- WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

comparison of virtualization technologies

by Chuck Anderson

Here are the links to the virtualization technology comparison we talked about at the meeting: http://virt.kernelnewbies.org/TechComparison http://virt.kernelnewbies.org/HypervisorVsLinuxBased

Aug. 17, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Awesome article about Windows v. Linux in the marketplace

by Desdinova

On 8/16/07, Eric Martin <freak4uxxx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I found this on either digg or slashdot. It's a really good article and I > agree with most of it. People won't even consider GNU/Linux while they can > still get a copy of XP for free from a buddy. I think that's kind of silly, they won't consider Linux because it doesn't run *foo*. Not because they can get windows for "free." The people who would actually want a pirated copy of windows, system builders, nerds, *us*, are well-equipped to make that leap or not. The people that FOSS/Linux folks keep pitching too, everyone else, already has a legit copy installed on their new prebuilt, or goes and buys one at Staples. The community as a whole really needs to stop trying to degrade every other choice and extol the virtues of what they've got. You attract more bees with honey. Smear tactics are for politicians. I know some (many?) FOSS advocates are politically motivated but, trust me, that aforementioned everyone else doesn't care. Maybe they should, maybe they shouldn't, but they certainly don't now. > That's why I tell people that > I won't support their pirating of software; and pitch FOSS at every turn to > them. http://tlug.jp/articles/Windows_Is_Free Give it a > read, it might spur some good conversations tonight. I agree with your stance on piracy but I'd submit that that audience has already made their choice. I suppose I shouldn't really comment because I'm not a politico; I have no larger cause nor ill-will for windows. I use the tool that works for the job at hand. On the other hand, maybe that brings a little subjectivism to the evangelicals. ;) Wish I could've made tonight's meeting. Take care, James

Aug. 17, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Awesome article about Windows v. Linux in the marketplace

by Stephen Daukas

Good article, but it misses the one issue that keeps me with a windows machine, as well as my wife... Productivity Software - as in Outlook, Excel, Access, and to a lesser extent, PowerPoint and Word. Sure, I have heard of OpenOffice, I even use it from time to time, but guess what - it isn't 100% in all cases. For example, certain PowerPoint features like custom animation effects, embedded MS objects, etc, don't always work, or don't always work as expected. And, if you need to work with some Excel-based app that has screwy macros and such, well, it may or may not work. By the way, this holds true for MS apps on Macintosh as well. But before you offer the typical advice of: "you can get the same result if you do it this way", try explaining that to someone who already knows how to use what is already on the PC and who only cares about having a successful presentation at a public hearing where the audience is already unhappy to be in attendance in the first place. One misstep and you are screwed! Yes, you guessed it - the FUD factor. Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. And yes, if you already have M$, and you already know how to use the bundled tools that often come with it (because M$ is bundled with the hardware), then why would you go looking for something that takes effort to do what you already know how to do? Oh and yes, I think having to decide "what Linux" is just frosting on the Linux cake! I know lots 'o folks who have heard about Linux and are interested in it, and that it is free. As soon as the begin to realize that they may have to understand what video card they have, or that they may have to tweak their favorite MS Access application to get it t work with XXX, well, they have already made the decision to not change. Most people think of a PC as a tool only. Sigh. Steve On 8/16/07, Eric Martin <freak4uxxx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > I found this on either digg or slashdot. It's a really good article and I > agree with most of it. People won't even consider GNU/Linux while they can > still get a copy of XP for free from a buddy. That's why I tell people that > I won't support their pirating of software; and pitch FOSS at every turn to > them. http://tlug.jp/articles/Windows_Is_Free Give it a read, it might > spur some good conversations tonight. > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > -- Stephen C. Daukas Engineer, Geoscientist, Environmental Analyst ________________________________________________ - Please, before printing, think about the environment -

Aug. 16, 2007

Awesome article about Windows v. Linux in the marketplace

by Eric Martin

I found this on either digg or slashdot. It's a really good article and I agree with most of it. People won't even consider GNU/Linux while they can still get a copy of XP for free from a buddy. That's why I tell people that I won't support their pirating of software; and pitch FOSS at every turn to them. http://tlug.jp/articles/Windows_Is_Free Give it a read, it might spur some good conversations tonight.

