Apr
29
Follow My MOTU Journey…
Filed Under Development | 2 Comments
The packaging presentation this morning really got me excited about getting involved in that area of Ubuntu so I put a few things together in order to try and keep me on this road.
- I took a lot of notes and have a lot of links for reference and study.
- I’m putting together a schedule to try and keep me on track.
- I put together a new blog to document my progress and pitfalls.
If you’re interested in following my journey toward MOTU add http://blog.zelut.org/feed/ to your Feed Reader.
I’d love to get other people interested and educated about packaging by way of that blog. If you are MOTU and want to help keep me on track please stop by. If you’re a casual user that would like to start participating please also stop by. Remember, the more skilled people we have handling and improving packages the better Ubuntu will be!
I post tutorials very regularly on this site. You may want to consider subscribing to the RSS feed. Or if you'd prefer these tips sent to your inbox you can use Email Subscriptions.
Apr
29
I just finished attending the Ubuntu OpenWeek Session: Packaging 101, presented by dholbach, King of the MOTU! ;). It was a great presentation and I learned quite a bit. I have studied packaging before and I always ran into issues. I think his presentation made things very clear and he was great in answering the questions we ran into.
We packaged ed, a standard Unix line editor that nobody (except for one of my co-workers) actually uses, but it was a good practice run. Even with such a simple package we learned how the basic principle works, which should carry over to more real-world packages.
If you’ve been interested in packaging this is a great time to dive in. We’ve got a small window before Ubuntu 8.10 “Intrepid” starts and there will be help needed in merging everything and getting that release ready. I would *love* to be a part of the actual packaging for that release so you may hear more about my journey toward MOTU during this release cycle. I invite you to attend the remaining packaging related sessions at Ubuntu OpenWeek and pickup what you can. Ubuntu’s success is very much based on the strength of the MOTU and the number of quality packages it offers.
If you haven’t yet, go check out OpenWeek. Drop by #ubuntu-classroom on irc.freenode.net and join the fun!
Apr
28
I’ve blogged in the past about setting up extended display on the MacBook (second gen), but I thought I’d update the post for Ubuntu 8.04. I notice there are some small differences, which are likely caused by the updates to Xorg. I’ll post my steps and my xorg.conf file below.
Extended Display on the MacBook
First, I tried to use the new Screen Resolution tool but it did not detect either monitor properly. It does detect the MacBook display when it is the only display, but when my external monitor is plugged in everything gets screwed up.
I had to do things by hand using xrandr, and I had to add three lines to my xorg.conf file. There isn’t much to it, but not as straight-forward as it could be with the graphical tools.
- The first step is to figure out the sum of both resolutions. ie; 1280×800 + 1440×900 = 2720 x 1700. Take the resolutions from your MacBook (which should be 1280×800) and add it to the resolution of your external monitor. Make note of the result.
- Update your xorg.conf file to include the new, combined, resolution (example below)
- Restart X (logout & login or ctrl-alt-bkspace)
- xrandr –output VGA –auto
- xrandr –output VGA –above LVDS
Here is a copy of my xorg.conf file. It is default except for the three additional lines:
# 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” “us”
Option “XkbOptions” “lv3:ralt_switch”
EndSection
Section “InputDevice”
Identifier “Configured Mouse”
Driver “mouse”
Option “CorePointer”
EndSection
Section “InputDevice”
Identifier “Synaptics Touchpad”
Driver “synaptics”
Option “SendCoreEvents” “true”
Option “Device” “/dev/psaux”
Option “Protocol” “auto-dev”
Option “HorizEdgeScroll” “0″
EndSection
Section “Device”
Identifier “Configured Video Device”
EndSection
Section “Monitor”
Identifier “Configured Monitor”
EndSection
Section “Screen”
Identifier “Default Screen”
Monitor “Configured Monitor”
Device “Configured Video Device”
# added SubSection “Display” until EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Virtual 2720 1700
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section “ServerLayout”
Identifier “Default Layout”
Screen “Default Screen”
InputDevice “Synaptics Touchpad”
EndSection
Apr
27
I hope by now you’ve heard some of the noise regarding Ubuntu OpenWeek which begins tomorrow, 15:00 UTC in #ubuntu-classroom. We’re going to have some really cool, really interesting presentations this time around! I’m trying to figure out when I’ll have time for work there are so many presentations that I want to attend!
