How to build a Debian web server for home use

Introduction

The purpose of this wiki contribution is to describe how to build and configure a web server, to operate from your home. Later on, I hope to expand it into a file server and possibly a mail server.

It will provide detailed building instructions as well as some insights as to why I chose to complete it in the way I did.

Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex Install for Advent 9415

Introduction

This is an installation exercise for a colleague of mine who asked for a Linux distro to be installed to a Laptop Advent 9415 this comes equiped with the following features:

The simple answer "Because I can" is probably premature at this stage. The main reasons I want to do it are principle and security.

As Paul points out in his page on encrytping e-mail [[How to Encrypt emails in Debian Etch 64 bit, PCLinucOS and Ubuntu Hardy Heron.]] plain e-mail is inherently insecure. It is sent in plain text through servers you do not control including your ISP's. However even if you encrypt your e-mails, as Paul suggests, an attacker who can monitor your internet connection can learn a great deal about you by studying who you send e-mails to and who you receive e-mails from. In security jargon this is called "Traffic Analysis".

This is a project to build a mail server. I will be using these pages to document my design as I go along. Hopefully it will end up as a Howto and also perhaps a tutorial on Linux and e-mail. Although I am building this project for myself, I would like it to become a group project.

Anyone suggesting improvements or pointing out errors or omissions will be welcome. There are many resources available to help in this project, I will be using as many as I can and will be acknowledging and, hopefully, building on them.

Introduction

Webcams in Linux have had a poor press in the past, but thanks to one particular developer from France - Michel Xhaard, over 200 webcams now have drivers that work. Providing you have a supported webcam, you can now have one up and running in minutes.

Introduction to Video Editing with a Samsung VP-D10

The Samsung VP-10 at first glance may appear to be a good choice for a hand held camcorder but is it a choice with Linux in mind, today we tried to marry the contents of this video camcorder into Linux Ubuntu Hardy Heron Version 8.04. The Samsung VP-D10 does not support USB (Universal Serial Bus) it uses tapes and has no non linear storage facility.

HSDPA Huawei E160g

Note - Since Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex, connection via a Mobile device has significantly improved in many of the later Ubuntu variants and this document is considered out of date however it contains good information possibly transferable to other system others might find useful.

Note:- If you intend to use this device with Intrepid Ibex Ubuntu Version 8.10 released at the end of October 2008 you do not need to follow any of the steps below.

What if you could surf the web, play games and emulators, and do many other UMPC functions (word processing, etc) in a full blown multitasking Linux distro on a 4.3" device in the palm of your hand, powered by Linux and the free software spirit? This is exactly what a few members of the open source community are making a reality. And Soon.

Dell BIOS Update

Ever wanted to update your bios on your computer or laptop but cant because your not running windows. Here's a solution we came across that seems to work for the Dell 1521 Laptop and should work on other Dell also running Linux. This will work for Dell computers running both Gentoo and Ubuntu Linux.

Introduction

Having recently purchased a Logitech trackball in order (hopefully) to reduce repetitive strain injury, I wanted to recover the ability to scroll, as well as using the trackball for its primary purpose. Here's how it's done; with all due acknowledgement to the Ubuntu forums for much of the information.