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gregool Guru
Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Lille
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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really amazing job! very useful ! congratulations |
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keet Guru
Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 568
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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I'm enjoying reading it so far; thank you for such a good work. I wasn't looking for spelling errors, but I did find the non-word 'beneith' (it should be beneath) in chapter one under 'Linux is non-graphical'. |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks; I indeed need to run the texts through grammar and spelling checkers, but nevertheless I've already changed beneith to beneath
The document is progressing, now with more information on services (runlevels) and a few updates on the resolving sections (resolving boot failure, build failure, install failure). _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Part of the book I'm also trying to create a sort-of on-line questionnaire. It's a set of files (HTML/XML/XSLT) and javascript support that allows you to fill in questions on the various chapters of the book.
The questionnaire can be tried online; I do appreciate feedback (even though only a few chapters have received questions, I'm going to continue extending it) of course. If you want more information on the file-set, there's a page on-line describing it in more detail. _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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Mike Hunt Watchman
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5287
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Man this book still soooo rocks it baby, and I've been through it so many times now it's crazy.
Great contribution Sven.
Smile
Cheers,
MH |
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mikegpitt Advocate
Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 3224
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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This is a tremendous work! Congratulations on writing a book... a lot of people have book ideas, not many actually turn into an actual book! Good luck on its continued progress |
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StarLab n00b
Joined: 04 May 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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A quick look has already enlightened me to a few things. Can't wait to dive into it deeper.
Thanks for this contribution! Exactly what I've been looking for. All the basics in one document!
Great job! _________________ Thanks Gentoo! I actually like my Computer(s) again! |
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slackline Veteran
Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Posts: 1471 Location: /uk/sheffield
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Just come across this, and from a quick skim it looks brilliant, well written and detailed.
Will be flicking through in due course, thanks for making it available.
slack _________________ "Science is what we understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything else we do." - Donald Knuth |
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Mike Hunt Watchman
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5287
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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Starting to have too many problems with the manual kernel config examples.
With the newer hardware too much stuff is gone from the examples.
Case in point:
nvidia drivers need PCI_MSI nowadays to function correctly.
Yes the examples are barebones, but when someone like me doesn't know what they're doing it can lead to performence problems.
Wonder if this can be addressed in some fashion.
Thanks. |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Documenting how to configure everybody's kernel is indeed quite difficult. Up until now, I've focused on explaining how I configure my own kernel (minus the debugging aspects) as it is the only safe setting that I can document together with the necessary examples and cases (on how to obtain the necessary information from the system). It is also the easiest way to document things.
Perhaps a better way of documenting kernel configurations is possible, but I haven't found it yet. I'm open for ideas of course. _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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Mike Hunt Watchman
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5287
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Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, bro. I figured it would be somewhat difficult to make any kind of general example that would satisfy many users.
Nowadays, I'm basically using the mrproper defaults, minus some drivers that I know I don't need, such as sound drivers, and so on ...
Thanks again for a really great book.
Cheers,
Mh |
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Kasumi_Ninja Veteran
Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 1825 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:09 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for a great book, my compliments it looks really professional.
few wrote: | In chapter 9 -> "Uninstalling Software"
You use emerge -C when there are better alternatives. -C is only for cases when emerge --depclean doesn't want to remove it and you know what you are doing. First use
emerge --deselect <pkg>
to get it out of your world file and then either use
emerge --depclean
or
emerge --depclean <pkg> |
Iw would be nice to add instructions how to apply this when a package in not in the world file. How do you backtrack a installed dependency to a world package? e.g when trying to install wicd you a get a blocked package message:
# emerge -av wicd
Code: | ....
[blocks B ] sys-power/powermgmt-base ("sys-power/powermgmt-base" is blocking sys-power/pm-utils-1.3.0-r2)
Total: 9 packages (9 new), Size of downloads: 2,464 kB
Conflict: 1 block (1 unsatisfied)
* Error: The above package list contains packages which cannot be
* installed at the same time on the same system.
('installed', '/', 'sys-power/powermgmt-base-1.22', 'nomerge') pulled in by
>=sys-power/powermgmt-base-1.22 required by ('installed', '/', 'sys-apps/apmd-3.2.2_p5', 'nomerge')
('ebuild', '/', 'sys-power/pm-utils-1.3.0-r2', 'merge') pulled in by
>=sys-power/pm-utils-1.1.1 required by ('ebuild', '/', 'net-misc/wicd-1.7.0', 'merge')
For more information about Blocked Packages, please refer to the following
section of the Gentoo Linux x86 Handbook (architecture is irrelevant):
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml?full=1#blocked |
# emerge --deselect apmd
Code: | >>> No matching atoms found in "world" favorites file... |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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As a follow-up note, i've added the sources to github. _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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krinn Watchman
Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 7470
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Suggestion for kernel configuration.
you should add the lspci -k, this ease anything and it's a (imo) major source of information (always better than asking someone lscpi -n to go to some url just to get the info, that might even be less accurate)
using make install instead of cp the kernel file?
- cp the file you can make error while doing it, higher failure chance.
- make install backup all files it replace with .old, and nobody could say backup are useless no?
