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full circle

ISSUE #27 - July 2009

PROGRAM
IN PYTHON
PART 1 full circle magazine #27 1 contents ^
Program In Python - Pt1 p.07
full circle Ubuntu Women p.24

Inkscape - Part 4 p.11 Ubuntu Games p.26

My Story p.17 MOTU Interview p.21

Scan To PDF/DJVU p.13 Command & Conquer p.05

Associate A File-Type p.16 Review p.19 Letters p.22 Top 5 p.30

The articles contained in this magazine are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
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you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you must distribute the resulting work under the same, similar or a compatible license.

full circle magazine #27 2 contents ^


EDITORIAL
This magazine was created using :

Welcome to another issue of Full Circle magazine.

A
nd welcome to another new series! ! Yes, last
month I promised a new series on LAMP servers, but since so many people
requested Python in our survey, I gave it priority. I don't like to have too
many series' running at once, so maybe when the Inkscape series comes to
an end, I'll start the LAMP series.

In the feature this month, Ed discusses the latest shock news


that (creators of the , and , games) have been bought over.
What does this mean for Linux? See page 26.
Ubuntu is a complete operating
system that is perfect for
This months is a bit unusual, it's one man's quest to create a low laptops, desktops and servers.
power, near silent, server and (to put it lightly) it looks a touch different from what Whether at home, school or work
you normally see in a PC/server case! Ubuntu contains all the
applications you'll ever need
including word processor, email
In other news this month, has been released. What does that application and web browser.
mean? I'll let Steve Langasek explain: Ubuntu is and always will be free
of charge. You do not pay any
licensing fees. You can
download, use and share Ubuntu
with your friends, family, school
. or business for absolutely
nothing.
Enjoy the issue, and keep in touch!
Once installed, your system is
ready to use with a full set of
productivity, internet, drawing
and graphics applications, and
games.
Editor, Full Circle magazine
ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org
use the new
'contents' link to jump
to the contents page
full circle magazine #27 from any other page!
3 contents ^
NEWS
Launchpad Now
Kernel Vulnerabilities in 2. The kernel failed to clear various
personality flags when setuid Open Source Survey: Linux
Ubuntu
expertise in demand
processes were executed. Because
of this, other vulnerabilities could
Released as GPL3, Launchpad's
Canonical become exploitable if a local
attacker mapped the NULL memory code is now open source. Note
announced on Market research firm Foote
page. The issue was discovered by that although it had been
July 28th the Partners has updated its survey
Julien Tinnes and Tavis Ormandy previously announced that two
availability of a of the most sought-after IT
and affects only Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, components ( and
new Linux kernel skills (non-certified) and ranked
8.10 and 9.04 users. ) would be held back, a last
security update Linux experience and skills as
minute change now includes
for the following 3. KVM failed to validate the page
the second most sought after
both.
Ubuntu distributions: 6.06 LTS, table root. This could lead to a DoS by US and Canadian employers.
8.04 LTS, 8.10 and 9.04 (also attack and crash the affected The top position is held by Java
• Launchpad-users mailing list:
applies to Kubuntu, Edubuntu system. The issue was discovered Enterprise Edition, Standard
https://lists.launchpad.net/launch
and Xubuntu). The update by Matt T. Yourst and affects only Edition and Micro Edition. Other
pad-users/msg05118.html
patches 4 important security Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, 8.10 and 9.04 open source skills included in
users. • Blog post at Canonical.com:
issues (see below for details) the list include; Apache web
http://blog.canonical.com/?p=192
discovered in the Linux kernel server, MySQL and PHP.
4. eCryptfs failed to validate various • Press release:
packages by various hackers. Windows didn't make the list,
buffer sizes. Because of this, a local http://www.ubuntu.com/news/can
Therefore, it is strongly but demand for .NET skills
attacker could crash the affected onical-open-sources-launchpad/
recommended to update your ranked 4th.
system or gain elevated privileges. • The development wiki:
system as soon as possible! The issue was discovered by Ramon https://dev.launchpad.net/
de Carvalho Valle and affects only Red Hat Certified Engineer and
• Instructions for getting code:
The following Linux kernel Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, 8.10 and 9.04 Linux Professional Institute
https://dev.launchpad.net/Getting
vulnerabilities were discovered: users. Certification failed to make the
"Hot List" for IT certifications.
The Canonical Launchpad
1. The RTL8169 network driver The above Linux kernel The information obtained by
developers will be on IRC in
failed to validate buffer sizes. vulnerabilities can be fixed if you the market researchers comes
Because of this, a remote attacker
channel #launchpad-dev on
update your system now. from almost 2,000 public and
on the LAN (Local Area Network) irc.freenode.net. That’s the place
private sector organizations
could crash the affected system or to go for real time development
and over 85,000 IT workers in
gain elevated privileges. The issue discussion and questions. For
the US and Canada.
was discovered by Michael Tokarev usage issues, #launchpad is still
and affects all the aforementioned the place, as before.
Ubuntu systems. softpedia.com : h-online.com
: Ubuntu Weekly News

full circle magazine #27 4 contents ^


COMMAND & CONQUER

F
or this month's on you could edit, but there are
%D%{$fg[red]%}]%{$reset_color some cases where it won't do df
Command & Conquer %}%{$reset_color%}"$'\n'"%{$f
article, I'll cover a few g[blue]%}└─>%{$re anything at all (I can't say I
things that are set_color%} " know all possible uses of it, so which displays filesystem
sometimes mentioned online you will have to try for usage (I usually use it with the
with instructions, or things that which looks like the image yourself). “-h” argument, so that it
aren't enough for an entire below. displays in Gigabytes).
article on their own, but should Another useful thing to
You have two ways to do know is that you can use while watch
still be mentioned. I hope that
this information is useful for this: loops and the like in the actual
those readers who want to do 1) you can open a new terminal shell too. For example, if you which runs a command once
more with their shell, or who and view the shell (which, if wanted to list all the files in a ever 2 seconds (by default, but
want to customize it, yet you're running in a tty session, directory and insert it into a can also be changed with “-n
occasionally run across a term or are doing too much at once, different line of code, you could <num>” argument).
that they don't know. or hate changing shells before do this:
scrot
you're finished, isn't a great
I'll begin with prompt option) or ls|while read line; do `cat
${line}`; done which is essentially a
customization. Say you've 2) you can “source” it. I prefer
command-line based
spent a long time finding a option #2 since it takes
Of course, you will get an screenshot tool, but with a lot
prompt for your terminal that's immediate effect in the original
error message if you run into a of options and possibilities (see
to your liking, and you've terminal, and is fairly simple to
directory, but that can be the manpage for more info,
finally gotten all the escape do. It is done by using the
solved with a simple check there are too many options to
characters set and you're command “source” followed by
(using an if statement). This, cover here).
ready to try it out. This is my the path (or name, if it's in
however, I will leave to you. And, of course, the other
.zshrc PS1: your current working directory)
commands I've covered in the
to the configuration file
export A couple of other useful past months are also
(.bashrc in this case).
PS1="%{$fg[blue]%}&#9484;&#94 commands that I find myself frequently used, but the 3
72;[%{$fg[green]%}%n%{$fg[cya source .bashrc using a lot are: above haven't been mentioned
n]%}@%{$fg[green]%}%m%{$fg[bl
ue]%}:%{$fg[magenta]%}%~%{$fg
[blue]%}]- This command works with
%{$fg[red]%}[%{$fg[cyan]%}%* most configuration files that