Aug. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: WLUG meeting coming up

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Eric Martin wrote: > Do we have a topic or is this a round table? Roundtable unless something changes between now and then. Later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGw8/3Hl0iXDssISsRAsCyAJ4rKuNscfaSporgNe5MrCdCpKatmgCeIslM 3L351W8QJZmU3f4+F11Z4cg= =a8PG -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: WLUG meeting coming up

by Eric Martin

Do we have a topic or is this a round table? On 8/15/07, Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > > Some 1st timers questions: > > > > 1) How do I get there? I have never been to the WPI campus and a street > > address would be helpful. > > Hi "1st timer", > > There are directions posted here for your convenience: > http://www.wlug.org/directions.html > > The address is: > 100 Institute Road > Worcester, MA 01609 > > One can find those directions from the WLUG home page, click "WLUG > Meetings" (the yellow box near the top of the screen), and from there > scroll to the bottom of the page to find the "directions" link. > > > 2) Where do I park? (part of question 1) > > Anyplace you can find an available spot - there is no cost for parking. > Sometimes there are places on campus, and other times one needs to park > on an adjacent street. It varies from meeting to meeting depending upon > campus activities. The directions link is more specific about places to > park on campus to minimize walking. > > Here is a link to a WPI campus map: > http://www.wlug.org/files/wpi_campus_map.pdf > > > 3) Is it OK to be a lillte late and how late does the meeting go? > We try to start right around 7:00 PM and the meeting generally runs to > about 8:30 PM (occasionally later, but never past 9:00 PM that I can > recall). If you're a few minutes late, we won't force you to install > Windows or anything like that. We promise not to bolt down the doors at > 7:00:01 PM. :-) > > Thanks for your interest in WLUG! Hopefully, you'll be able to make it > on Thursday. > > See ya later, > > Andy > > - -- > Andy Stewart, Founder > Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) > Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) > Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) > Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org > > iD8DBQFGw4/FHl0iXDssISsRAgIfAKCHnlNvgfYOvZkSUmVX/Gv9VFAkWwCcDXNl > RH1wAYOniDcA2AXVCoIpIh0= > =sbGC > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

Aug. 16, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: WLUG meeting coming up

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > Some 1st timers questions: > > 1) How do I get there? I have never been to the WPI campus and a street > address would be helpful. Hi "1st timer", There are directions posted here for your convenience: http://www.wlug.org/directions.html The address is: 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 One can find those directions from the WLUG home page, click "WLUG Meetings" (the yellow box near the top of the screen), and from there scroll to the bottom of the page to find the "directions" link. > 2) Where do I park? (part of question 1) Anyplace you can find an available spot - there is no cost for parking. Sometimes there are places on campus, and other times one needs to park on an adjacent street. It varies from meeting to meeting depending upon campus activities. The directions link is more specific about places to park on campus to minimize walking. Here is a link to a WPI campus map: http://www.wlug.org/files/wpi_campus_map.pdf > 3) Is it OK to be a lillte late and how late does the meeting go? We try to start right around 7:00 PM and the meeting generally runs to about 8:30 PM (occasionally later, but never past 9:00 PM that I can recall). If you're a few minutes late, we won't force you to install Windows or anything like that. We promise not to bolt down the doors at 7:00:01 PM. :-) Thanks for your interest in WLUG! Hopefully, you'll be able to make it on Thursday. See ya later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGw4/FHl0iXDssISsRAgIfAKCHnlNvgfYOvZkSUmVX/Gv9VFAkWwCcDXNl RH1wAYOniDcA2AXVCoIpIh0= =sbGC -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 15, 2007

