Very heavy, very short battery life. Emergency use only my boss would say calls were very expensive. I remember it had a nice case :)
Friday, 27 November 2009
My first Mobile phone
My first Mobile phone
Very heavy, very short battery life. Emergency use only my boss would say calls were very expensive. I remember it had a nice case :)
Very heavy, very short battery life. Emergency use only my boss would say calls were very expensive. I remember it had a nice case :)
My Debian sources.list squeeze/testing
# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Squeeze_ - Official Snapshot powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20091123-11:38]/ squeeze main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Squeeze_ - Official Snapshot powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20091123-11:38]/ squeeze main
deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main
deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main
deb http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze main
deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze main
##NOT IN USE##
##LENNY-STABLE
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.1 _Lenny_ - Official powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090413-06:00]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.1 _Lenny_ - Official powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090413-06:00]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Lenny_ - Official Snapshot powerpc CD Binary-1 20080407-13:58]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Lenny_ - Official Snapshot powerpc CD Binary-1 20080407-13:58]/ lenny main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ stable main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ stable main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
#deb http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile/ lenny/volatile main
#deb-src http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile/ lenny/volatile main
##Other lenny-stable
##Note as far as I can tell debian-multimedia.org does not use the contrib and non-free convention even if it's not in your sources.list. If like me you avoid contrib and non-free. install the vrms package to help you keep an eye on things.
#deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ lenny main
#deb http://www.backports.org/debian/ lenny-backports main
#deb http://debian.jones.dk/ lenny gnash
#deb http://people.debian.org/~rmh/linux-libre/ lenny main
##SQUEEZE-TESTING
#deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main
#deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing main
#deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing main
##OTHER
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ sid main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ sid main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb http://cafelinux.org/Downloads/oz-os/ tinwoodman main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Squeeze_ - Official Snapshot powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20091123-11:38]/ squeeze main
deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main
deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main
deb http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze main
deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze main
##NOT IN USE##
##LENNY-STABLE
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.1 _Lenny_ - Official powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090413-06:00]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.1 _Lenny_ - Official powerpc xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090413-06:00]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Lenny_ - Official Snapshot powerpc CD Binary-1 20080407-13:58]/ lenny main
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Lenny_ - Official Snapshot powerpc CD Binary-1 20080407-13:58]/ lenny main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ stable main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ stable main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
#deb http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile/ lenny/volatile main
#deb-src http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile/ lenny/volatile main
##Other lenny-stable
##Note as far as I can tell debian-multimedia.org does not use the contrib and non-free convention even if it's not in your sources.list. If like me you avoid contrib and non-free. install the vrms package to help you keep an eye on things.
#deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ lenny main
#deb http://www.backports.org/debian/ lenny-backports main
#deb http://debian.jones.dk/ lenny gnash
#deb http://people.debian.org/~rmh/linux-libre/ lenny main
##SQUEEZE-TESTING
#deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main
#deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb-src http://ftp.fi.debian.org/debian/ testing main
#deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing main
#deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing main
##OTHER
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ sid main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ sid main
#deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ experimental main
#deb http://cafelinux.org/Downloads/oz-os/ tinwoodman main
Thursday, 26 November 2009
A Beginners guide to Debian
Draft: Overview:
This is an effort to give a basic overview of the Debian system and frequently asked questions. How people new to Debian can help them selves as much as possible. Also to explain what is expected of new users in terms of forum etiquette and effort. People here are friendly and helpful but due to the very nature of Debian you are expected to put effort into solving any problems you encounter. This is an effort to get you under way in how to be a good community member and contribute, something back! If after trying something you do get stuck or are worried you may do damage or loose data, please post in the forum. No one here would want you to wipe out your wedding photos for the sake of asking.
I'll layout my concept. I'll try and make this guide be as sequential as possible. So new users get a basic grasp of things in order in a few sentences with more detailed answers in the links. Basically, “Bite sized chunks” linking to FAQ or good how to's that already exist. Maybe some small how to's will be incorporated. I shall refer to “stable mostly” Be aware that some information gets old very quickly while some can stay the same for years. Be as sure as you can it's up to date.
Things to be aware of: Debian is a core or source distribution. This means there are many Debian based distributions. "THEY ARE NOT DEBIAN". Their information may or may not be of use. Debian has no way of knowing what has been changed on these systems. Do not add their repositories, or install their programs. You will break your system eventually.
Distributions built from Debian: Too many to list. Quote. ref: http://distrowatch.com/
"The success of Debian GNU/Linux can be illustrated by the following numbers. It is developed by over 1,000 volunteer developers, its software repositories contain more than 20,000 packages (compiled for 11 processor architectures), and it is responsible for inspiring over 120 Debian-based distributions and live CDs. These figures are unmatched by any other Linux-based operating system. The actual development of Debian takes place in three main branches (or four if one includes the bleeding-edge "experimental" branch) of increasing levels of stability: "unstable" (also known as "sid"), "testing" and "stable". This progressive integration and stabilisation of packages and features, together with the project's well-established quality control mechanisms, has earned Debian its reputation of being one of the best-tested and most bug-free distributions available today."
Finding information:
man pages:
Every time you install an application it installs a manual for that application. Also called, “man pages” for short. The quality and style is dependent on the author. It may be new user friendly, very technical, very short, or just poor. Some can be excellent. To access the man page you type “man and the name of the programme” in a terminal.
e.g. “man mplayer”
You will also find the man pages on line try “man mplayer” in your search engine.
Docs:
Documentation is in /usr/share/doc. Most GUI applications access these via their help.
http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals
http://newbiedoc.berlios.de/wiki/Debian_newbie_help_documentation
http://tldp.org/
http://www.linfo.org/newbies.html
Debian GNU/Linux Reference Card: The 101 most important things when using Debian GNU/Linux
http://tangosoft.com/refcard/
http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#refcard
http://www.togaware.com/linux/survivor/
http://www.aboutdebian.com/
http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/
Useful Wallpaper for beginners
http://www.tux-planet.fr/a-linux-wallpaper-for-beginners-un-fond-decran-linux-pour-les-debutants/
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Emacs_shortcuts?content=91961
The wiki:
Just like Wikipedia. Debian has a wiki. This information can be edited by anyone that's registered. There is lots and lots of information there.
http://wiki.debian.org/
Debian lists:
Debian lists are archives of email correspondence. They contain may Q&A's. You can search the different archives and subscribe to the lists that interest you. Once you've subscribed you can post questions, and receive updates via email,and rss feeds.
http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/
http://lists.debian.org/
Debian forums:
Like this one.
http://forums.debian.net
http://www.debianhelp.co.uk/
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/debian-linux-help/
How to search the forum and the web:
Obvious places.
http://forums.debian.net/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.debian.net/viewforum.php?f=1
The built in search could be better. You can use the google site search facility. Paste these examples into a google search to see how they work.
wifi lenny solved site:forums.debian.net
printing site:tldp.org
Use "quotes to group words" "wifi lenny" is not the same as wifi lenny
irc (internet relay chat): See the IRC section for instructions on joining the forum irc.
General GNU/Linux information multimedia:
No cost media. Like youtube. The internet archive, Podcasts, or Oggcasts
http://www.linuxreality.com/faq.php
http://hackerpublicradio.org/
What is Debian? A little background:
Debian is an operating system similar to Microsoft windows and Mac OSX. It has several major differences. It's Free it terms of liberty and cost and you are free to contribute to it. Due to the number of different architectures it runs on, it's flexibility and power it is referred to as “The Universal operating system”
http://www.debian.org/intro/about
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianIntroduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian
http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/ch01s03.html
Debian gives you the choice of several kernels the most popular being the Linux kernel. The kernel is the software that interacts between your physical hardware and passes information to your application software. Debian tweaks the vanilla kernel for you. but you can get make your own modifications with tools Debian provide or use a vanilla kernel.
http://www.kernel.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel
Many of the programmes used to write applications were created using the GNU tools.
http://www.gnu.org/ All the software in the Debian system is free software that complies with the Debian Free Software Guidelines.(DFSG) http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines
The Debian project recognises the valuable input of both the GNU system and Linux kernel in the full name of the Debian OS. “Debian GNU/Linux”.
How owns Debian? You could say “No one” or “You do”. Unlike most other distributions there is no company or magnanimous dictator behind it. It's users, create it and share it. This is why you are encouraged to give back by what ever means you can. Be it programming, graphic design, documentation or sharing your knowledge in the forum. If you can only give back money. That's fine too.
http://www.debian.org/social_contract
http://www.debian.org/intro/help
To find out more about Debian finances see here:
http://www.debian.org/donations
http://www.spi-inc.org/
Applications that are deemed secure, stable, and free enough to be in the Debian system. Are stored on “repositories” (servers) that are mirrored (duplicated) around the world. Here is a list of official Debian mirrors.
http://www.debian.org/mirror/list There are unofficial mirrors also. These may hold software that has possible patent issues in the USA where Debian is based. These issues may not apply in your country. Some DVD and mp3 software are examples that are not in the official repository but readily available.
Getting Debian:
http://www.debian.org/distrib/
Most people will have i386 computers, but not all!. As a new user your first task is to make sure you gather as much detail as you can about your system. If you still using another OS use that to gather as much info as you can. Information like Processor type, Graphics card make and model, HD type, is it an ide drive, SCSI, etc. Your network card and wifi, Your monitor, find out what screen resolutions it supports. In short gather as much info as you can on you hardware and write it down or print it out.
Installing Debian:
There are many great, “how to's” on installing Debian. But you need to consider some questions before installation. Do I want or need to dual boot with another OS? Backing up your data in a suitable format. Will my hardware work with Debian? Can I revert if it all goes awry? Prepare first and ask if you need too.
http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual
The command line:
You may never want to use the command line interface (CLI) If that's the case fine. But there will be times when you need to, and have to. It's a fundamental part of the system, get used to the basics at least.
http://linuxcommand.org/
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/cli.html
http://www.linfo.org/command_index.html
Installing, removing and updating software:
Getting software from the Debian repositories or CD's and DVD's if you have no internet or a poor connection can be done with the command line tools. Dpkg, apt, and aptitude. You can also install a GUI (Graphical user interface) applications like sysnaptic.
Dpkg:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dpkg
http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/ch-pkgtools.en.html
Apt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Packaging_Tool
Aptitude:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptitude_(program)
Synaptic The graphical package installer remover and updater
http://www.nongnu.org/synaptic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_Package_Manager
Adding repositories and CD's or DVD's to your system:
In order for your system to know where to get new applications, libraries (plugins) and security updates. It needs to know where to get them from. This is done by adding details of the repositories and CD's to your sources.list. This is a text file that resides in
/etc/apt/sources.list
By editing this file you can completely change the software available to your system. On a normal desktop PC you can expect over 20,000 “packages” depending on what you decide to install. And if you chose to add the “contrib” and “non-free” sections.
Debian is a Free system and as you saw from the “social contract” only includes, and depends upon free software. All software in the “main” section in your sources.list is Free-software.
For the convenience of it users Debian also links to “contrib” and “non-free”
The “contrib” section is free software that links to or depends on some none free software.
The “non-free” is non-free software as in (proprietory software) not cost.
The three main Debian branches:
Debian branches are divided in to 3 main (there are more) categorises, stable, testing, and unstable. They are always named after characters from the "Toy story"movie's.
stable is currently lenny
testing is currently squeeze
unstable is always sid. see: http://wooledge.org/~greg/sidfaq.html
You can use "stable" in your sources.list and when the current version of testing becomes stable your system will upgrade. If you want to run newer version of applications on a stable system you can via the "Back ports" repository. This is the recommended way for new users. That said "squeeze" is more stable than many other distributions, but you will get breakages.
To update biotube's great post. ref: http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=32860&start=0
""Unstable (permanently "Sid): When a new version of a package(or a new package all together) gets uploaded, it usually goes here. Sid machines can be highly volatile, (giving birth to the saying "If it breaks, you get to keep both halves"), although it's calmed down in recent years thanks to experimental.