I also wanted to mention that I’ll be presenting on Thursday, 16:00 UTC. I’ll be presenting on using Ubuntu on the EeePC. If you have an EeePC still running Xandros, if you have an EeePC running Ubuntu (or derivative), or if you’re just thinking about getting one I think it’d be a great presentation for you to join. I’ll be discussing current and future EeePC specs, how to install on Ubuntu and how to customize the Gnome desktop for such a small resolution.
I use my EeePC more than any of my other machines anymore. I take it on the road with me when I travel, I write code on it, I write blog posts on it. Nearly anything I would do on my MacBook I do on my EeePC. Yes, even Compiz! Its a great little machine!
If you are an EeePC user and have suggestions on items to include in the presentation please leave a comment. If you are not an EeePC user and have specific questions you’d like me to cover I also invite you to leave a comment. See everyone on Thursday!
Apr
25
Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” Rocks My Servers Socks!
Filed Under Upgrade | 7 Comments
I just finished the upgrade on this server from Ubuntu 7.10 ‘Gutsy’ to Ubuntu 8.40 ‘Hardy’ and all I have to say is Ubuntu 8.04 Rocks My Socks! Here is a bit how things played out…
I spent a bit of time backing things up and preparing for the upgrade (you know, just in case). I then switched my repository to a faster mirror than the local one I had been using and I installed the required package to handle upgrades (update-manager-core). After this I ran sudo screen do-release-upgrade and watched the fun happen. (Yeah, I ran it in screen because I didn’t know how long it might take and I wanted to be able to detach if needed..)
Guess how long it took? Less than nine minutes! In less time than it normally takes to even download the CD I was upgraded, rebooted and back in production! So far things are running great, the upgrade went as smooth as can be, and my world has been rocked by Ubuntu Server!
I just have to say, if you or your company has been wondering whether Ubuntu is ready for the server, all I have to say is HELL YEAH IT IS! Try to upgrade a production machine from one release to the next and have it back in production in less than 10 minutes another “Enterprise” Linux distribution. Ohh, and do it while its still in production without any CDs.. I dare ya!
Apr
25
This is the last of my servers / desktops / laptops that is not yet running Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy”. In my testing on non-production machines and semi-production machines the upgrades have worked absolutely perfectly. I wanted to post an announcement / warning that I would be upgrading this server to Ubuntu 8.04 at some point today. I’ll post on the progress. Heads up however. If the blog manages to disappear altogether you’ll know what happened 
Apr
24
Upgrade To Ubuntu 8.04
Filed Under Upgrade | 3 Comments
Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is released! Definitely cause for celebration with many, many new features and improvements! I figure a hot search item for the next little bit will be regarding how to upgrade. I thought I’d share a collection of links that will hopefully cover enough of the bases to cover everyone. Remember, the interweb tubes are going to be fairly clogged today so don’t be surprised if core Ubuntu sites take forever to load or don’t load at all. I notice the Ubuntu Wiki is already overloaded this morning. I’m hoping I’ve covered enough of the bases with recent posts to get everyone covered.
I’ve also linked posts from previous releases. The steps are generally similar enough to give you a good idea. Feel free to use them as a reference but not pure-gospel.
