October 2020 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: Reminder: Virtual meeting, October 15th, 2020!

by Keith Wright

> On Sun, Oct 18, 2020 at 04:57:30PM -0400, Keith Wright wrote: >> As I said, I have never (knowingly) used the camera or microphone >> on this computer, nor even the speaker/headphones. I been messing with it a bit. When trying to listen to WBUR, it seems random, sometimes works, usually not. Websites that tell you how to pronounce words, I can hear them. Program vlc with a *.mp4, I can hear. I don't know how to test the microphone. >> (1) Did you guys see me? Chuck Anderson <cra(a)alum.wpi.edu> writes: > Yes we saw you. We also saw and replied to your text chat messages. Sorry, I stumbled into the text chat, but did not see the reply, probably not because anything was wrong, but because I was busy trying to get the sound working and logged in and out repeatedly without looking for text. >> (2) Is the URL https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA still active? Does >> it work with Microsoft Windows? > I don't know. The URL is still sitting there. Diane logged in with a MS computer and I with my Linux. We could see each other, mostly, but no sound. >> (3) Does HTML5 require DHCP to redirect or forward the data stream? > No. Your stream worked fine. I'm not so sure. I'm starting to suspect the firewall. I have a lot of blocked IP addresses that have accumulated over the years. I don't know what they are nor recall what they did to offend me years ago. On the other hand, when I start jit.si it has a button that says "Join Meeting", when I click it, it pops up another button that says "Join without sound", no other choice, so I choose that. Maybe it can't find the microphone, so it turns off the loudspeaker? But when it starts up it has a message at the bottom that says: "It sounds like your microphone is working". The Multimedia==> Pulseaudio==>Input device has a jumping blue line that reacts to sounds I make, so I know there is a microphone in there somewhere. > What Debian version are you running? What web browser and version? kwright@fcs22:~$ uname -a Linux fcs22 4.9.0-12-686-pae #1 SMP Debian 4.9.210-1 (2020-01-20) i686 GNU/Linux Help==>About==> Mozilla Firefox Quantum 68.7.0esr (32-bit) Maybe I'll see you next time, but busy websites and video seem to make it overheat even when they sort-of work. I'm a black-and-white Greek subscript kind of guy. If it weren't for the virus I would be happy with TeX, Scheme, and email; I wouldn't be trying to turn my good computer into a bad television. -- Keith

Oct. 21, 2020

Re: Reminder: Virtual meeting, October 15th, 2020!

by Chuck Anderson

On Sun, Oct 18, 2020 at 04:57:30PM -0400, Keith Wright wrote: > Chuck Anderson via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > "HTML5" and "WebRTC". > As I said, I have never (knowingly) used the camera or microphone > on this computer, nor even the speaker/headphones. But I have > a few questions: > > (1) Did you guys see me? I tried to join WLUG meeting last Thu. > I never got sound, but I saw some people I recognized, and > a picture of myself. I was the guy with the big head. It actually > looked bigger than it is, partly because of the firmware in the > standard laptop camera which uses AI to zoom in and magnify > any slight hint of receding hair, and partly because I was leaning > back in a comfy chair with the "Lap"top on my chest. Yes we saw you. We also saw and replied to your text chat messages. > (2) Is the URL https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA still active? Does > it work with Microsoft Windows? I am thinking that I could test > it out by connecting to WlugMA with my Linux computer while Diane > connects with her MS computer. Then we could debug by shouting across > the living room. I don't know. You could always try creating your own meeting URL. It is free to use. > (3) Does HTML5 require DHCP to redirect or forward the data stream? No. Your stream worked fine. > (4) Is there a standard codec or is that something that must be > installed to match the whim of the website? You said you saw us but didn't hear us. We saw you but didn't hear you. Then after the meeting you found the volume control and turned it up which allowed other audio applications to be heard. I'm guessing you have all the codecs you need already, and you just needed to have raised the volume. The same Pulseaudio control panel should also have a Microphone volume slider and/or mute button that you may need to turn up or unmute. What Debian version are you running? What web browser and version?

