Git-Url: http://git.frugalware.org/gitweb/gitweb.cgi?p=homepage-ng.git;a=commitdiff;h=4ccbb1744e2ddcbfef17457d52bfa7a1a86c2d94
commit 4ccbb1744e2ddcbfef17457d52bfa7a1a86c2d94 Author: Russell Dickenson (phayz) <[email protected]> Date: Mon Apr 6 22:27:25 2009 +1000 Newsletter issue 42 new file: images/interviews/vmiklos_house2.jpg new file: weeklynews/issue42.html modified: xml/news.xml diff --git a/frugalware/images/interviews/vmiklos_house2.jpg b/frugalware/images/interviews/vmiklos_house2.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e198ec Binary files /dev/null and b/frugalware/images/interviews/vmiklos_house2.jpg differ diff --git a/frugalware/weeklynews/issue42.html b/frugalware/weeklynews/issue42.html new file mode 100755 index 0000000..6f422b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/frugalware/weeklynews/issue42.html @@ -0,0 +1,400 @@ +<p><h2>Frugalware Linux Newsletter - Issue 42</h2></p> + +<p><h2>...to inform...to educate...to entertain</h2></p> + +<p>There are 10 types of people in the world - those who understand binary and +those who don't. - <em>A geek</em></p> + + +<h2>Welcome</h2> + +<p>The newsletter's aim is to keep you up to date with what's happened recently +in the world of the Linux distribution 'Frugalware'.</p> + +<p>Features of this issue include: + <ul> + <li>To infinity...and beyond</li> + <li>Will the <em>real</em> Cedric(k) please stand up?</li> + <li>Frugalware's developers are people too - VMiklos</li> + <li>Tips and tricks - Unlucky in love?</li> + <li>Focus On Package(s) - lsof</li> + </ul> +</p> + + +<h2>Events</h2> + +<p>Here's a selection of events which have occurred since the previous +newsletter:</p> + +<ul> + <li> + <h3>To infinity...and beyond</h3> + <p>26 March 2009, VMiklos announced the codename for the next Frugalware + release - 1.1 - "Getorin". It's exciting to try and guess what might + be included in the next release.</p> + </li> + <li> + <h3>Will the <em>real</em> Cedric(k) please stand up?</h3> + <p>In an event that was sure to happen at some point, we have a + developer and contributor with very similar first names - Cedrick + Hannier and Cédric Archambeau. The following options have been proposed + to avoid any confusion between the two Cedric(k)s:</p> + <ul> + <li>Each Cedric(k) could wear a name tag, with their full name clearly + marked. Of course someone has already pointed out that this is a stupid + option because unless you live in France, they'd be so far away that you + couldn't read the name tag;</li> + <li>One of the Cedric(k)s could change their name. This is perhaps the + simplest option, but neither Cedric(k) seems to like the idea;</li> + <li>Each developer or contributor could be assigned a unique, + sequential number. This has already been discussed amongst the + development team, but no-one could agree on if the numbering should + start from 0 or 1.</li> + </ul> + <p>I hope we can come up with a solution by the next newsletter.</p> + </li> + <li> + <h3>Gnome 2.26</h3> + <p>On 25 March 2009, Bouleetbil made available - via the 'current' + repo packages for Gnome 2.26. Thanks to him for his hard work. Gnome + consists of a lot of packages and it's a difficult and time consuming + job to get it all done.</p> + </li> +</ul> + + +<h2>Updates</h2> + +<p>Here is a selection of packages which have been updated since the previous +newsletter:</p> + +<table border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 width=80%> +<tr> + <th width=10%>Package</th> + <th width=50%>Description</th> + <th width=10%>Upgrade Version</th> + <th width=50%>Comments</th> + +</tr> +<tr> + <td>dokuwiki</td> + <td>DokuWiki wiki</td> + <td>2009_02_14-1</td> + <td>New package</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>firefox</td> + <td>Firefox web browser</td> + <td>3.0.8-1</td> + <td>Version bump</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>gnome-do</td> + <td>A powerful, remote control for GNOME</td> + <td>0.8.1-1</td> + <td>Version bump</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>gtg</td> + <td>Getting Things Gnome, simple personal organizer</td> + <td>0.1-1</td> + <td>New package</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>gfpm</td> + <td>Graphical Frugalware package manager</td> + <td>1.2.2-1</td> + <td>Version bump</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>vala</td> + <td>Vala is a prgramming language that aims to bring modern programming + language features to GNOME developers</td> + <td>0.6.0-1</td> + <td>Version bump</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>firefox-autohide</td> + <td>Gives you total control over your fullscreen mode.</td> + <td>1.5.0-1</td> + <td>Version bump</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>gtk+2-engines-murrine</td> + <td>Murrine is a fast and modern looking GTK+2 engine.