Tag: linux

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Putting Colors to GRUB Bootloader menu

Some distro like Ubuntu installs a plain white on black color scheme of GRUB on your computer. Nothing wrong with it, only it look like as if the computer is running with a monochrome monitor. Rest assured, there are ways you can do to spruce up your GRUB menu

Grub Ubuntu mypapit.net

Add colors to GRUB menu
The easiest way is to add colors to the plain vanilla grub menu. First edit the /boot/grub/menu.lst using your favorite editor.

Then, uncomment the line
# color cyan/blue white/blue

GRUB Color Explanation
cyan/blue = color of the GRUB menu
whte/blue = color when a particular menu item is highlighted

It follows this format : foreground/background … cyan/blue

Finally, save the file and reboot. You shall see your new colorize GRUB menu. Other color combination you might want to try are :

# black
# blue
# green
# cyan
# red
# magenta
# brown
# light-gray

Foreground color :
# dark-gray
# light-blue
# light-green
# light-cyan
# light-red
# light-magenta
# yellow
# white

GRUB boot menu similar to OpenSUSE and Linspire
Alternatively you can use themeable GRUB boot menu similar to those of OpenSUSE and Linspire bootloader. To do this you need to install gfxboot and grub-gfxboot package.

Follow the instruction from ubuntuforums.org, Howto : GfxBoot ( Grub menu like suse )

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Linux Kernel Hacking Lessons from LinuxChix

Those who are interested in understanding the Linux Kernel, and wants to be a Linux Kernel Developer might find this website interesting as a stating point, the LinuxChix Kernel Hacking Lessons.

Structured in an easy to follow lessons, the whole online course designed to make you familiar with the kernel development tools, linux system calls and the overview of the kernel source code structure. The course comes in 10 lessons which you may find it interesting as it offers simplified explanation and practical examples :

  1. Lesson #0: Check for Materials
  2. Lesson #1: Get the Kernel Source
  3. Lesson #2: Configure Your Kernel
  4. Lesson #3: Compile Your Kernel
  5. Lesson #4: Boot Your New kernel
  6. Lesson #5: Your First printk
  7. Lesson #6: Overview of the Kernel Source
  8. Lesson #7: Understanding System Calls
  9. Lesson #8: Your First kernel Module
  10. Lesson #9: Creating, Applying and Submitting Patches

Visit LinuxChix Kernel Hacking Lessons. for more information.

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Ubuntu Release, Maintenance and Support Schedule

Mark Shuttleworth has written a good blog post detailing about future Ubuntu release schedule and the length of support for a particular release, whether its a standard release or an LTS (Long Term Support) release.

In his post, he also explains about the point release concept for the LTS, which each Long Term support installation will receive continuous updates up until the next release of LTS. Which is due to be released in two years time. This point release will allow fresh LTS installation to receives new patches and updates without going through the hassle downloading them through the internet.

Standard releases will continue to receive patches and updates for one and a half-year and Server LTS release will continue to receive updates for 5 years.

For more information read Mark Shuttleworth post, The Art of Release