April 2009 - Roundtable

Vmware and Ubuntu 8.04 (vmware tools install)
by Montana Quiring 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

Hello, I would appreciate any advice on this. I'm using the latest Vmware Fusion on a Mac. In a VM image I've installed Ubuntu 8.4 Remix (it's the one that Dell tweaked for the Dell Mini's) The next step was to install the vmware tools since I had no networking... When I run: sudo ./vmware-install.pl ...the install ticks along OK until I get to this point: <SNIP> None of the pre-built vmmemctl modules for VMware Tools is suitable for your running kernel. Do you want this program to try to build the vmmemctl module for your system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your system)? [yes] Using compiler "/usr/bin/gcc". Use environment variable CC to override. What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running kernel? [/usr/src/linux/include] /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-16/include The path "/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-16/include" is a kernel header file directory, but it does not contain the file "linux/version.h" as expected. This can happen if the kernel has never been built, or if you have invoked the "make mrproper" command in your kernel directory. In any case, you may want to rebuild your kernel. What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running kernel? [/usr/src/linux/include] </SNIP> NOTE: I had to copy across (on a USB flash drive) and install the header files as they weren't already there (from what I could find) I've started the process of preparing to recompile the kernel, but got stuck in deb package hell trying to satisfy the dependancies of build-essential Can anyone offer any advice about how to get networking working, as that would make getting everything else working easier. -- -Montana Blog: http://montanaquiring.info My Friend Feed: http://friendfeed.com/antikx

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simple text file encryption/editor
by Trevor Cordes 17 Apr '09

17 Apr '09

Someone was asking for an easy way to encrypt single files. Here's what I use all the time. I call the program "gpp" (from GPg Pico). Read notes before using. Do not use on non-text files. If you want to encrypt non-text files just use gpg -c manually and delete the original files. You may need to adjust the path to perl and bash, and possibly cp, but it should work as-is on any lsb linux system. Must have gpg installed, but I don't think anyone doesn't! #!/usr/bin/perl -w # # v3.0 (c) Trevor Cordes; may be used & distributed freely # use only on text files; # edit the $editor var to set to your favorite editor (vi, emacs, nano); # when first run on a text file, will encrypt it and delete original; # when used on encrypted files (ending in .gpg) will decrypt, load # into your editor, then re-encrypt once edited; # when dealing with encrypted files, makes a backup copy in /tmp which # it leaves there for safety; # note: when editing, the file exists in plaintext on the disk, so it's # not as nice/secure as an in-memory system would be during the edit; # note: backspace & arrows don't work when entering pw, so just ^C if # you make a typo; # relies on gpg's convention (-c) encryption, which is only as good as # your password so make it good/long depending on how secure you want # to be against brute force or dictionary attacks; # if you use emacs or an editor that automatically makes backup files, # you must disable that or use a simpler editor, otherwise you'll # leave plaintext file droppings everywhere; $editor="/usr/bin/nano -t -z -w"; $ENV{SHELL}='/bin/bash'; $ef=shift; -f $ef or die "not a file: $ef"; if (($uf)=($ef=~/^(.+?)(\.gpg)$/i)) { -f $uf and die "plaintext file already exists, will not overwrite ($uf)"; $noslashesf=$ef; $noslashesf=~tr#/#_#; $efexists=1; } else { $uf=$ef; $ef="$ef.gpg"; $efexists=0; } # get pw print "Enter password: "; system "stty",'-icanon','-echo','eol',"\001"; $SIG{'INT'}='cleanup'; do { $char=getc(STDIN); print '*' if $char ne "\n"; $pgppw.=$char; } until $char eq "\n"; print "\n"; system "stty",'icanon','echo','eol','^@'; $unsttyd=1; if ($efexists) { $baknum=0; $baknum++ while (-f "/tmp/$noslashesf.bak$baknum$$"); system "/bin/cp -p $ef /tmp/$noslashesf.bak$baknum$$"; open(PW,"| gpg --passphrase-fd 0 --batch $ef 2>/dev/null") or die; print PW $pgppw; close(PW); die "bad password\n" if !-s $uf or (-s $uf)<(-s $ef)-100; system "$editor $uf"; unlink $ef if -f $ef; } open(PW,"| gpg -c --passphrase-fd 0 -z9 --batch $uf >/dev/null 2>&1") or die; print PW $pgppw; close(PW); -f $ef or die "encryptions seems to have failed, leaving plaintext as is ($uf)"; unlink $uf if -f $uf; #system "ls -ld $uf*"; #print "\nLooks like success!\n"; &cleanup; sub cleanup{ if (!$unsttyd) { system "stty",'icanon','echo','eol','^@'; print "\n"; } exit; }

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Montana: recursive delete based on prefix
by Trevor Cordes 16 Apr '09

