Re: [ubuntu-uk] I'm new

[Avi Greenbury]

alan c wrote:

> Mat
> It has been said *clearly* what went wrong!
> 
> >> "The chap on the [irc] who's responded to my plea for help has
> >> just given me technical jargon answers I simply don't understand
> >> and he's putting me off Ubuntu."
> 

That's not clear at all. All we know is that at some point the
meaning of some answer that was given in response to some question
wasn't understood by the asker. There's precisely nothing that can be
done with that 'information'.

-- 
Avi

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[alan c]

On 28/07/11 16:35, TT Mooney wrote:
>>From the Register:
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/28/mps_slam_government_it_spend/
> 
> And the actual report:
> http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmpubadm/715/71502.htm
> 
> Fun reading! Not surprising in the least, though. And we haven't even
> talked about the Defence Spending Review.
> ttm

Current Government IT strategy, which is a more severe version of
something which has been in place of about 5 years now:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/government-ict-strategy

note:
mandatory open standards
government to avoid lengthy vendor lock-in

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] I'm new

[alan c]

Mat
It has been said *clearly* what went wrong!

>> "The chap on the [irc] who's responded to my plea for help has
>> just given me technical jargon answers I simply don't understand and
>> he's putting me off Ubuntu."

The subject did not 'understand'. You will not see that from logs, but
you will get it, and *have* got if from their own quote.

FWIW I am a ferociously active supporter of Ubuntu and currently also
paid up in FSF, but I have only four times used irc seriously, only
once every two years on average. I use ubuntuforums very frequently,
giving and receiving help (more than 1000 posts).

I have a number of friends who I 'administer' ubuntu for and not a
single one of them is remotely interested nor suited even to use the
forums let alone irc. If they need help I use the phone or skype
(spit) or teamviewer (spit).

At this level I am helping users who are one step away from the 'Any
key' situation. Which is ok with me, but this can get unrealistic on
IRC. These are 'novice' users. But some have been using Ubuntu for
three years now.

I think that IRC is a quite difficult medium for beginners. And me (7
years). I also think that support of your average jack and jill user
is a fairly unusual and demanding skill, and not all Ubuntu helpers
possess this.


On 27/07/11 12:56, Matthew Daubney wrote:
> Hi Paula,
> 
> I don't suppose you know this persons irc nick? We can have a look in the
> logs and see where we went wrong.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Matt Daubney
> On Jul 27, 2011 12:41 PM, "Paula Graham"  wrote:
>> On 24/07/11 18:19, Alan Bell wrote:
>>> On 24/07/11 10:58, a.hun...@visuality-group.co.uk wrote:
 Hi!

 I'm new to all this, but been reading the discussions coming in
 through the emails. Is it just me, or is there some sort of petty
 argument going on? Am I reading it wrong?

 Love to all!

 Alex.

>>> Welcome Alex,
>>>
>>> there is indeed a long email conversation going on, I assume you are
>>> referring to the "Re: [ubuntu-uk] Um, why am I blocked from
>>> #ubuntu-uk" thread which actually isn't about anyone specific being
>>> blocked from the channel, it was accidentally set to only allow
>>> registered users for a few hours and is back to open access now. We
>>> generally try to keep this mailing list and the IRC channel polite and
>>> constructive at all times. This is community support, which means we
>>> all help each other, there is no dividing line between those helping
>>> and those needing help with an issue, and we all have access to the
>>> same information. Sometimes there is no immediate solution to a
>>> problem, which can cause frustration from time to time, but we do try
>>> to point people in the right direction to find a solution to their
>>> problem.
>>>
>>> Alan.
>>
>> Apropos - and sorry, don't want to whinge to people who're freely giving
>> their time - but thought you'd want to know - I just got an email from
>> one of the people we taught last week to come to the IRC channel for
>> help because BT can't help her as they don't support Linux. This is what
>> she said (and by "forum", she means IRC):
>>
>> "The chap on the Ubuntu forum who's responded to my plea for help has
>> just given me technical jargon answers I simply don't understand and
>> he's putting me off Ubuntu."
>>
>> This woman is by no means an idiot but she's left a larger organisation,
>> where she had tech support, to start her own non-profit and now has to
>> DIY - she was pretty enthusiastic about Ubuntu at the session we did and
>> the welcome she got on IRC at the session was great - so she has gone
>> ahead and installed her own laptop. But she's bringing the laptop back
>> here for a Fossbox volunteer to look at. It sounds like it's a simple
>> problem with wifi on a BT hub - but she has no prior understanding of
>> networks so she needs simple step-by-step support.
>>
>> This isn't the first time someone boomerangs off Ubuntu-UK back to
>> Fossbox wailing that they don't understand what's been said to them. I
>> know it's often frustrating having to explain the most basic things to
>> people and translate to plain English, but that's what it takes to get
>> beyond the techie-sphere with Ubuntu . . .
>>
>> Again, don't want to carp about the fantastic work done here - I don't
>> know if it's an issue to lose people this way but thought you'd want to
>> know the feedback I get here.
>>
>> Paula
>>
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
> 
> 


