GeekTimeLinux

I’ve now got a laptop (Compaq/HP nx9010) with Fedora Core 6 installed. One of the updates killed it every time I tried to apply the update. The update was GNOME-Python2-Package. anyhoo, I unchecked it, and the rest of the 158 updates completed successfully. Well, here I go….

This is very good tutorials for bandwidth monitoring,network monitoring and servers monitoring tools with clear step by step installation guides this includes Nagios,MRTG,RTG,Netmrg,Darkstat,monit,munin,mon,oreon,Saidar ,Cacti,Bigsister,ibmonitor,zabbix.This resouce is Very useful for Users and Administrators to monitor their networks,bandwidth and servers.

Read Full article here

New to Linux? Intermediate user? Need good information that is not buried in the middle of a 1200 page text? No matter how I say this it is going to sound like a sales pitch and it really isn’t, but it is a bit of advice. Try TUX MAGAZINE.

TUX is an on-line magazine that is designed for the Linux NOOB. The magazine, now in its 13th Issue has a lot of information that removes the mystery of many programs and in many occasions, provides tips to get more out of your computing experience.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the best part…IT’S FREE! Visit their site and begin enjoying TUX MAGAZINE on-line.

syslog-ng© is the world’s most flexible and scalable audit trail processing tool for organizations of any size. It provides a centralised, securely stored log of all devices on your network, whatever platform they run on. And syslog-ng also incorporates a host of powerful features, including filtering based on message content, as well as customisable data mining and analysis capabilities.

Read Full article here

One more thing is most of the users look for web interface for syslog-NG for this Check here

Having followed Mandriva Limited Edition 2005 through its various development cycles, I was anxious to install Mandriva 2006. This would be the first release combining the technologies of Conectiva, Lycoris and Mandrake. It promised many new features. It delivered in most areas.

MANDRIVA is one of the most powerful, yet simple Linux distributions on the market. While you can download from several mirrors, the push is for you to become a Mandriva Club Member. With the membership, you receive some additional privileges including earlier download of new releases at a price. You select the level. If you are not a member, you get the download version at a little later date.

The shiny new MANDRIVA 2006 is full of new touches and new software. The new Blue Penguin on the splash screen is a bit of a shocker as are the penguins on the screen saver! As for software, MANDRIVA 2006 is loaded with the latest; KDE 3.4.2 and GNOME 2.10.2 head the list. Both offer excellent performance and some new features. I have KDE on one lab machine and GNOME on another and truly like both. Version 2.6.12.11 of the Linux kernel is an excellent choice. It offers excellent performance. Other software includes; Firefox 1.0.6, Gaim ( the instant messaging program) version 1.5.0, Evolution 2.2.3 and a host of other new versions of popular software. One of the interesting choices is Kat. For those that have never used it, Kat is a desktop search engine that can index a directory or your whole system for comprehensive searching.

One of the packages I have been waiting to work with is Smart package manager. While I have not had the time to really devote to Smart, that is my next project, I will report back. Smart differs from other package managers in it has configurations available for urpmi repositories, rpm directory, apt-get repositories, apt-rpm repositories Slackware repositories as well as deb directories. If you opt to remain with Mandriva’s original package manager, it remains in place.

The MANDRIVA installer continues to be a thing of beauty. I mention this because it is simple and very quick. Simply boot to disc 1, answer a couple of questions and settle back with a good cup of coffee or tea. You will be prompted to change discs and in a short time, you will be booting into your new system. It is the simplicity of this installer that has always made MANDRIVA a joy to install.

If you are one that likes to have plugins in your browser, you will be pleased to know that MANDRIVA has Real Player (helix), Java and Adobe included in the install. Other software can be added by simply going to: SYSTEM>CONFIGURATION>PACKAGING>SOFTWARE and selecting a package or searching those available. The process is quick and easy.

At this time,I do not have an Intel Mobil Centrino machine in the lab, however, MANDRIVA has been talking up their Wi-Fi setup with the system and based on what I see, they are probably in the forefront of Linux Wi-Fi.