Re: [Wlug] REMINDER: WLUG meeting coming up

by kstratton＠fastmail.us

Some 1st timers questions: 1) How do I get there? I have never been to the WPI campus and a street address would be helpful. 2) Where do I park? (part of question 1) 3) Is it OK to be a lillte late and how late does the meeting go? On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:20:52 -0400, "Andy Stewart" <andystewart(a)comcast.net> said: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > > HI Everybody, > > Its that time again for a WLUG meeting: > > Thursday, August 16th > 7:00 PM > Access Grid Room > WPI Campus > Worcester, MA USA > > See ya there! > > Andy > - -- > Andy Stewart, Founder > Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) > Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) > Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) > Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org > > iD8DBQFGwn8kHl0iXDssISsRAikMAJ9zfo16xjYwhPIRJFOIr2D0raS23ACcDEmA > D3w9ynOUYfEUFrgymuELv90= > =Jnxo > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug -- kstratton(a)fastmail.us

Aug. 15, 2007

REMINDER: WLUG meeting coming up

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 HI Everybody, Its that time again for a WLUG meeting: Thursday, August 16th 7:00 PM Access Grid Room WPI Campus Worcester, MA USA See ya there! Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGwn8kHl0iXDssISsRAikMAJ9zfo16xjYwhPIRJFOIr2D0raS23ACcDEmA D3w9ynOUYfEUFrgymuELv90= =Jnxo -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 15, 2007

Linux meta-questions - platform choice

by Adam Keck

Hello All, I have some "meta-Linux" questions regarding platform choice. I am wondering if anyone knows of any research, papers, or other work that has been done on the topic. Given two major types of IT infrastructure: - Heterogeneous, where each application/service uses the platform to which it is best suited. - Homogeneous, where one bends a particular platform to fit every edge case. where the platform can be anything from and OS to a language to an application stack. o Under what general conditions is one infrastructure type more efficient than the other? o What other types of infrastructure are there? o More generally, how does one compare infrastructures in a rigorous manner? - How does one rigorously define "efficient" when comparing concepts like infrastructures? - What other metrics, besides "efficiency" (however defined) may be useful in comparing infrastructures? Does anyone know of any work where this topic has been abstracted and analyzed mathematically? Or of any trade papers where this question has been looked at in practice? So far, I found the following paper via Google: http://uic.edu/cba/cba-depts/ids/IDSNewsFiles/JGITM_Evaristopaper.pdf that seems to be on the topic and some hits on arxiv that appear related but not specifically on the topic. This relates to Linux in that convincing an organization to switch entirely over to Linux seems to be prohibitively hard in practice, but if one can show that the heterogeneous case above can be more efficient, then one can make the case for using Linux where it fits best. Thanks for any info/opinions/personal experiences! -Adam

Aug. 10, 2007

[Fwd: looking for someone to do system administration]

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 HI gang, Can anybody help out Anita? If so, please contact her directly. THanks! Andy - -------- Original Message -------- Subject: looking for someone to do system administration Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 17:43:45 -0400 From: Anita Wos <anita(a)artofrowing.com> To: andystewart(a)comcast.net Andy- I came across your name on the WLUG web site. Perhaps you can head me in the right direction. I am looking for someone to do System Administration on my Cobalt web server. It runs Apache, mySQL and pHp. It runs a couple of web sites. If you have any ideas, please let me know. - - Anita - -- The Art of Rowing 279 Plantation Street, 1st floor Worcester, MA 01604 tel: 978-342-8333 http://www.ArtofRowing.com Anita Wos anita(a)artofrowing.com <mailto:anita@artofrowing.com> mobile phone: 978-808-1102 - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGt6/3Hl0iXDssISsRAvR4AJ96n9QU6ubmvNa0bJN3VAV0XPX86wCfc2Rq 57Ba3eYAzgBsjiZPJxiQlQU= =EFYE -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 6, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > Even though nobody said to do this, I personally would be careful using > the decTOP directly wired to the car battery. I have seen car batteries > under charge with 15 volts or more at the terminals. This is outside > the range of the ATX power suply standard for the 12V output (+-5%) > acording to: http://www.formfactors.org/developer\specs\ATX12V > PSDG2.01.pdf. My greatest concern is for the 3.5" hard drive and > possibly the DC to DC converter that converts the 12V to a logic level > voltages. Point well taken - thanks! There is the theoretical possibility of slightly modifying the box to use something like this: http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-60-WI?sc=8&category=13 Granted, I haven't checked the specs in sufficient detail, but there is hope. :-) Also, I've sent email to the decTOP folks asking them for the spec and tolerances for the 12Vdc input. Once I get this info, I'll pass it along. Later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGtonUHl0iXDssISsRAqRiAJ42at0gvTzEghAhnIck0Kr/i8ph3wCdF8ZV s2bUk14IPE+cN4F0+Zs4iEg= =Zdyj -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 6, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Brian J. Conway

