GeekTimeLinux

Synaptic is a graphical user interface (GUI) for managing software packages on Debian-based distributions. If you are using Debian or Ubuntu you will easily find Synaptic in the System Tools menu or in the Administration menu. Synaptic uses the GTK graphic libraries . So, if you are using GNOME on your debian-based distro you will probably have Synaptic installed as well. Synaptic is a graphical package management program for apt. It provides the same features as the apt-get command line utility with a GUI front-end based on Gtk+.

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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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Remember way back in April when I wrote about Simply Mepis in Alpha form? At that time, I noted how impressed I was with what Warren had done in incorporating Mepis with the Ubuntu kernel.

I had downloaded and given the distro a test drive and found that all four wheels were round and it was quite good on the hills. Now, in beta 2, I must say that things just keep getting better.

SIMPLY MEPIS is offering some cutting edge programs to go with a very stable distribution. I have had beta 2 running since it was released and have yet to have a problem.

I could spend a lot of time talking about the installation, but really there is nothing to discuss. If your computer will boot from the CD you will have Simply Mepis beta 2 up and running in a matter of moments as a Live CD. It’s a nice feature that gives you the feel (although a little slower than an installed distro) of Linux without having to install. I guess it would be similar to a test drive!

If you opt to install the distro, simply click on the INSTALL MEPIS icon, answer a couple of questions and the installer begins to whirr away.

What’s in store once the install in completed? Some of the latest in programs including; Firefox 1.5.0.2, GAIM 1.5.1, an updated version of GIMP, and the list goes on and on. In addition, Simply Mepis beta 2 uses Synaptic as a package manager that gives you access to the Mepis, Ubuntu and Debian repositories, so you are never limited when trying to find the program that’s just right for your project.

The final version should be out around June 1st.

Based on what we’ve seen thus far, Warren and crew have once again produced a WINNER with Simply Mepis!

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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In 2003, Warren Woodford founded MEPIS LLC to realize his personal vision for a version of Linux that was easy to install and use. Later, he would release Simply Mepis a distro that I downloaded early on and began to tout at this site.

The distro featured simplicity in that the Live CD that could be run on your home or laptop computer without installation. This gave users a chance to try the distro before install.

Like many distributions, Simply Mepis was written on the Debian base. In fact, until recently Simply Mepis was still being written on the Debian base, however when release 3.4-3 was delayed by the constant updates of Debian Etch it became apparent that there might be changes ahead.

Warren, who has always produced a cutting edge, high quality distro began looking at what the alternatives were. His decision was to contact Mark Shuttleworth and the Canonical team who had developed UBUNTU. Using the UBUNTU base would give Simply Mepis the opportunity to provide a stable distro, updated every six months. In addition, it would not be that far from the Debian base, in fact, several Debian repositories could be used for adding and updating programs .

The buzz in the Linux community was quite positive and on April 10, 2006, SimplyMepis 6.0 Alpha 1 was born.

I must admit the mirrors were busy as avid SimplyMepis devotees downloaded the new distro. It was exciting because there had been little leaked about what the distro would look like or even how programs would be handled. The only certainty was the disto was on the mirrors.

For those that have installed SimplyMepis, the install remained, basically, the same.

Rebooting one of the lab machines I was greeted with options for:

Newer System

Display Problems

Older Systems

Booting Small (Very Old Displays)

Memory Test

Selecting “Newer System” the system started and continued to a log in screen. Here you can select from:

ROOT

and

DEMO

The password is what you select…root/root…demo/demo.

Once entered, you are greeted with KDE 3.5.2. Kmix still comes up automatically and I have yet to have Simply Mepis fail to configure a sound card.

On the red background is the INSTALL ME Icon. Once selected, simplicity takes over. I must note that I want the distro to be the only one on the hard drive, so I selected the option to take over entire disk. At this point, the SimplyMepis installer takes over, formats the disc and installs the base system. Anything easier might be criminal!

After the base system is installed, you are given two options as to where to load GRUB. Mine is the default MBR. Next is selecting a user name, password, root password and you are just a step away from booting into your new system. That step is verifying time. Once your time zone is selected, you are told to reboot without the CD. Don’t worry about the CD while the system is booting down, just remove before your new Linux system boots up!

I mentioned KDE, but there are several other cutting edge programs. OpenOffice 2.0.2, Firefox 1.5, Thunderbird 1.5 and Amarok 1.3.9 just to mention a few. With the Mepis kernel configured for version 2.6.15 in the Ubuntu package pool, the bootable/installation CD contains over 900 packages. With the combination of Ubuntu/SimplyMepis/Debian repositories, some 15,000 programs are available at your finger tips. Simply click on on the KDE Gears at the bottom of your screen and select Synaptic. You will be amazed.

Since this is an Alpha, there are many questions. First, how stable is the system? I installed 6.0 Alpha-1 on April 11. I have now used the system exclusively for three days and have found no problems in stability. I did have to install twice as the first time the system would not boot, however the simple 15-20 minute install proved well worth it.