Testing (currently "Squeeze"): After a while, a package in Sid with no really bad bugs gets moved here(the exact time depends on the urgency of the update). For this reason, it's much more stable than Sid. Since packages are updately fairly quickly, it's recommended for desktop users(don't let the name fool you - testing can be more stable than some distros' (especially the-one-that-cannot-be-named) releases).
Stable, (currently "Lenny", soon to be "Squeeze"): Every once in a blue moon, the Debian release team puts testing in what's know as "The Big Freeze". During this time, nothing but bugfixes may be moved to testing. Once all release-critical(RC) bugs are gone, testing becomes stable and a new testing branch is opened. Since only bugfixes are allowed in stable, the packages tend to get dated rapidly."
A new and really nice overview
http://pthree.org/2009/11/17/debian-the-universal-operating-system/
The graphical display (referred to as "X" or as "X Windows") :
The X Window System is a Free (Mit licenced), cross-platform, system for managing a windowed GUI (graphical user interface). If you don't want to be looking at a blank screen with a flashing cursor. You will need this. Some times, now rarely “X” can fail to be configured correctly on installation. It may fail completely (blank screen and said cursor) Or for example not offer the highest resolution that your monitor supports. This is why it's so useful to gather information on your graphics card and monitor first. Debian has tools to help you configure X from the command line interface (CLI).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System
http://www.x.org/wiki/
http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce
http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12
The basic system file structure:
If you come from Microsoft Windows You may well be wondering where the C and D,E etc drive is! It's gone. If you come from Mac OSX, being based on BSD the file structure may be more familiar. In Debian there is a single / root directory (folder) with everything placed in it. You can see a general view of how the subsequent directories are organised in the links below.
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/linuxdir.html
http://www.freeos.com/articles/3102/
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/usersguide/linux_ugfilestruct.html
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/commands/linux_crfilest.html
The concept of Root and user:
"root is the user name or account that by default has access to all commands and files on a Linux or other Unix-like operating system. It is also referred to as the root account, root user and the superuser. "
Ref: http://www.linfo.org/root.html
An ordinary user only has control over files in his/her own "home" directory. Though may be "allowed access" to other files and applications.
Desktop environments:
Under Windows and Mac OS you have a very limited choice as to your desktop environment.(the actual interface displayed on the screen). DE for short. You get what your given. A Monoculture based on their file manager. Windows explorer in Micosoft Windows, and the Finder in Mac OSX.
Under Debian you get choices of several Desktop environments, each with their own idea of what a good DE should be. Your choice maybe influenced by which one you've used before. What your friends are familiar with. Which is most similar to your current OS. What you want to do, and your PC's capabilities. You can forgo a DE altogether, if for example you want to create a server, or use a window manager.
Desktop environments: available repackaged on CD:
If you downloaded the first Debian CD. You will get the default Gnome Desktop. It uses the GTK libraries. Others DE's include KDE. This uses QT libraries. There is also the XFCE (GTK) desktop. That is slightly lighter than Gnome and KDE. The LXDE (GTK) that is a very light DE. XFCE and LXDE are present on the same CD. Check their prospective sites before you decide which one you think is for you. You only need the first CD to get up and running. Just choose the Desktop you want. Don't download all 20 odd unless you need them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_X_Window_System_desktop_environments
GNOME:
From the Gnome site.
"GNOME is easy to use and easy to learn: the usability project team makes sure of it. GNOME has all the software you need every day: games, browser, email, office suite, and more. In addition, excellent Windows file compatibility means you can work with files that Windows users send you, and extensive manuals and help systems mean you're never without resources. "
http://www.gnome.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME
KDE.
From the KDE site.
"KDE or the K Desktop Environment, is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE seeks to fulfill the need for an easy to use desktop for UNIX workstations, similar to desktop environments found on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems."
http://www.kde.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDE
http://wiki.kde.org/
XFCE:
From the XFCE site.
"About Xfce
"Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for various *NIX systems. Designed for productivity, it loads and executes applications fast, while conserving system resources." - Olivier Fourdan, creator of Xfce
Xfce 4.6 embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that together provide the full functionality of the desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick and choose from the available packages to create the best personal working environment. "
http://www.xfce.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xfce
http://wiki.xfce.org/
LXDE:
From the LXDE site.
"The "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment" is an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment. Maintained by an international community of developers, it comes with a beautiful interface, multi-language support, standard keyboard short cuts and additional features like tabbed file browsing. LXDE uses less CPU and less RAM than other environments. It is especially designed for cloud computers with low hardware specifications, such as, netbooks, mobile devices (e.g. MIDs) or older computers. "
http://lxde.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXDE
http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Main_Page
GTK + QT: Are tool kits used to create GUI's, for applications. Because these tools kits offer a slightly different look and feel. Many people try to stick to one or the other when choosing applications. Some popular applications are availible built with either tool kit. There are also "themes" that are avalible to make them look similar.
GTK:
http://www.gtk.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gtk
GTK+ is a highly usable, feature rich toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces which boasts cross platform compatibility and an easy to use API. GTK+ it is written in C, but has bindings to many other popular programming languages such as C++, Python and C# among others. GTK+ is licensed under the GNU LGPL 2.1 allowing development of both free and proprietary software with GTK+ without any license fees or royalties.
QT:
http://qt.nokia.com/products
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit)
Qt is a cross-platform application and UI framework. Using Qt, you can write web-enabled applications once and deploy them across desktop, mobile and embedded operating systems without rewriting the source code.
Features
With Debian you have the choice of doing a net install a from a minimalistic CD. http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/
You may want to do a net install if you have a poor internet connection or old hardware that would struggle with a full DE. You could then build your own lighter system using a window manager and a file manager of your choice.
Window mangers:
A window manager controls the window your GUI applications run in. How you Move ,expand, hide, shrink, them, and how they inter-react with each other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managers
http://xwinman.org/
File managers:
Quote ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager
"A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. The most common operations used are create, open, edit, view, print, play, rename, move, copy, delete, attributes, properties, search/find, and permissions. Files are typically displayed in a hierarchy. Some file managers contain features inspired by web browsers, including forward and back navigational buttons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_managers#Cross-platform_file_managers
http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20081224191928555/FileManagers.html
IRC:
Quote: ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
"Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a form of real-time Internet text messaging (chat) or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfers"
1. install an irc application. There are lots: barnowl-ircii-sirc-tinyirc-barnowl-iceape-chatzilla-ii-irssi-konversation-pidgin-scrollz-sic-talksoup-weechat-xchat
A very easy to use but light GUI one is lostirc. Here's how to get it set up
As root install it with
# apt-get install lostirc
Start it from a menu, or a run dialog or terminal by typing its name.
2. Add the server
Under "hostname" Thats the Server put: irc.oftc.net
Under "port" put: 6667
Under "password" leave that blank until you've registered your "nick"
Under "nickname" your-desired-nick
3. Join the channel : #debian-forums
4. Register Your Nick
In order to register your nick (nickname) for use on debian-forums irc channel you must notify the NicServ. You do this by typing
/msg nickserv REGISTER your-password your-email
NOTICE NickServ: Nickname "your-desired-nick" has been registered successfully and is now yours to use.
Now go and add your password to the "password" section and you can also tick the "connect automatically" box. And automatically join the forum chat by placing
/join #debian-forums
In the "commands to perform when connected" section.
http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html
http://wiki.debian.org/GettingHelpOnIrc
http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.html#quickstart
### END ###
I think that'll get you going. I may add to the sections below as and when I have the inclination.
Printing:
I may add to this section. You may want to....
Fonts:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Networking:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Ethernet:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Wifi:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Samba:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
NFS:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
SSH:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
FTP:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
RSS:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Graphics drivers:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Free:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Non Free:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
ATI:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
http://wiki.debian.org/ATIProprietary
Nvidia:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers
Sound:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
Multimedia:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
Applications:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
etc....
This is an effort to give a basic overview of the Debian system and frequently asked questions. How people new to Debian can help them selves as much as possible. Also to explain what is expected of new users in terms of forum etiquette and effort. People here are friendly and helpful but due to the very nature of Debian you are expected to put effort into solving any problems you encounter. This is an effort to get you under way in how to be a good community member and contribute, something back! If after trying something you do get stuck or are worried you may do damage or loose data, please post in the forum. No one here would want you to wipe out your wedding photos for the sake of asking.
I'll layout my concept. I'll try and make this guide be as sequential as possible. So new users get a basic grasp of things in order in a few sentences with more detailed answers in the links. Basically, “Bite sized chunks” linking to FAQ or good how to's that already exist. Maybe some small how to's will be incorporated. I shall refer to “stable mostly” Be aware that some information gets old very quickly while some can stay the same for years. Be as sure as you can it's up to date.
Things to be aware of: Debian is a core or source distribution. This means there are many Debian based distributions. "THEY ARE NOT DEBIAN". Their information may or may not be of use. Debian has no way of knowing what has been changed on these systems. Do not add their repositories, or install their programs. You will break your system eventually.
Distributions built from Debian: Too many to list. Quote. ref: http://distrowatch.com/
"The success of Debian GNU/Linux can be illustrated by the following numbers. It is developed by over 1,000 volunteer developers, its software repositories contain more than 20,000 packages (compiled for 11 processor architectures), and it is responsible for inspiring over 120 Debian-based distributions and live CDs. These figures are unmatched by any other Linux-based operating system. The actual development of Debian takes place in three main branches (or four if one includes the bleeding-edge "experimental" branch) of increasing levels of stability: "unstable" (also known as "sid"), "testing" and "stable". This progressive integration and stabilisation of packages and features, together with the project's well-established quality control mechanisms, has earned Debian its reputation of being one of the best-tested and most bug-free distributions available today."
Finding information:
man pages:
Every time you install an application it installs a manual for that application. Also called, “man pages” for short. The quality and style is dependent on the author. It may be new user friendly, very technical, very short, or just poor. Some can be excellent. To access the man page you type “man and the name of the programme” in a terminal.
e.g. “man mplayer”
You will also find the man pages on line try “man mplayer” in your search engine.
Docs:
Documentation is in /usr/share/doc. Most GUI applications access these via their help.
http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals
http://newbiedoc.berlios.de/wiki/Debian_newbie_help_documentation
http://tldp.org/
http://www.linfo.org/newbies.html
Debian GNU/Linux Reference Card: The 101 most important things when using Debian GNU/Linux
http://tangosoft.com/refcard/
http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#refcard
http://www.togaware.com/linux/survivor/
http://www.aboutdebian.com/
http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/
Useful Wallpaper for beginners
http://www.tux-planet.fr/a-linux-wallpaper-for-beginners-un-fond-decran-linux-pour-les-debutants/
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Emacs_shortcuts?content=91961
The wiki:
Just like Wikipedia. Debian has a wiki. This information can be edited by anyone that's registered. There is lots and lots of information there.
http://wiki.debian.org/
Debian lists:
Debian lists are archives of email correspondence. They contain may Q&A's. You can search the different archives and subscribe to the lists that interest you. Once you've subscribed you can post questions, and receive updates via email,and rss feeds.
http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/
http://lists.debian.org/
Debian forums:
Like this one.
http://forums.debian.net
http://www.debianhelp.co.uk/
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/debian-linux-help/
How to search the forum and the web:
Obvious places.
http://forums.debian.net/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.debian.net/viewforum.php?f=1
The built in search could be better. You can use the google site search facility. Paste these examples into a google search to see how they work.
wifi lenny solved site:forums.debian.net
printing site:tldp.org
Use "quotes to group words" "wifi lenny" is not the same as wifi lenny
irc (internet relay chat): See the IRC section for instructions on joining the forum irc.
