Linux-Misc Digest #983, Volume #25 Sun, 8 Oct 00 19:13:02 EDT
Contents:
Re: Linux contra Microsoft
Tool indicating buddy is online? (Andrew Purugganan)
Re: DSL with a Nortel Modem on Linuxppc (Daniel C)
Re: Linux contra Microsoft (David_C)
Re: Linux: Freeing Memory (Jean-David Beyer)
Re: Linux contra Microsoft (Jean-David Beyer)
Re: SCSI support in RH 6.2, kernel 2.2.14-5.0 ("Michael Jones")
Re: Input/output error with Tape Drive (Jean-David Beyer)
Re: Tool indicating buddy is online? (E J)
Netscape problem on attaching a doc file in email (Te-Cheng Shen)
Re: various LILO vga settings/tux images (alex k)
Re: can linux use sleep keys etc. on keyboards? (Robert Kiesling)
Re: Usb MODEM
Re: Windows 2000, NTFS and linux.
Syslog accepting messages via TCP? (Mike Buckler)
Re: copying and pasting?
Re: Favorite learning tool ("David ..")
Re: binutils: ./configure: libtool problem? ("Noble Pepper")
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux contra Microsoft
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 21:54:07 GMT
I'll give you a quarter if you can get AOL instant messanger up and=20
running in less than a week (if you're really a novice - if you're an=20
expert, you get the quarter for a < 2hr install).
Any OS which requires that you COMPILE a program before using it is not =
ready for the masses. When was the last time you compiled the OS in your=
=20
microwave, or your car?
At the very least, everything one needs to do the compile should be=20
included in the distribution.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
On 10/8/00, 12:41:16 AM, Jacques Guy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote=20
regarding Re: Linux contra Microsoft:
> Mark Seavers wrote:
> > But the fact is that in terms of user-friendliness Linux really is
> > behind Windows a bit.
> Two months ago I installed Linux-for-idiots-like-me (aka Mandrake)
> in the hope of kissing Windows good-bye. It was the easiest thing
> in the world. So far, I had stuck with Win3.11 -- I had been warned
> about Win95 trying to take over. Connecting to the Net, which with Win=
3
> had taken me some head-scratching, and fiddling with software
> provided by the ISPs I was with, connecting to the Net, was
> dead easy. Must have taken me two minutes. There is more, but
> what's the point? Sure, I spent much time exploring what Linux-
> for-idiots-like-me provides you for free... I must have spent
> 15 minutes configuring PINE and five minutes on the E-mail
> client, by trial and error. The whole thing, to me, was much,
> much more user-friendly that Windows 3.11.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Andrew Purugganan)
Subject: Tool indicating buddy is online?
Date: 8 Oct 2000 21:40:13 GMT
Is there a utility (console or X) that can notify me if a buddy is
online? I know that AOL can detect even non-AOL members, which leads me
to believe the capability lies in the underlying system, and AOL is only
providing the GUI to show it.
It would be nifty to keep a term window (or something) open that would
list who's online and who's not, but I don't want to be picky ;-)
--
jazz
Registered linux user no. 164098 +--+--+--+ Litestep user no. 386
Doesn't it bother you, that we have to search for intelligent life
--- OUT THERE??
------------------------------
From: Daniel C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: DSL with a Nortel Modem on Linuxppc
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 22:10:32 GMT
Bonjour Alexandre-
I'm using sympatico.ca high speed edition on my linux system too.
You can use PPPoE to connect. Sympatico has the files you need at
http://www1.sympatico.ca:80/help/local/bell/hsedownloadslinux.bell.html
It's pretty easy--you install their files and then you edit a few files
like pap.secrets and chap.secrets.
Bonne chance!
Daniel.
Alexandre Binette wrote:
>
> Hi!
> I just installed Linuxppc on my iMac DV SE, and I'm not able to install
> correctly my DSL connection. It would be great if anybody could tell me all
> the steps to get the DSL working!
>
> Thank you very much,
>
> --------
> A.
