Written by tinnitus
Posted on: 05.20.2009 at 11:15am
Section: Reviews
EDIT: See page 3 for corrections and updates.
gNewSense Version 2.2 (pronounced guh-new-sense) Code name DeltaH - Origin Ireland, started by and continues to be maintained by bbrazil and ompaul. A live Distribution. Gnome: 2.22.3 Build Date 2008.07.31 Debian 5.0 Lenny is 2.22.3 Build Date 2008.09.18. gNewSense is a pure 100% Free Software Ubuntu base GNU/Linux sponsored by the Free Software Foundation and it does not contain any proprietary licence code; therefore it is completely legally distributable. gNewSense is a great Operating System.
System Requirements: 256 MB RAM 3 GB hard drive space and 500 Mhz-CPU (x86-compatible)
The gNewSense project today announced version 2.2 of its free GNU/Linux distribution. This is the second point update to the release codenamed 'deltah'. We're especially excited to see that, as a result of the cooperation between SGI and the FSF to relicense the core 3D library code as free software, today's release re-introduces GLX. This means that hardware acceleration is enabled by default, so applications like Compiz and 3D games will work again. As with 2.1, gNewSense 2.2 is available as a live cd for x86 (i386) systems, using GNOME as the default desktop environment (others such as XFCE or KDE are available post installation). http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gNewSense-2.2-released
A Free Software Foundation sponsored project a Ubuntu-based Linux Operating System without proprietary and non-free ingredients. Never forget that when you say Ubuntu you say Grand Daddy Debian tested, broken, fixed, examined, chucked in the Ocean salted, tossed in the sand and has to come out working perfectly or it goes back, all done before it is allowed to discover us. Their gift and I thank-you.
This article will cover the easy install gNewSense process and reviews some of the application included with the Operating System which can be downloaded at gnewSense, help section here and FAQ's. As mentioned the entire install process is easy and only took a very short time. I did not clock the process as I was taking a few screen shots and playing Chess. I also wanted to review the Operating System after spending a few days using it. Including installing/updates and removal using Synaptic, a graphical package manager ( (I prefer Aptitude) this is day five.
GnewSense is an Linux Operating System that is free from non-free software (proprietary software) closed source is guarded software. The notion may be a good idea but may not be sound because we (sadly) live in a World where lack of proprietary software in an Operating System will reduce the functionality of the OS or portions thereof. GnewSense is not a crippled Operating System it is free from non-free software. The scope of an Operating System functionality should not be measured by proprietary software. Unfortunately licensing terms for codecs, Graphic Drivers and other device drivers do not allow distributions nor fit in a non-free Operating System. You will need to install it yourself after you have installed gNewSense . Fortunately, this is easy enough to do, simply search for search in the Add/Remove dialog, check the box next to "install", then press the "Apply Changes" button. You may have to use Synaptic Package Manger to locate and install these tools. Apt-get and Aptitude are also available from the command line.
If you select a music/video file and it does not function because of codecs. gNewsense will search for the correct drivers and offer to install them, if available. I have only experienced a couple problems during the last few days, no gnash, icedtea (java) and a speller checker problem. There has not been any other problems with any of the programs included in this Linux distro.
Gnash and icetea can be installed with your favorite install method. If during the installation you selected any language other than USA English there will be a problem with applications that use a spell checker. A solution appears below.
I recall reading a gnewSense 2.1 review at Raiden's Realm so I did not go hunting for others, what the Realm has to say is good enough for me. The author of that (2.1) review reported a few problems -
unable to crank up a screen resolution beyond 640x480 - not a problem now as I'm at 1600x1200
also reported USB ports not detected the only USB problem here is no messages appears when you unmount the device for safe removal but the desktop icon disappears and inside Nautilus (2.22.5.1)
no power management or other hardware issues has been observed
an external hard drive device (NAS) is working well (CAT6 cable connection)
I used the LiveCD long enough to click install, fire up GIMP, take some screenshots and play a game of On-line chess. Linux ability cracks-me-up doing a major system change (install) taking photo's saving them to a USB stick and play chess. It's wild eh!
Installation
A simple easy and fast seven step process depending on if you manually partition the hard drive,
Choose language and click Forward,
Where do you live or want too,
Keyboard Layout selection,
Guided use entire disk will create root a and swap partition,
A simple process,
All done reboot required.
