Linuxers November 2002

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298 discussions

[Fsf-press] Press Release from FSF India
by Nagarjuna G. 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Press Release from Free Software Foundation of India Free Software Foundation of India --------------------------------- Press release: Friday, November 15, 2002 The Free Software Foundation of India would like to bring to the attention of the Government and the general public the negative implications of the "investment pledges" made by the Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates, during his present visit to India. At the outset, it needs to be made very clear that the proposed investments have no motive other than the motive of profit and nobody should be under the illusion that these "investments" are being made for the betterment of society or for the development of India. On the contrary, the type of software developed and sold by Microsoft, proprietary software, -- software which is supplied without its underlying source code and without the freedoms to study, modify and redistribute it -- constrains indigenous development and divides society. Of particular concern is the Microsoft Chairman's pledge of money to `Project Shiksha' aimed at educating 35 lakh children, tied to the condition that the Project will purchase and use licensed Microsoft software! Mr. Gates magnanimously declared that "In education, we have very low pricing. For big education projects, we will have larger donations so that the cost of software is lower." However, this is not a question of initial software cost. Microsoft would benefit tremendously from such a project even if it were to supply its software free of cost as long as it is Microsoft software. That is because the children and teachers would learn (or shall we say "indoctrinated") to use only Microsoft software, allowing the company to maintain its monopolistic stranglehold in education and beyond. This is akin to an MBBS course teaching potential doctors how to use medicines manufactured only by one particular pharmaceutical company! To quote Richard Stallman, President of the Free Software Foundation: "This `gift' is no act of generosity. Giving Microsoft software to school children is like giving them cigarettes: it is a way to get them hooked, so that once they grow up they will be a captive market for Microsoft." Thus, Microsoft is not "investing" in Indian Education but in its own future captive market. Besides the obvious issue of monopoly, there is another far more fundamental concern, that of software freedom. As pointed out earlier, Microsoft software is proprietary -- it is supplied without its underlying source code under a restrictive license which denies its users the freedoms to study, modify and redistribute the software. Which means that the students and teachers of `Project Shiksha' will not have the means or the right to study how the software works or to change it -- studying and changing the software one uses is one of the best ways to learn programming. If they find problems with the software, they will not have the means or the right to make required corrections, either by themselves or by engaging a third party. They will have to depend solely on Microsoft to provide such corrections. They will be denied the right to share the software with others outside the purview of the project premises, leading young and impressionable minds to believe that sharing is wrong! The People and the Government of India should reject outright any grant or "investment" which is tied to such restrictive conditions whose sole aim is to perpetuate a monopoly and make a nation's software infrastructure so hopelessly dependent on one corporation. The Government should set up an expert committee to look into the above implications and seriously consider formulating an IT and education policy based on Free/Swatantra Software. Swatantra Software gives the users all the rights and freedoms denied by proprietary software. It enables and encourages collaborative development independent of any corporate entity thereby guaranteeing the freedom and independence of its users. It facilitates devising local solutions to local problems independently of the software's supplier. It gives the users the means and right to study how the software works and, as software educationists know, the best way to learn to write good software is by studying other peoples' work. It allows the software to be shared, both "as is" as well as in modified forms, in keeping with the ethical tradition of the free flow of knowledge. An example of Free/Swatantra Software is the GNU/Linux operating system which is in widespread use especially in the enterprise, in government departments and in academic institutions around the world. The development of the GNU system started in 1984, and the GNU/Linux operating system has been in use since 1992. The country-wide SchoolNet program of Namibia, for instance, uses GNU/Linux. Other countries like Peru are in the process of mandating or legislating the use of free software such as GNU/Linux to ensure their independence. About FSF India The Free Software Foundation Of India is a non-profit organisation committed to advocating, promoting and propagating the use and development of swatantra software in India. Our goal is to ensure the long term adoption of free software, and aim for the day when all software will be free (swatantra). This includes educating people about software freedom and convincing them that it is the freedom that matters. We regard non-free proprietary software as a problem to be solved, not as a solution to any problem. References: Online version of this release: http://www.gnu.org.in/press/141102.html Peruvian Congressman's Open Letter to Microsoft: http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2002-05-06-012-26-OS-SM-LL An Interview with Peruvian Congressman Villanueva: http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2002-05-20-006-26-IN-LF-PB Namibia: SchoolNet rebuffs Microsoft: http://www.schoolnet.na/pr/msftrelease.html The GNU Project: http://www.gnu.org FSF India Web site: http://www.gnu.org.in _______________________________________________ Fsf-press mailing list Fsf-press(a)mm.gnu.org.in http://mm.gnu.org.in/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fsf-press ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ nagarjun(a)hbcse.tifr.res.in www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/gn/ Key fingerprint = C1E2 1B8C 8E98 A697 68B7 ADAC E956 6D4B DE90 BF01

