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The Linux Gazette FAQ
This FAQ is updated at the end of every month. Because it is a new feature, it will be changing significantly over the next few months.
These are the most Frequently Asked Questions in the LG Mailbag. With this FAQ, I hope to save all our fingers from a little bit of typing, or at least allow all that effort to go into something No (Wo)man Has Ever Typed Before.
Other archive formats. We need to keep disk space on the FTP site at a minimum for the sake of the mirrors. Also, the Editor rebels at the thought of the additional hand labor involved in maintaining more formats. Therefore, we have chosen the formats required by the majority of Gazette readers. Anybody is free to maintain the Gazette in another format if they wish, and if it is available publicly, I'll consider listing it on the mirrors page.
Zip, the compression format most common under Windows. If your unzipping program doesn't understand the *.tar.gz format, get Winzip at www.winzip.com.
Macintosh formats. (I haven't had a Mac since I sold my Mac Classic because Linux wouldn't run on it. If anybody has any suggestions for Mac users, I'll put them here.)
Other printable formats.
E-mail. The Gazette is too big to send via e-mail. Issue #44 is 754 KB; the largest issue (#34) was 2.7 MB. Even the text-only version of #44 is 146 K compressed, 413 K uncompressed. If anybody wishes to distribute the text version via e-mail, be my guest. There is an announcement mailing list where I announce each issue; e-mail lg-announce-request@ssc.com with "subscribe" in the message body to subscribe. Or read the announcement on comp.os.linux.announce.
On paper. I know of no companies offering printed copies of the Gazette.
Use the Linux Gazette search engine. A link to it is on the Front Page, in the middle of the page. Be aware this engine has some limitations, which are listed on the search page under the search form.
Use the Index of Articles. A link to it is on the Front Page, at the bottom of the issues links, called "Index of All Issues". All the Tables of Contents are concatenated here onto one page. Use your browser's "Find in Page" dialog to find keywords in the title or author's names.
Certainly. The Gazette is freely redistributable. You can copy it, give it away, sell it, translate it into another language, whatever you wish. Just keep the copyright notices attached to the articles, since each article is copyright by its author. We request that you provide a link back to www.linuxgazette.com.
If your copy is publicly available, we would like to list it on our mirrors page, especially if it's a foreign language translation. Use the submission form at the bottom of the page to tell us about your site. This is also the most effective way to help Gazette readers find you.
) To recognize and give thanks to our
sponsors, we display their logo.
If you would like more information about sponsoring the Linux Gazette, e-mail sponsor@ssc.com.
This section comprises the most frequently-asked questions in The Mailbag and The Answer Guy columns.
(A proper answer will be posted in the next issue. In the meantime...)
Check the FAQ. (Oh, you already are. :)
Questions sent to gazette@ssc.com will be published in the Mailbag in the next issue. Make sure your From: or Reply-to: address is correct in your e-mail, so that respondents can send you an answer directly. Otherwise you will have to wait till the following issue to see whether somebody replied.
Questions sent to linux-questions-only@ssc.com will be published in The Answer Guy column.
If your system is hosed and your data is lost and your homework is due tomorrow but your computer ate it, and it's the beginning of the month and the next Mailbag won't be published for four weeks, write to the Answer Guy. He gets a few hundred slices of mail a day, but when he answers, it's direct to you. He also copies the Gazette so that it will be published when the month end comes comes along.
You might want to check the new Answer Guy Index and see if your question got asked before, or if the Answer Guy's curiosity and ramblings from a related question covered what you need to know.
An excellent summary of the current state of WINE, DOSEMU and other Windows/DOS emulators is in issue #44, The Answer Guy, "Running Win '95 Apps under Linux".
There is also a program called VMWare which lets you run several "virtual computers" concurrently as applications, each with its own Operating System. There is a review in Linux Journal about it.
Answers in either the Tips or Answer Guy columns which relate to troubleshooting hardware, might be equally valuable to Linux and Windows users. This is however the Linux Gazette... so all the examples are likely to describe Linux methods and tools.
The Answer Guy has ranted about this many times before. He will gladly answer questions involving getting Linux and MS Windows systems to interact properly; this usually covers filesystems, use of Samba (shares) and other networking, and discussion of how to use drivers.
However, he hasn't used Windows in many years, and in fact avoids the graphical user interfaces available to Linux. So he is not your best bet for asking about something which only involves Windows. Try one of the Windows magazines' letter-to-the-editor columns, an open forum offered at the online sites for such magazines, or (gasp) the tech support that was offered with your commercial product. Also, there are newsgroups for an amazing variety of topics, including MS Windows.
The usual command to ask for a help page on the command line is the word man followed by the name of the command you need help with. You can get started with man man. It might help you to remember this, if you realize it's short for "manual."
A lot of plain text documents about packages can be found in /usr/doc/packages in modern distributions. If you installed them, you can also usually find the FAQs and HOWTOs installed in respective directories there.
Some applications have their own built-in access to help files (even those are usually text stored in another file, which can be reached in other ways). For example, pressing F1 in vim, ? in lynx, or ctrl-H followed by a key in Emacs, will get you into their help system. These may be confusing to novices, though.
Many programs provide minimal help about their command-line interface if given the command-line option --help or -?. Even if these don't work, most give a usage message if they don't understand their command line arguments. The GNU project has especially forwarded this idea. It's a good one; every programmer creating a small utility should have it self-documented at least this much.
Graphical interfaces such as tkman and tkinfo will help quite a bit because they know where to find these kinds of help files; you can use their menus to help you find what you need. The better ones may also have more complex search functions.
Some of the bigger distributions link their default web pages to HTML versions of the help files. They may also have a link to help directly from the menus in their default X Windowing setup. Therefore, it's wise to install the default window manager, even if you (or the friend helping you) have a preference for another one, and to explore its menus a bit.
Write the Gazette at gazette@ssc.com
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Contents: |
Answers to these questions should be sent directly to the e-mail address of the inquirer with or without a copy to gazette@ssc.com. Answers that are copied to LG will be printed in the next issue in the Tips column.
Before asking a question, please check the new Linux Gazette FAQ to see if it has been answered there.
Wed, 04 Aug 1999 06:09:15 +0300
From: Marius Andreiana <Marius_And@usa.net>
Subject: Article idea
Hi this is Marius.
I think a very good article could be made about PostgreSQL. One which wouldn't repeat what's in the HOWTO, but present how to use it on the web, some interfaces to it ( like Java, Php3, Perl, ... ), with advantages/disadvantages, links to good sites for newcomers etc.
I used to developed some Visual FoxPro applications, but I'd like something more powerful ( and free ) for use over TCP/IP. I've read the web section in the HOWTO but I don't have the time to get the tools described there ( must learn for getting admitted in university ).
Thank you, Marius
Thu, 05 Aug 1999 09:25:03 +1000
From: Dave Mason <91001832@snetnzwe.cpg.com.au>
Subject: Which distribution for an advanced user?
i was just curious if you had a mailing list? if you i would be very grateful if you could add me to your mailing list.. as i am interested in learning the problems and solutions of Linux and other important information.
Which distribution of Linux would you recommend for an Advanced Linux user? at the moment i am using Debian 2.0 as my root source and Redhat 5.1 as my server... I've installed and ran FreeBSD 2.8.8 but i find linux more useable...
[See the LG FAQ for the mailing list question.I use Debian because it doesn't get in the way of the advanced user the way some other distros do. Plus I like the "designed by volunteers" aspect, and the fact that I can participate in the development process to whatever extent I want. (I'm not a developer, but I read debian-devel sometimes and worked at the Debian booth at LinuxWorld in March.)
The question is, are you dissatisfied with your current systems? If not, why switch? -Ed.]
Thanks Alot Sifer
Fri, 30 Jul 1999 23:21:57 -0400
From: AP <adpias@golden.net>
Subject: modem
I am a new Linux Red Hat 6.0 user.
I cannot connect to the Internet (still using W98). My 3com-USR 56K voice faxmodem-V90 is not working under Linux. The serial # of my modem is 5685. It's p-n-p Sportster with jumper to set com-port and IRQ manually.
I could not get any help from Red Hat!
I am looking for anybody who can help me to make this modem working with Linux. If it is impossible, which modem should I buy?
Please help, don't leave me with Windows!
Adam
Sun, 01 Aug 1999 04:00:26 -0400
From: Zeb Morgan <n4zm@mindspring.com>
Subject: Digitizing program
I have a ton of documents that I wish to digitize. Is there a program running under Linux that is similar to PaperPort, Pagis Pro, and/or PageKeeper?
Thanks.
Tue, 3 Aug 1999 12:32:35 -0000
From: JUIN Aymeric <Aymeric.JUIN@DGI2000.com>
Subject: linux on a laptop
I'm a linux newbie. I installed linux (redhat 5.2) on a laptop with an ATI rage LT PRO AGP2X, and there's no driver for this graphic card to run Xwindow, I tried to find one on the web, but without success, I also tried other ATI drivers (like ATI rage pro and other MACH64 drivers) without better results. Is there any solution ? Please help me...
PS : sorry for my poor english.
Thu, 05 Aug 1999 07:36:55 +1000
From: Dave Mason <91001832@snetnzwe.cpg.com.au>
Subject: Running Windows Programs In Linux?
Is there any way of Running Windows Applications and Programs from Linux? i've heard of dosemu, but that only supports some of the dos games, if there is such a product, could you tell me the name of it and where to get it from... and is it also multi-platform Unix?,
[This is answered in the FAQ. -Ed.]