After the installation reboot,
When the Desktop appeared it pulled in an error with it,
/var/log
May 10 08:51:42 john-desktop pulseaudio[5866]: alsa-util.c: Device front:0 doesn't support 44100 Hz, changed to 48000 Hz.
May 10 08:51:42 john-desktop pulseaudio[5866]: alsa-util.c: Device front:0 doesn't support 44100 Hz, changed to 48000 Hz.
Problem solved as it did not appear again.
Your New gNewSense Desktop,
Post Desktop
Post-Desktop Test-Security and get Updates,
Most Linux and BSD Unix Operating System are secure during a installation but some do recommend disconnecting from the Internet during installation. Internet installs do lock down security during the net install period. After an install a few steps should be completed to add to the existing security of the Operating System,
Test OS internet ability to be invisible,
Set updates,
Get updates,
Enable Firewall if included or install a firewall.
Test OS internet ability to be
invisible (STEALTH),
Use the default browser,
goto http://www.grc.com/
GRC (Gibson Research Center) home of Steve Gibson Shields Up,
Click on the Services Tab and select Shields Up, click through the windows to start the security test.
A security grade will be assigned - Pass or fail.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2009-05-04 at 19:33:26
Results from scan of ports: 0-1055
0 Ports Open
0 Ports Closed
1056 Ports Stealth
---------------------
1056 Ports Tested
ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.
True Stealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,
- NO unsolicited packets were received,
- NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received.
----------------------------------------------------------------------Another security test site,
DSLReports (tools tab).
Updates,
System Administration Software Sources,
Here you select which Repositories to pull in updates and other Software and download location. You should check them all but source code is optional.
From the gNewSense Updates Tab,
Security updates is a must and a darn good idea,
Unsupported updates Not sure if I understand this. Unsupported Updates arrive into the download repositories and are not supported by the OS maintainers and or, are included in the repositories for you to download but no updates to these programs will come from gNewSense, as opposed to software that is maintained by the maintainers via their Long Term Support (LTS) Policy which could be 18 months, 3 or 5 years. Also software that is not included in the maintainers repositories containers but it can be downloaded from third-party developers sites providing that such software is compatible with the OS.
Backports - More recent versions of software are placed in this container.
GNU icecat (deltah) is a GNU browser with its own repositories.
Automatic updates
Checking updates options are Daily, Every two days, weekly and every two weeks. Installation options to install updates are Install security updates without your input, download all updates in the background or Only notify about available upgrades. An update brings your system up to date as opposed an upgrade which generally replaces software with a new version or a better version.
Check for updates and only notify about available updates are the common settings but you have click to install them. Check daily and install security updates automatically would be the better option.
Release upgrade, choices here are never, normal releases or long term support releases only. I assume never would cancel out one or more of the above options and the same for LTS.
System Administration Synaptic Package Manager
or Alt + F2 input → gksu synaptic
By now a * style icon is appearing on your panel bar because it
detected updates available for your system, click it and click
through the install process. Depending on your connection speed it
may take a long time to complete.
Top is the Menu Bar with an
action tool bar. A section window with categories to reduces package
list. The Packages list window contains information on the packages
selected. Description window details the package you select. Status
Bar displays information on number of packages available to you (only
23,000+), number installed, broken, install/upgrade number and how
many to remove, if any.
If this manager is going to be the one
to install, remove and update. A little time (not much) should be
spent reading the help and trying dry runs. This is just a quick
introduction.
First thing I do when the manager is loaded
press the reload button provides the latest and greatest versions
available from the sources files.
Click the search icon and
input GDebi in search field. It quickly locates GDebi displaying it
in the package window, also proving a package description. Notice the
box next to it is green. Green indicates that this package is already
installed. Click on the green box, slide the mouse down the window
stopping on Mark for removal. Notice the green box has an X
inside, indicating removal, click on the package just underneath,
notice the red throughout the package name line a warning
something is wrong. Click help choosing Icon legend. This is a good
tool as one can see at a glance if something is wrong. Click back to
the package right clicking and choose unmark. The package window is
now safe. Use search again, input firestarter, read the info screen,
then mouse on it, right click mark for installation a widow
appears indicating it will pull in firestarter. When ready click the
Apply Icon and again. The install starts and will advise when
complete. Firestarter it a great simple tool. There is a firestarter
install guide within these article.
Applications Add/Remove
or Alt + F2 input → gnome-app-install
Install and Remove Applications allows you to add or remove
applications with a click of a button. Only simple additions and
removals can be performed with Install and Remove Applications. For
more advanced needs, the Synaptic Package Manager is used.