16 Apr '09

Here's my program that will easily, recursively delete all files with a certain prefix. I use .# for recoverable delete (if anyone wants my matching rm command, I call "r", let me know). Montana, you'll want to switch file_prefix to '._'. You'll also want to set $not_trevor=1 so it doesn't do some extra features I use with my r. #!/usr/bin/perl -w # # v2.1 by Trevor Cordes # set the first 2 vars below first; # you may need to change the perl, bash path references # recursively deletes files that have a certain prefix (eg .#); # recurses from the current dir if no args given, or from the given # directory arg(s); # dir args cannot have spaces (currently, but would be easy to fix); # should be safe for recursed files/dirs with spaces/newlines in name; # deletions are recursive! so if a dir has the prefix then all sub- # dirs/files will be rm'd too! # -o days only expunge files r'd more than <days> days ago # -q quiet: don't output normal one-line-per-file status $file_prefix='.#'; # set to the file prefix you want to delete, BE CAREFUL! $not_trevor =0; # set to 1 if you are not me # and not using this to expunge r'd files # disables the -o option $ENV{'SHELL'}='/bin/bash'; use Getopt::Std; getopts('qo:',\%opts); $dir='.'; $dir=join(' ',@ARGV) if @ARGV; $quiet=($opts{'q'}?1:0); $olderthan=($opts{'o'} and $opts{'o'}>0) ? time-($opts{'o'}*86400) : time+100000; # fudge a time way in the future print "Expunging <$dir>...\n" if !$quiet; die if !$file_prefix; # sanity check! system "find $dir -depth -xdev -name '$file_prefix*' -print0 " .($not_trevor ?'' :"| perl -n0e 'print if !/~(\\d+)~\\d+~\\d+\\000?\$/ or \$1<$olderthan' " ) ."| xargs --no-run-if-empty --null /bin/rm -r ".($quiet?'':'-v');

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Really Old (antique) computer, Victor 9000
by John Lange 15 Apr '09

15 Apr '09

This is a bit off topic but I'm wondering what suggestions people have for old computers that have slight historical significance? I have, still in good working order (just booted it last weekend), a Victor 9000. There is a write up on it here: http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=210 (side note: On that historical page, some of you might recognize the name Michael Gillespie who used to run a company here in Winnipeg called "Gray Research" in the Grain Exchange building dedicated to writing software for the Victor 9000. But I digress..) This particular machine holds a special attachment for me because I wrote (with some help from Greg Moeller & Bruce Walzer, also of Grey Research) and operated a BBS on it (the Twilight Zone). Anyhow, I've finally decided I'd like to get rid of it but I can't stand the thought of just dumping it in a Landfill (assuming they'd even let me do that). Anyone have any alternative suggestions? -- John Lange http://www.johnlange.ca

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Linux Developer Position(s) Available
by Gerald Brandt 08 Apr '09

08 Apr '09

Norscan Instruments is looking for a Linux Embedded Software Developer. We currently have a contract position available for approximately 160 hours of work. The contract position involves modifying existing C and C++ source code for a project written in 2000 to extend functionality. Some of the work will be C based cgi applications for web based access. We currently have a full time position available. Depending on start date, the above contract could be included in this position. Intermediate Embedded Developer ------------------------------- As an embedded developer, you will be responsible for gathering requirements and designing/implementing solutions that fit within specified architectures. You are able to work in a team environment and communicate effectively with team members. You are experienced in C++, preferably in an embedded Linux development environment. Ideally, you have 5 to 7 years of experience in embedded systems. You have experience using a formal software development process and using object oriented design techniques in your solutions. Experience with SNMP, Linux Kernel driver development and ARM processors will be considered assets. Please reply to: gerald.brandt(a)norscan.com

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MUUG Meeting, April 14, 7:30pm -- Xubuntu on a Mini-ITX System
by gedetil＠cs.umanitoba.ca 07 Apr '09

07 Apr '09

The Manitoba UNIX User Group (MUUG) will be holding its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14. The meeting topic for this month is as follows: Xubuntu on a Mini-ITX Single-Board System Single-board PC's are becoming increasingly small, cheap and plentiful. The Mini-ITX motherboard offers almost everything you need to set up a basic system running a scaled-down or full-featured Linux distribution. Just add an enclosure, power supply and disk, and you're good to go. But there may be a few "gotchas" along the way. In this interactive demo presentation, Scott Balneaves, from Legal Aid Manitoba, will bring a few surplus Epia 5000 Mini-ITX motherboards along. In his demo, he plans to do the following: 1. Step through the mobo's features, identifying pinouts for headers, etc. 2. Install a mobo in a case, demonstrating connecting PSU, disk, cdrom, etc. 3. Install Xubuntu on the system. The group holds its general meetings at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. (There are no meetings in July and August.) Meetings are open to the general public; you don't have to be a MUUG member to attend. ********************************************************************** Please note our meeting location: The IBM offices, at 400 Ellice Ave. (between Edmonton and Kennedy). When you arrive, you will have to sign in at the reception desk, and then wait for someone to take you (in groups) to the meeting room. Please try to arrive by about 7:15pm, so the meeting can start promptly at 7:30pm. Don't be late, or you may not get in. (But don't come too early either, since security may not be there to let you in before 7:15 or so.) Non-members may be required to show photo ID at the security desk. Limited parking is available for free on the street, either on Ellice Ave. or on some of the intersecting streets. Indoor parking is also available nearby, at Portage Place, for $3.00 for the evening. Bicycle parking is available in a bike rack under video surveillance located behind the building on Webb Place. ********************************************************************** For more information about MUUG, and its monthly meetings, check out their Web server: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ Help us promote this month's meeting, by putting this poster up on your workplace bulletin board or other suitable public message board: http://www.muug.mb.ca/meetings/MUUGmeeting.pdf -- Gilbert E. Detillieux E-mail: <gedetil(a)muug.mb.ca> Manitoba UNIX User Group Web: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ PO Box 130 St-Boniface Phone: (204)474-8161 Winnipeg MB CANADA R2H 3B4 Fax: (204)474-7609

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