SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 31
Download to read offline
full circle
ISSUE #29 - September 2009




TOP FIVE
PHYSICS GAMES


                             full circle magazine #29   1   contents ^
full circle
Program In Python - Pt3 p.07                                                                                            Ubuntu Games                 p.23



                                       My Story                     p.16       MOTU Interview               p.20
                                       Read about
                                              and anothers
                                                  ...                                                                   Command & Conquer            p.05
LAMP - Part 2               p.12




Virtual Private Network     p.14       Review                       p.18        Letters                      p.21       Top 5                        p.28



                       The articles contained in this magazine are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
                       This means you can adapt, copy, distribute and transmit the articles but only under the following conditions: You must attribute
                      the work to the original author in some way (at least a name, email or URL) and to this magazine by name ('full circle magazine')
  and the URL www.fullcirclemagazine.org (but not attribute the article(s) in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). If
  you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you must distribute the resulting work under the same, similar or a compatible license.

                                                  full circle magazine #29      2                                                                   contents ^
EDITORIAL
                                                                                             This magazine was created using :



Welcome to another issue of Full Circle magazine.



O
          ur articles on LAMP and Python continue this month and are joined by a
          very informative article on setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which
          is something that quite a few people have asked for more information on.


  More important is the announcement of the                       codename. I couldn't
possibly spoil it, but flip over to the news page for more details.

  Please keep your articles coming in. Don't be disheartened when you don't see
                                                                                              Ubuntu is a complete operating
your          (or             ) right away, I keep the articles in a queue and try to
                                                                                              system that is perfect for
use them in the order I receive them, so if you sent me a               several months        laptops, desktops and servers.
ago, it may be your turn next month, you never know! And we're always looking for             Whether at home, school or work
new         articles, so keep them coming too!                                                Ubuntu contains all the
                                                                                              applications you'll ever need
                                                                                              including word processor, email
  Keep the emails coming too, I'm always interested to hear what you think about              application and web browser.
FCM, it's always in beta, and continually evolving. If there's something you think is         Ubuntu is and always will be free
missing from FCM feel free to drop me an email, my email address is below.                    of charge. You do not pay any
                                                                                              licensing fees. You can
                                                                                              download, use and share Ubuntu
  Enjoy the issue, and keep in touch!                                                         with your friends, family, school
                                                                                              or business for absolutely
                                                                                              nothing.

                                                                                              Once installed, your system is
Editor, Full Circle magazine                                                                  ready to use with a full set of
ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org                                                                 productivity, internet, drawing
                                                                                              and graphics applications, and
                                                                                              games.

                                                                                              use the new
                                                                                         'contents' link to jump
                                                                                         to the contents page
                                      full circle magazine #29                           from any other page!
                                                                 3                                                         contents ^
NEWS
GNOME 2.28 Released                                                                                Launchpad 3.0 is here!
                                    Ubuntu 10.04 : Lucid Lynx                                      New UI and more.
                 The GNOME
                 Desktop is                                   Speaking via video to UbuCon at      The Launchpad team is proud to
                 released every                               the Atlanta Linuxfest, Mark          announce the release of Launchpad
                 six months and                               Shuttleworth announced that the      3.0!
                 contains many                                code name for the 10.04 Ubuntu
                 new features,                                release would be "Lucid Lynx". It
                                                                                                   • a new clearer web interface with in-
                 improvements,                                will be an LTS version featuring 3   line editing
bug fixes and translations.                                   years support for the desktop        • personal translation dashboards: see
GNOME 2.28 continues this                                     version and 5 years for the          what needs your attention
tradition. To learn more about                                server version. This will be the     • automatically updated diffs during
                                                                                                   code reviews.
GNOME and the qualities that                                  third LTS version, proving that
distinguish it from other                                     Ubuntu can not only deliver a
computer desktop                                              new version every 6 months, but
environments (such as                                         also an LTS version every 2nd        Visit Launchpad to see our new web
usability, accessibility,                                     year, something Mark is very         interface. You can now view more
                                                                                                   information on many pages without
internationalisation, and                                    proud of.                             scrolling, particularly on people and
freedom) visit the About                                                                           project profile pages.
GNOME page on our website.          Speaking briefly of what we can expect to see in the
                                    Lucid Lynx, Mark talks of cloud computing and GNOME.           And the web interface is now faster:
GNOME 2.28 includes all of the      Mentioning our relationship with Debian, Mark hopes to         you can update more data, including
                                                                                                   almost everything on bug report
improvements made in GNOME          continue expanding that relationship in the hope of            pages, without reloading the page.
2.26 and earlier. You can learn     bettering both distributions. In closing Mark asks our
more about the changes that         community to search out those who put in so much work                   : launchpad.net
happened in GNOME 2.26 from         delivering a quality Ubuntu product to us, and to give
its release notes.                  them all a big thanks. We think a big thanks is also
                                    deserved by Mark for his oversight and tireless work on
                                                                                                   Apologies to                    who
         :                          our behalf.                                                    wrote the       article and not the
http://library.gnome.org/misc/rel                                                                  name given in the original PDF, the
ease-notes/2.28/                           : Ubuntu Weekly News                                    PDF has since been corrected and
                                                                                                   all new downloads credit Roger.

                                          full circle magazine #29     4                                                         contents ^
COMMAND & CONQUER


H
            ave you ever found     (XF86AudioMute,                                                            required in the tty0 console. To
            yourself tapping an    XF86MonBrightnessDown, a, b,         dmesg|tail -5                         start, you must create the
            extra key on your      and so forth). If it displays                                              .Xmodmap file. This can be
            laptop, only to        NoSymbol after the keycode,            If something like this              done by using the touch
realize that it isn't bound to     there is no keypress bound to        appears in the dmesg output -         command, or just editing it in
anything, and then finding out     that keycode yet, and you can                                              gedit and then saving the file.
                                   skip to step two. If neither the     atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed          Entries in the file should be in
that the shortcuts program
                                                                        (translated set 2, code 0xf1
doesn't recognize the key?         key returns nothing, it is time      on isa0060/serio0).                   this format:
Well, I ran into a similar         to try showkey.
problem when setting up                                                 atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes             keycode <Xkeycode> =
                                                                        e071 <keycode>' to make it            keysymbol
Openbox on my netbook, and           Switch to tty0 (by hitting ctrl
                                                                        known.
so I thought I would show you      + alt + F1) and log in as your                                                A few examples would be as
how to bind keys to functions,     user. Once logged in, enter the
                                                                        - you can map the scancode to         below:
even if it seems that they are     command:
                                                                        a keycode. You can do this by
not recognized.                                                                                               keycode 153 =
                                   showkey                              either using HAL or
                                                                                                              XF86MonBrightnessDown
                                                                        setkeycodes (kernel tool), as
Step One: Key                         This program will return          shown in the dmesg output.            keycode 154 =
Recognition                        keycodes of keys pressed, and        The further reading section at        XF8MonBrightnessUp
                                   automatically quit 10 seconds        the end of this article offers a
   First we need to find out if    after the last keypress. Once        link to HAL's keymap quirks           Step Three: Testing
                                                                                                              Keycodes
the key is recognized by the       the command is run, hit the          page. I will not go into detail in
kernel. Open a terminal and        key(s) you want to test, and         the article, since it is quite rare
run the command:                   record any keycodes that it          (in my experience) that it is
                                                                                                                First run the command:
                                   returns. If neither of these         necessary to do this.
xev | grep -A2 --line-             options returned a keycode, it's                                           xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
buffered '^KeyRelease' | sed
-n '/keycode /s/^.*keycode
                                   time to see if the key has a         Step Two: Binding
([0-9]*).* (.*,                  scancode.
                                                                        Keycodes                                 Then you should be able to
(.*)).*$/1 2/p'                                                                                           add the keys to whatever
                                     To do this, press the key you                                            function you need. If not,
                                                                          I will focus on binding
    This will output the keycode   want to test, and then check                                               revise the keycodes and
                                                                        keycodes to keys in Xorg, since
followed by the keypress name      dmesg with:                                                                keysymbol names, just in case
                                                                        most multimedia keys aren't
                                             full circle magazine #29     5                                                           contents ^
COMMAND & CONQUER
                                                                         QUICK REVIEW - PREY
                                                                         In the world of the first person shooter (FPS)
                                                                         video game there is very little innovation.
                                                                         Most of the time a new FPS game will have
                                                                         elements that made older, or previous,
                                                                         games in this genre a success.

                                                                         That is not the case with Prey. Prey is
                                                                         unique. Prey is different from anything you
                                                                         have played before. Recently ported to Linux, this old favourite of mine is
                                                                         now enjoying a new lease on life.

                                                                         You play a Cherokee warrior named Domasi Tawodi (a.k.a Tommy), a man
                                                                         who wants to leave his Cherokee heritage in the past, leave the
you made a typo. A full list of       An alternative tool to
                                                                         Reservation and move on into the civilized world, but there is one problem:
symbols can be found here:        xmodmap is xbindkeys, and it           his girlfriend Jen wants to stay, because it is her home. All of a sudden,
                                  is fairly straightforward. There       while they are talking about it in a bar, it gets ripped up by an alien ship
 /usr/include/X11/keysymdef.h     is a GUI available called              taking him, Jen and his grandfather onto it so its inhabitants can feed on
                                                                         them.
                                  xbindkeys_config, but I'm not
And for extra function keys:      sure if it's in the Ubuntu             Obviously, Tommy would not give up his life so easily, so he tries to rescue
                                  repositories.                          his Grandfather and girlfriend.
 /usr/include/X11/XKeySymDB
                                                                         One thing that makes this game outstanding (apart from the fact it uses a
Once you have ensured that                                               heavily modified Doom 3 engine) is its use of gravity (if you take a look at
                                  HAL keymap quirks:                     some of the screen shots you'll see why) and portals (which makes it very
the keys work, continue to step   http://people.freedesktop.org/~        possible to shoot yourself if you don't know what you are doing). These
four.                                                                    are used in a number of short and long puzzles, but nothing the average
                                  hughsient/quirk/quirk-keymap-
                                                                         part-time gamer can get stuck on. Another aspect of the game I loved was
                                  index.html
Step Four: Making It                                                     the fact after a certain point in the game you cannot die. You read it
                                                                         correctly, 'you cannot die' so you will no longer 'die' then quickly press
Permanent                                                                your quick-load key then try again with a miniscule amount of health. I
                                                                         don't want to give away too much about this game other than the fact that
                                                                         it is awesome.
   To make the changes
permanent, you have to run                  has learned all he knows     Ten years plus in development and this is what we get: a really slick game.
the xmodmap command every           from repeatedly breaking his         It is one of the few examples of the modern video game that I think will go
                                    system, then having no other         down in the record books as a definite classic.
time you log in. I would
                                    option but to discover how to fix
recommend adding it to your
                                    it. You can email Lucas at:
.xprofile.                          lswest34@gmail.com.


                                              full circle magazine #29   6                                                                    contents ^
HOW-TO                                                                  Program In Python - Part 3
                                               those that come with Python,           tell Python to
                                                                                                          #=======================================
 FCM#27-28 - Python Parts 1-2                  or use modules that others             do this.            # random_example.py
                                               have created. Python itself                                # Module example using the random module
                                               comes with hundreds of                    Line seven       #=======================================
                                                                                                          import random
                                               various modules that make              sets up a 'for'
                                                                                                          # print 14 random integers
                                               your programming easier. A list        loop to print 14    for cntr in range(1,15):
                                               of the global modules that             random                   print random.randint(1,10)
                                               come with Python can be found          numbers. Line
                                               at                                     eight uses the
                                               http://docs.python.org/modinde         randint() function to print a       using database modules later
  Dev     Graphics Internet M/media System     x.html. Some modules are               random integer between 1 and        on in this series.)
                                               operating system specific, but         10. Notice we must tell Python
                                               most are totally cross platform        what module the function               Once you really get started
                                               (can be used the same way in           comes from. We do this by           in Python programming, you
 CD/DVD    HDD   USB Drive Laptop              Linux, Mac and Microsoft               saying (in this case)               will probably make your own
                                    Wireless
                                               Windows). To be able to use an         random.randint. Why even            modules so you can use the
                                                                                                                          code you've already written




