Dear Computerbank/Kylie,<br><br>Thanks for information and advice about yum and alien. I am still going over it.<br><br>The computer I purchased from CB is going very well, especially in terms of meeting my expectations.<br>
<br>I am having a lot of problems with the computer but they are all self inflicted. None of them relate to reasons why I chose a CB computer.<br><br>The software packages that were installed on the machine, did not reflect my needs or interests perfectly, but my needs and interests might not be typical of most clients. I think that overall the software selection achieves a good balance, and is as least as good as the medium automatic installs of Fedora, as about half of the software that I consider to be essential was there initially.
<br><br>It would have been good to have the emacs editor as well as vi, and I like maths programs such as, TeX, LaTeX, gnuplot and octave, but I am not sure how useful they are for the general population, who might be more interested in the multimedia and the internet.
<br><br>I have never recompiled a kernel or anything like that, I wonder if the kernel is already fine tuned for the hardware on the CB machines? I suspect that it might be.<br><br>So anyway thanks for a good value computer.
<br><br>BTW:<br>I wonder if there are going to be any training sessions in the weekends in the Easter holidays (6th -15th of April). I guess you guys probably intend on actually having a holiday which would be fair enough.
<br><br>Here are more of my self induced problems if you would like to here about them.<br><br>The first problem is getting all or some of Wine the menu to appear in the K menu on the toolbar,
I know that there are instructions as to how to create desktop links in
computer bank manual, but I think I need to somehow get the program to
put a menu there itself. <br><br>As when I installed Wine on my Gnome Fedora desktop, Wine seemed to
install a menu/interface in the F Applications part of the toolbar. The menu/interface, seems to be a lot more transparent than the command line options. Perhaps switching over to Gnome on the CB machine will remedy this, which leads to my other problem:
<br><br>I don't know how to switch over to the Gnome
desktop, however it is very much my own problem, since Kylie once gave
me explicit instructions on how to do it, and I lost/forgot them.<br><br>Also I think I am close to getting my Canon ip 1000 printer to work through localhost:631, but I am having problems. I understand that is a computer that you neither stock nor recommend. Maybe I will ask about it some other time.
<br><br>Thanks again<br>Russell<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 3/15/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Kylie Davies</b> <<a href="mailto:mailkylie@optushome.com.au">mailkylie@optushome.com.au</a>> wrote:</span>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi folks,<br><br>Alien is also useful for converting rpm files to debian packages. I was<br>
able to alien the limewire.rpm file to get it installed on my debian<br>laptop (with dpkg -i limewire.deb). Maybe I had to get the dependencies<br>too, can't remember. It works no real problems. Syntax is<br><br>alien
blahblah.rpm<br><br>and it will generate a deb file. It will do automatic naming unless you<br>specify otherwise (i think). I think we include it on the distro. But<br>dont expect all to work, sometimes things don't.<br>
<br>Cheers,<br><br>Kylie<br><br>On Thu, 2007-03-15 at 22:34 +1100, Adam Jenkins wrote:<br>> Hi Russell and Kylie,<br>><br>> I can't shed any light on the mouse issue sorry, but I would definitely<br>> recommend you use yum for updating packages with Fedora. alien is a tool
<br>> for converting from 'alien' formats to RPM, from memory; and you really<br>> shouldn't need to use it.<br>><br>> yum has a configuration file /etc/yum.conf<br>> You can either have all your repositories defined in that, or you can have a
<br>> file for each in<br>> /etc/yum.repos.d<br>><br>> Generally yum works well, though it can be slow (you can add a timeout value<br>> in yum.conf to make it be more patient), and if you want non-free stuff like
<br>> MP3 or DVD decoding support, you might need to add<br>> some extra repositories.<br>> <a href="http://www.fedorafaq.org/#installsoftware">http://www.fedorafaq.org/#installsoftware</a> has some brief information about
<br>> using yum, and the guy who updates that page has made available on it his<br>> own yum config and an update so your install can use the LIVNA repository,<br>> which is a good one with packages for playing DVDs, and proprietary ATI and