Thu, 5 Aug 1999 00:49:33 +0100
From: Advanced one corporation <advanced1@ibm.net>
Subject: I have a question
I hope you don't mind this question, but I am a newbie at Linux Red Hat 5.2
and I am trying to find out what is a mount point and how do I define it
during installation? T
A mount point is an empty directory upon which another disk partition is (or will be) mounted. When mounted, it creates the illusion that the entire partition is inside that directory. This is how UNIX handles multiple partitions, different from the C: D: E: drive letters that Dos/Windows uses.
I use Debian, so I'm not very familiar with Red Hat's installation program. I believe the partitioning dialog (Disk Druid?) has a column where you define the mount point for each partition, and it automatically creates directories as needed.
Later, you'll use mount points to access floppy disks, CD-ROMs, network filesystems, etc, the same way. The "mount" and "umount" commands (or an equivalent GUI dialog) open and close access to these devices, through the mount point directory. -Ed.
Thu, 05 Aug 1999 00:19:16 -0400
From: M.Myszkowski <myszy@home.com>
Subject: Network with Win98
Hi,
I want to put in network my two computers. First one as a server has Win98 and is connected to the internet via cable modem (using different ethernet card).Second one - client has Red Hat Linux 5.2 Deluxe. I am a beginner with Linux and I don't know how to set up network configuration in both computers.
Thanks,
Marek
Wed, 04 Aug 1999 22:09:27 -0400
From: Myk <mykill5@mindspring.com>
Subject: Essential Software...When will we get it?
I have been using Linux from the early days when Slackware and Debian where the kings. I have always had a dislike for Windows 3.1 straight through to Win 98; but the one thing Windows has is some great software from great vendors Like Macromedia. I switch from Windows to Linux just to use programs like Flash, DreamWeaver, QuarkXpress, as well as small programs like Rio GUI, ReBirth, etc. When can we see these programs ported to Linux? Are there any rumors of companies trying to port se to Linux? Is there a competant Emulator available that can run these programs without a problem? I now use Linux as my OS of choice. It dominates my HD and I use nothing else; but I do miss some of the great WYSIWYG HTML Editors and Flash etc...Oh well guess I will have to make do with what I got. The other thing is that I just purchased a laptop and before it is delivered is there anything I should know about installing Linux on my Laptop with minimal casulties? How should I go about installation? What about video, sound, etc...?
Thanx,
Lance Miller
Wed, 4 Aug 1999 21:55:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: BurleyRon@aol.com <BurleyRon@aol.com>
Subject: A Request for Assistance
When I first read of Linux in a catalog, I had hopes that it would be my personal ticket out of Microsoft's sticky hands. I had hoped it would be analogous to a modern DOS or something like that. I would typify myself as an expert in pre-Windows DOS and as passable in post-Windows DOS.
Well, frankly, I hardly understand many of the words. Right away I knew I had made a mistake. This Linux is for computer jocks and developers of the first magnitude.
My question for you is, "Am I right?" Have I stepped through the looking-glass of computer literacy into the wonderland of the developmental dervish? There could be one other explanation -- I jumped into the middle of the story when I should have begun at the beginning. Is there a beginning for the computer literate person -- where terms are defined, examples are given, teachers are patient and I can begin to gradually "wean" myself from Mother Windows?
Fri, 6 Aug 1999 12:13:28 +0100
From: Geoff Hare <geoff@hare21.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Setting up LINUX
I am in the process of acquiring a new PII - 450 Machine. I have decided to have 2 x 10Gb hard drives. One of these drives will be partitioned for LINUX programmes and LINUX Data.
Is these anyone in the CROYDON-CATERHAM-CRAWLEY area would be interested enough to help me carry out the installation process?
Geoff Hare (who spotted Linux some time ago and felt that it might come to something!)
Mon, 09 Aug 1999 09:35:19 -0400
From: Rajani K Yellamanchili <Rajani.Yellamanchili@wmich.edu>
Subject: Unix Startup
Dear Administrator:
I am a student at Western Michigan University, and am currently collecting resources for the startup tasks performed by unix/linux. I request you to help me if you can. I state my exact requirement below.
I am looking for all the files invoked/used by the init process at startup, when a work station boots up in a network. I am also looking for the organization of the /etc directory and its probable contents.
Looking forward for your reply, I remain
Regards
Raj
The boot loader starts init, which reads /etc/inittab. See man 8 init, man 5 inittab. Most distributions follow the Linux Filesystem Standard for the sake of interoperability. A newer document is the File Hierarchy Standard; the distributions have not yet implemented this, but are expected to in the near future. http://www.pathname.com/fhs/ The runlevels use configuration files in or near /etc/init.d and /etc/rc.d. The "System V" method is used by Debian and Red Hat. In it, /etc/init.d contains scripts named after a package. Symbolic links in the /etc/rc*.d directories (numbered according to runlevel) specify which services should be started or killed when switching to that runlevel. The "BSD" method is used by older (and current?) Slackware systems: /etc/init.d doesn't exist, and /etc/rc*.d are scripts (one for each runlevel) which handle the starting and stopping of services. -Ed.
Wed, 11 Aug 1999 18:38:04 +0000
From: R. Smith <rsmith13@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Why are they trying to telnet in to my Linux box?
Sir,
Recently I noticed that, most every time, my niece used her Win 95 computer (on my lan), I would start getting a lot of telnet attempts to my Linux masq box. Most of them were from dalnet.somthing.or .other. So I sent email to several of them asking why they were trying to telnet to my box. Here's the reply that I got from one:
Jason wrote:
Dear Sir or Madam, The "attack" you have seen is not an attack at all, but a check for an open Wingate or SOCKS server on your computer. Toledo Internet Access is the host of glass.oh.us.dal.net. We have recently implemented a policy of checking users on connect for open Wingate and SOCKS servers to attempt to cut back in the abuse of Dalnet via these often abusive services. We apologize for any inconvience this may have caused you. Jason Slagle Network Administrator Toledo Internet Access Raistlin_Mejere - CSOP - Dalnet IRC Network
It seems that every time a client connects to a irc server, the server tries to telnet into the client's box! This is about the dumbest thing that I have ever heard of! I don't like having my intruder alarm go off at 2 am because my niece wanted to use irc. I don't like anyone trying to telnet in to my box for any reason! No sir, I don't like it at all.
I suppose I will have to turn irc access off for my niece.
--
Rick,
The Linux Gazette Editor wrote:
Hi. This will be printed in the August Linux Gazette at the end of the month. In the meantime... I don't use IRC, SOCKS or WinGate, so I can't say whether they're being reasonable or not.
This is something new that the irc servers, all have started doing in the past few weeks.
Of course, you can always comment out telnetd in inetd, if you don't otherwise need it.
I only allow telnet in from local machines (via hosts.allow). I have everything else turned off in inetd per standard practice. I have host.deny setup to log all incoming attempts and wavplay to sound an alarm. (I haven't had any trouble since getting Road-Runner but I've been port scanned a few times with my previous IP.) I just wrote a new log script that will skip the alarm if the in.telnetd attempt is from a "know" dalnet server. (So I can get some sleep!) It still logs the suckers though!
I'm not sure whether [disablling telnet] would cause the IRC servers to refuse service or not...
I doubt it, they are use to working with win 95. How many 95 boxes are running incoming telnet service? That's what they are trying to find out.
[Have other people had problems with IRC authentication recently? What are the servers doing and why? Why should they care whether Win95 boxen are running telnetd or not? -Ed.
Fri, 13 Aug 1999 04:42:18 +0500
From: Zahid Mannan Butt <zmbutt@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sis6326 Driver
I am new user on Lunix IS There any way to configure my SIS6326 8Mb AGP card for lunix? Even I contect to the vendors but they can't Help me. Please If you Know something about to configure it tell me other then sis.com.tm/driver/driver
Thanks
Zahid Mannan Butt
Fri, 13 Aug 1999 14:19:13 +0530
From: regan <to_regan@hotmail.com>
Subject: Help Help
Hi!
I've installed RedHat 6.0 and have a SiS 6215 display card. During installation, I had to specify the card details as Red Hat was unable to detect it.
Now in Gnome, my display is larger than my monitor screen. I can only see the top 4 icons on the desktop. Also when I open any folder, the size is four times my screen size. Is there any way I can change my resolution or find support for this particular card. I've tried the SiS home site and redhat.com but there's nothing available there. If anyone has any info as to how I could solve this problem, contact me at to_regan@hotmail.com
Thanks
Regan <regan@irpl.com>
India
Fri, 13 Aug 1999 06:08:47 -0700
From: Bobby Prater <bprater4@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Problems with the speed my computer connects and scrolls while connected to my phone line.
Is it possible the phone line we had installed solely for internet use could slow my computer down? I have 400mhz and 128 meg ram, We decided since all other ideas failed we would try what a friend suggested and just bring my hard drive to their home and see if we had the same problem, Amazingly it performed as it should I was so happy thinking when I came home it would do for me as well as when on his phone line; IT DID NOT!!!! it's as poky as ever. I have tried connecting to ebay.com to view and bid on some items for over three hours and after we connect an error message pops up as I'm waiting for their reply, I have never had this problem. I'm ready to quit because it is impossible for me to find spare time in the bulk presently required to use the net. I am completely out of solutions to try so please if you have any ideas or suggestions email me
please! Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Mrs. B. Prater
Fri, 13 Aug 1999 16:16:38 +0000
From: R. Smith <rsmith13@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Re: Why are they trying to telnet in to my Linux box?
