Linux-Live.org

Trying to get Linux Live from Linux-Live.org work

#!/bin/bash
#
# run this script to create a LiveCD in /tmp/live_data_1234
#
# Author: Tomas M. <http://www.linux-live.org>

export PATH=.:./tools:../tools:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/

CHANGEDIR=$(dirname $(readlink -f $0))
echo “Changing current directory to $CHANGEDIR”
cd $CHANGEDIR

. liblinuxlive || exit 1
. ./.config || exit 1

# only root can continue, because only root can read all files from your system
allow_only_root

# live CD name
echo -ne “Name of your live distro [hit enter for $LIVECDNAME]: “
read NEWLIVECDNAME
if [ "$NEWLIVECDNAME" != "" ]; then LIVECDNAME=$NEWLIVECDNAME; fi
LIVECDNAME=$(echo $LIVECDNAME | tr -d ‘ ‘)

. ./install
if [ "$ROOT" -a "$ROOT" != "/" ]; then
. ./install $ROOT
fi

# search for kernel
VMLINUZ=$ROOT/boot/vmlinuz
if [ -L "$VMLINUZ" ]; then VMLINUZ=$(readlink -f $VMLINUZ); fi
echo -ne “Enter path for the kernel you’d like to use [hit enter for $VMLINUZ]: “
read NEWKERNEL
if [ "$NEWKERNEL" != "" ]; then VMLINUZ=”$NEWKERNEL”; fi
if [ "$(ls $VMLINUZ 2>>$DEBUG)" = "" ]; then echo “cannot find $VMLINUZ”; exit 1; fi

header “Creating LiveCD from your Linux”
echo “some debug information can be found in $DEBUG”

mkdir -p $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME/{base,modules,optional,rootcopy,tools}

echo “copying cd-root to $CDDATA, using kernel from $VMLINUZ”
cp -R cd-root/boot $CDDATA
for i in isolinux syslinux; do
cat cd-root/boot/$i/$i.cfg | sed -r “s/LABEL linux/LABEL $LIVECDNAME/” | sed -r “s/Run linux/Run $LIVECDNAME/” > $CDDATA/boot/$i/$i.cfg
done
mv $CDDATA/boot/dos/linux.bat $CDDATA/boot/dos/${LIVECDNAME:0:8}.bat
cat cd-root/boot/dos/readme.txt | sed -r “s/LINUX.BAT/”${LIVECDNAME:0:8}.bat”/” > $CDDATA/boot/dos/readme.txt

mkdir -p $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME
cp -R cd-root/linux/* $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME
cp tools/* $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME/tools
cp -R DOC/LICENSE $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME
cp $VMLINUZ $CDDATA/boot/vmlinuz

echo “creating initrd image…”
echo “Using kernel modules from $ROOT/$LMK”
cd initrd
./initrd_create $LIVECDNAME
if [ "$?" -ne 0 ]; then exit; fi
cd ..

cp initrd/initrd.gz $CDDATA/boot/initrd.gz
rm initrd/initrd.gz

echo “creating compressed images…”

for dir in $MKMOD; do
if [ -d $ROOT/$dir ]; then
echo “base/$dir.lzm …”
echo -ne > exclude.txt
for i in $EXCLUDE; do
part=$(echo “x/$i” | tr -s / | sed -r “s:x/[^/]+/::”)
if [ -e "$ROOT/$dir/$part" ]; then echo “$ROOT/$dir/$part” >> exclude.txt; fi
done
cat exclude.txt
create_module $ROOT/$dir $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME/base/$dir.lzm -keep-as-directory -ef exclude.txt
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then exit; fi
rm exclude.txt
echo
fi
done

cd $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME
echo “——–done———-”
echo
echo “* run $CDDATA/$LIVECDNAME/make_iso.bat to create ISO image”
echo “* or copy content of $CDDATA to your USB device”
echo “and run ./boot/bootinst.sh (from the device!) to setup boot sector”
echo
echo “Now press Enter…”
read junk