Another question is, “Have you had difficulty with adding packages”? This is a very real concern and I must say that when you go to Synaptic, you must read the synopsis on the program you are going to install. Some are Dummy Programs! Make sure you are actually installing a program!!! To this point I have added 22 programs and all have worked without problems.

As for aesthetics, I like them. Color, icon sets, etc. The distro has a very comfortable feel.

With UBUNTU maintaining the top spot at Distrowatch and Simply Mepis currently in the fifth spot, I truly believe this will be good for both. A consistent six month release schedule, a live CD version of the distro for those that are unable to install or are unsure that Linux is for them and two very dedicated development teams.

Within the last few months, several writers have indicated they feel Linux is not ready for Prime Time…more specifically the Desktop. This might dispel that myth!

The official version of SimplyMepis 6.0 is scheduled for June.

Last year, at Christmas time, we highlighted some distros designed to keep you from throwing out the old computer, when the shiny new one was unwrapped. This year, lets talk about a Release Candidate that will be final soon.

MEPISLite 3.3.2-1 rc1 is now on the Mepis mirrors for download and to use a term of the season “it’s Sweet”!

I have been a supporter of Mepis since Warren Woodford founded Mepis LLC in 2003. I have used Simply Mepis and have one machine in the lab that has had nothing else on it since it went from Windows to LINUX. The reason? Mepis is a quick install, simple to use, stable and using APT-GET, is quickly updated or upgraded.

MEPISLite is designed for users who are still using the old Windows 98 box or have one sitting in the closet. Based on Debian Sarge, MEPISLite 3.3.2-1 rc1 includes KDE 3.3.2, Firefox, Thunderbird, Kplayer, Amarok, Skype and a host of games.

Another benefit is that users of earlier versions of MEPISLite who want to manually synchronize their machines to Debian Sarge can get help by contacting the fine folks at MEPIS Forums at Mepis.org and mepislovers.org

I downloaded the package this past weekend and have had a chance to use it on two different machines (no install…just as a live CD) and I believe the term would be “SLICK”!

On a 950Mhz PIII, the system just flew. I set it up as if I had installed and started through the various options. While there is a little loss of speed working from a ramdisk, the distro was quite impressive. I then tried it on an AMD Athlon 1.2 with much RAM and found that there really isn’t a need for an install. I was flying…slightly below the installed speed…but flying none the less.

Been wanting to try Linux? Have an old computer with Windows 98 that has the ability to boot from CD? Looking for that which might be the only free thing this Christmas? The answer is MEPISLite. Download it today. I think you will enjoy what you find!

The end of August and the start of September with Linux Betas flying from all directions.

MANDRIVA, SimplyMEPIS, UBUNTU and OPEN SUSE are all on servers waiting for testers to test and the finished version to be released.

In an attempt to bring you current, we are going to take the individual distro betas and see what is new or exciting…or possibly both! Our lab machines are loaded and we have been hacking since a relaxing vacation with family.

So without further banter, were we go.

SimplyMEPIS is the nearest to being released. Version 3.3.2 continues to be one of the easiest to setup and operate of the Linux systems and it offers a vast array of software.

While this is an interim release with version 3.4 due for release about a month after KDE 3.4 and Xorg 6.8.x and OpenOffice 2.0 enters the Debian unstable pool.

The importance of this release is it introduces “DESKTOP ON THE GO” to users. With this exciting new product, users can take their desktop anywhere a compatible version of Linux is available, including running from CD.

In addition to Desktop On The Go, SimplyMEPIS 3.3.2 includes AES desktop encryption, SMP kernels for pentium 4 and K6 and Acrobat Reader 7.0.1 which contains a security patch. NOTE: the Acrobat deb will soon be available from the MEPIS pool.

So how does it run? Like a well oiled watch! I have been using Simply MEPIS for sometime and have encouraged many “newbies” to do the same. The reason…”SIMPLICITY!” The disk is a live CD, so you can see if your
system will run the various programs before installing. Once convinced that this is the distro for you, simply click on the “Install” icon and away you go.

What you have when the install completes is a distro that contains many sound and video programs, K3B for burning CD or DVDs, Firefox for browsing the internet, OpenOffice and the list goes on. The crew at Simply MEPIS have all but eliminated the learning curve for new users and in talking with some of the old time Linux users, they find the distro mature and containing the programs they need.

Debian based for stability, SimplyMEPIS 3.3.2 is, in my opinion, “One SWEET distribution.”

In February, we reviewed Simply Mepis 3.3 and were ready to present Warren and his crew an “OSCAR.” Now, three months later, we take a look at SIMPLY MEPIS 3.3.1.

For those unfamiliar with SIMPLY MEPIS, it is released either by download or by purchase of a single CD and can be used as a live CD or can be installed on the hard drive.

SIMPLY MEPIS is a very stable distribution built on a Debian base. This affords the advantage of using the Debian “Apt-Get” program for both install of additional programs and updating. Our experience over the past few months has been quite satisfying as SIMPLY MEPIS has been on machine two and has been used in many projects.