full circle magazine #27 5 contents ^


COMMAND & CONQUER
before, and are useful. One last on top or always below, but can
thing I want to cover in this be both (Xmonad seems to is an open-source,
Web-based, professional,
article is what a tiling window offer only one or the other out
groupware application that
manager is, since quite a few of the box, and I couldn't find a facilitates the organization of all
coders I know prefer them over work around). However, there your personal information. There is
normal window managers. A are lots of options, and most no need to install additional applications on your computer, for all
tiling window manager is a are well documented, in case the required components are installed on the Web server. One needs
window manager that arranges any reader feels like giving one only an Internet connection and a Web browser with JavaScript
all windows in “tiles” (re-sizing a go. enabled. Live-Office can be accessed on our server, or easily
installed on your server. All your personal data will be centralized
so that all windows fit into the
and securely stored in our, or your, online database, which will offer
space, and so that windows various modules and widgets that provide you with the ability to
don't overlap). Some (not all) - save all your personal data in one place. Events, ToDos, Contacts,
tiling window managers offer a http://awesome.naquadah.org/ Favorites, Documents, and Notes are a few examples of these.
“floating” mode, where - These modules and widgets can be accessed easily via a high-end,
windows act like they usually http://www.xmonad.org/ intuitive, user interface. This unique key feature helps you to gather
do (set size, overlapping, etc.). - and visualize all your information at the same time. For example,
you can open your organizer and address book side by side, add a
The reason why coders (myself http://www.nongnu.org/ratpoiso
personal contact in your address-book window, and add a meeting in
included) prefer this behaviour n/ your organizer window.
is because it lets you view all -
your code at once, or to have http://modeemi.fi/~tuomov/ion/ With Live-Office, you can customize your user experience. You don't
multiple scripts open at the - http://dwm.suckless.org/ like blue as your background desktop color? Change it to a
same time so that you can wallpaper. You prefer using applications in your native language?
switch easily, or so you can Live-Office comes with multi-language support.
have one terminal open to test
We will soon be adding new modules and widgets, such as Budget
commands and another to
and Billing, and Password reminder, as well as new languages. In
write the script. Not only that, addition, we are currently working on Live-Office Desktop Edition -
but you can control the window an off-line version built in Java.
manager using only the This version will let you manage
keyboard, allowing for faster all your personal data off-line and
working, since you never take synchronize it when needed.
your hands off the keyboard. A has learned all he knows
from repeatedly breaking his Contact us or visit our website to
few such window managers are
system, then having no other know more about how you can
AwesomeWM, DWM, Xmonad, option but to discover how to fix contribute to Live-Office:
ratpoison, and ion. I use it. You can email Lucas at: info@live-office.net or:
Awesome, since it offers a lswest34@gmail.com. http://www.live-office.net
floating mode that isn't always
full circle magazine #27 6 contents ^
HOW-TO Program In Python - Part 1
(Graphical User Interface) to set it to be executable. Do Simply put, this prints the
programming. Let's jump right this by typing first line "Hello. I am a python
N/A
in, creating a simple program." on the terminal.
application. chmod +x hello.py
name = raw_input("What is

Our First Program in the folder where you saved your name? ")
your python file. Now let's run
the program. This one is a bit more
Using a text editor such as complex. There are two parts
gedit, let's type some code. greg@earth:~/python_examples$ to this line. The first is name =,
Then we'll see what each line ./hello.py and the second is
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System
does and go from there. raw_input("What is your name?
Hello. I am a python
program. "). We'll look at the second part
Type the following 4 lines. first. The command raw_input
What is your name? Ferd will print out the prompt in the
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless #!/usr/bin/env python Burphel
terminal ("What is your name?
print 'Hello. I am a python Hello there, Ferd Burphel! "), and then will wait for the

