April 2008 - KCLUG

Photo booth equivalent in linux
by Deepan 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

Hi All, I am running F8 in macbook. Is there a tool similar to Photo booth on linux that I can use to shot photos using macbook camera ? Regards Deepan Sudoku Solver: http://www.sudoku-solver.net/

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Request for Comments: Keeping the OS and Data on phsyically seperated drives
by Oren Beck 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

This is a request for comment on a basic hardware and software assignment method. The simplest minimal applied version would be master drive OS and slave drive bearing data. The next higher levels would include replicated data drives. Not needfully in the same machine or even at the same site. So how would you set up an install so the "OS" is on say-HDA and the "Data" on HDB" ? With an implied or even explicit addition of HDC thru HDX as either permanent mirrors or detachable external storage backup. Imaging a data drive is less of a challenge than a live OS. Where this differs from past similar schemes or applications is in the division of OS from Data. The most immediate impact could be for users of multiple OS varieties. The result is a "one user data library - OS Agnostic to the computer accessing it model.The OS needs updating or the drive it is on crashes- your data is safely NOT on the same drive. There are uses for the now open space on the OS drive too. Like process journal buffers as Reiser speculated on. Or pointers to replicant drives holding spatially dispersed copies. EX: /user on a box off site.\ "The Zen of Everything being a file" so far has not covered the WHERE we put the files! Do note that while Linux has had the "ability" to make all this seem trivial- for whatever reasons we seem to not do so. Comments of a value adding nature are welcomed. Open comment form me to the list: Some projects seem to never get past a " "we could- but why?" stage. I'd like to think KCLUG could do better.. " If your OS drive dies- you might be rather glad your data is on at least two other drives" -- Oren Beck 816.729.3645

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Giving away / Selling old stuff
by Jeffrey Watts 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

