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Looking at new and inexpensive laptop for Linux
by joel d Jan. 30, 2010

Jan. 30, 2010

Thank you everyone for all for the comments and suggestions. Joel

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Re: [Wlug] Looking at new and inexpensive laptop for Linux use.
by Joseph Guarino Jan. 30, 2010

Jan. 30, 2010

Hello Joel/Every1, Have a look see at these 4 HCL sites of Linux compatible hardware: http://www.linux-drivers.org/ https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/ http://www.linux-drivers.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_compatibility_list - this gives you links to the other distros... They will have mucho details! Besides, half the joy I find in installing is having to hack something to work and helping the software improve for the next person. =) Enjoy the weekend, Joseph Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:48:18 -0500 From: joel d <joelgroup(a)gmail.com> Subject: [Wlug] Looking at new and inexpensive laptop for Linux use. To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Message-ID: <e8ac87841001290948g363a52a8k556b10aca5c858f8(a)mail.gmail.com > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi all, I am considering replacing my old broken screen laptop (Pent 350 & 256MB) with a replacement. Does anyone recommendations on $400 to $600 laptops for Linux with a regular 15" or so screen and at least 2-4GB RAM. I am going with a low-spec (and low cost) as I have used the laptop an hour or two a week in the past as for daily use my eyes prefer my desktop's 24" widescreen LCD. In this price range I am mostly finding Netbooks and the occasional low end Acer (newegg). I could handle the speed of a netbook but my older and poor eyes would protest (and the additional RAM cost makes them spendy-ish for what you get). Any recommendations for a new, regular 15" or so standard notebook on the cheap for Linux use (prob. Ubuntu or KUbuntu)? I am thinking my concerns here and hardware compatibility and cost. Thank you, Joel

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Looking at new and inexpensive laptop for Linux use.
by joel d Jan. 29, 2010

Jan. 29, 2010

Hi all, I am considering replacing my old broken screen laptop (Pent 350 & 256MB) with a replacement. Does anyone recommendations on $400 to $600 laptops for Linux with a regular 15" or so screen and at least 2-4GB RAM. I am going with a low-spec (and low cost) as I have used the laptop an hour or two a week in the past as for daily use my eyes prefer my desktop's 24" widescreen LCD. In this price range I am mostly finding Netbooks and the occasional low end Acer (newegg). I could handle the speed of a netbook but my older and poor eyes would protest (and the additional RAM cost makes them spendy-ish for what you get). Any recommendations for a new, regular 15" or so standard notebook on the cheap for Linux use (prob. Ubuntu or KUbuntu)? I am thinking my concerns here and hardware compatibility and cost. Thank you, Joel

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Up.Time
by Maurice Jan. 15, 2010

Jan. 15, 2010

Anyone using, or have used, Up.Time software to monitor their servers? If so, what do you think of the product line? http://www.uptimesoftware.com/ Thanks -- -Maurice Pelletier Child Development Services - Cumberland County 50 Depot Road Falmouth, ME 04105 207-781-8881 (voice) 207-781-8855 (fax) www.cds-cumberland.org "Linux -- it's not just for breakfast anymore..." -Moe

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Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, January 14th
by Andy Stewart Jan. 12, 2010

Jan. 12, 2010

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi Everybody, Reminder: We have a WLUG meeting coming up this week, Thursday, January 14th at 7:00 PM in the room with no name near the dining hall in Morgan Hall. If anybody would like to be the speaker for the meeting, please let me know and/or just bring your stuff to the meeting. We'll go out for pizza after the meeting. This time, I'll definitely be there! See ya soon, Andy - -- Andy Stewart (KB1OIQ) Founder: Worcester Linux Users' Group Founder: Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group President: PART of Westford, MA (WB1GOF) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFLS+fDOjiraCaOTOoRAhdTAJ9BnPgAwTYe3ci7dsI0nM3QSrrAQwCcDCxF 3x1Ab9lCUdOi+gfqwsn9bjM= =ArLl -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Problem with wireless access point(?)
by Andy Stewart Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2009