General GNU/Linux information multimedia:
No cost media. Like youtube. The internet archive, Podcasts, or Oggcasts
http://www.linuxreality.com/faq.php
http://hackerpublicradio.org/
What is Debian? A little background:
Debian is an operating system similar to Microsoft windows and Mac OSX. It has several major differences. It's Free it terms of liberty and cost and you are free to contribute to it. Due to the number of different architectures it runs on, it's flexibility and power it is referred to as “The Universal operating system”
http://www.debian.org/intro/about
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianIntroduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian
http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/ch01s03.html
Debian gives you the choice of several kernels the most popular being the Linux kernel. The kernel is the software that interacts between your physical hardware and passes information to your application software. Debian tweaks the vanilla kernel for you. but you can get make your own modifications with tools Debian provide or use a vanilla kernel.
http://www.kernel.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel
Many of the programmes used to write applications were created using the GNU tools.
http://www.gnu.org/ All the software in the Debian system is free software that complies with the Debian Free Software Guidelines.(DFSG) http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines
The Debian project recognises the valuable input of both the GNU system and Linux kernel in the full name of the Debian OS. “Debian GNU/Linux”.
How owns Debian? You could say “No one” or “You do”. Unlike most other distributions there is no company or magnanimous dictator behind it. It's users, create it and share it. This is why you are encouraged to give back by what ever means you can. Be it programming, graphic design, documentation or sharing your knowledge in the forum. If you can only give back money. That's fine too.
http://www.debian.org/social_contract
http://www.debian.org/intro/help
To find out more about Debian finances see here:
http://www.debian.org/donations
http://www.spi-inc.org/
Applications that are deemed secure, stable, and free enough to be in the Debian system. Are stored on “repositories” (servers) that are mirrored (duplicated) around the world. Here is a list of official Debian mirrors.
http://www.debian.org/mirror/list There are unofficial mirrors also. These may hold software that has possible patent issues in the USA where Debian is based. These issues may not apply in your country. Some DVD and mp3 software are examples that are not in the official repository but readily available.
Getting Debian:
http://www.debian.org/distrib/
Most people will have i386 computers, but not all!. As a new user your first task is to make sure you gather as much detail as you can about your system. If you still using another OS use that to gather as much info as you can. Information like Processor type, Graphics card make and model, HD type, is it an ide drive, SCSI, etc. Your network card and wifi, Your monitor, find out what screen resolutions it supports. In short gather as much info as you can on you hardware and write it down or print it out.
Installing Debian:
There are many great, “how to's” on installing Debian. But you need to consider some questions before installation. Do I want or need to dual boot with another OS? Backing up your data in a suitable format. Will my hardware work with Debian? Can I revert if it all goes awry? Prepare first and ask if you need too.
http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual
The command line:
You may never want to use the command line interface (CLI) If that's the case fine. But there will be times when you need to, and have to. It's a fundamental part of the system, get used to the basics at least.
http://linuxcommand.org/
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/cli.html
http://www.linfo.org/command_index.html
Installing, removing and updating software:
Getting software from the Debian repositories or CD's and DVD's if you have no internet or a poor connection can be done with the command line tools. Dpkg, apt, and aptitude. You can also install a GUI (Graphical user interface) applications like sysnaptic.
Dpkg:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dpkg
http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/ch-pkgtools.en.html
Apt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Packaging_Tool
Aptitude:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptitude_(program)
Synaptic The graphical package installer remover and updater
http://www.nongnu.org/synaptic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_Package_Manager
Adding repositories and CD's or DVD's to your system:
In order for your system to know where to get new applications, libraries (plugins) and security updates. It needs to know where to get them from. This is done by adding details of the repositories and CD's to your sources.list. This is a text file that resides in
/etc/apt/sources.list
By editing this file you can completely change the software available to your system. On a normal desktop PC you can expect over 20,000 “packages” depending on what you decide to install. And if you chose to add the “contrib” and “non-free” sections.
Debian is a Free system and as you saw from the “social contract” only includes, and depends upon free software. All software in the “main” section in your sources.list is Free-software.
For the convenience of it users Debian also links to “contrib” and “non-free”
The “contrib” section is free software that links to or depends on some none free software.
The “non-free” is non-free software as in (proprietory software) not cost.
The three main Debian branches:
Debian branches are divided in to 3 main (there are more) categorises, stable, testing, and unstable. They are always named after characters from the "Toy story"movie's.
stable is currently lenny
testing is currently squeeze
unstable is always sid. see: http://wooledge.org/~greg/sidfaq.html
You can use "stable" in your sources.list and when the current version of testing becomes stable your system will upgrade. If you want to run newer version of applications on a stable system you can via the "Back ports" repository. This is the recommended way for new users. That said "squeeze" is more stable than many other distributions, but you will get breakages.
To update biotube's great post. ref: http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=32860&start=0
""Unstable (permanently "Sid): When a new version of a package(or a new package all together) gets uploaded, it usually goes here. Sid machines can be highly volatile, (giving birth to the saying "If it breaks, you get to keep both halves"), although it's calmed down in recent years thanks to experimental.
Testing (currently "Squeeze"): After a while, a package in Sid with no really bad bugs gets moved here(the exact time depends on the urgency of the update). For this reason, it's much more stable than Sid. Since packages are updately fairly quickly, it's recommended for desktop users(don't let the name fool you - testing can be more stable than some distros' (especially the-one-that-cannot-be-named) releases).
Stable, (currently "Lenny", soon to be "Squeeze"): Every once in a blue moon, the Debian release team puts testing in what's know as "The Big Freeze". During this time, nothing but bugfixes may be moved to testing. Once all release-critical(RC) bugs are gone, testing becomes stable and a new testing branch is opened. Since only bugfixes are allowed in stable, the packages tend to get dated rapidly."
A new and really nice overview
http://pthree.org/2009/11/17/debian-the-universal-operating-system/
The graphical display (referred to as "X" or as "X Windows") :
The X Window System is a Free (Mit licenced), cross-platform, system for managing a windowed GUI (graphical user interface). If you don't want to be looking at a blank screen with a flashing cursor. You will need this. Some times, now rarely “X” can fail to be configured correctly on installation. It may fail completely (blank screen and said cursor) Or for example not offer the highest resolution that your monitor supports. This is why it's so useful to gather information on your graphics card and monitor first. Debian has tools to help you configure X from the command line interface (CLI).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System
http://www.x.org/wiki/
http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce
http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12
The basic system file structure:
If you come from Microsoft Windows You may well be wondering where the C and D,E etc drive is! It's gone. If you come from Mac OSX, being based on BSD the file structure may be more familiar. In Debian there is a single / root directory (folder) with everything placed in it. You can see a general view of how the subsequent directories are organised in the links below.
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/linuxdir.html
http://www.freeos.com/articles/3102/
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/usersguide/linux_ugfilestruct.html
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/commands/linux_crfilest.html
The concept of Root and user:
"root is the user name or account that by default has access to all commands and files on a Linux or other Unix-like operating system. It is also referred to as the root account, root user and the superuser. "
Ref: http://www.linfo.org/root.html
An ordinary user only has control over files in his/her own "home" directory. Though may be "allowed access" to other files and applications.
Desktop environments:
Under Windows and Mac OS you have a very limited choice as to your desktop environment.(the actual interface displayed on the screen). DE for short. You get what your given. A Monoculture based on their file manager. Windows explorer in Micosoft Windows, and the Finder in Mac OSX.
Under Debian you get choices of several Desktop environments, each with their own idea of what a good DE should be. Your choice maybe influenced by which one you've used before. What your friends are familiar with. Which is most similar to your current OS. What you want to do, and your PC's capabilities. You can forgo a DE altogether, if for example you want to create a server, or use a window manager.
Desktop environments: available repackaged on CD:
If you downloaded the first Debian CD. You will get the default Gnome Desktop. It uses the GTK libraries. Others DE's include KDE. This uses QT libraries. There is also the XFCE (GTK) desktop. That is slightly lighter than Gnome and KDE. The LXDE (GTK) that is a very light DE. XFCE and LXDE are present on the same CD. Check their prospective sites before you decide which one you think is for you. You only need the first CD to get up and running. Just choose the Desktop you want. Don't download all 20 odd unless you need them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_X_Window_System_desktop_environments
GNOME:
From the Gnome site.
"GNOME is easy to use and easy to learn: the usability project team makes sure of it. GNOME has all the software you need every day: games, browser, email, office suite, and more. In addition, excellent Windows file compatibility means you can work with files that Windows users send you, and extensive manuals and help systems mean you're never without resources. "
http://www.gnome.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME
KDE.
From the KDE site.
"KDE or the K Desktop Environment, is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE seeks to fulfill the need for an easy to use desktop for UNIX workstations, similar to desktop environments found on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems."
http://www.kde.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDE
http://wiki.kde.org/
XFCE:
From the XFCE site.
"About Xfce
"Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for various *NIX systems. Designed for productivity, it loads and executes applications fast, while conserving system resources." - Olivier Fourdan, creator of Xfce
Xfce 4.6 embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that together provide the full functionality of the desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick and choose from the available packages to create the best personal working environment. "
http://www.xfce.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xfce
http://wiki.xfce.org/
LXDE:
From the LXDE site.
"The "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment" is an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment. Maintained by an international community of developers, it comes with a beautiful interface, multi-language support, standard keyboard short cuts and additional features like tabbed file browsing. LXDE uses less CPU and less RAM than other environments. It is especially designed for cloud computers with low hardware specifications, such as, netbooks, mobile devices (e.g. MIDs) or older computers. "
http://lxde.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXDE
http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Main_Page
GTK + QT: Are tool kits used to create GUI's, for applications. Because these tools kits offer a slightly different look and feel. Many people try to stick to one or the other when choosing applications. Some popular applications are availible built with either tool kit. There are also "themes" that are avalible to make them look similar.
GTK:
http://www.gtk.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gtk
GTK+ is a highly usable, feature rich toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces which boasts cross platform compatibility and an easy to use API. GTK+ it is written in C, but has bindings to many other popular programming languages such as C++, Python and C# among others. GTK+ is licensed under the GNU LGPL 2.1 allowing development of both free and proprietary software with GTK+ without any license fees or royalties.
QT:
http://qt.nokia.com/products
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit)
Qt is a cross-platform application and UI framework. Using Qt, you can write web-enabled applications once and deploy them across desktop, mobile and embedded operating systems without rewriting the source code.
Features
- Intuitive C++ class library
- Portability across desktop and embedded operating systems
- Integrated development tools
with cross-platform IDE - High runtime performance and small footprint on embedded
With Debian you have the choice of doing a net install a from a minimalistic CD. http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/
You may want to do a net install if you have a poor internet connection or old hardware that would struggle with a full DE. You could then build your own lighter system using a window manager and a file manager of your choice.
Window mangers:
A window manager controls the window your GUI applications run in. How you Move ,expand, hide, shrink, them, and how they inter-react with each other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_managers
http://xwinman.org/
File managers:
Quote ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager
"A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. The most common operations used are create, open, edit, view, print, play, rename, move, copy, delete, attributes, properties, search/find, and permissions. Files are typically displayed in a hierarchy. Some file managers contain features inspired by web browsers, including forward and back navigational buttons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_managers#Cross-platform_file_managers
http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20081224191928555/FileManagers.html
IRC:
Quote: ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
"Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a form of real-time Internet text messaging (chat) or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfers"
1. install an irc application. There are lots: barnowl-ircii-sirc-tinyirc-barnowl-iceape-chatzilla-ii-irssi-konversation-pidgin-scrollz-sic-talksoup-weechat-xchat
A very easy to use but light GUI one is lostirc. Here's how to get it set up
As root install it with
# apt-get install lostirc
Start it from a menu, or a run dialog or terminal by typing its name.
2. Add the server
Under "hostname" Thats the Server put: irc.oftc.net
Under "port" put: 6667
Under "password" leave that blank until you've registered your "nick"
Under "nickname" your-desired-nick
3. Join the channel : #debian-forums
4. Register Your Nick
In order to register your nick (nickname) for use on debian-forums irc channel you must notify the NicServ. You do this by typing
/msg nickserv REGISTER your-password your-email
NOTICE NickServ: Nickname "your-desired-nick" has been registered successfully and is now yours to use.
Now go and add your password to the "password" section and you can also tick the "connect automatically" box. And automatically join the forum chat by placing
/join #debian-forums
In the "commands to perform when connected" section.
http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html
http://wiki.debian.org/GettingHelpOnIrc
http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.html#quickstart
### END ###
I think that'll get you going. I may add to the sections below as and when I have the inclination.