Linux Gazette wrote:
Sat, 14 Aug 1999 06:04:01 PDT
From: Zahid Mannan butt <zmbutt@hotmail.com>
Subject:
I read your message Kindly I thanks you to response me but I try to configure the driver from www.suse.com (both) but I am fail Tell some other than www.suse.com this one I am really thanks you again Zahid Butt
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Sun, 15 Aug 1999 18:16:03 PDT
From: Joe Bubba <gundog1@hotmail.com>
Subject: RedHat 6.0
To whom it may concern,
I am trying to download RedHat 6.0 from a mirror site but WSFTP.exe errors out. It errors out in the \misc directory. The files that cause the errors look like part binary or part folder icons (a file that contains a directory structure). I am using WSFTP32.exe on a Win95/NT machine and my goal is to copy the files to a hard drive and burn them to a CDROM later.
The only information I could find was to create a mirror, then copy the files to a CDROM.
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Rob
gundog1@hotmail.com
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 09:00:42 -0700
From: Douglas Nichols <dnichols@fhcrc.org>
Subject: Concerning the Toshiba 8000
I have installed Red hat 6.0 distribution of Linux on my Toshiba 8000. I have not been able to boot into any runlevel except 5, otherwise linux doesn't seem to respond to the keyboard- I believe this has something to do with the mouse. Everything else is working fine with apm I am using gnome. The pcmcia card was a problem, but I finely upgraded to 3.0.14 and everything seems to work well now. Periodically some process doesn't allow to umount the disk( I think it's gnome) and when I reboot, I have to fsck. If I can provide you with a ccopy of any of my config files just e-mail me.
--
Cheers, dn
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 20:08:34 -0400
From: Mulualem Takele <m.takele@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: MS WinModem Linux
Before a month I purchased a Dell Dimension XPS T450 Pentium (r) III PC with US Robotics 56K Voice Win (soft ware driven) Modem. Unfortunately, I realized now that the modem I ordered is not supported by Redhat/Linux 6. Now, I am wondering if there is anything I have to do so that I can run Netscape Navigator on Linux. If not, what possibilities do I have?
[Get another modem. Until the winmodem manufacturers release Linux drivers, or provide enough technical info so we can write our own drivers, that's your only choice.In any case, a winmodem is not a complete modem. Several hardware parts are missing, which are emulated by the Windows driver. But why waste CPU time and memory doing something the modem should be doing? Look for a modem that says it will work with UNIX, DOS or Macintosh as well as Windows. If it can work with anything besides Windows, it should be OK. The US Robotics Sportster series is good, as are other brands. (PS. US Robotics is owned by 3Com. So if you see a 3Com modem, it's the same as a US Robotics modem.) -Ed.
Tue, 17 Aug 1999 01:55:51 EDT
From: <HUEBRIGHT@aol.com>
Subject: 466 dell
When I try to mount my CD ROM and floppy through my system it says it is unable. I am running my CD ROM through a sound blaster 16 help
Jim
Tue, 17 Aug 1999 19:12:49 +0900
From: hansy <sysop@ultari.co.kr>
Subject: Can you tell me the way to adduser by cgi-script?
hi. This is seyong from Korea.
I have so many users above 60,000, and now i have to make them the shell id.
can you tell me the way to adduser by cgi-script? i will be waiting and waiting for your reply.
if you can't, i'm so thank you.
my website is http://www.ultari.com (now under construction because of the +cgi-script). and now i'm using the redhat linux 6.0. thank you. The Linux Gazette Editor wrote:
Hi, Seyong. This will be published in the September Linux Gazette on August 31.Just to make sure I understand your question: You want a form and a CGI script that runs the "adduser" command?
I do not know of any. There are Linux products which allow central administration of a network, and some of them have web interfaces, but I do not know the names of the products.
You can of course write a CGI script yourself which runs adduser, or hire a programmer to do this. But allowing a CGI script to run as root (which it would have to, to have permission to run adduser) is a potential security nightmare. Be sure the program analyses its input very carefully before passing it on to "adduser".
hi, this is seyong han. i'm so thanks for your replying. i want to adduser by web interface. the program will run as root mode. i made an java application to run the cgi. it will run as root mode. so i want the cgi program it get id and password and then add user to +/etc/passwd.
[Is there any existing code to do this? -Ed.
Wed, 18 Aug 1999 18:10:55 +1000
From: Cooma School of Music <csm@cooma.snowy.net.au>
Subject: Downloading Redhat 6
Hi there. Sorry about the From, but I can't seem to change it. I really want to have Redhat linux, but it's been hell trying to find a document how how to download it. I assume these are in packages or images or something. Could you possibly publish a guide on how to download it, or could you tell me the location of a how-to.
-- SK
Thu, 19 Aug 1999 09:24:20 +0200
From: Carlo Vinante <vinante@igi.pd.cnr.it>
Subject: upgrade problem
Hi ti everybody.
I would ask some help on a problem recently occourred to me during an upgrade of my system. I ran SuSe 5.3 very smoothly until I decide to upgrade it to rev. 6, with kernel 2.2.1. then I have encountered two problems : 1) I'm not anymore able to print, except using the copy command to the printer. The aps filter is configured for my printer (a HP Dj 550c); the lpr command doesn't "exist". 2) no sound .....
Does anybody know a good "rule of thumb" to avoid these kind of problems when performing an upgrade ?
Thanks to everybody
Greetings Carlo
Sat, 21 Aug 1999 02:07:53 -0500
From: Lawrence A. Bombac II <Lawrence_A_Bombac_II@lor.net>
Subject: hey
would you be able to direct me to a place that will give me the source code for linux,or could you send it to me yourself,preferably a version that is not copyrighted,if that makes any sense
[Do you mean the Linux kernel or an entire distribution?The source code to the Linux kernel is available at FTP sites all over the world. A list of major sites is at www.kernel.org/mirrors. See also the www.kernel.org home page. This is the core of the Linux system, or what differentiates Linux from all other operating systems. I cannot email it because it is 14 MB big.
However, you need more than just the kernel to have a useful computer system. You also need hundreds of third-party programs and utilities. The easiest way to get a hold of the source code to all these programs at once is to buy or download a Linux distribution. Be sure the product says it "includes source". Before downloading an entire distribution of several hundred megabytes, remember that it's often cheaper and more convenient to simply buy a CD instead.
The Linux kernel and the vast majority of programs included in any Linux distribution are copyright according to the GNU Public License (GPL) www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html or to a similar license which allows the copying and distribution of both the source code and compiled programs without asking anybody's permission or paying royalties. In fact, the GPL in particular *requires* that any company that sells a GPL'd program (and the Linux kernel is GPL'd) *must* make the source code available. -Ed.
Sun, 22 Aug 1999 03:28:18 +0200
From: Philippe COVAL <philc@writeme.com>
Subject: Question: HD brute format
Question: HD brute format
How to format a disfunctional HD ? (hum, i know the "buy a new one" solution)
how to low level format it ? partitioning can't be aplied using fdisk ?
whazup?
Sun, 22 Aug 1999 21:33:30 -0400
From: Robert Rocconella <roko@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: module not found
I have installed Mandrake 6.0 on a P166 system. It runs fine except for. I have a 4mm DAT Archive PYTHON drive, booting off a SCSI 1Gig drive. On bootup when the system looks at my Buslogic controller and identifies devices, it shows the tape drive as st0. The unit was in the system when I installed it. BUT during the bootup it will report module not found when it gets to the part where I assume it is trying to initialize the driver used to access the st0 device. I have been looking thru various sources of documentation but cannot find a reference to the module not found problem or where to install it from. Thanx in advance.
Mon, 23 Aug 1999 11:38:21 -0000
From: JUIN Aymeric <Aymeric.JUIN@DGI2000.com>
Subject: RE: linux on a laptop
I'm a linux newbie.
I installed linux (redhat 5.2) on a laptop with an ATI rage LT PRO
AGP2X, and there's no driver for this graphic card to run Xwindow, I
tried to find one on the web, but without success, I also tried other
ATI drivers (like ATI rage pro and other MACH64 drivers) without
better results. Is there any solution ? Please help me...
PS : sorry for my poor english.
The Linux Gazette Editor replied:
Can you use the standard SVGA driver?
Aymeric responded:
No, it works so bad. it seems to interlace about 5 vertical stripes on the screen. I think several linux-users have this problem, because ATI rage LT pro is a widely used graphic card on notebook.
Mon, 23 Aug 1999 22:57:18 -0400
From: wible <wible@uplink.net>
Subject: installing linux on laptop.
i'm trying to fegure out haw to install linux on my laptop.but i can only have a floppy or a cd-rom.they use the same slot.so how do you istall a cd without a boot floppy? I'm comleattly new to this OS.please advise.
Tue, 24 Aug 1999 22:52:01 +0200
From: Hans Borg <Hans.Borg@Physics.umu.se>
Subject: Color depth 8/16 and Xlib
Hi everybody,
I am not sure this is the right forum, but if anyone can give me some hints to solve the problem or give an alternative FAQ-site it would be utmost appreciated.
I have written a number of Xwindow applications for special purposes. They do all run without any problems if the Xserver is configured for a color depth of 8. Actually those applications do not need many color- map entries (less than 10). However, for other applications like xv and netscape a color depth of 16 is preferred. There are no problem to run eg. xv and netscape with a depth of 16 (I guess they set up their own colormap). But if in depth 16 then my own applications can't set up its color entries. The idea is to be able to run simultaneously both my own applications and applications like xv,netscape with a reasonable color resolution.
