Wow. That was an exciting race. I am happy for Dale Jr and Hendrick Motorsports. I can't belive it.
Mike
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Tech Support
One of the issues that most new comers to linux have to deal with is RTFM. In other words Read the Friendly Manual. This has the effect of turning new comers away, with the thoughts that linux users are jerks and an elite class of people who don't care to help the new comer. Is that really true?
I recently thought about the times I have called tech support for some program or computer problem. I end up talking to someone, who if they speak english, don't speak it very well. It is frustrating listening to them read off of a card, step by step instructions for checking something. I think it would be easier for them to mail the card to me so I could fix it myself.
Then it dawned on me. Two things really.
First, the tech support is only having to deal with one or two operating systems. There are some differences with the versions of windows, but for the most part they work the same. This is not true of linux where there are several different desktop environments, different hardware, different drivers. All of these differences can span several years of computing. A much wider array of software/hardware to work with.
Second, they are being paid to resolve the customers problem. Most times they are being paid to take the brunt of the customers angst towards the product. In linux few of the 'helpers' get a paycheck. Most work as volunteers because they like the product and are willing to put themselves into the mix to help out.
It would be nice if those seeking assistance in linux forums or IRC keep in mind that hardware, drivers and such vary from system to system. The more specifics attached to the problem, the quicker a solution can be found. Additionally, those who help are doing so for free. Be courteous and we will be too.
I recently thought about the times I have called tech support for some program or computer problem. I end up talking to someone, who if they speak english, don't speak it very well. It is frustrating listening to them read off of a card, step by step instructions for checking something. I think it would be easier for them to mail the card to me so I could fix it myself.
Then it dawned on me. Two things really.
First, the tech support is only having to deal with one or two operating systems. There are some differences with the versions of windows, but for the most part they work the same. This is not true of linux where there are several different desktop environments, different hardware, different drivers. All of these differences can span several years of computing. A much wider array of software/hardware to work with.
Second, they are being paid to resolve the customers problem. Most times they are being paid to take the brunt of the customers angst towards the product. In linux few of the 'helpers' get a paycheck. Most work as volunteers because they like the product and are willing to put themselves into the mix to help out.
It would be nice if those seeking assistance in linux forums or IRC keep in mind that hardware, drivers and such vary from system to system. The more specifics attached to the problem, the quicker a solution can be found. Additionally, those who help are doing so for free. Be courteous and we will be too.
Mike
Friday, February 8, 2008
Acer Aspire 5315-2135 Wal-Mart Special
Here is the step by step instructions for how I installed kubuntu gutsy 7.10 on my Acer Aspire 5315-2135.
Notes:
Since this is a reinstall I had previously backed up my /home directory to my desktop.
I have already installed the bios update 1.19 running Windows Vista, this fixes the erratic operation of the touchpad:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5315
You can skip to Section A - D if you have already installed Gutsy.
Contents:
A. Setup partitions to prepare for install*
B. Start install*
C. Complete install and reboot*
D. Update system
E. Setup Wireless
F. Setup Sound
G. Touchpad Setup
H. Setup Compiz
* CAUTION: These steps will REMOVE VISTA. Please do not follow them if you wish to keep Vista installed on your computer. I have left the restore partition intact, just in case I need to restore vista later.
References:
ubuntuforums.org
help.ubuntu.com
ubuntuforums.org
Boot into a live session of kubuntu 32-bit.
A. Setup partitions to prepare for install
1 Open konsole (terminal) and install gparted
3 Add new partition at the beginning of the available space
3.1 Set size to 2000MB (installed RAM x2)
3.2 Format as 'swap'
4 Add new partition to fill remaining space
4.1 Format as 'ext3'
5 Format last partition 'sda4' as 'ext3'
6 Commit changes and close gparted
B. Start install
1 Select 'Manual' partitioning
2 Edit sda3
2.1 Format as 'ext3'
2.2 Mount as '/'
3 Edit sda4
3.1 Format as 'ext3'
3.2 Mount as '/home'
C. Complete install and reboot
D. Update system
1 Open Adept Manager
2 Fetch Updates
3 Full Upgrade
4 Apply Changes
#Here I installed 'ssh' and logged out. I then restored my /home directory from my desktop using rsync
E. Setup Wireless
1 Install ndiswrapper
2.1 Open kcontrol>System Administration>Restricted Drivers
2.2 Select 'Administrator Mode' and deselect the ath driver
2.3 Select 'OK'
3 Install wireless driver
3.1 Download driver
3.6 Install driver
3.8 Add ndiswrapper to load on start
1 Download alsa-drvers, alsa-lib & alsa-utils
9 Add acer to module version
G. Touchpad Setup
1 Edit xorg.conf
1.1 Backup xorg.conf
3 Logout and restart X with 'CTRL-ALT-Backspace'
H. Setup Compiz
1 Install compiz and emerald
Thanks to the following for providing what is here, or at least providing directions to it:
ubuntuforums
mikeserv
KriKit
Notes:
Since this is a reinstall I had previously backed up my /home directory to my desktop.
I have already installed the bios update 1.19 running Windows Vista, this fixes the erratic operation of the touchpad:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5315
You can skip to Section A - D if you have already installed Gutsy.
Contents:
A. Setup partitions to prepare for install*
B. Start install*
C. Complete install and reboot*
D. Update system
E. Setup Wireless
F. Setup Sound
G. Touchpad Setup
H. Setup Compiz
* CAUTION: These steps will REMOVE VISTA. Please do not follow them if you wish to keep Vista installed on your computer. I have left the restore partition intact, just in case I need to restore vista later.
References:
ubuntuforums.org
help.ubuntu.com
ubuntuforums.org
Boot into a live session of kubuntu 32-bit.