The main window of consists of the following;
Popularity
Stars click it and it will sort per number of stars
Software catalog column - displays the categories of software that
are available.
Applications panel - shows the software available
from the category chosen from the software catalog column.
Search
field - you can search for a specific software from a chosen
category.
Extra applications check-box - you can filter the
results of your search by selecting or un-marking the
check-boxes.
Application description panel - a brief description
of the application to be installed or removed is displayed here.
Help
button - displays this help page.
Advanced button - opens up the
Synaptic Package Manager for advanced installation and removal of
software.
Action buttons - you can apply or cancel changes with
these buttons. You can also close the application by clicking the OK
button.
When the application is loaded, a check is carried out
for installed and available applications.
Search for and check the install box when Nautilus Actions Configuration appears then apply/install it. Nautilus actions is an extension for Nautilus, the GNOME file manager. It allows the configuration of programs to be launched on files selected in the Nautilus interface.
Firestarter A firewall,
Firestarter has a wizard setup interface and is very easy, in order to advance to the next stage click the Forward Button,
Detected devices available via a drop down list eht0 is wired NIC if a wireless device is detected it may be made active by clicking on the drop down list and selecting it. If you select Wireless that device must be working.
Start the firewall on dial-out required for modems. If you IP addresses are assigned via DHCP enable it,
Clicking on the Blue text Explain the DHCP function will bring you to their web site or see below,
http://www.fs-security.com/docs/dhcp.php DHCP is a network protocol that among other things can dynamically distribute IP addresses and other network setting to computers. When DHCP is used together with Internet connection sharing in Firestarter, the need to individually configure the client machine's TCP/IP settings on the local area network is removed. With DHCP, the process of connecting a new client to the network is as easy as plugging it in.
Specifically, when the DHCP service is enabled in Firestarter, a DHCP server is started on the firewall machine that distributes DHCP leases to the client machines. A lease supplies the clients with all the information needed to connect to the network. This information includes a unique IP address for each client, the default gateway, the subnet mask and the domain name servers in use. DHCP leases are always given with the understanding between client and server that the lease is valid only for a limited time,
Simple, ICS is or is not require,
Save and Firestarter will start allowing an ICON on the task panel,
Note: Your root password is required to start the Firewall.
Firestarter Main Window Interface Action menu as listed above. The wall here is disabled because it has a problem with my Wireless device, right now it cannot detect the N wifi interface on my router (it will soon).
It would if I had some, show Active traffic connections. I could simply change from the Wireless to the wired connection, but the Wired Nic is connected directly to a NAS drive bypassing the Router, and I do not want a wall on that.
Preferences Tab Enable tray Icon and Minimize to tray on close, enable Start/restart firewall on startup including starting/restart wall on DHCP lease renewal if you have such a beast.
Detailed Information available at the web site as above. Make sure your wall is active and carry out another test at SHIELDS-UP.
So far we test security, installed updates and brought in a firewall we now require a virus scanner click Add/Remove then search for and in stall it. Clam install to System Tools. (NOTE: Using either GUI package manager to install clamtk failed to pull in all the files, so I used aptitude install clamtk or apt-get install clamtk.)
Main Virus Window,
Virus Scanner Window,
Virus signature update window.
NOTE: To perform virus root is required a couple ways to that is press and hold the ALT+F2,
to change clamtk at the Menu by right clicking the menu Icon on the Panel Bar and select Edit Menu goto System Tools and select clamtk the right click selecting properties.
Make the command line read as above in the blue bock gksu clamtk %F
NOTE: If you have trouble getting virus updates try the solution below as root.
solve the problem - Open a root terminal (ALT+F2) xterm
sudo /etc/init.d/apparmor
stop
(update your signatures)
sudo /etc/init.d/apparmor start
This should enable you to pull in the signatures. A fix will be able for this. Linux is not protected from to viruses but we can spread them to others users. Install rkunter backdoors scanner, root-kit-hunter, (rkhunter) backdoor, sniffer and exploit scanner Rootkit Hunter scans systems for known and unknown rootkits, backdoors, sniffers and exploits. This utility can be installed using Synaptic Manager by simply placing it the each field and marking it for in stallions or from a terminal window as root e.g. Alt+F2 enter xterm, at the prompt
Root-Kit-Hunter operates from a terminal window such as (xterm) open it by press Alt+F2 enter gksu xterm
Roost power as been assign for this session type aptitude update after that type aptitude install rkhunter
or use apt-get update apt-get install rkhunter
may as well stay as root after the install is complete test rkhunter as below and as root.
as root type rkhunter -update
rkhunter --checkall.