A
program.' user (you) to type something
mong the many greg@earth:~/python_examples$ (followed by {Enter}). Now
programming name = raw_input("What is
let's look at the first part: name
languages currently your name? ")
That was simple. Now, let's =. This part of the command
available, Python is look at what each line of the
print "Hello there, " + name assigns a variable named
one of the easiest to learn. + "!" program does. "name". What's a variable?
Python was created in the late
Think of a variable as a shoe-
1980's, and has matured That's all there is to it. Save #!/usr/bin/env python
box. You can use a shoe-box to
greatly since then. It comes pre- the file as hello.py wherever store things -- shoes, computer
installed with most Linux you would like. I'd suggest This line tells the system parts, papers, whatever. To the
distributions, and is often one putting it in your home that this is a python program, shoe-box, it doesn't really
of the most overlooked when directory in a folder named and to use the default python matter what's in there -- it's
picking a language to learn. python_examples. This simple interpreter to run the program. just stored there. In this case, it
We'll deal with command-line example shows how easy it is stores whatever you type. In
programming in this article. In to code in Python. Before we print 'Hello. I am a python
program.' the case of my entry, I typed
a future one, we'll play with GUI can run the program, we need Ferd Burphel. Python, in this
full circle magazine #27 7 contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 1
instance, simply takes the Oct 5 2008, 19:24:49) ^ If we type "print var" again
input and stores it in the SyntaxError: invalid syntax we'll get this:
[GCC 4.3.2] on linux2 >>>
"name" shoe-box for use later
in the program. Type "help", "copyright", >>> print var
"credits" or "license" for
That's because the word 4
print "Hello there, " + name more information. "print" is a known command, >>>
+ "!" while "Print" is not. Case is
>>> very important in Python. var hasn't changed. It's still
Once again, we are using the sum of 2+2, or 4.
the print command to display You are now in the python Now let's play with variables
something on the screen -- in shell. From here, you can do a a bit more. Type: This is, of course, simple
this case, "Hello there, ", plus number of things, but let's see programming for this
whatever is in the variable what we got before we go on. var = 2+2 beginner's tutorial. Complexity
"name", and an exclamation The first thing you should will increase in subsequent
point at the end. Here we are notice is the python version -- You'll see that nothing much tutorials. But now let's look at
concatenating or putting mine is 2.5.2. Next, you should happens except Python returns some more examples of
together three pieces of notice a statement indicating the ">>>" prompt. Nothing is variables.
information: "Hello there", that, for help, you should type wrong. What we told Python to
information in the variable "help" at the prompt. I'll let you do is create a variable (shoe- In the interpreter type:
"name", and the exclamation do that on your own. Now type: box) called var, and to stick
point. into it the sum of "2+2". To see >>> strng = 'The time has
print 2+2 what var now holds, type: come for all good men to
come to the aid of the
Now, let's take a moment to party!'
and press enter. You'll get back print var
discuss things a bit more
>>> print strng
deeply before we work on our >>> print 2+2 and press enter.
next example. Open a terminal 4 The time has come for all
window and type: >>> good men to come to the aid
>>> print var
4 of the party!
python Notice that we typed the >>>
>>>
word "print" in lower case.
You should get something What would happen if we typed Now we can use var over
You've created a variable
like this: "Print 2+2"? The response from and over again as the number
named "strng" (short for string)
the interpreter is this: 4, like this:
greg@earth:~/python_examples$ containing the value 'The time
python >>> Print 2+2 >>> print var * 2 has come for all good men to
File "<stdin>", line 1 8 come to the aid of the party!'.
Python 2.5.2 (r252:60911, Print 2+2 >>> From now on (as long as we are
full circle magazine #27 8 contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 1
in this instance of the It looks as though s contains integer and then multiplied by Save the program as
interpreter), our strng variable the integer 4, but it doesn't. 4 to give 16. "for_loop.py". Before we try to
will be the same unless we Instead it contains a string run this, let's talk about what a
change it. What happens if we representation of 4. So, if we You have now been for loop is.
try to multiply this variable by type 'print s * 4' we get... introduced to the print
4? command, the raw_input A loop is some code that
>>> print s*4 command, assigning variables, does a specified instruction, or
>>> print strng * 4 4444
and the difference between set of instructions, a number of
>>>
strings and integers. times. In the case of our
The time has come for all
program, we loop 10 times,
good men to come to the aid Once again, the interpreter
of the party!The time has Let's go a bit further. In the printing the value of the
knows that s is a string, not a
come for all good men to Python Interpreter, type quit() variable cntr (short for
numerical value. It knows this
come to the aid of the to exit back to the command counter). So the command in
party!The time has come for because we enclosed the
prompt. plain English is "assign the
all good men to come to the number 4 with single quotes,
aid of the party!The time variable cntr 0, loop 10 times
making it a string.
has come for all good men to
come to the aid of the party!
Simple For Loop printing the variable cntr
contents, add one to cntr and
We can prove this by typing
Now, let's explore a simple do it all over again. Seems
>>> print type(s) to see what the
programming loop. Go back to simple enough. The part of the
system thinks that variable
the text editor and type the code "range(0,10)" says start
Well, that is not exactly type is.
following program. with 0, loop until the value of
what you would expect, is it? It
>>> print type(s) cntr is 10, and quit.
printed the value of strng 4
<type 'str'> #! /usr/bin/env python
times. Why? Well, the >>> Now, as before, do a
interpreter knew that strng was for cntr in range(0,10):
a string of characters, not a Confirmation. It's a string chmod +x for_loop.py
value. You can't perform math print cntr
type. If we want to use this as
on a string. a numerical value, we could do and run the program with
Be sure to tab the "print
the following:
What if we had a variable cntr" line. This is important. ./for_loop.py
called s that contained '4', as >>> print int(s) * 4 Python doesn't use
in the following: 16 parentheses "(" or curly braces in a terminal.
>>> "{" as do other programming
>>> s = '4' languages to show code greg@earth:~/python_examples$
>>> print s The string (s), which is '4', blocks. It uses indentations ./for_loop.py
4 0
has now been converted to an instead.
1
full circle magazine #27 9 contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 1
2 Also notice the syntax of the indentation shows the block
3 statement. It is "for variable in formatting. We will get into
4
5 range(start value,end value):" more block indentation
6 The ":" says, we are starting a thoughts in our next tutorial.
7 block of code below that
8 should be indented. It is very That's about all for this
9
greg@earth:~/python_examples$ important that you remember time. Next time we'll recap and
the colon ":", and to indent the move forward with more
Well, that seems to have code until the block is finished. python programming
worked, but why does it count instructions. In the meantime,
up to only 9 and then stop. If we modified our program you might want to consider
Look at the output again. There to be like this: installing a python specific
are 10 numbers printed, editor like Dr. Python, or SPE
#! /usr/bin/env python (Stani's Python Editor), both of
starting with 0 and ending with
9. That's what we asked it to which are available through
for cntr in range(1,11):
do -- print the value of cntr 10 Synaptic.
times, adding one to the print cntr
variable each time, and quit as print 'All Done'
soon as the value is 10.
We would get an output of...
Now you can see that, while
programming can be simple, it greg@earth:~/python_examples$
can also be complex, and you ./for_loop.py
have to be sure of what you 1
2
ask the system to do. If you 3
changed the range statement 4
to be "range(1,10)", it would 5
start counting at 1, but end at 6
7
9, since as soon as cntr is 10, 8 is owner of
the loop quits. So to get it to 9 ,a
print "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10", we 10 consulting company in Aurora,
should use range(1,11) - since All Done Colorado, and has been
greg@earth:~/python_examples$ programming since 1972. He
the for loop quits as soon as enjoys cooking, hiking, music,
the upper range number is and spending time with his
Make sure your indentation
reached. family.
is correct. Remember,
full circle magazine #27 10 contents ^
HOW-TO Inkscape - Part 4
Next, open Inkscape, then
type the characters L, O, V, X, Duplicate
FCM#24-26 - Inkskape Part 1 - 3
!, &, (, ), separately, using the this image
text tool (F8) in the left toolbar. (ctrl+D),
Select all the characters (Ctrl + and flip one
A), and then select our new horizontally
font, el&font gothic, from the (object > flip
font list (upper left). Press horizontal),
ENTER. The special characters as shown
are now on your workspace. below. Then select “V” and
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System rotate it vertically 180 degrees
(click it twice, then drag the
arrow on its edge). Place the Next, select “L”, “X”, and “!”.
inverted V as shown below. Duplicate the L and the !,
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless rotate one of the former
horizontally and one of the

I
latter vertically, and position
n this - the fourth tutorial the images as shown below.
on Inkscape - we will make
an image that does not
require any drawing skill.
All we need is a nice font, and
the creativity to put things in
the right place.

First, you must download the


font called “EL&FONT GOTHIC”.
You can download it from most Then move the 3 separate
font sites, such as dafont.com images close together to form
or Select “L” and ”O” and then the image shown above right. Join these separate images
www.atkinson.tk/download/gothi position them as shown above It represents the head of our to form the following image
c.rar. right. bird. representing the bird's body.

full circle magazine #27 11 contents ^


INKSCAPE - PART 4

SUPPORTERS OF FULL CIRCLE

Now select the two wing


images (shown in my first
illustration), and the head
image, and position these on
Fully updated for Blender
the body, as shown below.
2.48,
starts with an
introduction to the basics of
Blender and then quickly
Now we have our completed delves into more complex
image. This example shows concepts, like creating
that artistic images can be models, animating them, and
created in Inkscape by turning them into simple
manipulating fonts creatively. games. Also included are
game demos, character
animation tutorials, an
introduction to Python, and an
advanced reference section.
is a 19 year old

REVIEW COMING SOON!


