Linux-Misc Digest #164, Volume #19 Wed, 24 Feb 99 15:13:15 EST
Contents:
Re: More bad news for NT (Craig Kelley)
Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?) (Theo de Raadt)
Re: changing shells (DaZZa)
Re: Multi-boot (Nicholas)
Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?) (John S. Dyson)
Re: Consumer Poll Says Microsoft Is Good For Consumers ("W. Kiernan")
Can someone recomend Intel computer with preinstalled Linux OS+ full accessories
(Expert)
Re: English/german translator for Linux ("J�rgen Exner")
scsi harddisk cache (Rene Windiks)
Re: Linux's or Netscape's Java Sounds - help? (Robert Lynch)
Re: loosing diskspace!! (Marko Brandes)
Re: Booting without a keyboard (Alex Yung)
Re: Ultra Linux on a SS20? (Frank Sweetser)
Re: IBM adds Linux (Philip Brown)
Re: Can someone recomend an ASCII text editor for X, not X-Emacs....
([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?) (John S. Dyson)
Re: Red Hat's sick sense of humor (support) (Bryan J. Maloney)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crossposted-To: alt.destroy.microsoft,comp.os.linux.advocacy,alt.linux
Subject: Re: More bad news for NT
From: Craig Kelley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 24 Feb 1999 10:05:41 -0700
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Eric Lee Green) writes:
> Frankly, I thought that was a very flattering article. Think about it.
> Linux with one processor disabled is faster than NT with both
> processors going on dynamic page generation. And frankly, that's the
> benchmark that matters most to me. I can just about saturate a T1 with
> our current web server on static page generation (our current web
> server is a Pentium 166 with 64mb of RAM and a 1gb IDE hard drive),
> but dynamic web generation is a different story.
Funny, that's *our* main server as well. A Pentium5/166 with 64MB of
RAM. It serves out web pages and is the logon/filesharing server for
about 80 machines with 300+ users. It also handles all of our email
(both SMTP *and* POP/IMAP). It runs RedHat 5.2 with a 2.0 kernel.
--
The wheel is turning but the hamster is dead.
Craig Kelley -- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.isu.edu/~kellcrai finger [EMAIL PROTECTED] for PGP block
------------------------------
Crossposted-To:
comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.advocacy,comp.unix.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?)
From: Theo de Raadt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 23 Feb 1999 17:17:06 -0700
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Richard Tobin) writes:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Theo de Raadt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>writes:
> >Free software -- making the corporate programmer's job easier
>
> I write free software, but why on earth should I want to spend my time
> making life easier for people who earn twice as much as me?
Because the corporate programmer often writes complete crap, and then
ships it.
If we give them more pieces of the puzzle, we might end up with more
reliable commercial software.
There are hundreds of variables which make me believe that the above
is worth-while.
--
This space not left unintentionally unblank. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.OpenBSD.org -- We're fixing security problems so you can sleep at night.
(If it wasn't so fascinating I might get some sleep myself...)
------------------------------
From: DaZZa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: changing shells
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 11:11:01 +1100
On Tue, 23 Feb 1999, Chris T. wrote:
> Can anyone help me on how to change shells?
Two methods.
type
chsh
and type in the path to your favourite shell. {Note : Listed shell must
exist in /etc/shells first
Or, if you've got the root password, edit /etc/passwd, and change the line
at the end of your login name which reads /bin/bash to
/bin/whateveryoulike {again, specified shell must exist in /etc/shells
first}.
Oh, the shell has to actually be in the path you specify, or you won't be
able to login.
DaZZa
------------------------------
From: Nicholas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Crossposted-To: alt.windows95
Subject: Re: Multi-boot
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 00:34:32 GMT
Dennis wrote:
>
> I need to have Win95/98, WinNT, and Linux on the same computer. What is
> the best way to set up a good (reliable and easy to config./use)
> multi-bot system so I can use these OS's without problems?
>
> I have considered using removable disks, but I'm not sure if this can be
> done because some of these OS's seem to require access to the C drive.
> Anyone tried this?
