Richard Stallman inspects my computer

………well virtually anyway, via the terminal.

This is a cool little script which when run, will show you the non-free Linux packages that you have installed. Saves you having to email the contents of your drive to Richard Matthew Stallman.

sudo aptitude update

sudo aptitude install vrms

Here is my Ubuntu Hardy Heron output:

huxterby@ubuhh:~$ vrms
Non-free packages installed on ubuhh

human-icon-theme          Human Icon theme
linux-generic             Complete Generic Linux kernel
linux-restricted-modules- Non-free Linux 2.6.24 modules on x86/x86_64
linux-restricted-modules- Non-free Linux 2.6.24 modules on x86/x86_64
linux-restricted-modules- Non-free Linux 2.6.24 modules helper script
linux-restricted-modules- Restricted Linux modules for generic kernels
nvidia-glx-new            NVIDIA binary XFree86 4.x/X.Org ‘new’ driver
sun-java6-bin             Sun Java(TM) Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 (architecture
sun-java6-jre             Sun Java(TM) Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 (architecture
sun-java6-plugin          The Java(TM) Plug-in, Java SE 6
tangerine-icon-theme      Tangerine Icon theme
unrar                     Unarchiver for .rar files (non-free version)
Reason: Modifications problematic

12 non-free packages, 1.0% of 1161 installed packages.

The Best “Manual Network Config” Guide

As I have posted before, I had a few problems with the standard network-manager which comes with Debian and Ubuntu Gnome desktops, and chose to use Wicd instead.

My basic Debian and Ubuntu installations (net/server installs with desktop and apps added after), are usually manually configured via the terminal with files edited with nano.

I was going to write up a manual guide until I came across this extensive, well written Howto by kevdog at Ubuntu Forums. No point reinventing the wheel 😉

This post forms part of my “The Best <  > Guides”.

Huxterby

Opera Fast Dial Comes To Firefox

Opera Speed Dial

I was a devout Opera user, stems from being a Debian Xfce using speed freak. One of the features of Opera which became a necessity for me was the Speed Dial page, you just open up your browser and click one of your pre-added favourite links.

Firefox Fast Dial

Now Firefox has this handy replacement for the About: page which will give you instant access to your favourite sites.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5721

Wicd Linux Network Manager Replacement

I chose to use Wicd as I was having problems connecting with Debian, Ubuntu, Dreamlinux and Fedora.

From the Wicd Sourceforge site:

http://wicd.sourceforge.net/

No Gnome dependencies (although it does require GTK), so it is easy to use in XFCE, Fluxbox, Openbox, Enlightenment, etc.

Ability to connect to wired and wireless networks

Profiles for each wireless network and wired network

Many encryption schemes, some of which include WEP/WPA/WPA2 (and you can add your own)

Remains compatible with wireless-tools

Tray icon showing network activity and signal strength

So if you have problems with Network-Manager and NmApplet, try wicd, it worked better for me with wep and wpa wireless connections.

Huxterby

New Blog

Well, I had a serious server meltdown at home (fire in my garage where the servers are kept) and lost my previous blog, so I have decided to start a fresh on the wordpress server, at least here I hope that it will be safe.

Huxterby