I’m confused from the very beginning.  Why do we need to

CHANGEDIR=$(dirname $(readlink -f $0))
echo “Changing current directory to $CHANGEDIR”
cd $CHANGEDIR

The script ends up erroring at

echo “Using kernel modules from $ROOT/$LMK”

I’ll have to look for a good wordpress module for code where there are line numbers…

bash script for getting user profiles ready to go

This script is to be run as root…but the 2nd line (1st functional line) doesn’t work because root has nothing in .gconf

#!/bin/bash

cp -R ~/.gconf /etc/skel/

echo “<?xml version=\”1.0\”?>
<gconf>
<entry name=\”frequency_get_upgrades\” mtime=\”1251122031\” type=\”int\” value=\”0\”/>
<entry name=\”auto_update\” mtime=\”1251122029\” type=\”string\”>
<stringvalue>security</stringvalue>
</entry>
<entry name=\”frequency_get_updates\” mtime=\”1251222859\” type=\”int\” value=\”86400\”/>
</gconf>” >> /etc/skel/.gconf/apps/gnome-packagekit/update-icon/%gconf.xml

echo “Enter Username (person getting computer)”
read userftw

useradd $userftw
echo password | passwd –stdin $userftw

useradd douglasawh

echo “$userftw ALL=(ALL) ALL” >> /etc/sudoers
echo ‘douglasawh ALL=(ALL) ALL’ >> /etc/sudoers

yum -y remove evolution transmission gnome-disk-utility

yum -y install tsclient gconf-editor

sh vpnsetup.sh

echo “\nIf you have the time, run yum -y upgrade. kthxbai”

This is slightly different than the one I’m using just because it’s probably not the safest thing in the world to have all the usernames out of there.

We may add more to the script later, but right now we don’t have a lot we want to do. All these users need to be able to do is remote desktop, but we also want to make sure they are getting security updates and some other minor things that should be apparent in the script.

All of this would be easier if we were still using UCK or reconstructor in ubuntu, but due to Spacewalk, we are moving to Fedora.

Top 10 places I’d like to live (because people love top 10 lists)

One of many blog posts I’ve started and then not finished until much later.

1. Chapel Hill (or, the Triangle)

Ok, this isn’t really a fair fight.  If Chapel Hill is the Southern Part of Heaven, I haven’t found the Northern Part yet…or maybe I did (keep reading).

2. Chicago

Great memories here.  US National Team plays here. Chicago Fire. Potential 2016 Olympics. NHL. They love Jordan (Tar Heel pride!) Public transit.  Sure, the airports suck, but it’d be better driving distance to my family in Kentucky and at least airline prices would be cheaper than out of Madison.

3. Boston

I hate Boston sports.  I mean, I know people love to hate The Yankees and I’m not a Yankees fan per se, but I do love seeing them beat the Red Sox.  I think it’s because somehow Boston sports mean more than in Chicago, LA or NYC.  I hate the Celtics.  I hate The Patriots.  I hate the Bruins.  I don’t really hate the Revolution, but hating a MLS team is like hating a teddy bear (look, I love the MLS, I can say that).  What’s funny though is I loved the time I was in Boston, I love that the FSF is there.  I’d love being on the East Coast again.  I love Boston’s history.  I love that it’s the Athens of America. Great punk/hardcore scene. Public transit.

4. Charlotte

This one probably doesn’t need a lot said. It’s all about the family for this one.  Plus, there’s a new train system and trains from Durham now. I hate NASCAR but whatever, that’s going to be on ESPN anywhere.  At least in Charlotte I can love NASCAR just a little for supporting the local economy.

5. DC

DC was our Chicago in Chapel Hill, though it was a little further.  If big bands came through, you might head up to DC if you were passionate.  Close enough to drive to NYC or Chapel Hill.  I flew out of DC to Copenhagen. I could get used to that.

6. Milwaukee

a year ago, there’s no way this would have been on the list. With Bucketworks, proximity to my new friends, Brewers and Bucks and the train to Chicago it’s definitely on the list.