Printing:
I may add to this section. You may want to....
Fonts:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Networking:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Ethernet:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Wifi:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Samba:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
NFS:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
SSH:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
FTP:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
RSS:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Graphics drivers:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Free:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
Non Free:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
ATI:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
http://wiki.debian.org/ATIProprietary
Nvidia:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers
Sound:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
Multimedia:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
Applications:
I may add to this section. You may want to.....
You may want to.....
etc....
My emac ati usb one dual monitor set up under Debian lenny PPC
Quote:
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:lwin_switch"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
BusID "PCI:0:16:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
Option "ConnectorTable" "100,1,0,1,108,2,0,1"
Option "ReverseDDC" "true"
Option "AGPMode" "4"
Option "MergedXinerama" "true"
Option "monitor-VGA-1" "Configured Monitor"
Option "monitor-VGA-0" "external Monitor"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
# VGA-1
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
# Modeline "800x600_112.00" 76.84 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 640 +hsync +vsync
# Modeline "1024x768_89.00" 99.07 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 809 +hsync +vsync
# Modeline "1152x870_80.00" 113.11 1152 1224 1352 1552 870 871 874 911 +hsync +vsync
# Modeline "1280x960_72.00" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 +hsync +vsync
# apple defaults #
# tested work 1024x768
# Modeline "1024x768_89.00" 99.07 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 809 -HSync +Vsync
# tested work 1152x870
# Modeline "1152x780_80.00" 101.44 1152 1224 1352 1552 780 781 784 817 -HSync +Vsync
# tested work 1280x960_72.00
# Modeline "1280x960_72.00" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 -HSync +Vsync
# syncmaster
# 1280x1024 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 80.17 kHz; pclk: 138.54 MHz
##Modeline "1280x1024_75.00" 138.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1069 -HSync +Vsync
Modeline "1280x1024_75.00" 138.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1069 -HSync +Vsync
# Modeline "1280x960_60.00" 102.10 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 +HSync +Vsync
# this sets to right 1024 pixels down 0 pixels
# Option "Position" "1024 0"
# this sets the preferred mode (size and rate of connected monitor)
# Option "PreferredMode" "800x600_112.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1024x768_89.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1152x870_80.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1280x960_72.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1280x960_60.00"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024_75.00"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
#VGA-0
Identifier "external Monitor"
# gtf output
# 1280x1024 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 80.17 kHz; pclk: 138.54 MHz
# Modeline from gtf
##Modeline "1280x1024_75.00" 138.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1069 -HSync +Vsync
Modeline "1280x1024_75.00" 138.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1069 +HSync +Vsync
# this sets to right 1024 pixels down 0 pixels
Option "Position" "1024 0"
# Option "PreferredMode" "800x600_112.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1024x768_89.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1152x870_80.00"
# Option "PreferredMode" "1280x960_72.00"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024_75.00"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
SubSection "Display"
# dual monitors # width of both monitors added together 1280+1280=2560 plus largest hight 1024
Virtual 2560 1024
EndSubSection
EndSection
PPC - No Sound on My G4 Debian
PPC - No Sound on My G4 Debian
Code:
# modprobe snd-powermac
Code:
snd-powermac
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
The Face to Face with RMS interview
ref:
http://www.linuxforu.com/views/face-to-face-with-rms/
Face to Face with RMS
By : Swapnil Bhartiya
It was one of the rarest opportunities to spend some time with the man I’ve always looked up to since I migrated to GNU/Linux systems. The father of the free software movement, Richard M. Stallman was in Delhi for three days, and during the time I spent with RMS, we discussed various topics that helped me get to the bottom of why ‘Free Software’ matters so much. This frank discussion with RMS also covers topics like the entire confusion created around patents and copyright, what a sensible government should do, why free software matters for an enterprise as well as a developer and what will happen to the free software movement after RMS… though we wish him to live another 100 years. So read on…
Chilly Pepper: This is the first interview in which RMS has responded to a recent blog post by Linus Torvalds, where the creator of the Linux kernel has criticised the father of the free software movement.
I would like to start off with what free software is all about, according to you?
Free software means software that respects the user’s freedom and the user community. Proprietary software traps the user’s freedom and divides the user, leaving him helpless. They are divided because they are forbidden to share the source code. Helpless because they don’t get the source code; hence they can’t change the program and they can’t even verify what it is doing to them. Free software respects that and there are four essential freedoms that a user must have.
Zero is the freedom to run the program as you wish. Freedom One is the freedom to study the source code of the program and then change it to make the program do what you wish. Freedom Two is to help your neighbour, which means to make exact copies of the program and distribute it to others when you wish. And Freedom Three is the freedom to contribute to your community, which means distribute modified versions when you wish.
Now, this has nothing to do with the details of what the program does and how. It’s about what you are allowed to do with the program. So, if one of these freedoms is missing, or partly missing, then the social system of a distribution is unethical, and that makes it proprietary software. So, that software should not exist, because every time someone uses it, it becomes a social problem.
To whom does free software matter?
It matters to everybody who uses software. So, if you have a computer these freedoms are important to you and you deserve free software.
Is there any particular reason why free software makes more sense in a country like India?
I don’t think so. I think freedom is essential for everyone. The only country where free software doesn’t matter is the country where nobody uses computers.
Why is it important for governments?
All users of software deserve the four freedoms and that includes government agencies. However, in their case it’s not just what they deserve, it’s their duty, it’s their responsibility. Because the government has a responsibility to maintain its sovereignty, i.e., control over what they do. So a government agency that does computing has a duty to maintain control over its computing, which means it must use free software.
What are the kinds of relations that exist between the governments and the free software community around the globe?
It depends on which government—they are not all doing the same things. Some governments have explicitly adopted a policy of moving government agencies to free software. These include Venezuela, Ecuador, apart from others who are migrating to free software though they don’t have a formal policy.
Then there are some governments like the US government that has no pride, no ethics, and basically just sells out to multinational corporations. And then there are some governments that are very concerned about letting those corporations have power and try to resist it. And while doing so they also defend their citizens from those corporations.
And what about education? Now there are two aspects to that: using free software in the IT infrastructure of schools, as well as getting it into the curriculum.
Well, regarding the administration of the school, they deserve to use free software just like everyone else. What is especially important is what software they teach students. Because schools have influence over society and they have a social mission—which is to teach the next generation to be good citizens of a strong, capable, independent, cooperating and free society. In the field of computing, this means that their responsibility is to teach students to be users of free software and to appreciate and applaud the freedoms of free software.
If a school is teaching proprietary programs, that means it is selling dependency to the next generation, directing them under the power of a particular company. This is something schools must never do. In addition, some students are people who will be fascinated with computers and will learn to be great programmers. When they get interested in programming, which is usually between the age group of 10 and 13, they want to learn how the software works, and then they want to start changing and improving it. That is how they learn to be great programmers. So, if the school uses free software, the students have the opportunity to learn. If the school uses proprietary software, children don’t have the opportunity to learn, because proprietary software is an enemy of education, it’s opposed to the spirit of education. And thus, it doesn’t belong in a school.
Do you think the training cost is one of the concerns? If you look at the education system, it needs investments to train teachers on the new systems?
Well yes, in order to get out of a path that is leading you to a bad destination you have to make an effort. And this is a kind of investment, social investment. Even if you ignore all the freedom and the community, the cost savings alone are worth making that investment. That is the smallest and most superficial part of why you should do it.
However, you will notice that the proponents of proprietary software encourage people to think short term, because if you think very short term it might seem that switching to free software is a lot of work and more expensive. It seems more expensive because you have to train some people at first. But that is a one-time expense. Once schools start graduating people who know free software there is no shortage of people. So, this is only a short-term expense and, therefore, those who are trying to defend proprietary software are trying to encourage a very short-term way of thinking.
How much sense does free software make to the enterprise segment?
Well, if you are running a business, you ought to want to have control over your computing, so you should insist on free software. Businesses get the benefits of the four freedoms just like everyone else. Not only that, there is a side effect. The support for free software is a free market. In case of proprietary software, only the developer has the source code, so if there is a bug, only the developer can fix it and thereby support is a monopoly. This means that support is usually expensive and bad. But with free software that support is available from the free market, so businesses get better support for their money. And any time they are not satisfied with their support provider they can switch to another.
What about developers who while using a lot of free software in the backend, release their products as proprietary software?
Well, that is unjust. Any proprietary program means that there is a user who doesn’t have freedom. There is no excuse for this. Users should refuse to get subjugated in this way. They accept it because of the short-term thinking—”I want to do this now, and the only way I can do this now is to let this developer have power over me.” So, what is to be done? Well, that depends on whether I am thinking short-term or long-term.
The free software movement has made it even easier to choose freedom. When I started the movement 25 years ago, the only way I could have freedom was through developing an operating system and that was going to take years. If I were thinking short term, I would have said: “Oh, it’s so far ahead. I give up!”, and I would have let the developer of the proprietary software have power over me the same way everyone else was doing. But instead I thought long term, and I thought: “Yes, it would take years, but it is worth it!” Today, we have free operating systems, we have thousands of free applications, and as a result, choosing freedom doesn’t require you to work for many years any more. Now, at most, it requires an inconvenience every so often.
But why should developers be working on free software?
I am not saying that everybody should develop free software. If you don’t feel like developing free software then you don’t have to, because lots of other people will. I certainly don’t want to pressure anyone into spending his time writing free software if he is not interested in doing so. But what you should not do is release proprietary software, because that is denying freedom to somebody else. It is not legitimate and is unacceptable for anyone to do that. So, if you are developing software to release, you must make it free software. But you don’t have to develop software to release it.
Now, we should know that most people who are paid to write software are writing custom software. There is a particular client that wants a particular program, and he is paying them to write it. This client should, of course, insist on receiving the product they paid for as free software and that should be capable of running on a completely free platform. Because, otherwise, they are paying to lose their freedom. They still have to pay some people to write solutions, because this is not something people would want to volunteer for otherwise. So, companies have to pay and this means that most people who get paid to program free software won’t change things much. It may increase their productivity somewhat, but it won’t change things much.
There’s been a lot of confusion between free software and open source. Would you like to say something about it?
Once Linux was put together with the GNU operating system in 1992 to make a complete free operating system, people started distributing the GNU/Linux operating system and telling friends about it, and they were mainly techies. People accustomed to judging software in technical terms, recommended the system to other people looking at the practical advantage of GNU/Linux systems and they did not mention these ethical issues.
Meanwhile, we in the free software movement were talking about these ethical issues. Some people listened to us and others listened to them. So during the 90s, a split, an argument, arose within the community between the people who valued the freedom and community above all and the people who only valued practical convenience.
In 1998 this group, which valued only superficial practical values, chose the term open source as a way to avoid mentioning or alluding to our ideas of freedom. Because that term had never been used, they could choose whatever idea to associate with it and leave out other ideas they did not want to mention. That’s what they did. Ever since then, free software and open source are two fundamentally different philosophies based on different ideas of what is important.
So, the difference between the two philosophies is not just the detail, but goes down to the root. We have some criterion for free software, which is actually the criterion for the licensing and distribution of the program. There is also a definition of open source that has a criterion of how a program is licensed and distributed. So, in practical terms, they come out fairly similar. As far as I know, all free software is open source and nearly all open source programs are free software. But there are some open source programs that are non-free, and the reason is that they interpret their criterion for licensing in a way that is little bit more lax. So, there are some licences that they have accepted, but we have not.
The ordinary public uses the word open source…
Well, that depends… Don’t simply assume that, and don’t declare the total defeat of the free software movement, because that is not true. You just made a statement that is not true, because the ordinary public is a lot of people. Some have heard of one and some have heard of the other. It’s true that more people have heard of open source, but that doesn’t mean that everybody has heard of only open source.
The reason is that the supporters of open source are more in number and thus the companies who are involved with software mostly say ‘open source’. And the reason is that most of those companies also are involved with proprietary software. They don’t want to educate the public to reject the proprietary software on moral grounds, thus avoiding mentioning the free software movement and never mention our ethical ideas. They can win certain amount of favourable public opinion by connecting themselves with open source, and yet avoid teaching users to reject proprietary software.