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[Alan Bell]

On 28/07/11 17:27, Steve Flynn wrote:
On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM, TT Mooney > wrote:


From the Register:


[snip]

Why are you telling an Ubuntu mailing list?

it is a UK story and Ubuntu might well be part of the answer to the 
government spending less, so I don't consider it wildly offtopic for 
Ubuntu UK, I have seen more spurious departures from topicality than that.


Funnily enough today was the deadline for a document submission for an 
interesting NHS Scotland tender for an Open Desktop for 100,000 desktops

http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN093903

I registered Ubuntu UK as an interested party, so I should continue to 
get updates on progress, the list of questions and answers on the tender 
is particularly fun to look through.


Alan.

--
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http://libertus.co.uk


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[Jacob Mansfield]

Windows server 2011  -  £982
Cost of overtime -  £500
Look on the sysadmins face when he realizes that there's a better solution
for free - Priceless
Jacob Mansfield
Programmer
CyberKing Solutions™
--
Air conditioned environment - do not open windows!

Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html



On 28 July 2011 18:10, TT Mooney  wrote:

> A lot of the folks on the list are involved with pitching FOSS to the
> government, and a call for smaller companies opens the doors for just that.
> Maybe I could have been clearer on that, but we have had lots of government
> IT policy discussions on the list.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Travis
>
> Steve Flynn  wrote:
>
> >On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM, TT Mooney
> >wrote:
> >
> >> From the Register:
> >>
> >
> >[snip]
> >
> >Why are you telling an Ubuntu mailing list?
> >
> >--
> >Steve
> >
> >When one person suffers from a delusion it is insanity. When many
> >people
> >suffer from a delusion it is called religion.
>
> --
> Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
>
> --
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
>
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[TT Mooney]

A lot of the folks on the list are involved with pitching FOSS to the 
government, and a call for smaller companies opens the doors for just that. 
Maybe I could have been clearer on that, but we have had lots of government IT 
policy discussions on the list.

Kind regards,

Travis 

Steve Flynn  wrote:

>On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM, TT Mooney
>wrote:
>
>> From the Register:
>>
>
>[snip]
>
>Why are you telling an Ubuntu mailing list?
>
>-- 
>Steve
>
>When one person suffers from a delusion it is insanity. When many
>people
>suffer from a delusion it is called religion.

-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Simplicity Computers

[Rob Beard]

On 28/07/11 11:16, Mark Fraser wrote:

On Thursday 28 Jul 2011 11:03:36 Simon Greenwood wrote:

On 28 July 2011 10:53, Mark Fraser  wrote:

In my local weekly newspaper there is an article about Simplicity
Computers and Wessex Computers www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk. They are
providing an AIO
computer based on Mint with their own user interface. The FAQ page is
worth a
read.


This company launched earlier this year I think. It's a nice simple
interface using a FOSS OS. It's pretty obvious who they're aiming at but
hopefully if  they can get silver surfers into the habit of working with
Mint it should be as usable as any Windows solution. The trick for those
who get roped into home support will be to stop Grandad randomly buying a
printer/scanner and make sure that he gets someting supportable.


Having a look at the order page, I think their prices might be a bit too
expensive for most people.



Yep, considering you can get a PC for around 300 quid these days with 
Windows which is likely to be higher spec than what they're selling. 
Not to mention the folks who might buy a computer might just go on a 
free computer course which will no doubt cover Windows.


But hey good luck to them if they can sell them.

