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5651

General Software Discussion / Re: Drive Extender replacement due out in 2012. It's called Storage Spaces.

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 09:27 PM »

The math gets a little less obvious with something like RAID-5 since there isn't a designated parity drive. The parity data gets distributed among all the drives. But for RAID-5 you'll always need one additional drive to do an array.

Minimum number is three drives. Your data space is the capacity of all the drives in the array minus the capacity of one drive in the array. (Note: All the drives in a pure RAID-5 array must have identical capacity.)

Assuming 1TB drives, a three drive array would have a 2TB data space (i.e. 3TB-1TB). So 33% of the total capacity is 'lost' to parity. But a five drive array would have a 4TB data space (i.e 5TB-1TB) with only 20% total capacity lost to parity. And that percentage decreases with each drive added.

So as you can see, RAID-5 is least economical with only three drives - but it becomes increasingly economic with each drive added after that - up to the capacity of the RAID controller.

The tradeoff is that a standard RAID-5 array can only tolerate one drive failing at a time without experiencing data loss. As skwire pointed out earlier, the general rule is you can have as many drives simultaneously fail as you have parity drives. And in the case of RAID-5, you basically only have one "drive" for parity even though it isn't a specific drive.

In practice, it's a little more complicated than that. But not much.

5652

Living Room / Re: Is Linux just a hobby?

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 09:07 PM »

It's cool!  As long as I can rag back on all you linux nuts.  Here's one:  I say buttons are easier, you guys say "actually...command line is much easier".

-superboyac (July 18, 2012, 08:22 PM)

Rag away.  But I don't think you're going to find many Linux nuts in this forum. Users maybe. But not nuts. We just like it because it works. And the day it doesn't, we'll kick it to the curb without a second thought.

Regarding the command line: I like buttons and GUIs too although I'm pretty handy with the command line in windows, BSD, and Linux. For some things buttons are easier. When it is, I use the GUI. But for other operations, like copying an entire folder full of files with subdirectories to a new location, the command  cp -r /<original loc>/* /<new loc> is easier (to me) than opening up a file manager, highlighting a bunch of stuff, and then dragging it to a new location. But that's me, so YMMV.

Where the command line really gains power is when you realize Linux (like Unix) basically treats everything as if it were a text file. So you can run a command, and then pipe the output to another command as input. And you can chain a series of such operations together in ways similar to Autohotkey and save them as a script which can be used over and over. It's a very flexible system that really comes into its own when dealing with multiple items or a series of operations.

But that's for later.

5653

Living Room / Re: Is Linux just a hobby?

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 08:44 PM »

People would say how great Linux is and recommend that you try it, but when you do and ask a question, you would get derided for your lack of knowledge or ignored.  I know that all Linux users aren't like that... but I ran into enough of them

-wraith808 (July 18, 2012, 07:32 PM)

I think a lot of that has changed. At least in the USA. I haven't seen very much of that except where somebody was treating forum or irc members as their own personal unpaid support staff and getting indignant when unlimited help wasn't forthcoming. About the only time I ever got a little short with someone was when one woman introduced herself as "a consultant" who had taken on a paid project to migrate a business over to F/OSS - and stated up front she knew next to nothing about it - and could we please help her? When some of us gave her a list of websites she could look at and some books she should purchase and read first, she became indignant and abusive. Told us she "didn't have time for that" and virtually demanded we just answer her questions because "that's what Linux is supposed to be about - people helping other people for free."

Her very first question was: "How do you do a virtualization of a server?"

Where do you even begin with a person like that?

Other than that person, I haven't seen much 'newbie abuse' in the places I frequent. And what little there is usually earns the abuser a quick rebuke from several other people.

Also, anything that involves opening a console would probably qualify as "programmer-skills".
But I do disagree with superboyac: installing stuff in linux is 100 times easier than in windows.
Actually, now that I think about it, windows is the worst OS from this point of view: installing in Mac is even easier than linux: since the introduction of the app store, the app's site can have a link that opens the app's page in the app store where it's one click away from download and install.