My assessment of MANDRIVA 2006 is very simple. It is a well known distribution that has gone the extra mile to insure the latest software, is simple to use and provides a feel that is polished and professional.

MANDRIVA 2006, is now available for download. Give it a try!

In August, Novell SUSE announced a community based development operation called OPEN SUSE. This on the heels of a very successful Suse Pro 9.3. The new distribution would be built on Novell’s SUSE Pro Line and would become the successor to that line. Through several test releases, watching the distribution take shape has been enjoyable and when the release of SUSE 10.0 was announced it came without fanfare. SUSE 10.0 or if you prefer OPEN SUSE 1.

The distro, as with the Pro Line is cutting-edge, using the latest, proven packages. KDE 3.4.2, GNOME 2.12, OpenOffice.org 2.0. These are just a few of the cutting-edge packages in SUSE 10.0.

The new SUSE also includes the latest Firefox and Opera browsers as well as E-mail and IM clients. The new and much talked about “Beagle” desktop search engine and Amarok music player have also been included.

While SUSE 10 comes in two versions, I chose the one with Adobe Acro Reader 7, Real Networks RealPlayer 10, Sun’s JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and Macromedia’s Flash Player. The second version is for the purist and includes only open-source components.

When I found that 10.0 had become official, I immediately began looking for a mirror that was not over burdened. It took some doing, but once I began downloading, all went smoothly. Five .isos downloaded…five .isos burned and it was time for an install. Since this is the first of its kind, I decided to put it on an old machine and see how it performed.

The install on an old 1.2G AMD with 348K of RAM went flawlessly. While a bit on the slow side, the install progressed without a hitch. (I later installed on a much newer machine with 1G of RAM and the install seemed to fly!) The usual questions; language, licensing agreement, choice of install (KDE or GNOME), time zone, etc. Once answered, it was time for the install to begin. End of Disk 1, system rebooted and the install continued.

Once the install concluded, a root user and user log-in was created and it was time to look at the new system. SUSE has done an excellent job of polishing their font system and that combined with the new KDE Icons makes for a very easy to view system. (I am sure the GNOME look is also highly polished). I’m sure that the polish is second only to the stability of this distro. I have been into every program, have had multiple screens and programs open and have yet to have a freeze up, or glitch!

SUSE has used YAST for years and this control system works! From YAST, you can configure almost anything from installing or upgrading software to doing system backups to configuring hardware. YAST also offers YOU (Yast Online Updates) which will check, automatically for program and security updates. This is another extremely simple program to set up and let run.

For those that haven’t felt the bite of BEAGLE, you can with this distro. BEAGLE is a desktop search tool. You need to let it index the directories of interest then you can comprehensively search for any application, file or term. BEAGLE will display a nice window as links with short descriptions that when clicked open them in the appropriate window.

I feel that having reviewed the Betas of this distro, I may be rambling and probably am, but when a distribution delivers as much for newbie and experienced user as SUSE 10 does, I won’t be the only one!

SUSE 10 will be used in 2006 as the foundation for the next version of Novell’s enterprise operating systems: SLES (Suse Linux Enterprise Server) and its related systems such as Open Enterprise Server.

If you prefer a box set, the retail version of Suse Linux 10 will be offered globally via all of Novell’s major retail channels at a suggested retail price of $59.

I admit to being a long time SUSE user and have seen many of the changes that have taken place over the past few years with the OS. On the heels of Suse Linux Pro 9.3, this is a MUST distro.

The final review of Betas is MANDRIVA 2006-0.3.

For those not familiar with MANDRIVA, formerly Mandrake, the company was founded in 1998. Their goal, make Linux easy to use and to date, they have succeeded.

Having used MANDRIVA Limited Edition 2005, curiosity was high when 2006 was announced. 2005 had been and continues to be one of the distros that has remained on a lab machine and has had an abundance of abuse or aah, testing!

While the graphics on the splash screen have changed…again, the development team at MANDRIVA have put together a distro that is simple to install, easy to use and features programs ranging from the latest version of Open Office to tools ranging from multi-media to E-mail client.

