Rebel Zero » 8.10 Intrepid Ibex

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex End Of Life

Adam Stovicek — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:34:00 +0000

As we welcome the release of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx, we say farewell to 8.10 Intrepid Ibex.

Intrepid was the first release to include the Ubuntu Live USB creator. Guest sessions were also introduced to provide a temporary user account with restricted privileges with the idea that one could lend a computer to a friend or colleague for simple tasks like a quick email check. Encrypted private directories with the use of the ecryptfs package provided users with an alternative to the drawbacks inherit to the optional full-partition encryption using LVM and LUKS.

Intrepid did all of this and more using Gnome 2.24 and the Linux 2.6.27 kernel. As much as Intrepid forged ahead, it has finally reached the end of its 18 month life cycle. Users will be encouraged to upgrade their Intrepid installations to at least 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope to continue receiving security updates and critical bug fixes.

Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Alpha 3

Adam Stovicek — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:26:22 +0000

So it’s been about a week since Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx reached the Alpha 3 stage. With it comes what I can only describe as the most stable pre-release of Ubuntu throughout its entire schedule that I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. I don’t have it on a physical machine, yet, but in a VirtualBox environment where, contrary to its limited resources, it seems much faster, especially in terms of boot times, than the host’s 9.10 Karmic installation.

I’ve dedicated some home bandwidth to the desktop torrents. As you can see from my rtorrent’s current stats below, there’s been plenty of demand for them throughout these past seven days since Alpha 3 was released.

lucid-desktop-amd64.iso
done 689.0 MB Rate: 1.4 / 0.0 KB Uploaded: 6185.9 MB [ I R: 8.98]

lucid-desktop-i386.iso
done 685.9 MB Rate: 6.6 / 0.0 KB Uploaded: 6937.8 MB [ I R: 10.11]

According to Lucid’s release schedule, we can expect another two weeks of testing before the first of two Beta releases come out on March 18. Three weeks later will be the Beta 2, followed by a Release Candidate two weeks after that, and finally the official release on April 29.

With the release of Lucid, we should also be seeing the death of 8.10 Intrepid Ibex. User will be urged to upgrade to at least 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope by then to continue receiving package updates and security fixes.

OpenOffice.org 3.1 For Hardy, Intrepid, Jaunty

Adam Stovicek — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:46:04 +0000

Want OpenOffice.org 3.1 for Hardy, Intrepid, or Jaunty? Open a terminal window and follow these quick steps.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/PPA_OpenOffice.org.list

Copy and paste the following deb lines:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

This website’s formatting may split those lines. Each line from “deb” to “main” should be unbroken. Change jaunty in each entry to either intrepid or hardy accordingly for your own Intrepid or Hardy installation.

CTRL-O to write to the file.
CTRL-X to exit.

nano ppa_keys

Copy and paste the PGP Public Key Block for the OpenOffice.org Scribblers PPA from HERE.

CTRL-O to write to the file.
CTRL-X to exit.

sudo apt-key add ppa_keys

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Answer yes when prompted. Wait for the packages to download and set up and enjoy OO.o 3.1 on your Hardy, Intrepid, or Jaunty Ubuntu installation.

As an added bonus, if you don’t already have the full OpenOffice.org suite, as some unnecessary packages are left off of the install CDs, just tell apt-get to get them:

sudo apt-get install openoffice.org

Ubuntu 8.10: Upgrading VLC to 0.9.8a

Adam Stovicek — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:42:15 +0000

Since VLC 0.9.8a is due with Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope when it’s released on April 23, this may be a little late. For those who are wanting to stay with 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, you can get VLC updated from 0.9.4 to 0.9.8a easily by following a few simple, easy steps.

There are deb packages for 8.10 Intrepid found at getdeb. While using Christopher Korn’s Launchpad PPA for getting 0.9.8a installed onto my Hardy machines, I came across the getdeb link on his PPA page. There’s an overwhelming list of files at that location, but you only need to be concerned with the following:

For i386 (32-bit) machines:

For amd64 (64-bit) machines:

The first five packages are required while the others are optional plugins. Depending on your setup or preferences, you may need some or all of them. Most users will want the vlc-plugin-pulse package for Pulseaudio support.