-jgpaiva (July 18, 2012, 07:08 PM)

Agree 100%. Using the console is an intermediate skill and not really required by most users unless they want to get into it.

But in addition to easy to use package managers like Synaptic, several mainstream Linux distros are now starting to offer software stores. Ubuntu and Mint now have similar software managers that take a lot from Apple's App Store. The only difference is that 99.8% of what's listed is free for download.

Short (not that great) demo of how Linux Mint does it follows:

Like the man says: It's butterscotch, baby... butterscotch!

A quick lite review of Mint (including Software Manager) can also be seen below if you want to see what a modern Linux distro looks and  works like:

 

5654

Living Room / Re: Is Linux just a hobby?

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 06:38 PM »

Linux Mint v12 new application install example:
Click 1) Applications, 2) Other, 3) Software manager (36,235 packages available in 12 categories). 4) Graphics (Category 614 packages in list and 6 subcategories), 5) Inkscape (description, score, reviews, homepage URL, version, size, Install/Remove), 6) Install.

Wait for install. Close Software Manager. Open Applications. Click icon/name to run.

-sword (July 18, 2012, 04:56 PM)

aptitude install inkscape.

Newbie.

-Tuxman (July 18, 2012, 05:00 PM)

Hey! Be nice to the newcomers. 

Only problem is you need to know the exact name in the repository to do it via the CL.

BTW: I'd prefer sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install inkscape  

5655

Living Room / Re: What will be your next computer?

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 06:27 PM »

I need something portable this time. Mac Mini with linux ? I'll see if there is any similar box for linux.

-mahesh2k (July 18, 2012, 05:05 PM)

See my post above.



The MintBox. Article here.

It's made by CompuLab. If you're not interested in this particular Linux Mint configuration, there are also 'bare metal' PCs on their website. They make the popular fit-PC series that the MintBox is based on. Grab one of those and install whatever distro you like best.

5656

General Software Discussion / One more reason to like independent SW developers

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 02:05 PM »

A while back I ordered a copy of Bryan Lunduke's nifty little app generator called Illumination. I got it during a "name your own price" offer. It was version 4. So imagine my surprise when I got the following announcement from Bryan in my email yesterday. As a thank you for my previous support, he's providing a complimentary upgrade to his latest 'deluxe' version 5 at no charge.

In an era when even formerly reputable software providers have resorted to all sorts of word games in order to slither out from under their "lifetime" license promises, it's refreshing to see somebody do something genuinely nice for a change.

Try getting something like that from most of the big players.

Text of email

From: Bryan Lunduke [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 2:28 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Subject: Illumination Software Creator 5.0 Deluxe Edition Upgrade

 

As a way of saying Thank You for your support, below you will find your complimentary upgrade information for Illumination Software Creator 5.0 Deluxe Edition.

 
The following code will upgrade the Free Edition to the Deluxe Edition.

Register using your full name and the following code:

Code: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please enter this information (case sensitive) in the Register Illumination window (you can find this under the Help menu).

 
The latest stable version, as well as Beta releases, of Illumination can be downloaded at:

http://lunduke.com/?page_id=3454

You may use the official Illumination Software Creator Support Forum to ask questions, make requests or simply to chat with other Illumination users at:

http://lunduke.com/forum
/


-Bryan Lunduke

[email protected]

http://www.lunduke.com

5657

Living Room / Re: The first cybernetic hatecrime?

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 09:03 AM »

Paris France.

Parisian employees.

Non-French customer.

End of script.

 

5658

Living Room / Re: People Who Are Constantly Online Can Develop Mental Disorders

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2012, 08:18 AM »

People with pre-existing mental disorders naturally collect on the internet because in many cases the internet helps them be social in spite of their disorder.

-SeraphimLabs (July 17, 2012, 11:13 PM)

No wonder I steer clear of FaceBook.....

