Git-Url: http://git.frugalware.org/gitweb/gitweb.cgi?p=homepage-ng.git;a=commitdiff;h=a6d445fdddfbcf22add672e279eaba901ad83f6e
commit a6d445fdddfbcf22add672e279eaba901ad83f6e Author: phayz <ph...@frugalware.org> Date: Sun Jul 25 22:28:17 2010 +1000 Newsletter issue 67 * initial release modified: ../xml/news.xml diff --git a/frugalware/weeklynews/issue67.html b/frugalware/weeklynews/issue67.html new file mode 100755 index 0000000..5650c3c --- /dev/null +++ b/frugalware/weeklynews/issue67.html @@ -0,0 +1,602 @@ + <h2>Frugalware Linux Newsletter - Issue 67</h2> + + <h2>...to inform...to educate...to entertain</h2> + + <p>"Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in + your life." Harvey Mackay </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:</p> + + <ul> + <li>Default wallpaper for Frugalware 1.3</li> + + <li>Frugalware exam #2 - <strong>Answers</strong></li> + + <li>FLOSS developers are people too - Daniel G Taylor</li> + + <li>Tips and tricks - "What are a package's compile-time options?" Just ask + git!</li> + </ul> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/event.png" align= + "left">Events etc</h2> + + <p>Here's a selection of recent events and other items that you might find + interesting:</p> + + <h3>Turkish translations are in progress</h3> + + <p>Frugalware user Tutku has been very busy recently, translating many of + Frugalware's projects, including the installer, Fwife and Gfpm. The speed at + which he has been working is simply amazing. It seemed that he requested + access to <a href="http://pootle.frugalware.org/">Pootle</a> one day and the + very next day was announcing that he had finished! This is not Tutku's first + translation work for Frugalware. In fact he's been providing Turkish + translations for about one year. Many thanks to Tutku because his work makes + Frugalware accessible to more people and that's good for everyone.</p> + + <h3>Default wallpaper for Frugalware 1.3</h3> + + <p>The default wallpaper for Frugalware 1.3 has been chosen and the winner + was...Webeagle! Congratulations to him because it looks simply amazing. For + this release we had the most number of entries ever received - 22 - so + thankyou to everyone who submitted an entry. We <strong>really</strong> + appreciate all your hard work. The frugalware-backgrounds-extra package has + been updated so if you install it you can see every wallpaper ever submitted + as an official wallpaper.</p> + + <h3>Wanted! New homes for packages</h3> + + <p>Every Frugalware has a maintainer, someone who is responsible for keeping + the package up to date and fixing any bugs which are reported. Sometimes + people can no longer maintain their packages, either temporarily or + permanently and so others need to take them on. Developer Devil505 recently + produced a list of packages which need new maintainers and the developers are + currently working through the list. I'm not sure what happens if we get near + the end of the list and only ugly ones are left. We might have to run a + lottery. Maybe we could wait for a new developer and give them a "To Do" list + on their first day? :P</p> + + <h3>Frugalware - The Game!</h3> + + <p>Computer games, whether played on consoles or PCs, are very popular in + modern society. What if just a small fraction of the many millions of people + who play games were introduced to what it's like to be a Frugalware + developer? The future of Frugalware would be guaranteed, and that's the + reason behind the development of "Frugalware - The Game!" In the style of + "Little Big Planet", players will progress through the game if they can + successfully package applications. They will have to search for and find the + various dependencies, then submit their FrugalBuild to the buildbot. If they + have been successful, they may gain points, which could allow them to advance + to the next level. Bugs will be represented by real bugs and players will + have to squash them as quickly as they can. If there are too many bugs they + may attack the player, harming their health or possibly killing them. Missing + dependencies or incorrect dependencies will also cost the player health + points. All packages created by a player in a level have to be maintained by + them until they advance to the next level. At each level the packages to be + maintained will become more difficult. I can't reveal what is waiting for the + player when they complete the game, but it's definitely a prize worth + winning!</p> + + <h3>Frugalware exam #2 - <strong>Answers</strong></h3> + + <p>Below are the answers to the Frugalware exam which featured in newsletter + issue 66. If you haven't yet taken the exam, please test yourself + <em>then</em> come back to this issue and check your answers. If you cheat + and look at the answers before taking the exam we'll send someone to your + house to steal the [Enter] keys from all your keyboards.</p> + + <ol> + <li>What is the version number of Frugalware's latest stable release? + + <ul> + <li>1.2</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>What is the link between Carl Andersen (Frugalware's Danish translator) + and Jerry Seinfeld? + + <ul> + <li>Bees</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>On which of the following architectures does Frugalware + <strong>not</strong> run? + + <ul> + <li>French neo-classical</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>The newsletter is released how often? + + <ul> + <li>Whenever its author has the time available</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>Which of the following applications can be used to install packages? + + <ul> + <li>pacman-g2</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>Each package is checked to see if a later version has been released how + often? + + <ul> + <li>Once a day</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>To be able to contribute to Frugalware you must be: + + <ul> + <li>Alive</li> + </ul> + </li> + + <li>Frugalware's default boot loader is: + + <ul> + <li>GRUB</li> + </ul> + </li> + </ol> + + <p>For each correct answer, you are awarded 1 point. Calculate your + Frugalware rating by adding all points and compare the total against the + following table.