Version 3.3.1, has a long list of features, many duplicates of 3.3 including; KDE 3.3.2 desktop, a newer version of Open Office with version 1.1.4, the very popular Firefox browser, GAIM, Xchat, Skype (the highly popular VO-ip system used at Geektimelinux) Mplayer plugin and the list goes on. There’s even support for both older and newer equipment with a 2.4.29 kernel and a 2.6.10 kernel for newer equipment,

The install is probably one of the most simple anywhere. Simply boot to your CD and within a minute or so, you will have a working Linux distro on your computer. As a live CD, (as with all live CDs) you will notice the distro is a bit slow, however once loaded on the hard drive, the speed increases and the entire system seems to fly through tasks.

Once installed, you can check for updates by opening a console as root and using the command: apt-get update and the apt-get upgrade. This will insure that your distro contains all the latest packages.

If you find a program that you would like, simply go to KDE ->System -> Synaptic Package Manager and select the package you want. Synaptic is the GUI based apt-get program. In addition, Synaptic takes care of dependencies.

My experience with SIMPLY MEPIS has been excellent, however I have found a problem with ver 3.3.1. It appears that unless you use Kmail for your POP 3 account, you are out-of-luck. While Synaptic shows Thunderbird (No Evolution), it can not be loaded due to unresolved dependencies. This might be resolved in the coming weeks, however, at this time…it remains broken.

While this might take the bloom off the distro for some, it shouldn’t! The many programs offered by SIMPLY MEPIS far outshine the one that appears broken.

How would we rate SIMPLY MEPIS? For the newbie, this is a must try. Give it a spin as a live CD and if you like what you see, install it on your computer. For the long time Linux user, there is a lot of software available within this distro and it should be an early consideration.

It hit the mirrors just before “OSCAR” night and appears that Warren may be in the offing for an award.

We’re talking about the much anticipated update of Simply Mepis. For weeks the various boards have been talking about this release and the Beta was highly downloaded as Mepis users tried out the newest version. I had been checking daily and Friday night saw the post and immediately downloaded.

For those not familiar with Simply Mepis, it is a Debian based release that downloads as a “Live CD.” This allows the user to test their hardware and insure compatability. In fact, some users never install the system on their hard drive and use it only as a “Live CD.” Either way, simplicity is the key to the wonderful world of Linux via Simply Mepis.

Version 3.3 has a long list of features including: KDE 3.3.2 desktop, Open Office 1.1.3 (with Word Perfect document support), the very popular Firefox 1.0 browser, GAIM, Xchat, Skype (the highly popular Voip system used at Geektimelinux) Mplayer plugin, Scribus, Synaptic and a host of other new or revised programs. In addition, there is support for older equipment with a 2.4.29 Kernel version or 2.6.10 for newer equipment. New choices of video drivers and an improved installer supporting more hard drive configurations.

For the experienced users, Simply Mepis provides the renowned APT package system from the Debian project, so with Synaptic and Kpackage one can easily add new software and update existing software in moments. In fact, over 10,000 packages can be downloaded for free from the Debian Package pool and the Mepis pool.

How does it work? GREAT! All hardware, sound, network and print was detected and configured without flaw. Checking the local networking options, the Shared Files on the Windows machine my wife uses was detected with ease. Warren has even included Kweather, which puts your local weather near the time on your screen.

If you are looking for a quick and simple way to a Debian based Linux distribution, Simply Mepis is the answer. After installation,the CD can be used as a rescue and repair disk for Mepis and also for computers still using Windows.

Nearly five months after installing Simply Mepis, a tragic thing happened. I had a power failure and lost all of that “Uptime.”

Now to a non-Linux user, the meaning of “Uptime” is something that is hard to comprehend. I know of few Windows machines that would endure continuous operation for about 145 days. This is without booting, without mouse freeze, without keyboard lock-up, without any type of shutdown.

Daily I have come home from work, wiggled the mouse and up comes the wallpaper that has become, almost as familiar as a member of the family. Its failure (due to a power outage) was met with the same empty feeling that one gets when they know they are going to have a “root canal.”

No damage was done, the system came right up when I hit the power button, but 145 days of “Uptime” was gone…poof…lost…never to return.

I write this for several reasons. First, to get it off my chest with other Linux users and second, to call attention to the “Soon-to-be-released” Version 3.3. Mepis-lovers have been waiting, checking the boards and visiting the Mepis site in droves in anticiaption.

The new version reportedly will see several changes including the addition of GAIM and Xchat. Kopete will be dropped. In addition, Synaptic will be added as an alternative package manager. There are minor bug fixes and the GNOME desktop and menus are more polished. German. French and Spanish KDE localizations have been preinstalled all on a bootable CD.

As soon as MEPIS 3.3 is available, we will be downloading, installing and reviewing and I am sure, based on past performance, Warren will have another WINNER.