-4wd (July 17, 2012, 11:17 PM)

Oh yeah!

And also the people who frequent it excessively.  

Here's why!

 

5659

General Software Discussion / Re: Drive Extender replacement due out in 2012. It's called Storage Spaces.

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2012, 07:17 PM »

I've heard good things said about SnapRAID but I can't personally vouch for it since I've never installed it. (Warning: it's CL so it's a little geek.)

This page on their website also lists several alternatives to Snap RAID that might be worth investigating.

Q: Is data protection or media pooling the more important feature for you?

5660

Living Room / Re: What will be your next computer?

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2012, 12:44 PM »

Actually, this box looks pretty good as a general purpose home or office PC. (If you like Linux.)

Hmm...decisions, decisions...

5661

General Software Discussion / Re: Drive Extender replacement due out in 2012. It's called Storage Spaces.

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2012, 12:26 PM »

@SB - I don't know of any general purpose pooled storage system that recommends you add and remove drives as a matter of course. That's more what external USB drives are intended to be used for.

Because these systems need to compute parity data or take snapshots to work their magic, arbitrarily pulling drives out isn't a good idea - even if you can get away with it. Nor is it going to work they way you'd want it to since the minute a drive disappears from the pool, the system will begin reconstructing the missing disk's files on the drives that are still installed. The other thing is the pool manager uses all the resources in the pool. So there's usually no telling on which disk a specific file or directory is located. It could be spread over several physical drives.
 

5662

General Software Discussion / Re: How can a b/w photo's thumbnail be in colours?

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2012, 08:21 AM »

Perhaps this might explain things?

-40hz (July 16, 2012, 07:56 PM)

  -thank you for making your post a perfect start of my day, 40hz   (see attachment in previous post)

-Curt (July 17, 2012, 03:22 AM)

 

5663

General Software Discussion / Re: How can a b/w photo's thumbnail be in colours?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2012, 07:56 PM »

Perhaps this might explain things?

All is revealed here

 

5664

Living Room / Re: Who's up for a DonationCoder talk show?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2012, 07:48 PM »

It might be interesting to look at Jupiter Broadcasting's Coder Radio, Linux Action Show, and Tech Snap for some ideas of how this could work.

Multi-show co-host Chris Fisher is thinking about doing a pure audio show using an Airtime server to handle the automated broadcasting. Chris featured Airtime on a recent episode of the Linux Action Show. See it here.



He also mentioned an rather amazing free audio app called Mixxx that provides some very cool dual-deck DJ-type mixing, and recording features that would make it a natural for an audio show. It  interfaces directly with a Shoutcast or Icecast stream servers too.

Pretty sexy looking too:



I'm definitely gonna check the above out. (Oh bloody! That's one more project isn't it? )

 

5665

Living Room / Re: What's a good discussion forum for movie buffs?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2012, 07:00 PM »

JoBlo's forum (http://www.joblo.com/forums/ ) used to be pretty active although it may not have the depth you're looking for.

I suppose you could always start one. Best way to get it rolling might be to team up with a few movie sites that prefer to stick to news and clips and don't want to run their own forum. Be forewarned, there's a lot of posturing and nonsense that tends to go on wherever film gets discussed. Probably why some of the most logical sites to have a forum elected not to do one.

5666

Living Room / Re: Is Linux just a hobby?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2012, 10:12 AM »

My previous comment was short on one final "hic" that's been lingering on...
What happens if Linux gets some major virus?
A friend of mine said that it's probably going to happen one day.
Will Linux crew have the resources to fight it off?
Aren't we going to end up in dog chase tail scenario like Windows (and now Mac)?

Before we go any further, can i ask who that Joyce is or was?  

-dantheman (July 16, 2012, 04:32 AM)

The Linux/BSD/Gnu crowd is more than up for whatever gets thrown at them. If malware becomes an issue, it will be speedily dealt with - as the Morris Internet worm shutdown so neatly demonstrated.  And that response was initiated and accomplished with virtually zero input or assistance from the government.