Oct. 20, 2020

Re: Simple Disc Room

by Doug Mildram

doug> fun, reminding me of a MontyPython sketch (even has its own wikipedia page) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architects_Sketch ===========================(my shorter copy/text from above:) snip ON ...first seen in Episode 17 of *Monty Python's Flying Circus <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus>*, 'The Buzz Aldrin Show <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus_episod…>'. The episode was recorded on 18 September 1970 The sketch proper begins (on videotape) with Tid in an office with two City gents (Michael Palin <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Palin> and Terry Jones <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Jones>). On a table near the window stand two architectural models <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architectural_model> of tower blocks <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_block>. Mr. Tid informs the City gents that he has invited the architects responsible to explain the advantages of their respective designs.[2] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architects_Sketch#cite_note-AllTheWords-p220-2> First to arrive is Mr. Wiggin (John Cleese <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cleese>), who describes his architectural design and modern construction, and then explains his killing technique starting with a conveyor belt <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyor_belt> and 'rotating knives'. It turns out that Mr. Wiggin mainly designs slaughterhouses <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughterhouse> and has misunderstood the owners' attitude to their tenants. doug> snip OFF. Thanks for holding it in, and dodging. BTW, Dennis, THANKS, yep that does describe me(all?) at(most?) times.. On Mon, Oct 19, 2020 at 9:35 AM Dennis Payne via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > Bored? Feel the need to go to a room and dodge spinning blades? I have the > solution: > > http://identicalsoftware.com/simplediscroom/SimpleDiscRoom.html > > Arrow keys move. Don't touch the blades. > > What is this you ask? Disc Room is a new game coming out (closed source). > I stumbled on the Disc Room Game Jam to promote the game. > > A game jam is sort of a contest. You have a short period of time 24 hour > up to generally a month to develop a game. They generally have a theme you > need to incorporate and possibly other restrictions. They may or may not > have a prize or even judging. > > Disc Room Game Jam wants people to develop disc room like in their game. > They released a simple disc room written in Game Maker, a closed source > game development program. I decided to use the time to learn Godot, an open > source game development program. I recreated their sample with only slight > changes. The version on my web site doesn't have the update with sounds at > the moment. > > If you want to edit it: > > https://github.com/dulsi/SimpleDiscRoom > > You will need Godot 3.2. (Which is not in Fedora 32 so I've been using a > beta of Fedora 33 in a virtual machine.) Would people be interested in a > presentation on Godot? > > -- > > Dennis Payne > dulsi(a)identicalsoftware.com > https://social.freegamedev.net/channel/dulsi > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/PIOWZ… >

Oct. 19, 2020

Simple Disc Room

by Dennis Payne

Bored? Feel the need to go to a room and dodge spinning blades? I have the solution: http://identicalsoftware.com/simplediscroom/SimpleDiscRoom.html Arrow keys move. Don't touch the blades. What is this you ask? Disc Room is a new game coming out (closed source). I stumbled on the Disc Room Game Jam to promote the game. A game jam is sort of a contest. You have a short period of time 24 hour up to generally a month to develop a game. They generally have a theme you need to incorporate and possibly other restrictions. They may or may not have a prize or even judging. Disc Room Game Jam wants people to develop disc room like in their game. They released a simple disc room written in Game Maker, a closed source game development program. I decided to use the time to learn Godot, an open source game development program. I recreated their sample with only slight changes. The version on my web site doesn't have the update with sounds at the moment. If you want to edit it: https://github.com/dulsi/SimpleDiscRoom You will need Godot 3.2. (Which is not in Fedora 32 so I've been using a beta of Fedora 33 in a virtual machine.) Would people be interested in a presentation on Godot? -- Dennis Payne dulsi(a)identicalsoftware.com https://social.freegamedev.net/channel/dulsi

Oct. 19, 2020

Re: Reminder: Virtual meeting, October 15th, 2020!