We covered how to install gNewsense, get update, test security and install some new security applications. The next section will bring in other program to argument, add some chances to the Desktop Panel and Nautilus GNOME file manager.
GnewSense Desktop Icons are turned off and they are a nice looking icons, here is one way to get them back. Click Applications then mouse down to System Tools and click Configuration Editor,
Click Apps and scroll down to Nautilus then click the arrow head icon to expand the sub menu,
desktop on the right look for computer icon visible and check the box it quickly appears on the desktop,
do the same for home icon, network icon, trash and volumes.
You can change the icons names and do a lot more but it also can create problems
Desktop Panel Bar,
Most GNOME Linux distributions have two Panel Bars, one on top and the other at the bottom, both perform different task. You can have four panel bars or less, they can be full screen, small, medium or large, they can hide or be transparent. You can have one Panel Bar placed where you want it. You can increase or decrease it's height and width and add apps. and gadgets to it.
I like one of two settings for one Panel Bar, here is one,
To create One Panel Bar and this one will be a top bar. You first have to transfer the job of the bottom bar to the top bar, currently the bottom panel has a Workspace switcher, Trash, Show Desktop Button and a very important Window list button (allows you to what apps use are using).
Add to the top panel,
Workspace switcher,
Trash,
Show Desktop Button,
Window list button
To add to the panel right click an empty space on the top panel and select add to panel, in the search type works or scroll down to the bottom then click +Add button and it appears on the top panel, next type trash and add it, then show desktop and add it, do the same for window list button. Close.
Top Panel, right click on the Workspace Switcher (has 2 or more squares) select preferences. Switcher: For now select Show all workspaces. Workspace: increase the number to four. Workspace names: Click on the first workspace name, in the white window tap the enter key then the back space key type in Main smack the return key, press back space type Net press return. Do the same for the last two name them as you please (Work and Term) are good choices. Check the Show workspace names in switcher. Close. Mouse over the Workspace Switcher right click and select move, drag it over to the left as close as you can get to the two icons there and let go.
Locate the Show Desktop Button and move it as close to the Workspace Switcher. Do the same for the Trash Can. Locate the window list button right click and move as close as you can get to the Show Desktop icon, choose Show windows from current workspace and Group windows when space is limited. Right click all the Icons you just moved and select lock to panel.
Go to the user name on the top left side of the panel and right click then remove it. Nice touch. Now all the applications you open will appear between the Window List and Notification Area.
Not for the hard part get rid of the bottom panel, right click an empty space selecting delete this panel and confirm it. Now that we gain a little more screen space you may want to increase the size of the desktop panel which will increase the size of the apps. I use to do this when I first starting using GNOME and before I became familiar with the Desktop switcher names and only showing the current work space.
Increase panel size, right click an empty panel space choosing properties Orientation: Options ate Top, Bottom, left or right. Size allows you to increase and decrease the panel size. Adjust the setting to your taste, Expand will include the width of the screen. The others speak for themselves.
Background none using system theme. Solid Colour has some play area and you can slide the Transparent Bar back to have a the panel bar blended in with the theme. If you have a image then add it with the Background Image option.
Fix the broken spell checker problem for English Canada, I assume I could have pulled aspell-en from the command line and problem would have disappeared. Anyway fire up Open Office, click Tools-Options-Languages Settings and lastly Language On the Western click and select English (USA) and close. In Open Office Format Menu Character Language setting will not solve the problem Anyone that has a better way, please jump in.
Go to System Administrations Language Support,
Supported Languages, look for and mark English then make the default language English (Canada), close, a reboot is required.
Yet another package installation and removal tool,
The Beast Aptitude;
a command line tool.
Start aptitude Alt + F2 input → xterm, become root with (su+root-password) then enter aptitude.
NOTE:If you forget to start Aptitude as root, it will ask for a
root password when you request a function that requires
administration powers.
Aptitude maintains records,
installs, updates, and removes packages installed on a computer. It
does so being informative as possible. It is able to drill down into
a package allowing you to extract what you want, or not. Collapse an
update down into its parts, display information such as the
maintainer of the update, their web page, size compressed and
uncompressed, source, priority and more.