To set up my colors I basically do:
screen=3DDefaultScreen(display); colormap=3DDefaultColormap(display,screen); XLookupColor(diplay,colormap,"color",exact_color,screen_color);or alternativelyXAllocNamedColor(.....);
When in depth 16 both XLookupColor and XAllocNamedColor both raises the Xerror: BadValue (parameter out of range) ... something like this. I don't know which parameter causing it and apart from display it must be colormap or "color". It is hardly "color" and if so it must be the colormap. I have checked the "visual" on colormap and it seems OK. I have also tried XCreateColormap(...) and other "give it a chance" methods but I am stuck.
So, please, anyone having an idea, let me know.
With my best regards.
Hans.
Tue, 24 Aug 1999 18:57:47 -0500
From: Amy Bellows <enigma99@earthlink.net>
Subject: ls color
Hi, I have a small yet annoying problem. I'm running RedHat Linux 5.2, and I'm still fairly new to the whole OS.
I can't get ls to display defined extensions in my chosen colors, although it does color directories, executables, etc.. I have tried changing definitions in /etc/DIR_COLORS, and get nothing. Is there something I'm missing?
Fri, 2 Jul 1999 00:18:00 -0400
From: Coleman, James (GEP) <james.coleman@gepex.ge.com>
Subject: color ls headache
OK. I've used Linux for just over a year but have a problem with one of three Linux PCs in our household. On one, a 486DX 50, I get color ls on every user ID except one. I've configured /etc/bashrc as usual (alias ls = "ls --color") and as I've done on each of the other Linux boxes. An ls command produced a colored display with every user except one! I've tried adding an ls alias to that user's own .bashrc file but nothing helps. If I type "ls --color" as that user, I get color! Without it, black and white. What might be going on and what should I look for?
The problem PC is running RedHat 5.2 with all the errata upgrades. Stock kernel, though... The other PCs are all running version 6 (stock kernels).
Thanks!!!
Wed, 25 Aug 1999 20:21:07 +0100
From: helen <helen@dougal1.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Suse Linux 6.1
Hi All, I am a new user (possibly) who is having problems setting up xf86config. I have an old IBM PS1/50 which has an xga-2 video card in it, (2 megs mem on card). After trying a lot of the video card database entries, it still refuses to work. All other parameters in xf86config are correct. Has anyone any idea which driver is compatible for the ibm xga-2 video card?
The problem starts when I type STARTX. In most cases I get a screen which is nor resolvable, or, I get the following message:
The file XF86_xxxx (binary of X-Server) does'nt appear to be a binary file. Please check it or / and install a new X-Server binary.
Regards to All.
Geoff <Geoff_G0GLW@yahoo.com>
Geoff_G0GLW@yahoo.com
Mon, 30 Aug 1999 20:58:36 -0300
From: Carlos Massolo <litos@ciudad.com.ar>
Subject: Problems with Diamond SpeedStar A50
I am new to linux and learning fast. I just got one problem when I use startx or kde my screen just shows Black and gray stripes. I have a Diamond SpeedStar A50 AGP card and a Samsung SyncMaster 3Monitor. I tried the Options nolinear, noaccel and swcursor and none worked. Any help would be great.
Litos
Wed, 25 Aug 1999 12:48:22 -0400
From: wible <wible@uplink.net>
Subject: Re: installing linux on laptop.
i'm trying to fegure out haw to install linux on my laptop.but i can only have a floppy or a cd-rom.they use the same slot.so how do you istall a cd wethout a boot floppy?i'm comleattly new to this o/s.please advise.
The Editor wrote to Wible, and Wible responded, adding:
it sez cdrom includes caldera open linux 1.3 and staroffice 4.0... and no my laptop doe's not boot to cd. is there a way to start the install from dos using a command line or somthing? and can you install over a network card in pcmica by booting to the floppy?
[You can install it over the network if you have another computer that can act as an FTP server. Or as a NFS server, if your installation program supports installing via NFS.As far as having a DOS/Windows command that installs Linux (LINUX.EXE?), people have talked about this theoretically, but I don't think it's ever been tried. -Ed.
Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:41:58 -0400
From: Mark Jenkins <jenkinsm@mint.net>
Subject: USR 33.6 Modem Help
I am running redhat 6.0, I have tried to my modem going in minicom (say already online) I have tied in the KDE PPP dialer (get modem busy error) I have tried setting and the jumpers for coms 2,3,4 with coresponding IRQs. Each time I do set the modem com port in the control panel. Any help would be great, I assume it may be a string command, I just can't seem to find anything on it.
Thanks Mark
Thu, 26 Aug 1999 17:58:38 IST
From: Bala Krishna H.V. <balak@pushpak.india.hp.com>
Subject: Telnet would not work
I installed Linux on my PC successfully.But when I try telnet or ftp to log on to the PC I get the error "login incorrect". I tried changeing the password and even removing it.But no use. Finally I changed the default shell to sh.Still I can't log on. Could you help?
--
With Regards,
Bala Krishna
Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:40:36 +0200
From: Christopher Richardson <rdn@tara.n.uunet.de>
Subject: Help Wanted - How to best install glibc onto an existing system
I have the SuSe 5.1 distribution on my machine which works fine - as I do not want to fix a running system I need some advice on how to best install the glibc package on my machine. Newer software is linked usually written to be linked to this package. My computer is busy compiling the glibc package, but I am going to wait until I hear from someone before I install.
Thanks Chris Richardson
Fri, Jul 02, 1999 at 12:15:06AM -0400
From: robert Nuzum <rnuzum@earthlink.net>
Subject: Unzipping commands
I would like some info on good sources about how to run commands, especially when unziping files. I'm trying to get some sound on Netscape but can't seem to get the downloaded x-audio file to be recognized in order to unzip it. I'll probably stumble upon the solution after playing around with it, but shortcuts would be appreciated.
I have SuSE Linux 6.1 installed.
Bob
[There is an unzip command which will unzip *.zip files. If Netscape won't unzip it on the fly, you may have to save it to a file and unzip it yourself.There are several books now which give an overview of Linux commands. Try your local bookstore. -Ed.]
Wed, 4 Aug 1999 23:46:00 -0700
From: Mark Wagnon <mwagnon1@home.com>
Subject: Article Idea: Setting up Procmail
Hi,
I found the article "Setting Up Mail for a Home Network Using Exim" (July 99) extremely helpful on setting up mail services for my home network. How about a follow up on using procmail to filter mail into separate folders?
Sun, 29 Aug 1999 22:09:56 -0400
From: Steve Allen <steveallen@earthlink.net>
Subject: Publishing Dynamic IP address on startup
I have my Linux machine hooked to an X-10 teleresponder so I can dial-up and turn the Linux box remotely, and I have it set to dial my ISP as soon as it boots. I want to publish the dynamic IP address given by my ISP to my home page as soon as I connect. I've been successful getting the dynamic IP address by referring to the variable $4 in the script "/etc/ppp/ip-up" that's called by pppd. The problem is FTP'ing it to my homepage. When I try FTP'ing with a script containing the following line from the command line as root, it works fine (I have my logon/passwd and init macro defined in .netrc in my Linux home directory for root).
ftp ftp.homepagesite.com
However, when I insert the above line in my "/etc/ppp/ip-up" script, nothing seems to happen as my homepage is not updated with the new IP address. Any suggestions on how to easily publish my dynamic IP address as soon as I log on? Thanks.
From: peter <peter@anet.lv>
Subject: IDE Zip drive
Hello! I have some problem! How I can Install ZIP-Drive ATAPI verssion?
Tue, 10 Aug 1999 22:25:57 EDT
From:Symeon Vafiadi <>
Subject: AOL and minicom
How do I dial from Linux using minicom having an AOL account? Everytime I dial in it asks me for my login and when I put in my login name it says incorrect login.
Opera is a commercial web browser for Windows. A 30-day evaluation
version is available at
www.operasoftware.com. The Linux port is 25% complete; ports to
other platforms are also in progress. -Ed.]
Hello,
I am posting this message to thank Linux Gazette for publishing my
article last December and all the readers who have responded positively
and helped in developing our website
www.freeos.com
The site is finally up and running and is being updated regularly. Any
more people willing to help can e-mail me.
Regards,
Hi Mark,
I've got a quaestion about your ramdisk article.
AFAIK Linux uses all the memory that is not in use by programs as a
unified buffer-cache. So I'd guess that all frequently used files will
probably be cached in RAM, assuming you've got enough RAM.
So why go to all the trouble of using ramdisks? Is there really an
substantial speed increase?
Regards,
It's quite possible that this is a surveying term, for accurately-located
reference markers embedded into the ground; these are used as working
references when doing a survey. I'm just about sure you'll see bronze
domes (almost flat), maybe 4" in diameter, surrounded by concrete, with
their exact latitude and longitude (and altitude?) marked on them.
Tampering with them is a criminal offense, I believe.
Sorry not to offer much help in how the term came to mean what it does to
the computer community; perhaps the idea of comparing to a reference
explains it.
Any surveyors "out there"?
Regards to all.
My opinion you have to much stuff on the net . U got in the way of my
search. Out of 391 u had at least 350 . Hope your paper goes under with
highest malice.
I just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks for the article: "DNS for the
Home Network" in the August 1999 (Issue 44) issue of the Linux Gazette. I
had tried on several occasions to setup bind on my home Linux server only to
become frustrated and give up after hours of work. Well thanks to your
succinct and accurate article my home DNS server is working great now for a
few hours!
Mark Moran
The October issue of Linux
Journal will be hitting the newsstands in mid-September.
This issue focuses on embedded systems.
Linux Journal now has articles that appear "Strictly On-Line".
Check out the Table of Contents at
http://www.linuxjournal.com/issue66/index.html for articles in this
issue as well as links to the on-line articles.
To subscribe to Linux Journal, go to
http://www.linuxjournal.com/subscribe/ljsubsorder.html.