I
                                               external module, you must              create modules? Well, if every
     n the last article, we                    import it into your program.           possible function were included     over and over again, without
      learned about lists, literal             One of the modules that comes          directly into Python, not only      having to re-type it. If you need
      substitution, comments,                  with Python is called 'random'.        would Python become                 to change something in that
      equate versus assignment,                This module allows you to              absolutely huge and slow, but       group of code, you can, with
if statements and while                        generate pseudo-random                 bug fixing would be a               very little risk of breaking the
statements. I promised you that                numbers. We'll use the module          nightmare. By using modules,        code in your main program.
in this part we would learn                    shown above right in our first         we can segment the code into        There are limits to this and we
about modules and functions.                   example.                               groups that are specific to a       will delve into this later on.
So let's get started.                                                                 certain need. If, for example,      Now, when we used the 'import
                                                  Let's examine each line of          you have no need to use             random' statement earlier, we
Modules                                        code. The first four lines are         database functionality, you         were telling Python to give us
                                                                                                                          access to every function within
                                               comments. We discussed them            don't need to know that there
                                               in the last article. Line five tells   is a module for SQLite.             the random module. If,
  Modules are a way to extend
                                               Python to use the random               However, when you need it, it's     however, we only needed to
your Python programming. You
                                               module. We have to explicitly          already there. (In fact, we'll be   use the randint() function, we
can create your own, or use
                                                          full circle magazine #29     7                                                           contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3
can re-work the import              add them, then
statement like this:                multiply them, and         #silly example
                                    then subtract them,        print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d =         %d ' % (1,2,1+2)
from random import randint                                     print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (1,2,1*2)
                                    displaying the             print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (1,2,1-2)
                                    numbers and results        print 'n'
   Now when we call our             each time. To make         print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d =         %d ' % (1,4,1+4)
function, we don't have to use      matters worse, we          print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (1,4,1*4)
the 'random.' identifier. So, our                              print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (1,4,1-4)
                                    have to do that three      print 'n'
code changes to                     times with three sets      print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d =         %d ' % (10,5,10+5)
                                    of numbers. Our silly      print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (10,5,10*5)
from random import randint                                     print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and         %d = %d ' % (10,5,10-5)
                                    example would then
# print 14 random integers                                     print 'n'
for cntr in range(1,15):            look like the text
     print randint(1,10)            shown right.
                                                                          select for the function, and      function, we can do it without
Functions                              Not only is this a lot of          then a list of parameters (if     causing too many issues to our
                                    typing, it lends itself to errors,    any) in parentheses. This line is main program. We call our
    When we imported the            either by typing or having to         then closed by a colon (:). The   function, in this case, by using
random module, we used the          change something later on.            code in the function is           the function name and putting
randint() function. A function is   Instead, we are going to create       indented. Our improved silly      the parameters after.
a block of code that is             a function called 'DoTwo' that        example (#2) is shown below.
designed to be called, usually      takes the two numbers and                                                   Here is another example of
more than once, which makes         does the math, printing the              As you can see, there's a lot  a function. Consider the
it easier to maintain, and to       output each time. We start by         less typing involved — 8 lines    following requirements.
keep us from typing the same        using the 'def' key word (which       instead of 12 lines. If we need
code over and over and over.        says that we are going to             to change something in our            We want to create a
As a very general and gross         define
statement, any time you have        the
to write the same code more         functi #silly example 2...still silly, but better
                                              def DoTwo(num1,num2):
than once or twice, that code is    on).                print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1+num2)
a good candidate for a              After               print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1*num2)
                                    'def'               print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1-num2)
function. While the following                           print 'n'
two examples are silly, they        we
make good statements about          add       DoTwo(1,2)
using functions. Let's say we       the       DoTwo(1,4)
wanted to take two numbers,         name DoTwo(10,5)
                                     we
                                                full circle magazine #29    8                                                         contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3
program that will print out a        characters and use “ '=' *          could modify the function we
list of purchased items in a         (width-2)”. To make things          just made to include a                   Let's call the new function
pretty format. It must look          even easier, we will use            parameter for the character to        'Fmt'. We'll pass it 4 parameter
something like the text below.       variable substitution to put all    use in the middle of the pluses.      values as follows:
                                     these items on one line. So our     Let's do that. We can still call it         – the value to print on the
   The cost of each item and         string to print would be coded      TopOrBottom.                          left
for the total of all items will be   as 's ('+',('=' * width-2)),'+').                                                  – the width of this
formatted as dollars and cents.      Now we could have the routine       def                                   “column”
                                                                         TopOrBottom(character,width):
The width of the print out must      print this directly, but we will                                                – the value to print on the
                                                                              # width is total width
be able to be variable. The          use the return keyword to send      of returned line                      right (which should be a
values on the left and right         the generated string back to             # character is the               floating value)
must be variable as well. We         our calling line. We'll call our    character to be placed                           – the width of this
                                                                         between the '+' characters
will use 3 functions to do this      function 'TopOrBottom' and the                                            “column”
                                                                              return '%s%s%s' %
task. One prints the top and         code for this function looks like   ('+',(character * (width-
bottom line, one prints the          this.                               2)),'+')                                 The first task is to format
item detail lines including the                                                                                the information for the right
total line and one prints the        def TopOrBottom(width):                Now, you can see where             side. Since we want to format
                                          # width is total width
separator line. Luckily, there                                           comments come in handy.               the value to represent dollars
                                     of returned line
are a number of things that               return '%s%s%s' %              Remember, we are returning            and cents, we can use a special
Python has that will make this       ('+',('=' * (width-2)),'+')         the generated string, so we           function of variable
very simple. If you recall, we                                           have to have something to             substitution that says, print the
printed a string multiplied by 4,  We could leave out the                receive it back when we make          value as a floating point
and it returned four copies of comment, but it's nice to be              the call to it. Instead of            number with n number of
the same string. Well we can   able to tell at a glance what             assigning it to another string,       places to the right of the
use that to our benefit. To print
                               the parameter 'width' is. To call         we'll just print it. Here's the       decimal point. The command
our top or bottom line we can  it, we would say 'print                   calling line.                         would be '%2.f'. We will assign
take the desired width,        TopOrBottom(40)' or whatever                                                    this to a variable called 'part2'.
subtract two for the two +     width we wish the line to be.             print TopOrBottom('=',40)             So our code line would be
                                         Now we have one                                                       'part2 = '%.2f' % val2'. We also
                                          function that takes               So now, not only have we           can use a set of functions
 '+===============================+'      care of two of the             taken care of three of the lines,     that's built into Python strings
 '| Item 1                   X.XX |'                                     we've reduced the number of
                                          lines. We can make a                                                 called ljust and rjust. Ljust will
 '| Item 2                   X.XX |'
                                          new function to take           routines that we need from 3          left justify the string, padding
 '|-------------------------------|'
 '| Total                    X.XX |'      care of the separator          down to 2. So we only have the        the right side with whatever
 '+===============================+'      line using the same            center part of the print out to       character you want. Rjust does
                                          kind of code...OR we           deal with.
                                          full circle magazine #29         9                                                            contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3
the same thing, except the             While we should really do some       but we can just
                                                                                                 +======================================+
padding goes on the left side.         error checking, you can use          print it. Notice     | Item 1                               3.00 |
Now for the neat bit. Using            that as something to play with       that we are          | Item 2                              15.00 |
substitutions we throw                 on your own. So...our Fmt            sending 30 for       +--------------------------------------+
together a big string and return       function is really only two lines    the width of the     | Total                               18.00 |
                                                                                                 +======================================+
that to the calling code. Here is      of code outside of the               left bit and 10
our next line.                         definition line and any              for the width of
                                       comments. We can call it like        the right. That equals the 40     output should look something
return 'ss' % ('|                      this.                                that we sent to our               like the text shown above right.
',val1.ljust(leftbit-2,'
                                                                            TopOrBottom routine earlier.
'),part2.rjust(rightbit-2,'
'),' |')
                                       print Fmt('Item                      So, fire up your editor and type      While this is a very simple
                                       1',30,item1,10)                                                        example, it should give you a
                                                                            in the code below.
   While this looks rather                                                                                    good idea of why and how to
                                          Again, we could assign the                                          use functions. Now, let's
daunting at first, let's dissect it                                            Save the code as
                                       return value to another string,                                        extend this out a bit and learn
and see just how easy it is:                                                'pprint1.py' and run it. Your
          - We will send back
our created string to the             #pprint1.py
calling code.                         #Example of semi-useful functions
     - We are going to stick in
                                      def TopOrBottom(character,width):
4 values in the string. Each               # width is total width of returned line
%s is a place holder.                      return '%s%s%s' % ('+',(character * (width-2)),'+')
     - Starts the variable list
     - Print these literals           def Fmt(val1,leftbit,val2,rightbit):
                                           # prints two values padded with spaces
                            -              # val1 is thing to print on left, val2 is thing to print on right
Take the variable val1 that we             # leftbit is width of left portion, rightbit is width of right portion
were passed, left justify it               part2 = '%.2f' % val2
with spaces for (leftbit-2)                return '%s%s%s%s' % ('| ',val1.ljust(leftbit-2,' '),part2.rjust(rightbit-2,' '),' |')
                                      # Define the prices of each item
characters. We subtract 2 to          item1 = 3.00
allow the '| ' on the left side.      item2 = 15.00
                                -     # Now print everything out...
Right justify the formatted           print TopOrBottom('=',40)
                                      print Fmt('Item 1',30,item1,10)
string of the price rightbit-2        print Fmt('Item 2',30,item2,10)
spaces. ' |' - finish the string.     print TopOrBottom('-',40)
                                      print Fmt('Total',30,item1+item2,10)
   That's all there is to it.         print TopOrBottom('=',40)


                                                 full circle magazine #29    10                                                       contents ^
PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3
more about lists. Remember         like this now.
back in part 2 when we first                                     itms = [['Soda',1.45],['Candy',.75],['Bread',1.95],['Milk',2.59]]
discussed lists? Well one thing    #item1 = 3.00
                                   #item2 = 15.00                print TopOrBottom('=',40)
that I didn't tell you is that a   itms =
list can contain just about        [['Soda',1.45],['Cand         total = 0 #NEW LINE
anything, including lists. Let's   y',.75],['Bread',1.95         for cntr in range(0,4): #NEW LINE
                                   ],['Milk',2.59]]                   print Fmt(itms[cntr][0],30,itms[cntr][1],10) #NEW LINE
define a new list in our                                              total += itms[cntr][1] #NEW LINE
program called itms and fill it                                  print TopOrBottom('-',40)
like this:                             Next, remove all          print Fmt('Total',30,total,10) #CHANGED LINE
                                   the lines that call           print TopOrBottom('=',40)
itms =                             Fmt(). Next add the
[['Soda',1.45],['Candy',.75],      following lines (with                 wild and crazy, you could add a
['Bread',1.95],['Milk',2.59]]
                                   #NEW LINE at the end) to              line for tax as well. Handle it
                                   make your code look like the          close to the same way we did
   If we were to access this as    text shown right.                     the total line, but use (total *
a normal list we would use
                                                                         .086) as the cost.
print itms[0]. However, what           I set up a counter variable
we would get back is               for loop that cycles through the print
['Soda',1.45], which is not                                           Fmt('Tax:',30,total*.086,10)
                                   list for each item there. Notice
really what we were looking for    that I've also added a variable
under normal circumstances.                                              If you would like to, you can
                                   called total. We set the total to
We want to access each item in                                        add more items to the list and
                                   0 before we go into our for
that first list. So we would use                                      see how it works.
                                   loop. Then as we print each
'print itms[0][0]' to get 'Soda'   item sold, we add the cost to
and [0][1] to get the cost or                                            That's it for this time. Next
                                   our total. Finally, we print the
1.45. So, now we have 4 items                                         time we'll concentrate on
                                   total out right after the
that have been purchased and                                          classes.
                                   separator line. Save your
we want to use that                program and
information in our pretty print    run it. You
routine. The only thing we have                         +======================================+
                                   should see                                                                              is owner of
to change is at the bottom of                           | Soda                                 1.45 |
                                                                                                                                    ,a
                                   something like       | Candy                                0.75 |
the program. Save the last                                                                                  consulting company in Aurora,
                                   the text shown       | Bread                                1.95 |
                                                                                                            Colorado, and has been
program as 'pprint2.py', then                           | Milk                                 2.59 |
                                   below.                                                                   programming since 1972. He
comment out the two itemx                               +--------------------------------------+
                                                                                                            enjoys cooking, hiking, music,
definitions and insert the list                         | Total                           6.74 |
                                                                                                            and spending time with his
                                     If you             +======================================+
we had above. It should look                                                                                family.
                                   wanted to get
                                              full circle magazine #29     11                                                         contents ^
HOW-TO                                                                                               LAMP - Part 2
                                              FTP Installation                       as follows:
                                                                                                                        sudo /etc/init.d/vsftpd
FCM#28 - LAMP Part 1                                                                                                    restart
                                                 We're going to use vsftpd. At       • Enable local user access (my
                                              the CLI type:                          account) in the vsftpd.conf.
                                                                                                                        Firewall Configuration
                                              sudo apt-get install vsftpd            • Add the user (me) to the
                                                                                     www-data user group (I use            This is quite easy through
                                                 You can source a vsftpd GUI         Webmin for this).                  Webmin. Under the drop-down
                                              module for Webmin but I prefer                                            networking tab, open ‘Linux
                                              to edit the vsftpd.conf file           • Give ownership of /var/www       Firewall‘.
  Dev    Graphics Internet M/media System     manually. To do so at the              to the www-data group (I use
                                              command line, type:                    Webmin for this) and check            Select Block All except SSH
                                                                                     “Files Inherit Group”.             and IDENT on external
                                              sudo nano /etc/vsftpd.conf                                                interface.
CD/DVD    HDD   USB Drive Laptop   Wireless
                                                                                     • Set destination path in the
                                                 I've read many tutorials            ftp client (i.e /var/www).            At the next screen we need
                                              which seem quite happy to                                                 to add rules for FTP, Webmin,




W
                                              work with anonymous access.                          Ensure that          Sendmail & MySQL Admin
              e have our nice                 However, this isn't something
              new LAMP box, all                                                      "umask" is un-commented in         access.
                                              I'm personally comfortable             the vsftpd.conf file and select
              very well and                   with, so I always disable it.
              good, but we'll be                                                     your desired setting for              Click ‘Add Rule‘ under the
                                              Depending on your own system           intended uploads. For              existing list.
needing to put some data on it,               policy you may also wish to
of course. Not only that, but we                                                     Wordpress installations I've
                                              chroot selected users to               found 0002 to be the most            Check ‘Accept‘.
don't want other people to also               prevent them from straying out
be able to put their data on it,                                                     agreeable option -- this gives
                                              of where they're supposed to           775 permissions.                     Set Network Protocol Equals
or, alternatively, to steal ours.             be into somewhere they aren't.
Linux server is inherently                                                                                              TCP.
secure by default, however it                                                           Your needs may be different,
                                                 Permissions are the thing for       but the above works for me.          Set Destination TCP or UDP
doesn't do any harm to ramp                   FTP access. As I use only a
things up to the next level.                                                         Restart vsftpd and test access     port Equals 21.
                                              single account, and connect            with your FTP utility. I use
Let's configure FTP and an easy               directly into /var/www, my
Firewall.                                                                            Transmit -- it’s great.              Click ‘Create‘.
                                              expanded method for access is
                                                          full circle magazine #29     12                                                       contents ^
LAMP - PART 2
  Do the same for ports 3306           First we install Sendmail. At
(MySQL), port 25 (Sendmail),        the CLI type:
port 10000 (Webmin), and port
80 (Web & phpMyAdmin).              sudo apt-get install sendmail


    Check ‘Activate at Boot‘ and       Next we need to configure
click ‘Apply Configuration‘.        PHP so it knows where the
That’s it. If you can get back      SMTP service (sendmail) is. At
into Webmin, use PHP Mail           the CLI, type the following:
scripts and FTP, and latch onto
                                    sudo nano
the DB with MySQL                   /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini
Administrator. Then you're
sorted.                               Add the following under the
                                    mail function section, inputting
    You may have to re-start        your own details as required:
MySQL. I use Webmin seeing
as how it’s already open.           [mail function]
                                    ; Setup for Linux systems
PHP Mail                            sendmail_path =
                                    /usr/sbin/sendmail -t
                                    sendmail_from =
    You may wish to have the        <your_webadmin_mail_account@y
ability for visitors to one-click   ourdomain.com>
mail you from your funky
dynamic website. PHP already        And save. That's it. Your mail
has a mail function built in, but   scripts should now quite                   Richard Redei
it needs linking to a transport     happily send mail.
agent (MTA) for it to relay. In
other words, it needs a
program or service which will
send the mail. Here we can
                                                             is a
use a server option called (can      passionate Ubuntu professional
you guess?), yes, Sendmail.          who offers open source strategies
Here's how to install and            and services for business IT from
                                     the http://toomuchgreen.eu web
configure it -- it's very easy.
                                     portal. When not working with
                                     technology he cycles vigorously.