Aptitude also
operates independently from its menu, allowing commands to be issued
at the command line. e.g. aptitude install package-name, aptitude
remove package-name or aptitude update and more.
Aptitude Menu
important keys
Control t (or F10) activate and deactivate
menu, there you can Undo or Cancel pending actions
Control u Undo
the last actions or a set of actions
Note: using a terminal
other than xterm, F10 will exit a terminal session
Below
Aptitude Menu, are two information screens, the top shows Upgradeable
Packages if any (a number will appear) if not, no window
Installed
Packages
Not Installed Packages
Virtual Packages
Tasks
The
second window will display additional information pertaining to what
is being displayed from inside the first window.
Aptitude most
used keys
q Quit
? Display help
f Clear the list of new packages (f for forget)
k or up
arrow Move up
j or down arrow Move down
Enter Key
expand or collapse a group of package
+ install or upgrade a
package or remove its held state
- Remove a package
u
Update the list of available packages
U Mark all upgradeable
packages to be Upgraded
g Perform all pending operations,
removals, and upgrades
/ Perform a search
\ Perform a
backward search
Home, Page Up and Page Down
To use Aptitude
in its Ncurses Based State (Menu) or TUI (text user interface)
press
u (update the list of packages) listed in /etc/apt/sources.list file,
if any updates exist they are listed. Within that update container
display you can browse through the listed package(s) to receive the
listed update(s) enter shift+U, (Mark All upgradeable packages to be
upgraded) displayed on your terminal widow, press g (Perform all
pending operations and modify if required) press g again to starts
the process (download) when complete press enter. Remember that
sometimes one has to resolve problems, or there is a error you can
cancel it from the Menu Actions section (ctrl+t or F10) and get back
at it again.
Aptitude may appear a little odd and confusing at
first, but it only takes a couple minutes to get a feel for it and
learn the basic requirements.
Within Aptitude shift+? Provides
detailed information regarding action keys, function, man aptitude
within a terminal, and aptitude manual page in GNOME Desktop
help.
aptitude options, if none are provide aptitude enter
interactive mode.
Beef up Nautilus GNOME file Manager,
The changes made here work, they are not used to speed up my
system as it is fast anyway, but they do improve nautilus to some
extent. These settings do block out file, thumbnail, icon text
information, but if you are using nautilus right clicking a file name
provides another source of information.
Changes will be made
to Behavior, Display, List Columns and Preview. GNOME-Commander, once
the File Manager for GNOME is a fast and powerful graphical
manager.
It has a two-panel (split screen) similar to Norton, Midnight and
Window Commander. Available for installation using your favorite
package manger.
Double click on your Home Desktop Icon, or
Places Home folder, or the Computer Icon. Click Edit, mouse down to
Preferences and click,
Behavior- Mark, single click, always open in browser windows
(tabs). Executable Text Files - Ask each time. Trash - Include a
Delete command that bypasses Trash. Note: Trash icon can be removed
and placed on the panel and is covered in the panel section.
To
use nautilus with root/super-user power press Alt+F2 enter gksu
nautilus providing the required password,
Display Tab,
Icon Captions - click on
window boxes setting all to none.
Date options are, DDMMYYTIME
or YYMMDDTIME or today and time,
List
Columns,
Un-check all except name,
Preview Tab,
Text, Preview able, Sound,
Thumbnails files set to never, files size at 1MB and never count
number of folders.
NOTE: right clicking a file or folder
displays a wealth of information pertaining to that file or folder,
The Nautilus file manager (with bookmark features)is a simple tool
to manage files and application on your system, is a Desktop manager,
provided functions are, create, delete, rename files and folders,
including contents, is a search vehicle, use to open computer
locations, write to removal media, burn CD/DVD including iso files
(right click *.iso and write to disk), install and remove fonts.
Nautilus is a simple file manager allowing you to preform most task
with your mouse - just hunt and click.
Nautilus file manger is
very easy to use taking a short time to get a feel for it. There are
a few useful tips and things that can help your file manager needs
and will be cover below,
nautilus-clamscan
is a
Nautilus extension that adds a "Scan for viruses" item to
the menu that appears when right-clicking on files. The progress and
results
of the anti-virus scan are shown in a progress
dialog.
nautilus-filename-repairer
Nautilus
extension for filename encoding repair is a Nautilus extension which
repairs filename which uses wrong encoding in Nautilus. This
extension provides the context menu for any file whose filename uses
wrong encoding, so that you cannot read the filename in Nautilus. You
can find a candidate for filename in context menu or sub-menu. This
extension also provides a decoded name for URL encoded
filename.
nautilus-gksu
privilege granting
extension for nautilus using gksu The gksu extension for nautilus
allows you to open files with administration privileges using the
context menu when browsing your files with
nautilus.