>
> Thanks,
> Dennis
In my opinion, w/o any doubt, Partion Magic with its BootMagic are the
tops. I have used them, (ver 4.0) and it worked perfectly the first
time. I cannot say enough good things about this software. Take a look
at it at <http://www.powerquest.com>.
--
Nicholas
Please post replies to this newsgroup
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (John S. Dyson)
Crossposted-To:
comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.advocacy,comp.unix.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?)
Date: 23 Feb 1999 23:25:53 GMT
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (brian moore) writes:
>
>> BTW, don't CDROM vendors, and Red Hat make money off of other people's
>> work? Don't they take advantage of free labor, redistributing software
>> under a license that gives them preferential treatment by making direct
>> control of derived creative works more difficult. However, those who
>> just copy software (not adding anything to it), get away scott-free.
>>
>> Who are the parasites? It is pretty obvious...
>
> Again, the same standard he uses to condemn Red Hat would be applicable
> to Walnut Creek. (Substitute the words "Walnut Creek" for "Red Hat" in
> the quote above and that would be John's implied feelings about Walnut
> Creek's role in FreeBSD, since it is very similar to Red Hat's role with
> Linux.)
>
Red Hat is a parasite because it distributes mostly only GPLed works.
There is absolutely no way that those GPLed works can be controlled in
any way by the contributors to those works. Red Hat continues to be one
of the organizations that feed off of the developers efforts, being
able to build up capital that in their area of expertise.
Too bad that the poor little developer guy, when messing with GPLed
works, can only give away their source code, if the code gets much
used at all... So much for GPL being fair to the little developer
person.
Red Hat gets the capital, whilst the developer gets to work on a
toy, and play and sometimes get a wage, with no capital accumlation
except for Red Hat CDROM's. :-).
>
> I agree, his standard is lunacy, and that both Red Hat and Walnut Creek
> offer invaluable services to the community.
>
They both offer services in the sense of distributing code, for profit.
Also, a small (but respectable) part of the profit gets fed back to keep
the fuel for the business coming, but is in NO WAY funding the
efforts. The cool thing about the BSD license is that the SAME fuel
for the marketeers can be fuel for the innovative programmer. With
the GPL license, it is much less fair to the innovative developer.
>
> I just find it yet-another-contradiction that the "parasites"
> distributing Linux are evil, yet, Walnut Creek, doing precisely the same
> thing with FreeBSD is somehow different.
>
FreeBSD's advantage over Linux isn't related to GPL, but partially to
my FREE works. With GPL it is a one way street to the marketeers.
It is wonderful that WC does promote a software product that truely
helps the programmer also. (Sure there is a little GPL thrown in
there, but at least there is free software there also.)
It is clear that you tend to lump things into BIG pigeonholes, and cannot
distinguish subtile (but important) concepts.
--
John | Never try to teach a pig to sing,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | it makes one look stupid
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | and it irritates the pig.
------------------------------
From: "W. Kiernan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Consumer Poll Says Microsoft Is Good For Consumers
Date: 23 Feb 1999 16:37:28 PST
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Jay O'Connor wrote:
>
> Also, a minivan is a great stealth vehicle.
>
> You can be up on the sidewalk hitting pedestrians in a minivan and the
> cops will never look twice...
A white Toyota Corolla is transparent to traffic cops, too ~~~~~zoom!
;-)
------------------------------
From: Expert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,pl.comp.os.linux
Subject: Can someone recomend Intel computer with preinstalled Linux OS+ full
accessories
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 00:40:02 GMT
...
can someone recommend an Intel computer with preinstalled LinuxOS +
fax/modem + CD/DVD + TVCard + remote mouse, remote keyboard
J.
------------------------------
From: "J�rgen Exner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: English/german translator for Linux
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 16:51:16 -0800
Mike Redan wrote in message <7avbts$en9$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
>you can use an online translator if you like...
>http://babelfish.altavista.com
>
>works pretty good.
Well, the translations from those automated systems are appropriate for the
"Hohlspiegel" column in the German magazine "Spiegel", but not for real use.
I am in the translation business and I actually tried them.
If you have some knowledge of the source language, then you might be able to
guess what the translation was supposed to mean.
But what would you thing about e.g. a "Reissverschlussdatei" (literally
translated back into English this is a "zipper file")?