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 14:41:35 -0400 (EDT) Jamie Guinan <guinan(a)bluebutton.com> wrote: > On Fri, 27 Jul 2007, Andy Stewart wrote: > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > > Hash: SHA1 > > > > > > HI everybody, > > > > Check this link: > > http://www.dataevolution.com/dectop%20info%202.htm > > > > This company bought the assets to the AMD PIC (personal internet > > computer). They're selling it for $99, or three for $299. > > > > Yes, it runs Linux. Here is one person's experience: > > http://jsco.org/dectop/ > > > > I wonder if this machine would make a good LTSP thin client...hummmmm. > > Perhaps a topic for a future WLUG meeting? > > > > See ya later, > > > > Andy > > I remember reading about this when it came out a few years ago. It was > intended for the same market that OLPC is now aiming for. Hence the > rugged "big mac" case. :) Of course it lacks a monitor. > > A few others to consider, > > Nicer form factor, but slower CPU (166MHz), no HD: > http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6828123924.html > http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html > > USB 2.0, but pricier (price listed in Euros): > http://www.linutop.com/ > > Consumer variant of OLPC XO1, whenever it comes out. > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC > > Not to discourage you - the PIC looks like a fun little box! > > -Jamie Here's a couple more that looked like fun toys: http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS5551137361.html http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2862783342.html (fee-based) The first one's a little pricey, but would make a great router/firewall with two onboard ethernet ports. Brian J. Conway

Aug. 6, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Jamie Guinan

On Fri, 27 Jul 2007, Andy Stewart wrote: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > > HI everybody, > > Check this link: > http://www.dataevolution.com/dectop%20info%202.htm > > This company bought the assets to the AMD PIC (personal internet > computer). They're selling it for $99, or three for $299. > > Yes, it runs Linux. Here is one person's experience: > http://jsco.org/dectop/ > > I wonder if this machine would make a good LTSP thin client...hummmmm. > Perhaps a topic for a future WLUG meeting? > > See ya later, > > Andy I remember reading about this when it came out a few years ago. It was intended for the same market that OLPC is now aiming for. Hence the rugged "big mac" case. :) Of course it lacks a monitor. A few others to consider, Nicer form factor, but slower CPU (166MHz), no HD: http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6828123924.html http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html USB 2.0, but pricier (price listed in Euros): http://www.linutop.com/ Consumer variant of OLPC XO1, whenever it comes out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC Not to discourage you - the PIC looks like a fun little box! -Jamie

Aug. 5, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by kstratton＠fastmail.us

