How to mount a Windows ( = Samba) network share from Ubuntu linux automatically at boot?
December 19, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
Assumed variables
Windows ( = Samba) network share’s server IP: 192.168.1.100
(FYI: you can use the server’s name instead of the IP address as long as you have internal name resolution within your network so that the server’s name can resolve to your server’s IP)
Share name on server: share
Name of the local folder that we mount the remote share under: joes_share
username to access the Windows (samba) share: joe
password to access the Windows (samba) share: pass
Steps:
1. Open a terminal session such as gnome-terminal
2. Type sudo mkdir /mnt/joes_share then push ENTER
#This will create a local folder called share under folder /mnt
3. Type sudo nano -w /etc/fstab
#This will open the file /etc/fstab in the nano command line text editor
4. Type //192.168.1.100/share /mnt/joes_share smbfs credentials=/etc/samba/cred-file,uid=userid,gid=users 0 0
#THE LINE ABOVE SHOULD BE ONE LINE ONLY IN FSTAB! This command will mount the windows server share called “share” (with server IP address 192.168.1.100) to your local folder /mnt/joes_share
5. Push CTRL+X and then push Y to save this file
6. Type sudo nano -w /etc/samba/cred-file then push the ENTER key
7. Type username=joe then push the ENTER key
8. Type password=pass then push CTRL+X and then push Y to save this file
9. To make sure that it works Type: sudo mount -a and push ENTER
Now you should be able to:
#1 See the content of your SHARE from your remote computer mounted locally under /mnt/joes_share
#2 Add, Delete and Create any files under /mnt/joes_share as a regular (non-root) user without having to use the sudo command all the time
#3 Have the share automatically mount at boot time from now on
Any open source, Linux based VARs in the Vail Valley, Mountain Region and or in Denver, Colorado?
December 4, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
I am thinking about restarting my network consulting / VAR business covering the Mountain and Denver area this time with a much stronger emphasis on open source based solutions. I am looking to talk to people working at VARs in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado that provide open source based solutions. I am not talking about HP and SUN but rather entities like Lewan and smaller.
I am trying to find someone to talk to about their business experiences based on open source products and services. The only VAR I know of is tummy.com out of Ft. Collins. They seem like good folk so I will be calling them soon and see if they are willing to chat. 
1. Do you know anyone personally working at or owning a VAR with open source based products and services that I could approach?
If the person I get to talk to lets me, I might even record the conversation and post it as a podcast!
Thanks for your help
Tibor
VARs = value added reseller and system integrator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value-added_reseller
Open Source Community Roles
November 4, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
I liked this simple list of Open Source Community Roles originally posted at: http://gl.blog2articles.com/The-10-roles-in-an-open-source-community/
The 10 roles in an open source community
Posted on Nov 02, 2007 under games |
The 10 roles in an open source community
1) Developers
Developers are the backbone of every open source community. Without them, the project would not exist. Many open source projects were started by a single programmer who created a piece of software to meet their own requirements. While most open source developers graciously volunteer their time, a growing number of developers are being paid to work on open source software.
* Ubuntu Development
2) Packagers
Open source applications need to be converted into a package format before they can be included in a Linux distribution. Packages make it easy to install a software application, including any required dependencies.
* Ubuntu MOTU Packaging Team
3) Artists
Most open source applications will need graphical artists to create icons, buttons, and logos. Some \rojects will also need musical artists to create audio files.
* Ubuntu Artwork Team
* Ubuntu Audio Team
4) Documentation writers
A software project will not be successful if users cannot learn how to install, configure, and use the software. Good documentation will increase the adoption of an open source application. Wikis make it easy for anyone to help with creating and editing documentation.
* Ubuntu Documentation Team
5) Beta Testers
Open source projects need people to test the software. These beta testers are the equivalent of a Quality Assurance team. Developers will often create beta versions and release candidates before they release a version of software to the general public. Beta testers play a crucial role in testing software on multiple hardware and software platforms, and in a wide variety of environments. These testers will create new bug reports, triage existing bug reports, and test patches that the developers create.
* Ubuntu Bug Squad
6) Translators
One of the coolest things about open source communities is that they are international. This means that your users will understand many different languages. Therefore, the more languages that you support, the larger your user base will be. Modern tools like Rosetta provide a simple web-interface that allows anyone to be a translator, regardless of technical ability.
* Ubuntu Translation Tool
7) Support Technicians
A good open source community will have volunteers to answer technical questions that other users may have. These support technicians will monitor forums, mailing lists, and IRC channels looking for users who have questions.
* Ubuntu Forums
* Ubuntu Support Team
Advocates
Advocates are people who tell other people about the benefits of open source software. They review open source software on their blog, they demonstrate their Linux laptop to friends and family, and they convince co-workers and managers to replace proprietary applications with open source alternatives.
* Ubuntu Marketing Team
9) Users
Users will hopefully become contributing community members. Because users benefit the most from open source software, they are often inclined to give back by donating their time and skills.
10) Infrastructure providers
Someone needs to maintain the hosting of the website, forums, wikis, IRC channels, and version control systems that the project uses. Without these contributions, open source community members would not be able to communicate with each other.