Nautilus-image-converter (this is proving to be a
very useful tool)
Nautilus extension to mass resize or rotate
images This package adds a "Resize Images..." menu item to
the context menu of all images. This opens a dialog where you set the
desired image size and file name. A click on "Resize"
finally resizes the image(s) using Image Magick's converting
tool.
nautilus-open-terminal
nautilus-open-terminal
is a proof-of-concept Nautilus extension which allows you to open a
terminal in arbitrary local folders.
A nautilus audio converter script audio convert is a script that converts between WAV, Ogg, MP3, MPC, FLAC, APE, AAC, and WMA files. It has an easy-to-use interface that makes it possible to fill in the tags for a few formats, copy the tags from input files into the new files, and choose the quality of compression. Nautilus subversion management scripts . A set of scripts that will execute Subversion commands on selected files. You can right click on a subversion managed file or folder (you can also multiple select) and then select a command from the Subversion submenu. All scripts will give feedback using a zenity message box.
Nautilus extension. Add a "set as wallpaper" entry in
context menu nautilus-wallpaper is a Nautilus extension that adds the
ability to set your desktop wallpaper from the context menu.
HomePage: http://battleaxe.net/projects/nautilus-wallpaper/
You
can install these either with Synaptic Package Manager entering the
names in the search field or, apt-get or aptitude.
Choose your
install method - open a terminal, become root and either install them
one at a time or copy and paste one of the above lines and paste into
or terminal - shit+insert will drop the paste into the term.
Fire
up Nautilus and right click a folder or file, you should see them
there, one I'm not sure which one requires you to log on and back in.
If you do not like these additions they can be removed as easy as
they were installed with the remove option. (aptitude remove
name-here).
Install Nautilus extensions,
Open a terminal window (Alt+F2) xterm become root, sudo su and at the prompt enter,
aptitude install nautilus-gksu
aptitude install nautilus-filename-repairer
aptitude install nautilus-open-terminal
aptitude install nautilus-wallpaper
aptitude install nautilus-image-converter
aptitude install gnash
NOTE: Some of the extensions will not show on a right click unless you are hovering over a file/folder that Nautilus has an action item for that file or folder.
Is GnewSense getting 3d ready?
Media setting options
Apt-get, install/remove manager,
Apt-get is the
command-line tool for handling packages from with a terminal
window
Note: Alt+F2 xterm and become root with su (root
password)
Apt-get most used commands are;
apt-get --help
apt-get update (used to resynchronize the package index files from their sources)
apt-get upgrade (is used to install the newest versions of all packages currently installed on the system from the sources)
apt-get dist-upgrade (in addition to performing the function of upgrade, also intelligently handles changing dependencies with new versions of packages; apt-get has a "smart" conflict resolution system, and it will attempt to upgrade the most important packages at the expense of less important ones if necessary.
apt-get dselect-upgrade
apt-get install name-of-package
apt-get remove name-of-package
apt-get --purge remove name-of-package
apt-get source name-of-package
apt-get clean && apt-get name-of-package
Want a different Browser it is also a good one Galeon as Gecko (Mozilla Engine) you can by,
apt-get install galeon galeon-common
Wicd is an open source wired and wireless network manager for Linux which aims to provide a simple interface to connect to networks with a wide variety of settings.
Wicd is an open source wired and wireless network manager for
Linux which aims to provide a simple interface to connect to networks
with a wide variety of settings.
Wicd Homepage
Compatible with standard *nix networking commands (iwconfig, ifconfig, etc)
Once configured, will connect even if the X display does not start
Support for wired networks, as well as named profiles to save multiple wired configurations.
Supports configuring static IP addresses and DHCP on a per network basis
Store different static IPs, gateways, subnet masks, DNS server addresses per network
Automatically connect at boot - no user intervention required, even for encrypted networks
Keeps network keys in root accessible only (600) files (unencrypted, however)
Encryption
WPA 1/2
WEP
LEAP
TTLS
EAP
PEAP
Automatically connects at resume from suspend
Displays information about the network
Ability to run scripts before/after connecting/disconnecting
Below are a few Wicd Network Manager screen-shots and Install
Instructions.