<br>> NVIDIA drivers.<br>><br>> Hope that helps!<br>> Adam<br>><br>><br>> >From: Kylie Davies <<a href="mailto:mailkylie@optushome.com.au">mailkylie@optushome.com.au</a>><br>> >To: Russell jarvis <
<a href="mailto:colouredstatic@gmail.com">colouredstatic@gmail.com</a>><br>> >CC: Adam Jenkins <<a href="mailto:msi006@msn.com">msi006@msn.com</a>><br>> >Subject: Re: etc configuration and kvm switch<br>
> >Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:59:59 +1100<br>> ><br>> >Hi Russell,<br>> ><br>> >oops...i have not sent a reply...i thought it was on list...but it is<br>> >private to me.<br>> ><br>
> >I have cc'ed Adam as he may be able to help with an answer.<br>> ><br>> >Hows it all going with the computer? Any bug reports for us? Be very<br>> >handy to have some user feedback. :)<br>> >
<br>> >Cheers!<br>> ><br>> >Kylie<br>> ><br>> >On Sat, 2007-03-03 at 15:53 +1100, Russell jarvis wrote:<br>> > > Dear computer bank,<br>> > ><br>> > > I realise now that the configuration files in the directory etc are
<br>> > > probably written according to XML YAML syntax.<br>> > ><br>> > > I figured out that the mouse driver or mouse module (what ever it is)<br>> > > always loads okay, but I need to turn on my other computer for the
<br>> > > mouse to work. It seems as if my other computer is providing power to<br>> > > the switch or something, even though the switch has an independent<br>> > > power supply (I should double check that). When I installed Fedora on
<br>> > > my other machine the peripheries where probably already plugged in<br>> > > through the switch. But since the Debian install on the CB box was<br>> > > done for different peripheries that plug directly into the box I
<br>> > > probably shouldn't expect them to behave predictably.<br>> > ><br>> > > Thanks<br>> > > Russell<br>> > ><br>> > > On 3/2/07, Russell jarvis <<a href="mailto:colouredstatic@gmail.com">
colouredstatic@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>> > > > Dear cbs team,<br>> > > ><br>> > > > Sorry I forgot that you had told me specifically comment out those<br>> >specific<br>> > > > lines.
<br>> > > ><br>> > > > I have tried commenting out all of the sid, and keeping the etch and<br>> >the<br>> > > > Debian multimedia, however I think the server is still behaving as if
<br>> >the<br>> > > > files should not be accessible to me. Maybe I am tired and am doing<br>> > > > something stupid. I don't know what language the file will be<br>> > > > interpreted/compiled in but I assume the comments are the ## marks.
<br>> > > ><br>> > > > W: GPG error: <a href="http://ftp.au.debian.org">http://ftp.au.debian.org</a> etch Release: The following<br>> > > > signatures co uldn't be
<br>> > > > verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY A70DAF5360<br>> > > > 70D3A1<br>> > > > W: GPG error: <a href="http://debian-multimedia.org">
http://debian-multimedia.org</a> etch Release: The following<br>> > > > signature s couldn't be<br>> > > > verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 07DC56
<br>> > > > 3D1F41B907<br>> > > ><br>> > > > The etc/apt/source.list file:<br>> > > > ##COMPUTERBANK Victoria Debian Sources<br>> > > ><br>> > > > ##Internal Sources
<br>> > > > ## deb <a href="http://omnidimensional/debian/">http://omnidimensional/debian/</a> etch main contrib non-free<br>> > > > ## deb <a href="http://omnidimensional/debian/">http://omnidimensional/debian/
</a> sid main contrib non-free<br>> > > ><br>> > > > ##External Sources<br>> > > > ##deb <a href="http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/">http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/</a> sid main contrib
<br>> > > > non-free<br>> > > > deb <a href="http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/">http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/</a> etch main contrib<br>> > > > non-free<br>> > > ><br>> > > > deb
<a href="http://debian-multimedia.org/">http://debian-multimedia.org/</a> etch main<br>> > > ><br>> > > > ##deb <a href="http://debian-multimedia.org/">http://debian-multimedia.org/</a> sid main<br>
> > > > ##deb <a href="http://security.debian.org/">http://security.debian.org/</a> etch/updates main<br>> > > > ##deb <a href="http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/">http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/
</a> stable<br>> > > > non-free<br>> > > ><br>> > > > I did however manage to install wine on my Fedora Core machine using<br>> >yum and<br>> > > > Fedora repositories. However I can't just put the CD with the windows
<br>> > > > executable in that machine at the moment because I am having trouble<br>> > > > configuring the DVD drive on the Fedora box. Is it okay to ask about<br>> >Fedora<br>> > > > questions here or is CB strictly dedicated to Debian/Ubuntu?