I'm cleaning out my geek closet, and I need to get rid of a bunch of stuff that's been sitting around and needs a better home than mine. All of this stuff was working when I last used it, and it has been carefully packed away. I keep my toys in good shape, though it's possible Father Time might have claimed a victim or two. I'm giving away a lot of the stuff, but the nicer stuff I'm asking money for. I know it might be a bit poor etiquette to use this list for this, but I'd much rather give away / sell these to a local geek than sell them over eBay or give them to a charity where they might end up in a landfill. Please forgive me if I offend. CONDITIONS: Please reply off-list!!!! When it comes to the free stuff, if you come to get it, you gotta take it. No window shoppers please. I can donate a lot of this stuff to a charity for a small amount of tax writeoff, but I'd rather a geek get it and use it, So please don't waste my time by coming and "looking". I also expect people to be responsible about how they dispose of this stuff, if they do. So if you pick up this stuff and decide you don't want it, please don't throw it in the garbage. Take it to one of the many public electronics disposal places around. They're often advertised. Post to this list if you need help finding one. When it comes to the paid stuff, it's as-is. If it doesn't work or you change your mind, I'll feel bad but please don't come to me for a refund (unless I've accidentally misrepresented something of course) as I'm interested in moving this stuff out of my house and I'm not looking for complications. I'm not doing this as a business, I just need to get some money for that stuff as I might actually be able to make a dime on it (and they money helps me with the pain of parting with my treasure). It's not like it's expensive anyway. :) Note: If you happen to be a charity and a geek, and will put the stuff to good use, let me know and we can work something out. After all, I'm selling it in lieu of donating to a charity - the main problem with which is that the stuff you donate rarely gets appreciated and sometimes ends up in a dumpster. If you have some more detailed questions, I'll try my best to answer them. But don't ask me to boot up systems or dig around inside of them too much. That again violates my "I want to get this stuff out of my house quickly" clause. I will be offering this stuff for about a week or so, then off it goes, so act quickly, and pick up anything you want quickly. I won't hold onto anything for long. If you want to buy a bunch of the stuff and want a discount, make me an offer. See above comments about wanting to move this stuff quickly. STUFF I'M ASKING MONEY FOR --- PC systems --- * AMD Athlon XP 1600+ CPU with big heatsink/fan, Epox 8KHA+ motherboard, 3COM 3C905 ethernet, 13.6gb Seagate 136BA PATA HDD, GeForce3 64mb AGP card, has memory, but don't remember how much, 3.5" floppy, nice midtower case with 300W PS. $25 * Dual PentiumII 300mHz SMP system, Tyan Thunder 2 S1696D motherboard, Adaptec PCI SCSI card, Trident ISA video card, has memory but not sure how much, SCSI CDROM, two internal PATA hard drives (one is a WD, other is a Seagate I think). This was my server for a long time, was a really sweet system back when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Floppy drive, midtower case with 235W PS. $15 * AMD Athlon Thunderbird CPU, Abit motherboard, 3COM 3C905 Ethernet, Soundblaster Live! PCI sound card, 3dfx Voodoo3 graphics card, 2 PATA hard drives, floppy, 32x CDRW, DVDROM, memory (but again don't know exactly how much), midtower case with 300W PS. $15 --- Sun Microsystems --- * Sun SPARCclassic $10 * Sun SPARCstation IPX $10 * Sun SPARCstation IPX $10 * Sun SPARCstation 5 $20 (with free Sun oddball keyboard) * Sun model 411 external hard drive enclosure, 50pin HD scsi interface, has ST31200N 1.2gb Seagate hard drive inside. $10 (I believe all of the systems above can run Linux without problems) --- Silicon Graphics, Inc --- * Indy Workstation $25 * Indy Workstation $25 * Indy Workstation $25 * Indy Workstation $25 * Two SGI serial mice, two SGI keyboards (normal PC layout), one Indycam - free to the first people to buy Indys. (The Indys can run Linux, but I don't believe they can run X) --- Workstation monitors --- * SGI labeled grey 17" Sony Trinitron monitor. This uses the RGB interface that the Indys and Suns use. Very nice CRT, Trinitrons rule. Matches the Indys. $15 * Unmarked beige 17" Sony Trinitron monitor. This uses the RGB interface that the Indys and Suns use. See above about ruling. Neutral in color, matches the Suns. $15 --- SCSI --- * Buslogic BT-958 SCSI-3 internal PCI adapter. Fully supported Linux back before it was cool to do so, not like those Adaptec a-holes. SCSI-3 and SCSI-2 internal jacks, 68-pin external. $5 FREE STUFF BELOW --- Optical Drives --- * Acer 50x CDROM * Sony CRX140E CDR/RW * Sony CDU701 CDROM * Toshiba TXM3501E1 EXTERNAL SCSI CDROM. Uses cartridges, Centronics interface. --- Modems --- * Actiontec 56k PCI Call Waiting modem (Linux fully supported, not a winmodem) * US Robotics 128k ISDN modem - also does 56k - EXTERNAL, serial interface. Comes with all cables and power supply. Really slick modem, fully works under Linux, as it's external and speaks AT. --- Monitors --- * ADI 17" PC monitor. Really nice display. --- Speakers --- * Altec Lansing 4:1 speaker system (left, right, 2 satellite, subwoofer). --- Keyboards --- * Gateway 2000 standard 104 key US keyboard. PS/2 interface. Good condition. * Microsoft Natural Keyboard. Split keyboard, hump in the middle. PS/2. Worn, but works well. * Logitech Cordless Freedom Pro - keyboard + mouse, both wireless, both work, just worn. * Logitech Cordless Freedom Pro - keyboard + mouse, both wireless, both work, just worn. --- Networking --- * 8-port 10baseT hub (not switch, hub) with power supply * 3Com EtherLink III 3C509-TPO ISA 10baseT networking card. Very nice ISA networking card. * 3Com EtherLink III 3C509-TPO ISA 10baseT networking card. Very nice ISA networking card. * Motorola Surfboard SB4100 DOCSIS cable modem --- Graphics --- * Matrox Mystique PCI graphics adapter * Cirrus Logic GD5422 ISA graphics adapter. Great for old systems where you need a console, but not X. * ASUS AGP-V7700 GeForce2 GTS AGP card --- Oddball --- * CueCat barcode reader, apparently has been hacked to work under Linux. Jeffrey. -- "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." -- Thomas Paine