                                               full circle magazine #29   13              contents ^
HOW-TO                                                Virtual Private Network In Ubuntu
                                               from your local machine or LAN        Simple enough.                       In the Network Connections
                                               firewall, you will need to allow                                        window, you will need to click
 N/A
                                               this port to pass. Most of the                                          on the VPN tab.
                                               time this port will be allowed
                                               out bound, unless you are an
                                               extreme security freak and you
                                               have things on lock down.

                                                  You will need to locate the
                                               Network Manager icon in your
  Dev     Graphics Internet M/media System     Notification Area (yours might
                                               look different). This will aid you
                                               in getting to the settings of             For you CLI people out           Next click on Add and then
                                               your network and starting VPN         there, type this at the CLI and   Create.
 CD/DVD    HDD   USB Drive Laptop   Wireless
                                               connections.                          it will install the needed
                                                                                     packages:
                                                   Lets get the PPTP module




A
                                               installed so that we can start        sudo aptitude install
          letter from Ken, in                                                        network-manager-pptp
                                               creating VPN connections.
          FCM#27, wanted
                                               Guess what? You no longer
          some information on                                                           Now that you have the PPTP
                                               need to use the command line
          VPNs. As my article in                                                     module installed for your
                                               interface (CLI) for this. PPTP
FCM#02 was about using VPNs,                                                         Network Manager, let's get a
                                               has been put into Add/Remove
I thought that it would be good                                                      connection setup. Right click
                                               Programs. This will make it                                                Edit the name of the
to write an update to that, as                                                       on Network Manager in the
                                               easier for those that who not                                           connection. You can put
things have changed.                                                                 Notification Area and a context
                                               like the CLI. Open your                                                 whatever you would like, but if
                                                                                     menu pops up. On the context
                                               Add/Remove Programs and do                                              you plan on making more than
   First off, you set up VPNs                                                        menu, click on Edit
                                               a search for VPN. If you sort by                                        one connection, or have
through the Network Manager.                                                         Connections. Note: you can
                                               most popular first, it should be                                        trouble remembering what you
Most VPNs that you set up will                                                       also left click the icon, go to
                                               at the top. Check the box,                                              set up 6 months down the
use the PPTP protocol. PPTP                                                          VPN Connections, then
                                               Apply Changes, put in your                                              road, it is a good idea to put
runs on TCP port 1723. If you                                                        Configure VPN.
                                               password, and click close.                                              the name of the place that you
are blocking ports out bound
                                                          full circle magazine #29     14                                                      contents ^
VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK IN UBUNTU
are connecting to.                 connected. Most VPNs are
                                   going to require an encrypted
                                   connection. Click OK.                 QUICKIE
                                                                         My wife's HP desktop was getting long in the tooth. Because I had rebuilt
                                                                         computers in the past, many options existed for its replacement. Her
                                                                         Acer One notebook had demonstrated the quality and speed of Intel's
                                                                         Atom 270 processor. I became aware of people using the Atom-equipped
                                                                         mother boards for desktop projects.

                                                                         Going online, I located a bare-bones computer using the latest Atom 330
                                                                         processor, a true dual-core version. The case is slightly larger than a
                                                                         sheet of paper and only 2 ½ inches high. I ordered a 1 Tb SATA hard
                                                                         drive, a DVD-CD drive, and 2GB of RAM. When the boxes arrived, the fun
                                                                         began.

                                                                         The manual, complete with pictures, was easy to follow. I removed the
                                                                         screws for the top and slid it off, revealing the mother board and a metal
                                                                         box for the drives. After removing the black plastic bezel and two
                                                                         screws, the drive tray slid off and out of the case. I installed the hard
                                                                         drive and the DVD drive in their respective openings with the supplied
                                      The IP v4 settings tab is for      screws, returned the tray to its place, and plugged in the SATA cords.
   In the Gateway settings, put    Advanced Users. This is where
                                                                         The RAM memory snapped into place and the computer was back
the IP or FQDN (fully qualified    you can change DNS servers
                                                                         together. I then realized that I needed a USB keyboard and mouse, as
domain name) that you are          for your VPN, set up different        there are no receptacles for the conventional cables. After a quick trip to
connecting to. Personally I just   network routes based on               a computer store, it was time to turn on the computer and load the
put in the IP. Then fill out the   subnet, and assign a static IP.       operating system. I had previously burned a CD of Ubuntu 9.04. The
                                                                         speed at which Ubuntu was loaded onto the hard drive was a revelation.
Username. I do not normally        Things should work without
                                                                         I reused the old LCD 17” monitor and the powered speakers.
put in a password -- just a good   messing with the IP v4 setting
habit in my opinion. If want to    tab.                                  The bare-bones computer is made by MSI and is called a Wind PC. There
put in a password, it is really                                          is a small fan that cools the entire computer box and it is very quiet. The
                                                                         power requirements are satisfied by an external power supply, similar to
up to you. The password should
                                                                         a laptop unit, of only 65 watts. The case comes with a plastic bracket to
bind to your Keyring if you                                              hold it on its side, instead of horizontal. After reading reviews from other
want it to.                                                              buyers, I chose to lay it flat, for optimum cooling. A wireless keyboard
                                                                         and mouse makes it possible to place the computer box quite a distance
                                                                         from your work area, the limiting factor being the length of the monitor
   You might need to go into
                                                                         cable.
the Advanced section to select
encryption. You might need to
check the Use Point-to-Point
Encryption (MPEE) to get
                                             full circle magazine #29   15                                                                   contents ^
MY STORY                                                                     One Man's Journey

M
             y computer            again was                                                your           9.04. Ubuntu has brought me
             experience began      good. But                                                desktop is     from the Dark Side to Freedom.
             with a Kaypro IV      soon an even                                             an even
             (right) running       better                                                   bigger-and-       I still have trouble believing
CP/M, a simple machine using       operating                                                better, new-   that this wonderful system is
two 5.25 inch floppy drives and    system came                                              and-           free, both in the ability to add,
a nine-inch green monitor          along. Of                                                improved       change, and modify it as you
screen. The operating system       course the                                               operating      wish, but also free of monetary
was read into memory from the      fact that I                                              system         cost.
first floppy drive, and then one   had paid                                                 called
swapped out the floppy and         good money                                               Windows 7.        I consider myself a noob,
replaced it with another floppy    for DOS and                                                             because not everything in
holding the software being         Windows, plus                                              Being        Ubuntu is easily
used, while your data was          needing to buy new software,         thrifty, I decided while running   comprehensible. But this is OK
stored on the second floppy        was of no import. You must buy       Windows 2000 that I was tired      with me, when I recall working
drive. These floppies were 360     the new and improved (does           of throwing good money after       with Windows for almost two
KB in size. This setup with a      this sound like a laundry soap       bad to buy something I didn't      decades without being able to
daisy-wheel printer and all        commercial?) operating system        like, but then I had to buy more   do everything with it. Today I
needed software cost about         called Windows 95. This was          software to secure my              have a great system enhanced
$3000 US dollars in the early      the be-all end-all of operating      computer from outside attacks      by a lot of help from both
1980s. At the time it didn't get   systems, so of course you must       because of security flaws. The     books and forums, and it lets
better than this; I was living     buy it. But it was followed by       Macintosh sticker shock turned     me do what I want to do with
the good life.                     Windows 98, Windows 98 SE,           me off as soon as I was fully      my computer.
                                   Windows ME, Windows 2000,            inside the Apple Store, so I
   Alas, the good life soon went   and Windows XP, with more            beat a hasty retreat.                 I would be remiss if I didn't
into a downward spiral, as         versions than I can count using                                         say a great big thank you to all
CP/M was crushed by a new          all of my fingers and toes, it          I had brief affairs with        the people who contribute their
operating system called DOS. I     seems. But wait, there's more.       several GNU/Linux distros, but     talent and time to give to all of
used DOS for a while, and then     Windows XP was soon eclipsed         none of them grabbed me and        us a truly world-class operating
came another operating             by Windows Vista, also with          said "I am the one” until I        system.
system, with color graphics        numerous versions for your           found Ubuntu. I first used
(GUI), called Windows. Life        perusal. And soon coming to          Ubuntu 6.06 and now am using

                                             full circle magazine #29     16                                                        contents ^
MY STORY                                                                   My Walk With Ubuntu
   Ubuntu, like fine wine, gets    the operating system on the          to do reports for school, and         and crossed my fingers hoping
better with age. The more time     CD and continued using               Ubuntu was open source, not           and waiting for it to connect to
wine is given to mature, the       Windows XP on my computer            recognizing Microsoft Windows         the Internet. Happily, it did
richer and more delicious it       until it became too boring for       or any Windows programs.              connect. Thus my mind was
tastes. The same thing can be      me. I didn't like its excessive      Although it had thousands of          made up. I quickly backed up
said about Ubuntu: the more        automatic operations and its         beautiful software programs at        my stuff, deleted Windows, and
time it is given to mature, the    lack of easy inexpensive             its disposal, it lacked the one I     installed Ubuntu. Everything
richer it becomes, the more        customization. I needed              needed. So about a month              worked perfectly, from the
content you see and the more       something to spice up my             afterwards, I uninstalled             graphic card to the sound card.
compatibility you get.             computer. So I started looking       Ubuntu. I was sad to see it go.       I have had no major problems.
                                   into different types of              However, I made a promise to
   I started using Ubuntu back     operating systems and again          come back to it as it got better.        However, I still do need
in 2005, when I got my first       came upon Ubuntu.                                                          Microsoft Office. Doing some
laptop. I knew nothing about                                               When Ubuntu 9.04 came out          research, I found two
open-source programs or about         When I visited the Ubuntu         in April, I decided to give           companies who do advance
other operating systems. I was     Web site I was amazed by             Ubuntu a chance again. I              development into Wine
heading off to college and the     everything that Ubuntu was           ordered a CD and had to wait          Microsoft Windows
only operating systems I knew      promoting and standing for. I        six weeks again for it to arrive.     Compatibility Layer, thus
about were Windows and Mac.        ordered two versions and             When it did, I first gave it a test   allowing Microsoft Office to
Windows looked boring and a        waited six weeks for the CDs to      run to see that everything was        work through their programs.
Mac was too expensive. The         reach Trinidad. As soon I got        working proberly. The reason I        Now I can have Ubuntu and
guy whom I bought the laptop       them, I backed up everything         gave up on 8.10 was that it           Microsoft Office without having
from gave me an open-source        on my laptop and installed           was not connecting with my            to dual boot or run it in a
live bootable CD containing        Ubuntu. Everything installed         mobile PC card. However, a            virtual machine.
programs and an image of           perfectly. I loved having a          different tune can be sung for
Ubuntu. All of the open-source     different operating system           Ubuntu 9.04.                             So, the Ubuntu operating
programs worked like magic on      from everyone else, and I was                                              system is just like fine wine
my new laptop. The only            soon able to customize it and           As soon as the test screen         (the drink, not the program) in
problem was that nothing           make it my own.                      came on, it indicated that I had      that it improves with age. It is
booted up.                                                              a mobile PC card, and it asked        now a great operating system
                                      However, good things do not       me to input information for           with access to loads of
  For a while I forgot all about   last. I needed Microsoft Office      running the card. I did just that     beautiful software.