------------------------------
From: David_C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux contra Microsoft
Date: 08 Oct 2000 18:08:51 -0400
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> I'll give you a quarter if you can get AOL instant messanger up and
> running in less than a week (if you're really a novice - if you're an
> expert, you get the quarter for a < 2hr install).
I haven't used that one, but I have compiled and installed some rather
substantial programs (like the trn news reader) in less than two hours.
But you do have to know what you're doing. This is still no place for
novices.
> Any OS which requires that you COMPILE a program before using it is
> not ready for the masses. When was the last time you compiled the OS
> in your microwave, or your car?
The problem is that most apps are not developed just for Linux. They
are developed for UNIX in general. As such, they have to be distributed
as source, so that all UNIX users can use them. Some authors are nice
enough to also make binary distributions, others are not.
Many vendors (like RedHat, among others) will compile these programs and
make their own binary distribution, so you don't have to do this if you
don't want to. But then you are at the mercy of the distributor - if
they don't release updates in a timely manner, you'll end up several
versions behind the current release - and then you'll have to go compile
your own in order to catch up.
Regardless, this is changing. As software vendors start targetting the
masses, you'll find more and more packages distributed in forms that are
easier to install.
> At the very least, everything one needs to do the compile should be
> included in the distribution.
Sounds good on paper, but much of the "extras" that you need are
third-party libraries.
You could have every program come budled with all of these add-ons. But
the result would be disaster. People would end up with multiple copies
of the same libraries all over their system, wasting space and causing
conflicts. Just like the "DLL Hell" that Windows users go through all
the time.
I agree with your basic premise - that Linux (or any UNIX, for that
matter) is not yet simple enough for a novice user to pick up without
training. But I disagree with some of your ideas on how to solve the
problem.
-- David
------------------------------
From: Jean-David Beyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux: Freeing Memory
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 18:16:43 -0400
Jason M wrote:
> Thanks a lot for your reply. I will change my approach to this problem.
> When I say the system hangs, I mean we have to reboot... the system is
> down. After closing the app, 'free' tells us we have (say) 600 Mb of mem
> being used even if no processes are running!
Free does not really tell you anything, because the used memory may be in use
for buffers or caching, and that can be reclaimed by the kernel anytime it is
needed for something else. _What does ipcs tell you?_ Did some process that is
no longer running (even as a zombie) allocate some shared memory that it did
not free? Because, if not, there is a bug in your Linux kernel, and I very
much doubt it. If ipcs says that some shared memory was allocated and not
freed, ipcrm can free it up without rebooting the whole system.
Be sure to review the previous post by ljb.
> Then you run the app again and
> (say) 1200 Mb is used (after closing the app again) and so on until there
> is no mem left to run any process.
>
> Anyway, thanks for your help. Oh, one thing - what do you mean by don't
> treat it as windows box? Do you refer to the whole system? Or just this
> problem?
>
> Thanks again
>
> Jason M
>
> lovej wrote:
> >
> > sounds like you need to do some more homework to. The solution to your
> > problem is not finding a way to clear the system memory after running
> this
> > program - you need to find the memory leak and fix it. Also what do you
> > mean when you say the "system hangs" - are you sure that its not just
> this
> > one app? Also remember this is not a windoze box - do not treat it like
> > one this is the biggest mistake of new admins.
> > Posted via CNET Help.com
> > http://www.help.com/
>
> --
> Posted via CNET Help.com
> http://www.help.com/
--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
/V\ Registered Machine 73926.
/( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey
^^-^^ 6:10pm up 1 day, 9:45, 3 users, load average: 2.20, 2.11, 2.09
------------------------------
From: Jean-David Beyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux contra Microsoft
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 18:19:48 -0400
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I'll give you a quarter if you can get AOL instant messanger up and
> running in less than a week (if you're really a novice - if you're an
> expert, you get the quarter for a < 2hr install).
Oh! Goodie! I will be rich! I run the Tcl/Tk version, called tik. It is
already compiled and ready to go. Probably takes less than 15 minutes even
including downloading time. I also got the AOL version (that I think runs in
Java), and that works too, but I could not figure out how to make that do my
stock market ticker quotations, so I do not use it.