Many in the F/OSS camp are also considered top talent in the IT world. This isn't amateur hour or a social club. This is a serious crowd doing serious systems programming. If viruses become an issue, they'll be dealt with. And in a completely open manner.

Try getting that anyplace else.  

5667

Living Room / Re: Is Linux just a hobby?

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2012, 10:40 AM »

Went over to Mint and Crashbang a while back since I didn't like the noises Canonical was making about Unity even before they went all in on it.

I still prefer Xfce over any other desktop for day to day Linux use.

5668

General Software Discussion / Re: A unified solution for note taking and task management

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2012, 10:34 AM »

@Ska - thank you for the link. I will definitely check that out.

5669

Living Room / Re: 50 Shades of Gray

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 02:37 PM »

Reminds me always of the following:
 

-Shades (July 14, 2012, 02:31 PM)

John Fowles had this little bit of doggerel in his novel The Magus:

Spoiler

You mustn't be frightened, Mrs. De Sade.

  Oh! I'm not at all frightened...
     Just a little bit scarred.

5670

Living Room / Re: 50 Shades of Gray

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 02:13 PM »

Its...'Mummy Porn'...That is what it's unofficially being called...

-Stephen66515 (July 14, 2012, 08:11 AM)

Well...I guess linen bandages would be far more comfortable than exploring shibari with the tradition equipment list.  

ALTHOUGH...From a man who's mrs has read all 3 books; perspective, it works out very well for your personal life if you know what I mean ^_^

If books inspire her, best hope she never reads a copy of Venus in Furs. Sauce for the goose = pain for the gander. (Unless you're personally into "that sort" of recreation. )
 

5671

General Software Discussion / Re: A unified solution for note taking and task management

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 02:01 PM »

Depends on what it means by "should".

-Paul Keith (July 14, 2012, 09:20 AM)

In my case it means not cluttering it up with six dozen feature I personally don't want.

My wish list is:

• Standalone
• A bulletproof "find feed on page" feature
• Some sort of local "save complete page" or similar "scrapbook" feature
• A save button to either Pocket (ReadItLater) or Instapaper. Ideally both.
• One click "send link to email address" feature.
• Doesn't noticeably slow down or become unstable with a large (200+ and growing) collection of feeds
• Doesn't automate anything unless specifically directed to.
• Either has a decent built-in browser, or integrates seamlessly with one of the biggies should I want full HTML.

That's it AFAIC. So far, the Sage extension and FF (with additional extensions) is the closest I've come to it. Far from ideal. But that's life. And the one thing that keeps me from removing the current edition of FF from my machine.

5672

Living Room / Re: What is the better synonym to antonym to the term "Human"?

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 08:49 AM »

^Only a matter of time. It's only a matter of time - although California will probably do it first just to say they were

Don't hold your breath for the Feds. The federal government never met a corporation it didn't like.

Oh! Sorry...this isn't the SandBox is it? Apologies in advance. 

5673

General Software Discussion / Re: A unified solution for note taking and task management

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 08:41 AM »

@PaulKeith - I was just wondering...on your travels...have you ever found a feedreader that worked exactly the way you thought one should? Because I certainly haven't.

5674

Living Room / Re: What is the better synonym to antonym to the term "Human"?

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 07:39 AM »

If I didn't know better I'd be beginning to strongly suspect a chatterbot at work here.  

5675

Living Room / Re: Linus Torvalds on what makes open software development work. (BBC interview)

« Last post by 40hz on July 14, 2012, 06:50 AM »

I particularly liked his capsule summary of how GPL works: tit-for-tat.

I'm amazed at how many very smart people (including Ubuntu most recently) can't seem to understand that basic premise. It's painful seeing some of the verbal, legal, and philosophical hoops these people jump through trying to prove that a licensing model which embraces a very clear and logical notion of fairness (i.e. give back) somehow isn't fair at all.