Fedora Kickstart installations

Hi all

I'm writing this in a hope that someone knows the issue.

I'm creating a spin with Revisor (spin of Fedora 8) and while I'm including the kickstart file, the installation doesn't seem to perform the "post" part. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks a bunch...

Olive branch to all Free Operating systems users

Hello my dear readers,

A little statistics part first. WHAT A RUSH!!!! That's my response on what happened after I posted my opinion on Ubuntu and Linux. At the beginning there were few responses from Planet Larry where I'm syndicated, as I mostly use Gentoo. Then I submitted it to digg and Linux Today, and until the end of the day in my time zone, it got 424 diggs and more than 5000 visits, which was about a total on this blog until this day from the start. That feels great. Then it came ~5000 more visits the next day, and about 1500 visits the day after that. It have received ~100 comments on my blog, and about 200 on digg. So its cool.

There are few things that I wanted to share about this. The comments are generally split into 3 categories, and they are:

1. Yea, exactly!!! My favorite distro rules! And its better than Ubuntu!!!! Ubuntu sucks!!!!
2. Yea!!! Ubuntu rules!!! We're here to get you all!!!!
3. Who cares?

And, to my own surprise, I agree with those who are in group 3. Let me explain:

Group 1 says the following (well, almost. I added some cynicism myself): you're right!! I've been feeling this for the long time already, and it makes me angry that my favorite distribution doesn't get enough attention in the press. Those evil Ubuntu people has bought out all the media and independent journalists to write articles about Linux and use "Ubuntu" instead. I hate Ubuntu!!! I will never ever use it!

Group 2 says: well, of course!! Ubuntu is the best distribution evah, and hence all the smartest people in the world are using it. So, no wonder they use it as an example of Linux-de-facto when writing their articles, and demos and reviews. Yes, maybe they misuse some words sometime, but its not a bad thing...

Group 3 says: Who gives a damn? Let Linux (be it Ubuntu or whatever else) to get some market share in computing, worry about the semantics later. Does it matter that my dad would know Ubuntu and not "Linux"? No!!! Its better than not knowing any of them at all.

So, I would like to put things into perspective, because they seem a little out of it.

Group 1: Take it easy folks. No one is trying to overshadow other distributions. Ubuntu is one of the most known distributions, definitely one of the easiest to use and so it is no surprise people using it more and more. Just as most applications in mid-90s were automatically written for Windows 98 and NT4 (and some companies still choose Windows only, and say it's just "for now", but then "other" never comes), most reviews and how-tos are written for the largest audience - and in our case, specifically for Ubuntu Linux. But there's nothing wrong with that. Most of the installation procedures regarding system environments (such as Gnome/KDE, or some application in those) or devices are almost always distribution-agnostic, and aside the installation procedure which varies from distribution to distribution, they are almost the same. I configure Gnome in Gentoo the same way as it is done in the same version of Gnome in Debian, [K|X|Ed]Ubuntu, PCLinux, FreeBSD, Fedora Core, Mandriva, SLES and all the others.

Group 2: Yes, we know your distro is the best. Or sort of. But we didn't chose it to use (well, not yet at least). So what? The time may come when we do, and also you might want to use my favorite distro once. And you know what? I will help you the best I can. And will not patronize on you. I don't understand - why do we have to argue all the time which ones shwartz is larger? Let's just all work to the same goal - make the computer experience easier for everyone (and it means both me and my dad).

Group 3: I'm totally with you. I believe that spreading Ubuntu is an important thing (just as Red Hat, Gentoo, Debian, SLES and others), and it makes all the Linux-based operating systems to conquer the computers around the world. The more the better, and if it is done with Ubuntu - its fine by me.

To all:

1. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. I don't hate Ubuntu. Do I make myself clear enough?
   
2. I actually like Ubuntu. Not yet having used it too much, I like the spirit and the attempt to get where no one else (except maybe Red Hat and SLES) has ever succeeded before. I will probably definitely start using it soon, because any literate IT person should know well enough at least 3-4 top spread distributions.
   
3. I still use Gentoo on all my machines and very happy about it.
   
4. Just consider this (suggested by multitude of comments): if the choice for a new user is to use either Windows Vista or Ubuntu Linux, what would you suggest that user? Now Ubuntu Linux doesn't look that scary anymore, does it?
5. I'm not an Ubuntu fan person.
   

On that happy note, my last words:

1. I like all Linux-based operating systems (and not only Linux).
   
2. Just to further enforce the point, I like all BSD systems (Free-, Net-, Open-) as much as Linux (and even better). And I also like Unix systems (like IRIX and Solaris).
   
3. I like Ubuntu.
   
4. I like Gentoo.
   
5. I like that Linux and other free software is spreading.
6. I like Mac OS X.
   
7. I don't like Windows OS line.
   

:-)

Many thanks to everyone who commented wherever.

Peace out.

Technorati : Gentoo, Linux, Technology, Ubuntu

Are linux distribution names should be locked?

I just read a post by Lucas Nussbaum, where he complains about the fact, that there are some Ubuntu deviations, which have different names. I find this irrational. There were times, when we only had sort of one Linux operating environment. Then, as the time passed, it became the GNU/Linux OS, and then, as it is regarded today, it is a base for many different flavors of Linux Operating systems.

There are many people who ask the question: is there too many Linux distributions? But the answer to that question is bordering with the definition of Open itself: as long as one allows openness and provides means, there always will be someone who will customize the product to his/her own needs. And that includes the name change.

Why the author has no complains to Linux Mint distribution, which is largely based on Ubuntu? Who should decide when to provide new distribution name? I don't think it really matters.