They find a way to use the term open source and their company’s name in the same sentence even if what they are saying has nothing to do with it. They don’t generally do that with free software because the idea of free software says that if it doesn’t respect freedom it is an injustice, and so you should reject it. A company that makes non-free software is not going to want to link its name with free software. And that’s why, theoretically speaking, they could play these double-talk terms with any other terms, but they don’t generally play these tricks with free software. They do a different thing, however—they misunderstand the term ‘free’ and interpret it as gratis copies of proprietary software telling that it is free.
The English language has a flaw that other languages don’t have—that is, there is no word that means free as in freedom with only that meaning. Whereas in most other languages there is a clearer word which doesn’t mean zero price. In France, I always say ‘logiciel libre’, because ‘libre’ means free as in freedom. So, most languages have a word which mean free as in freedom and it doesn’t talk about price. English seems to be the only language that fails to have such a word.
Can you clarify a bit between copyright and patents?
First thing, copyright and patents have nothing to do with each other. So, you may as well ask me to clarify between copyright and trees… or side walks.
But at times, people do try to club them together…
The first thing to realise is that copyright and patents have nothing in common; they are totally unrelated laws. What one of them does, the other one doesn’t. So, in particular, if someone starts making statements using ‘intellectual property’, that is a sign of confusion, because that term attempts to generalise several different laws (copyright is one of them), when all these laws have nothing in common.
So, whatever that person says is pure confusion; it is nonsense. And this nonsense is being passed off as meaningful. But, most people don’t know it is nonsense, so they repeat the nonsense. There are also people who know how wrong it is, but they use it and then they justify it. There are a lot of others who are simply trying to mislead other people. It is in their interest not to have other people understand these issues.
Is there any connection between the two at all?
What has copyright to do with licensing and what does it have to do with free software? Well, under today’s copyright law, any work that is written or composed somehow is automatically copyrighted. So, there is a copyright on that work or particular authorship. By default, the copyright law says that people are not allowed to copy or distribute or modify the program. In some countries people are not allowed to run it without permission. So, how do you make free software?
The only way is through a formal declaration by the copyright holder saying that you, the user, have the four freedoms. That declaration, we call the free software licence. It is not the only context in which the term ‘licence’ is used. Licences are signed contracts, but this one is not. This is simply a unilateral grant of permission from the copyright holders of the program. Free software licences have some conditions. It could be a tiny requirement like you can’t remove this licence, but some other licences have more requirements. For example, I wrote a licence, which is one of the many free software licences, called the GNU General Public Licence or GNU GPL. And it is used in over two-thirds of all the free software packages. However, GPL is not all—there are other free software licences too.
What’s special about this licence is there are certain requirements we call copy-left and that is: “When you redistribute copies of the program, either exact or modified, you must keep the licence the same and you must distribute the whole of the modified version under the same licence and make the source code available.” These licences make an extra effort to defend the freedom of every user.
What led to the move from GPL version 2 to 3?
That is hard to say, because there were different reasons for every change. If you look at GPLv3.fsf.org, you can find the rationale document that states the purpose of every change that we made. However, in general, the overall purpose of version 3 of the GPL is the same as version 2—to defend the freedom of every user.
We made some changes for convenience. We made some changes in order to permit things that ought to be permitted. And we made some changes to defend users’ freedom against new methods of taking it away. For instance, there are some changes we made to better defend freedom against software patents; we made some changes to block tivoization. We also made some changes so that you can lawfully redistribute the software using BitTorrent. Because it turns out that BitTorrent violates GPL v2. But, obviously, it is a good thing for people to use BitTorrent as long as they use it for the right purpose. So, in GPLv3 we added a clause to make it legal.
What do you think about the MS-Novell deal?
The deal between Microsoft and Novell was an attempt to take away our freedom. It is an attempt to convert free software into proprietary software. The way they did it is by using Microsoft’s patent claims. A patent is a government-issued monopoly on an idea. Some countries allow patents in the software fields. When that happens, it means that a software technique or feature can be patented. If a country allows software patents then all the developers are in danger, because when you develop a program, you implement many ideas. If some of these ideas are patented that means the patent holder can sue you. If you distribute the copies to some users, then the patent holder can sue those users too in some countries.
The mega corporations own half of the patents; that’s true in every field and they cross-licence each other in a way that gives them a form of dominion. This is why the software mega corporations want software patents. Three years ago, the mega corporations in the US asked the government of India to implement software patents and the government went along with it, but the opposition parties blocked it. So, they were not able to change the law. Now the Indian patent office is trying to authorise the software patents again by twisting the existing law. So, you really have to fight constantly to stop these companies from grabbing control.
Now, in the MS-Novell pact, Novell accepted a licence patent for Novell customers from Microsoft and Novell agreed to pay Microsoft a fee for usage. So, if you are a Novell customer you are paying Microsoft. Because of this, there is a boycott of Novell by free software activists who condemn this betrayal.
What do you say about censorship?
I should explain that this is not part of the free software issue. It’s a much older issue of human rights. Censorship is an evil. It attacks your freedom and is very dangerous.
So, you mean there should not be any kind of censorship?
No, not at all. Now, I have seen things that disgusted me. For instance there was a movie, which was very famous and very popular, called Pulp Fiction. The violence in the movie disgusted me. If there is somebody bleeding on the street and I can help him, I guess I have to force myself to look. But if it is just fiction in a movie, why should I suffer?
However, I am against censorship. I do not want people to censor movies like Pulp Fiction. I am against it. I defend their freedom to make movies like these, and I am not going to go and watch them.
There has been a lot of concern regarding software as a service. What do you think?
Software as a service means that in order to do your computing, you are going to send your data to someone else’s computer. There, he is going to run a program and your computing will be done in his computer and with his copy of a program. If the program is someone else’s copy then the person who owns the copy takes away the control from you. Here you don’t have control on your computing, so you must not do this. The only way you can have control of your computing is if you do it in your copy of a free program. But the structure of the problem is different.
Interestingly, in case of software as a service, it doesn’t matter whether that guy’s copy, which you are using, is free software or not, because if it is free software—that means he has control of the copy and not you. We can’t say that you, we and everyone has to have control over his copy. Because he is entitled to control his copy. That means, when we do computing we should not use his copy; we should use our copy. That is the only way the user can have control. So, software as a service is simply bad and cannot be redeemed. Nothing can make it acceptable.
However, I want to point out that most servers are not software as a service. Most servers are just doing something and, in most cases, it’s not you computing your data on that server. For example, if you visit stallman.org, you can read what I have published. That is not software as a service. Or if you go to the free software directory at directory.fsf.org, you can search our list of free programs. Well, that runs a program, but that is not software as a service. What you are doing is looking at our data. So there is no problem. Or suppose you go to a Web-store and buy something; what you are doing there is e-commerce and that is a mutual transaction between you and someone else. It is not you computing your data, so that is not software as a service. Suppose you help edit a Wikipedia page—what you are doing there is helping to do Wikipedia’s computing. And that is not your computing on your data. It is not software as a service and it is fine. So, we should be aware when I condemn software as a service—out of all the websites in the world software as a service is a tiny fraction of them. It is a narrow way of using a server. Most Web servers are something else.
But when I am running a website, my data is on someone else’s server and I don’t even know where my data is.
That is a somewhat different issue. You can have your computer that is hosted by somebody and you can still have your copies of software. So, you still do control the computing that is done. True, you are trusting your data to whoever hosts the machine. He can go to the machine and rip off the data. It is trusting somebody, but at least he doesn’t control the computing that you do.
But today people care about mobility; they don’t want to carry their data. They want to access it from where ever they want.
That is silly! That means you are trusting your private data to someone you don’t know you can trust. So, that is foolish, that is really dumb!
There shouldn’t be any such thing?
I don’t think you should do it. In many cases it goes hand-in-hand with software as a service. Consider the worst example, Google Docs. With Google Docs here is what happens: you keep your private data, or you wish it were private, on Google servers. So, you are trusting a multinational corporation with your privacy, which, of course, you can never trust—any of them for that matter. In order to use it, the site transmits a large proprietary program to your computer, which you may not realise as it happens invisibly – it’s a Java script program and it gets loaded into your browser.
Aside from this, which is obviously wrong, there is also a large program that is an unreleased program running in Google servers, and Google, of course, controls it and you don’t. So, this is absurd—you should have control of this computing. You should run your word processor or your spreadsheet on your computer. Don’t run it on Google’s computer or anyone else’s. And I am not saying that Google is particularly worse, although it’s true that they are. They should release that Java script program—that will solve one of the problems.
But the other problem is the program in the server; there is no solution for that. Even if Google releases that as free software, it would not solve this problem. The fact is, if you are using someone else’s server, no matter how ethical that someone is, no matter how much you can trust him, you still don’t control your computing.
What do you say about DRM?
You mean digital restriction management—digital handcuffs? This refers to more malicious features put into some programs to restrict the user, most often to restrict your access to your copies of published works. This is injustice! DRM must not exist. And almost always DRM is imposed by a conspiracy of companies. There are a few exceptions, but they are minor.
Consider, for instance, the inscription on a DVD. That scheme was set up by a group of companies. They established the DVD conspiracy that anybody who wants to make a DVD player has to join them and promise to design DVD players so that they restrict the users, just like every other DVD player manufacturer. Now, I believe that these conspiracies ought to be felonies. So the executives that organised these conspiracies and signed up to participate in it should be prosecuted and imprisoned. But, unfortunately, our governments are sell-outs and they have taken the side of those conspiracies, against the public. These executives are well aware that they are in no danger of being prosecuted.
In fact, many governments have passed laws forbidding us to get around the restrictions they have imposed on us, starting with the US. For instance, there is a free software that can play a DVD and in the US that free software is censored. This shows how evil they are. They actually practice censorship of software. You may ask how I know about these conspiracies. It’s because it’s no secret—they boast about these conspiracies. They are so confident that they will not be prosecuted for this attack on our freedom and this conspiracy to restrict commerce that they stand upright and say, “We have made this agreement to restrict the public.”
So, DRM is evil. We should establish laws to prosecute conspiracies that impose DRM, and we should completely reject all products that have DRM unless we have the free software that can break the digital handcuffs. Never buy an encrypted DVD, or any other product with DRM, unless you personally have the means to break the DRM. If you have a free software program to watch the encrypted DVD, then it is OK to buy an encrypted DVD. But otherwise you must only get unencrypted DVDs. In India, I guess the legal DVDs are encrypted so you should not buy them, and I think the illegal ones may not be encrypted so those are OK.
I am excited to know about the status of development of the Hurd?
The Hurd is the GNU kernel that we started in 1990 because there was no free kernel and we needed a kernel to have a complete GNU system. Well, various things went wrong and it works, but it doesn’t work all that well. However, it’s making progress. A few years ago they could only compile 40 per cent of Debian packages on Debian GNU/Hurd and now they can compile 60 per cent. So, they are making progress, but have a long way to go.
Do you have any idea when it will be ready?
No, I have learned not to make predictions about such things. There is a lot of work to be done and progress is being made by volunteers. Now, we don’t consider finishing the Hurd as one of the high-priority projects. Although we would like to have Hurd work, but the fact is there are free kernels. So, it is not an area where the community has nothing. The high-priority projects are to do things that free software doesn’t do.
Linus Torvalds recently criticised you on his blog. Do you have something to say about that?
Well, you can see that he is a person who doesn’t believe in freedom. You can tell that from his writings. Why does he reject GPLv3, because GPL3 protects users from tivoization, which is a fairly new method of denying freedom. It did not exist when I wrote GPLv2 or I would have done something about it then.
Tivoization means delivering a product with some free software, but the machines are designed so that if the user installs a modified version, it won’t run at all. So theoretically, the users are free to study and change the source code, but they can’t run their own binaries. This means that if they change the source code, it’s useless. So practically, they don’t have the freedom to study and change the program. Therefore, I decided in GPLv3 to prevent this. V3 requires the manufacturer to provide to the user the information necessary for the user to install his own changed binaries in the product he owns and make it run, assuming it is possible—if it’s denied by law, then it’s okay, because no one can change that.