Rob

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[Steve Flynn]

On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM, TT Mooney wrote:

> From the Register:
>

[snip]

Why are you telling an Ubuntu mailing list?

-- 
Steve

When one person suffers from a delusion it is insanity. When many people
suffer from a delusion it is called religion.
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[ubuntu-uk] Government IT spending outrageously high... anyone surprised?

[TT Mooney]

>From the Register:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/28/mps_slam_government_it_spend/

And the actual report:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmpubadm/715/71502.htm

Fun reading! Not surprising in the least, though. And we haven't even
talked about the Defence Spending Review.

ttm


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Simplicity Computers

[Simon Greenwood]

On 28 July 2011 11:16, Mark Fraser  wrote:

> On Thursday 28 Jul 2011 11:03:36 Simon Greenwood wrote:
> > On 28 July 2011 10:53, Mark Fraser 
> wrote:
> > > In my local weekly newspaper there is an article about Simplicity
> > > Computers and Wessex Computers www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk. They are
> > > providing an AIO
> > > computer based on Mint with their own user interface. The FAQ page is
> > > worth a
> > > read.
> >
> > This company launched earlier this year I think. It's a nice simple
> > interface using a FOSS OS. It's pretty obvious who they're aiming at but
> > hopefully if  they can get silver surfers into the habit of working with
> > Mint it should be as usable as any Windows solution. The trick for those
> > who get roped into home support will be to stop Grandad randomly buying a
> > printer/scanner and make sure that he gets someting supportable.
>
> Having a look at the order page, I think their prices might be a bit too
> expensive for most people.
>
>
You'd be surprised. If they can provide peace of mind  and good support then
people will for pay for it. I'm sure most people of that generation will end
up paying that much to Comet or PC World for a Windows laptop.

s/
-- 
Twitter: @sfgreenwood
"Is this your sanderling?"
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Simplicity Computers

[Mark Fraser]

On Thursday 28 Jul 2011 11:03:36 Simon Greenwood wrote:
> On 28 July 2011 10:53, Mark Fraser  wrote:
> > In my local weekly newspaper there is an article about Simplicity
> > Computers and Wessex Computers www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk. They are
> > providing an AIO
> > computer based on Mint with their own user interface. The FAQ page is
> > worth a
> > read.
> 
> This company launched earlier this year I think. It's a nice simple
> interface using a FOSS OS. It's pretty obvious who they're aiming at but
> hopefully if  they can get silver surfers into the habit of working with
> Mint it should be as usable as any Windows solution. The trick for those
> who get roped into home support will be to stop Grandad randomly buying a
> printer/scanner and make sure that he gets someting supportable.

Having a look at the order page, I think their prices might be a bit too 
expensive for most people.

-- 
Registered Linux User #466407 http://counter.li.org



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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Simplicity Computers

[Simon Greenwood]

On 28 July 2011 10:53, Mark Fraser  wrote:

> In my local weekly newspaper there is an article about Simplicity Computers
> and Wessex Computers www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk. They are providing an
> AIO
> computer based on Mint with their own user interface. The FAQ page is worth
> a
> read.
>
>
This company launched earlier this year I think. It's a nice simple
interface using a FOSS OS. It's pretty obvious who they're aiming at but
hopefully if  they can get silver surfers into the habit of working with
Mint it should be as usable as any Windows solution. The trick for those who
get roped into home support will be to stop Grandad randomly buying a
printer/scanner and make sure that he gets someting supportable.

s/

-- 
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"Is this your sanderling?"
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[ubuntu-uk] Simplicity Computers

[Mark Fraser]

In my local weekly newspaper there is an article about Simplicity Computers 
and Wessex Computers www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk. They are providing an AIO 
computer based on Mint with their own user interface. The FAQ page is worth a 
read.

-- 
Registered Linux User #466407 http://counter.li.org



-- 
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] I'm new

[Paula Graham]

No, sorry, no details - but I'll probably speak to her later so I'll ask 
her - and let her know that a process has kicked off and that people 
care :)


Thanks,
Paula

On 27/07/11 12:56, Matthew Daubney wrote:


Hi Paula,

I don't suppose you know this persons irc nick? We can have a look in 
the logs and see where we went wrong.