WICD main access panel shows current available wireless connections via a scroll down list.
Installing Wicd in gNewSense NOTE: A wicd tutorial can be found at Raiden's Realm
Add deb http://apt.wicd.net hardy extras to /etc/apt/sources.list
and copy the string below and paste it into your terminal as root.
wget -q http://apt.wicd.net/wicd.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
You can see that it is very easy to supply all of the required
information. Wicd provides all of the standard network options
including Static IP Addresses, DHCP (including dhclient, dhcpd, and
pump), Gateways, Subnet, and DNS among others.
Network
encryption is provided, and includes WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy),
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access [WPA1 and WPA2]), TTLS (Tunneled
Transport Layer Security, PEA (Protected Extensible Authentication
Protocol), LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol), and
EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol).
source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Authentication_Protocol
Installation
Instructions:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Authentication_Protocol
You can download the Wicd Network
Manager from its website (http://wicd.net), or open a console and
install it via module-assistant. Please note that any other network
managers will have to be removed or disabled before you can use wicd.
Command Line Interface is available in wicd 1.6 release.
Add
to your sources.list file.
deb http://apt.wicd.net/ debian
extras
apt-get update or aptitude update
apt-get install
wicd or aptitude install wicd
or use Synaptic Package
Manager
Wicd installs to "Applications - Internet".
I
also ran into problems when trying to install the key, so I copied it
from their website, created a text file named wicd.key, and pasted it
in. After that I added it to "Software Sources" (under
System - Administration - Software Sources). The key is located at
the end of the article. If you click this link
http://apt.wicd.net/wicd.gpg the key appears.
The key is
also at the bottom in text format.
The developers have
included many helpful instructions for other distros including
Gentoo, Arch, Ubuntu and others, on their website. Setup is very easy
for both wired and wi-fi networks, and it has many options.
WICD
Key,
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) mQGiBEjLjXARBADZlh3xU/ea+8ZDvaagLGfm2HW+ezqQULu5bORwdRCZFCIU7Ivs Xc+LoLA6wZ19i7rmH2esJsDRwPQh9uXFvG9tpShvKS1ZeCWdqkTu94K5dh1jZcBY x2PReZSO78ee9TEVvyChtoxtPE3fDRve1IIOGkfmE6N7UwvBc78BVtZMhwCg6TcJ IF4I3HV3yRfIrQ+WQ+PCrIcD/0zypCkYWjPxn5j7M0K/i3qSo9a0IrMqkgR/OwlI XkeajyTTU83RtAYcxBOXmwQP0SXbmdWuw7G6IeammRoKbJgP8gUj+cAZA9e5PfPO NHH8V7Nh4tNWJOw8qAAGmobCod/b4zM/P2x8jBYXBmXXKaG+q75PUhwQHq09u25K 5YJjA/9LyCDHbvExQ0KqeOFJmS5gs66SW2L6QbEaI58v/bf+mSdHQew0G4QPrzxQ CPLBsDW8dkdfrMEp5XAXYnX0kVedGmMYm0nyb+ViYX+7cgOKJ/jr7KMecPCBnVq5 eH5+W87vOZ7sKGcaY3PbVRPQfRpIOT7DkrjFpgoiAUmzbiY47LQkQWRhbSBCbGFj a2J1cm4gPGNvbXB3aXoxOEBnbWFpbC5jb20+iGAEExECACAFAkjLjXACGyMGCwkI BwMCBBUCCAMEFgIDAQIeAQIXgAAKCRD+yCD0uMB1WnPRAJ0apOsvtPHExnzPFMl3 d3X4cUYVYQCfQO5dqYO/VljCH6RAx+xxmG+VLxi5Ag0ESMuNdxAIAJl4gDqnnAIX b84V3Y60v8WKUEh2Mnnm8fJUS/bwi1akQK0zYq1kOyzwk8lzHKwk8ta/H9QWCrii mmkGVOLEjbgGQ1XGCLysENpnqtS9+d4tv8wAkLfXHsUBqPuRfYd9weks3rmSuzAu vbzxoYOlqANTLQlY7JB/btWzmZkbmsPkSzldXY6NpdT8y6De1Kr2wSvweHPqJ6FH J9visouftCDG0NIi2Lliynp45+/lufgY8Npdn8X/WFAMyNHhXDKnM9T+lVCyL6fO RQZVFs36c7X5UC54D1s6pWBTq8rLoqXIp8o8qx/SEY3PGTeTRYkLR3mlN85bugQG 8/C51xT6Zo8AAwcH/2BArifRmPfiUNOs1uOsEPn2amQA3551HCZ3SJvIqID9V0uQ 8J+wwy2Of+FOFRy7OVGkZ+TXzMNljQUkLnmpVJwQ5uSzHOkvwCcXVRsS2RIks5uk +zM5Qt8uKxp2UnfakP5W1akuBw8khA9wt34BCKf2g8ZbsdRP5i4TZXur+Vx1TvZG 4ncT0cxfpkZoeuZjxgSXPFyYOuSaEzn7FkOeNkv2gjRQfc1gHQ3jXFcp9sKTVUqB G88fayzyEmmBD6/LCS47zzvhFT70pve3UO8eaBjqXMnZfEhKhm+SMy6RNYOMSA/x Qyg84CmxvXVP5WTOhrh6YA7N8v3hKXp/W70oWMaISQQYEQIACQUCSMuNdwIbDAAK CRD+yCD0uMB1WvbpAKDjW7jJ69HZam6yBzirQDZPpJA26wCghSyIyVRQ5VjxsMPX w1tbOMzmmxM= =PjHi -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