We are trying to stop a practice where a manufacturer can change it, but the user can’t. Well, this is what Torvalds objects to. He is in favour of tivoization. He doesn’t care if the user of, in this case Linux, is free to change it. So, what can we do? He has a right to his views. I am not a one-issue person and I care about a lot of political issues, as you can see if you look at stallman.org. But the free software movement is a one-issue movement. Lots of people support the free software movement, who have different views on other issues. That’s why I put my views on other issues into my personal site—they are not part of the free software movement.
This whole free software movement has sort of grown bigger than RMS…
I hope so, as I am not going to be around forever.
Right, so how self-sustaining is it?
Well, your guess is as good as mine. But I can see there are thousands of free software activists. There are other people who could tell you the same things that I can tell you, but there are people who would listen when I say it and they perhaps won’t when other people say the same thing, because my name is better known now. Well, we make use of that for the better cause.
What are you doing to ensure that your movement is self sustaining?
Well, I do my best. Basically, what is going to increase our chances? Having more people who are free software activists and who look for ways to be better activists—who look for ways to spread the idea of the movement and try to learn to do it the best they can. That’s how they will be the same sort of person that I am now.
Well, I hope the force of free software activists keeps growing…
http://www.linuxforu.com/views/face-to-face-with-rms/
Face to Face with RMS
By : Swapnil Bhartiya
It was one of the rarest opportunities to spend some time with the man I’ve always looked up to since I migrated to GNU/Linux systems. The father of the free software movement, Richard M. Stallman was in Delhi for three days, and during the time I spent with RMS, we discussed various topics that helped me get to the bottom of why ‘Free Software’ matters so much. This frank discussion with RMS also covers topics like the entire confusion created around patents and copyright, what a sensible government should do, why free software matters for an enterprise as well as a developer and what will happen to the free software movement after RMS… though we wish him to live another 100 years. So read on…
Chilly Pepper: This is the first interview in which RMS has responded to a recent blog post by Linus Torvalds, where the creator of the Linux kernel has criticised the father of the free software movement.
I would like to start off with what free software is all about, according to you?
Free software means software that respects the user’s freedom and the user community. Proprietary software traps the user’s freedom and divides the user, leaving him helpless. They are divided because they are forbidden to share the source code. Helpless because they don’t get the source code; hence they can’t change the program and they can’t even verify what it is doing to them. Free software respects that and there are four essential freedoms that a user must have.
Zero is the freedom to run the program as you wish. Freedom One is the freedom to study the source code of the program and then change it to make the program do what you wish. Freedom Two is to help your neighbour, which means to make exact copies of the program and distribute it to others when you wish. And Freedom Three is the freedom to contribute to your community, which means distribute modified versions when you wish.
Now, this has nothing to do with the details of what the program does and how. It’s about what you are allowed to do with the program. So, if one of these freedoms is missing, or partly missing, then the social system of a distribution is unethical, and that makes it proprietary software. So, that software should not exist, because every time someone uses it, it becomes a social problem.
To whom does free software matter?
It matters to everybody who uses software. So, if you have a computer these freedoms are important to you and you deserve free software.
Is there any particular reason why free software makes more sense in a country like India?
I don’t think so. I think freedom is essential for everyone. The only country where free software doesn’t matter is the country where nobody uses computers.
Why is it important for governments?
All users of software deserve the four freedoms and that includes government agencies. However, in their case it’s not just what they deserve, it’s their duty, it’s their responsibility. Because the government has a responsibility to maintain its sovereignty, i.e., control over what they do. So a government agency that does computing has a duty to maintain control over its computing, which means it must use free software.
What are the kinds of relations that exist between the governments and the free software community around the globe?
It depends on which government—they are not all doing the same things. Some governments have explicitly adopted a policy of moving government agencies to free software. These include Venezuela, Ecuador, apart from others who are migrating to free software though they don’t have a formal policy.
Then there are some governments like the US government that has no pride, no ethics, and basically just sells out to multinational corporations. And then there are some governments that are very concerned about letting those corporations have power and try to resist it. And while doing so they also defend their citizens from those corporations.
And what about education? Now there are two aspects to that: using free software in the IT infrastructure of schools, as well as getting it into the curriculum.
Well, regarding the administration of the school, they deserve to use free software just like everyone else. What is especially important is what software they teach students. Because schools have influence over society and they have a social mission—which is to teach the next generation to be good citizens of a strong, capable, independent, cooperating and free society. In the field of computing, this means that their responsibility is to teach students to be users of free software and to appreciate and applaud the freedoms of free software.
If a school is teaching proprietary programs, that means it is selling dependency to the next generation, directing them under the power of a particular company. This is something schools must never do. In addition, some students are people who will be fascinated with computers and will learn to be great programmers. When they get interested in programming, which is usually between the age group of 10 and 13, they want to learn how the software works, and then they want to start changing and improving it. That is how they learn to be great programmers. So, if the school uses free software, the students have the opportunity to learn. If the school uses proprietary software, children don’t have the opportunity to learn, because proprietary software is an enemy of education, it’s opposed to the spirit of education. And thus, it doesn’t belong in a school.
Do you think the training cost is one of the concerns? If you look at the education system, it needs investments to train teachers on the new systems?
Well yes, in order to get out of a path that is leading you to a bad destination you have to make an effort. And this is a kind of investment, social investment. Even if you ignore all the freedom and the community, the cost savings alone are worth making that investment. That is the smallest and most superficial part of why you should do it.
However, you will notice that the proponents of proprietary software encourage people to think short term, because if you think very short term it might seem that switching to free software is a lot of work and more expensive. It seems more expensive because you have to train some people at first. But that is a one-time expense. Once schools start graduating people who know free software there is no shortage of people. So, this is only a short-term expense and, therefore, those who are trying to defend proprietary software are trying to encourage a very short-term way of thinking.
How much sense does free software make to the enterprise segment?
Well, if you are running a business, you ought to want to have control over your computing, so you should insist on free software. Businesses get the benefits of the four freedoms just like everyone else. Not only that, there is a side effect. The support for free software is a free market. In case of proprietary software, only the developer has the source code, so if there is a bug, only the developer can fix it and thereby support is a monopoly. This means that support is usually expensive and bad. But with free software that support is available from the free market, so businesses get better support for their money. And any time they are not satisfied with their support provider they can switch to another.
What about developers who while using a lot of free software in the backend, release their products as proprietary software?
Well, that is unjust. Any proprietary program means that there is a user who doesn’t have freedom. There is no excuse for this. Users should refuse to get subjugated in this way. They accept it because of the short-term thinking—”I want to do this now, and the only way I can do this now is to let this developer have power over me.” So, what is to be done? Well, that depends on whether I am thinking short-term or long-term.
The free software movement has made it even easier to choose freedom. When I started the movement 25 years ago, the only way I could have freedom was through developing an operating system and that was going to take years. If I were thinking short term, I would have said: “Oh, it’s so far ahead. I give up!”, and I would have let the developer of the proprietary software have power over me the same way everyone else was doing. But instead I thought long term, and I thought: “Yes, it would take years, but it is worth it!” Today, we have free operating systems, we have thousands of free applications, and as a result, choosing freedom doesn’t require you to work for many years any more. Now, at most, it requires an inconvenience every so often.
But why should developers be working on free software?
I am not saying that everybody should develop free software. If you don’t feel like developing free software then you don’t have to, because lots of other people will. I certainly don’t want to pressure anyone into spending his time writing free software if he is not interested in doing so. But what you should not do is release proprietary software, because that is denying freedom to somebody else. It is not legitimate and is unacceptable for anyone to do that. So, if you are developing software to release, you must make it free software. But you don’t have to develop software to release it.
Now, we should know that most people who are paid to write software are writing custom software. There is a particular client that wants a particular program, and he is paying them to write it. This client should, of course, insist on receiving the product they paid for as free software and that should be capable of running on a completely free platform. Because, otherwise, they are paying to lose their freedom. They still have to pay some people to write solutions, because this is not something people would want to volunteer for otherwise. So, companies have to pay and this means that most people who get paid to program free software won’t change things much. It may increase their productivity somewhat, but it won’t change things much.
There’s been a lot of confusion between free software and open source. Would you like to say something about it?
Once Linux was put together with the GNU operating system in 1992 to make a complete free operating system, people started distributing the GNU/Linux operating system and telling friends about it, and they were mainly techies. People accustomed to judging software in technical terms, recommended the system to other people looking at the practical advantage of GNU/Linux systems and they did not mention these ethical issues.
Meanwhile, we in the free software movement were talking about these ethical issues. Some people listened to us and others listened to them. So during the 90s, a split, an argument, arose within the community between the people who valued the freedom and community above all and the people who only valued practical convenience.
In 1998 this group, which valued only superficial practical values, chose the term open source as a way to avoid mentioning or alluding to our ideas of freedom. Because that term had never been used, they could choose whatever idea to associate with it and leave out other ideas they did not want to mention. That’s what they did. Ever since then, free software and open source are two fundamentally different philosophies based on different ideas of what is important.
So, the difference between the two philosophies is not just the detail, but goes down to the root. We have some criterion for free software, which is actually the criterion for the licensing and distribution of the program. There is also a definition of open source that has a criterion of how a program is licensed and distributed. So, in practical terms, they come out fairly similar. As far as I know, all free software is open source and nearly all open source programs are free software. But there are some open source programs that are non-free, and the reason is that they interpret their criterion for licensing in a way that is little bit more lax. So, there are some licences that they have accepted, but we have not.
The ordinary public uses the word open source…
Well, that depends… Don’t simply assume that, and don’t declare the total defeat of the free software movement, because that is not true. You just made a statement that is not true, because the ordinary public is a lot of people. Some have heard of one and some have heard of the other. It’s true that more people have heard of open source, but that doesn’t mean that everybody has heard of only open source.
The reason is that the supporters of open source are more in number and thus the companies who are involved with software mostly say ‘open source’. And the reason is that most of those companies also are involved with proprietary software. They don’t want to educate the public to reject the proprietary software on moral grounds, thus avoiding mentioning the free software movement and never mention our ethical ideas. They can win certain amount of favourable public opinion by connecting themselves with open source, and yet avoid teaching users to reject proprietary software.
They find a way to use the term open source and their company’s name in the same sentence even if what they are saying has nothing to do with it. They don’t generally do that with free software because the idea of free software says that if it doesn’t respect freedom it is an injustice, and so you should reject it. A company that makes non-free software is not going to want to link its name with free software. And that’s why, theoretically speaking, they could play these double-talk terms with any other terms, but they don’t generally play these tricks with free software. They do a different thing, however—they misunderstand the term ‘free’ and interpret it as gratis copies of proprietary software telling that it is free.
The English language has a flaw that other languages don’t have—that is, there is no word that means free as in freedom with only that meaning. Whereas in most other languages there is a clearer word which doesn’t mean zero price. In France, I always say ‘logiciel libre’, because ‘libre’ means free as in freedom. So, most languages have a word which mean free as in freedom and it doesn’t talk about price. English seems to be the only language that fails to have such a word.
Can you clarify a bit between copyright and patents?
First thing, copyright and patents have nothing to do with each other. So, you may as well ask me to clarify between copyright and trees… or side walks.
But at times, people do try to club them together…
The first thing to realise is that copyright and patents have nothing in common; they are totally unrelated laws. What one of them does, the other one doesn’t. So, in particular, if someone starts making statements using ‘intellectual property’, that is a sign of confusion, because that term attempts to generalise several different laws (copyright is one of them), when all these laws have nothing in common.
So, whatever that person says is pure confusion; it is nonsense. And this nonsense is being passed off as meaningful. But, most people don’t know it is nonsense, so they repeat the nonsense. There are also people who know how wrong it is, but they use it and then they justify it. There are a lot of others who are simply trying to mislead other people. It is in their interest not to have other people understand these issues.
Is there any connection between the two at all?
What has copyright to do with licensing and what does it have to do with free software? Well, under today’s copyright law, any work that is written or composed somehow is automatically copyrighted. So, there is a copyright on that work or particular authorship. By default, the copyright law says that people are not allowed to copy or distribute or modify the program. In some countries people are not allowed to run it without permission. So, how do you make free software?