If you have never done a MANDRIVA install, it couldn’t be easier. Simply boot to the first CD and with a few simple questions, the installation program takes over and before long, you are looking at a full Linux install. It really can’t get much simpler.

The default windows manager is KDE and with the latest version, the icons and “eye candy” are clean and polished. MANDRIVA users will find Firefox 1.0.6 and the latest version of GAIM (for IM). In addition, this robust distro is designed to work with i586, ppc, x86 and 64 processor architecture.

While there has been interest in what MANDRIVA will use from their recent purchase of CONECTIVA and LYCORIS, there is no sign of either in this distro. This might change soon. In a recent issue of LINUX FORMAT (one of my favorite monthly reads) Gael Duval, one of the founders of MANDRAKE/MANDRIVA eluded to the possibility of the use of SMARTPM, a program management tool by Conectiva.

While this version is still in Beta form, it appears that MANDRIVA has another winner on their hands, something that is getting to be “old hat”!

If you like to try betas, download MANDRIVA 2006 Beta and give it a try. Not that daring, the full distro should be available soon.

am truly excited to be afforded the opportunity to review one of the newest Debian based distributions XANDROS Business 3.0. I have used XANDROS for some time and each distro seems to include the latest software at a time when it is most needed.

For anyone not familiar with XANDROS, they have been leading developer of easy-to-use alternatives to Windows since 2001. XANDROS Business 3.0 provides seamless compatibility with the latest Windows servers, including domain authentication support, logon scripts and group policy profiles.

But that is just part of the story. XANDROS has now included the latest wireless network card support including Intel Centrino with WPA configuration, Xandros Click-N-Connect wireless network Access Point finder and more. There’s SKYPE, the internet VO-ip system that allows users to call the world from their computer, Xandros Anti-Virus, the Xandros Firewall Wizard and the ability to drag-and-drop from desktop to folders, Windows network shares and FTP sites.

XANDROS Business 3.0 includes one of my favorite programs, Codeweavers CrossOver Office. For years I have been using this program and having it custom installed in an operating system is a real treat. Codeweavers CrossOver Office affords the ability to run Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Quicken and Dreamweavers and other Win32 applications on the Xandros desktop.

If it’s word processing you want, XANDROS Business 3.0 features Sun’s Star Office Suite which reads and writes most Microsoft documents, spreadsheets and presentation files.

OK…If the distribution has this many features, how hard is it to install? Since their founding XANDROS has been the leading developer in easy-to-install Linux distributions. Installation is a four click process with automatic disc partitioning. Their hardware detection and configuration is world class.

XANDROS Business 3.0 is loaded with Multi-Media. With the built in File Manager, you can write data or music CDs simply by dragging-and-dropping. Connect your favorite digital camera (Xandros supports hundreds), browse the Web, sync with your Palm Pilot or browse and mount network file systems (NFS) for easy file sharing in Linux and Unix environments.

I could continue on talking about the good stuff…you know…like, SMP, Journaling file systems, support for AMD Athlon 64 (32-bit mode) and more, but I think you get the idea.

I think XANDROS Business 3.0 has hit the nail right on the head. While this distro is not free, the price is really an investment in a simple, stable system that makes transitioning from Windows “Child”s Play.”

I have always been one that was a little nervous rating a distro on a scale of 1-10, however using 10 as the highest, I believe the new XANDROS Business 3.0 deserves a 9+.

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!

Being a computer geek, linux nut and an amateur radio operator at the same time can pose problems. While there is an abundance of Ham programs for computers few offer the opportunity to get on a repeater and talk!

After doing a search for programs that might link, via VO-ip, I saw Echo Linux. WOW, a Linux program that would do what I wanted. Problem was that when I started researching, I found that it was unstable, not easy to use and in general…was not acceptable. The solution would be to install Windows on one of the computers in my home computer lab. While this did present the simple way, it was totally unacceptable in my mind. I needed another way, one involving LINUX.

Having multiple machines on my home network gave me an opportunity to see what distro might be best suited to the task I was going to try. My selection was Mandrake 10.1 Professional. A great RPM based program with more horns, whistles and sirens than most of us will ever use. Next would be how to install the Windows based program.