Or "I don't believe this" should become "Das glaube ich nicht", but the
actual translation from bubbblefish is "Ich glaube nicht diesem" which is
grammatically wrong as well as insulting. The sentence structure in German
is like omitting the word 'moron' in "I don't believe this moron".
jue
--
J�rgen Exner; microsoft.com, UID: jurgenex
Sorry for this anti-spam inconvenience
------------------------------
From: Rene Windiks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.hardware,uk.comp.os.linux
Subject: scsi harddisk cache
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 17:40:13 +0100
Dear all,
does anybody know, how one can check if the disk
cache of a (scsi) harddisk in enabled or disabled?
Does exist a linux tool for this?
Best regards,
Rene Windiks.
--
__________________________________________________________
Mailing address: Rene Windiks
Chemical Institute
Quantum Chemistry Group
Humboldt University Berlin
Jaegerstr. 10/11
D-10117 Berlin
Germany
Tel. +(49)30-20192-306
Fax. +(49)30-20192-302
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
WWW: http://www.chemie.hu-berlin.de/sonst/agqc/agsauer.html
___________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 08:41:12 -0800
From: Robert Lynch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux's or Netscape's Java Sounds - help?
Doug Paradis wrote:
>
> is there some magic I have to perform to make the java VM in Netscape
> for linux play sound. I am trying to move off NT, and my daughter
> loves the java applet of Elmo on the Children's Television Workshop
> site:
> http://www.ctw.org
>
> Without it saying "Tickle Elmo" out the speakers, Linux is worthless
> to me (jk). My sound card is working since I can run the sound test
> and the Galaga game plays sound.
>
> Any thoughts? Or does the java sound just not work?
>
> Thanks
> Doug Paradis
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
This is a pretty pathetic answer, but maybe it will get you started.
Some time ago this was investigated and a page put up with some sound
fixes. Not terrific ones, but workable ones. Unfortunately, I did not
save a bookmark to the page.
Maybe somebody on the forum has a bookmark to the page, if it still
exists.
Bob L.
--
Robert Lynch-Berkeley CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.best.com/~rmlynch/
------------------------------
From: Marko Brandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,alt.uu.comp.os.linux.questions
Subject: Re: loosing diskspace!!
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 18:57:22 +0100
Jerry Lynn Kreps schrieb:
> Marko Brandes wrote:
> >
> > Hi everybody,
> >
> > we're running SuSE-Linux 5.0 with kernel 2.0.36 on our PC. He is acting
> > as a backup-,file-, print- and faxserver.
> > Our problem is, that we're loosing up to 10MB of disk space a day.
> > How knows where linux is writing these 10MB?
> > I've checked already the log files, they are not the problem. But i'm
> > wondering that under the directory '/tmp' many directories named
> > './kbtmp[#]' are created. Within there are very big files. Does it
> > affect the system if i delete them?
> >
> > Please help ... we're running out of space in a few days and it's
> > essential to keep the server running in our office.
> >
> > Tia, Marko
>
> Doesn't hurt, I've deleted dozens of them. If you try to delete an
> active one it will tell you so and refuse to do so. mc works great to
> do this.
Thanxx a lot !!!!!!!!!!!
Now we have enough diskspace to keep business running.
But does anyone know something about the use of these 'kbtmp#'-directories?
I'm now able to delete them scheduled by cron, but which process writes such
a stuff and don't delete it after terminating?
The owner is root/root and they are created daily.
If anyone knowsss ......
See you ...... Marko
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Alex Yung)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.hardware
Subject: Re: Booting without a keyboard
Date: 24 Feb 1999 18:15:12 GMT
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phil Snowdon ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote:
: All of the bios settings are set to ignore errors, not to wait on "F1"
: etc.
: The bios post seems quite happy, as does LILO, which loads linux off
: hda1. its only after loading and before uncompressing that everything
: stops. Are there any boot parameters that would be useful, or would
: using an uncompressed kernel help?
Your (maybe) problem has nothing to do with keyboard. My old 20MHz 386
needs 4 minutes to uncompress the Debian default kernel. It would
improve if you use a smaller custom kernel. If I am not mistaken, you
need to give your machine more time not a keyboard.
