Tips & Guides Archives - Page 24 of 28

February 17, 2006February 18, 2006

Create your own Debian/Ubuntu (*.deb) package

mypapit debian I’ve found a nice well-written guide that may be useful for those who wants to create Debian *.deb package. Though compiling applications/software/libraries right from sources are desireable for some people, there’s still lots of others who prefer to install stuffs software packages for conveniency.

Why do you want to create Debian (*.deb) packages

There’s many reasons for you to create *.deb packages, one of it if you are (or want to be) a maintainer for a Debian-based project, or merely maintaining a unofficial packages for Debian-based system.

The guide would be useful if you are a software developer or in charge of distributing softwares in pre-package form to various GNU/Linux distribution. Creating a prepackage *.deb files will help people install your software without the need of developments tools and save compiling time, this is important since there are people who like to manage installations using software management tools such as synaptic and aptitiude.

Though most people would prefer to distribute binary only *.deb package, the practice of distributing pre-packaged source codes in *.deb format is not uncommon in Debian-based distro scene.

Here’s the link to the guide that I’m talking about :

Mandriva Starter Guide Wiki

Mandriva Linux Logo Seems that Mandriva Linux users doesn’t need to spend hours of unproductive work trying to figure how to work things out for their Mandriva Linux system.

The fine folks at Linux Center of University of Latvia have started an Unofficial Mandriva Linux Starter guide in spirit to help fellow Mandriva Linux users across the world. The guide itself is organised in a wiki, and everyone else are encouraged to contribute.

The website contains many useful links and guides that could be helpful for new Mandriva Linux users. Among the guides and tips included :

The same folks that brought you this wiki is currently also working to release Unofficial Gentoo Linux Wiki.

Hope that these links will be helpful to you !!

linux, mandrake, mandriva, repositories, wiki

January 31, 2006

Instalinux – A new approach to get GNU/Linux

Downloading GNU/Linux usually involves a process of downloading the entire CD image (called iso). This sometimes can be a time consuming process if you only need to install GNU/Linux with a few desired applications, as ISO provided by GNU/Linux distro is bundled with lots of applications that you wouldn’t ever use. It would be nice to have an ISO that would be tailor-made to your needs with all unessary applications removed to lighten the download.

Furthermore, the installation process for most GNU/Linux distribution is too generic, where a user has to attend the installation by manually answering questions such as Languange preference, Timezone, Keyboard Layout, Mouse, etc. This can be a bit of an annoyance if the user would wish install the GNU/Linux on multiple computers, usually those settings will remain the same for the user (how many are you have changed those preference?).

Instalinux (http://www.instalinux.com/ ) has taken a new approach to provide customized installation CD to the power users. Based on the LinuxCOE project by Hewlett Packard, Instalinux solves the problem of “generic ISO image” by providing a way to the user to create a custom installation disc by his/her own preference.

Users can choose from Fedora, SuSE, Debian and Ubuntu, select their system parameters, select software packages and pick a public mirror to install from, and then download the ISO image that is generated.

All of these are obtainable by the means of Kickstart, AutoYAST, or the Debian Preseed autoinstallers through Instalinux interface.

fedora, instalinux, linuxcoe,linux,gnu+linux,suse,tips

January 29, 2006April 21, 2006

Installing GRUB in USB Flash Drive

GRUB (GRand Unified Boot) loader is a boot loader for multiple operating system. It is one of the most popular bootloader for GNU/Linux operating system (the other is LILO). GRUB flexibility and easy-to-configure boot parameter has made it the default choice for most of GNU/Linux distros.

This article highlights yet another GNU GRUB usefulness in booting GNU/Linux inside a portable USB Flash drive : Installing GRUB on a USB flash memory key

gnu,linux,grub,bootloader,tips,tutorial

January 26, 2006

How to use diff and patch in your project

Diff and patch are two separate tool that are often use together, particularly in software development. The use of these tools can ease up the process of recording differences and applying changes between two files.

diff is a tool that can be use to create a “diff” or “patch” file that contains differences between two files. Though diff can write into many different format, most people will prefer the unified format as it is easier to work with.

patch is another tool that complements diff, it will apply the differences in the “patch” file to the target file. Think of it is a way to “patch” your old files with newer modifications.

The guide below is the simplest way to use diff and patch. Though the information provided here is incomplete, I believe it can get you started in using them in your project.

How to use diff

The basic use of diff is,
diff -u original.txt modified.txt > file.patch

If you want to use diff against two source tree, the command is,
diff -rupN original modified > program.patch

How to use patch

To apply the patch, change into the same directory as the unmodified file and execute
patch < file.patch This is how to apply patch to an entire directory, patch -p0 < program.patch Patch applied can be simply removed by adding the -R switch, patch -p0 -R < program.patch patch -R < file.patch For the explanation of using the -p parameter, please read Applying patch to other directories

Other reference : LinuxJournal

unix,guide,tips,diff,patch,tutorial

January 22, 2006

Apache mod_rewrite cheat sheet

Apache, mod_rewrite, guide, web development

Of all stuffs, I find it difficult to remember Apache mod_rewrite flexible directives. Luckily I found the mod_rewrite Cheat Sheet to cover my ass up when I need it. Also listed at the site is PHP Cheat Sheet.