I have long been a big supporter of Jeremy White and the fine folks from Codeweavers. I use their Professional version and have for years and since this is a program that gives WINE a gui face, this might be the answer. Nothing ventured, etc.,etc.

I already had Codeweavers on this machine, so I went to the EchoLink site and started a download. I was prompted by my little Linux machine to save to CXOFFICE (Codeweavers directory). Download went well and within a couple of mouse clicks I had an EchoLink sign on screen. WOW! I went through the sign up and completed the setup. As an aside, when you join the some 150,000 world wide users of EchoLink, you must have your call sign and license class authenticated. This insures that unlicensed persons do not access the various repeaters of the world.

Once the authentication had been returned, I began working with the EchoLink test server. This is a server that allows you to test and set your audio level, so as to not sound raspy or over drive the front end of a repeater. This turned out to be the biggest problem experienced, but once I got on the same page with the Echo Link program, we were up and running. The whole process was less than an hour (including my stupidity on microphone) and it was time to try the system.

First try was GREAT! I went to the menu and selected a repeater in Honolulu, Hawaii. Not bad for no transmitter from Illinois! When I keyed the repeater it responded with “Aloha from Honolulu.” WOW, this is great. Now, due to the time changes, it was in the middle of the night and I did not make a contact, but I was encouraging. Next was a state side repeater and within minutes I was engaged in a state side QSO.

While I used Codeweavers, I believe you achieve the same thing with WINE.

Hear me on somewhere, give a call.

73, Dave, K0DST that’s K0 Darn Small Transmitter

*QRZ…Who’s calling me.

Pardon me for not posting for several days. One of my computers decided to express its disapproval and in doing so, frosted a motherboard.

For many, this is something they have dealt with, for me (although I have had some computer problems) this was a first. I tried a new video card, ethernet card, power supply (all of which were at hand) and to no avail. What to do…what to do?

My first thought was to combine the parts from three or four old machines and see if I could make a working one that would satisfy my minimal demands. (Installs, re-installs, 24/7 operation) That seemed like a very workable plan until I decided to go into one of the big Chicago Area Box Stores and browse! My God, do you know how many motherboards some of these stores have? And what about processors? Intel or AMD, “Come right in, we have ‘em all, just step to the end of the line and we’ll be right with you!” WOW! This is something else…It’s like living the GEEK Dream!

“Yes sir, based on what you are telling me this would work, but this would work better and if you really want to have to fasten your seat belt when computing, this Mother (I think he meant Motherboard) will get you there in the blink of an eye.” Now I have to tell you in my youth, I would have said “ Lets strap on that fast one and make sure I have a seat belt for anyone around me!” But age has begun to catch up with me and I settled for a little slower board. Next, I was confronted with PROCESSOR CHOICES! God, I love those words…Just say it with me PROCESSOR CHOICES! It makes you feel a part of the computer. There were AMD 2500’s to Pentium 4 gazaggabit dingers. I know that came in there somewhere. I heard it in the same way you hear the hours you are suppose to be home, the first time you drive after getting your drivers license.

Boy, a gazaggabit dinger, this sounds like something that I would need to wear a parachute with as well as the seat belt, so maybe I should take it a little slower. Don’t want to have a heart attack upon launch onto the internet!

OK, make mine an AMD SEMPRON 2800. 1.2 Gig … yeah that should work and I can leave some of the accessories behind (parachute, seat belt, etc.) I have to say that the young salesman really had a gleam in his eye when he talked about that gazaggabit dinger. He really seemed a little disappointed when I went this direction. I think he was wanting to see what I would do in the fast lane!

Well, now sitting on the counter is a Motherboard and Processor with fan. What about Memory? Oh yeah, what will a Gig cost. Now anyone who has bought ram recently knows the pitch…”Well sir, this is normally $XX, but there is an in-store rebate and a mail in rebate and if I kick in a few dollars, this is almost free to you…are you sure that a Gig will be enough?” Lets face it, when you get a sales pitch like that, you really want to know how much ram you can shove in that new Motherboard and does ram cause whiplash? No young man, I am older and wiser and I am gonna take a Gig…no more, no less. Now the pile has increased, but ever so slightly (size wise, not money wise).