7. NYC

NYC might be too big.  Might.  At least there’s a good punk scene.  US National Team plays games here.  Plemty of hockey. I thought hard about this one before moving to Wisconsin. Can’t say I didn’t make the best decision coming here but I can’t say it was the right move either.  Only way I’ll ever find out is to give it a shot.

8. Lexington, KY

While Louisville would be closer to family and I’ve spent more time there, I love college towns.  Sure, Louisville has a college…maybe more than one.  It’s not a college town. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I’m a Wildcat fan.  Sure Chapel Hill is at the top of this list but my blood still runs a darker shade of blue. GO BIG BLUE!

9. London, UK

Ok, it’s true, I’ve never been to London.  However, I do know you can take the train from London to Paris and from Paris to the rest of Europe.  I absolutely loved my time in Europe.  Sure, it was great company and no work and maybe I could have gotten that in the US or somewhere else, but I really think I’m a developed-nation kind of guy and I’d really like to be where I speak the language.  Plus, it’s one of the furtherest west points in Europe such that I could get on planes back to the US.  They love football there too.  I’m talking Wayne Rooney not Michael Vick.  I’m not a big baseball fan, but I’ll certainly take that over cricket.  Don’t think I’d miss it though.  Might have to hope over to Sweden for my hockey fix in the winter.  And, actually, since I starting writing this article 3 weeks ago London might be further up the list.  I don’t feel like re-arranging though.  It’s publish or perish time for this entry!

10. Malmö, Sweden

Maybe Malmö is the Northern Part of Heaven.  Why not Stockholm you might ask?  Stockholm is huge.  Yes, I know Chicago is way up on the list and NYC makes an appearance, but I really think I’d like some place smaller.  You heard my arguments for those two cities, so I’m not going to rehash that here.  Malmö had a fun, beach atmosphere without being trashy like Myrtle Beach.  Malmö is where you get on the train to go to continental Europe, whereas with Stockholm I’d either need to fly or go through Malmö.  Plus, maybe I’d get to hang out with Ibrahimović and I’d certainly get to cheer for Malmö FF in their brand new stadium.  Another plus to living in Sweden? You get the ö key for free so it’s not a pain in the arse writing blog posts! (hey, look at that, I’m already practicing for London!)

Release early, release often…Ef it, just release

Many people don’t know that I was (am?) an aspiring poet/lyricist.  In my search out of the post-modern decay that is my life (emo much?) I’ve tried to pick things up again after some time off.  The trip to Sweden was my catalyst with the land of my ancestors, the true beauty of the country and Brenda’s energy and excitement all equal players.  Most everything I’ve written since then has been rubbish with the exception of a pseudo-sonnet that only one person other than me has seen (if there is demand I’ll release it).

As any of you that pay any attention to my identi.ca or *private* twitter stream you know I’ve been reading a book titled DiY Culture: Party and Protest in Nineties Britain.  I got it from the Madison InfoShop (site appears to be down as of writing…hopefully back up soon).  While I thought it was going to be about punk (the only thing with which I’ve ever heard DiY associated) it’s mostly about anti-road campaigns and dance culture.  It should be pretty obvious the books influence on my thoughts in the following “poem”.  It sounds more like a stream of microblog posts, but the content was so important to me I decided to type it up (yep, I still use paper for my writing…well, not blog posts)

For centuries man communed with nature

My nature now consists of hockey moms in SUVs at 70mph

the howling wind is a reminder of a paradise destroyed by greed and incompetence…mostly greed.

Apathy and cowardise are the orders of the day.

Do you see no utility in tranquility?

What is out there? Where are people going?

The sounds of the crickets, the chirps of the birds

<this line was going to be eliminated> Why must we spend so much time and energy to commune?</this line was going to be eliminated>

We recognize the need for nature or we would not enjoy luscious beaches.

Are the waves of prairie grass less natural than the waves of Crete?