                                             full circle magazine #29     17                                                           contents ^
REVIEW                                                                                               Kompozer
                                    was going to do. I could have        Authoring System.                  from HTML, but because I can
                                    gone back to doing it the old                                           change the HTML and see the
                                    fashioned way, editing the               The whole description is as    results before I even publish
                                    page locally and then                follows:                           the page.
                                    uploading it to the server,
                                    which wasn't that bad.                                                     I have a customer that I do
                                                                                                            obituaries for and it takes me
                                       Nvu is still supported on                                            about 5 minutes to do one
                                    Windows, so I went to                                                   page, because I have a
                                    http://www.net2.com/nvu/downl                                           template online that I make




I
      have been using               oad.html and downloaded a                                               changes to and then publish it
     Ubuntu since the               Windows version. I used my                                              under a new webpage name. I
     release of Breezy Badger       Windows machine until I                                                 then make a quick change to
     5.10. This means I missed      discovered KompoZer. It's a                                             an index page and add a link to
Warty Warthog and Hoary             KDE program, but it works                                               the new obituary page and I
Hedgehog. The reason I am           great in Gnome.                                                         am done.
bringing this up is because I
started using Nvu to create             If I had been paying                                                   Once I installed KompoZer I
web pages, back with Breezy         attention to what was said on                                           had to set up the servers I
Badger, while it was still          the Nvu website, I would have                                           wanted to work with. The way
supported. If I am not mistaken     seen that they recommended                                              the program works is, you open
it was still supported up until     downloading the KompoZer                                                the page, make changes and
Gutsy Gibbon. I know I couldn't     version of Nvu. They even had           I am not going to include       then re-publish it. All the time
get it to work with Intrepid Ibex   a link:                              any screen shots of Nvu but if     you are working live on-line. I
8.10, and, of course, it would      http://kompozer.net/download.p       you are interested in              find this a very fast way of
not work with Jaunty Jackalope.     hp, but the one in the Synaptic      comparing it to KompoZer just      doing things.
I really liked the program; I       package manager was a newer          go to:
used it for publishing web          version. Whenever possible I         http://www.net2.com/nvu/scree         From the main menu: Edit >
pages for customers for my          always use the one in the            nshots.html                        Publishing Site Settings is
web business. I was beside          package manager. The version                                            where you set up your servers.
myself when it was no longer        at the time of this writing is          At this point I am going to     The Publishing Site Settings
supported. I wasn't sure what I     1.0.7.10ubuntu6 and is               focus on KompoZer. I use it, not   dialog box (see figure Four) has
                                    described as a Complete Web          because I want to get away         some fields that need to be
                                              full circle magazine #29     18                                                       contents ^
REVIEW: KOMPOZER
filled in. I am giving you a                                                                                  thought it's about time I get on
screen shot of one of my                                                                                      the ball and write another one.
server settings as an example.                                                                                Just for the record I am writing
                                                                                                              this on my old laptop, and if
                                                                                                              you want to read about my old
                                                                                                              laptop you will have to look
                                                                                                              back in FCM#16, page 24.




                                        Normal view gives you a              I find this a very handy fast
   As you can see, they are          WYSIWYG view. In this view           way to make quick changes
very simple and straight-            you can make changes to your         and, by using templates, to
forward.                             web page, and it will show your      create new pages.
                                     changes when you publish it.
    Once you have your servers       The next view is the HTML Tag.           If you add any graphics to a
set up, you are ready to edit a      This allows you to view what         page, you must upload them
page or add a new one, and do        HTML tags are being used and         first or you will get error
all your publishing from one         where. Next is the view that I       messages saying that the
program. It's fast and clean.        use to make changes to the           graphic file cannot be found. I
                                     webpage: the Source Code             find it easier to upload all my
    To open a page, all you do is    view. After I make changes I         graphics before I ever start
find it on your server in the left   can go to the next view and          working with KompoZer. I use
column and double click on it.       see how my changes will look         the plugin for FireFox called
It will open your page in the        when it is published.                FireFTP. It is fast and very easy
right window where you will                                               to upload all my graphics that
find four tabs at the bottom of         Once you have made all            way beforehand.
the window. The next four            your changes or created a new
screen shots are the same            page, you can go to the top            This is the third article I
index page from Abbott's             menu: File> Publish or Publish       have written for FCM ‒ not
Funeral Home but with the four       as, and publish your finished        counting my letters. When FCM
different tabs (right).              work.                                used almost every article ever
                                                                          sent (over the past two years) I
                                               full circle magazine #29     19                                                        contents ^
MOTU INTERVIEW
                        behindmotu.wordpress.com
                                                                                                            Iulian Udrea
                                  I started to look at some bugs        that I’m part of this team.         involved with any local
                                  in Launchpad and tried to fix                                             Linux/Ubuntu groups.
                                  some of them. My first patch          Any advice for people wanting
                                  uploaded to Ubuntu was in             to help out MOTU?                   What are you going to focus on
                                  March 2008.                           Just dive in. You do not need to    in Jaunty?
                                                                        know any programming                I’m going to focus on
                                  What helped you learn                 languages by helping out            merging/syncing as many
                                  packaging and how Ubuntu              MOTU, but sometimes in may          packages as I can and fix nasty
    : 17
                                  teams work?                           help you when fixing a non-         bugs. I started to get involved
           : Romania
                                  I learnt packaging by reading         packaging bug. There are            with the Kernel team as well so
           : iulian
                                  the Debian policy, Packaging          many excellent documents            other than merging and
                                  Guide from our wiki page and          from which you can learn            syncing with Debian I focus on
How long have you used Linux
                                  some other excellent                  packaging. In my opinion,           making patches for the kernel
and what was your first distro?
                                  documents from the web.               packaging is not so difficult as    team.
I have been using GNU/Linux
                                  Frankly, I cannot remember            it looks. It doesn’t take so
since four years ago. My first
                                  from where I learnt how Ubuntu        much time to learn it. Once you     What do you do in your other
distribution was Debian 3.1
                                  teams work. I believe I learnt        learn the basics, it will be a      spare time?
Sarge.
                                  by reading their wiki pages and       piece of cake. You will just need   Reading. I am a fanatic reader,
                                  talking about them on IRC.            to understand it. Like I said in    I read a lot, especially
How long have you been using
                                                                        the previous interview when I       Computer and Science Fiction
Ubuntu?
                                  What’s your favorite part of          wasn’t a MOTU, the hardest          books. I am also a skater. So if
Since 6.06 Dapper Drake.
                                  working with the MOTU?                step is to get in, once you are     I’m not at home, reading, you
                                  Oh, that is a very interesting        in, you will never want to get      can find me in the park,
When did you get involved with
                                  question. My favourite part of        out, unless you are barmy. :-)      skating and jumping like a
the MOTU team and how?
                                  working with the MOTU is,             Nobody knows everything so          barmy boy.
I got involved with the MOTU
                                  obviously, the people. I really       do not hesitate to ask
team during the Hardy
                                  like how they interact with           questions in the channel or in
development cycle. I joined the
                                  each other and sharing ideas.         the mailing list.
#ubuntu-{motu,devel}
                                  All I can say is that all of them
channels on Freenode in
                                  are really helpful, friendly and      Are you involved with any local
December 2007, IIRC. After
                                  it’s just a great feeling working     Linux/Ubuntu groups?
some time of idling and not
                                  with them. I am really proud          Unfortunately, I am not
saying a word in both channels,

                                             full circle magazine #29     20                                                          contents ^
LETTERS                                                                                                      letters@fullcirclemagazine.org
                                                                          PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space reasons.


Seeing Stars                              Please keep giving us updates,
                                                                                LETTER OF THE MONTH
                                       that fix the problems. Then you
   Folks, I have been with Ubuntu      can come out with a new release
                                       with everything working and a lot          On a recent holiday to France I        My grasp of French is not
since 6.04 and have enjoyed the
                                       of cool new stuff too!                     was surprised to see a computer        great, so I was limited in what I
experience. I used to hate time                                                   keyboard and mouse on a window         could do on the PC. However, I
with Windows, but with 9.04 I am                                                  sill, with the screen behind the       saw several other people use the
coming to the conclusion the              Thanks for letting me vent, I           window. The sign said that use of      computer on further visits to the
same out of control software is        hope that things can begin to              the computer was free in the           town, so it is obviously getting
                                       change in a positive direction.            mornings, and also gave a small        some use. Offering a service like
starting to impede Ubuntu. For                                                    menu of refreshments available.        this has some potential
example, my DVD/CD drives used                                                    This is unusual in most places,        downsides, though; once I passed
to work in 8.10. I upgraded to                                                    but in a sleepy market town in         the computer to see a selection of
                                                                                  France it looked positively alien.     “adult” websites on the screen.
9.04, in June of 2009. It boots up
                                       GUI Python
                                                                                                                         Killing all browser windows left the
within a minute, but I've lost my                                                 The desktop was in French              PC ready for the next user.
DVD and CD drives. You knew                                                       (unsurprisingly) but I was
about the problem in March.               First, I want to congratulate           surprised to see the PC had            Perhaps this public offering of free
                                                                                  Ubuntu installed. The default web      PC use and internet access is
                                       you for your great Python                  browser was Firefox, and all other     commonplace, but it certainly
    I think the problem is, you        articles, but I have a question.           usual applications were available.     surprised me – especially as they
guys are seeing stars with each        There are a lot of places where            Obviously, the people offering         were using Ubuntu.
new release, and you are not           we can get information about               this PC for public use felt that the
                                                                                  price, security and language
fixing the problems that these         how to program in python, but              support of Ubuntu were
new releases have. Let us slow         there aren't any where we can              preferable to other commercial
down the releases, maybe one           get information on how to                  operating systems!
each year, or one every two            program in Python with a GUI.
years. Use the time to make a          Will your articles include GUI
bullet-proof system. Do more           stuff?
testing so that everything works,
or is caught in a very short time. I
can't recommend 9.04 to my
mother! She would be in tears             Greg replies:
when things no longer work. They
used to work, but not now.


                                                  full circle magazine #29        21                                                                   contents ^
LETTERS
                                   VirtualBox - Compiz                  know how to set up a home           devices such as laptops or
                                                                        network using Ubuntu.               mobiles.
                                      In a previous issue's Q&A I       Hardware manufacturers are
                                   found an answer that could be        now releasing products with
                                   expanded: the question about         wireless networking
                                   VirtualBox appearing                 capabilities. I would love to see     Ed:
                                   transparent. The proposed            a series on how to have a
                                   solution is to deactivate            server housing the data in a
                                   Compiz altogether. While this        home and the users accessing
                 .                 solution works, there is             it from anywhere in the house,               :
                                   another, less restrictive            or even the world, using their      articles@fullcirclemagazine.org
Baseball Coach                     workaround :
                                   • Launch CompizConfig
    I was reading your questions   • Select the "Window Rules"
column, and read your answer       plugin in the "Window
to the Baseball Coach's            Management" tab.
question. Quite by accident,       • For the "No ARGB" rule, add
I've found an application which    the line:
is an unbelievably good fit for
the coach's needs. Get him to         This will turn off the
try               (shown below)    transparency for VirtualBox
http://www.getdeb.net/app/Long     only, but keep all the other
oMatch. It's at GetDeb so it       Compiz settings working. I
looks like it should work in       found this on the French
Jaunty.                            Ubuntu forum (ubuntu.fr) when
                                   I encountered the same
                                   problem.




                                   Home Networking
                                      FCM#28 dealt with LAMP
                                   and networking Ubuntu PCs
                                   with SSHFS. I would like to

                                             full circle magazine #29     22                                                       contents ^
UBUNTU GAMES
                                    day game features. The key
 GAME NEWS                          unique feature Quake Live
                                    brings is the ability to play the
                          -         game within your web browser.
 Finally, Quake Live is now         All you need is an account and
 out for Linux. Go to               download of the plugin to start
 www.quakelive.com, to              playing. The best thing is that
 start fragging.                    it's free to download and play!
                                                                          all be familiar to you. All the    are saved on your profile and
                                        If you have played any of         Quake games were famous for        can be seen by the community.
                       -
                                    the Quake games in the past,          their excellent range of           The stats in the game are
 Latest version brings New
                                    there is nothing new to tell you.     weaponry. All the standard         displaying the amount of
 modes, maps, textures and
                                    It is the same great fast-paced       weapons are here, but with         games you have played, the
 weapons.
                                    shooter it has always been.           some awesome additions.            number of kills and deaths,
                                    Like any FPS, the aim is to           Plasma rifles and rocket           your favourite weapons, your
                                    move yourself around the map,         launchers are fan favourites       success-rate with certain
                                    kill as many people as possible       and are still very effective.      weapons, etc. There is a lot of
                                    and try not to die. However,                                             information about you, which
                                    Quake stands out from the rest           Apart from bringing an old      can be compared with other
                                    of the pack with its amazing          game to 2009, id Software has      players. Both these features
                                    array of weapons, sci-fi maps,        updated and added many new         offer an excellent way to make
                                    and excellent community.              features. In the past few years,   you want to play the game




T
                                    Quake Live is no different. The       thanks to Xbox 360, stats and      more, and you can get a great
         he biggest game for        game comes with 25 maps,              achievements have brought a        sense of achievement from
         Linux in 2009 is finally   most of which are based on            competitive wave between           them. Friends list has been
         out! Quake Live is an      Quake 3 maps. These maps              gamers. id Software has seen       slowly added into many
         online FPS, which is       consist of a sci-fi look and feel     this rise in popularity and have   multiplayer PC games, and
entirely based on Quake 3. id       and a great layout to suit all 5      finally brought it to Quake. The   Quake Live has followed suit.
Software wanted to bring one        game modes: Duel,                     achievements are based on          You can add friends from work
of the most popular online FPS      Deathmatch, Team                      getting so-many kills, winning     and school as well as friends
to 2009, by updating the            Deathmatch, Capture the Flag,         so-many matches or doing a         you have met in-game. The list
graphics and adding modern-         and Clan Arena. These should          certain trick. The achievements    allows you to chat and create

