While preparing my Programming for Linux presentation I had to install the sun-java packages. I am using Kubuntu Lucid but couldn't find the packages.

I Googled and got here:

http://www.tolaris.com/2010/06/10/installing-sun-java-on-ubuntu-lucid

Besides learning how to install Java, I got a lesson in writing a "How-to".

From now on, if you see me doing it differently, just remind me of that how-to.

So, having acquired a new laptop, an ASUS Eee PC 1201N (Pros: dual core, bluetooth, hdmi out, 802.11n; Cons: not gigabit, not 5GHz 802.11n, takes 2x4GB memory but will only use 4GB of it, very poor battery life, $60 additional power adapters!), it seemed time to upgrade my wi-fi infrastructure too. Something gigabit with 802.11n and USB.

See Periodic reminder - kwlug.org has good stuff on it! for a summary.

I use Mint, an Ubuntu derivative, and every time I get a notification that there are updates available, I go check the list of updates.

I do this with several purposes in mind:

• First and foremost, I want to know what gets updated in case something stops working.
• Second, I want to see how many there are and how large to evaluate how long it's going to slow down my (old) computer
• and third, to learn a bit about the packages I have installed

In my previous post I explained how to install the Lexmark printer drivers in Ubuntu/Mint.

What I left out was how was I able to very easily identify what was the problem when all was finally installed and things weren't working.

It really came down to the Printer troubleshooting wizard included in Ubuntu/Mint.

Summary:
I've created a small script that does most of the work for me. I've used it successfully on varios versions of Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint and Puppy Linux, so I am certain that it should work in most distributions.

Here are the step by step instructions:

1. Ensure that the following commands are installed, if not, install them using your distribution regular mechanism: rpm2cpio, cpio, ldconfig. e.g. sudo aptitude install rpm2cpio

Every now and then I have the need to access a folder shared in a remote computer at home. I normally mount it by hand in the command line using the standard commands:

mount -t cifs -o <username>,<password> //<serveraddress>/<sharename> <mountpoint>
or
smbmount //<serveraddress>/<sharename> <mountpoint>

but this time I wanted to mount it using Nautilus so I entered the URI in the location bar

smb://<serveraddress>

Over the years that the FLOSS Fund has been running, I have been surprised that people have such a hard time finding projects to nominate. I run into neat projects frequently.

I feel kind of squicky giving you a list (I am NOT suggesting that y'all nominate these projects), but maybe you can use this list to inspire yourself:

What is kwlug?

From the front page of the kwlug web site http://www.kwlug.org:

KWLUG - The Kitchener-Waterloo Linux User Group is a monthly meeting of GNU/Linux, Free Software, Open Source and technology enthusiasts. We meet in Kitchener, Ontario, usually on the first (non-holiday) Monday of the month. (Directions) Our meetings are free and open to those with an interest in Linux. Find out more about our meetings. Join our mailing lists.