GeekTimeLinux

The cpio command is one of the most commonly used Linux back up tools.

The cpio command has two unusual features

Unlike tar , in which the files to back up are typed in as part of the command, cpio reads the files to work with from the standard input (in other words, the screen).

This feature means that cpio must be used as part of a multiple command or with a redirection pipe. Examples of this usage are shown in the tables below.

cpio must always be used with one of three flags. Flags are options that set the mode in which the command runs. Only one flag can be used at a time, and it must come before any other options. In addition, the choice of flags limits the options that can be used. Each flag also has a gnu option that can used in its place. The gnu option gives a convenient name for each flag: extract, create, and pass- through.

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The tar backup program is an archiving program designed to store and extract files from an archive file known as a tarfile. A tarfile may be made on a tape drive; however, it is also common to write a tarfile to a normal file.

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During the past month, we have reviewed several distributions and I thought it would be interesting to look back and see how our initial impression had changed after using the operating systems for a sustained period. Here goes:

SIMPLY MEPIS 3.3.1

I continue to love working with this distro. It is full featured and robust and has the software we need in the Lab to do many of our tasks. In fact, this post is being written using Open Office on my Simply Mepis machine.

My one comment in the initial review was regarding the lack of a good E-mail client. Once I corrected that problem(see: HERE’S AFIX), like cream, the distro rose to the top.

Some of the changes in this release include; an update of packages to synchronize with the Debian pool. Alsa mixer pre-configuration is fully automated. The ra0 wireless port is supported via the OS Center and Serial_cs and rt2500 drivers are available.

In addition, Acrobat Reader has been updated to 7.0 and the mimetype configuration has been modified to use Acrobat automatically.

In addition, there are many programs that caused us to jump on the MEPIS bandwagon several months ago. But we weren’t the only ones to adopt this distro. It is number 3 at Distrowatch and other reviewers are saying much the same as we are. It’s a GREAT distro. One of those is Linuxquestions.org. SIMPLY MEPIS 3.3.1 might be your distro.

LIBRANET 3.0:

A wonderfully complete Debian distro, LIBRANET 3.0 is another of those distros that JUST WORK.

Libra Computer Systems or Canada have moved from a 2 CD distro offered in 2.8.1, to a full 5 CD’s in version 3.0 or you can get the distro on a single DVD.

In addition to being another Debian based distro, LIBRANET has included a new installer and includes features to give Linux users the convenience of using USB sticks and an abundance of windows managers including; KDE 3.3, GNOME 2.8.3 and a half dozen stand alone windows managers including, IceWM, Afterstep and Blackbox.

Libranet also offers “ADMINMENU”. Use it to set up your printer, update security patches, install new programs from CDs or on-line.

We installed LIBRANET on May 6th and have been using it ever since, including the use of ADMINMENU for updating. It has worked flawlessly.

Newsforge recently reviewed the distro and basically reinforced our conclusion…a Debian distro that works. If you aren’t opposed to paying for a Linux distro, give them a look. LIBRANET 3.0

MANDRIVA LIMITED EDITION 2005:

One of those distros that has always been user friendly and provided an abundance of software and has always stayed in tune with the latest hardware is MANDRAKE now MANDRIVA.

Since its acquisition of Connective, MANDRAKE has changed its name, but not it’s attitude of providing the latest in programs and supporting new hardware. Only the name has changed.

We installed MANDRIVA in April and I must say I was impressed. With its 2.6.11 linux kernel and updated features, it is hard not to love this distro.

In addition to software upgrades, (OpenOffice, CDRECORD,FIREFOX 1.0.2 and more) MANDRIVA has made external hardware easy to configure. How simple is it? How about automatic? This distro recognizes external hardware and automatically configures it. Flash drives and removable media are auto-mounted and given an icon on the desktop. MANDRIVA also installs, by default, hardware accelerated 3D video drivers for Nvidia, ATI and Intel based graphic processors.

After nearly a month of using MANDRIVA Limited Edition 2005, I find it hard to imagine where version 2006 is going to go. No problems, just success and what else would you expect from a distro.