What does my writing do? Am I solving anything.

Most of the stuff I’ve written has been something like this…stream of consciousness I’ve never gone back to make rhyme or flow.  Between work, the gym, running the LUG and various other things, I simply don’t have time.  I hope not only to write more here on the blog, I also hope to put pen to paper more often.  With a statistics class coming up at the end of the month, this doesn’t look likely, but I’m still holding out hope.

Creative Commons FTW…oh wait

I like to think I walk the walk, not just talk the talk.  You know, I don’t go downtown unless I must, I bike to work.  I buy organic foods. <rant>I use GNU/Linux and don’t sit behind my Mac talking about how great FOSS is (yeah, I’m calling you out).  I believe in compromise and personal priorities, but recently I’ve gotten more and more frustrated by people not getting out of their comfort zones and making excuses.  Personal priorities are often excuses.  If you don’t believe in FOSS, that’s fine, but don’t claim to like it and then not actually support it.  It’s like saying how you love the earth and then driving 30 miles to work. It’s CRAP (I’ll keep this family friendly, but, um crap isn’t exactly what I want to say).

But hey, I’m not a zealot. I’m really not. I just don’t want people fooling themselves and (potentially unintentially) fooling others. </rant>

That’s not the point though.  Last night we were talking about how “hippie” people were.  Look, I’m more comfortable with the word socialist than 99.9 or so people in this country.  I’m pretty left, but I’m way too angry to be a hippie.  I said, hey, I listen to punk and metal, not hippie music.  The retort was that I listen to “open” punk which is pretty hippie. I like the fact that people are accusing me of listening to Creative Commons music.  I do, actually, that feels like a great compliment…but is it true?  Now, I’ve been a Last.fm user for over 4 years, so there’s a lot of legacy data out there, but let’s take a look.  In the last 7 days, 3 of my top 15 artists were Creative Commons…only one over the past three months though and none in the last six months or the last year (unless you count NIN…sure, let’s count them).  If you look at the all-time stats, Severed Fifth (Jono Bacon’s “band”) rolls in at 347.  Holy Pain and Predator both roll in at 444.  And since we’ve been counting NIN, they roll in at 76.  After finishing the post (before publishing) I realized there might be a couple of other bands in the top 500 and sure enough Gråsuggorna and No Se both roll in at 304.  Obviously, this is all subject to change.

Also, I should note that many people believe that -NC (non-commercial) is non-free and by a strict definition it isn’t.  I, on the other hand, am much less cozy with -ND (no derivatives).  I’ve been meaning to post a blog on the -NC topic, but suffice it to say that while I believe in copyleft and freedom in software, software is a tool. Art is art…unless it’s marketing.  There’s a time and place for marketing, but let’s not confuse the two.

Back to the point, even though NIN is so high *because* of their new Creative Commons albums, it’s also so high because of a large back catalog of non-Creative Commons stuff.  Essentially, there are five bands in my top 500 (all in the lower half). This maks for some convenient math; 1%.  This hardly qualifies me as listening to “open” punk.  By the same logic, I listen to rap. Though there are only 4 bands (unless you include Limp Bizkit and maybe others), The Beastie Boys (88), Eminem (69), Dr. Dre (357) and Cypress Hill (226) have a *much* higher average. I have a total tracks played number so I could do some other stats, but I don’t want to beat this to death.

The point of all of this (including the rant) is to challenge us all to do a better job.  Fighting the good fight takes a lot of energy.  It takes energy I often don’t have after a long day at work.  We need to encourage each other and work together.  Is there something I can do to help you migrate to GNU/Linux? Is there something I can do to help your Creative Commons’ music?  Since we need all the help we can get, I guess I’ll work with you Mac fan boys too.

One last thing for music fans and Apple fan boys alike. If you think audio editing is just for the fruity among us, come see Tom Ray of Lorenzo’s Music give a presentation on audio editing in Linux on August 18th.  I’d love to give you guys and gals some more links, but like usual I’m running up against bed time and a long to-do list.