Remote support for Linux

One of the problems I have faced is an easy way to do remote support for Linux machines.  I use LogMeIn and TeamViewer when I need to help a Mac or Windows user both of these programs work great but do not support Linux so I was very happy when I ran across the  WizHelp site. Using WizHelp I have been able to support a few of my Linux using friends.  So far I have only help those running a Ubuntu based distribution so can not vouch for the WizHelp's support of other distros.
I could not get WizHelp to work using Safari but works well with FireFox.  I have noticed some lag time when using WizHelp but it is much fast then trying to explain how to do something through the Terminal. WizHelp is still in Beta and official only supports Ubuntu, give them a try if you need to support a Ubuntu user or test it on another distro.
From WizHelp:

Service usage

Three steps to be followed:

Sign in

You just need to fill in the form and click on "Register".

You will receive a confirmation e-mail allowing you to validate your registration on WizHelp.

Your WizHelp profile is now created!!

It can be reached through your personal URL: http://www.wizhelp.com/en/wiztech/Your Identifier

Share

To use WizHelp services with your contacts, send your identifier.

Here are three ways to send it :

1. Connect on WizHelp, and click « Invite your contacts ». Your personal URL will be sent by email.
2. Ask your contacts to visit www.wizhelp.com and enter your identifier in "Get helped by" (At the top of the homepage).
3. Send directly your personal URL or add a link on your blog/home page/website.

Connect

Once your contacts are visiting your profile, use WizHelp free services!

• Chat
• Take control of your contacts' computer
• Share your screen
• View your contacts' screen

Open Source Antivirus

ClamAV is an Open Source Antivirus program we have used on OS X and a number of Linux distributions. ClamAV also has a Windows port but do not have any experience using it.  ClamXav for OS X runs the Clamav 0.95.2 backend and is currently being updated to version 2.0.  ClamXav includes ClamXav Sentry so individual folders can be actively monitored.  Even if you use Linux or OS X and you do not worry about virus it is nice to scan things before sending them to your Windows friends.

More info on each and download links:
ClamAV
ClamWin
ClamXav

Help from n00bs on Ubuntu if you use ClamAV in Ubuntu or an Ubuntu based distribution.

#Follow Friday #security

Two I follow for #security. @FSecure, @avivra.  

1Password Pro

1Password Pro is currently free on the App Store until December 1st. We at RWDub's Reviews use 1Password on our Mac and portable devices and feel it is a great program. If you have an iPhone or Touch download it and see what it can do.

Clean out extra Ubuntu kernals

One of the Ubuntu based computer I setup now has 3 different kernel options at startup which seems like overkill.  I was wondering how to remove the two that are not used and found a script on n00bs on Ubuntu.  Follow this link for the write up and walk through to install the script.  a2b-net.com  

Redux.com invite

If you would like to check out Redux.com I have 5 invites to give away.  I started a Linux Channel there a while back and so far there are only 3 followers.  If you do join Redux join the Linux Channel also. http://redux.com/signup/1CVEoYU

Redux

Your Entertainment Guide to the Web

Find and enjoy videos, photos, music, and websites recommended by people who love the same stuff you do.

Stainless: a multi-process browser for OS X Leopard

Google Chrome is all the rage but if you would like a native Mac browser similar to Chrome but with more features check out Stainless.  They are currently working toward version 1. @mesadynamics on Twitter
"Although Stainless started out as a technology demo to showcase our own multi-processing architecture in response to Google Chrome, we've been inspired by our growing fanbase to forge ahead and craft Stainless into a full-fledged browser. In fact, Stainless now has features you won't find in Chrome or in any other browser."
stainlessapp.com 

#Follow Friday #Linux

These have been the most useful to me. @ubuntugeeks, @ beginlinux, @linuxpower, @brighthubLinux.  I am following a number of Linux tweeters some just recently and others for a few months.  As time goes on I will have a better idea of others that have been a help to me.

Linux Mint 8 RC1 Screencast

linuxmint.com

The OSSwin project

If you are a Windows user and want to start using Open Source programs or find more Open Source programs to use "The OSSwin project is a good place to start. They are hosted on sourceforge.net @ osswin.sourceforge.net.  The page is very simple with a programs broken into different categories. If you want Calendar Software click on the "Calendar Software" tab this will move you down the list to the "Calendar Software" category. Here you will find a link to WebCalendar and Sunbird. Click one or the other will take you to the projects website where you are able to read more about the program and download it if it is what you are looking for.