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Why linux is a desktop dud !!
by Kiran Nadgir 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Don Soegaard expresses his views on ZDNet http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-965803.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kiran Nadgir Mahindra British Telecom. Tel : 56922000 extn - 8070. Mobile - 9820444403. Email - kirann(a)mahindrabt.com WebSite: www.mahindrabt.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Quote of the week ~~ "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." -Helen Keller ~~ ----------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************************* Disclaimer This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message and are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited. ********************************************************* Visit us at http://www.mahindrabt.com

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how to config 4 speakers
by prasad 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

hii all i have connected in all 4 speakers to my comp > > ...where 2 are comp. speakers and two are of my music system > > and i have 2 OS ..winxp and LINUX. but in winsows we can > > enable four speakers, but in linux i don't know from where > > to enable it...if anyone knows @ it ..plzz do reply. bye

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[OT] MS Eula prohibits .NET Benchmark Disclosures
by Prakash Shetty 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Hello linuxers, Some interesting stuff i noticed in the windows update agreement license while updating my XP box. * you may not disclose the results of any benchmark test of the .NET Framework component of the OS Components to any third party without Microsofts prior written approval. Best regards, Prakash mailto:pshetty@gmx.net

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Regarding Logitech Quickcam Express (USB) Camera
by K.Vasudeva 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Dear all, I am using kernel 2.4.18-3 (Redhat 7.3) To configure Logitech Quickcam express camera (USB) i downloaded the file quickcam-vc-1.0.5 and compiled the kernel.This is my lsmod output Module Size Used by Tainted: P parport_pc 18724 0 (autoclean) qcamvc_pp 4452 0 (autoclean) (unused) parport 34208 0 (autoclean) [parport_pc qcamvc_pp] qcamvc_usb 4836 0 (autoclean) (unused) qcamvc 14176 0 [qcamvc_pp qcamvc_usb] videodev 6624 0 [qcamvc] i810_audio 23008 0 (autoclean) ac97_codec 11936 0 (autoclean) [i810_audio] soundcore 6692 2 (autoclean) [i810_audio] binfmt_misc 7556 1 autofs 12132 0 (autoclean) (unused) eepro100 20240 1 ipchains 43528 10 ide-cd 30272 0 (autoclean) cdrom 32224 0 (autoclean) [ide-cd] usb-ohci 20736 0 (unused) usbcore 73216 1 [qcamvc_usb usb-ohci] ext3 67136 2 jbd 49400 2 [ext3] Whenever i try to access camera using xawtv i am getting this error message. This is xawtv-3.73, running on Linux/i686 (2.4.18-3) can't open /dev/video0: No such device v4l-conf had some trouble, trying to continue anyway v4l2: open /dev/video0: No such device v4l: open /dev/video0: No such device no video grabber device available My dmesg message Linux video capture interface: v1.00 QuickCam VC: (C) 2001 by De Marchi Daniele, <demarchidaniele(a)libero.it> QuickCam VC: v4l level driver version 1.0.5 registered. QuickCam VC: Making a quickcam directory in /proc. QuickCam VC(USB): (C) 2001 by De Marchi Daniele, <demarchidaniele(a)libero.it> QuickCam VC(USB): lowlevel driver version 1.0.5 registered. qcamvc_usb: init usb.c: registered new driver Connectix QuickCam VC QuickCam VC(PP): (C) 2001 by De Marchi Daniele, <demarchidaniele(a)libero.it> QuickCam VC(PP): lowlevel driver version 1.0.5 registered. parport0: PC-style at 0x378 [PCSPP,TRISTATE] this i am trying from past 4 days & even i tried in sourceforge.net Quickcam forum but no information.please help me out. thanks vasu.k -- K.Vasudeva National Centre For Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research UAS_GKVK Campus Bellary Road Bangalore - 560 065 Phone: 080-3636421-31 Extn 3010 Fax : 080-3636662 Email:vasu@ncbs.res.in vasu_k(a)vsnl.net

