Re: [ubuntu-uk] Privacy award
On Sat, 2008-07-19 at 18:58 +0100, alan c wrote: It is not so much the 'google' end of things. Google and etc are just doing what is good for them - and me, now, - in a way that works well now. Unfortunately there are cracks in the floorboards of the structures in society, and we may not be aware of the importance of these yet. However, visionaries can fortunately point them out, however inconvenient we might find them. Most people do not even use freedom software, they just did what was natural to use windows. It was natural, by putting one foot in front of the other. The route was not only easy, maybe too easy, but the alternative was really quite difficult and inconvenient. The dangers are fairly obvious with only very little thought. If google did not do its stuff, then another company would anyway. It is our own individual decisions, and how we shape and trust our society, politics and laws, which are the key aspects of the future. Churchill is quoted as saying that the one lesson of history which people never learn - is - the lesson of history. Freedom is hard won and easily lost. I wish us luck, we may need it. It seems Google get the most grief about lack of privacy as for some reason the media seemed to only have picked up on them. Interestingly I was just reading an article from a private investigator who was saying how he researched about people over the web, because it was so easy. People enter there information, let people see it, and sooner or later it has been grabbed and flung around the web until everyone can see it. What's more, is people usually don't care. It is one of those things were it isn't an immediate threat. If you can't touch it, what can it do? A lot of people take proprietry (how do you spell it?) and closed source for granted, before me and a couple of others started preaching in our school, no one had heard of ubuntu, and everyone just assumed windows was just another part of a computer, along with the hard drive and motherboard. Then again, for all these complaints, it is only a few companies which are the intentionally bad ones. Most companies are doing what is best for the user, and what's best for the user is best for them. If that means lack of privacy, so be it. Like so many things in technology, the laws and authorities just can't keep up with the changes. By the time laws are introduced restricting what people can do, it could already be out of hand. Then again, do we want those kind of laws? Sorry for the typing, spelling and general mistakes, Craig -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] Anyone from Derby on the list?
Hey all, Back from cd distribution duties at Lug Radio. Met someone who is interested in doing a Linux install fest in Derby. Anyone on this list from there? John -- John Levin http://www.technolalia.org/blog/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] /var/lib missing?
Hi All, Quick quiz for you - a friend of mine just tried to update/upgrade his Ubuntu server (running X) using the update manager - it failed halfway through upgrading locales and now most of /var/lib is missing. Anyone know if I can get this system back from the dead (I can get a command prompt and log in as root) or does it need a reinstall? TIA, M. -- Matthew Macdonald-Wallace [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.truthisfreedom.org.uk/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Whilst I appreciate that not everyone likes books in dead-tree form, some do, so let's focus this on that group of people who do. I've been wondering if there's a set of Ubuntu related topics that are not covered, or not covered well in the current set of books available. What would you like out of an Ubuntu book? Would you like to see tutorials, how-tos and guides for specific tasks, which would form a reference? Would you prefer a book that you could read cover to cover, to go from zero to hero? What do you think _others_ might like out of an Ubuntu book? What topic do you think would be appropriate? What do you think would not be appropriate? Answers welcome! Cheers, Al. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Start the ball rolling with my own answers :) On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 04:27:01PM +0100, Alan Pope wrote: Whilst I appreciate that not everyone likes books in dead-tree form, some do, so let's focus this on that group of people who do. I've been wondering if there's a set of Ubuntu related topics that are not covered, or not covered well in the current set of books available. What would you like out of an Ubuntu book? Something I can give to my father in law to explain everything that he normally asks me questions about. Would you like to see tutorials, how-tos and guides for specific tasks, which would form a reference? Would you prefer a book that you could read cover to cover, to go from zero to hero? A combination of the both. A book that can read, which explains concepts from the ground up, but has enough examples that can be run on a vanilla system to cement the knowledge. What do you think _others_ might like out of an Ubuntu book? Something that isn't intimidating, and doesn't go overboard explaining the command line in the first chapter! What topic do you think would be appropriate? Installation of Ubuntu, installing new software, migrating from Windows software, setting up standard applications, alternative apps, configuring system settings, troubleshooting problems and locating help online. What do you think would not be appropriate? A command line reference guide, copies of the GPL/LGPL for reference.. Cheers, Al. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Something most Windows users ask me when trying Ubuntu: Where's C:\!? On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 16:37 +0100, Alan Pope wrote: Start the ball rolling with my own answers :) On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 04:27:01PM +0100, Alan Pope wrote: Whilst I appreciate that not everyone likes books in dead-tree form, some do, so let's focus this on that group of people who do. I've been wondering if there's a set of Ubuntu related topics that are not covered, or not covered well in the current set of books available. What would you like out of an Ubuntu book? Something I can give to my father in law to explain everything that he normally asks me questions about. Would you like to see tutorials, how-tos and guides for specific tasks, which would form a reference? Would you prefer a book that you could read cover to cover, to go from zero to hero? A combination of the both. A book that can read, which explains concepts from the ground up, but has enough examples that can be run on a vanilla system to cement the knowledge. What do you think _others_ might like out of an Ubuntu book? Something that isn't intimidating, and doesn't go overboard explaining the command line in the first chapter! What topic do you think would be appropriate? Installation of Ubuntu, installing new software, migrating from Windows software, setting up standard applications, alternative apps, configuring system settings, troubleshooting problems and locating help online. What do you think would not be appropriate? A command line reference guide, copies of the GPL/LGPL for reference.. Cheers, Al. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/ signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
I would like to see something that I could give my Mother in Law. It would be big and colourfull with lots of nice pictures and nothing to hard or geeky. It would include Updating with the gui Using the internet/ firefox/ facebook Using fspot/ getting pics from a camera/ printing said pics Typing letters in open office Instant messaging Changing the wallpaper/ themes installing new programs - possibly Things it would not include no commandline - ever no how to install - I do that for her no disscusion of the GPL/GNU/or any of that - she doesn't care Any program that takes more then a couple of mouse clicks to set up Really i'm thinking of something along the dummies guides. Rather then from zero to hero, something from minus zero to competent gui user. I've looked around for this book and it just doesn't seem to exist so theres a defient gap in the market -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 04:44:18PM +0100, James Hooker wrote: Something most Windows users ask me when trying Ubuntu: Where's C:\!? That will be a very short book. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
On Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:27:01 +0100, Alan Pope [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Whilst I appreciate that not everyone likes books in dead-tree form, some do, so let's focus this on that group of people who do. I've been wondering if there's a set of Ubuntu related topics that are not covered, or not covered well in the current set of books available. What would you like out of an Ubuntu book? Would you like to see tutorials, how-tos and guides for specific tasks, which would form a reference? Would you prefer a book that you could read cover to cover, to go from zero to hero? What do you think _others_ might like out of an Ubuntu book? What topic do you think would be appropriate? What do you think would not be appropriate? Answers welcome! Cheers, Al. I remember reading the Linux Network Administrators Guide and it gave me a perfect introduction into Linux. That book translated entirely into the Debian/Ubuntu way of doing things would be perfect. Also theres not loads on the web about how debian specific tools like update-alternatives work etc. Finally I think it would be a great idea to really make it modern and go a lot into GUI based tasks, recoding video and audio files, audio fingerprinting, gnome / KDE configuration etc. Theres so much that could be included and lots of the old howtos on the web for many things have been superseded by Debian ways and modern packages. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Could be a good pamphlet? ... leaflet?... Blog Post? ahh well! I switched my dear mad mother to Ubuntu, and she's been using it since Edgy. So I've just given her a call to ask her what she'd like to see in a book. Some answers: - How to find help.. I'd like to be able to send an email to someone to ask for help, and someone answer with a suggestion as to where I might find the answer. (maybe explaining the concept of mailing lists) - Simple terms explained/.. copy, pate, drag.. - Why do these windows all appear when I plug in my TomTom/Nokia? Mum is a new-ish computer user (even though she can't copy and paste, she can still use Synaptic... go figure!) and all books/guides/magazines etc are aimed at new users assume the user has just popped down to PC World - so all of the content (terms, screenshots etc) are all demo'd with Windows. Interesting about the devices coming up, and I can see for a new user how confusing it could be if a TomTom is plugged in and it comes up with a window full of random files saying T1UKEURO or something... (I've been looking for a little GNOME app to tinker with, a TomTom updater could be cool) On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 16:54 +0100, Alan Pope wrote: On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 04:44:18PM +0100, James Hooker wrote: Something most Windows users ask me when trying Ubuntu: Where's C:\!? That will be a very short book. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/ signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Dan Attwood wrote: I would like to see something that I could give my Mother in Law. It would be big and colourfull with lots of nice pictures and nothing to hard or geeky. It would include Updating with the gui Using the internet/ firefox/ facebook Using fspot/ getting pics from a camera/ printing said pics Typing letters in open office Instant messaging Changing the wallpaper/ themes installing new programs - possibly Things it would not include no commandline - ever no how to install - I do that for her no disscusion of the GPL/GNU/or any of that - she doesn't care Any program that takes more then a couple of mouse clicks to set up Really i'm thinking of something along the dummies guides. Rather then from zero to hero, something from minus zero to competent gui user. I've looked around for this book and it just doesn't seem to exist so theres a defient gap in the market I have to agree with most of the above. As long as it tells people how to do the simple things that they definitely want to do (photos from camera, printing photos, letters, email etc) then that's the main thing! Although I do think they should be told how to install stuff using the GUI. And how to install the OS itself, as not everyone has a g33k to do it for them. First chapter of the book should probably explain the Live CD and the fact that it won't alter their current set up, thus giving them the confidence to at least try the CD (which should come with the book, not everyone has broadband, or fast broadband, nor would they know how to burn an ISO). Better still, have a DVD with the book which would be a Live/Install CD with the most important stuff from the repos? As, again, what do the internet-less people do when they need more apps? That's a problem I've come across MANY times when trying to convince people to install Kubuntu. :( Yeah, definitely no command line, as that scares the bejezus out of new people. But definitely start by telling how to get DVD/CD/MP3 working, that'd be a MUST, otherwise people will just ignore K/Ubuntu. Definitely feature a table (maybe at the end?) listing Ubuntu equivalent apps (GIMP etc). I also reckon it'd be better to have a complete basics book (ala: Dummies Guide) then a more intermediate book which would include basic command line stuff and networking maybe? Then a guru book which would deal with the real esoteric stuff. Of course... does the book feature Ubuntu, Kubuntu or Xubuntu? Let the arguments BEGIN! :D (PS: +1 for Kubuntu :D ) -- Ronnie Tucker [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.fullcirclemagazine.org MSN: ronnietucker Registered Linux User # 456627 Registered Ubuntu User # 18227 -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
I think the efforts that Future Publishing have done in the last 5-6 years have been pretty good... Live CD and book distributed through WHSmith with content pitched at the novice rather than the expert; mostly bits taken from Linux Format etc. but good nonetheless. Red Hat 9 had a good manual too - very easy to understand. SuSE, I think, was a bit too technical and heavy going. No ideas if any such manuals exist these days but the Germans certainly made Linux feel like hard work. Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Anyone from Derby on the list?
On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 11:07 +0100, John Levin wrote: Hey all, Back from cd distribution duties at Lug Radio. Met someone who is interested in doing a Linux install fest in Derby. Anyone on this list from there? John -- John Levin http://www.technolalia.org/blog/ I'm in Derby Josh -- Joshua Scotton, MAAT My PGP public key: http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=getsearch=0x3E4E0E21 signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] ubuntu-uk Digest, Vol 39, Issue 35
Hi Gang, I would like a chapter on curing post installation problems. I have an error message of about 20 pages when starting and have not maaged to reduce it yet. I get the impression the list is longer each run. I am triple booting with Windows 98 Windows 2000 and Heron V18 on C G and H drives. Keith R. Armstrong-Bridges. CITP. MBCS __ Free games for all the family - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/play __ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] /var/lib missing?
Quoting Chris Coulson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 13:18 +0100, Matthew Macdonald-Wallace wrote: Hi All, Quick quiz for you - a friend of mine just tried to update/upgrade his Ubuntu server (running X) using the update manager - it failed halfway through upgrading locales and now most of /var/lib is missing. Anyone know if I can get this system back from the dead (I can get a command prompt and log in as root) or does it need a reinstall? TIA, Sorry to be the bearer of bad news to your friend, but I think the simplest way of recovering after losing the contents /var/lib would be to do a reinstall. There may be ways to recover it, but I don't think it would be easy, and /var/lib contains a lot of important information (eg, /var/lib/dpkg keeps a record of every package installed on your machine, and what files belong to them). I have seen people mention scripts on the forums to attempt to recover package information in /var/lib/dpkg, but I'm not sure how well this technique would work. Yeah, we figured as much and just rebuilt the server. I would be more concerned about how /var/lib was lost in the first place though. Does your friend remember what happened? Loss of something as critical as the contents of /var/lib is pretty bad! looking at the history logs before we rebuilt the system, we can't see anything abnormal. He had a few issues installing as well but it worked the 3rd time which makes me suspicious. Anyway, it's working for now and I'm going to see him later in the week, but it's sounding more and more like a disk/motherboard/backplane issue... :o( Ah well, thanks anyway, M. -- Matthew Macdonald-Wallace [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.truthisfreedom.org.uk/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Anyone from Derby on the list?