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi gang, I just purchased a Linksys WRT54GL wireless access point. Currently, it is running the stock firmware (upgraded to the latest version). I may put Linux on it sometime in the near future. While I can get connected to it with my Linux laptop, I notice that file transfers start at a screamingly fast rate, and within a minute or two, drop to barely a trickle. When I used an entirely hard wired connection, I have no such problem. Has anybody else noticed this with the Linksys WRT54GL? If so, will the Linux software solve this problem? I don't believe that the problem lies with the wireless hardware/software in my laptop since I have used it on other wireless access points without problems. Thanks, Andy - -- Andy Stewart (KB1OIQ) Founder: Worcester Linux Users' Group Founder: Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group President: PART of Westford, MA (WB1GOF) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFLOmdpOjiraCaOTOoRAqsRAKDjaKrNykXKburz0IozXi8bQn1nfACgj66G oJqD9jfjXolyrVPLN3lDFOY= =6xJa -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 74, Issue 14
by Karl Lind Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2009

Karl had posted an answer about the Linksys (under the subject line "Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 74, Issue 13") One comment in there I found very interesting: > Now this is going to blow your mind, but if there is ANY difference in the Workgroup name between the router and the computers, it causes the router to "restrict" bandwidth. Does this only apply to various forms of filesharing, or to all wireless traffic through the WRT54GL? I (and my housemates) are not doing big downloads, and not using Samba. Maybe one of the Windows PCs here might occasionally d/l a movie. But in experimenting with wireless here, using one or other of my Debian PCs, Tomato on the Linksys, I also thought the wireless worked rather slow, even though we have a +20MBps connection. Mostly what I was doing was browsing. Do all computers using wireless here have to belong to the same Workgroup, no matter what kind of internet traffic they're doing? If I do need a Workgroup name for the router, how do I do that? Thanks, Liz J Hi Liz What's humorous is the difference between the words "Default" and "default". Most routers may allow you to log on, but subsequent packets of data may not verify correctly, hence the speed loss. As noted by Andy, wireless always defaults to the slowest speed connected. (I seem to have a lot of neighbors that try to break in to my network and when they do at G, B or even A speed the router slows and that tells me that somethings up and I can do something about it.) Karl

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Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 74, Issue 13
by Karl Lind Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2009