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:50:11 -0400, "Andy Stewart" <andystewart(a)comcast.net> said: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > > My understanding is that playing flash movies is still at the alpha > > stage (gnash project http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash) For that > > reason alone, I would not give something like that to my mother. Is > > there a movie playing technology that is stable enough for general > > purpose consumption? > > > > One negative of the decTOP that is not obvious is that the decTop does > > not have an integrated network adaptor (based on a web page), instead it > > comes with a USB to network adaptor. If anyone has any suggestions, > > please let me know. I am willing to consider ARM or MIPS boards. > > decTOP likes: > > 1) low power usage (if I believe web pages, 8W) > > 2) standard memory and hard drive interface > > 3) video interface provided as well as mouse and keyboard > > 4) low price > > I still have to do some reading up on the TCP/IP protocol before > > actually deciding to buy something. > > Another thing that I like about the decTOP is that it takes a 12Vdc > input. That lends itself very well to ham radio related operations, > where most equipment takes 12Vdc (think: car battery). Also, a good > percentage of the 8W is to run the hard drive. I can imagine swapping > that out for a flash card and saving lots of power, which would be > important in some applications. > > If it weren't for the $40 shipping, I'd probably have bought one of > these by now. Shipping for four of these was $45 (I think), so if three > other people are interested, I'll split shipping with you. Just let me > know. > > Later, > > Andy > > - -- > Andy Stewart, Founder > Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) > Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) > Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) > Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org > > iD8DBQFGtdWTHl0iXDssISsRAlWYAJ0WhxA3RLXdi93qeepwscSzgVh2gwCfeiiG > mx807TDl2mRou4IUN8okVW4= > =djEY > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug Even though nobody said to do this, I personally would be careful using the decTOP directly wired to the car battery. I have seen car batteries under charge with 15 volts or more at the terminals. This is outside the range of the ATX power suply standard for the 12V output (+-5%) acording to: http://www.formfactors.org/developer\specs\ATX12V PSDG2.01.pdf. My greatest concern is for the 3.5" hard drive and possibly the DC to DC converter that converts the 12V to a logic level voltages. I was considering managing the power with some kind of script using hdparm to bring the hard drive in and out of sleep, but there are more than a few technical details to be worked out. -- kstratton(a)fastmail.us

Aug. 5, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > My understanding is that playing flash movies is still at the alpha > stage (gnash project http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash) For that > reason alone, I would not give something like that to my mother. Is > there a movie playing technology that is stable enough for general > purpose consumption? > > One negative of the decTOP that is not obvious is that the decTop does > not have an integrated network adaptor (based on a web page), instead it > comes with a USB to network adaptor. If anyone has any suggestions, > please let me know. I am willing to consider ARM or MIPS boards. > decTOP likes: > 1) low power usage (if I believe web pages, 8W) > 2) standard memory and hard drive interface > 3) video interface provided as well as mouse and keyboard > 4) low price > I still have to do some reading up on the TCP/IP protocol before > actually deciding to buy something. Another thing that I like about the decTOP is that it takes a 12Vdc input. That lends itself very well to ham radio related operations, where most equipment takes 12Vdc (think: car battery). Also, a good percentage of the 8W is to run the hard drive. I can imagine swapping that out for a flash card and saving lots of power, which would be important in some applications. If it weren't for the $40 shipping, I'd probably have bought one of these by now. Shipping for four of these was $45 (I think), so if three other people are interested, I'll split shipping with you. Just let me know. Later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGtdWTHl0iXDssISsRAlWYAJ0WhxA3RLXdi93qeepwscSzgVh2gwCfeiiG mx807TDl2mRou4IUN8okVW4= =djEY -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 5, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by kstratton＠fastmail.us

My understanding is that playing flash movies is still at the alpha stage (gnash project http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash) For that reason alone, I would not give something like that to my mother. Is there a movie playing technology that is stable enough for general purpose consumption? One negative of the decTOP that is not obvious is that the decTop does not have an integrated network adaptor (based on a web page), instead it comes with a USB to network adaptor. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I am willing to consider ARM or MIPS boards. decTOP likes: 1) low power usage (if I believe web pages, 8W) 2) standard memory and hard drive interface 3) video interface provided as well as mouse and keyboard 4) low price I still have to do some reading up on the TCP/IP protocol before actually deciding to buy something. On Wed, 1 Aug 2007 08:36:11 -0400, "Klein, Richard" <Richard.Klein(a)cytyc.com> said: > > kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > > > The decPIC does look interesting at the advertised price > > point, but I > > > think the price is high when shipping is added. > > The kicker for me is video. I thought this would be just the thing to > send to my sister in Georgia, because all she really needs is email and > web access (and maybe basic word processing). You wouldn't initially > think video performance would really matter there, but then I think of > all the times people email links to videos and whatnot, and it would be > really irritating to not be able to see what the person's linking to. > > One of the end-user reviews I found on the web said that the PIC is > really too slow for video, managing only single-digit frames per second. > > The USB 1.1 is also a bit of a downer, but not as much of a deal-breaker > for me. > > -- > Rich > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug -- kstratton(a)fastmail.us