MAD PENGUIN has echoed our feelings…MANDRIVA is a GREAT distribution.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…SUSE 9.3:

Yes, this distro has been on a machine in the Lab since early April. Do I like it? You can bet your mouse!

Suse has a special place in my heart, so if I find something that doesn’t work as represented, I feel pain. I must say, that to date, this distro has been painless. I did have one reader that felt that since Novell bought SUSE, it was not the “hackers” distro it once was, but I guess I feel there are “different strokes for different folks.”

I have tried to break almost everything in this distro and thus far have not been successful. Almost does not include XEN. I have not had time to experiment with this program, however do have it on the schedule.

For those not familiar, XEN is a virtual monitor (VMM) for the x86 processor architecture. Simply, it means that multiple virtual machines can execute on a single physical system.

SUSE has increased their hardware support making WLAN easier. They have also given the user a choice of KDE or GNOME desktops. Installation is a piece of cake.

I just read a review by Linux Planet that indicates that our assessment of the distro is shared by others.

Twas my first Linux distro several years ago and continues to have a warm place in my heart. I use it daily and would recommend it to anyone, newbie or experienced user.

All are up…All are working…All are performing at max capacity and without flaws!

It came from New Zealand like a streaking bullet. A new release of YOPER, a distribution for those with a need for speed.

Recently released YOPER ver 2.1.0 is unlike a lot of distributions that are built on top of another. YOPER is built from scratch with a performance enhanced kernel 2.6.8, KDE 3.2.3, Mozilla-1.7.2 and for those that like the Reiser format, Reiser 4.

Having done many installs in the past months, I had become quite comfortable booting a CD and basically letting the install handle itself. YOPER isn’t quite that simple, yet is not as complicated as one might think.

After being greeted by the welcome screen I was brought to a Linux prompt where by typing “yoper” the install started.

Having not done a text based install for some time, I had to take notice. License agreement and check for the integrity of my software. While I had downloaded and burned the disc, I decided checking would be a good thing. No problems, I proceeded to the next step partitioning the hard drive. Those that have used Suse, Fedora or Mandrake know how simple this is…say “yes” and all is handled. Here, the installer informs you that you have to manually create two partitions, a swap greater than 128 MB and root that is at least 3GB. YOPER uses cfdisk for partitioning purposes. I created a 512MB swap and a very large root partition.

Since I was interested in seeing all the new, stable technology work together, I selected REISER4 as the format and within seconds was receiving a message that indicated that YOPER was installing and it could take from 5 to 15 minutes.

Less than ten minutes later, the old Pentium III indicated that the install was complete and I was answering post-install questions. Connected to a broadband connection, DHCP. Answering yes to both, the network was configured.

Next was the selection of a boot loader. Both GRUB and LILO are offered, however there is a warning. If using REISER4, LILO is the only loader supported. Looked like LILO was the best answer!

Time zone configuration was quite interesting. You are given a choice of the various countries in the world…select yours…next a time zone within that region and finally…you have local time! Sounds more complicated than it really is. User name and password were next, followed by root password and it was time to finishing the install. You are required to type “exit” and then enter. Then type “re boot” and enter and remove your single install disc.

My question is “couldn’t this have been automated?”

After the reboot, I flashed on a Suse install as the SaX screen appeared to configure X. Quickly and painlessly configured, I logged in for the first time.

In all, the install went quite well. Sound card, E-net card, video, mouse all configured correctly the first time. Installing a printer took about 30 seconds and upgrading packages was a snap.

YOPER uses the apt-get system with the GUI “Synaptic”. When the install is complete, simply click on the “Y” in the lower left corner, go to “system” and “synaptic”. There you will find many packages and have the opportunity to update.

There are some short comings with YOPER. Programs such as XMMS-mp3 and GAIM for chat are among those missing. It appears that many programs were eliminated in attempt to keep the system from bogging down. Yet , YOPER offers package managers for RPM, Deb and Slackware.

At the onset, I said YOPER was advertised as the fastest Linux distro on the market. After working with it for a short time, I believe that to be true and with the latest in stable programs, it’s market share can only grow.

Need more info or want to download, go to their website
YOPER.