? Finally for now, how about UML / CASE tools with code generation and reverse engineering capabilities? Any recommended packages? Cheers, Tom Munro Glass
Software development tools
Title: Software development tools I've been lurking on this list for a few weeks and it's a great resource, so thought it's time I introduce myself. I came to the InstallFest and since then Chris Sawtell has very kindly been helping me get up to speed with Gentoo. I've still got lots to learn about Linux, but I'm getting there! I'm a self employed software developer with experience in several languages but mainly C, C++, Delphi and PHP. As a Linux newbie, I'm really interested to find out what the best development tools are. I like Delphi's IDE and ModelMaker for class design, so I'd like to hear what tools you recommend? Cheers, Tom Munro Glass