For Subcribers Only: Linux Journal archives are now available
on-line at http://interactive.linuxjournal.com/
TuxFinder.com is a
Linux-dedicated group of search engines designed to
help you find anything you need as a Linux user. Whatever you are looking
for: packages, RFCs, FAQs, or HOWTOs, TuxFinder.com can help you.
TuxFinder.com is also a mirror for the Linux Documentation Project. With
both English- and French-language capability, it is growing in popularity on
both sides of the Atlantic due to its simplicity, power and efficiency. Co-founder Olivier Macchioni said about TuxFinder.com: "As a Linux
user,I wanted something like this, and wondered how easy it was to program.
Well, it's easy and fun - and hopefully useful for some other Linux users
too."
San Jose, California August 10, 1999 -- Today at LinuxWorld in San Jose,
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ: CORL, TSE: COR) unveils its distribution of the
Linux operating system, Corel LINUX, to the public for the first time.
Corel LINUX is based on the Debian/GNU distribution of the Linux OS and
includes the K Desktop Environment (KDE). In its distribution, Corel has
enhanced the graphical user interface and created a new installation
program that greatly simplifies the installation process. A beta version of
Corel LINUX will be available in September 1999, and the first release is
planned for the end of the year.
Corel LINUX will be available as a stand-alone product and will also be
bundled with the upcoming WordPerfect® Office for LINUX suite, which is
expected to be available in early 2000. The prices for both the stand-alone
version and the suite will be announced at a later date.
Dallas, TX August 17th, 1999. MandrakeSoft SA, publisher of
the popular Linux-Mandrake, announced today the selection of Bynari
Systems Group to provide Mandrake's customers in North America with
complete support services.
http://www.zdevents.com/linuxbizexpo/
A more complete list of events is at
www.linuxjournal.com/events/index.html
The massive Operating System Supertest, held by
reviews 'r' us has begun
work today, and Linux still looks set to be the star of the show. Still, the
Supertest as a whole should a good read, and with a bit of luck draw more
people away from the windows domination. This supertest has over 30 Articles
and interviews, and countless reviews of free, and commercial software. With
over 40 volunteers offering their services, the date of publication has been
reduced to the end of August.
We still need help with this supertest though, and if you feel you could
help at all, in any way, please email Sandy Smith
( sandy@reviews-r-us.com )and offer your services. We need this to be the
biggest, best ever definition of Operating Systems, and a comparison of many
types, and articles that everyone from beginner to expert will find
interesting.
Current roles needing filled: PR person, Artwork, reviewing of software.
Do you need more info? Background info? please please tell me if you do
Sebastopol, CA--Arguably the best Perl books in print--"Programming
Perl", "Learning Perl", "Perl in a Nutshell", "Perl Cookbook",
"Learning Perl on Win32 Systems", and "Advanced Perl Programming"--are
now available on a single CD ROM in the immensely convenient "Perl CD
Bookshelf" by O'Reilly & Associates.
Together these 6 books would retail for $199.70, but the "Perl CD
Bookshelf", which includes all 6 on a searchable CD-ROM as well as a
hard copy of "Perl in a Nutshell", sells for only $59.95.
For more information about the book see:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/perlcdbs/
Tru64 UNIX & LINUX JumpStart Due to popular demand, ISA has extended it's UNIX JumpStart to
include LINUX, the fastest growing Operating System in the World.
The Digital UNIX JumpStarts have been a huge success. Students have raved
about this unique training venue which has enabled them to get a quick and
comprehensive immersion into UNIX technology in a time efficient manner. Check
out our website for the new LINUX Track and the new and updated Tru64 UNIX
courses.
www.softadv.com/UNIX/Digital_UNIX_JumpStart/Tru64_UNIX_&_LINUX_Home_Page.htm
Ziatech Corporation,
the leading innovator of applied computing solutions
for telecom and Internet applications, introduced today the first in a series
of LinuxPCI development systems, a rack mount CompactPCI=AE development
platform using the Linux(tm) operating system. Designed to speed the
development of carrier-grade computing applications, the new LinuxPCI 1000
Development System for Applied Computing combines the reliable, open CompactPCI
architecture with MontaVista Software's Hard Hat(tm) Linux software. Open
CompactPCI platform for OEM fast-track development Original equipment
manufacturers on the fast-track to develop Linux-based applications for DSL
systems, PBX systems, IP telephony, voice processing, and other telecom and
Internet equipment, now have an open architecture platform designed with the
bandwidth, reliability and features those applications require. The LinuxPCI
1000 comes with the first version of Linux designed specifically for embedded
applications. The Hard Hat Linux operating system from MontaVista Software,
Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA, www.mvista.com)
combines the cost-effectiveness, openness and flexibility of Linux with the
reliability and responsiveness required for embedded and applied computing
applications. MontaVista will supplement the operating system's enhancements
with comprehensive technical support, porting and customization services.
TurboLinux is releasing the industry's first high-availability clustering
software solution for the enterprise-TurboCluster Server. TurboCluster Server
is the industry's FIRST Linux clustering application available and scalable for
Web servers on Intel and Alpha architecture platforms. Unlike Beowulf
clustering systems that are designed for highly specialized scientific
computing applications, TurboCluster Server delivers clustering technology for
Linux servers running mission-critical Web applications. For Net
businesses, the availability of TurboCluster Server offers, for the first time,
a low-cost alternative to proprietary and more expensive Microsoft NT and UNIX
cluster solutions. Additional information on TurboCluster Server, including a
white paper and FAQ, is available at
www.community.turbolinux.com.
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 8--StoragePoint.Com announced that it now offers a Linux
version of WebDrive, providing secure file management features never before
available to Linux users.
Linux WebDrive from StoragePoint becomes the only Web-based file manager
offering automatic folder management, encryption, compression, with integrated
e-mail, calendar, and contact manager. The free service is compatible with
Netscape 4.5+ and Linux version 2.2.
For more information see
storagepoint.com.
Release Date: 11th August, 1999.
GBdirect and Planet Online, both leading players in the European market for
Linux skills and services, today announced what is believed to be the UK's
biggest ever Linux training programme. Over the next six weeks, 60 delegates
from Planet Online will attend GBdirect's basic, intermediate and advanced
courses in Linux Systems Administration. The students will be engineers and
technical staff from Planet's Leeds headquarters, the home of Freeserve, and
already the greatest concentration of Linux expertise in Europe.
The GBdirect's company web site is at
www.gbdirect.co.uk and their Linux
training site is at
www.linuxtraining.co.uk.
The Planet Online web site can be visited at
www.theplanet.net.
PENNGROVE, CA (August 16, 1999) Linux
Press today announced the second title in its new Linux Resource Series.
Designed to provide comprehensive documentation for the latest Linux
distributions and concepts, the Linux Resource Series enables users of all
levels to access Linux information.
The Best of Linux Distributions is based on Matt Welshs cult classic Linux
Installation & Getting Started. Revised, expanded, and updated, The Best of
Linux Distributions includes a general introduction to Linux; detailed
explanations of drive partitioning, filesystems, and software package
installation; distribution-specific instructions for installing Debian
GNU/Linux, Slackware, Caldera OpenLinux, and Red Hat Linux; a complete,
low-stress Linux tutorial; system administration under Linux; X Window; and
Networking.
Also included are 4 CD-ROMs containing the latest Linux operating system for
Red Hat Linux, Caldera OpenLinux, Debian GNU/Linux, and Slackware.
Linux System Solution Limited (LSSL) and INFOMATEC - IGEL Asia LTD have
today formally announced their co-operation in the Internet device, Thin
Client and Networking arena.
IGEL Asia LTD will endeavour to promote, market and educate customers
towards a complete Linux based Thin Client / Server solution based on
TurboLinux's product ranges complementing IGEL's Firmware. LSSL will
help promote, support, develop application solutions and, provide
maintenance and support services in the use of Thin Clients for
corporate, commercial and educational use.
LSSL and IGEL will co-operate in the localisation and development of
Chinese applications and solutions via their respective engineering and
research departments.
Linux System Solution Limited is a strategic
partner of TurboLinux who are deemed as the major Linux player in the
Asian Market. The Japanese version of TurboLinux has been outselling
Microsoft Windows and this trend looks set to continue throughout the
Asian Region.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (August 9, 1999) - TurboLinux and Enlighten Software
Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFTW), announced today a strategic partnership to
bundle the first enterprise-ready workgroup systems management software for
Linux with the full line of TurboLinux products.
TurboLinux will be bundling a full multi-platform working version of
EnlightenDSM administration and event management software on its entire
product line for immediate, single-point management of all TurboLinux
machines. In addition, the bundled product is immediately ready for
customers to monitor and manage their existing heterogeneous Linux, UNIX
and Windows environments from the same single console.
Vancouver, BC - August 19, 1999 - Medullas Publishing Company, parent
company of 32BitsOnline Magazine, and Linux Applications announced its
new upcoming site, Unix Applications
(www.UnixApps.com), today.
The new software download portal will merge Linux Applications and
include applications from all Unices including FreeBSD and Herd
operating systems. Moreover, Unix Applications will also feature
applications from BeOS and other operating systems.
Unix Applications will feature a brand new interface and will be rolled
out along with 0x20.com and
linuxtalks.com this Fall.
Chicago, IL (August 23, 1999) -Linux continues to receive solid backing from
major players, with Cabletron Systems, Xylan and FORE Systems installing
network test equipment based on the popular open-source software. Designed
by benchmarking specialist Neal Nelson & Associates, the Network Stress Test
is the first large-scale tool to use real clients and servers to send actual
network traffic at very high bit rates. The speed and bandwidth capacity of
the Linux platform, coupled with Nelson's unique testing methodology,
enables manufacturers and potential buyers alike to evaluate new products
using the most extreme, real-world network traffic patterns.
