Episode 076 – Take 2 – Nain Rouge

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Total Running Time: 2:02:52

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Summary

Kernel News: Mat
Time: 12:20
Distro Talk: Tony
Time: 15:23
Mary Distro Review
Time: 34:27
Tech News:
Time: 1:03:25
Toolbox
Time: 1:33:33
Is it Alive? – Mary
Time: 1:46:33
Listener Feedback
Time: 1:51:08
Outtro Music
Time: 1:57:17

Intro:

Tony Bemus, Mat Enders, and Mary Tomich
Intro Sound bite by Mike Tanner

Kernel News: Mat

Time:12:20

Release Candidate:
On Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:16:52 PDT
Linus Torvalds released kernel 3.9-rc3
This is what he had to say about it:
“Not as small as -rc2, but that one really was unusually calm. So there was clearly some pending stuff that came in for -rc3, with network drivers and USB leading the charge. But there’s other misc drivers, arch updates, btrfs fixes, etc etc too.”

On Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:41:45 PDT
Linus Torvalds released kernel 3.9-rc4
This is what he had to say about it:
“Another week, another -rc. And things haven’t calmed down, meaning that the nice small and calm -rc2 was definitely the outlier so far. But I’m optimistic, dammit, and I’m going to keep hoping that things will change, and the upcoming week will be boring and devoid of any real work what-so-ever.

It had better be, because it’s spring break and the kids are around.

Anyway.

While it hasn’t been as calm as I’d like things to be, it’s not like things have been hugely exciting either. Most of this really is pretty trivial. It’s all over, with the bulk in drivers (drm, md, net, mtd, usb, sound), but also some arch updates (powerpc, arm, sparc, x86) and filesystem work (cifs, ext4).

Go out and test,”
–Linus Torvalds

Mainline:
3.9-rc3

Stable Updates:
On Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:14:34 PDT
Greg Kroah-Hartman released kernel 3.0.70
With 41 files changed, 488 lines inserted, and 133 lines deleted

On Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:15:14 PDT
Greg Kroah-Hartman released kernel 3.4.37
With 50 files changed, 540 lines inserted, and 156 lines deleted

On Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:15:54 PDT
Greg Kroah-Hartman released kernel 3.8.4
With 86 files changed, 903 lines inserted, and 395 lines deleted

On Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:58:14 GMT
Ben Hutchings released kernel 3.2.41
With 100 files changed, 1207 lines inserted, and 544 lines deleted

Kernel Developer Quote:
This week’s quote comes to us from Greg Kroah-Hartman:
“I am ignoring your email for more important things…”

–Greg Kroah-Hartman

Distro Talk: Tony

Time: 15:23

Distrowatch.com

• 3-18 – Manjaro Linux 0.8.4 “Openbox-Lite” – lightweight and minimalist distribution based on Arch Linux
• 3-18 – CAINE 4.0 – Ubuntu-based distribution with specialist utilities for forensic analysis and penetration testing
• 3-19 –SparkyLinux 2.1 – Debian-based desktop Linux distribution with a choice of Enlightenment, LXDE, MATE or Openbox desktops user interfaces
• 3-19 – Clonezilla Live 2.1.1-7 – a specialist live CD with useful open-source disk-cloning utilities:
• 3-20 – AsteriskNOW 3.0 – CentOS-based Linux distribution with Asterisk telephony software, DAHDI driver framework and FreePBX administrative GUI
• 3-20 – BSD Release: FreeNAS 8.3.1 – open-source storage platform that supports sharing across Windows, Apple, and UNIX-like systems
• 3-21 – GParted Live 0.15.0-1 – a utility live CD with specialist tools for hard disk management and data rescue tasks
• 3-21 – Slackel 2.0 “Openbox” – a lightweight desktop Linux distribution based on Slackware’s “Current” branch
• 3-22 – Linux Mint 201303 “Debian” – LMDE with MATE and Cinnamon, but no Xfce this time

Distro of the Week: Tony

5. Mageia – 1483
4. Debian – 1605
3. openSUSE – 1769
2. Ubuntu – 2030
1. Mint – 4284

Mary Distro Review – VSIDO

Time: 34:27

My distro review this week has been a whirlwind of preparation, primarily because I started in one direction and ended up with an entirely different distro. My initial choice was Pisi Linux—but I then discovered that Pisi Linux is only in the alpha stage—I didn’t care if it had a KDE desktop, I am not reviewing an alpha version unless there’s an interesting angle to it. So, this week’s distro review is based on Debian (It beat out an Arch derivative running e17 by a whisker). It caught my eye on a blog Jed’s Desk. This week I take a look at VSIDO.

