Hi from South Africa
Hi guys, just thought I would introduce myself and say hello so long. I am currently in South Africa but joined your group as I am immigrating to New Zealand at the end of July. I am really wanting to settle and find work in Christchurch, but from what I have seen so far it looks like I might have a better chance in Wellington. I really do not see myself settling in Auckland. It is quite funny to watch your discussions over the last couple of days - especially the ones over the February meeting and all the suggestions. It seems like user groups all over the world have the same things in common. I can show you the exact same discussions going around in South Africa. I will be monitoring this group and contribute where I can and hope it goes from strength to strength so by the time I land there you guys have a well established bi-monthly meeting in place where I can meet all of you. Schalk
Re: Feb meeting...
On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Zane Gilmore wrote: > Although I like the idea of getting together for a geeky chin-wag over a > few beers, > I think that we can put together a few talks. Speaking as a now-DunLUG pubgoer, I can say that the planned technical content is very low (i.e. zero) ... however in the flow of conversation some interesting technical questions do get asked, and sometimes answered! It's not a perfect situation for those occasions where a structured presentation is desired ... >From here, it looks like Rik is still doing well with the GNU/Linux users meetings in Sydenham; if this is so, perhaps it would be worthwhile handing the torch for technical content over to those meetings, and letting the CLUG meetings officially "go social" until you all get some energy back? -jim
Re: Feb meeting...
Although I like the idea of getting together for a geeky chin-wag over a few beers, I think that we can put together a few talks. Occasionally people will turn up who are worth listening to and right now we could easily do a couple a talks right now. I arranged for Derek to do a talk on what he was up to. And Andrew and I could do a presentation on what went down at LCA (linux.conf.au). There were some very cool things that happened there. (e.g http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22752/1090/1/0/ ) BTW Have you seen that the next one is in Wellington!? -- - Zane Gilmore Development and Web Infrastructure Team Leader DDI: 325 9631 Cell:0276 319 206 The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited: Rangahau Ahumaara Kai Postal Address: Plant & Food Research Lincoln Private Bag 4704, Christchurch Mail Centre, CHRISTCHURCH 8140 Physical Address: Plant & Food Research Lincoln Canterbury Agriculture & Science Centre, Gerald St, Lincoln 7608 http://www.plantandfood.co.nz/ -- >>> On 24/01/2009 at 2:42 p.m., in message , Derek Smithies wrote: > Hi, > Last year, Nick wrote quite passionately about local Christchurch > companies using linux and wondering if any had any stories to tell in a > meeting.. > > I replied, and noted that a wireless rate control module I had written has > been added to the mainline kernel. > > Now, if you peruse your way to: > http://blogs.computerworld.com/node/12825/print > > where you can read about the five best features in 2.6.28, you will find > the comment: > > "Frankly, based on what I've been seeing while using it with my > Linux-powered ThinkPad R61, I'd upgrade to 2.6.28 for this feature > alone." > > Anyhow, Zane said something to me about a talk on Minstrel, and I think it > was organised to be in February. > any details yet?? >>> >>> No, nothing. > Ahhm. Actually. There is quite a bit.. > > > Derek. > > === > On Fri, 23 Jan 2009, Don Robertson wrote: > >> Christopher Sawtell wrote: >>> On Monday 19 January 2009 19:05:51 Steve Holdoway wrote: any details yet?? >>> >>> No, nothing. >>> >>> Therefore can't help but wonder if I should cancel the venue booking, and > let >>> CLUG return to being just an email-list operation. >>> >> Greetings all. I have recently returned to Christchurch, and joined the >> list a few weeks ago. >> >> I'd like to go to a meeting now and then. On the other hand, I haven't >> been to any yet so I don't know what they are like :-) >> >> I'd go along with the suggestion of a pub or cafe someplace and take it >> from there. I can't suggest any place in particular - I haven't >> frequented the local hostelries since - well, I remember I was wearing >> an onion in my belt, because it was the fashion at the time ... >>> >>> Comments please CLUGgers. >>> >>> Note that I personally cannot do anymore program organizing, because I will > be >>> away for the winter, and as I may well be leaving the country permanently > life >>> is just too busy at the moment, and anyway I think I've done my bit. >>> >> >> don >> On 1 December 2008 HortResearch merged with Crop & Food Research to create The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited. "The contents of this email are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disseminate, distribute or reproduce all or any part of this email or attachments. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete all material pertaining to this e-mail. Any opinion or views expressed in this email are those of the individual sender and may not represent those of The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited."
