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New ULTRA1 - one step forward, two steps backward....
by ken jones 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

Folks, When the box failed to boot, you might remember, it complained that the kernel was "too old". I remade the box using the newer kernel 2.6.20. I apparently configured the correct silo.conf (there are five of them in there when using the livecd). It looked like it was going to BOOT!! :-) See below..... Trouble is this is as far as it got. I printed and used as reference the Gentoo Linux 2006.1 SPARC Handbook, the Using UTF08 with Gentoo document and the Gentoo Upgrading Guide. Nevertheless I had a very difficult time with manual configuration of the kernel. I had not the faintest idea which modules I could ignore and which I needed to modularize Question: is there a log somewhere? I did emerge syslog-ng. Another question: Where is the detailed documentation on all the modules? Final question: How do I get a hint at what I did wrong? Ken ----------------snip of hyperterminal watching SUN ULTRA boot.------------ Sun Ultra 1 UPA/SBus (UltraSPARC 200MHz), No Keyboard OpenBoot 3.11, 192 MB memory installed, Serial #9633364. Ethernet address 8:0:20:92:fe:54, Host ID: 8092fe54. Initializing Memory \ Initializing Memory \ Initializing Memory \ Initializing Memory - Initializing Memory - Boot device: disk File and args: SILO Version 1.4.13 boot: Allocated 8 Megs of memory at 0x40000000 for kernel Loaded kernel version 2.6.20 Remapping the kernel... done. Booting Linux... -----------------------------------end snip-----------------------------

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3D support
by dulsi＠identicalsoftware.com 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

I started looking for a new laptop. I'd like one that can play Neverwinter Nights with open source drivers. Obviously that is a problem since 3D support without the binary drivers is not great. I figured since the game is rather old a good cpu (or two for the duo) and a well supported open source driver (I remember hearing Intel having released an open source driver) that it could run reasonably. I asked some linux laptop vendors and everyone told me that I would need the binary drivers. Are they right and we still can't run a 5 year old game? Am I stuck waiting for nouveau? Dennis Payne dulsi(a)identicalsoftware.com

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JOBS - Several Linux roles Embedded and Kernel projects
by John Spencer 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

We have 2 clients in MA and one in NH that are looking for Linux experts for various consulting projects. Our Client in MA (6+ mths.) is a leading provider of comprehensive compliance and content control solutions. They offer comprehensive network and desktop solutions that provide comprehensive visibility and control of inappropriate activity and information leakage across all channels of communications. Linux systems, real time processing, networking, C++/C Developer (Principal Level) to work on a Second generation of product from scratch. Will leverage existing pieces from their current product but begin with a new scalable and modular architecture. Heavy LINUX systems exp. with Windows OR Heavy WINDOWS with Linux systems. Strong C++/C, Real-time processing. Agile Development- " High Quality/ Fast Paced". Using Eclipse and Subversion. Low-level programming with File Systems, etc. NO Java needed. They are using RedHat Linux 2.6 kernel. MUST HAVE: Have been part of a team that has shipped a product and/or built a product that was shipped. Experience getting a product through its life-cycle and gotten it to market. STRONG Communication Skills, Highly Collaborative, Results driven, No hand-holding, Strong Development. ************************************************************************ ** Consultant needed as part of a small team (in MA 6 mths temp to perm possible) to produce high quality functional specifications, design specifications, product code, unit tests, and build scripts as needed. You must also be able to rapidly and effectively troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve defects in an existing code base. You must be comfortable selecting and maintaining an appropriate focus in your daily work that will range from broad and abstract system architecture issues to detailed and concrete implementation issues. Responsibilities: - Provide software support and integration for new hardware features as they get added to the platform - Provide Linux support to upgrade Linux distribution as well as associated build environment - Work on low level features such as Software Upgrade - Instrument code and help analyze resource utilization - Maintain code repository - Address operational issues - Work with team on code releases Requirements - BS or MS in Computer Science, or equivalent experience - Either Real-Time OS or DSP experience - Experience in Linux, C, C++, Perl - Innovation and attention to detail - Ability to work independently but to know to get direction when you need it - Ability to work well with others on a small focused team - Excellent written and oral skills - Ability to obtain security clearance ************************************************************************ ********************************************** Principal Software Engineer (6+ mths in southern NH) Our client is looking for a Sr. C++ developer to replace current functionality on their embedded cards with edge nodes Linux based servers. They are currently running 1500 streams/card and want to run 2500 streams/edge node. Must have experience at the Linux kernel, driver and file systems level. This is mostly new development with some porting of the existing functionality from the embedded card. Must have either SMP or experience writing code in a multiprocessor environment. If you are interested and qualified, please send your confidential resume to jspencer(a)optimaleng.com Regards, John John Spencer (978) 256-1113 ext 7608 jspencer(a)optimaleng.com OPTIMAL ENGINEERING PARTNERS "Your Optimal partner for full-lifecycle engineering services in embedded and real-time, systems and application development" www.optimalengineering.com <http://www.optimalengineering.com/>

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I am getting discouraged with Gentoo on ULTRA1
by ken jones 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