VSIDO can currently be installed with a choice between three popular Linux Kernels; the latest Debian Kernel, the latest Liquorix Kernel, or the latest Siduction Kernel.

The Vitals:
Name: VSIDO
Maintainer: Terry Ganus aka VastOne
Distro Latest Birthday: The release iso was updated on 3/22/2013.
Derivative: Debian Sid with Experimental and siduction sources pinned for specific applications
Kernel: 3.8-trunk (but Liquorix and Siduction kernels are available for download via script)
Review Desktop/Window manager: Fluxbox (with options for openbox, and XFCE). During the test, I installed another desktop during testing.

Note that VSIDO is for 64-bit machines.

Live Environment:

The live environment showed a small launcher panel across the bottom. A system monitor readout, monitoring kernel version, uptime, CPU and memory usage, temp, and network activity sat unobtrusively at the top of the screen Nice and compact.

The modules I look for first were loaded:

Graphics: ( nouveau)
Wireless:  (iwl4965) (but no internet for a while as it turned out)

The Defaults
Browser: Ice Weasel
Office Suite: None. More about that later…
Mail Client: None
File Manager: SpaceFM, Thunar when in XFCE

The Install Process:

Installing VSIDO was a straight-forward affair. The steps are familiar and I liked the fact that it had all the accounts and passwords entry boxes on a single screen, allowing me to easily tab from field to field supplying the needed information

Partitioning also was easy. The instructions were easy to understand and, for someone who may be fairly new to the process, I don’t think they’d get confused. The install Grub step which, in the past has given me heartburn, was easy to see and the brief explanation was on point. There was even a third option where GRUB could be installed to the MBR of the root partition which, according to the information on the screen, is what you want for a USB install. I chose to install it to the root partition of the install, so my main grub install would not be affected. VSIDO even took the time to articulate in complete sentence what was going to happen. “Grub will be installed to the root partition of SDA6 “ Do you want to continue? Heck yeah!!

The install commenced…dispense the consumables.

The install ended with: “If everything went well your new system should be ready. Do you want to try it out?” It was an articulate install.

Installed Environment:

I rebooted and quickly got to the desktop. The first time in you’re presented with the option of going through a post-installation script: vsido-welcome. It will install additional applications including office applications, printer setup tools and image editing tools. This approach allows the distro to stay confined to a CD. A requirement is a working internet connection which I didn’t have at the time. So I exited the script and checked the forums.

Using Ceni, I configured my wireless but still no access with the outside world. I could ping, myself, the router, but nothing past that. Using a wired connection worked perfectly, so I did away with knetwork manager and checked wicd to start on when booting. Problem solved.

Although most of my testing occurred while using Fluxbox, I also checked out LXDE since several LXDE apps /libraries were already available in Fluxbox. To my surprise, the left-handed mouse setting I tried to make earlier was in place.

Using Fluxbox was somewhat interesting. Different tools…your launch menu is available regardless of your cursor’s location on the screen.

VSIDO also includes the smxi script, run from the command line after exiting X, if you really want to try something a little out of the ordinary (http://smxi.org/). This script allows you to enable additional capabilities such as downloading additional kernel sources so you can install and boot a different kernel than the one that came with your distro, there is a script to run after install. It installed the sources for the Liquorix kernel, Siduction kernel, etc. It also walked me through a series of questions regarding the kernel I want to use, repositories to set, packages to download, etc. I had Debian, Debian-multimedia, Siduction, Liquorix, Remastersys, to name a few. After those settings are in place, it’s time to update your system. You can opt for a dist-upgrade or a regular one. I chose dist-upgrade. I then updated grub via Kubuntu —to make my new kernel options available. I wanted to add the other kernel options.

As far as package management is concerned, VSIDO has it well covered in VSIDO. There was a)Gdebi Package installer for any deb file; and both Synaptic Package manager and Aptitude package manager depending on your preference. I tested the package management system by installing the full KDE Desktop, which is done simply by checking KDE-FULL

Other interesting Programs:

Kernel remover – Removes extra kernels you have lying around. When I attempted to use it all I got was “There is only one kernel installed on the system. Nothing to be done!