Re: Distro for a single use machine
Just remember, brand ex-lease machines may be had for low hundreds. Sometimes its just not worth your time. I used to do a lot with ex-lease through old work, but far less now. However I still have an account. If anyone wants to band together for a bulk purchase please email crig...@criggie.dyndns.org off list. Christopher Sawtell wrote, On 26/01/09 15:20: On Monday 26 January 2009 15:09:21 Payne, Owen wrote: Yes but on a machine that old, compiling a gentoo install even with a minimal package installation will take the best part of 2 or 3 days. You didn't read the totallity of my posting!!! Safer bet is something like puppy or dsl or one of the others that abound. -Original Message- From: Christopher Sawtell [mailto:csawt...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 2:55 pm To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz Subject: Re: Distro for a single use machine On Monday 26 January 2009 11:37:12 Payne, Owen wrote: You could try a cutdown version or spin yourself a distro with only the things that you need on it -Original Message- From: Linux on Back2Go [mailto:li...@back2go.co.nz] Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 am To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz Subject: Distro for a single use machine Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use machine. I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is best. How much Disc and RAM have you got available? These days Linux needs a bit more RAM than was usual on 10 year old machines, but it will run very happily off an eight Gig disk. Consider Damn Small Linux, or Puppy Linux, or indeed spinning your own. If the latter, I'd think about starting from one of the Gentoo stages. Before anybody jumps down my throat, remember that there are Gentoo binary packages for most of the system, and as he only wants two apps., they can be installed directly off a cd, or a binary repository. Consider AbiWord for the word processor. -- Craig Falconer
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:09 PM, Payne, Owen wrote: > Yes but on a machine that old, compiling a gentoo install even with a > minimal package installation will take the best part of 2 or 3 days. > Safer bet is something like puppy or dsl or one of the others that > abound. why would you compile it on the target machine (even if you didn't use the binary packages chris referred to).
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Monday 26 January 2009 15:09:21 Payne, Owen wrote: > Yes but on a machine that old, compiling a gentoo install even with a > minimal package installation will take the best part of 2 or 3 days. You didn't read the totallity of my posting!!! > Safer bet is something like puppy or dsl or one of the others that > abound. > > -Original Message- > From: Christopher Sawtell [mailto:csawt...@gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 2:55 pm > To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz > Subject: Re: Distro for a single use machine > > On Monday 26 January 2009 11:37:12 Payne, Owen wrote: > > You could try a cutdown version or spin yourself a distro with only > > the things that you need on it > > > > -Original Message- > > From: Linux on Back2Go [mailto:li...@back2go.co.nz] > > Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 am > > To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz > > Subject: Distro for a single use machine > > > > Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single > > use machine. > > I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, > > most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS > > and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, > > mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS > > things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be > > in Chch next few > > > days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is > > best. > > How much Disc and RAM have you got available? > > These days Linux needs a bit more RAM than was usual on 10 year old > machines, but it will run very happily off an eight Gig disk. > > > Consider Damn Small Linux, or Puppy Linux, or indeed spinning your own. > > If the latter, I'd think about starting from one of the Gentoo stages. > Before anybody jumps down my throat, remember that there are Gentoo > binary > packages for most of the system, and as he only wants two apps., they > can be > installed directly off a cd, or a binary repository. > > Consider AbiWord for the word processor. -- With Sincerity, Christopher Sawtell
RE: Distro for a single use machine
Yes but on a machine that old, compiling a gentoo install even with a minimal package installation will take the best part of 2 or 3 days. Safer bet is something like puppy or dsl or one of the others that abound. -Original Message- From: Christopher Sawtell [mailto:csawt...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 2:55 pm To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz Subject: Re: Distro for a single use machine On Monday 26 January 2009 11:37:12 Payne, Owen wrote: > You could try a cutdown version or spin yourself a distro with only > the things that you need on it > > -Original Message- > From: Linux on Back2Go [mailto:li...