There are currently 50 categories to chose from including a hardware section. The OSSwin Project is a great place to get started with Open Source programs.

Linux Mint 8 RC1

Downloaded and installed Linux Mint 8 RC1 on an old Sony PCG-9J4L.  The install went well without any glitches.  After a restart the computer booted to the login screen with no problems and then logged in without any problems.  When this computer was running Mint 7 the screen would flicker a noticeable graphical glitch would take place while starting up.  There does not seem to be any graphical problems with Mint 8.  Tested the video on YouTube and Yahoo both videos played well with sound in sync.

Suspend does not work, seems to be a common problem with Linux and Windows.  Mac has it right wonder why no one else can get even close.  Other then the suspend problem the sound is muted on startup.  These two problems are the only ones I have ran into.  Linux Mint continues to impress me. Download link here linuxmint.com  Hope to post a video of the desktop later this week.

Desktop Linux Reviews

If you are looking for a website that does reviews of different distributions of Linux you might check desktoplinuxreviews.com.  Jim Lynch tests them out using a different virtual machines and then gives a run down of their basic features.  I enjoy reading over his thoughts as they give me an idea of distributions I have not heard of or have not had a chance to check out myself.  I am always interested in finding OSs that will meet the needs of those I help out.  When looking for different Linux distributions the first place I check is the distrowatch.com site.

Ubuntu Help Site

If you are looking for a site for help with Ubuntu a good site that I follow is n00bs on Ubuntu they are located at a2b-net.com.  They have lots of how to help and new release updates.  Also follow them on Twitter. @ubuntugeeks

 

Cloud Antivirus 1.0 Final Release

Cloud Antivirus 1.0 Final Release I do not have a Windows Machine handy to try this out but I like the concept. Cloud Antivirus made by Panda Security.  The web site has a video you can watch explaining what the Cloud Antivirus is all about. cloudantivirus.com

OnyX for Mac

OnyX is a helpful utility for running maintenance scripts and optimizing your Mac. OnyX also does a good job of cleaning up the caches and freeing disk space. I have used OnyX for 4 years and feel it is something all Mac users should take a look at. Check it out at titanium.free.fr )native language of the site is French but has option to switch to English).  I see there are two other programs provide on the site and will have to check them out and see if they are useful to me.

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Experince

Last week I mentioned I had one problem while playing around with Ubuntu 9.10.  The problem actually resulted in several problems but they all seem to have been worked out.  I will start with the original problem.  While running an new install using Ubuntu Tweak, Firefox, Terminal, Tomboy Notes and Nautilus the install suddenly locked up.  I started shutting programs down but the computer started becoming unresponsive so I hit the power button, this brought up a warning that all the programs I had tried to shut down were still running so I canceled out of the shutdown.  At this point the computer became completely unresponsive.  I know that hard resets are not advised but was not sure what else to do at this point so did the inadvisable.  (I was thankful the computer was not a production machine but hoped it would survive) I had to do two more hard reset before I was able to log back into Ubuntu.

This is when I ran into the consequences of Ubuntu locking up during an installation.  I went back to the install I had been in the middle of and ran into an error I was not able to install the package.  After trying all the install options including the Terminal plus trying to remove the packages that were giving me an error I had to resort to Sudoing into Nautilus searching for the package that had the error and deleting everything that was brought up.  For example: I had to search "libxcb-shm0" this brought up the .deb file plus a number of text files.  I selected them all and threw them in the trash.  After I did this with all the files that brought up errors I was once again able to install or remove programs.

One other problem I ran into after the lock up was on restart the mouse and keyboard were locked out.  To solve this problem had to power off log into Ubuntu then do a shutdown.  Not sure what caused the lockup but have not had the problem again.  Update after a restart my keyboard and track pad were locked up again.  Finally I had to keep my finger moving on the track pad until the login screen came up. 