Download each of the required packages and any optional plugins that you need into a temporary folder. I used one titled “VLC” on my desktop. To install the debs, open a terminal window and at the command line issue the following:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Desktop/VLC/*.deb

Replace “~/Desktop/VLC/” with where you saved your deb packages. You’ll be prompted for your password, then dpkg will go through the deb packages and install them in the right order.

adam@nyx:~$ sudo dpkg -i ~/Desktop/VLC/*.deb
[sudo] password for adam:
(Reading database … 156009 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libvlc2 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using libvlc2_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement libvlc2 …
Preparing to replace libvlccore0 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using libvlccore0_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement libvlccore0 …
Preparing to replace mozilla-plugin-vlc 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using mozilla-plugin-vlc_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement mozilla-plugin-vlc …
Preparing to replace vlc 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using vlc_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement vlc …
Preparing to replace vlc-data 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using vlc-data_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_all.deb) …
Unpacking replacement vlc-data …
Preparing to replace vlc-nox 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using vlc-nox_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement vlc-nox …
Preparing to replace vlc-plugin-pulse 0.9.4-1ubuntu3.1 (using vlc-plugin-pulse_0.9.8a-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb) …
Unpacking replacement vlc-plugin-pulse …
Setting up vlc-data (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …
Setting up libvlccore0 (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …

Setting up libvlc2 (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …

Setting up vlc-nox (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …
Processing triggers for man-db …
Setting up vlc (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …

Setting up vlc-plugin-pulse (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …
Setting up mozilla-plugin-vlc (0.9.8a-1~getdeb1) …
Processing triggers for libc6 …
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
adam@nyx:~$

This will either replace or install VLC with version 0.9.8a. The downside to this will be that you won’t receive any updates from Ubuntu unless they push a version greater than 0.9.8a for Intrepid. But with Jaunty coming out, that may never happen. If you’re more concerned with security updates, stay with 0.9.4 from the repositories.

If you decide to remove these packages at a later date, you can find them listed in Synaptic using “vlc” as a search term. If you set vlc-data for removal, or issue sudo apt-get purge vlc-data at a command line, the other vlc packages will also be set for removal.

PPA For OpenOffice.org 3.0.1 For Hardy/Intrepid

Adam Stovicek — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:14:34 +0000

UPDATE (2009 09 12): Apparently the administrators of the OpenOffice.org Scribblers PPA have recently dropped all of the OO.o 3.x packages for Hardy and Intrepid installs. They are now only offering packages for Jaunty. What follows is the original post, however, following the instructions for this intended purpose would be futile.

The OpenOffice.org Scribblers PPA had been supplying OO.o 3.0, but only for Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex until now. Now us die-Hardy (pun intended) users can enjoy OO.o 3.0.1 using the update system instead of dealing with any confusing process, even the one I posted here not too long ago.

You can see the OO.o Scribblers PPA page at Launchpad for more information, but to make this quick and to the point, here’s what needs to be done. Hardy and Intrepid users can follow this same process with only one change noted below.

Add the PPA repository to your sources.list file. We’ll do this graphically. Go to System > Administration > Software Sources. Click on the Third-Party Software tab and click the Add… button.

Place the PPA’s repository address in the APT Line box, and click the Add Source button. Hardy users should use:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ppa/ubuntu hardy main

Intrepid users should use:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

You’ll see it listed at the bottom of the list. The picture below is mine. I have quite a few repos I follow, so your’s probably won’t look so crowded.

Next we need the PGP key to authenticate the packages for this PPA. Just recently, Launchpad has added PGP signing keys to all the PPAs in order to improve security. The OO.o Scribblers PPA key can be found at http://keyserver.ubuntu.com:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x60D11217247D1CFF

We’ll make a temporary text file containing the key. Open a text editor (Applications > Text Editor) and copy/paste the entire key into a new document. Save it to your home directory with a name you’ll remember. Consider it a temporary file that you can overwrite in the future for other keys. I’ve pasted their PGP key below.