The only way is through a formal declaration by the copyright holder saying that you, the user, have the four freedoms. That declaration, we call the free software licence. It is not the only context in which the term ‘licence’ is used. Licences are signed contracts, but this one is not. This is simply a unilateral grant of permission from the copyright holders of the program. Free software licences have some conditions. It could be a tiny requirement like you can’t remove this licence, but some other licences have more requirements. For example, I wrote a licence, which is one of the many free software licences, called the GNU General Public Licence or GNU GPL. And it is used in over two-thirds of all the free software packages. However, GPL is not all—there are other free software licences too.
What’s special about this licence is there are certain requirements we call copy-left and that is: “When you redistribute copies of the program, either exact or modified, you must keep the licence the same and you must distribute the whole of the modified version under the same licence and make the source code available.” These licences make an extra effort to defend the freedom of every user.
What led to the move from GPL version 2 to 3?
That is hard to say, because there were different reasons for every change. If you look at GPLv3.fsf.org, you can find the rationale document that states the purpose of every change that we made. However, in general, the overall purpose of version 3 of the GPL is the same as version 2—to defend the freedom of every user.
We made some changes for convenience. We made some changes in order to permit things that ought to be permitted. And we made some changes to defend users’ freedom against new methods of taking it away. For instance, there are some changes we made to better defend freedom against software patents; we made some changes to block tivoization. We also made some changes so that you can lawfully redistribute the software using BitTorrent. Because it turns out that BitTorrent violates GPL v2. But, obviously, it is a good thing for people to use BitTorrent as long as they use it for the right purpose. So, in GPLv3 we added a clause to make it legal.
What do you think about the MS-Novell deal?
The deal between Microsoft and Novell was an attempt to take away our freedom. It is an attempt to convert free software into proprietary software. The way they did it is by using Microsoft’s patent claims. A patent is a government-issued monopoly on an idea. Some countries allow patents in the software fields. When that happens, it means that a software technique or feature can be patented. If a country allows software patents then all the developers are in danger, because when you develop a program, you implement many ideas. If some of these ideas are patented that means the patent holder can sue you. If you distribute the copies to some users, then the patent holder can sue those users too in some countries.
The mega corporations own half of the patents; that’s true in every field and they cross-licence each other in a way that gives them a form of dominion. This is why the software mega corporations want software patents. Three years ago, the mega corporations in the US asked the government of India to implement software patents and the government went along with it, but the opposition parties blocked it. So, they were not able to change the law. Now the Indian patent office is trying to authorise the software patents again by twisting the existing law. So, you really have to fight constantly to stop these companies from grabbing control.
Now, in the MS-Novell pact, Novell accepted a licence patent for Novell customers from Microsoft and Novell agreed to pay Microsoft a fee for usage. So, if you are a Novell customer you are paying Microsoft. Because of this, there is a boycott of Novell by free software activists who condemn this betrayal.
What do you say about censorship?
I should explain that this is not part of the free software issue. It’s a much older issue of human rights. Censorship is an evil. It attacks your freedom and is very dangerous.
So, you mean there should not be any kind of censorship?
No, not at all. Now, I have seen things that disgusted me. For instance there was a movie, which was very famous and very popular, called Pulp Fiction. The violence in the movie disgusted me. If there is somebody bleeding on the street and I can help him, I guess I have to force myself to look. But if it is just fiction in a movie, why should I suffer?
However, I am against censorship. I do not want people to censor movies like Pulp Fiction. I am against it. I defend their freedom to make movies like these, and I am not going to go and watch them.
There has been a lot of concern regarding software as a service. What do you think?
Software as a service means that in order to do your computing, you are going to send your data to someone else’s computer. There, he is going to run a program and your computing will be done in his computer and with his copy of a program. If the program is someone else’s copy then the person who owns the copy takes away the control from you. Here you don’t have control on your computing, so you must not do this. The only way you can have control of your computing is if you do it in your copy of a free program. But the structure of the problem is different.
Interestingly, in case of software as a service, it doesn’t matter whether that guy’s copy, which you are using, is free software or not, because if it is free software—that means he has control of the copy and not you. We can’t say that you, we and everyone has to have control over his copy. Because he is entitled to control his copy. That means, when we do computing we should not use his copy; we should use our copy. That is the only way the user can have control. So, software as a service is simply bad and cannot be redeemed. Nothing can make it acceptable.
However, I want to point out that most servers are not software as a service. Most servers are just doing something and, in most cases, it’s not you computing your data on that server. For example, if you visit stallman.org, you can read what I have published. That is not software as a service. Or if you go to the free software directory at directory.fsf.org, you can search our list of free programs. Well, that runs a program, but that is not software as a service. What you are doing is looking at our data. So there is no problem. Or suppose you go to a Web-store and buy something; what you are doing there is e-commerce and that is a mutual transaction between you and someone else. It is not you computing your data, so that is not software as a service. Suppose you help edit a Wikipedia page—what you are doing there is helping to do Wikipedia’s computing. And that is not your computing on your data. It is not software as a service and it is fine. So, we should be aware when I condemn software as a service—out of all the websites in the world software as a service is a tiny fraction of them. It is a narrow way of using a server. Most Web servers are something else.
But when I am running a website, my data is on someone else’s server and I don’t even know where my data is.
That is a somewhat different issue. You can have your computer that is hosted by somebody and you can still have your copies of software. So, you still do control the computing that is done. True, you are trusting your data to whoever hosts the machine. He can go to the machine and rip off the data. It is trusting somebody, but at least he doesn’t control the computing that you do.
But today people care about mobility; they don’t want to carry their data. They want to access it from where ever they want.
That is silly! That means you are trusting your private data to someone you don’t know you can trust. So, that is foolish, that is really dumb!
There shouldn’t be any such thing?
I don’t think you should do it. In many cases it goes hand-in-hand with software as a service. Consider the worst example, Google Docs. With Google Docs here is what happens: you keep your private data, or you wish it were private, on Google servers. So, you are trusting a multinational corporation with your privacy, which, of course, you can never trust—any of them for that matter. In order to use it, the site transmits a large proprietary program to your computer, which you may not realise as it happens invisibly – it’s a Java script program and it gets loaded into your browser.
Aside from this, which is obviously wrong, there is also a large program that is an unreleased program running in Google servers, and Google, of course, controls it and you don’t. So, this is absurd—you should have control of this computing. You should run your word processor or your spreadsheet on your computer. Don’t run it on Google’s computer or anyone else’s. And I am not saying that Google is particularly worse, although it’s true that they are. They should release that Java script program—that will solve one of the problems.
But the other problem is the program in the server; there is no solution for that. Even if Google releases that as free software, it would not solve this problem. The fact is, if you are using someone else’s server, no matter how ethical that someone is, no matter how much you can trust him, you still don’t control your computing.
What do you say about DRM?
You mean digital restriction management—digital handcuffs? This refers to more malicious features put into some programs to restrict the user, most often to restrict your access to your copies of published works. This is injustice! DRM must not exist. And almost always DRM is imposed by a conspiracy of companies. There are a few exceptions, but they are minor.
Consider, for instance, the inscription on a DVD. That scheme was set up by a group of companies. They established the DVD conspiracy that anybody who wants to make a DVD player has to join them and promise to design DVD players so that they restrict the users, just like every other DVD player manufacturer. Now, I believe that these conspiracies ought to be felonies. So the executives that organised these conspiracies and signed up to participate in it should be prosecuted and imprisoned. But, unfortunately, our governments are sell-outs and they have taken the side of those conspiracies, against the public. These executives are well aware that they are in no danger of being prosecuted.
In fact, many governments have passed laws forbidding us to get around the restrictions they have imposed on us, starting with the US. For instance, there is a free software that can play a DVD and in the US that free software is censored. This shows how evil they are. They actually practice censorship of software. You may ask how I know about these conspiracies. It’s because it’s no secret—they boast about these conspiracies. They are so confident that they will not be prosecuted for this attack on our freedom and this conspiracy to restrict commerce that they stand upright and say, “We have made this agreement to restrict the public.”
So, DRM is evil. We should establish laws to prosecute conspiracies that impose DRM, and we should completely reject all products that have DRM unless we have the free software that can break the digital handcuffs. Never buy an encrypted DVD, or any other product with DRM, unless you personally have the means to break the DRM. If you have a free software program to watch the encrypted DVD, then it is OK to buy an encrypted DVD. But otherwise you must only get unencrypted DVDs. In India, I guess the legal DVDs are encrypted so you should not buy them, and I think the illegal ones may not be encrypted so those are OK.
I am excited to know about the status of development of the Hurd?
The Hurd is the GNU kernel that we started in 1990 because there was no free kernel and we needed a kernel to have a complete GNU system. Well, various things went wrong and it works, but it doesn’t work all that well. However, it’s making progress. A few years ago they could only compile 40 per cent of Debian packages on Debian GNU/Hurd and now they can compile 60 per cent. So, they are making progress, but have a long way to go.
Do you have any idea when it will be ready?
No, I have learned not to make predictions about such things. There is a lot of work to be done and progress is being made by volunteers. Now, we don’t consider finishing the Hurd as one of the high-priority projects. Although we would like to have Hurd work, but the fact is there are free kernels. So, it is not an area where the community has nothing. The high-priority projects are to do things that free software doesn’t do.
Linus Torvalds recently criticised you on his blog. Do you have something to say about that?
Well, you can see that he is a person who doesn’t believe in freedom. You can tell that from his writings. Why does he reject GPLv3, because GPL3 protects users from tivoization, which is a fairly new method of denying freedom. It did not exist when I wrote GPLv2 or I would have done something about it then.
Tivoization means delivering a product with some free software, but the machines are designed so that if the user installs a modified version, it won’t run at all. So theoretically, the users are free to study and change the source code, but they can’t run their own binaries. This means that if they change the source code, it’s useless. So practically, they don’t have the freedom to study and change the program. Therefore, I decided in GPLv3 to prevent this. V3 requires the manufacturer to provide to the user the information necessary for the user to install his own changed binaries in the product he owns and make it run, assuming it is possible—if it’s denied by law, then it’s okay, because no one can change that.
We are trying to stop a practice where a manufacturer can change it, but the user can’t. Well, this is what Torvalds objects to. He is in favour of tivoization. He doesn’t care if the user of, in this case Linux, is free to change it. So, what can we do? He has a right to his views. I am not a one-issue person and I care about a lot of political issues, as you can see if you look at stallman.org. But the free software movement is a one-issue movement. Lots of people support the free software movement, who have different views on other issues. That’s why I put my views on other issues into my personal site—they are not part of the free software movement.
This whole free software movement has sort of grown bigger than RMS…
I hope so, as I am not going to be around forever.
Right, so how self-sustaining is it?
Well, your guess is as good as mine. But I can see there are thousands of free software activists. There are other people who could tell you the same things that I can tell you, but there are people who would listen when I say it and they perhaps won’t when other people say the same thing, because my name is better known now. Well, we make use of that for the better cause.
What are you doing to ensure that your movement is self sustaining?
Well, I do my best. Basically, what is going to increase our chances? Having more people who are free software activists and who look for ways to be better activists—who look for ways to spread the idea of the movement and try to learn to do it the best they can. That’s how they will be the same sort of person that I am now.
Well, I hope the force of free software activists keeps growing…
Monday, 23 November 2009
youtube with no flash lot of methods
Gnash and swdec are to resource heavy and unfortunatly not quite there on my PPC machines. Here a rehash of info on viewing youtube on PPC, that my self and others posted on the ubuntu forum. It will give you a good youtube experiance if nothing else.
How to watch youtube clips without flash-gnash etc on PPC
I just notice a lot of new PPC users struggling so thought I'd chuck this in.
I only really need flash for youtube and as it doesn't exist and gnash can be a bit cpu intensive on my old PPC hardware I use clive in terminator. Then I split the screen and run mplayer -ontop name-of-clip, works a treat. (you can leave out the -ontop bit if your feeling lazy)
No need to wait for the download, and you can be adding other clips at the same time.