- you use grub best choice for bootloader and some backup kernel entry in it, while making a "kernel /vmlinuz.old" will also make an auto backup to the previous kernel, but you need make install to really use that
- make install also copy in boot the kernel config
- make install copy all needed files from the kernel to a generic name + kernel version: vmlinuz + vmlinuz-2.6.30, or vmlinuz-config & vmlinuz-config-2.6.30... really easy and flexible
in fact with only this 2 things, it's nearly impossible to create a bad kernel anymore, even you never heard of a kernel before.
make allmodconfig (some people may argue there, but i don't care time spent in compilation nor waste disk space, any newbie will prefer waiting a bit more and having a working kernel)
lspci -k
set to Y anything show in the lspci -k list
... (few thing to change remain, like choosing cpu, this is still where user can fail)
make modules && make modules_install
make install (this, grouped with the grub entry pointing to /vmlinuz & /vmlinuz.old) simply remove the need to edit/change grub.conf when you install a new kernel, again easier & lowering errors chance)
edit: nicely made and ease to use, i love the paragraphs not too big... nice work. |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback. I'll see to document the lspci -k stuff. I'm not sure about the make install part - I know I used to have many issues with that but I can't really remember what they were (years ago). I'll think about it for a while and see.
My main problem nowadays is that I'm reluctant to try out different boot-related configurations. My current laptop's DVD-drive is failing (booting from a CD is almost impossible) and doesn't seem to find my USB stick at boot-time, so rescuing boot-failures is always a time-consuming problem _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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Gilles carlos n00b
Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Brussels, Belgium
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Congratulations, this book is great !
I have not finish the reading, but that was helpfull for me...
Thank's again Sven !
Bye !
_________________ I'd rather be compiling |
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Amity88 Apprentice
Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 260 Location: Third planet from the Sun
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, thanks for writing down all that. It's a great reference! I recompiled my kernel based on your suggestions and it works great _________________
Ant P. wrote: | The enterprise distros sell their binaries. Canonical sells their users. |
Also... Be ignorant... Be happy! |
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d2_racing Bodhisattva
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 13047 Location: Ste-Foy,Canada
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Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, do you keep a changelog of your doc ?
Because, I will print it for my collegues and maybe when there a big revision, I'm gonna print it again |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Not yet, but I plan to eventually. _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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bus_drivr n00b
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 48 Location: Florida
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome document. If you are still updating it the wireless-tools is outdated
currently according to I believe it was Larry Fingers's reply from the wireless.kernel.org
mailing list-
"The encryption is being handled by mac80211, wpa_supplicant, and the device. The
"encryption key:off" should be ignored. The wireless extension tools such as
iwconfig are being phased out and do not always have the best information."
Further wireless.kernel.org recommends using wpa_supplicant iw regdb and crda
all of which are currently in portage.
IE
random david # iw list
Wiphy phy0
Band 1:
Frequencies:
* 2412 MHz [1] (20.0 dBm)
* 2417 MHz [2] (20.0 dBm)
* 2422 MHz [3] (20.0 dBm)
* 2427 MHz [4] (20.0 dBm)
* 2432 MHz [5] (20.0 dBm)
* 2437 MHz [6] (20.0 dBm)
* 2442 MHz [7] (20.0 dBm)
* 2447 MHz [8] (20.0 dBm)
* 2452 MHz [9] (20.0 dBm)
* 2457 MHz [10] (20.0 dBm)
* 2462 MHz [11] (20.0 dBm)
* 2467 MHz [12] (20.0 dBm) (passive scanning, no IBSS)
* 2472 MHz [13] (20.0 dBm) (passive scanning, no IBSS)
* 2484 MHz [14] (20.0 dBm) (passive scanning, no IBSS)
Bitrates (non-HT):
* 1.0 Mbps
* 2.0 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 5.5 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 11.0 Mbps (short preamble supported)
* 6.0 Mbps
* 9.0 Mbps
* 12.0 Mbps
* 18.0 Mbps
* 24.0 Mbps
* 36.0 Mbps
* 48.0 Mbps
* 54.0 Mbps
max # scan SSIDs: 4
max scan IEs length: 2288 bytes
Coverage class: 0 (up to 0m)
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
Supported commands:
* new_interface
* set_interface
* new_key
* new_beacon
* new_station
* new_mpath
* set_mesh_params
* set_bss
* authenticate
* associate
* deauthenticate
* disassociate
* join_ibss
* remain_on_channel
* set_tx_bitrate_mask
* action
* set_wiphy_netns
* set_channel
* connect
* disconnect |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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I'm still updating it, but this is the first time I've heard that iwconfig (and other wireless-tools commands) are really obsoleted. I know there's progress in deprecating them, but I have not found a fully functional toolset that is well documented and can do most/all of the stuff wireless-tools does). _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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d2_racing Bodhisattva
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 13047 Location: Ste-Foy,Canada
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I saw that net-wireless/iw will replace one day iwconfig. |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Aha, thanks, time to try that out then _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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BitJam Advocate
Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 2508 Location: Silver City, NM
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like a great idea! I'm looking forward to reading it.
One thing that really struck me when I read the table of contents was that you seem to repeatedly use the word "Linux" to stand for "GNU/Linux". If you are only talking about the kernel then "Linux" is appropriate but when you are talking about the entire operating system, the correct term is "GNU/Linux". |
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Sven Vermeulen Retired Dev
Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 1345 Location: Mechelen, Belgium
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Yup, I know about the Linux versus GNU/Linux part. I've been thinking about mentioning why I use Linux all over the place, but left it as is. I've also been thinking about substituting with "GNU/Linux" all over the place, but left it as is as well. Generally, people talk about Linux as the operating system / concept, so I decided to stick with this. Doesn't mean it won't change in the document anymore, just that this is how it is today and wasn't a forgotten item _________________ Please add "[solved]" to the initial topic title when it is solved. |
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