</p> + + <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> + <tr> + <th>Total Score</th> + + <th>Rating</th> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>8</td> + + <td>Have you considered joining the development team?</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>5-7</td> + + <td>Well done!</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>2-4</td> + + <td>Please read <strong>all</strong> newsletter issues again</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>0-1</td> + + <td>Have you heard of Ubuntu?</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/community.png" align= + "left">FLOSS developers are people too</h2> + + <p>Without developers, we wouldn't have the Linux kernel and all the software + that we run on the platform. What motivates FLOSS developers? Why does anyone + choose to spend their time writing software when they don't get paid to do + so? What do developers do when they're not writing software? These questions + and more are the inspiration behind this new section of the newsletter. Many + thanks to all the developers who have agreed to this interview.</p> + + <p>This issue, we have an interview with Daniel G. Taylor, developer of + Arista Transcoder (amongst many other things, as you'll read).</p> + + <dl> + <dt><strong>What FLOSS projects are you involved in?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I am or have been involved with Gentoo's Portage package management + system, the Gentoo Porthole GUI, Imendio's Gossip instant messenger and + BLAM! feed reader, Novell's compiz, GNOME-MUD, FFmpeg, GStreamer, Arista + Transcoder, the most-used Paypal integration module for Django, the + Braintree python library, the Common Component Architecture used in U.S. + Department of Energy research laboratories, Simple Stats for tracking + video engagement statistics on the web, an IBM 650 emulator, a keyboard + and mouse status monitor used in many screencast tutorials, and many more + on my website, github, etc.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What led to you being a FLOSS + developer/contributor?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I love to tinker. I started learning Visual Basic (boo, hiss) way back + when a friend sent me a how-to book and a CD with Microsoft Visual + Studio. I started to teach myself C. In school, I started taking C++ + classes. I started to follow Linux, GNOME, and the entire FLOSS movement + as a whole, and became obsessed with the idea of thousands of people + around the world working in their spare time doing what they love to + create something amazing, rivaling products created by industry-leading + corporations.</p> + + <p>I started to hang out on IRC and mailing lists, and taught myself PHP, + Python, and eventually Ruby. It wasn't until much later that I was a very + good C coder. At the university I attended I studied theoretical computer + science and psychology, and most of my professors allowed me to do my + school work whichever language I choose. I chose Python, and started to + contribute to various projects I could find with artwork, documentation, + and eventually small snippets of code or bug reports.</p> + + <p>After a while I decided to create my own first big project, and wound + up working with a few others to make a graphical Python application using + GTK+. It was my first introduction to working on a real team, code + revision systems, mailing lists, etc. Since then I haven't looked + back.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>Why did you create the Arista Transcoder?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I was trying to create a proof-of-concept for a user-friendly desktop + transcoder that people would actually want to use. The goal was to remove + all the complexity from media conversion, provide live feedback about + what is going on, and to do so without really knowing many of the + technologies I was about to make use of. I already knew Python and had + done some GTK+ work, so I learned DBus+HAL, GStreamer, gettext, + lower-level GDK stuff, how to build custom GTK+ widgets, eventually udev, + desktop notifications, and more. I did my best to design a useful user + interface, tried to polish it as best I could, and released it into the + wild. The response from people was amazing, and today Arista Transcoder + is featured on blogs, magazines, tweets, Youtube videos, and even in the + Ubuntu 10.04 software center.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What do you like about being a FLOSS + developer/contributor?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I feel like I'm helping to make the world a better place, while + enjoying what I do and broadening my knowledge on a number of subjects + and technologies. I regularly get contacted by users of my software + thanking me for doing what I do.</p> + + <p>Working with FLOSS has helped land me jobs, get me noticed, and has + helped me make many long-term friends in places of the world I'd never + imagine being. For example, last summer the GNOME Foundation sponsored me + to fly and stay in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands off the coast of + Africa and meet the core GStreamer developers. I also met many RedHat, + Intel, Collabora, Nokia, and other developers there, who are surprisingly + a lot like you or me.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What don't you like about being a FLOSS + developer/contributor?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>Honestly, you deal with a lot of assholes. People that make or + maintain projects tend to sometimes be ego-maniacal jerks, and I can see + where it comes from but it not only makes it hard for general people to + contribute, but also gives FLOSS a bad name (we've all heard the stories + of being told to RTFM n00b!)