.uif File Conversion January 1, 2009

uif2iso converts MagicISO’s .uif files to a .iso for ease of use.

First make sure you have the basics:

• sudo apt-get install zlib1g zlib1g-dev libssl-dev build-essential

Get the package:

• wget http://aluigi.altervista.org/mytoolz/uif2iso.zip

Unzip and go to the directory:

• unzip uif2iso.zip
• cd src

Compile:

• make
• sudo make install

All done.  To use:

• uif2iso uiffile.uif newfilename.iso

Of course, change the uiffile to the the name of your .uif file and change newfilename.iso to what you want your new .iso image to be named.

VMWare Server + Ubuntu Intrepid November 4, 2008

I was “watching” a webinar on virtualization from NaSPA, and the speaker was talking about VMWare alot, so I decided to test it out myself.  I just clean installed Intrepid after the new release, so it shouldn’t be too complicated. Though I got confused with the patches, these instructions should work.

Get software and patches first.

Compiler tools:

• sudo aptitude install build-essential linux-kernel-headers xinetd

VMWare server:

• wget -c http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmserver/VMware-server-1.0.7-108231.tar.gz

VMWare patch for latest kernel:

• wget -c http://www.insecure.ws/warehouse/vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz

Unpack software:

• tar xf vmware-update*.tar.gz
tar xf VMware-server*.tar.gz

 First, install the VMWare Server. 

• cd vmware-server-distrib/
sudo ./vmware-install.pl

When asked to run the vmware-config.pl configuration script, choose no.

When your done with configuration process, install the patch:

• cd ../vmware-update*/
sudo ./runme.pl

The scipt then patches and asks to run the config.pl script  Choose yes.  Setup the config to your liking, mine was all the defaults.  I hope it works for you.

Kernel Regression in Intrepid November 1, 2008

A regression was discovered in Linux kernel version 2.6.27 packages.

Details about Linux kernel regression

Version 2.6.27 of the Linux kernel changed the order of options in TCP headers. While this change was RFC-compliant, it was found that some old routers and consumer DSL modems would not route traffic for these systems when TCP timestamps were enabled. As a workaround, TCP timestamps were disabled via sysctl.

Solution

The problem can be corrected by upgrading your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu 8.10:

linux-image-2.6.27-7-generic 2.6.27-7.15
linux-image-2.6.27-7-server 2.6.27-7.15
linux-image-2.6.27-7-virtual 2.6.27-7.15
procps 1:3.2.7-9ubuntu2.1

To upgrade:

sudo aptitude update

sudo aptitude dist-upgrade

After a standard system upgrade you need to reboot your computer to effect the necessary changes.

From the Ubuntugeek website.  Thank you guys!

Ubuntu Intrepid and OOo3.0 November 1, 2008

Unfortunately, OpenOffice.org’s new 3.0 version didn’t make it to Intrepid.  If you want to use it, The Open Sourceror has provided us with a handy guide.  Thank you!

Intrepid + Openoffice.org 3.0

How to upgrade Ubuntu Hardy to Intrepid November 1, 2008

1.From the desktop menu:

• Go to System-> Administration-> Software sources
• Click on Updates->change “Show new distribution release” to “Normal releases”->Quit
• Go to System-> Administration->Update Manager->
• Check for updates.  A box should now appear that says “New distribution release ‘8.10′ is available
• Click Upgrade -> Then follow the instructions that pop up. Your almost done!
• Restart when prompted.  Enjoy your new Intrepid Ibex!

2. Using CD or DVD:

• Use this method if the system being upgraded is not connected to the Internet.
• Download the alternate installation CD
  1. Burn the ISO to a CD and insert it into the CD-ROM drive of the computer to be upgraded.

     • If the ISO file is on the computer to be upgraded, you could avoid wasting a CD by mounting the ISO as a drive with a command like:

       sudo mount -o loop ~/Desktop/ubuntu-8.10-alternate-i386.iso /media/cdrom0

  2. A dialog will be displayed offering you the opportunity to upgrade using that CD.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

If the upgrade dialog is not displayed for any reason, you may also run the following command using Alt+F2:

gksu "sh /cdrom/cdromupgrade"

3. Upgrading through bittorrent:

• Detailed instructions can be found on torrentfreak.com
• http://torrentfreak.com/use-bittorrent-to-upgrade-to-ubuntu-intrepid-ibex-081029/

4. From the command line:

• apt-get install update-manager-core

• Open the file /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades…

• vi /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades  –you can use what ever text editor you are comfortable with–

• … and change Prompt=lts to Prompt=normal:

[...]
Prompt=normal

• sudo apt-get update

• sudo do-release-upgrade

Linux Writers October 27, 2008

Well, seeing how this is my first post, and I wish to be a writer someday, I figured that my first post should be on writing.

The Linux Journal has sent out a request for articles on the inner workings of the desktops.  Personally, I’d like to see more KDE news.  The problem is I am not a writer.  But I know some of you are!  They didn’t give any information on compensation or the such, but at least you’ll get to see your name in print.

The deadline for completed articles is December 1st, so get on it! And remember, no Windows articles!