On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 18:48 +0100, Jamie Bennett wrote: **snip** I'm in Derby Small world Josh ;) Josh Jamie Fancy that.. http://www.entertainer-project.com/development.php OT plug for our project ;) Josh -- Joshua Scotton, MAAT My PGP public key: http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=getsearch=0x3E4E0E21 signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book..
Evening Alan Books I'd like to see either in dead tree or eBook formats: 1. A Windows User Guide to the Desktop - the MS way versus the vanilla Ubuntu way leading onto how to customise in easy non command line steps to make it look and feel like Windows. A subject tackled many times here, but there's a market for it IMO. 2. Ubuntu Guide To - where to get FF Plug Ins and what they do for instance, some of the Forum tutorials for novices to geeks on vanilla installations and most common alternatives 3. Home Networking the Ubuntu Way - all the things like Mac has recently touched on in his postings includeing a bit of back ground techy stuff 4. Library of Ubuntu - A hard copy description of everything in the repos includeing couple of paragraphs as to what it does, where to get it, and how to get it., and it's alternatives 5. The Family Ubuntu - top level stuff on Ubuntu and it's derivatives includeing basic where to get them from, what they do, how they differ to the others, and what you would use them for And more aimed at the glossy brochure type of thingy A. Case Studies in PLAIN non marketing / sales / management speak B. Techy brochure on what the various flavours of Ubuntu will run on, minimum requirements, and drivers known to work well. C. An Easy Guide to dealing with a problem - ie how to work out if you have a bug, where to go to and how to find out if anyone else has the bug, what to do if it's not an app in the Ubuntu repos etc Mind you, looking back on this list quite a few items are covered in some of the existing books out there, but I'm a fanicaty so and so, and I like my books in a certain style - card covered, monochrome text with relevant screen shots / pictures, and an index that actually gets you to where you're looking for info as well as a Glossary that is readable and understandable, treats you as an English speaker and not just American, and above all else, it's got to be CONSISTENT in it's approach throughout. Dismounts hobby horse Oh, and from a purely selfish point of view, a CD or link to a download so that I can load the book onto my PC for future reference without the need to lug those darn heavy books around. Ian -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Alan Pope Sent: 21 July 2008 16:27 To: ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com Subject: [ubuntu-uk] What would you like in a book.. Whilst I appreciate that not everyone likes books in dead-tree form, some do, so let's focus this on that group of people who do. I've been wondering if there's a set of Ubuntu related topics that are not covered, or not covered well in the current set of books available. What would you like out of an Ubuntu book? Would you like to see tutorials, how-tos and guides for specific tasks, which would form a reference? Would you prefer a book that you could read cover to cover, to go from zero to hero? What do you think _others_ might like out of an Ubuntu book? What topic do you think would be appropriate? What do you think would not be appropriate? Answers welcome! Cheers, Al. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Anyone from Derby on the list?
John Levin wrote: Back from cd distribution duties at Lug Radio. Shame, I missed you. Met someone who is interested in doing a Linux install fest in Derby. Anyone on this list from there? I am. I assume you're referring to Clare/Jellybeanz? If so I'll pick it up on the LUG mailing list. JT -- ---+ James Tait, BSc|xmpp:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Programmer and Free Software advocate | VoIP: +44 (0)870 490 2407 ---+ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Anyone from Derby on the list?
James Tait wrote: John Levin wrote: Back from cd distribution duties at Lug Radio. Shame, I missed you. Thought we met on the Saturday? curses inability to remember names and faces Met someone who is interested in doing a Linux install fest in Derby. Anyone on this list from there? I am. I assume you're referring to Clare/Jellybeanz? If so I'll pick it up on the LUG mailing list. Yup, her. That's the South Derbyshire Lug, right? The Linux Demo day will be held in around 4-5 weeks time; I'm trying to arrange getting cds up there. John -- John Levin http://www.technolalia.org/blog/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.org/UKTeam/
