Linux Gazette August, 1995

A Publication of the Linux HomeBoy WebPage Series

Copyright (c) 1995 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu

The LINUX GAZETTE is now a member of the LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT.
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.
Linux Home Boy Pages logo created using David Koblas' excellent program XPAINT 2.1.1

Topics in this August issue include:

• Salutations and the Mail Bag
• Yup, still more tar tricks
• If you gotta use VI, use VIM
• Helpful PPP scripts
• PINE + popclient - mail for the sendmail-impaired
• Customizing X - So where is everything?
• Customizing X with vgaset
• Customizing X with Xaw3d - it's easy!
• So, what's in store for next month?

Salutations and the Mail Bag

Welcome to the August edition of the Linux Gazette. The Gazette is an attempt to bring together a selection of tips, tricks, and ideas to make running Linux more fun. Pretty shallow..., eh?

Well, this is the 90's. We're supposed to be shallow. Depth isn't on the agenda for another decade or so.

What I'm beginning in this issue and plan to continue ; for HT>

Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

Experiences with Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

Well, I have to admit that I've been a bit of a "stick-in-the-mud" until recently when comes to kernels. I'd been stubbornly running kernel 1.2.13 for months while the rest of you "Bleeding Edge" kinda folks gradually ascended higher and higher into the 1.3.x kernels :-)

Since I use Linux for my Internet connection and do all of my HTML development under it I really wanted stability. However, once the 2.0 kernel came out and Michael K. Johnson's article in the Linux Journal provided a concise summary of the improvements from the 1.2.x -> 2.0.x kernels, I decided to take the plunge.

Well, I did it and I'm pretty happy about it! :-)

It's not as bad as it sounds and it really is worth the effort. What I'd like to do is share with you about how this upgrade went for me. Your experiences will probably be different depending on the hardware that you're running, which distribution you're using, and so forth.

Still, I really believe that it's worth the effort!

I'd be delighted to hear from any of you who've done that same thing. Drop me a note and let me know how things went for you!

Hope you enjoy.

John

Of Keys, Consoles, & VT Cruisin'

Keyboards & Consoles

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

I recently submitted an article to the Linux Journal for the Novice to Novice column. I really appreciate the generosity of the folks at the LJ and, with their permission, have included the draft of this article here.

This particular article contains mostly stuff that I or someone else has written about before in the LG, but for those of you who may be visiting and who haven't seen those articles, here's a bit of information on keyboard mapping, switching virtual terminals (VT's), and other fun stuff.

Hope you Enjoy!

John

Colophon

Well, I think we're almost ready to go. It's funny... I've mentioned this before but I really enjoy writing this section of the LG. I purposely wait to write this last and, kind of like coming home after a busy day, it's nice to kick back and just chat.

As I mentioned before, I can't tell you how pleased, relieved, and excited I am about turning the LG over to Linux Journal. I think that this will be a Very Good Thing primarily because it deals with one of the things that frustrated me more than anything else -- not being able to get the Gazette out on a regular and timely fashion. I am really excited about the Gazette being published in a more predictable fashion as I know that many of you wrote about this.

Also, since I haven't had much time to do any serious 'Net cruisin' recently let me share with you, if you don't mind, a project that I started tinkering around with a while ago. One of the things that I was hoping to do over the summer was learn a bit of Tcl/Tk programming. While I haven't had nearly the amount of free time to do this as I'd hoped, I still found a bit of time earlier this summer to play around with an X Window interface for pppd.

I have to admit, Tcl/Tk is just too much fun! Now, I'm not sure that I'd want to be building Lotus Smart Suite or Microsoft Office in Tcl/Tk, but for small project and programs this is just too much fun. What I wanted to do was to create a front end for pppd that I could use either as 'root' or as a user. I also wanted it to have a few little "extras" such as a timer, line selection, and logging facility. Well, it turned into a LOT of fun and after a bit of tinkering and pouring over John Ousterhout's and Brent Welch's books on Tcl/Tk programming, I finally got an admittedly alpha version up and running.

