Re: [SLUG] Confirming NPR Meeting & Linux Questions

From: edoc (kd4e@arrl.net)
Date: Wed May 02 2001 - 19:07:36 EDT


You will never know how helpful your replies have been!

Thanks! Doc

> On Wednesday 02 May 2001 03:03 pm, Doc wrote:
>
> > Do I have it correct that the May 5th SLUG Meeting is this Saturday
> > from 1-3PM at the library in NPR?
> >
>
> Yes....that is correct. The meeting will be in one of the second floor
> meeting rooms.
>
> >
> > A friend came by and we have the desktop running on
Linux-Debian-Stormix.
> > The 3com 10/100 nic is working, as is the Viking modem. We have
Internet
> > access too!
> >
> > Questions:
> >
> > 1. We have yet to figure out how to break out of the Stormix/KDE
x-windows
> > and get to the Linux equivalent of a command line. (What is it called in
> > Linux-speak?)
> > We could get to the boot: prompt with ctrl-x before x-windows started
but
> > that
> > did not appear to be what we need. Help?
> >
>
> Most Linux distro's have six (or more) virtual terminals running upon
boot.
> Each one waiting at a login. Since Linux is a multiuser OS, a differant
user
> can be logged onto each virtual terminal.
>
> Use the key combinations [CTRL] + [ALT] + [Fn] ( n == 1-6) to switch
between
> running virtual terminals. X will be running on F7.
>
> You can use [CTRL] + [ALT] + [BACKSPACE] to shut down X and return to a
> command line. Use the command "startx" to restart X.
>
> Most times you can use [CTRL] + [ALT] + [+|-] (plus or minus keys on the
> number pad) to switch viewports. It can sort of act like a quick screen
> magnifier because the screen resolution remains the same. Move the mouse
to
> the edge of the viewport to go from edge to edge of the screen.
>
> >
> > 2. I had been using coax with the old 3com cards which allowed for
hanging
> > devices end-to-end on the network. Does the use of RG-45 (which is the
> > only option on this 3com nic) mean that I will need a router box or the
> > like? If so I
> > may switch back to the older card ... don't need more devices!
> >
>
> You should only need a hub to connect the cards together.
>
> > 3. I want to avoid the MS and AOL/Netscape browsers. I have read that
the
> > newest KDE browser is a good one and someone here mentioned
Enlightenment
> > as an alternative to KDE ... and I believe it is also a browser. I am
used
> > to MS
> > Internet Explorer and Outlook Express but will use whatever provides
> > similar functionality ... at improved stability under Linux.
Suggestions &
> > reasons, please?
> > Need to get off this MS box!
> >
>
> KDE's Konqueror web browser works pretty good. It has a few issues, mostly
on
> sites that use java, that I still find myself using Netscape, but it won't
be
> long before its a true Netscape killer.
>
> > 4. I am told that so long as we are stuck with 56k dialup as our only
> > option that
> > the server pc may be set to dialup on demand from any pc connecting via
the
> > lan
> > and requesting Internet services. Anyone doing this with success?
> >
>
> There are various tools available to do that. Acutually I have the e-smith
> server distribution running on my home network server. Its based on Red
Hat
> 7.0 and is quite easy to setup and configure. Dial on demand is an option
> during the install. I don't use it myself because I have a ADSL connection
so
> I can't say how well it works.
>
> > 5. I am considering making the server desktop a Web server. Should I
> > build a
> > minimal pc with a modem and use it as the Internet firewall and
lightning
> > "fuse"
> > between the phone line and my server? (I've been looking for an 80 foot
> > length
> > of fiber and a couple of fiber nics so I could really isolate the phone
> > line and
> > modem from the rest of the network ... so far no joy at a price I could
> > afford ...
> > may consider a shorter run ... 30-40 feet or so if necessary. Ideas?)
> >
>
> Sorry, can't help ya with that one Doc.
>
> > Thanks! Doc
>
> --
> R.G. Mayhue
> r.g.mayhue@verizon.net
>



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