The BJs' thoughts on Wesnoth

We review Wesnoth a while back since then there as been a number of updates as progress is made towards version 2.  Check them out at Wesnoth.org.  Here are the thoughts of the BJs' in their own words. (Edits made for some of the spelling errors)
BJ: The Battle for Wesnoth is the first open source game that I ever played. It is a very fun strategy game. To download this game go to Wesnoth.org don't worry about paying for the game it's free. I have played The battle for Wesnoth on Windows, Linux ,Mac, and currently I am playing the game on a Dell Inspiron running Linux Mint. The Battle for Wesnoth is very similar to the game Heroes. The characters are like medieval time people. You have a lot of characters to choose from like the undead, humans, ogres, drakes, and elves. A good way to get started is to play the tutorial it will give  you all the things you need to know about the game.
JB: Battle of Wesnoth:
If you are someone who enjoys strategy games, then Battle of Wesnoth is the game for you. This game is a single or multi player game where you use strategies to defeat your opponent (the computer or other player) or complete an assigned quest(which varies depending on what scenario you use). Other opponents/players log in and chat with others or play a round of wesnoth. These people are from all over the world. I have tried this game and find it very fun to play.

JG: Battle 4 Wesnoth is a cool strategy game that is multi player. u can choose between lots of races. u can also play people online:) and is a easy game to learn. goodbye and have fun.

Children and Open Source

Recently three young folks age 13 to 11 have started using Linux Mint XFCE on an old Dell laptop. They have used easypeasy and Mint Gloria on an eee PC but this is the first time they have had their own computer to do and learn on as they would like.  Open Source is a new term and concept to them but they understand free as in, I do not have to pay for it and it is not stealing. With an early start the hope is they will take an interest in the Open Source community and one day contribute to it. For now they have agreed to write about their experiences and have them posted to the blog.  Hopefully we will start seeing something from them once a month.  They will be referred to by their collective initials " The BJs".  Look for their first thoughts on the Open Source game Wesnoth later this week.

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

I got a chance to install Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala over the weekend and wanted to share a few thoughts about the latest release from Ubuntu. (Read http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/910features for more info)

The computer I used for the Ubuntu 9.10 install is a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S329 with the following specs: Intel Pentium M processor 1.60GHz, 1.5 GB Ram and Bios Version 2.

This is the first time I have installed Ubuntu on this Machine so do not have previous experience to compare with so will have to compare it to other Satellite's I have installed Ubuntu on.

Installation:  The best installation I have ever had with any version of Ubuntu.  Booted to the live CD and followed the install instructions.  Did not have any graphical glitches during or after the install.  Install time was reasonable.  Sound, wireless and the most useful function keys all worked.

Optimization: Using the new Ubuntu Software Center I installed the Ubuntu restricted extras thus enabling Flash and Java.  Still using the Ubuntu Software Center I installed the Sun Java 6.0 Plugin.  Video play back is smooth even viewing Yahoo videos, Fox videos still have the full screen problem.

I have spent a few hours playing around with it and am impressed looks like the best version of Ubuntu yet.  Firefox loads the quickest I have seen on any OS up till now.  Programs are snappy and responsive. Unfortunately Suspend still has problems. Go into Suspend with no problem but on wake-up only load  a black screen and the mouse arrow.  I did run it to one other problem which I will cover in a later post.

If you are getting tired of Windows and all its Malware problems give Ubuntu 9.10 a try.

Online Backup Service

Some of us in the family have been looking for an online backup service for a few months. The main items we looked at were automation and cost. Over the course of the past months we have looked at iDrive, ADrive, Mozy, Jungle Disk, Carbonite, and Amazon Simple Storage Service.  All of them worked I liked the fact that ADrive gives 50Gb of space free, the free version does not include automated backups. "I am am using ADrive for some online storage" Mozy was coming out ahead for a complete solution when I ran across an article on macworld.com.  Glenn Fleishman had write an article about seven Web based backup services.  From this article I learned about CrashPlan so went to check it out. We were impressed with the things CrashPlan can do. Besides backing up to their servers you can backup to another computer you own on site or off site and/or backup to friends computer off site.  With a 3 year plan monthly cost is as low as $3.50 and a family plan which allows backup of all computers you own is $5.00 a month. Was also glad to see their desktop interface works with Linux and Open Solaris as well as Mac OS X and Windows.  Looks like we have decided to go with CrashPlan as our backup service.
Another service that I use is Dropbox, while it does not make a practical complete system back solution is great for storing items you want to be able to access from another computer or even your iPhone. The basic version is free with 2GB of storage.
Read Glenn's article here: Online backup services