For the curious, here's a miniature screen dump:

Hmmm... looks a bit fuzzy, eh? Well, if you're interested, here's a full screen view of the program together with a brief description of what it does.

Now, I admit that I'm no serious Tcl/Tk programmer, but I've been REALLY impressed with how well this little program works and how easy it's been to modify it. For anyone interested, I'd be happy to send you a copy of the sources with the proviso that you understand that this is NOT a general pppd utility -- there are MUCH nicer and easier programs alreay available including Tk-Net and tkppp. If you're looking for an easy to use X front end, I'd give Tk-Net a look at. And, you're in luck, because Ed Cameron has included a section on this very program (with some nice screen dumps) in this month's Web Surfer!

Well, I've still got a bit of work to do to get the LG files ready to go. So, it's time to "Say Goodnight, Gracie!"

Again, thanks to all for your kind support and for making the Linux Gazette just a bit more fun...!

Cheers!

John M. Fisk
July 30, 1996

Got any great ideas for improvements! Send your comments, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas.

Back up to Linux HomeBoy WebPage

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage!

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage here in Nashville, Tennessee! Linux is the ultra-cool "copy-lefted" UN*X like operating system developed to run on a variety of x86-based PC's. It's the work of Linus Torvalds, et.al and is a freely available OS that can turn your DOS/Windows box into an impressive workstation capable of running TCP/IP, X Window, and hundreds of unix programs. It's a true multi-tasking, multi-user, network capable OS that's as comfortable running on your home PC as it is the networked systems in commercial, industrial, and academic settings.

Pretty cool, eh?

Since the early 1990's, Linux has developed into a formidable operating system that is both robust and stable. It's beauty is its ability to run on x86-based systems -- from the modest 386's to Pentiums (it's in the process of being ported to a variety of other platforms, so if you happen to have one of those high end DEC Alpha's at home, you'll soon be in luck :-) It will also peaceably coexist with a variety of other operating systems including DOS, OS/2, and Windows. This means you can easily run a variety of apps under their native OS. Linux will also let you access files directly from your DOS/Windows FAT partitions or read from your OS/2 HPFS partitions. There's ongoing work on DOSEMU, a DOS emulator, and WINE, a Windows emulator, that will let you run your DOS or Windows programs under Linux. These are both in the development stages, although DOSEMU, in particular, is maturing rapidly. There is also a commercial Macintosh emulator, Executor, for the Macophiles in the crowd!

Overall, you have to admit that this is a win-win situation! Your current OS remains intact, you can continue running your current apps (if you really must run "Brand X" OS we're not going to stop you... ;-), and you get a GREAT OS with the ability to run a boatload of software!

So... where to from here?

If you're interested in learning more about Linux check out Basic Linux. Once you've gotten Linux up and running, you might be interested in:

The Linux Gazette
Linux Library
Linux ToyBox.

Enjoy!

HomeBoy Pages

BASIC LINUX

Interested in Linux? This will tell you what it is, where to get a copy of it, what you'll need to get it set up, and where to find help in getting it going. Includes links to other helpful documents including the Linux Documentation Project (LDP) and the Linux Organization

LINUX LIBRARY

This is an adjunct to Matt Welsh's excellent Linux Documentation Project home page. Looking for documentation for an individual program or trying to find major archive sites for TeX, LaTeX, XFree86, AUIS...? Try the Linux Library!

LINUX GAZETTE

Congratulations! You've got Linux up and running and everything's looking pretty good... Well, now it's time to have some fun with it! The Linux Gazette is a collection of tips, tricks, Linux technotrivia, and sundries. Just plain fun reading!

LINUX TOYBOX

Here's an unabashedly biased and admittedly slanted listing of my favorite Linux software. It includes descriptions, comments, and links to quickly ftp the software. Primarily, it's just the stuff I've found and like :-)

Hey! Got your own great ideas about Linux?

I'd definitely like to hear from you!

Send your comments, suggestions, ideas, or criticisms regarding the Linux HomeBoy WebPage series. You can also send your flames too, if it'd make you feel better ... :-)

This webpage written and maintained by:

Copyright (c) 1995-1996 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.