WICD key can be copied and pasted into a text file e.g wicd.key and imported via software sources. System Administration Software Sources.
Back In Time - a simple backup system for Linux
Back
In time (BIT) is a GUI backup application for GNOME and KDE4 Desktop
Environment., written in python and uses rysnc. Installation
procedure as outlined below is simple and error free for a Debian 5.0
Lenny Operating System. I do not use KDE and see no reason why BIT
operation would not enjoy the same simple functionality and user
friendless that GNOME does. The author Opera Dan comments that he
wrote BIT as a Linux equivalent of Apple's Time Machine. BIT real
magic is done by rsync, diff and cp the snaphot/restore, diff
changes since last rsync and cp make hard links.
* BIT user
Mode provides the means to backup/restore any selected directories
*
Snapshot a picture of selected files within the selected
directories container
* Restore develop the picture of the
current snapshot into selected directories
If you want to do a Debian Base install from a terminal as root,
wget http://le-web.org/repository/le-web.key
sudo su apt-get install backintime-common backintime-gnome
http://backintime.le-web.org/
Raiden's REALM has a B.I.T tutorial here
Conclusion almost everything worked right of the disk. Using most of the applications contained in this release worked without any problems. Memory sticks were accessed quickly, I burned an *.iso to disk and listen to a Music CD. I like the idea of gNewSense free from non-free software I joined the Free Software Foundation. Is it newbie ready, well I'm a new Linux user and I got it up and running easy as abc's.
Gnash, icetea and icecat should have shipped with the release. System Tools was hidden and others applications were as well. Then again an elephant could have been hidden and I would not know it was there. If you had a nude picture of Bill Gates I would not want to see that and would concur with you hiding it. I really like this Distribution I was looking for it and will keep using it. It is supported by the FSF, which I am not a member and that is all I need. GnewSense 2.2 has grown up for such a early release. No freezes, lock-ups, boot problem, burn media, sound, sound from games, music Cd's , no network connection trouble it performed excellent. Good job your guys. GnewSense has many application installed and they work with out any problems. GnewSense is a build able system with plenty of room to grow. If you have not installed Gdebi or Gdeb using the installer of choice. Please do not fall-gNewSense sort it is a great Distro's and more will become of it.
jinkpen (at) telus -dot-net,
My Desktop Flower Power and Freedom Power
EDIT: Here's some corrections for the article.
1. bbrazil and ompaul started this distro, but no longer maintain it as they have retired from the project. The i386 releases are maintained by Karl Goetz and the mips/ppc ones by Robert "nyu" Millan along with some other contributors.
2. This entry: "Unfortunately licensing terms for codecs, Graphic Drivers and other device drivers do not allow distributions nor fit in a non-free Operating System."
Was corrected by the developers as follows: "We have a lot of codecs that are free software like all the gstreamer ones and released under free licenses. They simply are not in the distribution default install, but NOT because of any licensing problem.
All drivers inside our freed kernel are free software. In fact we don't use the vanilla Linux kernel because it contains non free firmware and drivers. We cleaned the Ubuntu kernel from all non free stuff using a series of script called Builder.
This is why our kernel is fully free software."
Thanks for understanding and I hope these corrections clear up a few things.