Aug. 5, 2007

Re: [Wlug] core 2 duo extremely slow (solved, i think)

by brad

Hi all, It seems that a BIOS downgrade solved the problem. I tried a few different BIOS revisions, the newer the revision the worse the machine functioned, strange. thanks, - brad On Fri, 3 Aug 2007 07:22:54 -0400, Aaron Haviland <orion(a)parsed.net> wrote: > brad wrote, on Aug 02, 2007 at 21:54 EDT: >> >> Hi All, >> I recently got in a nice new 2.4GHz core 2 duo with a bunch of memory, > 8GB. >> I installed kubuntu i386 on it. To get use of the 8GB of memory i >> recompiled the kernel to enable high memory support, a.k.a PAE. When i >> booted the new kernel it saw all my memory, but it took 10-15 minutes to >> boot. i checked dmesg and it didn't seem to report anything out of the >> ordinary. >> >> Then, I thought that perhaps the 64bit version of kubuntu might be a > better >> option. I installed kubuntu 64bit. The install took two days because > every >> step was extremely slow. Once the install finished, i rebooted and it > took >> 10-15 to boot. I was seeing the same symptoms of the 64bit install as i > was >> with the 32bit install with PAE. >> >> I tried downloading the current kubuntu 64bit release as well as the > beta >> of the next release. I'm also trying Fedora Core 7 64bit as i type, but >> that install is going just as slow. I hunted through the BIOS for any >> suspicious settings. I removed all the hardware except for the CD-ROM > (to >> boot a live CD). I did searching through the interweb. All with no luck > to >> solving this problem. >> >> If anyone has any suggestions, they will be much appreciated. >> >> keep cool, >> - brad > > A couple (possibly) good leads in this thread: > http://groups.google.com/group/linux.gentoo.user/browse_frm/thread/830f835c… > > -- > Aaron Haviland > 34 Wayne Ave, Dudley, MA home: [508] 943 - 7974

Aug. 3, 2007

Re: [Wlug] core 2 duo extremely slow

by Aaron Haviland

brad wrote, on Aug 02, 2007 at 21:54 EDT: > > Hi All, > I recently got in a nice new 2.4GHz core 2 duo with a bunch of memory, 8GB. > I installed kubuntu i386 on it. To get use of the 8GB of memory i > recompiled the kernel to enable high memory support, a.k.a PAE. When i > booted the new kernel it saw all my memory, but it took 10-15 minutes to > boot. i checked dmesg and it didn't seem to report anything out of the > ordinary. > > Then, I thought that perhaps the 64bit version of kubuntu might be a better > option. I installed kubuntu 64bit. The install took two days because every > step was extremely slow. Once the install finished, i rebooted and it took > 10-15 to boot. I was seeing the same symptoms of the 64bit install as i was > with the 32bit install with PAE. > > I tried downloading the current kubuntu 64bit release as well as the beta > of the next release. I'm also trying Fedora Core 7 64bit as i type, but > that install is going just as slow. I hunted through the BIOS for any > suspicious settings. I removed all the hardware except for the CD-ROM (to > boot a live CD). I did searching through the interweb. All with no luck to > solving this problem. > > If anyone has any suggestions, they will be much appreciated. > > keep cool, > - brad A couple (possibly) good leads in this thread: http://groups.google.com/group/linux.gentoo.user/browse_frm/thread/830f835c… -- Aaron Haviland 34 Wayne Ave, Dudley, MA home: [508] 943 - 7974