Linux Gazette August, 1995

A Publication of the Linux HomeBoy WebPage Series

Copyright (c) 1995 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu

The LINUX GAZETTE is now a member of the LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT.
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.
Linux Home Boy Pages logo created using David Koblas' excellent program XPAINT 2.1.1

Topics in this August issue include:

• Salutations and the Mail Bag
• Yup, still more tar tricks
• If you gotta use VI, use VIM
• Helpful PPP scripts
• PINE + popclient - mail for the sendmail-impaired
• Customizing X - So where is everything?
• Customizing X with vgaset
• Customizing X with Xaw3d - it's easy!
• So, what's in store for next month?

Salutations and the Mail Bag

Welcome to the August edition of the Linux Gazette. The Gazette is an attempt to bring together a selection of tips, tricks, and ideas to make running Linux more fun. Pretty shallow..., eh?

Well, this is the 90's. We're supposed to be shallow. Depth isn't on the agenda for another decade or so.

What I'm beginning in this issue and plan to continue ; for HT>

Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

Experiences with Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

Well, I have to admit that I've been a bit of a "stick-in-the-mud" until recently when comes to kernels. I'd been stubbornly running kernel 1.2.13 for months while the rest of you "Bleeding Edge" kinda folks gradually ascended higher and higher into the 1.3.x kernels :-)

Since I use Linux for my Internet connection and do all of my HTML development under it I really wanted stability. However, once the 2.0 kernel came out and Michael K. Johnson's article in the Linux Journal provided a concise summary of the improvements from the 1.2.x -> 2.0.x kernels, I decided to take the plunge.

Well, I did it and I'm pretty happy about it! :-)

It's not as bad as it sounds and it really is worth the effort. What I'd like to do is share with you about how this upgrade went for me. Your experiences will probably be different depending on the hardware that you're running, which distribution you're using, and so forth.

Still, I really believe that it's worth the effort!

I'd be delighted to hear from any of you who've done that same thing. Drop me a note and let me know how things went for you!

Hope you enjoy.

John

Of Keys, Consoles, & VT Cruisin'

Keyboards & Consoles

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

I recently submitted an article to the Linux Journal for the Novice to Novice column. I really appreciate the generosity of the folks at the LJ and, with their permission, have included the draft of this article here.

This particular article contains mostly stuff that I or someone else has written about before in the LG, but for those of you who may be visiting and who haven't seen those articles, here's a bit of information on keyboard mapping, switching virtual terminals (VT's), and other fun stuff.

Hope you Enjoy!

John

Colophon

Well, I think we're almost ready to go. It's funny... I've mentioned this before but I really enjoy writing this section of the LG. I purposely wait to write this last and, kind of like coming home after a busy day, it's nice to kick back and just chat.

As I mentioned before, I can't tell you how pleased, relieved, and excited I am about turning the LG over to Linux Journal. I think that this will be a Very Good Thing primarily because it deals with one of the things that frustrated me more than anything else -- not being able to get the Gazette out on a regular and timely fashion. I am really excited about the Gazette being published in a more predictable fashion as I know that many of you wrote about this.

Also, since I haven't had much time to do any serious 'Net cruisin' recently let me share with you, if you don't mind, a project that I started tinkering around with a while ago. One of the things that I was hoping to do over the summer was learn a bit of Tcl/Tk programming. While I haven't had nearly the amount of free time to do this as I'd hoped, I still found a bit of time earlier this summer to play around with an X Window interface for pppd.

I have to admit, Tcl/Tk is just too much fun! Now, I'm not sure that I'd want to be building Lotus Smart Suite or Microsoft Office in Tcl/Tk, but for small project and programs this is just too much fun. What I wanted to do was to create a front end for pppd that I could use either as 'root' or as a user. I also wanted it to have a few little "extras" such as a timer, line selection, and logging facility. Well, it turned into a LOT of fun and after a bit of tinkering and pouring over John Ousterhout's and Brent Welch's books on Tcl/Tk programming, I finally got an admittedly alpha version up and running.

For the curious, here's a miniature screen dump:

Hmmm... looks a bit fuzzy, eh? Well, if you're interested, here's a full screen view of the program together with a brief description of what it does.