</p> + + <p>Other people think that they can boss you around and tell you what you + need to do with your free time for them. They are delusional about what + this is - me working on stuff I enjoy when I have time.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What advice would you give to others who were thinking about + becoming a FLOSS developer/contributor?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>Pick something you are interested in doing or learning, and do it! + Remember that the people that are rude to you don't represent us all, so + if you run into some of them just continue on.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What do you do outside the FLOSS world?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>My day job is working as a transcoding engineer for an Internet media + content management, conversion, deployment, and advertising company in + New York City. In my free time I travel all over the world, play electric + guitar, grow a garden, cook, read, and go out partying it up with + friends.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>What operating system(s) do you use and why?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I have been using only Linux since 2003 (and used it alongside Windows + before then). I started with Gentoo, then RedHat, and have used Ubuntu + since 2004. I currently use Ubuntu 10.04. It is fast, simple, popular, + easy to use, and just generally works so that I can work on the things I + like rather than fighting with my operating system.</p> + + <p>I also own a Macbook and it has Mac OS X on it, though I mainly run + Ubuntu on there as well. Mac OS X has influenced me to focus on simple, + usable desktop apps which was the main idea behind Arista Transcoder.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>If people are interested in helping your project(s), how might + they do this?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>Projects always need artwork/media presence, websites, translations, + help / documentation, and users seem to have a never-ending ability to + find even the smallest bugs that need to be fixed. Depending on where + your skills lie, pick something you like and get in touch with me!</p> + + <p>Don't worry if you don't know how to do much. We all have to start + somewhere, and I can promise to be understanding and will try to teach + anyone willing to learn what I know.</p> + </dd> + + <dt><strong>Your web site features your photography as well as your FLOSS + development. Do you think of yourself as an artist who is also a FLOSS + developer, or a FLOSS developer who is also an artist? Is there a link for + you between these two activities, or is it by chance that you do + both?</strong></dt> + + <dd> + <p>I consider myself a computer guy that dabbles in art. I have made icon + themes, window manager themes, 3d rendered animations, digital paintings, + and am into photography and digital editing / panorama creation. My love + of tinkering has made me want to try all sorts of things, so I do think + there is a link between the two. Art is after all building something, + just like creating a computer program from an idea in your head.</p> + </dd> + </dl> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/package.png" align= + "left">New Packages</h2> + + <p>Below are brief details of some of the packages which have been added + since the last newsletter issue.</p> + + <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> + <tr> + <th width="20%">Package's Name</th> + + <th width="50%">Description</th> + + <th width="20%">Maintainer</th> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>partclone-0.2.12</td> + + <td>File System Clone Utilities for ext2/3/4, reiserfs, hfs+, fat, ntfs + File System.</td> + + <td>exceed</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>totem-plugin-flux-0.3.1</td> + + <td>Totem plugin for streaming French Live radios/TV, audio & video + podcasts(Arte+7, Canal+) etc...</td> + + <td>Devil505</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>conkytext-5</td> + + <td>Provides text file based info, for use in Conky.</td> + + <td>Devil505</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>conkygooglereader-6</td> + + <td>Provides Google reader info, for use in Conky.</td> + + <td>Devil505</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>conkybanshee-8</td> + + <td>Provides Banshee info, for use in Conky.</td> + + <td>Devil505</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>kupfer-201</td> + + <td>Launcher application written in python. Similar to Gnome-Do / + Launchy</td> + + <td>Devil505</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/tip.png" align= + "left">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> + + <h3>"What are a package's compile-time options?" Just ask git!</h3> + + <p>If want to find out what configuration options were chosen for a specific + package, the gitweb interface provides easy access to this information. On + the Frugalware home page, select Download > Packages from the menu, and + search for the package by name. When the results of your search have been + returned, you can click on "View entry" beside the "git" label. This shows + you a list of all the files which are used to create the package. To check + compile-time configuration settings, you can simply click on the + <em>Frugalbuild</em> file which shows you all the settings for that specific + package.</p> + + <h3>Get a better-looking you in less than 10 minutes!</h3> + + <p><strong>Don't send any money!</strong> You might not believe it, but it's + true! You really <em>can</em> look more handsome or beautiful in just 10 + minutes. jKiwi is an application which allows you to change the way your head + looks by applying virtual hairstyles and makeup. Perhaps you don't see how + this can help in the real world? Follow these simple steps to a new you!