A. Setup partitions to prepare for install
1 Open konsole (terminal) and install gparted
sudo apt-get install gparted2 Run gparted and remove the second partition 'sda2'
3 Add new partition at the beginning of the available space
3.1 Set size to 2000MB (installed RAM x2)
3.2 Format as 'swap'
4 Add new partition to fill remaining space
4.1 Format as 'ext3'
5 Format last partition 'sda4' as 'ext3'
6 Commit changes and close gparted
B. Start install
1 Select 'Manual' partitioning
2 Edit sda3
2.1 Format as 'ext3'
2.2 Mount as '/'
3 Edit sda4
3.1 Format as 'ext3'
3.2 Mount as '/home'
C. Complete install and reboot
D. Update system
1 Open Adept Manager
2 Fetch Updates
3 Full Upgrade
4 Apply Changes
#Here I installed 'ssh' and logged out. I then restored my /home directory from my desktop using rsync
E. Setup Wireless
1 Install ndiswrapper
sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-common ndiswrapper-utils-1.92 Remove restricted driver for Atheros card
2.1 Open kcontrol>System Administration>Restricted Drivers
2.2 Select 'Administrator Mode' and deselect the ath driver
2.3 Select 'OK'
3 Install wireless driver
3.1 Download driver
wget http://blakecmartin.googlepages.com/ar5007eg-32-0.2.tar.gz3.2 Extract driver
tar xzf ar5007eg-32-0.2.tar-gz3.3 Install kernel headers and build-essential
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential3.4 Blacklist the ath_pci driver
echo "blacklist ath_pci" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist3.5 Restart system
3.6 Install driver
cd ar5007eg-32-0.2/ar5007eg/3.7 Load module
sudo ndiswrapper -i net5211.inf
sudo modprobe ndiswrapperAt this point I was able to use wireless!
3.8 Add ndiswrapper to load on start
echo "ndiswrapper" | sudo tee -a /etc/modulesF. Setup Sound
1 Download alsa-drvers, alsa-lib & alsa-utils
wget ftp://ftp.alsa-project.org/pub/driver/alsa-driver-1.0.15.tar.bz22 Install required tools
wget ftp://ftp.alsa-project.org/pub/lib/alsa-lib-1.0.15.tar.bz2
wget ftp://ftp.alsa-project.org/pub/utils/alsa-utils-1.0.15.tar.bz2
sudo apt-get install libncurses5-dev gettext3 Make source directory and copy alsa files to it
sudo mkdir /usr/src/alsa4 Stop alsa
cd /usr/src/alsa
sudo cp ~/alsa* .
sudo tar xjf alsa-driver*.bz2
sudo tar xjf alsa-lib*.tar.bz2
sudo tar xjf alsa-utils*.tar.bz2
sudo /etc/init.d/alsa-utils stop5 Compile alsa-driver
sudo /etc/init.d/alsasound stop
cd alsa-dr*6 Compile alsa-libs
sudo ./configure --with-cards=hda-intel
sudo make
sudo make install
cd ../alsa-lib*7 Compile alsa-utils
sudo ./configure
sudo make
sudo make install
cd ../alsa-utils*8 Restart system
sudo ./configure
sudo make
sudo make install
9 Add acer to module version
sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-baseAdd this to the end and save:
options snd-hda-intel model=acer10 Run alsaconf
sudo alsaconf11 Copy drivers to correct folder
sudo cp /lib/modules/2.6*/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-intel.ko /lib/modules/2.6*/ubuntu/media/snd-hda-intel/and
sudo cp -r /usr/src/alsa/alsa-driver-1.0.15/modules/* /lib/modules/2.6*/kernel/sound/12 Load alsa-driver
sudo depmod -a13 Restart alsa
sudo /etc/init.d/alsa-utils start14 Restart system
sudo /etc/init.d/alsasound start
G. Touchpad Setup
1 Edit xorg.conf
1.1 Backup xorg.conf
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup1.2 Edit xorg.conf
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf1.3 Add the three lines at the end:
2 Save and exit
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
Option "SHMConfig" "on"
Option "MaxTapTime" "0"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection
3 Logout and restart X with 'CTRL-ALT-Backspace'
H. Setup Compiz
1 Install compiz and emerald
sudo apt-get install compiz emerald2 Configure compiz to work with blacklisted Intel driver
sudo mkdir ~/.config/compiz3 Whichever video player you use must be set to use the 'X11' driver instead of the 'xv' driver. Compiz does not play well with the xv driver, which is one of the reasons the Intel driver was blacklisted. X11 works well here.
sudo touch ~/.config/compiz/compiz-manager
echo "SKIP_CHECKS=yes" | sudo tee -a ~/.config/compiz/compiz-manager
Thanks to the following for providing what is here, or at least providing directions to it:
ubuntuforums
mikeserv
KriKit
Linux
I just had a thought. Most of the people who need stuff to just work are not going to be digging into the internals of their system. They don't want to know why the thing does what it does, only that it does it. The advantage to linux in this regard is that going in, most people have to work on something to get it working. Linux inspires people to want to figure out how the system works. Additionally there is a certain satisfaction in arriving at the point where something that didn't work now does. Linux is to computing what the 1980 Ford Pinto in the backyard that needs some work is to the mechanic. Laugh if you must, until that Pinto with the upgraded V8 smokes your new "sports car" at a stoplight.
I am glad that ubuntu is making a linux OS that works for the most part out of the box. Not everything, nor every computer works correctly on a fresh install. Most things do though, at the same time allowing the adventurous user to dig in and find something new.
Mike
I am glad that ubuntu is making a linux OS that works for the most part out of the box. Not everything, nor every computer works correctly on a fresh install. Most things do though, at the same time allowing the adventurous user to dig in and find something new.
Mike
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