Now, I admit that I'm no serious Tcl/Tk programmer, but I've been REALLY impressed with how well this little program works and how easy it's been to modify it. For anyone interested, I'd be happy to send you a copy of the sources with the proviso that you understand that this is NOT a general pppd utility -- there are MUCH nicer and easier programs alreay available including Tk-Net and tkppp. If you're looking for an easy to use X front end, I'd give Tk-Net a look at. And, you're in luck, because Ed Cameron has included a section on this very program (with some nice screen dumps) in this month's Web Surfer!

Well, I've still got a bit of work to do to get the LG files ready to go. So, it's time to "Say Goodnight, Gracie!"

Again, thanks to all for your kind support and for making the Linux Gazette just a bit more fun...!

Cheers!

John M. Fisk
July 30, 1996

Got any great ideas for improvements! Send your comments, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas.

Back up to Linux HomeBoy WebPage

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage!

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage here in Nashville, Tennessee! Linux is the ultra-cool "copy-lefted" UN*X like operating system developed to run on a variety of x86-based PC's. It's the work of Linus Torvalds, et.al and is a freely available OS that can turn your DOS/Windows box into an impressive workstation capable of running TCP/IP, X Window, and hundreds of unix programs. It's a true multi-tasking, multi-user, network capable OS that's as comfortable running on your home PC as it is the networked systems in commercial, industrial, and academic settings.

Pretty cool, eh?

Since the early 1990's, Linux has developed into a formidable operating system that is both robust and stable. It's beauty is its ability to run on x86-based systems -- from the modest 386's to Pentiums (it's in the process of being ported to a variety of other platforms, so if you happen to have one of those high end DEC Alpha's at home, you'll soon be in luck :-) It will also peaceably coexist with a variety of other operating systems including DOS, OS/2, and Windows. This means you can easily run a variety of apps under their native OS. Linux will also let you access files directly from your DOS/Windows FAT partitions or read from your OS/2 HPFS partitions. There's ongoing work on DOSEMU, a DOS emulator, and WINE, a Windows emulator, that will let you run your DOS or Windows programs under Linux. These are both in the development stages, although DOSEMU, in particular, is maturing rapidly. There is also a commercial Macintosh emulator, Executor, for the Macophiles in the crowd!

Overall, you have to admit that this is a win-win situation! Your current OS remains intact, you can continue running your current apps (if you really must run "Brand X" OS we're not going to stop you... ;-), and you get a GREAT OS with the ability to run a boatload of software!

So... where to from here?

If you're interested in learning more about Linux check out Basic Linux. Once you've gotten Linux up and running, you might be interested in:

The Linux Gazette
Linux Library
Linux ToyBox.

Enjoy!

HomeBoy Pages

BASIC LINUX

Interested in Linux? This will tell you what it is, where to get a copy of it, what you'll need to get it set up, and where to find help in getting it going. Includes links to other helpful documents including the Linux Documentation Project (LDP) and the Linux Organization

LINUX LIBRARY

This is an adjunct to Matt Welsh's excellent Linux Documentation Project home page. Looking for documentation for an individual program or trying to find major archive sites for TeX, LaTeX, XFree86, AUIS...? Try the Linux Library!

LINUX GAZETTE

Congratulations! You've got Linux up and running and everything's looking pretty good... Well, now it's time to have some fun with it! The Linux Gazette is a collection of tips, tricks, Linux technotrivia, and sundries. Just plain fun reading!

LINUX TOYBOX

Here's an unabashedly biased and admittedly slanted listing of my favorite Linux software. It includes descriptions, comments, and links to quickly ftp the software. Primarily, it's just the stuff I've found and like :-)

Hey! Got your own great ideas about Linux?

I'd definitely like to hear from you!

Send your comments, suggestions, ideas, or criticisms regarding the Linux HomeBoy WebPage series. You can also send your flames too, if it'd make you feel better ... :-)

This webpage written and maintained by:

Copyright (c) 1995-1996 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.