------------------------------
From: Frank Sweetser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.sys.sun,comp.sys.sun.admin
Subject: Re: Ultra Linux on a SS20?
Date: 24 Feb 1999 13:19:33 -0500
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Oliver Kuegow) writes:
> Hi,
>
> I just got a copy of UltraLinux1.1.9 on CDROM.
>
> But somehow it doesn't boot up....
>
> My CDROM is an external Sony CDROM connected to the second
> scsi bus. When I try to do a "boot cdrom" at the ok-prompt
> it says
>
> So I tried ok: boot /iommu/sbus/dma@1,81000/esp@1,80000/sd@6,0
> This time I got the SILO boot: prompt and it told me I should
> hit Enter to start the installation. So did I.
> But unfortunately, after booting the kernel, it said:
> Kernel Panic: Unable to mount root-fs at 00:00.
>
> I am not new to Linux, only to the SPARC architecture.
ultralinux is (IIRC) only for ultrasparc machines, which the ss20 is not.
try the regular redhat sparc distro.
--
Frank Sweetser rasmusin at wpi.edu fsweetser at blee.net | PGP key available
paramount.ind.wpi.edu RedHat 5.2 kernel 2.2.1 i586 | at public servers
/* now make a new head in the exact same spot */
-- Larry Wall in cons.c from the perl source code
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Philip Brown)
Subject: Re: IBM adds Linux
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 24 Feb 1999 18:43:41 GMT
On 22 Feb 1999 02:13:04 GMT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
>>As I recall there's some instruction or other that the x86 processor
>>didn't have that is essential for writing a virtual machine system.
>
>Intel processors provide a virtual machine mode. DOSEMU makes use of
>it to emulate a PC for running DOS in. I've never done virtual
>machine programming, so I can't really fathom what instruction might
>be missing.
different definitions of "virtual machine".
I believe whatyiu are referring to, is a "protected" instance of an x86 cpu.
Whereas what the original poster was referring to , was I presume something
more like do-it-yourself-microcode
--
[trim the no-bots from my address to reply to me by email!]
--------------------------------------------------
Secret nONsONaTIAL monologue...
H52QdPK4iQPijBgQeMKIUQOCjRg0IN6IYWMGhJszBevIARHGjBuLZTaKCZNx4x0xb0CsWYlQ
jpwxINDAPKMRBB0xYgiqEVMGj0qWbsIQnOMyD4g5ITcaBOGRDYg6C+OwWalAAQ
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,pl.comp.os.linux
Subject: Re: Can someone recomend an ASCII text editor for X, not X-Emacs....
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 19:33:48 GMT
Try a nifty one called "VIM", which is vi with syntax coloring and all the
stupidities of vi fixed.
Another good one (though I am unsure if you have to buy it or if it is
free for Linux) is CRiSP.
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Miernik <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Can someone recomend an ASCII text editor for X, not X-Emacs....
>
> I want it to have sophisticated functions, like syntax highliting for HTML, C,
> and LaTeX,
> rectangle selecting, line numbering, capitalization conversion, and so on.
>
> But I do not want it to be so big and load such a long time like X-Emacs 2.0,
> and first of all do not have such stupid menus and dialogs....
>
> The file opening dialog in X-Emacs is crazy, and also I cannot select blocks
> of text by holding <shift> and moving the cursor.
>
> thanks....
>
> --
> www.miernik.nask.com/miernik/ _/ _/
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] _/_/ _/_/_/ _/ _/
> _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/ _/
> GSM: (+48) 603 201 700 _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/
> page:(+48) 64 2222 864 _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/
> ICQ UIN: 4004001 _/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/
> _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/
>
>
============= Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ============
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (John S. Dyson)
Crossposted-To:
comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.advocacy,comp.unix.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: Best Free Unix? (why FreeBSD?)
Date: 24 Feb 1999 18:10:47 GMT
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Joseph Malicki <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> I still don't see how Walnut Creek helps the programmers any more than
> Red Hat does.