--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
/V\ Registered Machine 73926.
/( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey
^^-^^ 6:15pm up 1 day, 9:50, 2 users, load average: 2.07, 2.11, 2.09
------------------------------
From: "Michael Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.hardware
Subject: Re: SCSI support in RH 6.2, kernel 2.2.14-5.0
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 22:27:51 GMT
Thanks David and Gary. I may have enough information to work though
this :-). If additional guidance is required to solve this matter, I
will post a follow-up reply to this message.
Mike
------------------------------
From: Jean-David Beyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Input/output error with Tape Drive
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 18:29:49 -0400
Robert Jones wrote:
> Jeff Borders wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > I'm using Mandrake 7.1 w/ 2.2.18pre15 kernel. I have a Sony DDS2 SDT-7000 and
> > Adaptec 2910 SCSI Card. The tape drive is the only scsi device and it
> > has termination enabled. I've loaded all the modules needed. The
> > problem is this:
> >
> > Whenever I try to use mt -f /dev/st0 status, I get:
> >
> > SCSI 2 tape drive:
> > File number=-1, block number=-1, partition=0.
> > Tape block size 0 bytes. Density code 0x0 (default).
> > Soft error count since last status=0
> > General status bits on (10000):
> > IM_REP_EN
I have an HP C1599A DDS-2 drive on a Symbios SYM810 (LSI Logic) narrow SCSI
controller. (My hard drives are on a Symbios SYM8951U Ultra 2 SCSI controller.)
When I try that with no tape in the drive, I get:
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]# mt -f /dev/st0 status
SCSI 2 tape drive:
File number=-1, block number=-1, partition=0.
Tape block size 0 bytes. Density code 0x0 (default).
Soft error count since last status=0
General status bits on (4050000):
WR_PROT DR_OPEN IM_REP_EN
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]#
When I stick a read-only tape in the drive, I get:
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]# mt -f /dev/st0 status
SCSI 2 tape drive:
File number=-1, block number=-1, partition=0.
Tape block size 0 bytes. Density code 0x0 (default).
Soft error count since last status=0
General status bits on (4010000):
WR_PROT IM_REP_EN
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]#
> > Whenever I try any other mt command, ie. mt -f /dev/st0 rewind, I get:
> >
> > /dev/st0: Input/output error
When I do that (with the tape at the load point anyway) I get:
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]# mt -f /dev/st0 rewind
valinux:root[/home/jdbeyer]#
> > Any ideas? TIA... -Jeff Borders
I wish I knew what them thar status bits all meant.
> Not really, except that your status looks a bit different than mine. (Adaptec
> 2940/HP35480A). With no tape in drive, I get:
>
> SCSI 2 tape drive:
> File number=-1, block number=-1, partition=0.
> Tape block size 0 bytes. Density code 0x0 (default).
> Soft error count since last status=0
> General status bits on (4050000):
> WR_PROT DR_OPEN IM_REP_EN
>
> With tape inserted (write protected), I get:
>
> SCSI 2 tape drive:
> File number=0, block number=0, partition=0.
> Tape block size 0 bytes. Density code 0x13 (DDS (61000 bpi)).
> Soft error count since last status=0
> General status bits on (45010000):
> BOT WR_PROT ONLINE IM_REP_EN
>
> Just a wild guess, but it looks like there might be a breakdown in communication
> 'tween drive and controller. Hopefully, someone with a working combination
> identical to yours will chime in.
>
> --
> Syntactic sugar causes cancer of the semicolon.
> -- Epigrams in Programming, ACM SIGPLAN Sept. 1982
>
> 6:54am up 10 days, 10:54, 1 user, load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00
--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
/V\ Registered Machine 73926.
/( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey
^^-^^ 6:20pm up 1 day, 9:55, 2 users, load average: 2.10, 2.10, 2.09
------------------------------
From: E J <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Tool indicating buddy is online?
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 15:31:27 -0700
How about GAIM for AOL,
Licq, micq, kicq for ICQ
Yahoo messenger for linux for Yahoo.