-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
Version: SKS 1.0.10

mI0ESXanRwEEAOTPu1sTcJChTjkA9LkIh6WqiBgPzxNY2p8w18Qt/cE3ev4VyjiIadZtr+fh
C+kuRRQuRinLV+MzeD7Od3uqyR1plc90lqUeLeKJMgXfCoGMmKwng0qD2gpevIvEEpdlmsRo
1hutsyRxAL3o/NfFpovg6dWC27Y1Vwwma8UIL5wXABEBAAG0K0xhdW5jaHBhZCBQUEEgZm9y
IE9wZW5PZmZpY2Uub3JnIFNjcmliYmxlcnOItgQTAQIAIAUCSXanRwIbAwYLCQgHAwIEFQII
AwQWAgMBAh4BAheAAAoJEGDREhckfRz/4QoEAOJ429PsO5oi1xsnX/lraHACYpHNvk4KVghu
cY2p6J8M0WTTlfls96jRYGlDBDuyZcfW0W+VJlaiu28u2Y9zEnXTWHMlIk6PiOmLPxXofgDf
lKRqvBFYdRD8+33TBeD6u6qajNOLYTL08dnqCfVqmJTGZxqXTmYIOF1NdIs0KlF/
=1y5I
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

Going back to the Software Sources window, we’ll import that key. Click on the Authentication tab and click Import Key File… button. Highlight the file you just saved with the text editor and click OK. You should then see it at the bottom of your Trusted software providers list.

Additional Precautionary Step: Lastly, click on the Ubuntu Software tab and make sure the universe repository is enabled as the PPA packages will need to acquire a handful of hardy packages as well. Thanks to Tony Land for experiencing that aggravating problem.

Click on the Close button and you’ll get a window explaining that information about your software is out-of-date. Click on Reload and the package information will get downloaded. Now you should see the familiar update icon in your task bar. Clicking on it will bring up the Update Manager and it should show you a list of everything that needs to be updated including the new OpenOffice.org 3.0.1 packages. Click on Install Updates and enjoy OpenOffice.org 3.0.1 on your Hardy or Intrepid installation.

Ubuntu: Changing Your Computer’s Hostname

Adam Stovicek — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:01:56 +0000

Quoted from #ubuntu @ freednode:

(07:24:34 PM) R0b0t1: Is there a way to change the computers’ name? EG, the name that appears in the terminal.

So, your computer’s name, or hostname, isn’t what you want any longer. Possibly, you misspelled it during the installation process (trust me, I’ve done it). Whatever reason you have for changing it, it’s easier than you might think.

Do It The GUI way

You have two possible options. The first is through the network-admin desktop application. On 8.04 Hardy Heron, it’s installed by default. However, on 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, it is not. Use Synaptic to install gnome-network-admin or use sudo apt-get install gnome-network-admin at a command prompt.

To run the application, choose System > Administration > Network. On the following Network Settings window, click on the General tab.

There you’ll see the Host Settings. Click the Unlock button and enter your passphrase to authenticate yourself to change the Host name. To finish, click Close and you’ll see a warning about having to login again. Click on Change Host name, and click Close again. Once you’re done, give your machine a restart and you’re set to go.

No GUI? Do It On The CLI

Your second option is from a command line. There are two files that need to be changed: /etc/hostname and /etc/hosts . Use your favorite text editor (I use nano for these edits) and open each one. You’ll need to use sudo since you’re changing system files.