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deleted items in text based clients
by Amish Munshi 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Hi, In mutt (or in any text based client) is there a way to move the deleted items into a specific folder like deleted items? I would prefer the one with pgp (gnupg) also possible. Bye. Amish K. Munshi ICQ 85730949 === Never ask a geek why, just nod your head and slowly back away.===

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MY ELX Linux & me
by Prince 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Hi there all of you i have installed ELX linux on my system SINGLE CD Linux - Biz version , easy to use ! this is kmail i am using to mail you all ! it's fantastic ! After installation : xmms with mp3 plug in open office fantastic look just as comfortable as windows [ M $ ] my doc , my computer & all that xine is not working [ i am trying to make it run or i will go for Mplayer ] wine is working my sound card detected [ ac 97 onboard on my Asus board ] mc , lynx are missing trying to make it as user friendly as i can ! _ Prince [ yashraj ]

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monitoring remote servers
by kapil_karekar＠vsnl.net 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

How to monitor web servers from a remote location to detect problems and to solve them? urgent !! please Kapil kapil_karekar(a)hotmail.com

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Linux vs Windows as my selection.
by Amish Munshi 15 Nov '02

15 Nov '02

Hi, These are the practical reason why I have selected Linux as my OS. Windows : The only plus being is that it is easier to use. (no one will deny that) More support for games (But with a bad graphics card that I have, I hardly play any games on windows as well). Linux : No Viruses. Technically correct. Non - microsoft product (so it is out of dirt cheap politics) More flexible. I hold a prestigious place in my friend circle when I say that I know linux, since everyone knows that it is not that widely used so I got to be different. No formatting whenever you are in problems. You can pinpoint the problem and solve it without formatting and starting a fresh (This is actually the same as flexibility). More efficient code which improves my networking and hardware life. Last but not the least Power (You can smell the power of your computer, sweating and making noise when you are on linux) Selection is all yours. You pay $$$$$ for that one advantage of ease of use or the above listed points. Bye. Amish K. Munshi ICQ 85730949 === Never ask a geek why, just nod your head and slowly back away.===

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Linux Poll 1
by Prince 14 Nov '02

14 Nov '02

Yes we should Create Poll " This is Poll 1 " [ you can put your subject in next poll , but please maintain Poll 's Serial number , creat your poll with name & your name's serials ] Lets take out the Subjects for Polling : 1] Which is Best : Billu baba's M$ windows or Linux ? Answer is Linux ! ........ [ ans is not going to change / " Lock kaar Diya Jaye " ] 2] most completed distro ? 3] mosr powerfull distro ? 4] most stable distro ? 5] which one you prefer ? 6] Fast distro ? Fast X-windows 7] KDE / GNOME ? 8] Linux should be in everyon's home pc : Yes / No 9] ISP preference win / LINUX ? 10] Programme Development Scope in Windows or Linux ? 12] ASP or PHP ? 13] which is Best Desktop Linux [ Easy to use for beginners ] 14] many more to come NEXT Time ! ##### Justify Your Answers if possible ! ########## Who is going to keep record of All Poll ratings ? _______________________________________________ http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/listinfo/linuxers

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Linuxers November 2002