                                               full circle magazine #29     23                                                       contents ^
UBUNTU GAMES
matches with your friends. One        suggest matches at your level.       every game has its problems.
major and much needed                 In my experience, this system        Quake Live does too, due to
feature which has been finally        works very well. I was in            annoying bugs and glitches.
added to Quake is Clan                matches where I was able to          There are a few frame-per-
Support! Quake has always             get plenty of kills, but the         second dips and textures
been about joining clans and          competitors were also                ripping slightly, but the major
having clan matches and               challenging enough to prevent        issues have been with sound.
tournaments. You can now              boredom. The accessibility of        Sound can be poor quality:
setup clans and allow clans to        the game works very well for         crackling, out of sync, and
create matches and setup              both hardcore fans and new           shutting down. However,
tournments. This is a welcome         players, thus allowing them to       Quake Live is still under beta,
feature for the hardcore Quake        face competition at their own        so bugs are expected.
fans.                                 level.
                                                                               Overall, Quake Live is an
    The Quake series has always          Graphics are generally good,      excellent game. Thanks to the
been a hard game to do well           but are now out-dated by 10          matchmaking, the                  Score: 9/10
at, due to its fast-paced nature      years. However, id Software          achievements, and the stats,
and the high skill level of most      wanted to keep the graphics          Quake Live is the most                   :
players. Being a casual game          the same as in Quake 3, so one       accessible and enjoyable game     Match-making
due to the ease and speed of          can't complain too much. But it      in the series. With a large       Excellent community
downloading and joining a             would be nice to have some           community there is always a       Stats and Achievements
match, id Software has added          updated graphics. The game is        match to join with people you     Its Free!
some new features to help new         very scable. You will be able to     can beat. My only concern for
and less-experienced players          run it on very old hardware,         the game is attracting hardcore       :
play Quake Live. From the             and you can go into great            Quake players to play. With all   Bugs with graphics and sound
start, players are forced to try      detail adjusting the graphic's       the accessibility, the hardcore   Out dated graphics
out a tutorial which tests your       settings. The game sounds            fans may not enjoy the more       May not attract hardcore fans
skill level. It is an excellent way   great too. Hearing the               casual approach to the game.
to learn the ropes, but it plays      explosions, the whistling of         It's more likely they will go
a more vital role in match            rockets flying around, and the       back to Quake 3 (which is still
making. In past Quake games,          blasts of the plasma rifle are       the most played Quake game).      Ed Hewitt
you joined a match and were           thrilling!                           So, it seems that Quake Live is
likely to face tough                                                       for the players who want to
competition. However, this              So far, I have talked about        play Quake, but not at the
time around the game will             how great this game is. Trust        same level as the hardcore
judge your skill level and            me, it's brilliant. However,         fans.
                                                full circle magazine #29     24                                                     contents ^
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29
Full Circle 29

More Related Content

Similar to Full Circle 29

Similar to Full Circle 29 (20)

Full Circle 89
Full Circle 89Full Circle 89
Full Circle 89
 
Full Circle 86
Full Circle 86Full Circle 86
Full Circle 86
 
LinuxIdentity magazine - Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat
LinuxIdentity magazine - Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick MeerkatLinuxIdentity magazine - Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat
LinuxIdentity magazine - Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat
 
Coacpxp
CoacpxpCoacpxp
Coacpxp
 
Full Circle 88
Full Circle 88Full Circle 88
Full Circle 88
 
Ubuntu 10
Ubuntu 10Ubuntu 10
Ubuntu 10
 
Ubuntu an absolute beginners guide
Ubuntu an absolute beginners guideUbuntu an absolute beginners guide
Ubuntu an absolute beginners guide
 
Ubuntu Handbook
Ubuntu HandbookUbuntu Handbook
Ubuntu Handbook
 
Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04
Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04
Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04
 
Iniciando conubuntu1004 en
Iniciando conubuntu1004 enIniciando conubuntu1004 en
Iniciando conubuntu1004 en
 
Manual ubuntu 10_04
Manual ubuntu 10_04Manual ubuntu 10_04
Manual ubuntu 10_04
 
A Newbie’s Initiation To Linux
A Newbie’s Initiation To LinuxA Newbie’s Initiation To Linux
A Newbie’s Initiation To Linux
 
Introduction to Ubuntu
Introduction to UbuntuIntroduction to Ubuntu
Introduction to Ubuntu
 
Important Linux Commands You Should Know
Important Linux Commands You Should KnowImportant Linux Commands You Should Know
Important Linux Commands You Should Know
 
Iniciación a linux
Iniciación a linuxIniciación a linux
Iniciación a linux
 
1 the linux-guide
1 the linux-guide1 the linux-guide
1 the linux-guide
 
The linux-guide
The linux-guideThe linux-guide
The linux-guide
 
Linux begining level
Linux begining levelLinux begining level
Linux begining level
 
Ubuntu OS and it's Flavours
Ubuntu OS and it's FlavoursUbuntu OS and it's Flavours
Ubuntu OS and it's Flavours
 
Getting started with ubuntu 12.04
Getting started with ubuntu 12.04Getting started with ubuntu 12.04
Getting started with ubuntu 12.04
 

More from Victor Castro

Churrasco com sal fino
Churrasco com sal finoChurrasco com sal fino
Churrasco com sal finoVictor Castro
 
Revista BrOffice nº 9
Revista BrOffice nº 9Revista BrOffice nº 9
Revista BrOffice nº 9Victor Castro
 
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na china
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na chinaComo treinar tropas das forças armadas na china
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na chinaVictor Castro
 
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009Victor Castro
 
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento global
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento globalO manual do cético sobre o aquecimento global
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento globalVictor Castro
 
Salão do Automóvel em Paris
Salão do Automóvel em ParisSalão do Automóvel em Paris
Salão do Automóvel em ParisVictor Castro
 
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com Segurança
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com SegurançaSun Gerenciamento de Identidade com Segurança
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com SegurançaVictor Castro
 
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009Victor Castro
 
Software Livre no Exército
Software Livre no ExércitoSoftware Livre no Exército
Software Livre no ExércitoVictor Castro
 
Linux Magazine 59 CE
Linux Magazine 59 CELinux Magazine 59 CE
Linux Magazine 59 CEVictor Castro
 
Linux Magazine 58 CE
Linux Magazine 58 CELinux Magazine 58 CE
Linux Magazine 58 CEVictor Castro
 
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software Livre
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software LivreApresentação Banco do Brasil e Software Livre
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software LivreVictor Castro
 

More from Victor Castro (18)

Churrasco com sal fino
Churrasco com sal finoChurrasco com sal fino
Churrasco com sal fino
 
Revista BrOffice nº 9
Revista BrOffice nº 9Revista BrOffice nº 9
Revista BrOffice nº 9
 
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na china
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na chinaComo treinar tropas das forças armadas na china
Como treinar tropas das forças armadas na china
 
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - N. 8 - Nov. 2009
 
Caricaturas
CaricaturasCaricaturas
Caricaturas
 
Que idéia boa
Que idéia boaQue idéia boa
Que idéia boa
 
Mar em Fúria
Mar em FúriaMar em Fúria
Mar em Fúria
 
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento global
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento globalO manual do cético sobre o aquecimento global
O manual do cético sobre o aquecimento global
 
Salão do Automóvel em Paris
Salão do Automóvel em ParisSalão do Automóvel em Paris
Salão do Automóvel em Paris
 
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com Segurança
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com SegurançaSun Gerenciamento de Identidade com Segurança
Sun Gerenciamento de Identidade com Segurança
 
Sun Open Storage
Sun Open StorageSun Open Storage
Sun Open Storage
 
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009
Revista Espírito Livre - nº 7 - Outubro de 2009
 
Eletrofitas
EletrofitasEletrofitas
Eletrofitas
 
Software Livre no Exército
Software Livre no ExércitoSoftware Livre no Exército
Software Livre no Exército
 
Linux Magazine 59 CE
Linux Magazine 59 CELinux Magazine 59 CE
Linux Magazine 59 CE
 
Linux Magazine 58 CE
Linux Magazine 58 CELinux Magazine 58 CE
Linux Magazine 58 CE
 
O Centro da Bíblia
O Centro da BíbliaO Centro da Bíblia
O Centro da Bíblia
 
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software Livre
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software LivreApresentação Banco do Brasil e Software Livre
Apresentação Banco do Brasil e Software Livre
 