“Sir, with the vast increase in computing speed that you are going to attain and with the top of the line equipment you are purchasing, I am sure you would like to have a much heavier duty power supply.” Well, yeah, I had kinda thought about one, but was trying not to just run to the power supply aisle. “Sir, let me show you the best deal in the store.” OK, here it comes, the big pitch. “Sir, here is our best power supply for what you are building. It is virtually indestructible and carries a three year warranty and with the high demands I am sure you are going…etc., however I want to show you something that I think you will enjoy even more.” OK, here we go, down aisle 396 with this same young sales person with the glazed look in his eyes. In front of Cases, I was introduced to a Power Supply that was enclosed in a case that would be perfect for my new Motherboard, Processor, Memory and it would be only $10 more than the power supply by itself. With minimal thought, I said YES and as I was dropping all into the cart the salesman produced, I began looking for the nearest EXIT. I knew there were other components, BUT I HAD THEM AT HOME!!!!! I don’t need another CDROM, or SPEAKERS, or MOUSE, or MONITOR. Just show me to the check out.

With beads of perspiration welling up on my forehead and a rather shaky hand, I found my wife. I kept my head down, so as not to make eye contact, as I explained the need for this cart full of items. I was hoping she would feel sorry for me for the hours I would have to spend figuring out where all the little wires went and if it didn’t work…OH GOD!

Well, all is home…the Motherboard placed, 160Gig HD, Memory and Processor and it works. In fact, it is the machine I am using as I write this.

Two difficult parts to this project:

1.Explaining why I needed another computer!

2.Getting the BIOS updated and set. I had heard that was a simple process, but everything was for Windows and I don’t do Windows. It took a while and my loving wife downloaded the new BIOS and we were able to flash the machine.

I now have a room full again and I joke about my wife giving me grief about the machine. She, like me was amazed that it worked and we neither broke anything nor did anyone have to go to the hospital.

I’ll try and get some Linux items up soon, but remember…YOU TOO CAN BUILD A COMPUTER!!!

Simplicity might describe the newest version of LINSPIRE. Version 5.0 is a full featured Linux Distro without the learning curve.

If you are a command line only person, you might want to skip to the next article, because this is for the person that is trying Linux for the first time and for those that like a quick install, with lots of goodies and the ability to pick additional programs by simply clicking!

My first experience with Linspire was when they still had their old name. I found the distro interesting, but I had a little difficulty with some of the programs. Either I was launching them wrong or they were buggy. I used Linspire for a couple of months and moved on to another Debian based distro.

With the release of 5.0, my curiosity was peaked. After all, Linspire is preinstalled on some computers sold by Wal-Mart and I have friends that swear by the distro. This is the perfect time to revisit.

The first thing I noticed was the new splash screen and some variation on the install from the previous version. While the screens were different, the install was still one of the fastest I have done…11 minutes from start-to-finish. (When you review as many distros as we do, you really notice the time involved in the install!)

For those that have never used Linspire and are still using the other operating system (not referring to Unix) Michael Robertson and his staff have prepared an excellent audio tutorial that is launched when you first log in and can be revisited at any time.

Version 5.0 features the latest in Linux Kernels 2.6.10 and one of my favorites, the Reiser 4 File System. This is an option and an excellent one. While the default is Reiser 3, you can choose the Reiser 4 file system when doing your install in the advanced mode and right-clicking the partition you want to format and making your selection. In addition, Linspire offers OpenOffice 1.1.3, a full featured office system and support for 802.11g wireless. Further, there’s Gaim for instant messaging and a host of features too long to mention.

Knowing that I had experienced difficulty with the previous version, I was eager to tear into the programs. C-N-R (Click and Run) Linspire’s software warehouse worked without flaw. I added several programs I thought I would need including NVU (a web authoring and design program). All worked without a problem.