Indonesian who is currently
Then add 2 weapons by studying Computer Science and
loves graphic design and
using “!” and ”&”, as shown
above right.
programming. Please send
feedback to: http://nostarch.com/
juzt_atkinson@yahoo.com

full circle magazine #27 12 contents ^


HOW-TO Scan Documents To PDF/DJVU
want to scan at. I always select
sudo apt-get install the fastest. Next, choose the
N/A gscan2pdf resolution - I always select 300
DPI. Now, select the scan mode.
While you're at it, install line-art
pdftk. It's the PDF half-tone
slicer/dicer/boxer I use to grey-scale
colour
manipulate all my PDF files.

sudo apt-get install pdftk is essentially a black


and white scan with very little
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System
You will also need pdf2djvu difference in the color of
so that once you have your black/grey. It's great to use on
high quality PDF you can pages that are essentially just
convert to djvu at 400 dpi and plain black. DONT USE THIS
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless save tons of space and still MODE IF PHOTOS ARE ON THE
have highly detailed PAGE. They look horrid in this
mode. This mode takes up only

P
documents. So, again, from
reserve your shell type in: a little space.
magazines and
documents by scanning sudo apt-get install pdf2djvu will take a very dark
them and converting black original piece of paper
them to PDF/DjVu format before That's all the tools you and turn it into a very dull-
they turn yellow, fall to pieces, need. Let's go scanning! looking grey picture on your
and are lost forever. pc. I never use this mode.
Load gscan2pdf and click
With your scanner plugged the scan button. With a bit of - Use this mode if
in you're ready for business. luck your USB scanner will be you have a black/white
First, you need to install automatically selected and you magazine or newspaper with
. Its homepage is will see it and some settings to document feeder). It's a bit like photos on the page. This mode
http://gscan2pdf.sourceforge.net change. The scanner I'm using a fax machine, for those of you will give you quite good looking
. It's also in the repositories. To is an HP scan-jet 6300 with 25 who don't know what an ADF b/w reproduction. It takes up a
install it from the shell, type in: sheet ADF (automatic is. I can also select the speed I fair-bit of space, but not as

full circle magazine #27 13 contents ^


SCAN DOCUMENTS TO PDF/DJVU
much as full color. have learned to use the jpeg go in to them here. At the Next, you need to tell pdftk
compression method when shell, type in: that you are going to join all
- This is self saving to PDF. Jpeg is a "lossy those files together into one
explanatory format," so to combat the loss pdftk my.ma giant file. So, add this:
of quality I save at 84% quality.
If I save at 85% quality the file Now press the Tab key, and cat output my.magazine.pdf
like magic you will now have in verbose
size jumps to amazing
proportions. Repeat this front of your very eyes:
Add that to the end of what
scanning process for your book
pdftk my.magazine.part you typed thus far, so your
and you will wind up with your
entire command will read like
data saved in a directory with
I told you the shell was this:
file names that look like this:
powerful. It scanned the
directory and magically added pdftk my.magazine.part1.pdf
my.magazine.part1.pdf
my.magazine.part2.pdf
my.magazine.part2.pdf in the "magazine.part" for you. my.magazine.part3.pdf
my.magazine.part3.pdf Now press 1 so you'll have: my.magazine.part4.pdf
my.magazine.part4.pdf
my.magazine.part5.pdf cat
my.magazine.part5.pdf
pdftk my.magazine.part1 output my.magazine.pdf

For arguments sake, assume Press Tab again and you'll The verbose command at
that each file has 20 pages in it now have: the end tells the shell to echo
and is 20MB long. So, when to the screen what the
joined together you'll have a pdftk my.magazine.part1.pdf program is doing. This saves
single PDF of 100MB with all you from guessing what is
To output a magazine, scan pages in numerical order. Smart, isn't it? So now going on. If you don't do this,
about 10 to 20 pages, and repeat the process of hitting when you press enter you'll get
save your work in PDF format. To achieve this, head to the Tab and pressing 2, 3, 4, and 5, no feedback from the program.
There are a number of options shell again, go into the when needed, and in a matter So press enter and watch the
for saving your scanned pages. directory where you saved your of seconds you'll have this pages fly by. In a matter of
You can save individual pages files, and load up pdftk. This command: seconds you will be back at
or save all the pages as a lets you do all sorts of groovy your command prompt with a
single PDF. You also have the stuff to PDF files. You are going pdftk my.magazine.part1.pdf
flashing cursor.
choice as to whether or not to to use it to join your individual my.magazine.part2.pdf
my.magazine.part3.pdf
use jpeg, and a few other files together to make one my.magazine.part4.pdf Now look in the directory
formats as well. large book. It will do this my.magazine.part5.pdf and you will see the final
standing on its head. It has document called
From my experiments, I numerous features, but I won't
full circle magazine #27 14 contents ^
SCAN DOCUMENTS TO PDF/DJVU
my.magazine.pdf. Open it up - page #2 -> #2: the gscan2pdf software. You
(with your document/PDF - image size: 3199x4332 may need to ramp the
(AUTHORS NOTE: I have
viewer) and scroll down to deleted many pages out of brightness/contrast up to 30 or
admire the 100 page this bit) 40 when doing full color to
document you've pieced - 341857 bytes out reduce bleed-through of the
together. Now have a look at - page #76 -> #76: pages behind and give a crisp
- image size: 3167x4332
the file size. I guess it will be - 450144 bytes out sharp background. I have also
around 110MB or perhaps a 0.210 bits/pixel; 3.858:1, found that this needs to be
little more. 74.08% saved, 105702515 done when using line-art. This
bytes in, 27394816 bytes out also helps to reduce the
To convert this to djvu yellowness of old-magazine
format and keep the high- You get the idea. pages, and to reduce file size.
quality pages but lessen the You will need to experiment
file size, fire-up your shell and Now look in the directory with this setting. Spend a little
type: and you will see your .djvu file, time tinkering it before you go
your original PDF pieces, and crazy and scan a few hundred
pdf2djvu -o my.magazine.djvu your final PDF. books.
-d400 -v my.magazine.pdf
Delete the .part1.pdf files,
To explain this a little, you but keep the final PDF and
have told the program that the DjVu files. This can be done
output file will be called easily by navigating to the
my.magazine.djvu, that you directory you're working in,
want it to compress using 400 highlighting the files, and GetDeb extends the
DPI (with -d400), that you want pressing the delete key. existing software options
to see some output to the for Ubuntu Linux (and
screen to know what is going Don't destroy the big PDF derivitives) by providing
on (with -v), and that the name files. PDF file originals are major updates and
of original file is easier to work with than DjVu software not yet available
my.magazine.pdf. Now press files, so do any editing to the on the official Ubuntu
enter. You will see something large PDF file and then remake repositories.
like this: the DjVu file.

my.magazine.pdf: When scanning pages, http://www.getdeb.net


- page #1 -> #1:
- image size: 3199x4332 make sure you adjust the
- 353010 bytes out contrast/brightness controls on
full circle magazine #27 15 contents ^
HOW-TO Associating A File-Type
open-source PDF applications, I Click on the “Open With” tab. Click on the “Close” button
N/A
installed the Linux version of in the lower left corner.
Adobe Reader. Yet every time I
opened PDF files, they were Now, if you click on the
still displayed in Evince. If I “Properties” link again you'll
remembered to right click on see the newly associated
the file, I could then choose to application is now listed at the
open it with Adobe Reader, but top.
what I desired was for Adobe
Reader to be my default PDF
Games Graphics Internet M/media System application. Here are the steps
for changing from a current
default application to another Double click on the circle in
one. front of the desired application
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless

Y
ou probably enjoy the
fact that when you
double click on a file it
opens up with the
proper application. Almost
every operating system
associates file types with
specific applications. For Find a file of the desired file
instance, Ubuntu associates type and right click on it. Click
PDF files with the Evince on the “Properties” link. The
application by default. But you currently associated
may want to change this or application is listed at the top.
other default applications. The other applications that can
When I had problems viewing open the file type are listed
some PDF files with various below the application.