No MSN messenger service for linux yet. (I wonder why? :) )
Andrew Purugganan wrote:
> Is there a utility (console or X) that can notify me if a buddy is
> online? I know that AOL can detect even non-AOL members, which leads me
> to believe the capability lies in the underlying system, and AOL is only
> providing the GUI to show it.
> It would be nifty to keep a term window (or something) open that would
> list who's online and who's not, but I don't want to be picky ;-)
>
> --
> jazz
> Registered linux user no. 164098 +--+--+--+ Litestep user no. 386
> Doesn't it bother you, that we have to search for intelligent life
> --- OUT THERE??
------------------------------
From: Te-Cheng Shen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Netscape problem on attaching a doc file in email
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 15:30:47 -0700
Hello
When I sent other people with an Word attachment in it using
Netscape 4.72. Other parties could not read this attached file. I am
pretty sure this file is complete because I copied this file using
floppy then Word can read it without any problems.
Sometimes I received emails attached with Windate formate. Can
anyone tell me what's this?
Thank you very much
STC
------------------------------
From: alex k <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.portable,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: various LILO vga settings/tux images
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 22:32:35 GMT
man lilo.conf
seriously...
kernel optons section
vga=...
i chose ask. then tried a few options,
and when i had decided i could put that in
the lilo.conf instead.
extract:
# vga = 791
# vga = normal
vga = 5
the tux image?
AFAIK its something about compiling the kernel with
framebuffersupport.
do a search.
In article <TK1E5.4803$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
JC Vollmer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hello everyone.
> Can someone tell me what would be the valid settings for vga= in
> /etc/lilo.conf. What are the different tux images/resolutions
available?
>
> --
> JC VOLLMER TEXT REFS DOUBLEPLUSUNGOOD DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] SELFTHINK VERGING CRIMETHINK DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
> CONSOLIDATED LINT IGNORE FULLWISE DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER
>
--
.
.
...: [ ~~~~~~~ ] :...
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Robert Kiesling)
Subject: Re: can linux use sleep keys etc. on keyboards?
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 8 Oct 2000 18:40:32 -0400
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, David_C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Cevat Ustun <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>>
>> It would be really useful to be able to invoke say an apm command
>> through one of the keys. Any pointers as to how to program them?
[Lots of useful instructions deleted]
>The config files are all located in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xkb
>
>Unfortunately, this is where my knowledge ends on this subject. If
>choosing a non-default Xkb* script from among those available doesn't
>work, you'll have to write your own, and I do not know how to do that.
>
>Perhaps someone more familiar with the guts of XFree86 can take it from
>here?
I'm not, but xkeycaps is a great tool to have for these sorts of
chores (which is probably why I never bothered to learn).
--
Robert Kiesling
Linux FAQ Maintainer
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.mainmatter.com/linux-faq/toc.html http://www.mainmatter.com/
------------------------------
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Usb MODEM
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 22:57:29 GMT
"Should" being the operative word. I back-patched 2.2.16 (the only patch=
=20
I found wouldn't apply to 2.2.14-5 - i.e. Red Hat 6.2) and got it to SEE=
=20
my USB camera. I couldn't transfer any data, but it did recognize the=20
camera was there. It also wouldn't see my network card (probably an=20
unrelated problem).
I gave up. I'll wait for 2.4 (of course, it looks like I'll have to wait=
=20
for 3com to release a driver for 2.4, since the 2.2 driver won't compile=
=20
under 2.4).
And this is better than Windows how, exactly?
Good luck,
- Mark R. Sizer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
On 10/5/00, 8:52:02 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (D'Arque Bishop) wrote=20
regarding Re: Usb MODEM:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, E J wrote:
> >Kernel 2.4 is almost here. It can handle many USB devices.
> >
> >Lodo Nicolino wrote:
> >
> >> Hi am Nico.
> >> Can Linux handle a usb external modem ( ta us.robotics).
> >> I have a Red Hat 6.2
> >> thanks in advance.
> >> Nico.
> Actually, it SHOULD be able to. There's a backport patch available on=
> http://www.linux-usb.org/ that will allow you to patch the 2.3/2.4 USB=
=20
code
> into the 2.2 kernel RH 6.2 ships with, and allow you to configure your=
=20
system
> for USB support.