</td> + <td>0.90.0-1</td> + <td>Version bump. Use Finclude gnome as murrine is now a gnome project. + Removed outdated theme(s).</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<h2>Frugalware's developers are people too - VMiklos</h2> + +<p>In this issue we have a very special interview with VMiklos, the founder of +Frugalware Linux. I thought it would be interesting to have him look back on +the past 5 years and to the future.</p> + +<dl> + <dt><strong>What were your goals when you started the Frugalware project? + </strong></dt> + <dd><p>I had to search back, I could only remember that there were + three goals. Here they are:</p></dd> + <ul> + <li>A fast package manager, written in C (versus Slackware's + pkgtool which was slow and was written in bash);</li> + <li>I18n support (Slackware's setup was not localised);</li> + <li>Smooth upgrades between stable releases (at that time there + was no slapt-get and upgrades were a PITA);</li> + </ul></dd> +<br> + <dt><strong>Do you think you've achieved any of these goals?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>Sure:</p> + <ul> + <li>The original problem with slow package removals were never the + case with pacman;</li> + <li>I18n support is everywhere, we have 10 localised projects on + Pootle;</li> + <li>We recently introduced upgrade HOWTO, so the change between + stable versions is pretty smooth. Actually it must be, since most + of the devs administer multiple Frugalware machines. :)</li></dd> + </ul> +<br> + <dt><strong>Have your goals changed and if so, how?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>We always reach goals and accordingly set new ones. I remember + a fast installer was a goal before 0.3, a tool like repoman (to make + installing blobs like opera or skype easy) was something users wanted, + the automatic package builder was a collection of scripts we really + loved when it was introduced, etc. I remember the first time the + installer supported the WPA encryption via wireless and we were quite + happy. :)</p> + + <p>Anyway we have implicitly reached some goals, like trying to be + nice to users, respecting users' decisions, having a fully documented + and as-open-as-possible infrastructure, and this seems to be unchanged + during several releases. (Yes, I stole this list from LGee, as he + collected this stuff floating around. :) )</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>Do you plan a career in IT and if so, do you think your work on + Frugalware will help you?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>I already work part-time and have already solved many problems + at work which would not have been possible without Frugalware. Random + example: we have used Git and Pootle for a long time and when we wanted + to give it a try at work, I was able to help with that, since I already + know them quite well.</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>In what areas would you like to see Frugalware improved? + </strong></dt> + <dd><p>On the one hand, Frugalware is already in the shape I think an + ideal distribution should look be, so I don't think we will radically + change anything in the near future.</p> + + <p>On the other hand, we have many smaller targets, for example smaller + packages (lzma support), better error handling in the installer, etc.</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>Do you have all the support you would like, or do you want + more developers and contributors?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>Currently I maintain 670 packages. This is way too much. I + think in an ideal world a developer should maintain about 100-200 + packages. So more developers would be nice, though I think we're moving + in that direction, we got 4 new developers in 2008, and we already + have two new developers this year as well.</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>Can you give a summary of your experience over the past 5 years? + </strong></dt> + + <dd><p>Lots of funny and instructive stories. :) Other than that, + running The Perfect distro on my boxes really makes me pleased (and I + do not mean bug-free, there are bugs, but all the concepts are the way + I like it), and I have met numerous great developers and users here. + </p></dd> + + <dt><strong>Do you see Frugalware having a long life?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>I really don't see what could stop us. :) Also a few of us + (devels) are more-or-less paid to work on Frugalware (maintain + installed systems) and so we have the ability to use it in a + production environment which is yet another reason not to stop + development.