full circle magazine #27 16 contents ^


MY STORY My Ubuntu Home Server

I
have been a Linux user and has a power
since 1999. I tried Red Hat consumption of
first, then SUSE, and then only 25 Watts. With
Mandrake. I always tried it, each PC can
out the Linux distributions on access my data
old computers without really and my printer.
intending to use them.
To improve my
Finally, I discovered Ubuntu set-up further, I
(Dapper Drake, 6.06), and it removed the
became my first daily-use monitor, keyboard,
Linux installation. I dual-boot it and mouse, and I
with Windows, because I don't achieved remote
have the option of working administration
– Gigabyte GA- without the latter. I've recently through SSH for CLI
M61PME-S2 L / SATA II / R 430 built from scratch my own (Command Line
–GeForce 6100 / mATX / Socket home server, including the Interface), and VNC
AM2 (on board Video card, case, and I run Ubuntu on it. for GUI (Graphical
Lan, Sound card) User Interface).
I started this work because I Now I could
– AMD Athlon 64 X2 4450e
2x2.30 GHz needed a file server and a print administer my
server. I have 3 different home server from any amuleweb to do the same with
– computers at home, and I computer in the house. aMule. Now I can manage my
Thermaltake SonicTower Rev. 2 wanted each to have access to server from any location where
the same data and printer. I thought that I would like I have an Internet connection. I
– PicoPSU 120w Power access to my home server from
Then I realized that I would like also installed a Web Server so
Supply & 80w external PSU
a torrent and amule client. This anywhere in the world! For this, that I can have my own site (I
– Western Digital led to a computer switched on I signed up with a (free) use Joomla CMS) running on
160 Gb / 2,5” 24 hours a day. I decided I Dynamic DNS Service. I created my home server. Despite the
wanted a low-power- an sFTP server, installed extra services, my server uses
– Kingston 1Gb DDR2 800 consumption, low-noise server. torrentflux to schedule my only 30 Watts!
MHz I fabricated one that has no fan torrent downloads, and

full circle magazine #27 17 contents ^


MY UBUNTU HOME SERVER
Well, I’m proud of my tiny,
silent, economical, powerful, Quick Review : emesene
home server. http://www.emesene.org

While alpha testing Ubuntu 9.04 I encountered a


My next step? I will
bug in Pidgin which caused it to crash when I
transform it into a low-power, signed in to MSN. That led me to search for
quiet, HTPC (Home Theatre PC) another client and the one I liked most is emesene.
server to connect also to our
TV and Hi-Fi, and use it as a TV emesene (pronounced as M-S-N) is by Luis Mariano Guerra and aims
Recorder and a DVD Player, to provide similar features to the official MSN client, with a cleaner
probably using Mythbuntu. and an easier to use interface. It supports a large variety of features
from the official client including offline messaging, personal
messages, 'Now Playing' messages, nudges and file transfer.
Webcam support is currently under development. emesene adds a
number of features such as auto-reply, spell check, and a Gmail
checker.

Installing emesene is done using the repositories. Being an MSN user


for a number of years I immediately felt right at home with the
interface. It felt snappier and more responsive than other clients, but
work could be done about the slight delay that sometimes occurs
when opening a new conversation window.

My experience with emesene wasn't without a hiccup or two. My first


problem occurred when trying to use the spell check plug-in. When I
enabled it I got an error saying "Error applying Spell to input
(enchant error for language: ) Plugin disabled". Five
minutes of Googling provided me with the solution
that I had to install . After
that, spell check worked perfectly.

The bug in Pidgin has long been solved but I


continue to use emesene. I would like to see a plug-
in for OTR (Off the Record) developed and I'm
looking forward to seeing a stable version with
webcam support.

full circle magazine #27 18 contents ^


REVIEW Amarok 1.4
done in under 5 minutes – setup using MySQL as the Songs are listed by artist –
depending on internet collection database (or album. You can have it list only
connection speed. To set up alternatively selecting Settings songs added in the last day,
MySQL enter the following into – Configure Amarok – week, month, etc. If you want
a terminal: Collection). to find a specific song then the
search function is also
sudo apt-get install mysql- implemented very well and the
server mysql-client
list of songs updates with
every letter that you type. You
Enter a password that you can also search for a particular

V
want to use and write it down song within a playlist, and this
ersion 2.2 of Amarok for later. Select MySQL and enter the function works in the exact
is now out, but I shall
following details: same way.
be reviewing version mysql -p -u root
1.4.10. I shall explain Hostname: 127.0.0.1
the reason for this later. CREATE DATABASE amarok;
Database: amarok
Port: 3306
USE mysql; Username: amarok
There are so many features
Password: Your Password
in Amarok that it would be GRANT ALL ON amarok.* TO
almost impossible to cover amarok@localhost IDENTIFIED
I like simple interfaces
them all, so I shall cover the BY 'PASSWORD';
where everything is easy to
main features which most
find. This is one of the main
people would be likely to use. Replace PASSWORD with the
reasons why I love Amarok.
password you entered above,
Everything is exactly where
Setup but keep it inside the quotes ('')
you would expect to find it, and
FLUSH PRIVILEGES; you don't need to search online
If you have a large collection for how to do anything. The In the context tab, while
of music, I recommend using quit music collection is handled playing a song, there are three
MySQL as the collection very well and quickly. options: music, lyrics and
database because it is quicker When you start Amraok for artist. The artist tab gets the
Normal operation
than SQLite. Initially, I thought the first time it will ask you to information from Wikipedia.
this might be a bit tricky to do, select folder(s) for your music The lyrics tab displays lyrics for
but it is very simple and can be collection. After this, you can the song playing – I use the
full circle magazine #27 19 contents ^
REVIEW: AMAROK 1.4
newest tracks, or never-played script for lyrics. There is have no doubt that it will be
track. You can also play radio probably a script for any added just as good, if not better, than
streams from the playlist tab. functionality that you want. 1.4.
There are many stations to
choose from, and there will be Some people may complain
several stations whatever your about downgrading to an older
taste is. version and not supporting the
newest, but the average user
just wants a product that works
all the time. Sadly, version 2 is
not quite there yet, but I am
LyricWiki script for this. The confident that in the next
music tab displays a variety of
information about the artist,
Is it good? release or two it will be.