The Linspire Internet Suite is built around Mozilla 1.6 (slightly outdated) that includes the e-mail client and web page editor. They have included a calendar to compliment the suite and global spell checking function has been added which allows inline spell checking on web sites, e-mail and IM.

If you are a music lover, Linspire’s Lsongs opens the door to Music, whether it’s MP3 or Shoutcast and if you are interested in trying Voice-over-IP telephone service, SIPphone is included.

As I mentioned earlier, the list of programs available thru C-N-R and those in the basic package are too numerous to mention, but do give the user many options to customize to his or her personal needs.

How does it rate? I think the folks at Linspire have a winner. Their efforts to perfect a Linux Desktop show and while the system isn’t right for everyone, it is certainly a great alternative to Windows. The one thing some complain about is the $50 annual fee for use of the C-N-R Warehouse, however if you consider the cost verses the number of programs available, the fee is very minimal.

If you have comments or would like to discuss Linsspire, go to our FORUM page and set up a discussion.

It’s been about 6 months since we were introduced to a Debian based distro called UBUNTU. During that period, UBUNTU has gained many users and has received a lot of media attention.

Now, or within the next few weeks, the UBUNTU Team will be introducing version 5.04 – codenamed “Hoary Hedgehog.” With the official release still a week or two away, the preview is available for download.

Whats new? For openers, Gnome 2.10, is very slick and was just released within the past week. This latest Gnome version features a number of bug fixes, a new splash screen, video player and a CD-ripping utility. UBUNTU’s 5.04 also has improved hardware detection between the install and live CDs. This also provides live CDs on Powerpc and AMD64 machines. In addition, there are enhancements to the hardware abstraction.

There is also enhanced proactive security achieved by privilege minimization of many processes run as root.

There is also a load of new UBUNTU-specific documentation as well as a number of improvements related to internationalization.

OK…’nuff said about what the new version offers. How does it perform? I have it loaded on an older AMD 950Mhz Duron with 512M of RAM. In the area of speed, I believe the new Gnome version is faster and with Firefox and the enhancements discussed on this site earlier, I find surfing the Internet quite quick. The new update feature is also appreciated. This is a small icon that appears in the upper right hand corner of the screen when updates are available. The boot process seems to have been aided with an optimized init process and for those using a laptop UBUNTU 5.04 offers improvements in suspend/hybernation support and processor frequency scaling.

While the final version is not expected until April, you can receive a complementary copy of the Hoary Hedgehog CD or as the company states it, “ a handful” by visiting the UBUNTU website.

While the final version may hold some surprises, it appears that the fine folks at UBUNTU are living up to their promise of providing a newly upgraded distro every 6 months and this looks like another good one for both “newbie” or “pro.”

From time to time there are things that make us believe that the gap between Windows and Linux is narrowing. Such is the announcement by Nero.

Nero, the leader in digital media technology has announced the release of NeroLINUX.

NeroLINUX provides LINUX users with the tools necessary to perform optical recording tasks. The application is both stable and reliable and supports burning data and disc images to Cds/DVDs (ISO9660, UDF and UDF/ISO9660 Bridge), bootable Cds/DVDs, and Audio CDs. Nero LINUX is provided as a standard LINUX package in RPM or DEB and supports 32-bit platforms including; Red Hat 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, 9.0 and Enterprise Linux 3.0. Additionally, Nero LINUX supports Suse 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1 and 9.2 plus Debian 3.0 and future 3.1.

Not being an avid Linux/Unix user, I am unsure of the answer to this, but figured someone here would have an idea.

In the somewhat near future, I may be able to get my hands on some HP B2000 and B180 machines that are currently loaded with HP-UX and a proprietary software platform. Would it be a major PITA to blow these away and load them up with one flavor or another of Linux? Hardware conflicts? What I am thinking is that due to these coming directly from HP with HP-UX installed, that I may have some major issues trying to run something else on them, but my computer experience is telling me that it is simply hardware and I can load what I want.

Any thoughts?

(I know the machines aren’t that powerful by common standards, but they work well, and if I can get my hands on them, ya just can’t beat the price)