@back2go.co.nz] > Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 am > To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz > Subject: Distro for a single use machine > > Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single > use machine. > I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, > most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS > and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, > mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS > things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few > days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is > best. How much Disc and RAM have you got available? These days Linux needs a bit more RAM than was usual on 10 year old machines, but it will run very happily off an eight Gig disk. Consider Damn Small Linux, or Puppy Linux, or indeed spinning your own. If the latter, I'd think about starting from one of the Gentoo stages. Before anybody jumps down my throat, remember that there are Gentoo binary packages for most of the system, and as he only wants two apps., they can be installed directly off a cd, or a binary repository. Consider AbiWord for the word processor. -- With Sincerity, Christopher Sawtell ** This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. The views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch City Council. If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the sender and delete. Christchurch City Council http://www.ccc.govt.nz **
Re: Distro for a single use machine
Have you checked out puppy linux? works great on a usb stick and older hardware? Regards Michael Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use machine. I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is best
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Monday 26 January 2009 11:37:12 Payne, Owen wrote: > You could try a cutdown version or spin yourself a distro with only the > things that you need on it > > -Original Message- > From: Linux on Back2Go [mailto:li...@back2go.co.nz] > Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 am > To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz > Subject: Distro for a single use machine > > Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use > machine. > I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most > bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe > a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and > monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, > Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few > days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is > best. How much Disc and RAM have you got available? These days Linux needs a bit more RAM than was usual on 10 year old machines, but it will run very happily off an eight Gig disk. Consider Damn Small Linux, or Puppy Linux, or indeed spinning your own. If the latter, I'd think about starting from one of the Gentoo stages. Before anybody jumps down my throat, remember that there are Gentoo binary packages for most of the system, and as he only wants two apps., they can be installed directly off a cd, or a binary repository. Consider AbiWord for the word processor. -- With Sincerity, Christopher Sawtell
Re: Acer Aspire One
Ok, handy. I hadn't found the biffsocko page, but it is specific to the HD version. The other ones concern the SSD version. If Ubuntu works then pretty much any derivative will (Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Mepis, ad nauseum). Unfortunately, IMHO the Asus keyboard sucks rocks, and so does the touchpad. The Acer has a better keyboard and a Synaptics touchpad, so that's all good. Thanks, Andrew On Mon, January 26, 2009 14:27, Craig Falconer wrote: > Andrew Errington wrote, On 26/01/09 13:53: > >> I'm buying one these, with a 160Gb hard drive and Windows XP. Anyone >> else bought one (either 120Gb HD or 160Gb HD) and put Linux on it (which >> is what I want to do)? What distro, what caveats? How did it work out? >> > > I'd buy the asus over the acer myself. > > > http://manurevah.com/blah/en/linux/kubuntu-aspire-one.php > http://www.biffsocko.com/linux_on_laptops/acer_aspire_one.html > http://wiki.debian.org/DebianAcerOne > ...says el-goog. > > > -- > Craig Falconer > > >
Re: Acer Aspire One
Andrew Errington wrote, On 26/01/09 13:53: I'm buying one these, with a 160Gb hard drive and Windows XP. Anyone else bought one (either 120Gb HD or 160Gb HD) and put Linux on it (which is what I want to do)? What distro, what caveats? How did it work out? I'd buy the asus over the acer myself. http://manurevah.com/blah/en/linux/kubuntu-aspire-one.php http://www.biffsocko.com/linux_on_laptops/acer_aspire_one.html http://wiki.debian.org/DebianAcerOne ...says el-goog. -- Craig Falconer
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 1:15 PM, Andrew Sands wrote: >> try xubunru > > or even xubuntu?? > yeah sorry
Acer Aspire One
Hi all, I'm buying one these, with a 160Gb hard drive and Windows XP. Anyone else bought one (either 120Gb HD or 160Gb HD) and put Linux on it (which is what I want to do)? What distro, what caveats? How did it work out? Thanks, Andrew
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:56:31 Nick Rout wrote: > On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 11:35 AM, Linux on Back2Go wrote: > > Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use > > machine. > > I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most > > bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe > > a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and > > monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, > > Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few > > days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is > > best > > try xubunru or even xubuntu??