including all albums for the It is possible to sync your Depending on which version
In my opinion, not only is
artist, and most played songs. MP3 player to Amarok as well, of Ubuntu you are using, it will
Amarok the best audio player
and it supports Flash-based, have either 1.4 or 2 in the
for Ubuntu, it is also the best
Cover artwork is also iPod, and MTP devices. To set it repositories. Hardy has 1.4 and
audio player there has ever
included and can be fetched by up, all you need to do is Jaunty has 2. I'm not sure
been on any platform! Within a
either amazon.com or jpegs in connect the player and select about Intrepid. I installed 1.4 in
week of using it, I could never
the album directory. If you which of the plugins you want Jaunty from the information at
go back to any other
need to, you can also edit tags to use for it.
application. It is that good!
of files in the playlist. I find this https://edge.launchpad.net/~bo
handy, for every now and gdanb/+archive/ppa
Is there anything that I
again I see an incorrectly
dislike about Amarok 1.4?
labelled tag which I would To use this PPA you need to
Honestly, I can say that there
never find without spending add two entries to your
isn't. It does everything that I
several days using a program sources.list and add a
want it to do, and it is easy to
like Kid3. repository key. All the
use. I do, however, have a
information is in the above link.
complaint with the
The options for playlists are You then install 1.4 by looking
implementation of Amarok 2. A
good and should be more than for amarok14 in your package
lot of features from 1.4 were
enough for most users. You can There are many scripts manager or by typing
missing. The 2.1 release fixed
select options such as 50 available to extend some
many of these, but it is still not sudo apt-get install
random tracks, most-played features of Amarok. I stated
perfect. Given time though, I amarok14 .
tracks by a certain artist, earlier that I use the LyricWiki
full circle magazine #27 20 contents ^
MOTU INTERVIEW
behindmotu.wordpress.com
Nathan Handler
Dapper Drake, but updated and irc logs on the wiki were I am currently not involved
right away to Edgy Eft. also a great help. Almost every with the Chicago LOCO.
MOTU-related task has been However, I have worked with
documented on the wiki. I also many of the LOCO members
can not forget to mention the over IRC.
IRC channels. They are filled
I started to get involved with with MOTUs and other Ubuntu
the MOTU team during the users who helped answer all of
Age: 16
Gutsy Gibbon development my questions. Now that I am a MOTU, I am
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
cycle. I began by patching going to be devoting a lot of
IRC Nick: nhandler
some of the bitesize bugs on time to sponsoring patches
Launchpad. I did not do from other Ubuntu
anything MOTU-related during My favorite part of working contributors. I will also be
the Hardy Heron development with the MOTU is that there is reviewing more packages on
cycle. However, in the Intrepid always something new to learn. REVU. I also want to get
My first introduction to Linux
Ibex developement cycle, I When you master one thing (if involved with Kubuntu.
was with a Slax live cd. That
really started to get serious that is even possible), there is
was sometime in 2005. I used
about working towards always always something else
the cd a couple of times, but
becoming a MOTU. I performed out there for you to learn.
never actually installed it to my
a lot of merges and syncs, and When I am not at school or
computer. During the summer
continued to patch bugs on doing MOTU-related tasks, I am
of 2006, I decided to install
Launchpad. usually working on one of the
Linux as my primary operating
Spend time on IRC. IRC is one many Perl scripts that I’ve
system. I tried Suse and Fedora
of the most valuable resources started. For me, programing
before trying Ubuntu. Ubuntu
available. Not only is it full of helps me think logically and
had the best support for my
thousands of people that are relax.
hardware, and a great online
Emmet Hikory (persia) helped willing to help guide you on
community.
guide me when I first got your way, but it also leads to
involved. He helped teach me many new friendships.
the basics of patching and
some of the development
I've been using Ubuntu for over
processes. The many guides
two years. I started with

full circle magazine #27 21 contents ^


LETTERS letters@fullcirclemagazine.org
PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space reasons.

VPN At Work? LETTER OF THE MONTH

I
would like to see how one
uses the VPN setup to I am the IT manager for a small destroy old records. The
connect to a server at a rural hospital located in electronic versions are indexable
Humphreys County, TN. It is a one and take up very little space.
workplace. I would also
man shop with a budget that Untangle is used as a pass
like to encourage someone to leaves little left over to through device that filters web
write an article on viewing a implement technology. This is pages, scans for viruses in emails,
home network with Ubuntu where Linux and other open performs phish filtering, and loads
source applications have shone more. We run the open source
and/or troubleshooting thereof.
through. version and the implementation of
I was able to see other
Outlook > Thunderbird
OpenVPN is a piece of cake to use.
members of my home network Zimbra Collaboration Suite, In addition to the above we use

I
until I upgraded to Jaunty, now Network edition, with Zimbra Firefox, and OpenOffice.org
n answer to the question mobile running on Ubuntu 8.04 products on the end users
I can't see other computers,
which, at a cost of about $9 (US) workstations. Several copies of
although I can Putty into my of reading Outlook emails per mailbox, makes it a logical Gimp, Scribus, Inkscape and a few
home SME server. (Kris Giellis) on Linux, choice when you compare it to others are also in use.
Wombalton is half way the $200-plus Exchange solution.
there. Unfortunately The previously mentioned
Ubuntu 8.04 Server runs Apache software is already in use at the
Thunderbird is unable to work and MySQL with Joomla and hospital. The next implementation
Droid Assault with Outlook's .pst files from
within Linux. You need to
commercial plugins. We use
Joomla for an internal employee
will be another Ubuntu server
using Bacula for some distributed

T
install Thunderbird on your website, giving information such backups.
hank you for telling us as policies and procedure
Windows machine then use its manuals, employee training
about Slingshot. That Thank you to all those folks who
import feature there. You can complete with tests that are have worked so hard on the
game is awesome.
then use the universal .mbox recorded and products I use. Thanks for making
Check out Droid added to employee records. stable products that I can run in a
format to move your emails to
Assault (above right): live environment that are easy to
another system. As a Mac and Ubuntu 8.04 (desktop) with
http://www.puppygames.net/dr use and
Linux user, this has worked a GNUMed coupled with a Fujitsu stable.
oid-assault/
charm for me in the past. Scanner to archive
medical records. This frees up
tons of space and allows us to

full circle magazine #27 22 contents ^


LETTERS
Why No Hardware Creative Zen Delight More VirtualBox is the "guest additions" which
Reviews? enables things like sound and

I I
magine my surprise when f you are interested in USB support. The major pain is

F
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty running VirtualBox for the necessity to rebuild the
CM has software review
Jackalope detected my something important and kernel module each time the
sections but why not a
Creative Zen V Plus! The for functionality the best kernel gets an update. The
hardware review
device appears on my desktop course of action is to go to the documentation for vbox is
section? This would
and in Nautilus. I could browse Sun website and download the copious and complete. I am a
help in telling readers which
the content and delete music personal use version. I use it bit worried that Oracle might
hardware is compatible with
in Nautilus then connect it to for the two windows programs I mess up my happiness but I
Ubuntu. From my own
Rhythmbox and copy music to can't replace with OSS. XP runs can't get too worked up over
experience I can say there are
the device. It's really awesome like it was meant to be there stuff I can't control.
problems when it comes to
buying some accessories. and amazing. and I no longer have to reboot
Many are either not supported or muck up my hard drive with
or have drivers which need to Thank you Ubuntu an NTFS partition. The major
be compiled. Compiling a developers! addition to the non-free version
driver is hard for a normal user
like me.

Ed:
f

Ed: ' e

full circle magazine #27 23 contents ^


UBUNTU WOMEN
MM: I'm tracking Kubuntu
Karmic.
MM: I had just finished high MM: The last couple days have
school and was going to, for been spent on a "paperkut"
the first time, have a computer that affects a number of KDE
I could do whatever I wanted applications. In general, my
to. So I decided to try focus lately has shifted from
something other than triaging bugs to taking patches
Windows. After I saw proof that that are rotting away on
Linux has GUIs, a FreeBSD user Launchpad, testing them,
on Facebook recommended making debdiffs, and finding
Ubuntu. It wasn't smooth someone to upload them. A
sailing, but Xorg with AIGLX team to focus on patch-rot was
made me go to Edgy to get discussed at UDS, actually.
Beryl. I became addicted to
new features and started alpha MM: The only thing those titles
testing Feisty. As for F/LOSS, it get you is permission to upload
didn't take long for me to packages and patches. You can
realize how useful it was that I submit patches anyway, but
can just go fix it if an you have to wait for someone
application doesn't work for me. to get to around to uploading
them. I keep saying I'm going
Mackenzie Morgan: I'm just to apply "when quilt stops
your typical computer science hating me," because I always
student who works on free need two (or more) tries to MM: Aside from those, I'm in
software to alleviate boredom. MM: I get to watch it as it make that tool work. And no, the not-F/LOSS-centric DevChix
Or because the computer morphs from unstable to Ubuntu Membership is not a community. It's a good place to
started doing something that something that my brother and pre-requisite (MOTU ask programming questions,
annoys me, and it must be mother can use with ease and automatically become and enough work on F/LOSS in
remedied. enjoy. members). their spare time that they can
help with F/LOSS libraries.