Thanks,

Matt Daubney

On Jul 27, 2011 12:41 PM, "Paula Graham" > wrote:

> On 24/07/11 18:19, Alan Bell wrote:
>> On 24/07/11 10:58, a.hun...@visuality-group.co.uk 
 wrote:

>>> Hi!
>>>
>>> I'm new to all this, but been reading the discussions coming in
>>> through the emails. Is it just me, or is there some sort of petty
>>> argument going on? Am I reading it wrong?
>>>
>>> Love to all!
>>>
>>> Alex.
>>>
>> Welcome Alex,
>>
>> there is indeed a long email conversation going on, I assume you are
>> referring to the "Re: [ubuntu-uk] Um, why am I blocked from
>> #ubuntu-uk" thread which actually isn't about anyone specific being
>> blocked from the channel, it was accidentally set to only allow
>> registered users for a few hours and is back to open access now. We
>> generally try to keep this mailing list and the IRC channel polite and
>> constructive at all times. This is community support, which means we
>> all help each other, there is no dividing line between those helping
>> and those needing help with an issue, and we all have access to the
>> same information. Sometimes there is no immediate solution to a
>> problem, which can cause frustration from time to time, but we do try
>> to point people in the right direction to find a solution to their
>> problem.
>>
>> Alan.
>
> Apropos - and sorry, don't want to whinge to people who're freely 
giving

> their time - but thought you'd want to know - I just got an email from
> one of the people we taught last week to come to the IRC channel for
> help because BT can't help her as they don't support Linux. This is 
what

> she said (and by "forum", she means IRC):
>
> "The chap on the Ubuntu forum who's responded to my plea for help has
> just given me technical jargon answers I simply don't understand and
> he's putting me off Ubuntu."
>
> This woman is by no means an idiot but she's left a larger 
organisation,

> where she had tech support, to start her own non-profit and now has to
> DIY - she was pretty enthusiastic about Ubuntu at the session we did 
and

> the welcome she got on IRC at the session was great - so she has gone
> ahead and installed her own laptop. But she's bringing the laptop back
> here for a Fossbox volunteer to look at. It sounds like it's a simple
> problem with wifi on a BT hub - but she has no prior understanding of
> networks so she needs simple step-by-step support.
>
> This isn't the first time someone boomerangs off Ubuntu-UK back to
> Fossbox wailing that they don't understand what's been said to them. I
> know it's often frustrating having to explain the most basic things to
> people and translate to plain English, but that's what it takes to get
> beyond the techie-sphere with Ubuntu . . .
>
> Again, don't want to carp about the fantastic work done here - I don't
> know if it's an issue to lose people this way but thought you'd want to
> know the feedback I get here.
>
> Paula
>
>
> --
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com 
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/


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[ubuntu-uk] printing several A6 in an A4

[Andrés Muñiz Piniella]

Hello,

I've tried setting the printer (either to file or to a real printer) to
print several (2) A6 to an A4 with no result.

To go over what I do:
Created an A6 document (normally pdf with inkscape)
Set number of copies to 2
Set number of copies of page to 2
Ensure that I'm using A4 paper
Don't shrink
Rest of the settings seem fine by default (page order, centered, ...)

all I'm able to get is 1 copy of the A6 in the preview print sometimes
upside down and in the bottom of the page.

Can any of you manage this? What am i doing wrong?

-- 
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Missing libraries

[Andrés Muñiz Piniella]

-- Forwarded message --
From: "mart...@vandestreek.net" 
To: si...@sibass.co.uk, UK Ubuntu Talk 
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:05:17 +0200
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-uk] Missing libraries

On 26 July 2011 20:12, Simon Redmond  wrote:
I might be wrong, but this sounds like it could be solved by a symbolic
link???



The package should have created that link if it was appropriate (you can't
just symlink libraries with different versions/ABIs, things _will_ break).

Martijn

-- 
Andrés Muñiz-Piniella



Went a little farther on my investigations.
It seems relevant to the name. coventorware is looking for libgomp.so.1
and synaptic package manager says libgomp.so is installed.

I've been told that the number at the end is the version number and I'm
inclined
to believe that it might break as Martijn suggested. So what are my
alternatives?

either coventorware help me?
I switch to red Hat?

So any of you use canonical support? would this be the kind of thing that
they could
help out with?
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