<br>> > > ><br>> > > > Yum and apt-get seem like similar types of programs. I wonder what the<br>> > > > program alien does and if you advise against using it.<br>> > > ><br>
> > > > Also I am having trouble with logging in with the mouse module not<br>> >working<br>> > > > 50% of the time (on the Debian box), this also happened on an Ubuntu<br>> >box<br>> > > > that I had, and I reasonably sure that it is related to a KVM switch
<br>> >that I<br>> > > > use. Does anybody know how to change settings/configure the mouse so<br>> >that<br>> > > > this doesn't happen anymore?<br>> > > ><br>> > > > Thanks
<br>> > > > Russell<br>> > > ><br>> > > ><br>> > > > On 3/2/07, Kylie Davies <<a href="mailto:mailkylie@optushome.com.au">mailkylie@optushome.com.au</a>> wrote:<br>> > > > >
<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>> > > > > From: Kylie Davies < <a href="mailto:mailkylie@optushome.com.au">
mailkylie@optushome.com.au</a>><br>> > > > > To: Russell jarvis <<a href="mailto:colouredstatic@gmail.com">colouredstatic@gmail.com</a>><br>> > > > > Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:56:59 +1100
<br>> > > > > Subject: Re: Using APT and Synaptic<br>> > > > > Hi Russell,<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > If you mean you are using apt-get install from the command line,
<br>> >then<br>> > > > > yes, Synaptic uses the same repositories.<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > This is set by a file called sources.list which lives in the<br>> >/etc/apt
<br>> > > > > directory. It can be edited with a text editor too (need root).<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > Alert: Always make a backup of a file before changing it. Using the<br>> > > > > command line and if you are in the directory where the file lives,
<br>> >type:<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > cp sources.list backupsources<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > Basically cp means to copy, so you are making another copy of
<br>> > > > > sources.list and calling it backupsources. If you are real keen to<br>> >use<br>> > > > > the command line, there is an intro tutorial re command line over at<br>> > > > >
<br>> > > ><br>> ><a href="http://doc.vic.computerbank.org.au/tutorials/learning_linux_command_line_interface/">http://doc.vic.computerbank.org.au/tutorials/learning_linux_command_line_interface/</a><br>
> > > > ><br>> > > > > The APT error you are getting could be just a temporary error about<br>> >that<br>> > > > > particular file. Do an apt-get update (type in at command line as
<br>> >root)<br>> > > > > and try again. Your repository lines look fine to me.<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > You might want to get wine-utils and wine-doc too.<br>> > > > >
<br>> > > > > >From the commandline the command would be<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > apt-get install wine wine-utils wine-doc<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > I'm not sure that ubuntu sources should be in there too, this could
<br>> > > > > break things. I'd leave them commented out. Perhaps only keep the<br>> >etch<br>> > > > > one in (take out sid stuff) and debian multimedia.<br>> > > > >
<br>> > > > > You can have as many repositories as you like. Just be careful how<br>> >you<br>> > > > > use them because things could get out of whack (say esp if you mix<br>> > > > > ubuntu and debian ones).
<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > With respect to bjcups...not sure what you mean, except to say<br>> >configure<br>> > > > > printers with kde control centre or from within a browser. Browse to
<br>> > > > > localhost:631. Both these ways will set up a printer system wide.<br>> >Both<br>> > > > > essentially talk to the same thing....CUPS...common unix printing<br>> > > > > system.
<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > And yes, by all means send emails to cbsupport... good for others to<br>> > > > > see. Do you mind if i forward this one?<br>> > > > >
<br>> > > > > Cheers,<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > Kylie<br>> > > > ><br>> > > > > On Tue, 2007-02-27 at 18:12 +1100, Russell jarvis wrote:<br>> > > > > > Hi Kylie,
<br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > > I am trying to apt-get wine, but I am guessing apt accesses the<br>> >same<br>> > > > > > file for repository URL's as synaptics. I think this because I may
<br>> >be<br>> > > > > > having the same repository problems as I get messages like the<br>> > > > > > following:<br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > > Err
<a href="http://ftp.au.debian.org">http://ftp.au.debian.org</a> sid/main libgpg-error0 1.4-2<br>> > > > > > 403 Forbidden<br>> > > > > > Failed to fetch<br>> > > > > >
<br>> > > ><br>> ><a href="http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/pool/main/libg/libgpg-error/libgpg-error0_1.4-2_i386.deb">http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/pool/main/libg/libgpg-error/libgpg-error0_1.4-2_i386.deb
</a><br>> > > > 403 Forbidden<br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > > I have about seven repository URL's in the synaptics -> settings<br>> >-><br>> > > > > > Repositorys now including some Ubuntu ones. I have removed the
<br>> > > > > > omnidimensional ones. Does it matter how many different repository<br>> > > > > > URL's you end up in there?<br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > > Also I wonder what commands I should use with bjcups. I am trying
<br>> >to<br>> > > > > > configure my printer so it only prints in black and white. Is<br>> >bjcups<br>> > > > > > any different from localhost:631 ?<br>> > > > > >
<br>> > > > > > Should I address emails with this kind of content cbsupport, so<br>> >more<br>> > > > > > newbies can capitalise on the information?<br>> > > > > >
<br>> > > > > > Thanks again<br>> > > > > > Russell<br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > > ><br>> > > > ><br>> > > > >
<br>> > > ><br>> > > ><br>> ><br>><br>> _________________________________________________________________<br>> Advertisement: Find new & used iPods; designer clothing and more. Join free
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