full circle magazine #27 24 contents ^


UBUNTU WOMEN
This idea started out as being
Women in Open Source Day, Quick Book Review
but as Moose was talking to
Elizabeth Garbee, the idea was
broadened. It's in Columbus,
MM: With my QA hat on, the OH, Sept 25-27 and you can
symptom-based bug reporting find information on Prentice Hall 2009
should hopefully make triagers' http://ohiolinux.org 1,209 pages
and bug reporters' lives much ISBN 978-0-13-700388-4
easier. There'll be less back-
and-forth to gather information This is by far the thickest book
and perform debugging steps about Ubuntu that I've come
that are the same for all bugs across, and not one page is
reported on a certain package. wasted. It is, not only a reference,
but also a book of tutorials, the
With my user hat on, kernel writer literally teaches you Ubuntu. Sobell gives you many
modesetting rocks! X loads up examples and advice for troubleshooting.
quickly, and resume from
suspend is nearly instant. I'm MM: I just want to reiterate After every section there are study questions to help you
also glad to see better Notify- that the barrier to entry for ferret out the most important topics. But the most useful
OSD integration with Kubuntu contributing isn't nearly as part of this book is the "Jump Starts" they include, among
by matching the Plasma theme high as most people seem to others: CUPS, OpenSSH, NFS, SAMBA and more. How about
and adding a message think. The learning curve to fix starting a SAMBA server in less than half an hour? It's
indicator applet. documentation or test patches possible. Once it's up and running you get indepth advice on
is not steep. administration, and I'm talking detail here. This feature
makes it useful both for new users and for more experienced
users and administrators.

It is a book I highly recommend as I too am new to Ubuntu. It


got me out of some fairly tricky spots. It is also fairly recent,
MM: I went to OLF for the first published in 2009, with sceenshots from January. It covers
time last year. There were 8.10 in detail, and 1,200 pages does get you far.
about 1200 people (up from
just 100 seven years ago). This MM: Thank you for asking!
year, the new feature is
Diversity in Open Source Day.
full circle magazine #27 25 contents ^
UBUNTU GAMES

D
uring the past few Software states that the to drop support
GAME NEWS weeks the gaming acquisition will give id more for certain
world has been in resources and allows it to work consoles
• – A new shock with the on many different games at because of low
open-source, browser- unexpected buyout of id the same time. In addition, id demand for
based FPS (first-person Software by ZeniMax Media. will also gain access to games such
shooter) currently in ZeniMax's resources and the PS3 and
development will be In the world of Linux developers, and vice versa. If PSP. If these popular consoles
coming to Linux soon. gaming, id Software has been so, then id Software may be were dropped by developers,
a beloved developer, thanks to able to make more games and then Linux games would be
their support of Linux. They create new IPs for availability even more likely to be so
have given us the Quake, on Linux. Moreover, ZeniMax affected. However, I do think
Doom, and Enemy Territory may allow id Software's Linux that Linux games will survive
series, which are the best team to port over ZeniMax in id Software, largely because
games on Linux. id Software games to Linux. Then Oblivion ZeniMax and id have said
has been very important for or Fallout 3 may be available nothing about cost cutting, but
the success of gaming on Linux for Linux. a lot about giving more
in the past, and presumably in resources to id Software. I
the future with games like However, I'm concerned believe we will see a lot more
Quake Live and Doom 4 that ZeniMax may want to titles come from id Software,
expected soon. ZeniMax is make some changes with the though I doubt that we will see
most famous for owning way id is currently being run. ports of Bethseda's titles.
Bethseda Studios, makers of This may involve cost cutting,
The Elder Scrolls and Fallout which is a likely strategy for
• in Beta – ZeniMax, since many
series. This developer makes
An important release of developers have lost revenue
marvelous games for the
VirtualBox has support for in 2008 and the first quarter of
consoles and Windows PCs.
DirectX 8 & 9. It's great for 2009 -- some have become
ZeniMax has no experience or Ed Hewitt
gaming on Linux. bankrupt. The Linux team
involvement with Linux -- this
concerns Linux gamers. could even be fired because of
the relative lack of demand for
A statement released by id Linux games. We have seen
signs of developers threatening
full circle magazine #27 26 contents ^
Q&A
Written by Tommy Alsemgeest
questions@fullcirclemagazine.org
Please include as much information as you can about your problem.

Q
I have a number of Replacing /dev/sdb1 with man ls

Q
external drives, all the device you found with Where can I find a list
previously formatted fdisk, and /media/disk with a of commands just for However, if you want a list
to NTFS, which folder you want to mount it to. Ubuntu without the of the common basic
worked just the way I wanted Then, to change the commands Ubuntu commands, there is one on the
in 8.10. I decided to change to permissions you would run does not recognize? I think Ubuntu wiki for Ubuntu 9.04:
ext3, reformatted one and each distro should include a https://help.ubuntu.com/9.04/b
found it would not mount or sudo chmod 777 /media/disk current version command line asic-commands/C/

Q
show any indication of being list, viewable from GUI if
recognized. Once again replacing installed, like a thesaurus: a list KompoZer has
/media/disk with the folder you with a short explanation. started crashing after
mounted it to. Now your device I updated to Ubuntu

A
What is the correct
procedure to format external can be accessed by anyone. Such a list would be 9.04. There is no error
message; it just goes away. Is

Q
drives to ext3 so that they can prohibitively large,
be used by anyone, and on a My usual requirement and near-impossible there a fix for this?
is to find a file

A
number of different computers to maintain. From the
all running Ubuntu 9.04? containing some text. terminal you can get a partial The best way to find
Usually I have an idea a fix this type of error

A
list of commands by typing:
First run: in which folder it is, but if it is a is to get the terminal
package, I have no idea where info output of the
to look for it. If someone could program. You do this by
clear this up, I would greatly The best way to learn the opening the program from the
appreciate it. commands is to use them as terminal i.e. open a terminal
you need them, to go looking