linux.conf.au in Wellington
It is official. The next LCA (linux.conf.au), the biggest and best FOSS conference around, will be held in Wellington. More here: http://www.penguinsvisiting.org.nz/ http://nzoss.org.nz/news/2009/lca-2010-coming-to-wellington
Re: Distro for a single use machine
On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 11:35 AM, Linux on Back2Go wrote: > Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use > machine. > I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most > bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe a > very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and monitor. > So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, > Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few days > too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is best > try xubunru
Re: Promotional event for the average person
On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:25:15 Jeff Mitchell wrote: > I read the Software Freedom Day sites, but I don't think it has received > enough mainstream coverage. We should have TVNZ, Tv3 and RadioNZ there, > along with an MP or two. Linux has plenty of success at the moment, but > it would be nice to have even more. Do you mean something like the following, or slightly lower key YouTube - Linus Torvalds shaves Bdale at LCA 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYt4i4OU_yc&feature=PlayList&p=68B877941F9D2385&index=0 regards, Andrew
RE: Distro for a single use machine
You could try a cutdown version or spin yourself a distro with only the things that you need on it -Original Message- From: Linux on Back2Go [mailto:li...@back2go.co.nz] Sent: Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 am To: linux-users@it.canterbury.ac.nz Subject: Distro for a single use machine Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use machine. I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is best ** This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. The views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch City Council. If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the sender and delete. Christchurch City Council http://www.ccc.govt.nz **
Re: Feb meeting...
On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:32:23 David Lowe wrote: > > Just a suggestion... are we thinking too hard about this? Maybe we just > drop down to having a monthly social gathering. Just put the kettle on, put > in a few bucks for biccys and stand around and chat. Go home after an hour > if thats what you want to do. Maybe someone would even bring a few beers > along (and yes I'm sure the fun police will restrict that!). > I'd have to agree with David that a more informal style of meeting is required even if it was only to swap between a drinking establishment and the Community Centre venue on a bi-monthly basis. This really needs to be part of the discussion topic for the Feb meeting. Given the following.. - Inserted Message - -> SNIP <- Hi all, It's been to the West Island and to the South Island, now linux.conf.au is coming to the North Island! We're looking forward to hosting linux.conf.au next year, and invite you all to follow the signs and visit Wellington! Our website is http://www.penguinsvisiting.org.nz . I've also put a link to the video I tried to play at the announcement on our planet, at http://planet.penguinsvisiting.org.nz (or come to the Open Day and watch it there!). Cheers, and see you all next year! Andrew Ruthven Director - LCA2010 - End Of Inserted Message - If it is not possible to retain regular meat-space gatherings then I think the local linux community will be the worse for it. IMHO. Andrew
Distro for a single use machine
Hi I was wondering if any recommendations for a Distro for a single use machine. I have an slimline IBM that was running 98 something on a network, most bullet proof thing we ever had. I was wanting it to run GRAMPS and maybe a very thin wordprocessor and nothing else but a keyboard, mouse and monitor. So I can hand it around the family to do GRAMPS things with it, Any suggestions, where to find Distro etc, I will be in Chch next few days too if that helps, cheers Kevin also on 0272497326 but text is best
Re: ubuntu wireless with aes
thanks for your comments. it's just a fairly typical situation, with people in the vicinity with wireless laptops and a desire to take reasonable precautions either at work or home. and a few laptops that can legitimately connect. this is just one layer of the defence, i'm not particularly paranoid nor do i lose sleep over it, i'm happy that there is sufficient protection. it is more that i noted that i wasn't able to create a connection with aes rather than a desire or requirement to. and since there have been no responses saying how to do so, i'll take it all to signal it's time to move on to the next thing! Cheers, Roger Jim Cheetham wrote: On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 10:01 AM, Roger Searle wrote: Comments on TKIP+AES vs TKIP vs AES alone would also be welcome, since perhaps TKIP+AES is generally very adequate, being more than TKIP alone? What are you protecting against? What devices are you going to connect to the network? The smaller devices that want to connect to wireless networks (I'm thinking of phones and games consoles) can't always do all of the fancy encryption. So make sure that you know what they're going to support before getting carried away. All encryption mechanisms are vulnerable to different attacks, the ones that are "safe" now will be crackable in a few months time. And as a general rule, firmware can't be upgraded quickly enough to react. So if you really want to be secure, you should not trust the wireless encryption alone. If all you have is larger devices (i.e. Linux, OS X or Windows machines) then you can downgrade the security state of the network itself, possibly even leaving it open (which makes it easy for friends to use their kit at your place). Run a VPN (IPSec is also supported in some smaller devices, like iPhones) from each machine back to a server, and tell your firewall to block or rate-limit anything that isn't VPNd. There is also another guideline -- which is to not become too paranoid. In general, there are so few people out there who really want to leech bandwidth, and so many open networks, that even WEP is effective at convincing them to leave you alone. But WEP is trivially crackable, so any WPA2 at this stage should be enough to raise the bar enough to make them move on. You can't make a 'perfect' network, so don't worry about it too much :-) -jim