FYI WRT54GL Linksys released the *WRT54GL* in 2005 to support third-party firmware based on Linux <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel>, after the original WRT54G line was switched from Linux to VxWorks<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VxWorks>, starting with version 5. The WRT54GL is technically a reissue of the version 4 WRT54G. Cisco was sued by the FSF<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FSF_vs._Cisco>for copyright infringement, but the case was settled. [6]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#cite_note-GPLInfringemen…> Version [image: ↓] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> CPU <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit> speed [image: ↓]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> RAM <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAM> [image: ↓]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> Flash memory <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory> [image: ↓]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> S/N <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_number> Prefix [image: ↓]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> Notes [image: ↓] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#> 1.0 200 MHz 16 MB 4 MB CL7A New model line, released after the version 5 WRT54G, which returns to a Linux-based OS as opposed to the VxWorks firmware. SpeedBooster <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeedBooster> is not enabled in stock firmware, however third-party firmware will enable the feature. The hardware is essentially the same as the WRT54G version 4.0. One alteration is that the internal numbering scheme of the 4-port switch changed in this model, from 1 2 3 4, to 3 2 1 0. 1.1 200 MHz 16 MB 4 MB CL7B CL7C As of August, 2009, this version was shipping with firmware revision 4.30.11. This pre-loaded firmware allows the user to upload a 4MB firmware image, whereas the pre-loaded firmware on version 1.0 limited the image to 3MB. Firmware version 4.30.13 is now available for both hardware versions. Fully supported by Tomato <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware>, Sveasoft<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sveasoft>, OpenWrt <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenWrt>, and DD-WRT<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DD-WRT> . Hardware versions affect firmware compatibility As of January 2006, most third-party firmware is no longer compatible with version 5 of both the WRT54G and the WRT54GS. The amount of flash memory in the version 5 devices has been reduced to 2 MB, too small for current Linux-based third-party firmware. (See table above for information on identifying the version based on the serial number printed on the bottom of the unit, and on the outside of the shrink-wrapped retail box.) Some users have succeeded in flashing and running a stripped down but fully functional version of DD-WRT called 'micro' on a version 5 WRT54G.[21]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#cite_note-20> [22] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#cite_note-21> An easier method not requiring any disassembly of the device has since been devised for flashing v5-v8 to DD-WRT.[23]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#cite_note-22> [24] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#cite_note-23> To support third-party firmware, Linksys has re-released the WRT54G v4, under the new model name *WRT54GL* (the 'L' in this name allegedly stands for 'Linux'). It is also possible to replace the 2MB flash chip in the WRT54G with a 4MB flash chip. The Macronix International 29LV320BTC-90 is a suitable part although others may work as well. The user must first install a JTAG header <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JTAG_header> and use a JTAG cable to backup the firmware,then replace the chip and restore the firmware with the JTAG cable. After testing for proper functionality of the modified unit,3rd party firmware can be flashed using the JTAG cable and a suitable image file. Now this is going to blow your mind, but if there is ANY difference in the Workgroup name between the router and the computers, it causes the router to "restrict" bandwidth. Crazy, but true. Also make sure your hardware all matches. (802,11B, G, N) Have you tried disabling DHT and NOT forwarding UDP? (In case it's a memory issue) Just my two cents.... Karl On Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM, <wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org> wrote: > Send Wlug mailing list submissions to > wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wlug-owner(a)mail.wlug.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wlug digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Problem with wireless access point(?) (Andy Stewart) > 2. Re: Problem with wireless access point(?) (John Stoffel) > 3. Re: Problem with wireless access point(?) (Andy Stewart) > 4. Re: Problem with wireless access point(?) (John Stoffel) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:32:41 -0500 > From: Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [Wlug] Problem with wireless access point(?) > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: <4B3A6769.8080701(a)comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > > Hi gang, > > I just purchased a Linksys WRT54GL wireless access point. Currently, it > is running the stock firmware (upgraded to the latest version). I may > put Linux on it sometime in the near future. > > While I can get connected to it with my Linux laptop, I notice that file > transfers start at a screamingly fast rate, and within a minute or two, > drop to barely a trickle. > > When I used an entirely hard wired connection, I have no such problem. > > Has anybody else noticed this with the Linksys WRT54GL? If so, will the > Linux software solve this problem? > > I don't believe that the problem lies with the wireless > hardware/software in my laptop since I have used it on other wireless > access points without problems. > > Thanks, > > Andy > > - -- > Andy Stewart (KB1OIQ) > Founder: Worcester Linux Users' Group > Founder: Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group > President: PART of Westford, MA (WB1GOF) > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) > Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org > > iD8DBQFLOmdpOjiraCaOTOoRAqsRAKDjaKrNykXKburz0IozXi8bQn1nfACgj66G > oJqD9jfjXolyrVPLN3lDFOY= > =6xJa > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > >

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REMINDER: WLUG Meeting on Thursday
by Andy Stewart Dec. 16, 2009

Dec. 16, 2009

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi Everybody, Our regularly scheduled monthly WLUG meeting will be held this coming Thursday at 7:00 PM on the WPI Campus. We'll be in the same room as the last couple of months (and soon I'll have to figure out what to call this room). If you come into the Wedge between Morgan Hall and Daniels Hall, you will see signs directing you to the meeting. See ya there! Andy - -- Andy Stewart (KB1OIQ) Founder: Worcester Linux Users' Group Founder: Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group President: PART of Westford, MA (WB1GOF) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFLKETFOjiraCaOTOoRAopQAKCOgU1nejHhTpiEtBzhckrFh5CklgCg4qig avz63VDAYiIIfaUhSBJQyWU= =0RbS -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Mounting Windows Shares on Solaris
by Chuck Noyes Dec. 15, 2009

Dec. 15, 2009

Hi All, Maybe a bit [OT], but I've got a Solaris 10u8 host, and I'd like to be able to mount a Windows share on the Solaris box. I don't think Solaris supports the smbfs or cifs file systems (at least I can't find any evidence of it). So a command like: "mount -F smbfs //windows-host/share /mnt" won't work. Has anyone done this? I've installed all the samba executables in /usr/bin and in /usr/sbin on the Solaris box, so there is samba support in Solaris, but I can't seem to mount the Windows share. TIA, -Chuck

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