Linux Gazette August, 1995

A Publication of the Linux HomeBoy WebPage Series

Copyright (c) 1995 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu

The LINUX GAZETTE is now a member of the LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT.
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.
Linux Home Boy Pages logo created using David Koblas' excellent program XPAINT 2.1.1

Topics in this August issue include:

• Salutations and the Mail Bag
• Yup, still more tar tricks
• If you gotta use VI, use VIM
• Helpful PPP scripts
• PINE + popclient - mail for the sendmail-impaired
• Customizing X - So where is everything?
• Customizing X with vgaset
• Customizing X with Xaw3d - it's easy!
• So, what's in store for next month?

Salutations and the Mail Bag

Welcome to the August edition of the Linux Gazette. The Gazette is an attempt to bring together a selection of tips, tricks, and ideas to make running Linux more fun. Pretty shallow..., eh?

Well, this is the 90's. We're supposed to be shallow. Depth isn't on the agenda for another decade or so.

What I'm beginning in this issue and plan to continue ; for HT>

Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

Experiences with Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

Well, I have to admit that I've been a bit of a "stick-in-the-mud" until recently when comes to kernels. I'd been stubbornly running kernel 1.2.13 for months while the rest of you "Bleeding Edge" kinda folks gradually ascended higher and higher into the 1.3.x kernels :-)

Since I use Linux for my Internet connection and do all of my HTML development under it I really wanted stability. However, once the 2.0 kernel came out and Michael K. Johnson's article in the Linux Journal provided a concise summary of the improvements from the 1.2.x -> 2.0.x kernels, I decided to take the plunge.

Well, I did it and I'm pretty happy about it! :-)

It's not as bad as it sounds and it really is worth the effort. What I'd like to do is share with you about how this upgrade went for me. Your experiences will probably be different depending on the hardware that you're running, which distribution you're using, and so forth.

Still, I really believe that it's worth the effort!

I'd be delighted to hear from any of you who've done that same thing. Drop me a note and let me know how things went for you!

Hope you enjoy.

John

Of Keys, Consoles, & VT Cruisin'

Keyboards & Consoles

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

I recently submitted an article to the Linux Journal for the Novice to Novice column. I really appreciate the generosity of the folks at the LJ and, with their permission, have included the draft of this article here.

This particular article contains mostly stuff that I or someone else has written about before in the LG, but for those of you who may be visiting and who haven't seen those articles, here's a bit of information on keyboard mapping, switching virtual terminals (VT's), and other fun stuff.

Hope you Enjoy!

John

Colophon

Well, I think we're almost ready to go. It's funny... I've mentioned this before but I really enjoy writing this section of the LG. I purposely wait to write this last and, kind of like coming home after a busy day, it's nice to kick back and just chat.

As I mentioned before, I can't tell you how pleased, relieved, and excited I am about turning the LG over to Linux Journal. I think that this will be a Very Good Thing primarily because it deals with one of the things that frustrated me more than anything else -- not being able to get the Gazette out on a regular and timely fashion. I am really excited about the Gazette being published in a more predictable fashion as I know that many of you wrote about this.

Also, since I haven't had much time to do any serious 'Net cruisin' recently let me share with you, if you don't mind, a project that I started tinkering around with a while ago. One of the things that I was hoping to do over the summer was learn a bit of Tcl/Tk programming. While I haven't had nearly the amount of free time to do this as I'd hoped, I still found a bit of time earlier this summer to play around with an X Window interface for pppd.

I have to admit, Tcl/Tk is just too much fun! Now, I'm not sure that I'd want to be building Lotus Smart Suite or Microsoft Office in Tcl/Tk, but for small project and programs this is just too much fun. What I wanted to do was to create a front end for pppd that I could use either as 'root' or as a user. I also wanted it to have a few little "extras" such as a timer, line selection, and logging facility. Well, it turned into a LOT of fun and after a bit of tinkering and pouring over John Ousterhout's and Brent Welch's books on Tcl/Tk programming, I finally got an admittedly alpha version up and running.

For the curious, here's a miniature screen dump:

Hmmm... looks a bit fuzzy, eh? Well, if you're interested, here's a full screen view of the program together with a brief description of what it does.

