Year: 2007

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How to use SVN for beginners

surface from Linux by Examples has written two ‘getting started for SVN’ articles that I find it interesting and useful for beginners.

The article covers important SVN operation (checkout,diff,update,import, check in) necessary for managing a software project.

Here’s the link to the article :

What is SVN (Subversion)
SVN or subversion is an open source tool used for revision control system similar to CVS. It is widely use by popular open source project such as Apache, KDE, Gnome, Python and Samba as their version control program.

Open Source repository site like SourceForge and Google Code Project Hosting provides SVN hosting for free and open source project.

Further Reading
You can find more information about SVN (or Subversion) and maintaining open source software by reading these books:

Visit SVN (Subversion) Official website for more information about the system.

Recommended Reading

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GNUbuntu ? Ubuntu plans a completely free variant of its distro

The Ubuntu project is planning to release a new variant of its distribution which would appeal ‘Free Software’ purist which want no more than a 100% completely free operating system that works out from the box.

This intention has be made known by Mark Shuttleworth himself in the Ubuntu mailing list few days ago (12 April 2007).

However the unnamed release is not intended to be a ‘variant’ of the main Ubuntu release, putting it inline with the Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu project.

The new variant of the distro will only feature software which only come with source code and that have full rights of modification and redistribution. Mark Shuttleworth also notes that works on the new variant will involve the folks from gNewsense team, an unofficial distro based on Ubuntu, which puts a possibility that the gNewsense distro will be completely integrated into the Official Ubuntu project.

The variant is estimated to be ready on the next cycle of Ubuntu release (Gutsy Gibbon) due on
October 2007. It unclear if the new Ubuntu variant will support playing mp3 or mpeg4 files as codecs for both for format are licensed under a GNU GPL compatible free software license despite their patented status.

p/s: If this plan works, I think you might be seeing FSF (or even Stallman) himself use Ubuntu on their computers anytime soon.

[tags]ubuntu,gnewsense,debian,linux,gutsy gibbon,gutsy,linux,opensource,open source[/tags]

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Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) was officially released

The much anticipated Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) was finally released on 8th April 2007.

The release was unofficially available since November last year but some technicalities prevented the project from making an official release announcement until all architectures it supported is of release quality.

Among softwares included in Debian Etch are :

  • GNOME 2.14
  • OpenOffice.org 2.0.4
  • GIMP 2.2.13
  • Iceweasel (Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3)
  • Icedove (Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5)
  • PostgreSQL 8.1.8
  • MySQL 5.0.32
  • GCC 4.1.1
  • Linux kernel 2.6.18
  • Apache 2.2.3
  • Samba 3.0.24
  • Python 2.4.4 and 2.5

Debian is one of the oldest GNU/Linux distribution project which is still active until today. Many of the newer Linux distribution (eg Ubuntu, mepis,knoppix) based their project on Debian codebase.

Debian has the largest collection of softwares and the widest machine architecture support compared to other distro.

Please visit the official Debian GNU/Linux project website to get more information about it.

[tags]debian,linux,distro,opensource, open source[/tags]

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The Mystery Behind Ubuntu Release Name

Ubuntu users are no doubt familiar with the unique and funky name for its releases (Feisty Fawn, Breezy Badger, Hoary Hedgehog) in which it is more popular than the release number (7.04, 6.10, 6.06). Most people tends to remember the codename when refering to a particular Ubuntu release (such as Ubuntu Dapper as opposed to Ubuntu 6.06)

The main reason codename is used because it is easier for humans to memorize names compared to release number (hence the motto Linux for human beings). he same codename is also used as development name during initial buildup stage. Using the same codename has the advantage of reducing potential confusion that might arise from the different development/release name pairs.

Though the Ubuntu Wiki Page explains how codenames are formed, it doesn’t reveal the technique of naming the release is known as Alliteration.

The use of Alliteration
Alliteration is a form of mnemonics that uses the same alphabet (consonant) in two consecutive words, like Peter Parker and Lex Luthor. Phrases that use alliteration is easier to remember than those that do not.

Alliteration isn’t solely used by Ubuntu alone, other brand names or products that use alliteration includes :

  • Playboy Playmates
  • Spongebob Squarepants
  • Coca-cola
  • French Fries
  • Kit Kat
  • Pontiac Pursuit
  • Super Sonic
  • Take Two
  • Peter Pan
  • King Kong
  • Mickey Mouse
  • Paypal
  • Plater of Paris
  • Tic-tac
  • Ding Dang
  • Marilyn Manson
  • Kuda Kepang

Alliteration can make a phrase more memorable which explains why Ubuntu release name is more widely known than its release number (ie. How many people remembers Ubuntu Hoary release number?).

p/s: Now I know why I have no trouble recalling Paypal as a credit card processor service or French Fries when ordering chips at any fast food restaurant and Coca Cola as my favorite soft drink (yeah, carbonated drinks are not good, but at least they are not as pretentious as Ribena)

[tags]breezy badger,ubuntu,feisty,feisty fawn,linux,distro[/tags]

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My Modem gone up in smoke !

I’ve a sad news to share with everybody here, my D-Link G604T ADSL modem had gone up in smoke today. I don’t know what caused it, but I suspected long duration of use (24/7) might contribute to its demise.

Now I’m stuck with the spare Kasda ADSL modem, hard to dial out, a bit unreliable but it does its job of keeping me connected to the internet.

I think i need to save some money to buy myself a new modem after this, preferably one that can operate non-stop 24/7. I heard linksys and 3com modem are good but the latter is much harder to find at my place.

Any tips on buying a new ADSL router (preferably wifi capable) ?

[tags]router,modem,adsl,streamyx,broadband[/tags]

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FFMpeg based FLV to 3gp batch converter scripts

A friend from #fakap asks me to create a dead simple FLV to 3gp batch converter for him to port youtube clips to mobile phone.

As a result I complied, and created flvto3gp bash script for the job.

Usage
Using it is simple, just run this script inside a directory full of FLV (or any video files supported by ffmpeg) and execute it using this command :

sh flvto3gp.sh *

The script will convert all video files to 3gp file format one by one. The script requires
ffmpeg in order to run.

Ubuntu users might have to refer to this post before using this utility : Enable mp3 and amr support in ffmpeg ( Ubuntu )

[tags]ubuntu,flv,linux,ffmpeg,open source[/tags]