For those of you who are kind enough to care....sigh. On my Ultra1 I succeeded in following the directions in <http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-sparc.xml> to the letter, or so I thought. I "emerge'd" successfully. I compiled successfully. I chroot'd successfully. I removed the CD from its drive. I boot'd and I got the following. yadda yadda yadda.... VFs: Mounted root(ext3 filesystem) readonly Mounted devfs on /dev FATAL: kernel too old Unimplemented SPARC system call 188 Kernel panic: Attempted to kill init! Press Li-A to return to the boot prom I compiled kernel-2.4.34. I chose 2.4 over 2.6 because the handbook hinted I should.. Now I do not even know what questions to ask myself. I checked Google on the "kernel too old" message and the "Attempted to kill" message. I could not understand the few matches that it found. My bet is that I need bigger SCSI hard drives. I'll also be glad to shut up if this is getting boring. Ken

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New ULTRA1 success - almost
by ken jones 15 Apr '07

15 Apr '07

I have succeeded in compiling Gentoo Linux-2.4.34-sparc kernel on my new ULTRA1. This machine-toy has kept me off the streets and out of trouble for the last couple days. (The weather has been cooperative toward the same end.) I have a question. The Gentoo instructions <http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-sparc.xml?part=1&chap=7#comp…> tell me that if my kernel is too big that it might not boot. "If the (uncompressed) size is bigger than 2.5 MB (for Sparc32) or 3.5 MB (for Sparc64), reconfigure your kernel until it doesn't exceed these limits. One way of accomplishing this is by having most kernel drivers compiled as modules. Ignoring this can lead to a non-booting kernel." My kernel after a strip command is still 3.7M. -----------snip from command line after a strip command----------- (chroot) livecd linux # strip -R .comment -R .note vmlinux (chroot) livecd linux # ls -lh vmlinux -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 3.7M Apr 13 06:03 vmlinux --------------end snip---------------- Should I take this warning seriously? How do I figure out which drivers to deselect from menuconfig? lspci gives me no response. I am not sure what is in my machine. Ken Jones

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Funny Coincidence
by Eric Martin 14 Apr '07

14 Apr '07

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 For those of you who like funny coincidences, I just want to point out that last year we had this exact same conversation about recycling comptuers (I sent an email on April 9th, 2006). http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/2006-April/005287.html Must be the whole 'Spring Cleaning' thing. Just thought some of you would find it interesting. Eric -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD4DBQFGIDxVaiVxdKlBO58RAn7lAJ9lNH/LeLtQM26PkEGCImuvgDr3QgCYpBNo ypatPpWtwOEQK+D48pDWFA== =lxe8 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: [Wlug] Recycling Electronics
by Dick Goodman 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

>Anyone know where I can recycle old electronics? I've got a dead TV >and amiga monitor. I should probably get rid of the old amiga >computer as well and perhaps other spare/broken parts. If you're a Worcester city resident, you can drop off at the Millbury St (used to be Ballard St) recycling center for $5 a pop (computers and monitors) ...only time I had a problem was doing a major cleanout, about 10 of each, convincing them I was not a business Call for an appointment time. www.ci.worcester.ma.us look under Public Works & Parks, Residential Drop-Off Center Dick

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Re: [Wlug] New to the group
by Mike Leo 12 Apr '07

12 Apr '07

i also live in leominster and work in Cambridge...small world i guess. I haven't been to a meeting in a while, but if i go and you need a ride, let me know. ----- Original Message ---- From: Tal Cohen <wlug(a)cohen123.com> To: Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> Cc: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:53:06 PM Subject: Re: [Wlug] New to the group Hi Andy, and hello to everyone in WLUG! I will definitely try to make May's meeting. I have been working on various X-nix based systems since 1999 (Solaris, HPUX, AIX, Red-Hat, and now CRUX). I do a lot in Perl, MySQL, Nagios, BASH, and Apache. Interests...varies depending on what I am doing at any given time. I would like to learn more about IPC programming and multi-process threading in X-nix. I like getting my hands dirty working with hardware. I would not mind learning more about building custom hardware that interfaces with a system...perhaps robotics or telecom (don't get the wrong idea, I have little knowledge in this area right now). Tal PS Oh, and I live in Leominster...but work in Boston -----Original Message----- From: Andy Stewart [mailto:andystewart@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 12:44 AM To: wlug(a)cohen123.com Cc: Worcester Linux Users Group Subject: Re: [Wlug] New to the group -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Tal Cohen wrote: > Hi, > I am new to this group. I want to find out when the meetings are, and > when. > > Thanks, > Tal HI Tal, Welcome to WLUG! I just got home from this evening's meeting. I got the sense that it went well. I'm stuffed with pizza and soda. Hopefully you'll be able to come to a few meetings and meet folks. We meet once per month at WPI in Worcester, MA USA. Let us know if you have other questions about the group, and we'll be sure to answer them. Also, I'm sure people are curious about your interest and experience with Linux, so please, do tell. 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 iD8DBQFGHbkHHl0iXDssISsRAsyPAJwJK0ld/6c/I/2bhsO/aY14PUpz1QCePqNx FSyZOMpNzsBRJGHQc6bUTNQ= =BRds -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Re: [Wlug] New to the group
by Terry S 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

Hi Tal, Welcome to WLUG! I'm new too, joined a couple weeks ago and this is my first meeting also. Sincerely, Terry S.

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Re: [Wlug] New to the group
by Mike Leo 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

http://wlug.org/meetings.html and welcome to the pack.....are groups of penguins called packs? ----- Original Message ---- From: Tal Cohen <wlug(a)cohen123.com> To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:59:11 AM Subject: [Wlug] New to the group Hi, I am new to this group. I want to find out when the meetings are, and when. Thanks, Tal _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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