July 2007 - KCLUG - kclug.org

OT: Toshiba A200
by Tim reid 16 Jul '07

16 Jul '07

does anyone know anything about the Toshiba A200? I'm googling now for reviews, but if anyone has opinions/review that they would like to share, please do. TIA Tim

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sound some places not others
by Lowell 14 Jul '07

14 Jul '07

Folks: I've just installed Mandrakelinux 10.2 3.4.3-3mdk on my IBM Thinkpad t30, and put the following lines in /etc/modules.conf: alias sound opl3sa2 options sound dmabuf=1 alias synth0 opl3 options opl3 io=0x388 options opl3sa2 mss_io=0x530 irq=5 dma=0 dma2=1 mpu_io=0x300 io=0x120 Now Totem Media Player will play some sounds nice and loud but won't make a peep while playing a QuickTime movie (.mov) for example. Wonder why? Also in Netscape 7.1 (I wanted the suite with the mail client, this is the latest one that has it) Youtube shows the pictures nicely, but no sounds... I installed this file: npcxplugin.npwmsdrm.so* in /usr/local/netscape/plugins to no avail... Anybody have any suggestions apart from "Get a real (pick one:) a.) distro b.) browser c.) computer d.) life."

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Linspire/Freespire
by Earle Beason 11 Jul '07

11 Jul '07

Oren, I think you have a valid point there with the "karma" and programmers. I don't see linspire in the same manner as a liberating software, but rather some businessmen cashing in on others works. Reminds me of a hateful article I read, " http://www.vanwensveen.nl/index.html " I especially love the part about "digging great programs out of the trash" bit. However I really don't expect Linspire to be around in five years, Microsoft has a habit of buying and killing it competition.What they don't buy, they do the wal-mart stomp and run it out of business. I would toss another path in to your thought, free software on the items the majority of consumers have come to expect from their computer, Office software, Internet browser, email program, mp3/dvd player, small "waste 15 minutes" type of games, spyware blocker etc Beyond that scope a small price for specialized applications. Like autocad, graphic art programs for movie making, the phone-switch interfaces, payroll, time sheets I guess what I getting at, the stuff normally used at home for the basics; free. The stuff that requires more attention and more hands on, go on the ala carte for the end user

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RE: Stress Testing Hard Drives
by Jack 11 Jul '07

11 Jul '07

Well, then I must be everybody's buddy! I'm O+. Which means everyone can use my bloodtype, but I can only use O+. It's kinda spooky everytime I donate, though. They take one look at my donor card, and see the O+, and then they start salivating, like they're just going to suck all my blood out. Maybe, I should start putting an O+ after my name? ;') > --- "Kelsay, Brian - Kansas City, MO" <brian.kelsay(a)kcc.usda.gov> wrote: > Hey, mine too. We can be blood buddies!! If we > ever need a > transfusion, we can call each other. My blood is > clean, had it changed > at 30,000 miles and everything. > > _____ > > From: Monty J. Harder > Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 5:55 PM > > My blood type is A+... Does that count for anything? >

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Speaking of phones...
by Matthew Copple 10 Jul '07

10 Jul '07

I'm about to get a new one. Not an iPhone -- I have better things to do with $600. I am, however, looking to replace my Audiovox XV-6600 and its Windows Mobile with something Linux compatible. I almost went with the Treo two years ago, when I bought this one, but kept hearing of problems with hearing the caller on the other end. Having used a phone for the last two years that requires near-complete silence to be able to use effectively, I am fully paranoid about the matter now. Are there any suggestions for PDAPhones which are compatible with Linux (for syncing contacts, appointments, etc.) and at the very least, provide minimally acceptable call quality (that is, at least comparable to one of the low-end "free" phones)? My wife has one of those freebies, and it rocks compared to the tinny crap I try to listen to when I use my phone. -- Matthew Copple mcopple(a)gmail.com "Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have." -- President Ronald Reagan

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Asterisk dial tone revisited.
by Oren Beck 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

http://nerdvittles.com/index.php?p=73 That might offer some possible reason for KCLUG to interact with the KC Asterisk Group. Anyone want to comment on our exchanging invites formally to each other 's meetings or speakers? Oren

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Stress Testing Hard Drives
by Billy Crook 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Can anyone recommend a program or method of stress testing hard drives? I check memory/cpu with memtest86, but I would like some way to stress test a hard drive. Currently I dd urandom over it for a few days or DBAN it, but I'm looking for something more thought out. Preferably, a program that can run on a live system so I'd just attach the drive to be tested, and point the test at /dev/sdd or whatever dev it was on. Preserving data on the drive is (obviously) not a concern.

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Linspire/Freespire
by Earle Beason 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

Linspire/Freespire In response to watching videos on NBC Wow, I evaluated this and I am not impressed, don't like the fact I have to "PAY" for Linux programs that are normally free with other distros, and I can't update anything with out becoming a "MEMBER" of the "CNR," I would agree with those who are saying to go to another program. Fedora 7 quite large but google "Perfect Fedora 7 desktop" and voila, everything needed for a good start. Then add caldega for your games, you should be good to go. If your close to grandview you can come over and evaluate my setup on a weekend. Bet Linspire will emulate Microsoft s other ventures.................

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Re: Kclug Digest, Vol 36, Issue 8
by gary hildebrand 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

On 7/5/07, kclug-request(a)kclug.org <kclug-request(a)kclug.org> wrote: > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:16 -0500 > From: Jonathan Hutchins <hutchins(a)tarcanfel.org> > Subject: Re: Web services "in" the KC area. > To: kclug(a)kclug.org > Message-ID: <200707051231.17057.hutchins(a)tarcanfel.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-6 I've had phone service here for 17 years from Bell, now AT&t (again). I've > called them once, to find out when they'd have the lines back up from the > big > ice storm. There may be things I don't like about them, but service > availability ain't one of 'em. I laugh at the cable guys every time they > try > to sell me phone service. There are good and bad things about Ma Bell, and they have always had the supercillious business attitude with their customers. In my case: Charged almost a dollar a minute for a phone call to Vancouver, BC, and charging $0.75 per call to their 800 "customer service" line SEVERAL times. Overcharging a cellphone customer $1500 in one month . . . (girlfriend) Bait and switch practices on cellphone plans. I'm sure there are others. YMMV. I just avoid them whenever and wherever possible. Just expect less and less, and pay more and more for nothing. Gary Hildebrand ST. Joseph, MO ------------------------------ >

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Re: Stress Testing Hard Drives
by James R. Sissel 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

Ah, the "click of death". How long has it been since I've heard that wonderful, hope-and-soul-crushing phrase. Those were the good ol' days. "We had the click of death ... and we LIKED it" -- grumpy old man from SNL

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