What matters is that people use Linux, in any form and shape, and under any name they like. I would be glad to see my friends using Debian, [K|Ed|X]Ubuntu, Gentoo, Red Hat, Fedora or any other distribution, other that Windows. Why is the anger of the author is directed towards Linux users? Why not enjoy the fact that someone uses Linux to bring it to the people?

I don't care how would you call it - if it's Linux, I'm buying.

PulseAudio by default in Fedora 8!

PulseAudio is a next-generation sound server for GNU/Linux, creating the possibility of enabling all sorts of "ear-candy": it's possible to dynamically control the volume of individual applications, and hot-plugging works great with it. Read on for more details, including what can be expected in the future.

read more | digg story

The OLPC reviews review - the alternative standpoint

Dear reader,

I'd like to review all sorts of reviews that have appeared lately online.
I believe, that almost all of them are missing the point.

All these reviews show, or assess, what kind of computer system the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) is and how does it compare to other [known] computer systems.

So, the following components are being compared:

1. Hardware specs (specifications)
   
2. GUI (Graphical User Interface)
   
3. Applications choices

So, lets go over those components:

1. Hardware specs.

It is well known, that OLPC is nowhere in top 500 HPC systems list. But such a list is not its purpose. Say, if you build the system, and you require it to do the following:

• Surf the web
  
• Chat with other people (either text, voice or video)
  
• Write docs
  
• Read books/other electronic material (and especially in a direct light environment)
  
• Have a battery life as prolonged as possible
  
• Lightweight
  
• Have an alternative power source (alternative to standard power outlet which can be found in most homes in developed countries).
  

So, what specs would you need then? Do you need a computer system, that would be able to land a man on moon for that? (In fact, humankind has such systems for a long long time, and many of today's calculators are capable of necessary calculations. So this would be not really such a good of an example).

Well, considering that all aforementioned tasks are not computing-intensive (except maybe video/chat, which is not that intensive load on the system after all), you won't have to have state of the art machine. I remember being a student in late 90' and being able to surf the net, listen to music, read the books, write lab reports and chat on ICQ with my friends. And that was on Cyrix 120 MHz machine, with 500MB hard drive and lousy 1MB Cirrus Logic VGA chip.

And you know what? Yes, it was slow. I had my kernel (I used Red Hat 5.2 then) compiling in 48 minutes. Compare that to two minutes 20 seconds on today's computers. But still, it did everything I wanted it to do. And did it ok.

I even played really good games on it (at least I think they were good).

So, considering today's applications for surfing, chat, music and reading are not much different (even sometimes even more efficient than those 10 years ago), I believe 300Mhz machine would be up to the task.

2. GUI

Hm, If I were to choose my favorite complain, this would be it.

Many articles complain, how not native this interface to people or even seasoned computer users. The common misconception as I understand it, is the assumption, that OLPC is the first computer that child will have, and it should teach a kid to use a computer.

Wrong.

First and foremost, it is not about teaching children to work with a computer. It is about teaching. It means, that OLPC and especially its GUI should not be directly compared to any other computer system.

Compare it to other education materials instead.
That's what main issue is all about. These computers is education tool. They will be delivered instead of schoolbooks.

Now imagine the potential this thing has.

Reading books (huh, well, any book has this feature, right?)
Editing book which is allowed to be edited.
Writing you school work, and allowing a teacher to test it.
Chat with friends.
Surf the web.
Compose music
Play
Imagine and do your own.

So, I think, if the child is about to learn something new and exciting - she will. And all you grownups computer whiz-es, who can't figure out the interface -thats not the problem for them. For them its a game.

3. Applications

So, as much as what I said about GUI, I have to say about applications chosen.

First, let me tell you about an OS chosen.

It is Linux OS, based on Fedora Core (GNU/Linux for you zealots). If someone asks why wasn't Windows/Apple OS X chosen - it is very simple. It is not about money. It is not about technology (almost). Its not about politics.

It's about choice.

When you choose a Linux to build your product upon, you have the fullest control possible over final product, both technologically speaking and IP-(intellectual property) speaking. I mean, it is so easy to develop product, when you can change every bit of it for your liking. It is not possible with Windows/OS X.

Besides, technology-wise, the improvements made to different subsystems which comprise the standard distributions (such as kernel, X, Gnome, etc) are to benefit us all.

Second, the applications.

If one would review again the list of requirement, she would understand, that apps she needs are as follows:

• IM (including text, voice and video)
  
• Browser
  
• Book reader (supporting standard formats, such as PDF/RTF/text)
  
• Games
  
• Music player
  
• Document writer
  

So - chat application (with text, voice and video), browser based on xulrunner, reader (evince), games, music app and doc writer (abiword) - that is actually everything required for this work.

There are more.

But no scientific calculator (though it might be useful for older than 7 y.o kids). No shooter games.
Just tetris :-)

Now, to the rest of things.

• I like that OLPC has a screen, that can be read at direct sunlight. If it's for reading books, what else would you need?
  
• I like that OLPC will have longer work time than most other laptops out there.
  
• I like that it can be put to sleep in few seconds. I like that it can be awaken in few seconds.
  
• I like that it weights about 1.5kg
  
• I like that it has an alternative power source. It means that I'd never have to worry about power outlets around me.
  

So, all those comparing OLPC to conventional computer systems, are not comparing it to the comparable one. They expect OLPC to behave like a conventional computer system, and when it fails to comply they say all these negative things, such as its "stupid" or "unnecessary" or "why, oh God, you didn't put full fledged system on this laptop?".

All this because comparisons are basically flawed. They all compare OLPC to something it is not really made to be comparable with. One should try and compare it to something better for reaching that goal.

Try a printed book.