A
sudo fdisk -l and type "kompozer". Copy the
It seems the best for a suitable one when the error message into Google to
to see which device you want solution to your need arises. If you come across see if anyone else has had the
to modify. Then mount your problem is to use a command but don't know problem. If no one has, you
device to a folder, with grep. There is a very what it does or how to use it, it should file a bug report. There
something like nice explanation on how to use is best to view the man page is a nice how-to here:
grep in for it. For example, if you didn't http://ubuntuforums.org/showp
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 in FCM#19. I am sure you will know what the command ost.php?p=6367705&postcount
/media/disk grow to love grep. did, you would type: =1

full circle magazine #27 27 contents ^


MY DESKTOP misc@fullcirclemagazine.org

Here is my desktop. I use sw_waiting_on.jpg as wallpaper I am running Jaunty Jackalope on my laptop. The
(http://www.desktopstarships.com/SwGallery/Sw_11.html). The theme wallpaper is "Atmosphere", and the icon set is "Polar Icons 2." I have
is (http://www.gnome- banished both panels to the top of the screen, then set them to hide
look.org/content/show.php/Slickness+Black?content=73210), and the when the mouse isn't trained on them. After that, I used the
nice menu in the left bottom is Configuration Editor (apps > panel > toplevels > bottom_panel_screen0
(https://launchpad.net/gnomenu/trunk/1.6). I also use and / top_panelscreen0) to set the 'Auto Hide Size' to zero, and therefore
to have information about local weather conditions. I stop the bottom edge from poking out onto the screen. Likewise I use
created this desktop from reading the Ubuntu forums. I am working for my terminal because of its ability to tuck away nicely – yet
with Ubuntu 8.10 on my , and I am happy with remain acceptable. Along with this, I run a pretty simple to keep
8.10 because there are no longer any problems with the wireless track of the time and system stats, along with . I don't think I
connection as there were on Ubuntu 8.04. I am writing my PhD thesis can use a computer any more without Gnome-Do's help, especially on a
now, and I find Ubuntu has everything I need to make beautiful laptop; the keyboard is much quicker, and more comfortable to navigate,
presentations and professional looking articles. than the track pad.

Thank you, all Ubuntu developers, for making a nice and easy to use
operating system!

full circle magazine #27 28 contents ^


MY DESKTOP

This is what I accomplished on my first day after switching from Windows: I have a running at
I've always liked dark themes, which generally turn out horribly under 1.73 GHz (dual core), with 2gigs of RAM and an
Windows. So, after installing Linux for the first time, I was excited to find graphics card. I'm
one and see if this theme worked better in Ubuntu. I'm using TheRob's running Ubuntu 9.10 with the open source
theme with Rob Randtoul's wallpaper. I've set the graphics driver. I'm using as my
skydome for Compiz Fusion's desktop cube to Parth's –a window decorator.
nice splash of colour when the cube rotates. I've also added spdf's terminal
screenlet with transparency and no border – just enough that it's there if I Basically, I mixed elements of different themes
need it, and it's unobtrusive otherwise. The Creative MP3 player you see on that I liked – to get an icy looking theme to
the desktop was a nice surprise in 9.04 – it couldn't be mounted under 8.10, match the wallpaper. I love the sheer
but does so automatically with Jaunty. Well done! combustibility that FOSS allows you as a user.
You don't have to pay for a third party app to
I think my Desktop looks pretty sweet for only a day's worth of work, and run on top of the user interface (e.g. Windows
knowing next to nothing about Linux beforehand. I look forward to more Blinds), but rather your choice as a user is
tweaking as I figure out what works and what doesn't, and maybe you will completely by design.
see it here again.

full circle magazine #27 29 contents ^


TOP 5 Screenshot Tools
Shutter Desktop Data Manager

http://shutter-project.org/ http://data-manager.sourceforge.net/

Much more than a simple


Shutter (formerly known as screenshot program,
GScrot) is one of the most Desktop Data Manager is a
advanced screenshot tools contextual clipboard
created for the Linux application with a bevy of
desktop. It has the features. You can take
standard selection, screenshots of windows, the
window, and full-screen desktop, or a user-defined
options, but also provides a selection. You can also
webpage-capture feature. automatically convert URLs
In addition, it has tabbed to images on the fly. Best of
image management, basic all, Desktop Data Manager,
image editing features, automatically throws the
and even the ability to item on your clipboard,
upload to various image making it extremely easy to
hosts. It's a tool that cut-'n'-paste into a working
belongs in any Web document.
columnist's Gnome Panel.
Like Shutter, DDM isn't (yet) in the Ubuntu repositories. In the
Shutter will be included in the upcoming Ubuntu 9.10 release, meantime, use the download instructions at
slated for October. In the meantime, grab packages for 7.10 http://url.fullcirclemagazine.org/76cc9e.
to 9.04 at http://url.fullcirclemagazine.org/997643.

full circle magazine #27 30 contents ^


TOP 5 - SCREENSHOT TOOLS

scrot ImageMagick import


http://linuxbrit.co.uk/scrot/ http://www.imagemagick.org/

scrot (SCReenshOT) has been honored throughout the ages If you've been around Linux long enough, you've probably run
as one of the most powerful screenshot tools for the Linux into ImageMagick, a suite of image tools. One of the best
desktop. It's a command-line tool that offers support for just features is the import application, a little tool that imports
about all the standard features: delays, selections, and even some or all of your X-server screen to an image file. import, of
grabbing from multiple displays. Many screenshot programs course, has all the standard screenshot features, but it also
for Linux, including Shutter, are based on this grandaddy of contains powerful image-manipulation tools, thanks to its
all screenshot programs. A decade later, it's still going strong. integration with ImageMagick. So you can change the
contrast, assign a label, monochrome, and resize, all from the
To install scrot, use the package in the 'universe' same command.
repositories.
To install ImageMagick, use the package.

full circle magazine #27 31 contents ^


TOP 5 - SCREENSHOT TOOLS

Screengrab
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1146

For some Web


developers, it might
be overkill to use
Shutter or DDM (all is presented by members of the
you need is a United Kingdom’s Ubuntu Linux community.
website
screenshot), and We aim is to provide current, topical information about, and
underkill to use for, Ubuntu Linux users the world over. We cover all aspects
of Ubuntu Linux and Free Software and appeal to everyone
scrot or import. The
from the newest user to the oldest coder, from the
solution? command line to the latest GUI.
Screengrab, the
powerful Firefox Because the show is produced by the Ubuntu UK
add-on. Simply put, community, the podcast is covered by the Ubuntu Code of
Screengrab Conduct and is therefore suitable for all ages.
converts websites
to images. http://podcast.ubuntu-uk.org/
Additionally, it's
WYSIWYG, so if you
have Flash or Java
on your site, Flash or Java are included in the screenshot. It
can select just the window, the entire page, selections, and
frames.

To install Screengrab, use the above home page. You'll need


Firefox installed.

full circle magazine #27 32 contents ^


F

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE - Ronnie Tucker


ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org
- Rob Kerfia
We are always looking for new articles to include in Full Circle. For article admin@fullcirclemagazine.org
guidelines, ideas, and for issue translation, please see our wiki: - Robert Clipsham
http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuMagazine mrmonday@fullcirclemagazine.org
Please email your articles to: articles@fullcirclemagazine.org

Mike Kennedy
David Haas
Gord Campbell
If you would like to submit , email it to: news@fullcirclemagazine.org
Robert Orsino
Jim Barklow
Send your or Linux experiences to: letters@fullcirclemagazine.org

Hardware/software should be sent to: reviews@fullcirclemagazine.org


And our thanks go out to
Canonical, the Ubuntu Marketing
for Q&A should go to: questions@fullcirclemagazine.org
Team and the many translation
teams around the world.
screens should be emailed to: misc@fullcirclemagazine.org

... or you can visit our at: www.fullcirclemagazine.org

A magazine isn't a magazine without articles and Full Circle is no exception.


We need your Opinions, Desktops and Stories. We also need Reviews
(games, apps & hardware), How-To articles (on any K/X/Ubuntu subject) and
any questions, or suggestions, you may have.
Send them to: articles@fullcirclemagazine.org

full circle magazine #27 33 contents ^

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