Now, I admit that I'm no serious Tcl/Tk programmer, but I've been REALLY impressed with how well this little program works and how easy it's been to modify it. For anyone interested, I'd be happy to send you a copy of the sources with the proviso that you understand that this is NOT a general pppd utility -- there are MUCH nicer and easier programs alreay available including Tk-Net and tkppp. If you're looking for an easy to use X front end, I'd give Tk-Net a look at. And, you're in luck, because Ed Cameron has included a section on this very program (with some nice screen dumps) in this month's Web Surfer!

Well, I've still got a bit of work to do to get the LG files ready to go. So, it's time to "Say Goodnight, Gracie!"

Again, thanks to all for your kind support and for making the Linux Gazette just a bit more fun...!

Cheers!

John M. Fisk
July 30, 1996

Got any great ideas for improvements! Send your comments, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas.

Back up to Linux HomeBoy WebPage

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage!

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage here in Nashville, Tennessee! Linux is the ultra-cool "copy-lefted" UN*X like operating system developed to run on a variety of x86-based PC's. It's the work of Linus Torvalds, et.al and is a freely available OS that can turn your DOS/Windows box into an impressive workstation capable of running TCP/IP, X Window, and hundreds of unix programs. It's a true multi-tasking, multi-user, network capable OS that's as comfortable running on your home PC as it is the networked systems in commercial, industrial, and academic settings.

Pretty cool, eh?

Since the early 1990's, Linux has developed into a formidable operating system that is both robust and stable. It's beauty is its ability to run on x86-based systems -- from the modest 386's to Pentiums (it's in the process of being ported to a variety of other platforms, so if you happen to have one of those high end DEC Alpha's at home, you'll soon be in luck :-) It will also peaceably coexist with a variety of other operating systems including DOS, OS/2, and Windows. This means you can easily run a variety of apps under their native OS. Linux will also let you access files directly from your DOS/Windows FAT partitions or read from your OS/2 HPFS partitions. There's ongoing work on DOSEMU, a DOS emulator, and WINE, a Windows emulator, that will let you run your DOS or Windows programs under Linux. These are both in the development stages, although DOSEMU, in particular, is maturing rapidly. There is also a commercial Macintosh emulator, Executor, for the Macophiles in the crowd!

Overall, you have to admit that this is a win-win situation! Your current OS remains intact, you can continue running your current apps (if you really must run "Brand X" OS we're not going to stop you... ;-), and you get a GREAT OS with the ability to run a boatload of software!

So... where to from here?

If you're interested in learning more about Linux check out Basic Linux. Once you've gotten Linux up and running, you might be interested in:

The Linux Gazette
Linux Library
Linux ToyBox.

Enjoy!

HomeBoy Pages

BASIC LINUX

Interested in Linux? This will tell you what it is, where to get a copy of it, what you'll need to get it set up, and where to find help in getting it going. Includes links to other helpful documents including the Linux Documentation Project (LDP) and the Linux Organization

LINUX LIBRARY

This is an adjunct to Matt Welsh's excellent Linux Documentation Project home page. Looking for documentation for an individual program or trying to find major archive sites for TeX, LaTeX, XFree86, AUIS...? Try the Linux Library!

LINUX GAZETTE

Congratulations! You've got Linux up and running and everything's looking pretty good... Well, now it's time to have some fun with it! The Linux Gazette is a collection of tips, tricks, Linux technotrivia, and sundries. Just plain fun reading!

LINUX TOYBOX

Here's an unabashedly biased and admittedly slanted listing of my favorite Linux software. It includes descriptions, comments, and links to quickly ftp the software. Primarily, it's just the stuff I've found and like :-)

Hey! Got your own great ideas about Linux?

I'd definitely like to hear from you!

Send your comments, suggestions, ideas, or criticisms regarding the Linux HomeBoy WebPage series. You can also send your flames too, if it'd make you feel better ... :-)

This webpage written and maintained by:

Copyright (c) 1995-1996 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.