Bleachbit – tool to remove the kerfluffle from your hard drive. I removed over 900MB of stuff, mostly from the apt archives.

System Information (Hard Info) – was mostly helpful but did report that no batteries were found on my system.

Remastersys – a program for Debian-based, or derivative software systems that can: Create a customized Live CD/DVD (a remaster) of Debian and its derivatives. Back up an entire system, including user data, to an installable Live CD/DVD. (backup, Grub restore, USB startup tool)

Pithos – Pandora Front end. Using it requires a pandora account.
Puddletag – audio tad editor for NGU/Linux similar to the Windows program MP3tag.

Nitrogen – it says it’s lightweight background browser for X. Actually, it just sets your desktop wallpaper, but does let you browse for a suitable picture.

BUM BootUp Manager – A utility to manage what services run at startup.

Application finder – Acts like a launch menu –show categories and applications within each category. I really liked this tool.

D-feet – D-Feet allows users to call methods and trap signals from other applications and services that are running on the computer D-Bus.D-feet was originally developed by Redhat.

Fluxbox Settings menu – was there to help with settings.

Rating:

I was impressed with this distro and, after easily installing a full KDE desktop and running VSIDO from there, I like it even more.

3.9 cups of coffee with a Debian swirl of half-half.

Tech News:

Time: 1:03:25

Government Intends Crackdown On Patent Trolls

The House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a on “Abusive Patent Litigation”. Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, set the tenor for the hearing with this statement:

“Abusive patent litigation is a drag on our economy. Everyone from independent inventors, to start-ups, to mid and large sized businesses face this constant threat. The tens of billions of dollars spent on settlements and litigation expenses associated with abusive patent suits represent truly wasted capital – wasted capital that could have been used to create new jobs, fund R&D, and create new innovations and technologies that would “promote the progress of science and useful arts.”

…

PAE [Patent Assertion Entities] lawsuits claim ownership over basic ideas, such as sending a photocopy to email, podcasting, aggregating news articles, offering free Wi-Fi in your shop, or using a “shopping cart” on your website – something is terribly wrong here.

The patent system was never intended to be a playground for trial lawyers and frivolous claims. We need to work on reforms to discourage frivolous patent litigation and keep U.S. patent laws up to date. Abusive patent troll litigation strikes at the very heart of American innovation and job creation.”

Especially troubling was testimony given by Janet L. Dhillon, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of retailer jcpenney. Four years ago jcpenney was involved in zero patent litigation. However times have changed, in the last four years jcpenney “has had to defend or settle over two-dozen patent infringement lawsuits that have nothing to do with the products jcpenney actually sells. Keep in mind this number does not include those claims that are settled upon receipt of demand letters.”

You may wonder what they could possibly have been sued for well here is what Ms Dillon had to say on that:

“[W]e have been sued for displaying catalog images and having drop down menus on our website, activating a gift card at the point of sale, browsing a website on a mobile phone or enabling a customer to put her purchases in an electronic shopping bag or cart. We have been subjected to multiple claims for providing information regarding our store locations to a mobile phone.”

She goes onto say what makes this litigation particularly hienous:

“[t]hese patents date back to the late 80’s and early to mid-90’s and all have had multiple owners with minimal or no continuing involvement of the actual inventor. … Defending suits against broadly asserted patents that are 15 to 25 years old is very difficult. Trolls know the evidence necessary to invalidate these patents has often been destroyed, potential witnesses have died or memories have faded, which makes reconstructing the prior art and proving the patent invalid almost impossible and extremely expensive.”

Software patents acount for a disproportionate number of these lawsuits, 55% of patent defendants and 82% of PAE defendants. President Obama got it right when he said:

“They’re just trying to essentially leverage and hijack somebody else’s idea and see if they can extort some money out of them.”

I know I don’t often agree with the president but when he is right he is right.

First-Sale Doctrine Upheld

The Supreme Court gave a victory to all resellers when handed down this decision. They made it very clear that the first-sale doctrine protects resellers even if they cross international borders. This all stems from a lawsuit brought by Wiley & Sons against Thai student Supap Kirtsaeng. Wiley & Sons alleged in their lawsuit that since Kirtsaeng bought the books he was reselling oversees the first-sale doctrine did not apply. This ruling overturns a jury verdict and a ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

The decision was not unanamous, it was 6-3 with two members writing a concurrence. In this concurrence they fully supported the decision but say that Congress needs to adress the issue of a copyright holder being able to set geographical based pricing. This leaves the door open to new legislation that would enforce this. We need to remain vigilant in keeping this from happening.