</p> + + <ol> + <li>Take a photo of your head;</li> + + <li>Copy this to your PC and start jKiwi;</li> + + <li>Apply new hairstyles and maybe a little makeup until the image looks as + you want to look;</li> + + <li>Save the image and print it out on a colour printer;</li> + + <li>Stick this to a piece of light cardboard;</li> + + <li>Cut around the edge of the image, being careful not to cut off your + hair or any other important feature;</li> + + <li>Poke small holes where your pupils are on the mask;</li> + + <li>Poke two small holes in the mask near the edge of your ears;</li> + + <li>Tie some elastic through one hole, put the mask on, measuring just + where the other hole needs to be tied, and tie it.</li> + </ol> + + <p>Wear the mask any time you want to look better. So go on...get out there + and enjoy the new you!</p> + + <p>This section relies on your contributions! If you 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><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/package.png" align= + "left">Focus On Package(s)</h2> + + <h3>yad</h3> + + <p><a href="http://code.google.com/p/yad/">yad</a> is a fork of Zenity, the + utility which allows you to use GUI controls in scripts, either for input or + output. According to its home page Zenity was forked because development had + stopped, but people wanted more features, also to remove dependencies on + deprecated libraries. If you currently use Zenity in scripts, consider using + yad instead, because it now offers more features.</p> + + <h3>jKiwi</h3> + + <p><a href="http://jkiwi.com">jKiwi</a> is an application which allows you to + change the appearance of your head by applying virtual makeup and a new + hairstyle. It's a great idea, because if you're thinking of changing your + appearance, at least you can try it out first before going ahead with it in + real life. If there's one thing the world needs, it's definitely better + looking geeks!</p> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/bug.png" align= + "left">Bug fixes</h2> + + <p>The following table gives you a overview of activity on bugs and feature + requests as at FIXME. 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"> + 189</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"> + 194</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Opened since the previous 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=2010-07-10&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index"> + 6</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=2010-07-10&openedto=&closedfrom=&closedto=&do=index"> + 2</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=2010-07-10&closedto=&do=index"> + 9</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=2010-07-10&closedto=&do=index"> + 0</a></td> + </tr> + </table> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/security.png" align= + "left">Security announcements</h2> + + <p><b>Remember</b> - According to the normal support arrangements for + Frugalware, the release of 1.2 ("Locris") means that no further security or + bug fixes will be released for Frugalware 1.1 ("Getorin") or earlier.</p> + + <p>Here is a list of <a href="/security">security issues</a> which have been + discovered and fixed in the 1.2 release since the previous newsletter.</p> + + <p><strong>NONE</strong></p> + + <h2><img src="http://frugalware.org/images/newsletter/newsletter.png" align= + "left">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 <a href= + "http://frugalware.fr">French</a> and <a href= + "http://frugalware.dk/?cat=5">Danish</a> by their respective communities as + soon as possible. Please be patient as it can take some time to translate + each issue. 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> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/frugalware/xml/news.xml b/frugalware/xml/news.xml index c6f3069..d7051e2 100644 --- a/frugalware/xml/news.xml +++ b/frugalware/xml/news.xml @@ -23,20 +23,21 @@ Example: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:34:56 -0600 --> <news> <post> <id>176</id> - <title>Frugalware 1.3 (Haven) default wallpaper voting is open</title> - <date>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:13:01 +1000</date> + <title>Frugalware Newsletter Issue 67</title> + <date>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:26:34 +1000</date> <author>phayz</author> <hidden>0</hidden> <content><![CDATA[ - Voting is open on Devil505's <a - href="http://frugalware.org/~devil505/blog/?p=1186">blog</a> for the default - Frugalware 1.3 (Haven) wallpaper. A total of 22 fantastic submissions - were received and it's now up to <strong>you</strong> to vote for your - favourite. The chosen wallpaper will not only be the default wallpaper - but also used as the basis for other themes, including GDM/KDM/SLiM - themes. Voting closes at midnight on 17 July 2010 (French local time), so - please do vote because it's a great opportunity to influence the look and - feel of Frugalware. + 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>Default wallpaper for Frugalware 1.3</li> + <li>Frugalware exam #2 - <strong>Answers</strong></li> + <li>FLOSS developers are people too - Daniel G Taylor</li> + <li>Tips and tricks - "What are a package's compile-time options?" Just ask git!</li> + </ul> + You can read it <a href="/newsletter/67">here</a>. We hope you enjoy reading it. ]]> </content> </post> @@ -57,9 +58,9 @@ Example: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:34:56 -0600 --> <li>Frugalware exam #2</li> </ul> You can read it <a href="/newsletter/66">here</a>. We hope you enjoy reading it. - ]]> - </content> - </post> + ]]> + </content> + </post> <post> <id>174</id> <title>Frugalware 1.3 (Haven) default wallpaper voting is open</title> _______________________________________________ Frugalware-git mailing list Frugalware-git@frugalware.org http://frugalware.org/mailman/listinfo/frugalware-git