Linux Gazette August, 1995

A Publication of the Linux HomeBoy WebPage Series

Copyright (c) 1995 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu

The LINUX GAZETTE is now a member of the LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT.
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.
Linux Home Boy Pages logo created using David Koblas' excellent program XPAINT 2.1.1

Topics in this August issue include:

• Salutations and the Mail Bag
• Yup, still more tar tricks
• If you gotta use VI, use VIM
• Helpful PPP scripts
• PINE + popclient - mail for the sendmail-impaired
• Customizing X - So where is everything?
• Customizing X with vgaset
• Customizing X with Xaw3d - it's easy!
• So, what's in store for next month?

Salutations and the Mail Bag

Welcome to the August edition of the Linux Gazette. The Gazette is an attempt to bring together a selection of tips, tricks, and ideas to make running Linux more fun. Pretty shallow..., eh?

Well, this is the 90's. We're supposed to be shallow. Depth isn't on the agenda for another decade or so.

What I'm beginning in this issue and plan to continue ; for HT>

Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

Experiences with Kernel 2.0 Upgrade

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

Well, I have to admit that I've been a bit of a "stick-in-the-mud" until recently when comes to kernels. I'd been stubbornly running kernel 1.2.13 for months while the rest of you "Bleeding Edge" kinda folks gradually ascended higher and higher into the 1.3.x kernels :-)

Since I use Linux for my Internet connection and do all of my HTML development under it I really wanted stability. However, once the 2.0 kernel came out and Michael K. Johnson's article in the Linux Journal provided a concise summary of the improvements from the 1.2.x -> 2.0.x kernels, I decided to take the plunge.

Well, I did it and I'm pretty happy about it! :-)

It's not as bad as it sounds and it really is worth the effort. What I'd like to do is share with you about how this upgrade went for me. Your experiences will probably be different depending on the hardware that you're running, which distribution you're using, and so forth.

Still, I really believe that it's worth the effort!

I'd be delighted to hear from any of you who've done that same thing. Drop me a note and let me know how things went for you!

Hope you enjoy.

John

Of Keys, Consoles, & VT Cruisin'

Keyboards & Consoles

by John M. Fisk <fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu>

I recently submitted an article to the Linux Journal for the Novice to Novice column. I really appreciate the generosity of the folks at the LJ and, with their permission, have included the draft of this article here.

This particular article contains mostly stuff that I or someone else has written about before in the LG, but for those of you who may be visiting and who haven't seen those articles, here's a bit of information on keyboard mapping, switching virtual terminals (VT's), and other fun stuff.

Hope you Enjoy!

John

Colophon

Well, I think we're almost ready to go. It's funny... I've mentioned this before but I really enjoy writing this section of the LG. I purposely wait to write this last and, kind of like coming home after a busy day, it's nice to kick back and just chat.

As I mentioned before, I can't tell you how pleased, relieved, and excited I am about turning the LG over to Linux Journal. I think that this will be a Very Good Thing primarily because it deals with one of the things that frustrated me more than anything else -- not being able to get the Gazette out on a regular and timely fashion. I am really excited about the Gazette being published in a more predictable fashion as I know that many of you wrote about this.

Also, since I haven't had much time to do any serious 'Net cruisin' recently let me share with you, if you don't mind, a project that I started tinkering around with a while ago. One of the things that I was hoping to do over the summer was learn a bit of Tcl/Tk programming. While I haven't had nearly the amount of free time to do this as I'd hoped, I still found a bit of time earlier this summer to play around with an X Window interface for pppd.

I have to admit, Tcl/Tk is just too much fun! Now, I'm not sure that I'd want to be building Lotus Smart Suite or Microsoft Office in Tcl/Tk, but for small project and programs this is just too much fun. What I wanted to do was to create a front end for pppd that I could use either as 'root' or as a user. I also wanted it to have a few little "extras" such as a timer, line selection, and logging facility. Well, it turned into a LOT of fun and after a bit of tinkering and pouring over John Ousterhout's and Brent Welch's books on Tcl/Tk programming, I finally got an admittedly alpha version up and running.

For the curious, here's a miniature screen dump:

Hmmm... looks a bit fuzzy, eh? Well, if you're interested, here's a full screen view of the program together with a brief description of what it does.

