Linux distros

Linux is not new, its roots can be traced back to 1991 and the originator Linus Torvalds. It is in fact derived from Unix which goes even further back. SUSE Linux, or Open SUSE as its now known can be traced back to 1994. (SUSE incidently is a German acronym for Software und System Entwicklung). All flavours of Linux can be divided into two main groups. Open SUSE is in the group based on the RPM package manager. The other group which has Debian at its heart, are based on the APT package manager. the most popular package in this group today is Ubuntu.

ALERT! /dev/disk/by-uuid/....does not exist

Introduction

If you have ever had this message below whilst booting (colour is used to highlight only), it seems there is little you can do but start again from scratch, well that's not quite true there are several things you can do, and should do before accepting defeat.

A Distribution Query Howto

Here is a very quick and easy tip to find out what distribution of Linux your system is running, open a new terminal window and type the command below at your prompt.

#> lsb_release -a

Please be aware #> is a prompt do not type this in your terminal window just the command

You should get something like this

#> lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Release: 10.04
Codename: lucid

Acer Aspire 1310 Laptop Computer

Strange as it may seem it has been extremely difficult to install my preferred Ubuntu Linux Operating System, this laptop being destined for Morroco it was extremely important that it was installed with a Linux Open Source Operating System. The systems that were tried include the following:

• Jaunty Jackalope 9.04 beta Desktop release
• Intrepid Ibex 8.10 Desktop
• LinuxMint 6 Felicia
• OpenSuSE Ver 11.1
• PCLinux 2009

I first heard about this distro on Linux Outlaws podcast, checked out the EEE user forums and found poeple had got it installed on their Asus EEE's, so I decided to download and install on my 701. This is what the official website has to say about Crunchbang :-

"CrunchBang Linux" is an Ubuntu based distribution featuring the lightweight Openbox window manager and GTK+ applications. The distribution has been built and customised from a minimal Ubuntu install. The distribution has been designed to offer a good balance of speed and functionality."

The problem

Whilst trying out new Conky config files on Crunchbang Linux (wiki to follow about this) I had a few problems that turned out to be fonts that were needed that I did not have installed.
A quick web search later and the fonts were downloaded, but how do I install them so the system knows about them??

Compressed Files and Image Mounting

Burn any Bootable CD from a file and you may come across something called an ISO it can also be known by other format types such as one or more of the following, this by know means is a definitive list.

* BIN/CUE
* BWT, BWI, BWS, BWA
* CCD
* CIF from Adaptec Easy CD Creator
* CSO (.cso)
* DAA (.daa)
* LCD from CDSpace
* MDF/MDS (.mdf)
* NRG (.nrg) (Nero Disk Image)
* DMG (Apple disk image) (.dmg)
* UIF (Universal Image Format) (.uif)
* IMA (.ima)

Linux on Compact Flash Card

For some reason we at SoSLUG seemed to have great difficulty finding information that would enable us to install a Linux system to a Compact Flash Card.

Multi OS Booting

Recently my brother Robert wanted to have the ability to boot to different Operating Systems, normally I would never entertain such a practice with something so alien, but he is my brother so I conceded to his request reluctantly. There are many ways with which you can accomplish Multi Boot, not least directly from the Installation/LiveCD itself. After installation of any alternative Operating System and before installation of Ubuntu please ensure you "defragment" your OS partition or OS partitions.

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)

Ubuntu.com Live CD and Installation on one 700Mb disk Version 7.04 was the best Version so far installation was indeed simple and little had changed or needed to from previous installer again this nearly installed on all hardware presented, including now the laptop's it's ability to detect hardware remained the same and only lacked on very new hardware, network connectivity where on PC Desktops flawless (The newer hardware as for the Dell Precision presented a bigger problem to overcome but this used both SATA and a