by Keith Wright

Chuck Anderson via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > On Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 05:59:12PM -0400, Keith Wright via WLUG wrote: >> so I plan to try it tonight. I'll report back to this list. >> >> I have never used the camara or microphone on this laptop, >> I don't know if I have used sound output, it was long >> ago and might have been a different machine, >> >> Is video chat built into the browser now? > > Yes, video chat is built into all modern browsers. They call it > "HTML5" and "WebRTC". Thank you. HTML5 is a good search key. I have a lot of reading to do, but already I learned from wikipedia that >> In early November 2011, Adobe announced that it would discontinue >> development of Flash >> >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML5#%22Thoughts_on_Flash%22 I noticed that it seemed to be going away, but thought it was just web site developers getting smarter: "Hey Joe, Why do we make the customers download flash before we tell them about our product?" It's more official than that. >> What exactly does Zoom or jit.si do then? > > It starts up a WebRTC session over HTTPS to the jit.si server using > your microphone and camera to send your video/audio, As I said, I have never (knowingly) used the camera or microphone on this computer, nor even the speaker/headphones. But I have a few questions: (1) Did you guys see me? I tried to join WLUG meeting last Thu. I never got sound, but I saw some people I recognized, and a picture of myself. I was the guy with the big head. It actually looked bigger than it is, partly because of the firmware in the standard laptop camera which uses AI to zoom in and magnify any slight hint of receding hair, and partly because I was leaning back in a comfy chair with the "Lap"top on my chest. (2) Is the URL https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA still active? Does it work with Microsoft Windows? I am thinking that I could test it out by connecting to WlugMA with my Linux computer while Diane connects with her MS computer. Then we could debug by shouting across the living room. After I quit the WLUG meeting, a poked some menu buttons I had not before and discovered Multimedia ==> PulseAudio Volume Control. By turning that up, I can reliably get sound while playing a *.mp4 with vlc. I tried listening to radio stations (wicn, wbur, wgbh) and it mostly didn't work, but once or twice it did work. I really have no idea why it is sometime but not always. I did notice that when I click (what I take to be) the button to listen to streaming radio over internet it starts looking up all kinds of things I did not ask for (facebook, twitter, chartbeat). I'm wondering if I might have a DNS (named) problem. I have never set up DHCP here, I just assign a static IP address each time I get a new computer. That does not happen often enough to be worth automation. (3) Does HTML5 require DHCP to redirect or forward the data stream? (4) Is there a standard codec or is that something that must be installed to match the whim of the website? -- Keith (Wright) aka Egghead

Oct. 18, 2020

Re: SBC Options for Network Router

by John Stoffel

Oh yeah, the TP-Link EAP225s were recommended on arstechnica.com about four months or so ago. Ugh... it was back in February. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/02/the-ars-technica-semi-scientific-gu… I had thought of getting Ubiquiti WAPS, but the TP-Link EAP-225s were just $50/ea from Amazon, so I got one and then a second. Great buys. And Jim Salter reviews the Seeed Studio box you're thinking of using as well. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/08/review-odyssey-x86j4105-a-mini-pc-f… Here's an older article where they built a home router, and the MicroTik MIPS based router did really well. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/09/the-router-rumble-ars-diy-build-fac… So they're alot of options. But basically, keep the WAPs seperate from the router, and run cables to them if at all possible, and you'll have a really nice home network. John