Aug. 3, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Detecting power failure

by John Stoffel

Tal> I have a question about detecting power failures in Linux. I have Tal> an Intel server sitting in a datacenter. It is running Crux 2.1 Tal> (a 2.6 kernel). It is a 2U server with 2 power supplies. Does Tal> anyone know if I can detect when 1 of the power supplies fails? Depending on your server hardware and what the BIOS has configured, take a look at acpid(8) daemon man page. Or the apmd(8) man page. One of them should work for you. As a simple test, pull one power plug and watch the output of /var/log/messages and/or /var/log/dmesg to see what shows up. I'm on a debian setup, but I found some more docs in /usr/share/doc/acpid/README and I'm sure there are a bunch of docs if you google for them. Good luck! John

Aug. 3, 2007

core 2 duo extremely slow

by brad

Hi All, I recently got in a nice new 2.4GHz core 2 duo with a bunch of memory, 8GB. I installed kubuntu i386 on it. To get use of the 8GB of memory i recompiled the kernel to enable high memory support, a.k.a PAE. When i booted the new kernel it saw all my memory, but it took 10-15 minutes to boot. i checked dmesg and it didn't seem to report anything out of the ordinary. Then, I thought that perhaps the 64bit version of kubuntu might be a better option. I installed kubuntu 64bit. The install took two days because every step was extremely slow. Once the install finished, i rebooted and it took 10-15 to boot. I was seeing the same symptoms of the 64bit install as i was with the 32bit install with PAE. I tried downloading the current kubuntu 64bit release as well as the beta of the next release. I'm also trying Fedora Core 7 64bit as i type, but that install is going just as slow. I hunted through the BIOS for any suspicious settings. I removed all the hardware except for the CD-ROM (to boot a live CD). I did searching through the interweb. All with no luck to solving this problem. If anyone has any suggestions, they will be much appreciated. keep cool, - brad

Aug. 3, 2007

Detecting power failure

by Tal Cohen

Hi Guys, I have a question about detecting power failures in Linux. I have an Intel server sitting in a datacenter. It is running Crux 2.1 (a 2.6 kernel). It is a 2U server with 2 power supplies. Does anyone know if I can detect when 1 of the power supplies fails? Thanks, Tal

Aug. 2, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Klein, Richard

> kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > > The decPIC does look interesting at the advertised price > point, but I > > think the price is high when shipping is added. The kicker for me is video. I thought this would be just the thing to send to my sister in Georgia, because all she really needs is email and web access (and maybe basic word processing). You wouldn't initially think video performance would really matter there, but then I think of all the times people email links to videos and whatnot, and it would be really irritating to not be able to see what the person's linking to. One of the end-user reviews I found on the web said that the PIC is really too slow for video, managing only single-digit frames per second. The USB 1.1 is also a bit of a downer, but not as much of a deal-breaker for me. -- Rich

Aug. 1, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 kstratton(a)fastmail.us wrote: > The decPIC does look interesting at the advertised price point, but I > think the price is high when shipping is added. Approximately $37 for > shipping + $99 adds up to about $136. With the four for the price of 3 > special, the cost was was about $56 for shipping + $297. > > I suspect that this high shipping cost also would apply to warranty > returns as well, significantly decreasing the value of the implied 30 > day warranty. > > I know this topic is a littel old, but I wanted to add my 2 cents. I just sent email to the company complaining about the shipping cost. They claim the package is 8 lbs but there still no way (IMHO) that it should cost around $40 to ship it. It is a little better when one buys four at a time (assuming you divide the shipping by your other three friends). I checked eBay, there aren't any out there (yet). There will be someday. Later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGsFKYHl0iXDssISsRAhXoAJ9/Ls3c7BeWyMOrosgDPK7phlX9xQCfeGWv CLPI9T8ScX1vUL04+eAyO0M= =NDL6 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Aug. 1, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

by kstratton＠fastmail.us

The decPIC does look interesting at the advertised price point, but I think the price is high when shipping is added. Approximately $37 for shipping + $99 adds up to about $136. With the four for the price of 3 special, the cost was was about $56 for shipping + $297. I suspect that this high shipping cost also would apply to warranty returns as well, significantly decreasing the value of the implied 30 day warranty. I know this topic is a littel old, but I wanted to add my 2 cents. -- kstratton(a)fastmail.us

Aug. 1, 2007