Full Circle 29

  • 1. full circle ISSUE #29 - September 2009 TOP FIVE PHYSICS GAMES full circle magazine #29 1 contents ^
  • 2. full circle Program In Python - Pt3 p.07 Ubuntu Games p.23 My Story p.16 MOTU Interview p.20 Read about and anothers ... Command & Conquer p.05 LAMP - Part 2 p.12 Virtual Private Network p.14 Review p.18 Letters p.21 Top 5 p.28 The articles contained in this magazine are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. This means you can adapt, copy, distribute and transmit the articles but only under the following conditions: You must attribute the work to the original author in some way (at least a name, email or URL) and to this magazine by name ('full circle magazine') and the URL www.fullcirclemagazine.org (but not attribute the article(s) in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you must distribute the resulting work under the same, similar or a compatible license. full circle magazine #29 2 contents ^
  • 3. EDITORIAL This magazine was created using : Welcome to another issue of Full Circle magazine. O ur articles on LAMP and Python continue this month and are joined by a very informative article on setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which is something that quite a few people have asked for more information on. More important is the announcement of the codename. I couldn't possibly spoil it, but flip over to the news page for more details. Please keep your articles coming in. Don't be disheartened when you don't see Ubuntu is a complete operating your (or ) right away, I keep the articles in a queue and try to system that is perfect for use them in the order I receive them, so if you sent me a several months laptops, desktops and servers. ago, it may be your turn next month, you never know! And we're always looking for Whether at home, school or work new articles, so keep them coming too! Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need including word processor, email Keep the emails coming too, I'm always interested to hear what you think about application and web browser. FCM, it's always in beta, and continually evolving. If there's something you think is Ubuntu is and always will be free missing from FCM feel free to drop me an email, my email address is below. of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu Enjoy the issue, and keep in touch! with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing. Once installed, your system is Editor, Full Circle magazine ready to use with a full set of ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games. use the new 'contents' link to jump to the contents page full circle magazine #29 from any other page! 3 contents ^
  • 4. NEWS GNOME 2.28 Released Launchpad 3.0 is here! Ubuntu 10.04 : Lucid Lynx New UI and more. The GNOME Desktop is Speaking via video to UbuCon at The Launchpad team is proud to released every the Atlanta Linuxfest, Mark announce the release of Launchpad six months and Shuttleworth announced that the 3.0! contains many code name for the 10.04 Ubuntu new features, release would be "Lucid Lynx". It • a new clearer web interface with in- improvements, will be an LTS version featuring 3 line editing bug fixes and translations. years support for the desktop • personal translation dashboards: see GNOME 2.28 continues this version and 5 years for the what needs your attention tradition. To learn more about server version. This will be the • automatically updated diffs during code reviews. GNOME and the qualities that third LTS version, proving that distinguish it from other Ubuntu can not only deliver a computer desktop new version every 6 months, but environments (such as also an LTS version every 2nd Visit Launchpad to see our new web usability, accessibility, year, something Mark is very interface. You can now view more information on many pages without internationalisation, and proud of. scrolling, particularly on people and freedom) visit the About project profile pages. GNOME page on our website. Speaking briefly of what we can expect to see in the Lucid Lynx, Mark talks of cloud computing and GNOME. And the web interface is now faster: GNOME 2.28 includes all of the Mentioning our relationship with Debian, Mark hopes to you can update more data, including almost everything on bug report improvements made in GNOME continue expanding that relationship in the hope of pages, without reloading the page. 2.26 and earlier. You can learn bettering both distributions. In closing Mark asks our more about the changes that community to search out those who put in so much work : launchpad.net happened in GNOME 2.26 from delivering a quality Ubuntu product to us, and to give its release notes. them all a big thanks. We think a big thanks is also deserved by Mark for his oversight and tireless work on Apologies to who : our behalf. wrote the article and not the http://library.gnome.org/misc/rel name given in the original PDF, the ease-notes/2.28/ : Ubuntu Weekly News PDF has since been corrected and all new downloads credit Roger. full circle magazine #29 4 contents ^
  • 5. COMMAND & CONQUER H ave you ever found (XF86AudioMute, required in the tty0 console. To yourself tapping an XF86MonBrightnessDown, a, b, dmesg|tail -5 start, you must create the extra key on your and so forth). If it displays .Xmodmap file. This can be laptop, only to NoSymbol after the keycode, If something like this done by using the touch realize that it isn't bound to there is no keypress bound to appears in the dmesg output - command, or just editing it in anything, and then finding out that keycode yet, and you can gedit and then saving the file. skip to step two. If neither the atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed Entries in the file should be in that the shortcuts program (translated set 2, code 0xf1 doesn't recognize the key? key returns nothing, it is time on isa0060/serio0). this format: Well, I ran into a similar to try showkey. problem when setting up atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes keycode <Xkeycode> = e071 <keycode>' to make it keysymbol Openbox on my netbook, and Switch to tty0 (by hitting ctrl known. so I thought I would show you + alt + F1) and log in as your A few examples would be as how to bind keys to functions, user. Once logged in, enter the - you can map the scancode to below: even if it seems that they are command: a keycode. You can do this by not recognized. keycode 153 = showkey either using HAL or XF86MonBrightnessDown setkeycodes (kernel tool), as Step One: Key This program will return shown in the dmesg output. keycode 154 = Recognition keycodes of keys pressed, and The further reading section at XF8MonBrightnessUp automatically quit 10 seconds the end of this article offers a First we need to find out if after the last keypress. Once link to HAL's keymap quirks Step Three: Testing Keycodes the key is recognized by the the command is run, hit the page. I will not go into detail in kernel. Open a terminal and key(s) you want to test, and the article, since it is quite rare run the command: record any keycodes that it (in my experience) that it is First run the command: returns. If neither of these necessary to do this. xev | grep -A2 --line- options returned a keycode, it's xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap buffered '^KeyRelease' | sed -n '/keycode /s/^.*keycode time to see if the key has a Step Two: Binding ([0-9]*).* (.*, scancode. Keycodes Then you should be able to (.*)).*$/1 2/p' add the keys to whatever To do this, press the key you function you need. If not, I will focus on binding This will output the keycode want to test, and then check revise the keycodes and keycodes to keys in Xorg, since followed by the keypress name dmesg with: keysymbol names, just in case most multimedia keys aren't full circle magazine #29 5 contents ^
  • 6. COMMAND & CONQUER QUICK REVIEW - PREY In the world of the first person shooter (FPS) video game there is very little innovation. Most of the time a new FPS game will have elements that made older, or previous, games in this genre a success. That is not the case with Prey. Prey is unique. Prey is different from anything you have played before. Recently ported to Linux, this old favourite of mine is now enjoying a new lease on life. You play a Cherokee warrior named Domasi Tawodi (a.k.a Tommy), a man who wants to leave his Cherokee heritage in the past, leave the you made a typo. A full list of An alternative tool to Reservation and move on into the civilized world, but there is one problem: symbols can be found here: xmodmap is xbindkeys, and it his girlfriend Jen wants to stay, because it is her home. All of a sudden, is fairly straightforward. There while they are talking about it in a bar, it gets ripped up by an alien ship /usr/include/X11/keysymdef.h is a GUI available called taking him, Jen and his grandfather onto it so its inhabitants can feed on them. xbindkeys_config, but I'm not And for extra function keys: sure if it's in the Ubuntu Obviously, Tommy would not give up his life so easily, so he tries to rescue repositories. his Grandfather and girlfriend. /usr/include/X11/XKeySymDB One thing that makes this game outstanding (apart from the fact it uses a Once you have ensured that heavily modified Doom 3 engine) is its use of gravity (if you take a look at HAL keymap quirks: some of the screen shots you'll see why) and portals (which makes it very the keys work, continue to step http://people.freedesktop.org/~ possible to shoot yourself if you don't know what you are doing). These four. are used in a number of short and long puzzles, but nothing the average hughsient/quirk/quirk-keymap- part-time gamer can get stuck on. Another aspect of the game I loved was index.html Step Four: Making It the fact after a certain point in the game you cannot die. You read it correctly, 'you cannot die' so you will no longer 'die' then quickly press Permanent your quick-load key then try again with a miniscule amount of health. I don't want to give away too much about this game other than the fact that it is awesome. To make the changes permanent, you have to run has learned all he knows Ten years plus in development and this is what we get: a really slick game. the xmodmap command every from repeatedly breaking his It is one of the few examples of the modern video game that I think will go system, then having no other down in the record books as a definite classic. time you log in. I would option but to discover how to fix recommend adding it to your it. You can email Lucas at: .xprofile. lswest34@gmail.com. full circle magazine #29 6 contents ^
  • 7. HOW-TO Program In Python - Part 3 those that come with Python, tell Python to #======================================= FCM#27-28 - Python Parts 1-2 or use modules that others do this. # random_example.py have created. Python itself # Module example using the random module comes with hundreds of Line seven #======================================= import random various modules that make sets up a 'for' # print 14 random integers your programming easier. A list loop to print 14 for cntr in range(1,15): of the global modules that random print random.randint(1,10) come with Python can be found numbers. Line at eight uses the http://docs.python.org/modinde randint() function to print a using database modules later Dev Graphics Internet M/media System x.html. Some modules are random integer between 1 and on in this series.) operating system specific, but 10. Notice we must tell Python most are totally cross platform what module the function Once you really get started (can be used the same way in comes from. We do this by in Python programming, you CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Linux, Mac and Microsoft saying (in this case) will probably make your own Wireless Windows). To be able to use an random.randint. Why even modules so you can use the code you've already written I external module, you must create modules? Well, if every n the last article, we import it into your program. possible function were included over and over again, without learned about lists, literal One of the modules that comes directly into Python, not only having to re-type it. If you need substitution, comments, with Python is called 'random'. would Python become to change something in that equate versus assignment, This module allows you to absolutely huge and slow, but group of code, you can, with if statements and while generate pseudo-random bug fixing would be a very little risk of breaking the statements. I promised you that numbers. We'll use the module nightmare. By using modules, code in your main program. in this part we would learn shown above right in our first we can segment the code into There are limits to this and we about modules and functions. example. groups that are specific to a will delve into this later on. So let's get started. certain need. If, for example, Now, when we used the 'import Let's examine each line of you have no need to use random' statement earlier, we Modules code. The first four lines are database functionality, you were telling Python to give us access to every function within comments. We discussed them don't need to know that there in the last article. Line five tells is a module for SQLite. the random module. If, Modules are a way to extend Python to use the random However, when you need it, it's however, we only needed to your Python programming. You module. We have to explicitly already there. (In fact, we'll be use the randint() function, we can create your own, or use full circle magazine #29 7 contents ^
  • 8. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3 can re-work the import add them, then statement like this: multiply them, and #silly example then subtract them, print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,2,1+2) from random import randint print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,2,1*2) displaying the print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,2,1-2) numbers and results print 'n' Now when we call our each time. To make print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,4,1+4) function, we don't have to use matters worse, we print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,4,1*4) the 'random.' identifier. So, our print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (1,4,1-4) have to do that three print 'n' code changes to times with three sets print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (10,5,10+5) of numbers. Our silly print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (10,5,10*5) from random import randint print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (10,5,10-5) example would then # print 14 random integers print 'n' for cntr in range(1,15): look like the text print randint(1,10) shown right. select for the function, and function, we can do it without Functions Not only is this a lot of then a list of parameters (if causing too many issues to our typing, it lends itself to errors, any) in parentheses. This line is main program. We call our When we imported the either by typing or having to then closed by a colon (:). The function, in this case, by using random module, we used the change something later on. code in the function is the function name and putting randint() function. A function is Instead, we are going to create indented. Our improved silly the parameters after. a block of code that is a function called 'DoTwo' that example (#2) is shown below. designed to be called, usually takes the two numbers and Here is another example of more than once, which makes does the math, printing the As you can see, there's a lot a function. Consider the it easier to maintain, and to output each time. We start by less typing involved — 8 lines following requirements. keep us from typing the same using the 'def' key word (which instead of 12 lines. If we need code over and over and over. says that we are going to to change something in our We want to create a As a very general and gross define statement, any time you have the to write the same code more functi #silly example 2...still silly, but better def DoTwo(num1,num2): than once or twice, that code is on). print 'Adding the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1+num2) a good candidate for a After print 'Multiplying the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1*num2) 'def' print 'Subtracting the two numbers %d and %d = %d ' % (num1,num2,num1-num2) function. While the following print 'n' two examples are silly, they we make good statements about add DoTwo(1,2) using functions. Let's say we the DoTwo(1,4) wanted to take two numbers, name DoTwo(10,5) we full circle magazine #29 8 contents ^
  • 9. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3 program that will print out a characters and use “ '=' * could modify the function we list of purchased items in a (width-2)”. To make things just made to include a Let's call the new function pretty format. It must look even easier, we will use parameter for the character to 'Fmt'. We'll pass it 4 parameter something like the text below. variable substitution to put all use in the middle of the pluses. values as follows: these items on one line. So our Let's do that. We can still call it – the value to print on the The cost of each item and string to print would be coded TopOrBottom. left for the total of all items will be as 's ('+',('=' * width-2)),'+'). – the width of this formatted as dollars and cents. Now we could have the routine def “column” TopOrBottom(character,width): The width of the print out must print this directly, but we will – the value to print on the # width is total width be able to be variable. The use the return keyword to send of returned line right (which should be a values on the left and right the generated string back to # character is the floating value) must be variable as well. We our calling line. We'll call our character to be placed – the width of this between the '+' characters will use 3 functions to do this function 'TopOrBottom' and the “column” return '%s%s%s' % task. One prints the top and code for this function looks like ('+',(character * (width- bottom line, one prints the this. 2)),'+') The first task is to format item detail lines including the the information for the right total line and one prints the def TopOrBottom(width): Now, you can see where side. Since we want to format # width is total width separator line. Luckily, there comments come in handy. the value to represent dollars of returned line are a number of things that return '%s%s%s' % Remember, we are returning and cents, we can use a special Python has that will make this ('+',('=' * (width-2)),'+') the generated string, so we function of variable very simple. If you recall, we have to have something to substitution that says, print the printed a string multiplied by 4, We could leave out the receive it back when we make value as a floating point and it returned four copies of comment, but it's nice to be the call to it. Instead of number with n number of the same string. Well we can able to tell at a glance what assigning it to another string, places to the right of the use that to our benefit. To print the parameter 'width' is. To call we'll just print it. Here's the decimal point. The command our top or bottom line we can it, we would say 'print calling line. would be '%2.f'. We will assign take the desired width, TopOrBottom(40)' or whatever this to a variable called 'part2'. subtract two for the two + width we wish the line to be. print TopOrBottom('=',40) So our code line would be Now we have one 'part2 = '%.2f' % val2'. We also function that takes So now, not only have we can use a set of functions '+===============================+' care of two of the taken care of three of the lines, that's built into Python strings '| Item 1 X.XX |' we've reduced the number of lines. We can make a called ljust and rjust. Ljust will '| Item 2 X.XX |' new function to take routines that we need from 3 left justify the string, padding '|-------------------------------|' '| Total X.XX |' care of the separator down to 2. So we only have the the right side with whatever '+===============================+' line using the same center part of the print out to character you want. Rjust does kind of code...OR we deal with. full circle magazine #29 9 contents ^