Oct. 17, 2020

Re: SBC Options for Network Router

by John Stoffel

David> I would like to build my own network router/gateway and I would like David> some feedback regarding options. This is a good option. David> I would like to separate the WIFI from the router. I plan on David> buying multiple Wireless Access Points to handle WIFI within David> the house and WIFI in the back yard. The backyard WAP will be David> powered over Ethernet. I'm using the TPlink EAP225 at home and I've been pretty happy with them. I've got the Ormada Java controller software running as well. The only annoyance is that if they lose their minds, the default subnet is 192.168.0.x and it defaults to .1 or .10 as I recall. Otherwise they seem to be pretty solid. I recently upgraded from a pair of Netgear WNDR3700s that I was running OpenWRT on. David> Also I want a router distribution that give me lots of David> flexibility in what I can install and is kept up to date with David> regard to security. For my home router I'm using OPNsense running on a PCengines APU with three 1gig network ports. I purposely didn't get the Wifi versions. I've also got a 64gb SSD in there as my boot media, and I'm using very little of the SSD, so I expect it to last quite a while. Now if you add a bunch of modules, I suspect that you really want to get a higher performance system. David> It looks like my choices for distributions are dd-wrt, openwrt, David> and tomahto (tomato). Any thoughts? I've given up on dd-wrt for the APs. It's just too painful to try and figure out which version of the software to use, etc. Maybe openwrt would have been a better choice? But this hardware was getting old and long in the tooth. For years and years I used m0n0wall since it was simple, fast, lightweight and just did the job right. So right now I''ve been using OpnSense for the past three or four years and I'm ok with it for my router. David> So far the only hardware option that I have encountered is David> Seeed Studio's ODYSSEY – X86J4105. It comes with a case and a David> power supply. The project is described in David> https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2020/02/24/how-to-build-your-own-openwrt-r… Looks interesting. I'm using the apu2 from pcengines.ch and I like it because it's quiet and low power and handles my home network needs no problem. Probably the three interface version. I like them alot since they're solid state, no moving parts. If you have over 200gbit internet at home, then the APU2 might not meet your needs... but honestly, it's been working really well for me for years. I'm also running the latest 20.3 releasr of OpnSense and it's ... ok. Not wild about the GUI. And if you want to run traffic shaping, or anti-virus or squid proxy, then you will need a bigger box than the APU2 series. But at that point, you may as well find an old PC and use that. Good luck, John

Oct. 17, 2020

SBC Options for Network Router

by David Glaser

Hi Folks, I would like to build my own network router/gateway and I would like some feedback regarding options. I would like to separate the WIFI from the router. I plan on buying multiple Wireless Access Points to handle WIFI within the house and WIFI in the back yard. The backyard WAP will be powered over Ethernet. Also I want a router distribution that give me lots of flexibility in what I can install and is kept up to date with regard to security. It looks like my choices for distributions are dd-wrt, openwrt, and tomahto (tomato). Any thoughts? So far the only hardware option that I have encountered is Seeed Studio's ODYSSEY – X86J4105. It comes with a case and a power supply. The project is described in https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2020/02/24/how-to-build-your-own-openwrt-r… Again, any suggestions on which SBC would be a good candidate? -David -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Oct. 16, 2020

Re: Reminder: Virtual meeting, October 15th, 2020!

by Chuck Anderson

On Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 05:59:12PM -0400, Keith Wright via WLUG wrote: > I don't know what the package is for, but somebody on this list > said that it should work just to put the link into a browser, > so I plan to try it tonight. I'll reoort back to this list. > > I have never used the camara or microphone on this laptop, > I don't know if I have used used sound output, it was long > ago and might have been a different machine, > > Is video chat built into the browser now? Yes, video chat is built into all modern browsers. They call it "HTML5" and "WebRTC". > What exactly does Zoom or jit.si do then? It starts up a WebRTC session over HTTPS to the jit.si server using your microphone and camera to send your video/audio, while the web server jit.si sends the video/audio of all the other participants back to your browser. Each participant appears as a small video window in a "grid" on the web page. So the server acts as a "video router". > And what's in that Debian jit.si package? I haven't looked at the Debian package, but since the server side of jitsi is open source (the client side is open source if you use Firefox or Chromium or similar to access the server), I'd imagine that the Debian package contains the server code. jit.si the web site runs the open source code from jitsi.org. Anyone can run their own web server for people to connect to for creating their own video conference: https://jitsi.org/what-is-jitsi/

Oct. 15, 2020

Re: Reminder: Virtual meeting, October 15th, 2020!

by Keith Wright

Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Hey Everybody, > > We've got a virtual wlug meeting on Thursday October 15th, 2020! Hey, that's tonight. I almody forgot. > Time: 7pm > Date: Oct 15th, 2020 > Location: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA > Topic: As usual TBD. I will show off my CNC machine and where I'm at with > it, but besides that, I expect the usual level of banter. The first time WLUG had a jitsi meeting, I searched for it and found a Debian package that I thought I had to install. I dinna wanna. I don't know what the package is for, but somebody on this list said that it should work just to put the link into a browser, so I plan to try it tonight. I'll reoort back to this list. I have never used the camara or microphone on this laptop, I don't know if I have used used sound output, it was long ago and might have been a different machine, Is video chat built into the browser now? What exactly does Zoom or jit.si do then? And what's in that Debian jit.si package? -- Keith

Oct. 15, 2020