* Launchpad
* SourceForge
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways to contribute to an open source community. It may surprise you to know that only two of the ten roles require programming skills. This means that anyone can find a way to participate in an open source community. Go ahead and Get Involved!
….
Firefox skins
November 4, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
One of my favorite firefox skins is macfox II at http://www.webether.com/macfox/. Thank you Kelly Cunningham.
Gutsy DVD playback not working even after libdvdcss2 install
November 2, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
DVDs wouldn’t play back not even after successfully installing libdvdcss2 from medibuntu repository. As it turns out you might also have to install regionset (sudo apt-get install regionset) and set your region to 1. After a reboot your DVDs should play fine now.
The way I found the solution was:
1. Initiated the VLC media player from command line: wxvlc
2. I started playback of DVD from the GUI interface and received the error in the command line: “libdvdnav: Suspected RCE Region Protection!!!”
3. I googled the error message and found this page from 2006: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-314380.html
4. Interestingly I never had to do this before. I currently have a Lenovo R61i Thinkpad.
Hardware Compatibility Posting for 2 printers and an HP Jetdirect for Ubuntu Gutsy 7.10
October 23, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
HP Laserjet 2300 works for network printing
By tiborh, using Ubuntu 7.10 on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:00:53 -0400 (Edit | Delete)
I am using the 2300 that is connected to an external HP Jetdirect 175x USB print server. Ubuntu Gutsy 7.10 didn’t find the Jetdirect automatically on network scan so after Clicking new printer, under Select Connection, Devices I chose AppSocket/HP JetDirect and manually entered the printserver’s IP address and left the port on the default 9100, Chose manufacturere HP, Chose Model Laserjet 2300.
http://ubuntuhcl.org/pub/reviews.php?product_id=339
Konica Bizhub C351 as a network printer works well
By tiborh, using Ubuntu 7.10 on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:45:39 -0400 (Edit | Delete)
This is a huge Multi-Function Networked Document Center type color laserjet Copier/Printer/Scanner/… I haven’t tested any network scanning or any other advanced functions but the network printing capability of the Bizhub C351 worked automatically right out of the box. The device was found on the network automatically when I clicked on New printer, the default recommended Konica driver worked as well.
http://ubuntuhcl.org/pub/reviews.php?product_id=340
Planning to start a Linux enthusiasts group meeting in the Vail Valley (Vail, Minturn, Avon, Edwards, Wolcott, Eagle, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, … whatever)
October 19, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
I will also be posting about this on Colorado Linux Mailing Lists, Meetup.com, Vail Daily Public Announcements and flyers. If you are interested feel free to drop me a line at the following email address: blog at milehighlinux.com. Keep checking this blog for updates about this community building effort.
Posting a blog entry to WordPress from the Linux Blogging Application Drivel
October 19, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
This sequence will let you log into your WordPress system from Drivel so you can create a post from your Linux desktop.
Drivel Login screen entries are:
1. Username: login_name
(The login name which you use to log into your wordpress admin area)
2. Password: *******
3. Journal type: Movable Type
4. Server address: http://itcare.net/blog/xmlrpc.php (because my blog is installed at http://itcare.net/blog)
5. Click Log In
The moral of the story is:
- A./ You need to choose type Movable type
B./ You need to add your web address + /xmlrpc.php at the end for the server address
Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 screenshots
October 18, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
How to change font colors on the Gnome panel in Ubuntu Gutsy and Feisty
October 11, 2007 by tibor · Leave a Comment
These are the steps for Gutsy (See bottom for Feisty)
If these steps don’t work for you check out the TROUBLESHOOTING section at the very bottom of the page, please.
1. Alt+F2
2. gedit ~/.gtkrc-2.0
3. Insert the following 1 line below:
include “/home/<user_name>/.gnome2/panel-fontrc”
3-Remark: In the path above change the <user_name> value to whatever your username is, for example: include “/home/tibor/.gnome2/panel-fontrc”
4. Save, Close
5. Alt+F2
6. gedit /home/<user_name>/.gnome2/panel-fontrc
6-Remark: Same applies to <user_name> as in 3-Remark
7. Insert the following 6 lines below:
style “my_color”
{
fg[NORMAL] = “#4353b6″
}
widget “*PanelWidget*” style “my_color”
widget “*PanelApplet*” style “my_color”
8. Save, Close
9. Alt+F2
10. killall gnome-panel
Explanations:
The fg[NORMAL] = “#4353b6″ line’s #4353b6 hex value represents your font color on the panel.
To find hex values of colors just run the gcolor2 utility. Once you picked your preferred color just change the hex code in fg[NORMAL] = “#??????” and save the file and do another killall gnome-panel. Which is steps 5-10
This information originally appeared in a posting at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=66879
For Feisty I have tested and confirmed the directions here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=219001&highlight=change+color+of+clock
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Update: 10/18/2007
I found that when I copy / pasted the above code from this page into the 2 configuration text files that we created with gedit that I had to delete and redo all of the ” quotation mark symbols to make things work.
