Linux Q & A

zekthedeadcow · 10-15-2006, 08:03 AM

no, firewalls should be hardware, like a router. I typically just edit /etc/services and comment out whatever I don't want running...and then go into /etc/rc.d/rc.M and uncomment out the related process.

tht00 · 10-15-2006, 09:47 PM

If you want a software based firewall, there is firestarter. It can be installed under Synaptic. I've only played with it a few times.

I usually run firewall-less

(though sometimes I'm behind my router's hardware firewall).

Biggest issue with Linux is having SSH running (ssh-server, I believe... it shouldn't be installed by default) and having a weak password. Those two things can cause your system to become compromised with a bruteforce attack.

Other than that, I'm not aware of any other types of attacks commonly vulnerable to a Linux box.

corporate · 10-16-2006, 01:25 AM

Yeah, I got firestarter.

So, so far it's been easy setting up Ubuntu. MP3's plays, Flash, the basics. I'm getting familiar with the terminal, repositories. The help online is great, btw. I did had a problem when I was updating something, and the comp. froze. Then it wouldn't go past the log in screen, the screen would just stay brown. Since my other comp. wasn't available, I couldn't look for help. I had to reinstall it again. Then I found out I could've just logged in in failsafe mode and ran a simple script. But at least I learned something.

One question, though: Can the login screen be customized, besides the themes that are online? Something like Logon Studio.

thyfunkispure · 03-17-2007, 09:38 PM

How do I get ubuntu to recognise my mp3 player? I just want to be able to transfer songs to it but I can't figure out how. I recently converted to linux so I'm still learning everything.

PatrickStar4491 · 03-17-2007, 11:07 PM

What kind of MP3 player do you have? If it just shows up as a drive in Windows, I would think it would just work.

thyfunkispure · 03-17-2007, 11:42 PM

I have a Dell mp3 player. In Windows I had to use Musicmatch but I don't think I can get it on ubuntu, unless there's a program that lets me run exe files.

**guitarjockey111** · 03-18-2007, 12:37 AM

You would have never tried linux if i didnt show it to ya lol

But yeah its an awesome OS unix and linux are my favs.

Sorry i couldnt answer your question just felt like posting that lol

tht00 · 03-18-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thyfunkispure

I have a Dell mp3 player. In Windows I had to use Musicmatch but I don't think I can get it on ubuntu, unless there's a program that lets me run exe files.

Ok. Looks like you'll need a program called Gnomad. There are a several ways to install it (if you aren't yet comfortable with installing in Ubuntu), and they all accomplish the same task:
(You only need to do one)

1) Open up a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and paste the following line:

sudo apt-get install gnomad2

Follow the prompts.

2) Open up the Synaptic Package Manager (System > Admin > Synaptic), find gnomad2, mark it for installation, hit apply.

3) Go to Add/Remove Applications (under 'Applications'), search for Gnomad, check Gnomad 2, hit apply.

Kinda stinks that you need 3rd party applications for this. Many mp3 players (iPod is what I have) will auto mount and act similar to a flash drive. Still, with an iPod, you have to use a program to put songs on it the 'iPod way', but I replaced the Apple firmware with Rockbox (ogg, flac support!) and I can just through songs on there without any additional software now.

There are usually workarounds to get things going in Linux, unless there are no drivers at all written -- you'll find this with some accessories. Not usually a big deal, just do your research before you buy hardware now.

Also, there is a way to run Windows executables in a Linux environment -- it is called Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) and the best way to describe it is a compatibility layer. It intercepts system calls and converts them to proper Linux system calls -- so that calls to the Windows API to build a window will be 'translated' to a X11 call to build a window.

Wine works for a number of things, but it is by far not perfect. It craps out quite a bit for some applications and takes some massive tweaking to get some programs running. I was playing Oregon Trail 2 the other week through it though. It's really a hit-or-miss thing, and I wouldn't use it for anything that will be trying to access hardware.

thyfunkispure · 03-18-2007, 11:22 AM

Hey it worked!! Thank you so much. btw the Oregon Trail games are uber fun.

PatrickStar4491 · 03-18-2007, 12:08 PM

I will add this to the first post. Thanks Tom.

tht00 · 03-18-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickStar4491

I will add this to the first post. Thanks Tom.

No problem. I use Google and/or the Ubuntu Forums to dig up most things I've never come across (such as the Dell Jukebox).

thyfunkispure · 03-18-2007, 05:10 PM

Ok I have another question/problem. My screen resolution is at 800 x 600 and it was at 1260 x 800 or something like that. I go to Screen Resolution and my only options are 800x 600 or 600 x 400. What happened and how do I fix it?

tht00 · 03-18-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thyfunkispure

Ok I have another question/problem. My screen resolution is at 800 x 600 and it was at 1260 x 800 or something like that. I go to Screen Resolution and my only options are 800x 600 or 600 x 400. What happened and how do I fix it?

Sounds like the xorg.conf file wasn't set up properly (or it got changed?). I'll post a fix later tonight when I have time to dig in.

Shouldn't be overly complicated, and while inconvenient, doing these little fixes does help you learn a lot about the OS. Can be a bit quite intimidating at first though. Hang in there.

Also, I may as well ask, what kind of monitor do you have (crt/flat panel(LCD), or better yet, what is the make and model if you have that handy)?

thyfunkispure · 03-18-2007, 06:49 PM

KDS model number VS-7e

There are two accounts on the cpu and one of them was at 1240 x 800 and the admin was stuck at 800 x 600 then one day it just switched. I have been doing a lot of downloading as far as plugins and stuff like that so maybe thats what changed it. *shrug*

**guitarjockey111** · 03-19-2007, 12:53 AM

I know if you have an nvidia card or an ati video card you have to download a driver to get the full benefit. I was going ot download the ati driver for my linux but the problem is it isnt supported for PPC. So im kinda out on the whole video thing.

But you should have better luck than i did.