  • 10. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3 the same thing, except the While we should really do some but we can just +======================================+ padding goes on the left side. error checking, you can use print it. Notice | Item 1 3.00 | Now for the neat bit. Using that as something to play with that we are | Item 2 15.00 | substitutions we throw on your own. So...our Fmt sending 30 for +--------------------------------------+ together a big string and return function is really only two lines the width of the | Total 18.00 | +======================================+ that to the calling code. Here is of code outside of the left bit and 10 our next line. definition line and any for the width of comments. We can call it like the right. That equals the 40 output should look something return 'ss' % ('| this. that we sent to our like the text shown above right. ',val1.ljust(leftbit-2,' TopOrBottom routine earlier. '),part2.rjust(rightbit-2,' '),' |') print Fmt('Item So, fire up your editor and type While this is a very simple 1',30,item1,10) example, it should give you a in the code below. While this looks rather good idea of why and how to Again, we could assign the use functions. Now, let's daunting at first, let's dissect it Save the code as return value to another string, extend this out a bit and learn and see just how easy it is: 'pprint1.py' and run it. Your - We will send back our created string to the #pprint1.py calling code. #Example of semi-useful functions - We are going to stick in def TopOrBottom(character,width): 4 values in the string. Each # width is total width of returned line %s is a place holder. return '%s%s%s' % ('+',(character * (width-2)),'+') - Starts the variable list - Print these literals def Fmt(val1,leftbit,val2,rightbit): # prints two values padded with spaces - # val1 is thing to print on left, val2 is thing to print on right Take the variable val1 that we # leftbit is width of left portion, rightbit is width of right portion were passed, left justify it part2 = '%.2f' % val2 with spaces for (leftbit-2) return '%s%s%s%s' % ('| ',val1.ljust(leftbit-2,' '),part2.rjust(rightbit-2,' '),' |') # Define the prices of each item characters. We subtract 2 to item1 = 3.00 allow the '| ' on the left side. item2 = 15.00 - # Now print everything out... Right justify the formatted print TopOrBottom('=',40) print Fmt('Item 1',30,item1,10) string of the price rightbit-2 print Fmt('Item 2',30,item2,10) spaces. ' |' - finish the string. print TopOrBottom('-',40) print Fmt('Total',30,item1+item2,10) That's all there is to it. print TopOrBottom('=',40) full circle magazine #29 10 contents ^
  • 11. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 3 more about lists. Remember like this now. back in part 2 when we first itms = [['Soda',1.45],['Candy',.75],['Bread',1.95],['Milk',2.59]] discussed lists? Well one thing #item1 = 3.00 #item2 = 15.00 print TopOrBottom('=',40) that I didn't tell you is that a itms = list can contain just about [['Soda',1.45],['Cand total = 0 #NEW LINE anything, including lists. Let's y',.75],['Bread',1.95 for cntr in range(0,4): #NEW LINE ],['Milk',2.59]] print Fmt(itms[cntr][0],30,itms[cntr][1],10) #NEW LINE define a new list in our total += itms[cntr][1] #NEW LINE program called itms and fill it print TopOrBottom('-',40) like this: Next, remove all print Fmt('Total',30,total,10) #CHANGED LINE the lines that call print TopOrBottom('=',40) itms = Fmt(). Next add the [['Soda',1.45],['Candy',.75], following lines (with wild and crazy, you could add a ['Bread',1.95],['Milk',2.59]] #NEW LINE at the end) to line for tax as well. Handle it make your code look like the close to the same way we did If we were to access this as text shown right. the total line, but use (total * a normal list we would use .086) as the cost. print itms[0]. However, what I set up a counter variable we would get back is for loop that cycles through the print ['Soda',1.45], which is not Fmt('Tax:',30,total*.086,10) list for each item there. Notice really what we were looking for that I've also added a variable under normal circumstances. If you would like to, you can called total. We set the total to We want to access each item in add more items to the list and 0 before we go into our for that first list. So we would use see how it works. loop. Then as we print each 'print itms[0][0]' to get 'Soda' item sold, we add the cost to and [0][1] to get the cost or That's it for this time. Next our total. Finally, we print the 1.45. So, now we have 4 items time we'll concentrate on total out right after the that have been purchased and classes. separator line. Save your we want to use that program and information in our pretty print run it. You routine. The only thing we have +======================================+ should see is owner of to change is at the bottom of | Soda 1.45 | ,a something like | Candy 0.75 | the program. Save the last consulting company in Aurora, the text shown | Bread 1.95 | Colorado, and has been program as 'pprint2.py', then | Milk 2.59 | below. programming since 1972. He comment out the two itemx +--------------------------------------+ enjoys cooking, hiking, music, definitions and insert the list | Total 6.74 | and spending time with his If you +======================================+ we had above. It should look family. wanted to get full circle magazine #29 11 contents ^
  • 12. HOW-TO LAMP - Part 2 FTP Installation as follows: sudo /etc/init.d/vsftpd FCM#28 - LAMP Part 1 restart We're going to use vsftpd. At • Enable local user access (my the CLI type: account) in the vsftpd.conf. Firewall Configuration sudo apt-get install vsftpd • Add the user (me) to the www-data user group (I use This is quite easy through You can source a vsftpd GUI Webmin for this). Webmin. Under the drop-down module for Webmin but I prefer networking tab, open ‘Linux to edit the vsftpd.conf file • Give ownership of /var/www Firewall‘. Dev Graphics Internet M/media System manually. To do so at the to the www-data group (I use command line, type: Webmin for this) and check Select Block All except SSH “Files Inherit Group”. and IDENT on external sudo nano /etc/vsftpd.conf interface. CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless • Set destination path in the I've read many tutorials ftp client (i.e /var/www). At the next screen we need which seem quite happy to to add rules for FTP, Webmin, W work with anonymous access. Ensure that Sendmail & MySQL Admin e have our nice However, this isn't something new LAMP box, all "umask" is un-commented in access. I'm personally comfortable the vsftpd.conf file and select very well and with, so I always disable it. good, but we'll be your desired setting for Click ‘Add Rule‘ under the Depending on your own system intended uploads. For existing list. needing to put some data on it, policy you may also wish to of course. Not only that, but we Wordpress installations I've chroot selected users to found 0002 to be the most Check ‘Accept‘. don't want other people to also prevent them from straying out be able to put their data on it, agreeable option -- this gives of where they're supposed to 775 permissions. Set Network Protocol Equals or, alternatively, to steal ours. be into somewhere they aren't. Linux server is inherently TCP. secure by default, however it Your needs may be different, Permissions are the thing for but the above works for me. Set Destination TCP or UDP doesn't do any harm to ramp FTP access. As I use only a things up to the next level. Restart vsftpd and test access port Equals 21. single account, and connect with your FTP utility. I use Let's configure FTP and an easy directly into /var/www, my Firewall. Transmit -- it’s great. Click ‘Create‘. expanded method for access is full circle magazine #29 12 contents ^
  • 13. LAMP - PART 2 Do the same for ports 3306 First we install Sendmail. At (MySQL), port 25 (Sendmail), the CLI type: port 10000 (Webmin), and port 80 (Web & phpMyAdmin). sudo apt-get install sendmail Check ‘Activate at Boot‘ and Next we need to configure click ‘Apply Configuration‘. PHP so it knows where the That’s it. If you can get back SMTP service (sendmail) is. At into Webmin, use PHP Mail the CLI, type the following: scripts and FTP, and latch onto sudo nano the DB with MySQL /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini Administrator. Then you're sorted. Add the following under the mail function section, inputting You may have to re-start your own details as required: MySQL. I use Webmin seeing as how it’s already open. [mail function] ; Setup for Linux systems PHP Mail sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail -t sendmail_from = You may wish to have the <your_webadmin_mail_account@y ability for visitors to one-click ourdomain.com> mail you from your funky dynamic website. PHP already And save. That's it. Your mail has a mail function built in, but scripts should now quite Richard Redei it needs linking to a transport happily send mail. agent (MTA) for it to relay. In other words, it needs a program or service which will send the mail. Here we can is a use a server option called (can passionate Ubuntu professional you guess?), yes, Sendmail. who offers open source strategies Here's how to install and and services for business IT from the http://toomuchgreen.eu web configure it -- it's very easy. portal. When not working with technology he cycles vigorously. full circle magazine #29 13 contents ^
  • 14. HOW-TO Virtual Private Network In Ubuntu from your local machine or LAN Simple enough. In the Network Connections firewall, you will need to allow window, you will need to click N/A this port to pass. Most of the on the VPN tab. time this port will be allowed out bound, unless you are an extreme security freak and you have things on lock down. You will need to locate the Network Manager icon in your Dev Graphics Internet M/media System Notification Area (yours might look different). This will aid you in getting to the settings of For you CLI people out Next click on Add and then your network and starting VPN there, type this at the CLI and Create. CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless connections. it will install the needed packages: Lets get the PPTP module A installed so that we can start sudo aptitude install letter from Ken, in network-manager-pptp creating VPN connections. FCM#27, wanted Guess what? You no longer some information on Now that you have the PPTP need to use the command line VPNs. As my article in module installed for your interface (CLI) for this. PPTP FCM#02 was about using VPNs, Network Manager, let's get a has been put into Add/Remove I thought that it would be good connection setup. Right click Programs. This will make it Edit the name of the to write an update to that, as on Network Manager in the easier for those that who not connection. You can put things have changed. Notification Area and a context like the CLI. Open your whatever you would like, but if menu pops up. On the context Add/Remove Programs and do you plan on making more than First off, you set up VPNs menu, click on Edit a search for VPN. If you sort by one connection, or have through the Network Manager. Connections. Note: you can most popular first, it should be trouble remembering what you Most VPNs that you set up will also left click the icon, go to at the top. Check the box, set up 6 months down the use the PPTP protocol. PPTP VPN Connections, then Apply Changes, put in your road, it is a good idea to put runs on TCP port 1723. If you Configure VPN. password, and click close. the name of the place that you are blocking ports out bound full circle magazine #29 14 contents ^
  • 15. VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK IN UBUNTU are connecting to. connected. Most VPNs are going to require an encrypted connection. Click OK. QUICKIE My wife's HP desktop was getting long in the tooth. Because I had rebuilt computers in the past, many options existed for its replacement. Her Acer One notebook had demonstrated the quality and speed of Intel's Atom 270 processor. I became aware of people using the Atom-equipped mother boards for desktop projects. Going online, I located a bare-bones computer using the latest Atom 330 processor, a true dual-core version. The case is slightly larger than a sheet of paper and only 2 ½ inches high. I ordered a 1 Tb SATA hard drive, a DVD-CD drive, and 2GB of RAM. When the boxes arrived, the fun began. The manual, complete with pictures, was easy to follow. I removed the screws for the top and slid it off, revealing the mother board and a metal box for the drives. After removing the black plastic bezel and two screws, the drive tray slid off and out of the case. I installed the hard drive and the DVD drive in their respective openings with the supplied The IP v4 settings tab is for screws, returned the tray to its place, and plugged in the SATA cords. In the Gateway settings, put Advanced Users. This is where The RAM memory snapped into place and the computer was back the IP or FQDN (fully qualified you can change DNS servers together. I then realized that I needed a USB keyboard and mouse, as domain name) that you are for your VPN, set up different there are no receptacles for the conventional cables. After a quick trip to connecting to. Personally I just network routes based on a computer store, it was time to turn on the computer and load the put in the IP. Then fill out the subnet, and assign a static IP. operating system. I had previously burned a CD of Ubuntu 9.04. The speed at which Ubuntu was loaded onto the hard drive was a revelation. Username. I do not normally Things should work without I reused the old LCD 17” monitor and the powered speakers. put in a password -- just a good messing with the IP v4 setting habit in my opinion. If want to tab. The bare-bones computer is made by MSI and is called a Wind PC. There put in a password, it is really is a small fan that cools the entire computer box and it is very quiet. The power requirements are satisfied by an external power supply, similar to up to you. The password should a laptop unit, of only 65 watts. The case comes with a plastic bracket to bind to your Keyring if you hold it on its side, instead of horizontal. After reading reviews from other want it to. buyers, I chose to lay it flat, for optimum cooling. A wireless keyboard and mouse makes it possible to place the computer box quite a distance from your work area, the limiting factor being the length of the monitor You might need to go into cable. the Advanced section to select encryption. You might need to check the Use Point-to-Point Encryption (MPEE) to get full circle magazine #29 15 contents ^
  • 16. MY STORY One Man's Journey M y computer again was your 9.04. Ubuntu has brought me experience began good. But desktop is from the Dark Side to Freedom. with a Kaypro IV soon an even an even (right) running better bigger-and- I still have trouble believing CP/M, a simple machine using operating better, new- that this wonderful system is two 5.25 inch floppy drives and system came and- free, both in the ability to add, a nine-inch green monitor along. Of improved change, and modify it as you screen. The operating system course the operating wish, but also free of monetary was read into memory from the fact that I system cost. first floppy drive, and then one had paid called swapped out the floppy and good money Windows 7. I consider myself a noob, replaced it with another floppy for DOS and because not everything in holding the software being Windows, plus Being Ubuntu is easily used, while your data was needing to buy new software, thrifty, I decided while running comprehensible. But this is OK stored on the second floppy was of no import. You must buy Windows 2000 that I was tired with me, when I recall working drive. These floppies were 360 the new and improved (does of throwing good money after with Windows for almost two KB in size. This setup with a this sound like a laundry soap bad to buy something I didn't decades without being able to daisy-wheel printer and all commercial?) operating system like, but then I had to buy more do everything with it. Today I needed software cost about called Windows 95. This was software to secure my have a great system enhanced $3000 US dollars in the early the be-all end-all of operating computer from outside attacks by a lot of help from both 1980s. At the time it didn't get systems, so of course you must because of security flaws. The books and forums, and it lets better than this; I was living buy it. But it was followed by Macintosh sticker shock turned me do what I want to do with the good life. Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, me off as soon as I was fully my computer. Windows ME, Windows 2000, inside the Apple Store, so I Alas, the good life soon went and Windows XP, with more beat a hasty retreat. I would be remiss if I didn't into a downward spiral, as versions than I can count using say a great big thank you to all CP/M was crushed by a new all of my fingers and toes, it I had brief affairs with the people who contribute their operating system called DOS. I seems. But wait, there's more. several GNU/Linux distros, but talent and time to give to all of used DOS for a while, and then Windows XP was soon eclipsed none of them grabbed me and us a truly world-class operating came another operating by Windows Vista, also with said "I am the one” until I system. system, with color graphics numerous versions for your found Ubuntu. I first used (GUI), called Windows. Life perusal. And soon coming to Ubuntu 6.06 and now am using full circle magazine #29 16 contents ^