</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>Do you think Frugalware would continue if you left the project? + </strong></dt> + + <dd><p>Frugalware is my pet, and during the past 5 years, I got a lot + of practice in doing project leadership stuff (resolving personal + conflicts, release-engineering, etc.), so in case somebody else would + want to do it, it would take a while to hand him everything over. But + ideally everything is documented and I think it's possible that one + day we meet somebody who has more time or better skills than me, and + I won't hesitate to step back in that case. I'm already proud of what + we have achieved with this great team.</p></dd> + + <dt><strong>What's the view from your front door?</strong></dt> + + <dd><p>I'm sure I provided a photo of the view from my front door in + issue 16. Since the view changes from season to season though, here's + the current view. <img src="vmiklos_house2.jpg" alt="View from VMiklos + front door"/></p></dd> +</dl> + + +<h2>Getting To Know You</h2> + +<p>In this section of the newsletter, we get to know Frugalware Linux a little +at a time. This is not meant to replace the official documentation but instead +make it easier to read. This should suit those those people who, like me, have +short attention spans. :)</p> + +<h3>What's going on?</h3> + +<p>One of the best ways of finding out what's happening with Frugalware is to +subscribe to one or more of the mailing lists. Here you can read the +discussions behind the various decisions that are made regarding Frugalware. +There's also a mailing list which announces the security fixes as they are +released. Review the mailing lists available +<a href="http://frugalware.org/mailman/listinfo";>here</a> and subscribe to +those that interest you.</p> + + +<h2>Tips and tricks</h2> + +<p><b>Disclaimer</b> - Be aware that the hints & tips provided here have NOT +been tested and so come with no warranty.</p> + +<ul> + <li> + <h3>Free Linux Magazine</h3> + + <p><a href="http://www.linux-magazine.com";>Linux Magazine</a> is available for + free in PDF format. Parts of each issue are available a few weeks + after the issue was available in printed form, and the remaining + articles are added until the complete issue is available, usually 4 + months after it was available in printed form. Linux Magazine is an + excellent magazine which covers a broad range of Linux-related topics + and has articles which suit people from newbie to experienced Linux + users.</p> + </li> + <li> + <h3>Unlucky in love?</h3> + <p>If you find that you're unlucky in love, it just might be you that's + the problem. Some people aren't attracted to geeks but don't worry, + because here's <strong>one</strong> way to improve your chances of + finding "true love". Find people that are much geekier than you and, + when the person to whom you're attracted sees you with them, you'll + actually appear normal and so more attractive! The key to success is + finding the right people. The type of people that you need to look + for:</p> + <ul> + <li>Use vi, Emacs or - even better - <strong>both</strong>;</li> + <li>Wear a binary watch and are proud to do so;</li> + <li>Calculate their age according to the Unix epoch.</li> + </ul> + <p>You don't have to actually like these people; it's good enough to + pretend. At the right moment, provoke a discussion about which is the + best editor - vi or Emacs. You must appear utterly confused, or this + technique will fail. Remember that you must <strong>NOT</strong> + contribute to the discussion.</p> + <p>Good luck and "May the Force be with you".</p> + </li> +</ul> + +<p>This section relies on your contributions! If have some tips and tricks that +you would like to be shown in the newsletter, <em>please</em> post them on the +forums.</p> + + +<h2>Focus On Package(s)</h2> + +<h3>lsof</h3> + +<p>"Lsof is a Unix-specific diagnostic tool. Its name stands for LiSt Open Files, +and it does just that. It lists information about any files that are open by +processes currently running on the system. It can also list communications open +by each process."</p> + +<p>lsof is more useful than you might first think because, in UNIX, everything +is a file. It's extremely useful, for example, when you know some process has a +file open but it's not obvious just which process has it open. For some great +examples of what it can be used for, refer to +<a href="http://dmiessler.com/study/lsof/";>this page</a>. +</p> + + +<h2>Bug fixes</h2> + +<p>The following table gives you a overview of activity on bugs and feature +requests as at 6 April 2009. In each cell of the table is a link to a detailed +list of the relevant bugs or feature requests.