Unlocking the power of Linux
"Linux is an excellent operating system for large clusters of computers,"
comments John Hynds, Director of Systems Engineering for Xylan. "It has
very efficient LAN drivers, can generate high volumes of network traffic and
comes with a full set of client and server application software. Also,
there are no additional licensing charges when it is installed on a cluster
with any number of individual machines. It is a very powerful and
cost-effective option."
Real network traffic provides superior testing
While other testing methods generate artificial packets of data from
simulated applications, Nelson's breakthrough in network testing enables
technicians to quickly and easily configure thousands of real clients
talking to thousands of real servers in a laboratory environment. Billions
of bits per second of real network traffic are generated by the technique,
and the network throughput can be immediately analyzed to uncover problem
areas.
"This type of testing makes a lot of sense," says Kevin Brown, Senior
Marketing Director for Cabletron. "Using high volumes of real network
traffic is completely different from, and in some ways superior to, testing
with artificial traffic generators. Neal Nelson's method assures us that we
have put our products through the most realistic stress test possible."
Automated test execution:
the Network Stress Test is a fully automated benchmark that can conduct long
and complicated tests with just a few clicks of the mouse. Vendors can now
conduct quality testing more efficiently, ensuring that their products are
of the highest reliability before they are released in the market. This
automation significantly improves on the industry standard 30-minute tests,
which needed to be re-set manually.
The Network Stress Test runs on a cluster of Linux-based computers with
multiple local area network adapters in each machine. The infrastructure can
support 10,000 simultaneous user sessions and perform a variety of common
network activities like web browsing, Telnet/Rlogin sessions, FTP file
transfers, email, streaming video and multicast communications.
Neal Nelson, founder of Neal Nelson & Associates, originally developed
the testing infrastructure for use at the US Army Technology Integration Center
in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He comments: "Modern networks are being challenged
to handle increasingly complex loads that include huge volumes of World Wide
Web traffic, audio streams, video streams and multicast data. These rapid
innovations in network technology required that we develop similar advances in
network testing techniques. The result is our Network Stress Test - one tough
test that can assure vendors and buyers that their products won't let them down
in high-traffic, real-world conditions."
About Cabletron:
Cabletron Systems is a pioneer in high-performance computer networking and
provides dependable network access and communications to millions of people
worldwide. With scaleable products designed for Fortune 1000 enterprise
networks, service providers and small businesses, Cabletron provides simple,
reliable and cost-effective business solutions for the information age.
About FORE Systems:
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of high performance networking
solutions. FORE's Networks of SteelT deliver the increased capacity,
resiliency and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands
of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE
Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks.
About Xylan:
Xylan is an Alcatel company focused on developing powerful internetworking
products for enterprises and service providers. For enterprise customers,
Xylan's networks are so powerful that they can bypass an entire generation
of network change. They combine ease of management, high performance, and
easy integration with existing equipment and software. For service
providers, Xylan builds equipment for high-speed multi-service VPNs. Xylan's
solutions integrate broad connectivity options, advanced software for
partitioning and security, and any-to-any switching. Xylan helps service
providers build profitable networks.
About Neal Nelson & Associates:
Neal Nelson & Associates is an independent testing and consulting company
founded in 1973. It is not affiliated with any manufacturer or vendor and
offers a number of products and services including the Business Benchmarkâ,
the industry's premier multi-tasking artificial batch benchmark. The firm
has its primary office and a testing laboratory in Chicago.
Neal Nelson & Associates' client list includes companies such as: FedEx,
IBM, McDonald's, Northern Telecom, Sprint and major government agencies
including the Internal Revenue Service, US Department of the Air Force, US
Department of the Navy and US Department of the Army.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado, August 23, 1999 -
Aspen Systems, Inc., a leading
high-performance computer designer and integrator, has commenced shipping its
Twin Peaks® II line of 667MHz, 64-bit dual-Alpha 21264 processor workstation,
server, and cluster solutions.
Twin Peaks II is a ruggedized line of custom solutions that incorporates
the world's fastest microprocessor technology with high-performance hardware
and the latest Linux and Tru64 UNIX versions to create performance-optimized
solutions for key markets such as scientific, multimedia, ISP, and other
critical applications. At SPECfp95 53.7, Twin Peaks II offers not only the
fastest Linux and UNIX processing, but also a price/performance ratio that is
up to eight times better than its nearest competitor.
Here at LinuxMall.com we've
finally unleashed our new web site,
and we're very pleased with the results. We've added tons of new features, and
improved old ones.
Some very scary pieces of legislation are floating around these days. The
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) has voted
in favor of The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA). The
UCITA would deregulate software licensing - something that would allow software
publishers more power and guarantee the end user even fewer rights.
Two Open Source projects focusing on education have been initiated
recently. SEUL-EDU is part of the Simple End User Linux project and provides a
mailing list and central Homepage for all aspects of educational uses of Linux,
by teachers, parents, and students. You can find out more about SEUL-EDU at:
www.seul.org/edu/
The OpenClassroom Initiative has announced a distribution and server tools
designed to be of use in an educational environment. All of the materials are
available free of charge and are under the GNU Public License. You can check
out the OpenClassroom Inititiative at:
www.openclassroom.org/developers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric S. Raymond comments
on Microsoft's latest publicity stunt: putting a Windows2000 beta machine
on the Net and daring anyone to crack it. Someone did, apparently, but it
wasn't up long anyway - it promptly crashed under the load. Eric explains why
he doesn't think that Windows is a platform that's capable of being secure or
stable.
More Linux Newsletter
articles. Distributed via GPL.
COSTA MESA, Calif., June 28, 1999 --
Seagate Technology, Inc. (NYSE:
SEG) today announced that its entire line of tape backup drives has
been certified with Linux, which is quickly gaining momentum as a powerful
network operating system for servers. After thorough testing, Seagate
received certification on its Hornet Travan, Scorpion DAT and Sidewinder
AIT tape drives through the Linux tape certification program, managed by
Enhanced Software Technologies, Inc., (EST).
San Jose, CA - August 2, 1999 - PC-TEL
announced the availability of the industry's first Linux-compatible software
modem. This newest version of PC-TEL's popular host signal processing (HSP)
technology will facilitate the availability of low-cost, Internet-enabled
devices featuring the Linux open-source operating system.
HSP modems offer leading
hardware OEMs a faster time to market, higher system reliability and a
lower cost of manufacturing. Perhaps more importantly, these solutions
are much more flexible than traditional hardware modem technology,
enabling easy modem upgradeability and international customizability
through simple software changes. The Caldera OpenLinux 2.2 version and
Red Hat Linux 6.0 of PC-TEL's Linux-PCI based MicroModem are available
immediately to OEMs developing systems requiring Internet access.
Linus announced his intention for a
kernel code freeze
to pave the way for Linux 2.4. (Most of the discussion in this thread is
about the state of the ISDN drivers.)
"Linus the Libertator" -- a San Jose Mercury-News interview with Linus
that discusses his background, family and life.
DVD drives and Linux: the current state of the art. DVD is also
mentioned in an article by Bill Bennet in this month's
Gazette.
Linux Not Mission Critical Ready? IBM says 'think' again. ZDnet article.
Thanks to LinuxMall for bringing this to our attention.
Sun Microsystems has acquired Star Division, the German company who made
the StarOffice office suite. For a free download or a $9.95 CD (plus
shipping), point your browser to sun.com.
Sun plans to make the application suite more web-centric, so that you can
use it via a web browser.
The source code will be available through Sun's Community Licensing
program to encourage industry-wide collaboration on future versions of the
software.
OpenDIS -- Open Digita Services
0.0.2. A library and utility program for cameras such as the Kodak DC-220 and
DC-260 that run Flashpoint's Digita Operating system. The utility ("ks") is a
simple command-line program for standalone downloading, taking, deleting of
photos and querying and moding the camera.
r2d2 uses a configuration file rather than the symlinus
of System V Init.
Weekly Linux Newsletter. No spam, no advertising, just heaps of Linux
tips, tricks and news from the world of Linux.
subscribe@thebits.co.uk.
Hinv produces a
concise hardware inventory of your system. GPL.
KStock -- a KDE stock ticker.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 2, 1999 -- Hewlett-Packard Company today
announced that OpenMail 6.0, HP's strategic business-messaging and
collaboration solution for UNIX(R) system computers, also will support
the Linux operating system. By supporting Linux, OpenMail 6.0 will
provide its upgraded functionality and e-services(1) capabilities to
the growing number of Linux-based businesses, offering a low-cost
alternative to other enterprise-messaging solutions.
HP expects OpenMail for Linux to be available in September. A free
beta version is available now on the Internet at
http://www.hp.com/go/openmail.
"HP believes that many Linux-based businesses need the type of proven
enterprise capabilities that today's OpenMail customers enjoy," said
Nigel Upton, general manager of HP's OpenMail business. "OpenMail
gives the Linux community a compelling alternative to 'generic'
Internet e-mail servers."
In addition to robust Internet e-mail-standards support,
the Linux edition of OpenMail will include rich support for Microsoft(R)
Outlook (including full wide-area calendar/schedule access)
and OpenMail 6.0's new Web client.
More OpenMail information is available at on the web at
http://www.hp.com/go/openmail.
First Free Open Source (GNU LGPL) MGCP and RTP Stacks Running On Linux
Operating System Available from Vovida Networks
MGCP is a protocol used for controlling Voice over IP (VoIP) Gateways
from external call control elements. MGCP is the emerging protocol that
is receiving wide interest from both the voice and data industries. RTP
is a protocol used to carry streaming real-time multi-media data over IP
Networks.