  • 17. MY STORY My Walk With Ubuntu Ubuntu, like fine wine, gets the operating system on the to do reports for school, and and crossed my fingers hoping better with age. The more time CD and continued using Ubuntu was open source, not and waiting for it to connect to wine is given to mature, the Windows XP on my computer recognizing Microsoft Windows the Internet. Happily, it did richer and more delicious it until it became too boring for or any Windows programs. connect. Thus my mind was tastes. The same thing can be me. I didn't like its excessive Although it had thousands of made up. I quickly backed up said about Ubuntu: the more automatic operations and its beautiful software programs at my stuff, deleted Windows, and time it is given to mature, the lack of easy inexpensive its disposal, it lacked the one I installed Ubuntu. Everything richer it becomes, the more customization. I needed needed. So about a month worked perfectly, from the content you see and the more something to spice up my afterwards, I uninstalled graphic card to the sound card. compatibility you get. computer. So I started looking Ubuntu. I was sad to see it go. I have had no major problems. into different types of However, I made a promise to I started using Ubuntu back operating systems and again come back to it as it got better. However, I still do need in 2005, when I got my first came upon Ubuntu. Microsoft Office. Doing some laptop. I knew nothing about When Ubuntu 9.04 came out research, I found two open-source programs or about When I visited the Ubuntu in April, I decided to give companies who do advance other operating systems. I was Web site I was amazed by Ubuntu a chance again. I development into Wine heading off to college and the everything that Ubuntu was ordered a CD and had to wait Microsoft Windows only operating systems I knew promoting and standing for. I six weeks again for it to arrive. Compatibility Layer, thus about were Windows and Mac. ordered two versions and When it did, I first gave it a test allowing Microsoft Office to Windows looked boring and a waited six weeks for the CDs to run to see that everything was work through their programs. Mac was too expensive. The reach Trinidad. As soon I got working proberly. The reason I Now I can have Ubuntu and guy whom I bought the laptop them, I backed up everything gave up on 8.10 was that it Microsoft Office without having from gave me an open-source on my laptop and installed was not connecting with my to dual boot or run it in a live bootable CD containing Ubuntu. Everything installed mobile PC card. However, a virtual machine. programs and an image of perfectly. I loved having a different tune can be sung for Ubuntu. All of the open-source different operating system Ubuntu 9.04. So, the Ubuntu operating programs worked like magic on from everyone else, and I was system is just like fine wine my new laptop. The only soon able to customize it and As soon as the test screen (the drink, not the program) in problem was that nothing make it my own. came on, it indicated that I had that it improves with age. It is booted up. a mobile PC card, and it asked now a great operating system However, good things do not me to input information for with access to loads of For a while I forgot all about last. I needed Microsoft Office running the card. I did just that beautiful software. full circle magazine #29 17 contents ^
  • 18. REVIEW Kompozer was going to do. I could have Authoring System. from HTML, but because I can gone back to doing it the old change the HTML and see the fashioned way, editing the The whole description is as results before I even publish page locally and then follows: the page. uploading it to the server, which wasn't that bad. I have a customer that I do obituaries for and it takes me Nvu is still supported on about 5 minutes to do one Windows, so I went to page, because I have a http://www.net2.com/nvu/downl template online that I make I have been using oad.html and downloaded a changes to and then publish it Ubuntu since the Windows version. I used my under a new webpage name. I release of Breezy Badger Windows machine until I then make a quick change to 5.10. This means I missed discovered KompoZer. It's a an index page and add a link to Warty Warthog and Hoary KDE program, but it works the new obituary page and I Hedgehog. The reason I am great in Gnome. am done. bringing this up is because I started using Nvu to create If I had been paying Once I installed KompoZer I web pages, back with Breezy attention to what was said on had to set up the servers I Badger, while it was still the Nvu website, I would have wanted to work with. The way supported. If I am not mistaken seen that they recommended the program works is, you open it was still supported up until downloading the KompoZer the page, make changes and Gutsy Gibbon. I know I couldn't version of Nvu. They even had I am not going to include then re-publish it. All the time get it to work with Intrepid Ibex a link: any screen shots of Nvu but if you are working live on-line. I 8.10, and, of course, it would http://kompozer.net/download.p you are interested in find this a very fast way of not work with Jaunty Jackalope. hp, but the one in the Synaptic comparing it to KompoZer just doing things. I really liked the program; I package manager was a newer go to: used it for publishing web version. Whenever possible I http://www.net2.com/nvu/scree From the main menu: Edit > pages for customers for my always use the one in the nshots.html Publishing Site Settings is web business. I was beside package manager. The version where you set up your servers. myself when it was no longer at the time of this writing is At this point I am going to The Publishing Site Settings supported. I wasn't sure what I 1.0.7.10ubuntu6 and is focus on KompoZer. I use it, not dialog box (see figure Four) has described as a Complete Web because I want to get away some fields that need to be full circle magazine #29 18 contents ^
  • 19. REVIEW: KOMPOZER filled in. I am giving you a thought it's about time I get on screen shot of one of my the ball and write another one. server settings as an example. Just for the record I am writing this on my old laptop, and if you want to read about my old laptop you will have to look back in FCM#16, page 24. Normal view gives you a I find this a very handy fast As you can see, they are WYSIWYG view. In this view way to make quick changes very simple and straight- you can make changes to your and, by using templates, to forward. web page, and it will show your create new pages. changes when you publish it. Once you have your servers The next view is the HTML Tag. If you add any graphics to a set up, you are ready to edit a This allows you to view what page, you must upload them page or add a new one, and do HTML tags are being used and first or you will get error all your publishing from one where. Next is the view that I messages saying that the program. It's fast and clean. use to make changes to the graphic file cannot be found. I webpage: the Source Code find it easier to upload all my To open a page, all you do is view. After I make changes I graphics before I ever start find it on your server in the left can go to the next view and working with KompoZer. I use column and double click on it. see how my changes will look the plugin for FireFox called It will open your page in the when it is published. FireFTP. It is fast and very easy right window where you will to upload all my graphics that find four tabs at the bottom of Once you have made all way beforehand. the window. The next four your changes or created a new screen shots are the same page, you can go to the top This is the third article I index page from Abbott's menu: File> Publish or Publish have written for FCM ‒ not Funeral Home but with the four as, and publish your finished counting my letters. When FCM different tabs (right). work. used almost every article ever sent (over the past two years) I full circle magazine #29 19 contents ^
  • 20. MOTU INTERVIEW behindmotu.wordpress.com Iulian Udrea I started to look at some bugs that I’m part of this team. involved with any local in Launchpad and tried to fix Linux/Ubuntu groups. some of them. My first patch Any advice for people wanting uploaded to Ubuntu was in to help out MOTU? What are you going to focus on March 2008. Just dive in. You do not need to in Jaunty? know any programming I’m going to focus on What helped you learn languages by helping out merging/syncing as many packaging and how Ubuntu MOTU, but sometimes in may packages as I can and fix nasty : 17 teams work? help you when fixing a non- bugs. I started to get involved : Romania I learnt packaging by reading packaging bug. There are with the Kernel team as well so : iulian the Debian policy, Packaging many excellent documents other than merging and Guide from our wiki page and from which you can learn syncing with Debian I focus on How long have you used Linux some other excellent packaging. In my opinion, making patches for the kernel and what was your first distro? documents from the web. packaging is not so difficult as team. I have been using GNU/Linux Frankly, I cannot remember it looks. It doesn’t take so since four years ago. My first from where I learnt how Ubuntu much time to learn it. Once you What do you do in your other distribution was Debian 3.1 teams work. I believe I learnt learn the basics, it will be a spare time? Sarge. by reading their wiki pages and piece of cake. You will just need Reading. I am a fanatic reader, talking about them on IRC. to understand it. Like I said in I read a lot, especially How long have you been using the previous interview when I Computer and Science Fiction Ubuntu? What’s your favorite part of wasn’t a MOTU, the hardest books. I am also a skater. So if Since 6.06 Dapper Drake. working with the MOTU? step is to get in, once you are I’m not at home, reading, you Oh, that is a very interesting in, you will never want to get can find me in the park, When did you get involved with question. My favourite part of out, unless you are barmy. :-) skating and jumping like a the MOTU team and how? working with the MOTU is, Nobody knows everything so barmy boy. I got involved with the MOTU obviously, the people. I really do not hesitate to ask team during the Hardy like how they interact with questions in the channel or in development cycle. I joined the each other and sharing ideas. the mailing list. #ubuntu-{motu,devel} All I can say is that all of them channels on Freenode in are really helpful, friendly and Are you involved with any local December 2007, IIRC. After it’s just a great feeling working Linux/Ubuntu groups? some time of idling and not with them. I am really proud Unfortunately, I am not saying a word in both channels, full circle magazine #29 20 contents ^
  • 21. LETTERS letters@fullcirclemagazine.org PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space reasons. Seeing Stars Please keep giving us updates, LETTER OF THE MONTH that fix the problems. Then you Folks, I have been with Ubuntu can come out with a new release with everything working and a lot On a recent holiday to France I My grasp of French is not since 6.04 and have enjoyed the of cool new stuff too! was surprised to see a computer great, so I was limited in what I experience. I used to hate time keyboard and mouse on a window could do on the PC. However, I with Windows, but with 9.04 I am sill, with the screen behind the saw several other people use the coming to the conclusion the Thanks for letting me vent, I window. The sign said that use of computer on further visits to the same out of control software is hope that things can begin to the computer was free in the town, so it is obviously getting change in a positive direction. mornings, and also gave a small some use. Offering a service like starting to impede Ubuntu. For menu of refreshments available. this has some potential example, my DVD/CD drives used This is unusual in most places, downsides, though; once I passed to work in 8.10. I upgraded to but in a sleepy market town in the computer to see a selection of France it looked positively alien. “adult” websites on the screen. 9.04, in June of 2009. It boots up GUI Python Killing all browser windows left the within a minute, but I've lost my The desktop was in French PC ready for the next user. DVD and CD drives. You knew (unsurprisingly) but I was about the problem in March. First, I want to congratulate surprised to see the PC had Perhaps this public offering of free Ubuntu installed. The default web PC use and internet access is you for your great Python browser was Firefox, and all other commonplace, but it certainly I think the problem is, you articles, but I have a question. usual applications were available. surprised me – especially as they guys are seeing stars with each There are a lot of places where Obviously, the people offering were using Ubuntu. new release, and you are not we can get information about this PC for public use felt that the price, security and language fixing the problems that these how to program in python, but support of Ubuntu were new releases have. Let us slow there aren't any where we can preferable to other commercial down the releases, maybe one get information on how to operating systems! each year, or one every two program in Python with a GUI. years. Use the time to make a Will your articles include GUI bullet-proof system. Do more stuff? testing so that everything works, or is caught in a very short time. I can't recommend 9.04 to my mother! She would be in tears Greg replies: when things no longer work. They used to work, but not now. full circle magazine #29 21 contents ^
  • 22. LETTERS VirtualBox - Compiz know how to set up a home devices such as laptops or network using Ubuntu. mobiles. In a previous issue's Q&A I Hardware manufacturers are found an answer that could be now releasing products with expanded: the question about wireless networking VirtualBox appearing capabilities. I would love to see Ed: transparent. The proposed a series on how to have a solution is to deactivate server housing the data in a Compiz altogether. While this home and the users accessing . solution works, there is it from anywhere in the house, : another, less restrictive or even the world, using their articles@fullcirclemagazine.org Baseball Coach workaround : • Launch CompizConfig I was reading your questions • Select the "Window Rules" column, and read your answer plugin in the "Window to the Baseball Coach's Management" tab. question. Quite by accident, • For the "No ARGB" rule, add I've found an application which the line: is an unbelievably good fit for the coach's needs. Get him to This will turn off the try (shown below) transparency for VirtualBox http://www.getdeb.net/app/Long only, but keep all the other oMatch. It's at GetDeb so it Compiz settings working. I looks like it should work in found this on the French Jaunty. Ubuntu forum (ubuntu.fr) when I encountered the same problem. Home Networking FCM#28 dealt with LAMP and networking Ubuntu PCs with SSHFS. I would like to full circle magazine #29 22 contents ^
  • 23. UBUNTU GAMES day game features. The key GAME NEWS unique feature Quake Live brings is the ability to play the - game within your web browser. Finally, Quake Live is now All you need is an account and out for Linux. Go to download of the plugin to start www.quakelive.com, to playing. The best thing is that start fragging. it's free to download and play! all be familiar to you. All the are saved on your profile and If you have played any of Quake games were famous for can be seen by the community. - the Quake games in the past, their excellent range of The stats in the game are Latest version brings New there is nothing new to tell you. weaponry. All the standard displaying the amount of modes, maps, textures and It is the same great fast-paced weapons are here, but with games you have played, the weapons. shooter it has always been. some awesome additions. number of kills and deaths, Like any FPS, the aim is to Plasma rifles and rocket your favourite weapons, your move yourself around the map, launchers are fan favourites success-rate with certain kill as many people as possible and are still very effective. weapons, etc. There is a lot of and try not to die. However, information about you, which Quake stands out from the rest Apart from bringing an old can be compared with other of the pack with its amazing game to 2009, id Software has players. Both these features array of weapons, sci-fi maps, updated and added many new offer an excellent way to make and excellent community. features. In the past few years, you want to play the game T Quake Live is no different. The thanks to Xbox 360, stats and more, and you can get a great he biggest game for game comes with 25 maps, achievements have brought a sense of achievement from Linux in 2009 is finally most of which are based on competitive wave between them. Friends list has been out! Quake Live is an Quake 3 maps. These maps gamers. id Software has seen slowly added into many online FPS, which is consist of a sci-fi look and feel this rise in popularity and have multiplayer PC games, and entirely based on Quake 3. id and a great layout to suit all 5 finally brought it to Quake. The Quake Live has followed suit. Software wanted to bring one game modes: Duel, achievements are based on You can add friends from work of the most popular online FPS Deathmatch, Team getting so-many kills, winning and school as well as friends to 2009, by updating the Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, so-many matches or doing a you have met in-game. The list graphics and adding modern- and Clan Arena. These should certain trick. The achievements allows you to chat and create full circle magazine #29 23 contents ^
  • 24. UBUNTU GAMES matches with your friends. One suggest matches at your level. every game has its problems. major and much needed In my experience, this system Quake Live does too, due to feature which has been finally works very well. I was in annoying bugs and glitches. added to Quake is Clan matches where I was able to There are a few frame-per- Support! Quake has always get plenty of kills, but the second dips and textures been about joining clans and competitors were also ripping slightly, but the major having clan matches and challenging enough to prevent issues have been with sound. tournaments. You can now boredom. The accessibility of Sound can be poor quality: setup clans and allow clans to the game works very well for crackling, out of sync, and create matches and setup both hardcore fans and new shutting down. However, tournments. This is a welcome players, thus allowing them to Quake Live is still under beta, feature for the hardcore Quake face competition at their own so bugs are expected. fans. level. Overall, Quake Live is an The Quake series has always Graphics are generally good, excellent game. Thanks to the been a hard game to do well but are now out-dated by 10 matchmaking, the Score: 9/10 at, due to its fast-paced nature years. However, id Software achievements, and the stats, and the high skill level of most wanted to keep the graphics Quake Live is the most : players. Being a casual game the same as in Quake 3, so one accessible and enjoyable game Match-making due to the ease and speed of can't complain too much. But it in the series. With a large Excellent community downloading and joining a would be nice to have some community there is always a Stats and Achievements match, id Software has added updated graphics. The game is match to join with people you Its Free! some new features to help new very scable. You will be able to can beat. My only concern for and less-experienced players run it on very old hardware, the game is attracting hardcore : play Quake Live. From the and you can go into great Quake players to play. With all Bugs with graphics and sound start, players are forced to try detail adjusting the graphic's the accessibility, the hardcore Out dated graphics out a tutorial which tests your settings. The game sounds fans may not enjoy the more May not attract hardcore fans skill level. It is an excellent way great too. Hearing the casual approach to the game. to learn the ropes, but it plays explosions, the whistling of It's more likely they will go a more vital role in match rockets flying around, and the back to Quake 3 (which is still making. In past Quake games, blasts of the plasma rifle are the most played Quake game). Ed Hewitt you joined a match and were thrilling! So, it seems that Quake Live is likely to face tough for the players who want to competition. However, this So far, I have talked about play Quake, but not at the time around the game will how great this game is. Trust same level as the hardcore judge your skill level and me, it's brilliant. However, fans. full circle magazine #29 24 contents ^