Veber Loses Dispute With Python Over Name

A couple of weeks ago I reported that the Python Software Foundation was in alegal dispute over the name Python. Well they have reached a settlement with the other party, Veber. Initially Veber “blew off” the PSF, but once the they officially opposed Veber’s trademark application and asked for European companies to write to officials in support of PEF, then Veber wanted to settle. According to the settlement Veber has withdrawn their application and agreed to support the PSF. They have also agreed to rebrand their cloud and backup services. To prevent future problems the PSF has applied for a European trademark.

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Linux triumphant: Chrome OS resists cracking attempts
http://www.zdnet.com/linux-triumphant-chrome-os-resists-cracking-attempts-7000012331/
the Linux-based Chrome OS, proved to be essentially uncrackable at the CanSecWest conference in Vancouver, Canada

Ubuntu to become ‘standard operating system’ for China
http://www.osnews.com/story/26885/Ubuntu_to_become_standard_operating_system_for_China

Botnet uses hacked devices to scan the internet
http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Botnet-uses-hacked-devices-to-scan-the-internet-1825753.html

http://internetcensus2012.github.com/InternetCensus2012/paper.html

Open-Xchange to launch open-source, browser-based office suite

http://www.itworld.com/enterprise-software/348971/open-xchange-launch-open-source-browser-based-office-suite

KDE Korner

rekonq: https indicators
Development work continues for Rekonq. This week’s quesetion asked for opinions about the secure web site indicator—https–and how it should appear for users.

http://adjamblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/rekonq-https-indicators/

KDE Projects – Information and Status
If you’re interested in what’s happening with your favorite KDE project, you can go to the blog of the project maintainer or you can check out the KDE projects page.
https://projects.kde.org/projects

KDE joins Outreach program for women

http://blogs.fsfe.org/myriam/2013/03/22/kde-joins-the-outreach-program-for-women/

KDE Teatime – episode 13
Talked about the timeliness of updates to applications and them being available in the distro and David said to Vishnesh so you’re saying that you know better than your distro…to which he responded…yes because I write the f***ing software!

Talked about what a distro is…wallpaper, KDE and package manager, installer

complainer abut sites like reddit with comments about changing something within an app, the standard is advice is to change your distro.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116663776176275422594/posts

Plasma Media Center 1/0 is released.

KDE’s Plasma Media Center (PMC) is aimed towards a unified media experience on PCs, Tablets, Netbooks, TVs and any other device that is capable of running KDE software. PMC can be used to view images, play music or watch videos. Media files can be on the local filesystem or accessed with KDE’s Desktop Search.

http://dot.kde.org/2013/03/20/plasma-media-center-release-one

The Toolbox

Time: 1:33:33

fedup

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to Fedora 18 with fedup, which stands for Fedora Updater. Well here is the process I used it worked flawlessly and I hope your experience is similar.

First you have to have a wired ethernet connection, this is not optional. Second you have to ensure that there is no interruption of the process so if upgrading a desktop a UPS is a good idea. Third all commands must be run as root. So either log in as root or su to root.

Then you have to make sure that your Fedora 17 is completely up to date. I say Fedora 17 because fedup only will upgrade 17 to 18. run the following command:

# yum -y update

Then clean the cache:

# yum clean all

Pay attention and if you received a new kernel through this process you should reboot now then proceed.

Now install fedup:

# yum install fedup

Now run fedup with this command:

# fedup-cli --network 18

Now the process starts. I downloaded 1,925 in the first part and 1,070 in the second part. It was about 3GB of stuff for me but then I live on this system. When it is finished you have to reboot.

You will have a new entry in your boot menu called:

System Upgrade (fedup)

This will probably be the default entry but pay attention it might not be and you will have to choose it. You will get a blinking Fedora logo and a progress bar. This will remain like this for a long time don’t get antsy. It took about 1 1/2hrs on my system. When it finishes you can log into your new Fedora 18 system. When you do issue the following command so you can prove it updated as it will still look the same:

$ cat /etc/redhat-release

There you go, enjoy.

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Is it Alive?

Time:1:46:33

More to be added later…

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Listener Feedback:

show (at) smlr.us or 313-626-9140
Time: 1:51:08

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Outtro Music

Time:1:57:17
Trip to hell by Stepping Back

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