For further information about Vovida Networks, support packages and
downloading of the MGCP and RTP stacks, please visit the Vovida Networks
web site at www.vovida.com.
Download code at
www.vovida.com/sub_mgcp.html and
www.vovida.com/sub_rtp.html.
LINUXWORLD, San Jose, Calif., August 09, 1999 - Cygnus Solutions, the
leader in open-source software, announced today it is shipping Code
Fusion*, the industry's highest performing(1), most complete Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) for Linux developers. Code Fusion IDE makes it
possible for developers familiar with programming on Windows platforms to
quickly become productive in developing applications for Linux.
With Code Fusion, Cygnus combines the latest Cygnus-certified, open-source
GNU tools release with an intuitive graphical IDE framework. It features a C,
C++, and Java tools project manager, editor, graphical browsers and the Cygnus
Insight debugger.
Code Fusion IDE is priced at $299. For more information see
www.cygnus.com/codefusion.
Cygnus also announced version 2.0 of its GNUPro Development
Kit. See
www.cygnus.com/linux for details.
At a press conference held at the LinuxWorld Expo in San Jose, Jack Dunietz
(CEO of Magic Software Enterprises),
announced that Magic had ported its
award-winning e-commerce solution (eMerchant ) to the Linux platform.
AMERICAN FORK, UT, Aug. 9, 1999 -- Intel Corporation today announced it has
extended the Intel LANDesk Management Suite to provide support for Linux-based
systems. A new software module for Intel LANDesk Management Suite 6.3,
available today for download from the Internet, enables IT managers to
inventory the hardware and software assets on Linux-based laptops, PCs and
servers and take remote control of those systems when diagnosing or repairing
problems. "As many of our customers deploy Linux-based systems throughout
their organizations, especially for web, e-commerce and file and print servers,
it is imperative that they have the tools to manage and maintain these
heterogeneous environments," said Ed Ekstrom, vice president and general
manager for Intel's Systems Management Division. "Intel is committed to
supporting IT managers across the application environments they support."
August 10, 1999 =8B Garbsen, Germany HELIOS
Software GmbH, a leading vendor of network and prepress server software,
announced a new 5-user version of EtherShare to retail at just $1,490 USD.
Helios EtherShare 2.5.1 offers state-of-the-art file, print, font, mail and
timeservers with extremely fast AppleTalk routing, AppleShare IP file
transfers, and user friendly remote administration. And, when combined with
PCShare, EtherShare OPI 2.0, PDF Handshake and Print Preview, the Helios server
suite provides a true cross-platform solutio n that can handle even the most
demanding networking and printing environments.
Smart Ideas for Better Networking HELIOS software products support the UNIX
and Pentium-based Linux operating systems, in addition to Apple Computer's
new Mac OS X Server platform.
Helios products run on powerful and scalable servers from Apple
Computer, Data General, Digital, HP, IBM, Motorola, a wide vareity of
Pentium-based CPUs, SGI, and Sun, providing reliable cross-platform
support for Macintosh, DOS/Windows, Windows 2000, Linux and UNIX-based
clients. Distributors sell Helios products worldwide to value-added
resellers who provide complete networking solutions to customers. Helios
software products are also available as part of OEM solutions by many
major vendors in the prepress industry.
MILL VALLEY, CA - August 9, 1999 - Stalker Software, Inc. today announced
the version 3.1 of their hi-end CommuniGate Pro messaging system. CommuniGate
Pro is a Unified Messaging Server which supports most major operating systems.
CommuniGate Pro is recognized for its many features, high speed and
reliability.
Since its first commercial release in September 1998, Stalker has expanded
the operating systems it supports to include Linux/LinuxPPC, Solaris, FreeBSD,
WindowsNT, MacOS X, BSDi, AIX, D/Unix, and IRIX. On all platforms, CommuniGate
Pro presents the same interface and uses the same file formats, allowing any
organization to switch server platforms in less than an hour.
CommuniGate Pro can support 100,000-200,000 accounts from one server making
it a viable solution for small to mid-size ISP's. For extra large ISP's
handling millions of accounts, CommuniGate Pro offers clustering support.
In addition, the new 3.1 version of CommuniGate Pro supports Personal Web
Sites with automated publishing. Users can create their own Web sites and
upload web files to the CommuniGate Pro server using any composer application
that supports the HTTP PUT method (like Netscape(r) Composer). Besides,
Personal Web Sites can be updated using simple HTML forms. Support for
uploading via the CommuniGate Pro FTP server should follow in the next release.
CommuniGate Pro supports secure connections for all services it supports.
Not only the HTTP services (Web Administration and WebUser interface to E-mail)
can be used via secure internet connections, but all other communications, such
as IMAP, POP, SMTP, LDAP, ACAP can be secured.
There is a Free Trial Version available at
www.stalker.com/CommuniGatePro/.
At Linux World, Giganet announced that
MPI Software Technology, Inc. will distribute its cLAN server cluster
interconnects for Windows NT and Linux. The cLAN cluster interconnects,
combined with MPI Software Technology’s MPI/Pro (Message Passing Interface)
software, enable compute-intensive applications to scale at new levels of
performance at a very low-cost.
Applications such as weather modeling, fluid flow analysis, real-time ray
tracing and molecular modeling, traditionally have been run on supercomputers.
Through the clustering of high-performance Windows NT servers or Beowulf Linux
clusters, engineers and scientists can achieve the advantages of speed and
availability, leverage the latest technologies and lower costs. The clustered
systems work in parallel on a scientific challenge, coordinating with each
other on the intermediate results. The combined MPI/Pro and cLAN solution
enables high-speed passing of messages among systems, with minimal delay.
Monterey, California(August 23, 1999): Ted Nelson announced today that
the source code for a working implementation of the Xanadu hypertext
system are being made open source for developers.
Udanax.com --
formerly Xanadu Operating Company (XOC, Inc.) -- released the code and
will serve as the focal point for continuing development and
application of these powerful hypertext systems.
In 1960, Nelson, who coined the term "hypertext", envisioned a
revolutionary system of publishing. He foresaw the power of publishing
over computer networks like the World Wide Web but his original vision
exceeded the capabilities of the Web. Nelson termed this vision
"Xanadu" and has sought to implement it through numerous efforts.
Udanax is the result of some of this effort.
With the Xanadu schemes developed by Udanax.com:
According to Nelson, "The Web is a foam of ever popping bubbles, rather
than stable literature." The key technical difference between the
Udanax implementations of hypertext and the WWW mechanism (HTML) is in
how connections between documents are tracked. In HTML, the links are
embedded in the document itself and are essentially named by the
location of the machine where the document is stored. Move the cited
document -- the link breaks (404 errors). In the Udanax systems, the
connections between documents are managed independently of the
documents using sophisticated software algorithms.
The Udanax development efforts focused on the "back-end" or server
component of the software. By making Udanax open source, developers
can work on "front-ends" or browsers for different applications.
"Rather than focusing on a glossy user interface, the Udanax team has
focused on building a complex and robust system to manage the
information." Gregory said. To date, over 1,500 developers have
indicated interest in developing applications for the Udanax system.
Moscow, Russia, July 15, 1999 -- Kaspersky Lab, a fast-growing
international anti-virus software development company, reports the release of
beta-version of world's first memory resident virus interceptor for Linux - AVP
Monitor.
AVP Monitor for Linux is a client part of AVP Daemon that intercepts all
file operations (starting, opening and initialisation of modules) and checks
objects for viruses. Constant presence of the program in computer's memory
allows reliable control over all possible ways of virus attacks on a
computer or corporate network. Besides, AVP Monitor makes anti-virus defense
very convenient and easy to use: it is enough to install and launch the
program each time the computer starts.
A beta-version of AVP Monitor for Linux is available free of charge at
Kaspersky Lab's WWW site at www.avp.ru.
Kaspersky Lab is a fast-growing international company with offices in
Moscow, Russia, Dublin, Ireland and Cambridge, UK. Started the business in
1992 is has concentrated in development of world-leading anti-virus
technologies and software.
Linda and Paradise, parallel and distributed
computing development tools, by Scientific Computing Associates, Inc.Trial
versions of the software are included on Red Hat's Applications CD, part of Red
Hat's Official Linux 6.0 operating system.
So, I spent half of the month in Japan. The first week that I was
there I was too busy, tired and disoriented to get any e-mail. So my column this month is a bit thin. Of course there is this one
message that's pretty long. I think it's the second longest I've
ever written here. The longest was on Internet Routing. That one
is being used as supplemental reading for a couple of college
course from what I hear. This one is not likely to join it. Meanwhile I still have about 3000 messages in my backlog folder
which will take some going through. Luckily I use MH, so I'll
probably develop a script to process most of the routine stuff. Speaking of "routine" Mike Orr, and Heather have taken steps to
reduce the number of "routine" questions we get here in Linux
Gazette. They've created an FAQ and
an index to all of my previous
"Answer Guy" questions. I haven't seen it yet --- but
hopefully we can convince people to use it.
There are about 900 questions that I've answered listed. That, and the fact that the WebGlimpse engine at Linux Gazette
(http://www.linuxgazette.com) seems to be working at last, might
help people answer alot of their own questions (which is the whole
reason I put so much time into TAG anyway). From Neal Gieselman on Wed, 28 Jul 1999
Hello,
You got any tips on how to get Linux to connect to NT over a null
modem cable? We intend to eventually replace the null modem with
a wireless connection.