First we change the /etc/hosts file.
sudo nano /etc/hosts

This is what my server’s hosts file looks like.

adam@oracle:~$ cat /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1    localhost
127.0.1.1    oracle

# The following lines are desirable for IPv6 capable hosts
::1     ip6-localhost ip6-loopback
fe00::0 ip6-localnet
ff00::0 ip6-mcastprefix
ff02::1 ip6-allnodes
ff02::2 ip6-allrouters
ff02::3 ip6-allhosts

You can see my server’s name next to 127.0.1.1 as oracle. You should see your computer’s name at that same IP. Just replace it with your new choice. Save and close that file and open your /etc/hostname file.
sudo nano /etc/hostname

This one is very simple. All that should be there is your computer’s current name. Replace it with your new choice, save and close. Now, all that’s left is to reboot the machine.

For a temporary fix, you can use the hostname command.
sudo hostname your_new_hostname

I’ve also read elsewhere that you don’t need to reboot after changing the hostname as much as you just need to re-login. I feel it’s best to be safe and just reboot. You can choose whichever is best for you.

Ubuntu Tweak 0.4.2, Features Source Editor, OO.o 3.0.0 Source

Adam Stovicek — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:39:46 +0000

Ubuntu Tweak reached 0.4.2 on November 14 and showcases a new Source Editor for the Applications section of this powerful little app. Shown in more detail at its website, the Source Editor allows one to not only make manual changes to the sources.list file but to also submit those sources for others to share. I like the fact that it’s color-coded making it easier to see and edit the file’s structure.

And while looking at the current list of available software listed under Third-Party Sources, I noticed a listing for OpenOffice.org 3.0. The downside is that it’s only available for Intrepid Ibex users, but it offers a much easier way of installing OO.o 3.0.0 onto Ubuntu 8.10 desktops without having to hack it on.

Other new sources include Ubuntu Chinese, Amarok, and Banshee.

UPDATE: A bugfix was released only two days later bringing Ubuntu Tweak to 0.4.3. It addressed using Ubuntu Tweak without having compiz installed. It also provided additional translations for Bulgarian, Czech, Faroese, French, German, Italian, and Polish languages.

Mark Shuttleworth Details Intrepid’s FUSA Design Process

Adam Stovicek — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:53:39 +0000

Source … Mark Shuttleworth

With the advent of Ubuntu 8.10, Mark Shuttleworth gives us a detailed look at the hows and whys of the new Fast User Switch Applet’s development.

…for a long time we have had a button in the top-right corner of the panel which brought up a system modal dialog that gave you the usual “end your session” options of logout, restart, shutdown, hibernate, suspend and switch user. That patch was always a bit controversial and had not been accepted upstream, so we looked at ways to solve the problem differently.

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex Release Candidate

Adam Stovicek — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:26:23 +0000

It’s officially at Release Candidate status. Seven days are left before Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex is officially released into the wild. This is the time when features are frozen while dev teams and beta testers continue to weed out the last of the bug issues.

At a personal level, I have witnessed a lot of improvement since the initial release of the Beta three weeks ago. My own test-machine has been quite stable as of late.

And as fate would have it, I just had a crash report while typing this out. This was for the Gnome login sound which somehow failed, crashing cranberry-gtk-play, but still played while trying out Guest session. There’s been a few other small bugs that creep out occasionally dealing either with compiz or the nspluginwrapper crashing with npviewer.bin, which has been due to flash embedded videos.

Overall, Intrepid Ibex looks ready to go official in a week. If you want to upgrade your Hardy Heron machine, help out with the final stages of the testing process, or just looking for information about Intrepid Ibex, give a click HERE for all the details.

Ubuntu 8.10 – ATI/AMD fglrx Driver Updated

Adam Stovicek — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:55:27 +0000

The AMD/ATI fglrx driver that wasn’t working properly with the new xserver that Ubuntu 8.10 was using has been updated. A new upstream version was added to the repositories and is now available through the updates to those of us with ATI chipsets.

The ati and radeon drivers are fine, but the fglrx makes the compiz effects a lot smoother. I usually install compizconfig-settings-manager to tweak the effects like activating Desktop Cube and Rotate Cube. I’ve gotten a few colorful metaphors from friends after watching me switch to another desktop by rotating the cube around.