>
Now, I might understand the problem:
With GPLed works, the middle-person programmer has little incentive
or reason to invest in a piece of software because the details have
to be exposed. There is no reasonable way for that programmer to
base an asset that they control (without misusing the term "support"
for meaning "access") the disposition of the works. Note that in
no way is freedom lost by a derived work being produced, because the
original is still there. In fact, with GPL, freedom IS lost, because
the developer(s) of derived works cannot accumulate capital to feed
themselves with.
With BSDed works, the above complications and restrictions do not
exist, and people can derive works freely.
In the case of CDROM manufacturers, they are in the business of building
reputation, and charging for distribution. (A traditional sale of
a product.) Their product is based upon assets that they have built
up over time (reputation, marketing, access to code.)
The equivalent of the above for developers, is to be able to sell their
incremental part of the product seperately. The CDROM manufacturers
(adding to acceess) sell their incremental part, but those who add to
code are not on an equal footing. The BSD license supports the notion
that developers add-on work is only very slightly encumbered by the
code that they have received. The GPL license reserves that control
for the initial code-writer (and only temporarily, unless very carefully
managed), the CDROM manufacturer, those who sell access to software
in the guise of "support", and other subtile ways.
So, as time goes on, with GPL, the flow of money is only to the
"access provider" with no reasonable way for the technology worker
in the middle to capitalize on the same works.
It isn't *BAD* that the CDROM manufacturers profit, but it is *BAD*
that under discriminatory licenses like GPL, (however subtile the
discrimination is), that only the CDROM (support firms, etc) manufacturers
are the ones that end up in control.
Any notion that GPLed software out there is something that is an
effective component of an innovative idea has to be considered very
carefully. In many cases, the developer in the middle of a GPL
project gets screwed with little recognition, little access to the
cash flow, and little commercial access to capitalize on his/her
knowledge base.
In the case of free licenses (of course, not-GPL), at least the
programmer in the middle does have commercial access to capitalize
on his/her knowledge base, and can produce significant derived works
without the condemnation of the entire work product to the public.
CDROM manufacturers (unless they are GPL only) tend to be unbiased
as to the license. In that case, they support both the restrictive
software like GPL, and the free software like BSD. They are doing
some good. Those who produce a primarily GPLed product, are fostering
an environment that is contrary to the good of the innovative
programmer, and no better for everyone else. (The notion of
hoarding in the sense of free software is mostly lies and spin.
You cannot effectively hide a work that is out there, even if you
wanted to do the dastardly deed.)
--
John | Never try to teach a pig to sing,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | it makes one look stupid
[EMAIL PROTECTED] | and it irritates the pig.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Bryan J. Maloney)
Subject: Re: Red Hat's sick sense of humor (support)
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 14:53:14 -0500
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Sandy Edwards
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Yeah, I've had that support :-(
> You email them and then they email you to check the faq. In fact, I
Whenever I have to contact ANY support tech from any company for any sort
of support, be it computer, chemical, sales, or any other field, I have
learned, over years of having to get various things working while PhDs
breath down my neck to "make it go", to include the following statements:
Exactly what happened, STEP BY STEP, down to the most idiotic level.
Exactly what parts of every manual you consulted, down to direct
quotations of the parts of the manual that SHOULD have solved your problem
but didn't, likewise for FAQ.
In other words, PIN THEM TO THE WALL IN YOUR FIRST MESSAGE. Give them so
much detail that they have no choice but to either give you some help or
admit that their product is completely inadequate. If they refuse to
respond at all, then start making phone calls, to supervisors. If there's
still no response, threaten legal action for breach of contract--but be
prepared to back it up.
In defense of support techs, the majority of requests for tech support
actually do involve things answered in the manuals. Unfortunately, since
the majority of people who write said manuals appear to have somewhat less
expository ability than a chimpanzee sans half a cerebrum, using the
method of writing the original in Gaeilge, translating through Sanskrit,
then Japanese, finally into English, it can be a bit of a challenge to
delve through such documents. Unfortunately, we have to take the time to
demonstrate that we have already done so, since the operant principle in
all fields is "hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebra".
--
To women contemplating marriage: The question you should ask is not
"How much do I love him?" The real question is "How much can I
tolerate him?"
http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/bjm10/
------------------------------
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End of Linux-Misc Digest
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