Depending on your connection speed you can vary how much video to cache. On my poor 1mb connection I give 5% on small clips and 10-15% on larger ones.
In reality by the time you've split the terminator screen and typed mpla (TAB to auto complete) and read and started typing the youtube clip name (clive changes all that gobby gook to a real name) your buffer has loaded.
In debian I use mplayer from debian multimedia repo,(non gui).
as root
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-KeLxxHkEY
Or
For a nice gui try Abby it needs clive or cclive to be installed http://code.google.com/p/abby/ I use clive or cclive if I just want to play a single youtube link and abby if I want to select from all the links on the page and down load them all for later in a few clicks.
Or
Minitube a sort of youtube TV http://freshmeat.net/projects/minitube http://flavio.tordini.org/minitube
I did eventually manage to compile it. viewtopic.php?f=10&t=46571 But it failed to play on my machine. You may have better luck and it is as of today being activly developed.
Or
You could just use the customvid addon for firefox/iceweasel https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/12027 (License: Mozilla Public License 1.1 (MPL 1.1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aahiPQwb5hM
Or
If you run epiphany or iceweasel use a greasemonkey script.
First you need to install greasemonkey from the repos
or
And then, install this script: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/50771
If you run epiphany the script goes in ./gnome2/epiphany/extentions/data/greasemonkey/50771.user.js
I found it worked well on my better machines but on my low end 333mhz imac clive and mplayer was a better option and much more flexible in that it didn't restrict browser choice, and was faster and seems to use less resources.
How to watch youtube clips without flash-gnash etc on PPC
I just notice a lot of new PPC users struggling so thought I'd chuck this in.
I only really need flash for youtube and as it doesn't exist and gnash can be a bit cpu intensive on my old PPC hardware I use clive in terminator. Then I split the screen and run mplayer -ontop name-of-clip, works a treat. (you can leave out the -ontop bit if your feeling lazy)
No need to wait for the download, and you can be adding other clips at the same time.
Depending on your connection speed you can vary how much video to cache. On my poor 1mb connection I give 5% on small clips and 10-15% on larger ones.
In reality by the time you've split the terminator screen and typed mpla (TAB to auto complete) and read and started typing the youtube clip name (clive changes all that gobby gook to a real name) your buffer has loaded.
In debian I use mplayer from debian multimedia repo,(non gui).
as root
- Code: Select all
apt-get install clive mplayer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-KeLxxHkEY
Or
For a nice gui try Abby it needs clive or cclive to be installed http://code.google.com/p/abby/ I use clive or cclive if I just want to play a single youtube link and abby if I want to select from all the links on the page and down load them all for later in a few clicks.
- Code: Select all
Apt-get install abby cclive
Or
Minitube a sort of youtube TV http://freshmeat.net/projects/minitube http://flavio.tordini.org/minitube
I did eventually manage to compile it. viewtopic.php?f=10&t=46571 But it failed to play on my machine. You may have better luck and it is as of today being activly developed.
Or
You could just use the customvid addon for firefox/iceweasel https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/12027 (License: Mozilla Public License 1.1 (MPL 1.1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aahiPQwb5hM
Or
If you run epiphany or iceweasel use a greasemonkey script.
First you need to install greasemonkey from the repos
- Code: Select all
apt-get install epiphany-extensions
or
- Code: Select all
apt-get install iceweasel-greasemonkey
And then, install this script: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/50771
If you run epiphany the script goes in ./gnome2/epiphany/extentions/data/greasemonkey/50771.user.js
I found it worked well on my better machines but on my low end 333mhz imac clive and mplayer was a better option and much more flexible in that it didn't restrict browser choice, and was faster and seems to use less resources.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
imac xorg.conf another version for the imac 400-450
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TruType"
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Driver "ati"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
Option "AGPMode" "2"
Option "AGPFastWrite" "true"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 60-60
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
imac xorg.conf PPC All versions
There is alot of confusion over The graphical display settings on older PPC imac computers.
Here I've tried to put together xorg.conf file s that people claim to work for the differing imac versions. Ymmv. Feed back welcome if you have an imac running GNU/Linux please post it along with your machine model.
Also see my old imac, emac, how to for Debian.
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=20481
Spec taken from: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html
Tray loaders
imac 233, 266, 333
Apple iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) Specs (M6709LL/A*)
The "revision A" model has ATI Rage IIc video with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model has ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM.
The "revision A" model "unofficially" can support a maximum of 384 MB of memory (one 128 MB and one 256 MB module) and the "revision B" model can use a maximum of 512 MB of memory (two 256 MB modules).
Apple iMac G3/266 (Fruit Colors) Specs (M7345LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/333 (Fruit Colors) Specs (M7440LL/A*)
ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM.
"Unofficially" this model can support 512 MB of RAM (two 256 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-tray-loader-xorg.conf###
# imac tray loader 233-266-333-xorg.conf Debian Lenny
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
# European keyboard is "pc 105" if you have an imac keyboard " and @ are reversed
# Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
# USA keyboard is "pc 104"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
# Great Briton keyboard is "gb"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
# USA keyboard is "us"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:lwin_switch"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
BusID "PCI:0:18:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
HorizSync 58-62
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Disable "glx"
Disable "dri"
EndSection
######end########
Slotloaders
imac 350
Apple iMac G3/350 (Slot Loading - Blueberry) Specs (M7469LL/A)
ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D video with 8 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-slot-loader-350-xorg.conf
Ref: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1169092&page=2
imac 400,450
Apple iMac G3/400 DV (Slot Loading - Fruit) Specs (M7493LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/450 DV+ (Summer 2000) Specs (M7676LL/A*)
ATI Rage 128 Pro (AGP 2X) video with 8 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-slot-loader-400-450-xorg.conf#################
#see natgab
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades only
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TruType"
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Driver "ati"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "iMac"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 60-60
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Monitor "iMac"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
###############end#####################
imac 500, 600, and 700
Apple iMac G3/500 (Early 2001 - Flower/Blue) Specs (M7669LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/600 SE (Early 2001) Specs (M7680LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/700 SE (Summer 2001) Specs (M8510LL/A*)
ATI Rage 128 Ultra (AGP 2X) video with 16 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
######imac-ppc-slot-loader-500-600-700-xorg.conf###########
#ref: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=191080
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# su dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection
Section "Module"
# Load "i2c"
# Load "bitmap"
# Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "dbe"
Load "glx"
# Load "int10"
# Load "type1"
# Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 Pro Ultra TR"
Driver "ati"
Option "UseFBDev" "false"
Option "SWcursor" "true"
Option "ForcePCIMode" "true"
Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 58-62
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 Pro Ultra TR"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
Option "AIGLX" "true"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection
################end#####################
Another one
Here I've tried to put together xorg.conf file s that people claim to work for the differing imac versions. Ymmv. Feed back welcome if you have an imac running GNU/Linux please post it along with your machine model.
Also see my old imac, emac, how to for Debian.
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=20481
Spec taken from: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html
Tray loaders
imac 233, 266, 333
Apple iMac G3/233 Original - Bondi (Rev. A & B) Specs (M6709LL/A*)
The "revision A" model has ATI Rage IIc video with 2 MB of VRAM and the "revision B" model has ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM.
The "revision A" model "unofficially" can support a maximum of 384 MB of memory (one 128 MB and one 256 MB module) and the "revision B" model can use a maximum of 512 MB of memory (two 256 MB modules).
Apple iMac G3/266 (Fruit Colors) Specs (M7345LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/333 (Fruit Colors) Specs (M7440LL/A*)
ATI Rage Pro Turbo video with 6 MB of VRAM.
"Unofficially" this model can support 512 MB of RAM (two 256 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-tray-loader-xorg.conf###
# imac tray loader 233-266-333-xorg.conf Debian Lenny
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
# European keyboard is "pc 105" if you have an imac keyboard " and @ are reversed
# Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
# USA keyboard is "pc 104"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
# Great Briton keyboard is "gb"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
# USA keyboard is "us"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:lwin_switch"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
BusID "PCI:0:18:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
HorizSync 58-62
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Disable "glx"
Disable "dri"
EndSection
######end########
Slotloaders
imac 350
Apple iMac G3/350 (Slot Loading - Blueberry) Specs (M7469LL/A)
ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D video with 8 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-slot-loader-350-xorg.conf
Ref: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1169092&page=2
------------------------------------------------------------------- # xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file) # # This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using # values from the debconf database. # # Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page. # (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.) # # This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only* # if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg # package. # # If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated # again, run the following command: # sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg Section "Monitor" Identifier "Configured Monitor" HorizSync 58-62 VertRefresh 75-117 #ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1044 1140 1328 768 781 784 820 +hsync +vsync #ModeLine "800x600" 62.40 800 821 901 1040 600 609 612 644 +hsync +vsync #Modeline "640x480" 49.90 640 657 721 832 480 481 484 514 +hsync +vsync EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Default Screen" Monitor "Configured Monitor" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" #Virtual 1024 768 EndSubSection EndSection Section "Module" Disable "dri" EndSection Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Generic Keyboard" Driver "kbd" Option "XkbRules" "xorg" Option "XkbModel" "pc105" Option "XkbLayout" "us" Option "XkbVariant" "intl" Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch" EndSection Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Configured Mouse" Driver "mouse" EndSection Section "Device" Identifier "Configured Video Device" Option "CCEusecTimeout" "100000" #Option "UseFBDev" "true" EndSection -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
imac 400,450
Apple iMac G3/400 DV (Slot Loading - Fruit) Specs (M7493LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/450 DV+ (Summer 2000) Specs (M7676LL/A*)
ATI Rage 128 Pro (AGP 2X) video with 8 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
##imac-ppc-slot-loader-400-450-xorg.conf#################
#see natgab
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades only
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TruType"
FontPath "/var/lib//defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Driver "ati"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "iMac"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 60-60
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 PR/PRO (AGP TMDS)"
Monitor "iMac"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
###############end#####################
imac 500, 600, and 700
Apple iMac G3/500 (Early 2001 - Flower/Blue) Specs (M7669LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/600 SE (Early 2001) Specs (M7680LL/A*)
Apple iMac G3/700 SE (Summer 2001) Specs (M8510LL/A*)
ATI Rage 128 Ultra (AGP 2X) video with 16 MB of VRAM.
Maximum RAM: 1.0 GB (two 512 MB modules).
######imac-ppc-slot-loader-500-600-700-xorg.conf###########
#ref: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=191080
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# su dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection
Section "Module"
# Load "i2c"
# Load "bitmap"
# Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "dbe"
Load "glx"
# Load "int10"
# Load "type1"
# Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 Pro Ultra TR"
Driver "ati"
Option "UseFBDev" "false"
Option "SWcursor" "true"
Option "ForcePCIMode" "true"
Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 58-62
VertRefresh 75-117
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 Pro Ultra TR"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
Option "AIGLX" "true"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection
################end#####################
Another one
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file) # # This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using # values from the debconf database. # # Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page. # (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.) # # This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only* # if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg # package. # # If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated # again, run the following command: # sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg Section "Files" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi" FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi" FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc" # path to defoma fonts FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType" EndSection Section "Module" # Load "ic2" Load "bitmap" # Load "ddc" Disable "dri" Load "extmod" Load "freetype" Disable "glx" Load "int10" # Load "type1" Load "vbe" EndSection Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Generic Keyboard" Driver "kbd" Option "CoreKeyboard" Option "XkbRules" "xorg" Option "XkbModel" "pc105" Option "XkbLayout" "us" EndSection Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Configured Mouse" Driver "mouse" Option "CorePointer" Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice" Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2" Option "ZaxisMapping" "4 5" Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true" EndSection Section "Device" Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 RL/VR AGP" Driver "r128" Option "UseFBDev" "false" EndSection Section "Monitor" Identifier "iMac" Option "DPMS" HorizSync 58-62 VertRefresh 75-117 EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Default Screen" Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage 128 RL/VR AGP" Monitor "iMac" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection EndSection Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Default Layout" Screen "Default Screen" InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" InputDevice "Configured Mouse" EndSection Section "DRI" Mode 0666 EndSection
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