> Hope this helps...
> --
>=20
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
=3D=3D=3D=3D
> "Do you see the smile in my words, sad and evil? Sad because
> I am utterly alone. Evil because I am dead and yet I live.
> Can you hear me? Listen. A dead man visits you."
> --James O'Barr, The Crow
> =20
> D'Arque Bishop -- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://www.ravenloft.net/~drkbish
> "For a dark man shall come unto the House of God, and the
> darkness shall be upon him, yea, even within him."
> -- from Noctropolis: Night Vision
>=20
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
=3D=3D=3D=3D
------------------------------
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Windows 2000, NTFS and linux.
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 23:00:50 GMT
It also depends upon your distribution. If you're running 6.x (I have no=
=20
clue about 7), you'll have to rebuild the kernel to add NTFS support.
Good Luck,
- Mark R. Sizer
P.S. Since you really just need to add one module, it would be handy to =
NOT have to rebuild the kernel. I've discovered that rebuilding the=20
kernel is the Linux version of the Windows "Reboot Now, Reboot Later" pr=
ompt.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
On 10/5/00, 11:48:25 AM, dsmith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote regarding R=
e:=20
Windows 2000, NTFS and linux.:
> That message assumes you want to dual boot with an inferior OS like
> Win9x.. They cannot read NTFS, so it would cause problems.. Linux on =
the
> other hand is superior to all and can read it fine :)
> (note: linux has only experimental support for writing to NTFS, but fu=
ll
> support for reading.)
> -Dan
------------------------------
From: Mike Buckler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.unix.admin
Subject: Syslog accepting messages via TCP?
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 07:01:00 +0800
Has anyone come across a version of Syslog that accepts messages via TCP as
well as UDP.
I need a reliable way of logging messages and UDP doesn't provide any
guarantee of delivery.
Mike
------------------------------
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: copying and pasting?
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 23:03:44 GMT
> > > In the terminal window, just highlight the url. By highlighting,
> > > you will place it into the clipboard. You can paste it with the
Does it matter which terminal window you're using (xterm, gnome-terminal=
,=20
kterm, telnet?!?, etc...)
- Mark R. Sizer
------------------------------
From: "David .." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Favorite learning tool
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 17:51:31 -0500
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
>
> I want as many opinions as I can get. Tell us how you came to know
> what you know now.
Time, Patience, a Hunger for knowledge, reading documents, and a
connection to the internet. The rest is up to you and how much you want
to know about linux. News groups are a great help also for getting ideas
on how to do things, since everyone doesn't do the same thing the same
way.
--
Confucius say: He who play in root, eventually kill tree.
Registered with the Linux Counter. http://counter.li.org
ID # 123538
------------------------------
From: "Noble Pepper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: binutils: ./configure: libtool problem?
Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 18:11:42 +0500
If the package compiles, I would forge blindly ahead. Usually though
Gerald mentions any unusual messages. Of course you should recheck the
steps before especially the one where you compiled file.
Definitely make a note of this in case it causes problems later.
You may want to check out the www.linuxfromscratch.com site and the
mailing list archive.
"Martin Herrman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi all out there!
>
> I'm busy with the Linux From Scratch book (www.linuxfromscratch.org),
> and while ./configure the binutils source, I receive this warning:
>
> (..)
>
> checking if libtool supports shared libraries... yes
>
> Warning: the command libtool uses to detect shared libraries,
> /usr/bin/file, produces output that libtool cannot recognize.
> The result is that libtool may fail to recognize shared libraries as
> such. This will affect the creation of libtool libraries that depend on
> shared libraries, but programs linked with such libtool libraries will
> work regardless of this problem. Nevertheless, you may want to report
> the problem to your system manager and/or to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> checking whether to built shared libraries... yes
>
> (..)
>
> What should I do now? Just ignore the message (i'm still able to compile
> the package), or is there a nice solution?
>
> much thanks in advance!
>
> Martin
>
------------------------------
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End of Linux-Misc Digest
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