</p> + +<table border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0> +<tr> + <th>Activity</th> + <th>Bugs</th> + <th>Feature<br>Requests</th> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Open</td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type[]=1&sev[]=&pri[]=&due[]=&reported[]=&cat[]=&status[]=open&percent[]=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index";>211</a></td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type[]=2&sev[]=&pri[]=&due[]=&reported[]=&cat[]=&status[]=open&percent[]=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index";>223</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Opened since the last newsletter</td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type[]=1&sev[]=&pri[]=&due[]=&reported[]=&cat[]=&status[]=open&percent[]=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=2009-03-23&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index";>18</a></td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type[]=2&sev[]=&pri[]=&due[]=&reported[]=&cat[]=&status[]=open&percent[]=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=2009-03-23&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index";>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Closed since the previous newsletter</td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type%5B%5D=1&sev%5B%5D=&pri%5B%5D=&due%5B%5D=&reported%5B%5D=&cat%5B%5D=&status%5B%5D=closed&percent%5B%5D=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=&openedto=&closedfrom=2009-03-23&closedto=&do=index";>12</a></td> + <td><a href="http://bugs.frugalware.org/index.php?string=&project=1&type%5B%5D=2&sev%5B%5D=&pri%5B%5D=&due%5B%5D=&reported%5B%5D=&cat%5B%5D=&status%5B%5D=closed&percent%5B%5D=&opened=&dev=&closed=&duedatefrom=&duedateto=&changedfrom=&changedto=&openedfrom=&openedto=&closedfrom=2009-03-23&closedto=&do=index";>0</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<h2>Security announcements</h2> + +<p><b>Remember</b> - According to the normal support arrangements for +Frugalware, the release of 1.0 ("Anacreon") means that no further security or bug +fixes will be released for Frugalware 0.9 ("Solaria") or earlier releases.</p> + +<p>Here is a list of <a href="/security">security issues</a> which have been +discovered and fixed in the 1.0 release since the previous newsletter.</p> + +<table border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0><tr></tr><th>FSA</th><th>Package</th> + <th>FSA Description</th><th>Upgrade To</th></tr> +<tr><td>FSA589</td><td>drupal6-cck</td><td>A security issue has been reported +in the CCK Field Privacy module for Drupal, which can be exploited by malicious +people to bypass certain security restrictions</td> +<td>drupal6-cck-6.x_2.2-1anacreon1</td></tr> +</table> + + +<h2>About the newsletter</h2> + +<h3>Author</h3> +<p>The Frugalware newsletter is written and edited by Russell Dickenson (AKA +phayz). Credit for the Frugalware distribution goes to the development team.</p> + +<h3>Translations</h3> +<p>The newsletter is currently translated into French and Danish. The <a +href="http://frugalware-fr.tuxfamily.org/forums/index.php?board=34.0";>French +translation</a> is provided by the French Frugalware community. The <a +href="http://frugalware.dk/?cat=5";>Danish translation</a> is provided by the +Danish Frugalware community. Thanks to all those involved in providing and +hosting these translations.</p> + +<h3>Release</h3> +<p>To allow time for review and corrections, each newsletter is written ahead of +its release date. Therefore it may not mention events which occurred in the few +days before its release - e.g. security fixes. To be sure that you've got the +very latest information on these topics, go to the appropriate page of the +Frugalware web site.</p> + +<h3>Feedback</h3> +<p>If you have feedback about the Frugalware newsletter - whether good or bad - +please provide it via the forums. Your feedback is valuable because we want the +newsletter to meet the needs of Frugalware's users.</p> diff --git a/frugalware/xml/news.xml b/frugalware/xml/news.xml index c7069d6..d975437 100644 --- a/frugalware/xml/news.xml +++ b/frugalware/xml/news.xml @@ -22,6 +22,26 @@ Example: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:34:56 -0600 --> <news> <post> + <id>132</id> + <title>Frugalware Newsletter Issue 42</title> + <date>Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:12:36 +1000</date> + <author>phayz</author> + <hidden>0</hidden> + <content><![CDATA[ + The newsletter's aim is to keep you up to date with what's happened recently in the world of Frugalware.<br /> + Features of this issue include: + <ul> + <li>To infinity...and beyond</li> + <li>Will the <em>real</em> Cedric(k) please stand up?</li> + <li>Frugalware's developers are people too - VMiklos</li> + <li>Tips and tricks - Unlucky in love?</li> + <li>Focus On Package(s) - lsof</li> + </ul> + You can read it <a href="/newsletter/42">here</a>. We hope you like it! + ]]> + </content> + </post> + <post> <id>131</id> <title>Solaria: End of life</title> <date>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:36:55 +0100</date>
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