Upgrade Ubuntu 6.06 or 7.10 to Ubuntu 8.04
Upgrade 7.10 “Gutsy” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade 6.06 “Dapper” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade from Ubuntu Release Candidate to Ubuntu 8.04 Final (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade Ubuntu Images to Final with Jigdo (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade Ubuntu 6.06 “Dapper” Server to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” Server (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) Beta (ubuntu geek)
Ubuntu Community Wiki Upgrade Notes (community wiki)
Previous Release Steps
How To Upgrade to Ubuntu 7.10 (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade Ubuntu 7.04 Server to Ubuntu 7.10 (ubuntu-tutorials)
Upgrade Problems? Try A Different Repository Mirror (ubuntu-tutorials)
Caching Upgrade for Multiple Machines with Apt-Cacher
If you plan on upgrading multiple machines on a single network using the above options please, for your sake and for the sake of the interweb tubes, set up something like Apt-Cacher to make your upgrades more bandwidth efficient! Basically, if you’ve got two or three machines you plan on upgrading, Apt-Cacher will pull down all the required packages for the first machine & then cache them for the remaining machines. The second and third (and fourth.. and fifth..) will upgrade tremendously faster and you’ll help unclog the interweb tubes for everyone else 
Apr
23
“I’d Like To Preseed My Order Please”
Filed Under Randomness | 3 Comments
This post is dedicated to the conversation I had earlier today with cjwatson…
This evening I went out to dinner with _MMA_ from the Ubuntu Studio crew. One nice thing about my traveling job is that I get to meet Ubuntu community members from around the country. I generally like to take them out to dinner and we can catch up in-real-life. I’ve actually been out here to Raleigh quite a bit lately so _MMA_ and I have spent more than a few nights out gorging ourselves on steak and BBQ!
Tonight we went out to Longhorn Steakhouse and brought the family. _MMA_, his wife and his two kids. Quite the event and we were ready to eat! So, the waitress came around and took our orders. Never in my life did I know ordering steak could be so complicated!
Question after question after question. How would you like it cooked? Options are… What kind of salad? We have… What kind of dressing? We offer… What sides? The sides are… On and on she went. I didn’t know ordering food was that hard!
As soon as she was done I turned to _MMA_ and said:
“I’d like to preseed my order please!”
After running .iso tests the last two days that’s the first thing that came to my mind! Wouldn’t it be nice if we could preseed (pre-answer) things like this! _MMA_ thought it was hilarious so we figured we should blog about it.
In any event, we’ll now take you back to your regularly scheduled programming. Ubuntu release is imminent!
Apr
23
Upgrade Ubuntu 6.06 to Ubuntu 8.04
Filed Under Randomness, Ubuntu | 5 Comments
With Ubuntu 8.04 being the second LTS (Long Term Support) release it is also possible to upgrade from LTS to LTS releases. This means upgrading Ubuntu 6.06 to Ubuntu 8.04. I have tested this in a previous post, “Dapper 6.06 to Hardy 8.04 Direct Server Upgrade“, which you might also be interested in (that post is regarding the Server and not the Desktop release.)
Upgrading via Update Manager
Step 1: It is suggested that you make sure your BIOS is up-to-date before you try such an upgrade. This is based on some changes in the latest kernel releases which can conflict with older BIOS firmware.
Step 2: You’ll need to make sure that the dapper-updates software channel is activated. (See my previous post linked above for an example of which repositories can/should be enabled.)
Step 3: Press Alt-F2 and type
gksu "update-manager"
Step 4: Click the Check button to check for new updates.
Step 5: A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release.
Step 6: Click Upgrade
Step 7: Follow the instructions as the Update Manager utility will walk you through each step of the upgrade. You will still have a chance to back out after clicking Upgrade if you feel you’re not yet ready.
For more information and other information from the Wiki see: Upgrade Notes
Apr
23
How To Upgrade Ubuntu 7.10 to Ubuntu 8.04
Filed Under Upgrade | 23 Comments
Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is now almost final and I want to congratulate the entire team and community for a great accomplishment! This is another fine release and I feel proud to be part of this community.
For those that now want to upgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” you can follow the steps below.
Upgrade Using Update Manager
Step 1: First make sure your machine is current for Ubuntu 7.10. Launch the Update Manager tool and “check” for any remaining updates.
Press Alt-F2 and type
update-managerClick the Check button to check for new updates.
Apply any remaining updates before you continue to Step 2.
Step 2: If your machine is already completely up to date you can then relaunch the Update Manager tool and upgrade to the next release, Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron”.
Press Alt-F2 and type
update-manager
Click the Check button to check for new updates.
A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release.
Click Upgrade
Follow the instructions as the Update Manager utility will walk you through each step of the upgrade. You will still have a chance to back out after clicking Upgrade if you feel you’re not yet ready.
It should be noted that this will upgrade your machine via your internet connection and can take quite some time. If you have access to a fast mirror it can be faster, but immediately after a release the interweb tubes tend to clog up. You’ve been warned.
For more information and suggestions from the Wiki see: Upgrade Notes
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