Neal Gieselman
From Philippe on Mon, 26 Jul 1999
Hello Answerguy!
I have been unable to print with Applixware 3.5. I am using RH6.0 and
my printer is an (old) NEC pinwriter. I use the Epson LQ850 driver with
Windows. Of course, it is not a Postscript printer. I checked all the
How-To but I am still clueless.
Could you please help?
Thanks in advance. Philippe.
From Chris Dahl on Fri, 20 Aug 1999
Or is this better controlled through the workstation?
Chris
From Tim Pellett on Fri, 20 Aug 1999
AnswerGuy,
I found you on the internet and was wondering if
you could answer my question/problem.
I am renting space on a Unix/Apache server and
am at the user level. We are allowed to redistribute
the space given to us and I want to set up file quotas.
I do not want to give space to other people w/o
setting up file size limits.
I asked the ISP and they said I can do it myself using
'file quota software'. I cannot find such a product
for a unix/apache server. Everything is Win 95/NT etc.
I cannot use the quota command b/c I do not have access
to sys admin files.
Do you have any suggestions? I have been trying to
figure this out for months now, and am getting frustrated!
Thanks,
Tim
Fri, 27 Aug 1999 20:04:32 +0200
From: Bjorn Eriksson <mdeans@algonet.se>
Subject: SV: Ooops, your page(s) formats less-optimum
[Bjorn wrote in to say that recent issues of the Gazette
(starting with #39, April 1999) do not format properly under Opera.
Is anybody else experiencing this? Any clues about how to make Opera
happy? Here are sample screenshots of the middle of the screen:
Opera
Internet Explorer
Sun, 08 Aug 1999 17:43:37 +0530
From: Prakash Advani <prakash@freeos.com>
Subject: FreeOS.com
Prakash
Fri, 13 Aug 1999 02:14:21 +0200 (CEST)
From: Roland Smith <rsmith@xs4all.nl>
Subject: Re: Ramdisk for Linux
Roland
Thu, 19 Aug 1999 00:49:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: Nicholas Bodley <nbodley@shell2.tiac.net>
Subject: Original definition of bench mark
Sat, 28 Aug 1999 19:01:31 -0500
From: DENNIS L PHIFER <den1317@intellisys.net>
Subject: inconsiderate
Sun, 29 Aug 1999 11:40:20 -0400
From: Mark Moran <mmoran@mmoran.com>
Subject: DNS for home network
This page written and maintained by the Editor of Linux Gazette,
gazette@ssc.com
Copyright © 1999, Specialized Systems Consultants, Inc.
Published in Issue 45 of Linux Gazette, September 1999"Linux Gazette...making Linux just a little more fun!"
Contents:
News in General
October 1999 Linux Journal
TuxFinder.com Launched
The Debian project has chosen "The Swirl" as
its new distribution logo.
![[Debian logo]](gx/debian.jpg)
Debian chooses new logo
Actually, a pair of logos was chosen. This is
the "open use" logo, which anybody can use to refer to Debian with. The
"official" logo is only for Debian-endorsed products. It shows the swirl
rising up like smoke out of a genie's bottle. See
www.debian.org/logos/ for more
samples of both logos.
Corel preview Corel LINUX
MandrakeSoft announces North American Support
Upcoming events
Atlanta Linux Showcase
October 12-16, 1999
Atlanta, GA
http://www.linuxshowcase.org
COMDEX Fall /
Linux Business Expo
November 15-19, 1999
Las Vegas, NV
http://www.comdex.com/comdex/owa/event_home?v_event_id=289
Operating System Supertest
O'Reilly releases Perl CD Bookshelf
Tru64 UNIX and LINUX Update
Las Vegas, NV September 8-10
Orlando, FL November 1-5
Ziatech introduces LinuxPCI Development System
Clustering for TurboLinux
Linux Webdrive available
GBdirect Delivers UK's Largest Ever Linux
Training Programme?
Linux Press book: The Best of Linux Distributions
Linux System Solution Limited (LSSL) and INFOMATEC - IGEL Asia LTDP cooperate
TurboLinux partnership with Enlighten Software
32BitsOnline.com to Develop UnixApps.com
Network giants install Linux-based test bed
Aspen Systems ships 64-bit Alpha Linux
News from LinuxMall
Legislative Lunacy
[For more information about this, see
Shrink-Wrapped UCITA on the Linux Journal web site. -Ed]
Linux and Education
Cracking Windows2000 beta
Seagate is Linux-compatible
PC-Tel software modem
Linux Links
Software Announcements
Sun acquires StarOffice, makes it available for download
C.O.L.A software news
H-P Openmail to support Linux
Voice over IP from Vovida Networks
Cygnus Shipping Code Fusion IDE for Linux
Magic Software news
Intel LANDesk Management Suite
HELIOS slashes cost of network computing
Stalker CommuniGate Pro 3.1
Giganet cLAN (MPI Software Technology)
Udanax (Xanadu) hypertext system now open source
Memory-resident Anti-Virus Protection for Linux
Other software
This page written and maintained by the Editor of Linux Gazette,
gazette@ssc.com
Copyright © 1999, Specialized Systems Consultants, Inc.
Published in Issue 45 of Linux Gazette, September 1999Contents:
Linux to NT PPP Connection Over Null Modem
Printing --or--
Internet Access Control --or--
unix question --or--
Mars NWE --or--
java curses library and jxterm? --or--
RH6 Virtual Email - POP3 problem --or--
Setting up Windows and Linux --or--
LINUX File System Standard. --or--
How to Print 2 pages on 1 sheet --or--
Telnet trouble --or--
Getting on the Internet --or--
Cash In On ... Spam!
Greetings from Jim Dennis
Linux to NT PPP Connection Over Null Modem
I don't know anything about supporting NT PPP. I've
never used it. For the Linux end you'd just use the
directive "local" instead of "modem." So, look for
a similar option among the NT GUIs and dialogs. They
might have a "modems" or "serial ports" control panel
which might have a "null" or "direct" entry in the
list of supported modem models. Try that first.
Call MS technical support for info on making any sort
of null modem PPP connection (ask them how to make two
NT boxes connect over a null modem cable). Whatever they
suggest --- if it is standards conformant PPP or even
close --- Linux should be able to cope with it when you
replace one NT endpoint with your Linux system.
Why isn't there an NT answer guy?
You'd probably be better off installing ethernet cards
in the two boxes in question, and running a cross-over
cable between them.
Questions to the rest of the readership: Are there any
short-haul modems out there that provide the same interface
as a basic Hayes compatible modem? Are there any devices
which emulate dial-tone (TM), DTMF signaling and ring/busy
signals? (Such telco wire simulators would obviously be
quite handy for teaching PPP and other modem skills in a
class room setting).
Printing to old "Pin Printer"
Install Ghostscript. This will implement PostScript on
your system, and it's drivers will convert that to
pin rasters that most printers can handle.
Once you have Postscript emulation working, you can
feed your Applixware output to it through the normal
lpr/lpd (BSDish) print filtering facilities (as listed
in your /etc/printcap file).
Limiting Internet Access through Cable Modems
I have a Linux box set up at home that is connected to the Internet through
a Cable Modem. Myself and my kids share this connection through
IP-Masquerading using Windows Clients. Is there a program, or option that
will run on Linux that will allow me to control when they use the Internet
and for how long?
There isn't an option or program that I know of. However,
it should be possible to write some.
To limit them to specific times of the day I'd just
set up a set of cron jobs that periodically remove and
replace the routes and packet filters between your kids'
systems and the Internet.
Let's say you give the kids' systems IP addresses like
192.168.2.*, and you give your own systems 192.168.1.*
addresses. Now you can have cron jobs that add
packet filtering REJECT statements that prevent
the masquerading system from forwarding packets from
the 192.168.2.0 network.
The exact rules would depend on your needs and the
version of the Linux kernel that was running on your
router.
Setting up limits own now long their connections are
allowed to persist would be more challenging. I'd
probably look at doing that using DHCP --- where you'd
assign each kid's system an IP address (via it's
ethernet MAC address) and you configure the leases
so that they expire in a set time. Then you hack
the DHCP daemon's code a bit so that it refuses to reissue
those specific IP addresses within some other set time
period (say, one day).
Another approach would be to hack up a copy of diald
to just add and remove routes/IP masquerading entries
(read through the sources, find out where it's
calling the PPP daemon and replaces those system() calls
--- or whatever they are, with your own calls to the
ipfwadm or ipchains utilities. The same code that adds
your masquerading entries can also use an 'at' command
to schedule a time to remove them).
These don't sound like horribly difficult programs to
write --- although it might be easier and ultimately more
effective to enforce your household rules through
old-fashioned parental supervision.
Quotas on a Sublet Web Server?
Let's see if I got this right ... you have some
virtual hosted web space (not a co-located server
but an account on your ISP's web server). They
somehow allow you to create further accounts in
your virtual space. You want to do this, and to
apply quotas to those sublet accounts.
I can't help but ask the obvious economic question,
why would someone go through you to get this service
rather than getting directly from your ISP? Is there
really enough wiggle room in the margins for an
arbitrage opportunity here?
In any event, getting back to the technical question...
You don't mention which version of UNIX you are using.
Suppport for system quotas is one of those things that
varies considerably from one version of UNIX to another.
If your ISPs support people say it can be done with
software that they know of --- please press them for
the specifics.
My guess would be that the solution would depend quite
a bit on which version of UNIX this system was running,
and a bit on the specifics of their account management
system. If they are providing you with your own
chroot jail, and giving you access to create your own
UNIX accounts within that jail, they'd have to be
providing some pretty hairy clones to a large number
of administrative utilities in
The Mailbag!