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The dominant OS on these lightweights is Linux!
by Oren Beck 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

http://www.liliputing.com/2008/04/over-past-six-months-or-so-asus-everex_24… -- Oren Beck 816.729.3645

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old laptops - I need several for grandchildren-no joke.
by Oren Beck 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

Long story snipped to point- My stepdaughter is beginning what will be a very nasty divorce. thus I need to keep my 2 grandkids occupied. Here's the issue. This has a near zero budget- A few bucks here ant there can be pried loose if needed. The goal besides keeping the kids occupied is to show them and all in their external lives that Linux CAN be a primary Operating System for grade school children. Any donations- offers of cheap stuff- or even practical advice will be appreciated. There is an option of payment for hardware/time helping set this up by me giving you free camping within reason.And yes- that means families too! Details further as needed. Contact me off list as needed. -- Oren Beck 816.729.3645

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A work around that may have wider potential -Video card loopback using paper clips for setup
by Oren Beck 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

The story seems to be centered on OSX for the EEE. Yet the implications are wider. This trick may lead to video and devices we thought not Linux usable being rethought. http://www.hackaday.com/2008/04/26/ghost-external-vga-display-hack/ Or- one could hack the plug end from a vga cable leaving enough wire to make the loopback plug ? -- Oren Beck 816.729.3645

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VERY Off Topic, but I am DESPARATE!
by Julie 28 Apr '08

28 Apr '08

I need a home for an adult male cat. I can _*NOT*_ keep him!!! He is a very sweet an loving cat. He _*deserves*_ a good forever home! If any of you can at *least* foster him for me (or know someone who can) until we ...working together... can find a permenant home for him both he and I will be extremely greatful. After all, (please don't start a firestorm over this) he is one of God's creatures, too!!!!! All the "rescue" groups and no-kill shelters that I've called are FULL to capacity. There are not even "Fosterers" available through these channels. I've called as far South as Ray Town, West to Leavenworth, East to eastern Independence, Platte City, Excelsior Springs...the list goes on and on and on. I've been on the phone since 8am this morning...NO LUCK!!! grrrr! If people would just Spay or Neuter their animals we would not have the Homeless Pet Population PROBLEM that we have!!! If these same people would be RESPONSIBLE animal caretakers for their 'beloved' pets, this would help, too. :| --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

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Re: Asus EEE PC
by Sean Crago 27 Apr '08

27 Apr '08

>I have had one suggestion so far that the screen size makes this _not_ >a good machine (even) for casual coding. The EEE looks mighty tempting, but I'm waiting for the PC900 iteration for precisely this reason. That said, it's still more screen than your brother will ever need if he's comfortable with a TTY-style environment. If not, you might be better off investing the same money in a clunky & hefty old refurb P4 with a real screen. -Sean

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Asus EEE PC
by Arthur Pemberton 27 Apr '08

27 Apr '08

Gentlemen, I need your help justifying purchase of a new computing device. Do any of you have experience with using the Asus EEE PC (mostly likely 2G) in a mostly unconnected role as an educational tool? I am interested in introducing my brother (high schooler) to programming type activities (esp. python). However, since the machine is being marketed as a "surf machine" I am wondering how well it would fit that role. Thanks for any feedback -- Fedora 7 : sipping some of that moonshine ( www.pembo13.com )

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Old laptops - recycle?
by Christopher Hoelscher 27 Apr '08

27 Apr '08

Hey all - Got some junk I'm cleaning up, and was wondering if there is any news on convenient ways to donate for recycling.... I've got an old HP 550ct and an AT&T Globalist 130... believe it or not, they both work, but they sure don't do much. Doesn't even look like the "nostalgic" folks on eBay would be interested.... Still, seems that someone should get at least the recycling value out of them, but I'm not finding anything good on a quick google search. Thanks - Chris.

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