Now, I admit that I'm no serious Tcl/Tk programmer, but I've been REALLY impressed with how well this little program works and how easy it's been to modify it. For anyone interested, I'd be happy to send you a copy of the sources with the proviso that you understand that this is NOT a general pppd utility -- there are MUCH nicer and easier programs alreay available including Tk-Net and tkppp. If you're looking for an easy to use X front end, I'd give Tk-Net a look at. And, you're in luck, because Ed Cameron has included a section on this very program (with some nice screen dumps) in this month's Web Surfer!

Well, I've still got a bit of work to do to get the LG files ready to go. So, it's time to "Say Goodnight, Gracie!"

Again, thanks to all for your kind support and for making the Linux Gazette just a bit more fun...!

Cheers!

John M. Fisk
July 30, 1996

Got any great ideas for improvements! Send your comments, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas.

Back up to Linux HomeBoy WebPage

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage!

Welcome to the Linux HomeBoy WebPage here in Nashville, Tennessee! Linux is the ultra-cool "copy-lefted" UN*X like operating system developed to run on a variety of x86-based PC's. It's the work of Linus Torvalds, et.al and is a freely available OS that can turn your DOS/Windows box into an impressive workstation capable of running TCP/IP, X Window, and hundreds of unix programs. It's a true multi-tasking, multi-user, network capable OS that's as comfortable running on your home PC as it is the networked systems in commercial, industrial, and academic settings.

Pretty cool, eh?

Since the early 1990's, Linux has developed into a formidable operating system that is both robust and stable. It's beauty is its ability to run on x86-based systems -- from the modest 386's to Pentiums (it's in the process of being ported to a variety of other platforms, so if you happen to have one of those high end DEC Alpha's at home, you'll soon be in luck :-) It will also peaceably coexist with a variety of other operating systems including DOS, OS/2, and Windows. This means you can easily run a variety of apps under their native OS. Linux will also let you access files directly from your DOS/Windows FAT partitions or read from your OS/2 HPFS partitions. There's ongoing work on DOSEMU, a DOS emulator, and WINE, a Windows emulator, that will let you run your DOS or Windows programs under Linux. These are both in the development stages, although DOSEMU, in particular, is maturing rapidly. There is also a commercial Macintosh emulator, Executor, for the Macophiles in the crowd!

Overall, you have to admit that this is a win-win situation! Your current OS remains intact, you can continue running your current apps (if you really must run "Brand X" OS we're not going to stop you... ;-), and you get a GREAT OS with the ability to run a boatload of software!

So... where to from here?

If you're interested in learning more about Linux check out Basic Linux. Once you've gotten Linux up and running, you might be interested in:

The Linux Gazette
Linux Library
Linux ToyBox.

Enjoy!

HomeBoy Pages

BASIC LINUX

Interested in Linux? This will tell you what it is, where to get a copy of it, what you'll need to get it set up, and where to find help in getting it going. Includes links to other helpful documents including the Linux Documentation Project (LDP) and the Linux Organization

LINUX LIBRARY

This is an adjunct to Matt Welsh's excellent Linux Documentation Project home page. Looking for documentation for an individual program or trying to find major archive sites for TeX, LaTeX, XFree86, AUIS...? Try the Linux Library!

LINUX GAZETTE

Congratulations! You've got Linux up and running and everything's looking pretty good... Well, now it's time to have some fun with it! The Linux Gazette is a collection of tips, tricks, Linux technotrivia, and sundries. Just plain fun reading!

LINUX TOYBOX

Here's an unabashedly biased and admittedly slanted listing of my favorite Linux software. It includes descriptions, comments, and links to quickly ftp the software. Primarily, it's just the stuff I've found and like :-)

Hey! Got your own great ideas about Linux?

I'd definitely like to hear from you!

Send your comments, suggestions, ideas, or criticisms regarding the Linux HomeBoy WebPage series. You can also send your flames too, if it'd make you feel better ... :-)

This webpage written and maintained by:

Copyright (c) 1995-1996 John M. Fisk fiskjm@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu
For information regarding copying and distribution of this material see the COPYING document.