#00ffff

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux Debian 11 - How to setup Brother QL 600 LabelPrinter

it’s a two part process:

1. install the drivers

(thanks all involved great work 🙂

<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install printer-driver-ptouch
</span>

2. install the printer via cups web browser interface

http://localhost:631/

or:

https://localhost:631/

-> Administration -> Add Printer

select the driver for QL-650TD

click on “Add Printer”

stick with the default options.

3. (optional but recommended) get some templates for LibreOffice:

https://download.brother.com/welcome/dlfp100385/officetemplate.tar.gz

4. HAPPY LABELING 🙂

(print some nice sentences… and make ’em stick… e.g. to a traffic light post… )

for example:

it can do pictures fairly fast…

“fascinating” isn’t it?

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #debian #print #label #labels #printing #cups #brother

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/07/13/gnu-linux-debian-11-how-to-setup-brother-ql-600-labelprinter/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux Debian 11 - How to setup Brother QL 600 LabelPrinter

it’s a two part process:

1. install the drivers

(thanks all involved great work 🙂

<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install printer-driver-ptouch
</span>

2. install the printer via cups web browser interface

http://localhost:631/

or:

https://localhost:631/

-> Administration -> Add Printer

select the driver for QL-650TD

click on “Add Printer”

stick with the default options.

3. (optional but recommended) get some templates for LibreOffice:

https://download.brother.com/welcome/dlfp100385/officetemplate.tar.gz

4. HAPPY LABELING 🙂

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #debian #print #label #labels #printing #cups #brother

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/07/13/gnu-linux-debian-11-how-to-setup-brother-ql-600-labelprinter/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux bash - the ultimate (LTE) modem debugging one-liner

currently wrestling with a LTE modem, that used to work under Ubuntu, but refuses to work under Debian 11.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">while true; do echo "=== show modem status:"; mmcli -m 1|grep -e model -e primary -e state -e signal; echo -e "\n=== show routing table:"; route -n; echo -e "\n=== show arp table:"; arp -an; echo -e "\n=== ping a host 3x times:"; ip -c a; ping -c3 1.1.1.1; sleep 1; clear; done</span>


# info about the system
<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)

<span style="color: #00ffff;">uname -a</span>
Linux tuxedo 5.10.0-16-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 5.10.127-1 (2022-06-30) x86_64 GNU/Linux

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsusb</span>
Bus 003 Device 005: ID 12d1:15bb Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ME936 LTE/HSDPA+ 4G modem

# sample output

=== show modem status:
           |                model: ME936
           |         primary port: ttyUSB0
           |                state: connected
           |          power state: on
           |       signal quality: 22% (recent)

=== show routing table:
Kernel IP routing table
Destination     Gateway         Genmask         Flags Metric Ref    Use Iface
0.0.0.0         37.80.230.59    0.0.0.0         UG    700    0        0 wwx022c80139263
37.0.0.0        0.0.0.0         255.0.0.0       U     700    0        0 wwx022c80139263
169.254.0.0     0.0.0.0         255.255.0.0     U     1000   0        0 wwx022c80139263

=== show arp table:
? (37.80.230.59) at  on wwx022c80139263

=== ping a host 3x times:
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host 
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: wwx022c80139263: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc pfifo_fast state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 02:2c:80:13:92:63 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    inet 37.80.230.58/8 brd 37.255.255.255 scope global noprefixroute wwx022c80139263
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
3: wlp52s0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 36:20:ec:72:3f:66 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff permaddr 70:9c:d1:62:10:9c
5: enxa0cec851d79b: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc pfifo_fast state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether a0:ce:c8:51:d7:9b brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
PING 1.1.1.1 (1.1.1.1) 56(84) bytes of data.
From 37.80.230.58 icmp_seq=1 Destination Host Unreachable
From 37.80.230.58 icmp_seq=2 Destination Host Unreachable
From 37.80.230.58 icmp_seq=3 Destination Host Unreachable

--- 1.1.1.1 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 0 received, +3 errors, 100% packet loss, time 2046ms

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #lte #modem #debugging #debug #bash

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/07/12/gnu-linux-bash-the-ultimate-lte-modem-debugging-one-liner/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

Hardware Review - USB to NVMe adapter - Asus USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C M.2 NVMe SSD to USB Adapter also known as "Rog Strix Arion" vs Inateck M.2 NVMe 2 USB Adapter

the idea was:

  • the user has computers, that allow for easy harddisk or NVMe swaps
    • installation X is on NVMe1, installation Y is on NVMe2
  • or the user want’s to reinstall on a new harddisk, USB connecting the old harddisk, to restore files to the new harddisk

for this just as USB-SATA adapters an USB-NVMe adapter had to be found.

So gave the “Rog Strix Arion” by ASUS a shot.

  • the pros:
    • makes NVMe work like an USB Stick
      • it says “initialize your blank ssd before use” (the terms NVMe and SSD start to get confusing)
      • but it is also possible to read an already “initialized” (partition table, formatted) NVMe
        • but it might be not the ideal choice for that use, more USB-Stick-NVMe kind of use
    • fast
    • solid heavy metal casing that distributes heat (those NVMe chips can become pretty hot)
    • nice LED light show
  • cons:
    • open and closing it could be less of an effort

how to open this thing?

the user needs a pin.

hm…. and this won an Design Award in 2020?

Imho this makes things too complicated, as if there is no pin, there is no possibility to easily swap NVMes in and out of the NVMe-USB adapter.

benchmark performance:

USB 3.0 connected, it is fast. no doubt about it. ~430MBytes/sec kind of fast.

time <a href="https://dwaves.de/2020/11/13/gnu-linux-basic-harddisks-benchmarks-ssds-kingston-skc600512g-vs-samsung-ssd-850-pro-vs-samsung-ssd-860-evo-vs-samsung-ssd-870-evo-1tb-ntfs-vs-ext4-how-fast-are-virtual-harddisks/">/scripts/bench/bench_harddisk.sh</a>
=== harddisk sequential write and read bench v1 ===
starting test on the device that holds the current directory the user is in
no need to run it as root

========== writing 3GB of zeroes ==========
0+1 records in
0+1 records out
2147479552 bytes (2,1 GB, 2,0 GiB) copied, 5,87549 s, 365 MB/s

real    0m5,919s
user    0m0,000s
sys 0m1,927s
========== reading 6GB of zeroes ==========
0+1 records in
0+1 records out
2147479552 bytes (2,1 GB, 2,0 GiB) copied, 4,94441 s, 434 MB/s

real    0m4,993s
user    0m0,000s
sys 0m2,000s
========== tidy up remove testfile ==========

real    0m10,983s
user    0m0,001s
sys 0m3,997s

So Asus planned for the user to install an NVMe and then use it like a USB Stick (no user will ever change the FlashChips of an USB Stick?)

also closing the device seems to be pretty hard… as the mechanism does not want to snap (again, this actually WON an design award? “The looks are great, who cares if it works” kind of award?)

Ok it is possibly, that the case closes properly with other NMVes, but the KINGSTON SA2000M81000G (some parts of it might be “too high”?) X-D

Inateck M.2 NVMe 2 USB Adapter

so bought the “inateck” adapter for half the price of the ASUS Adapter.

binary comment

  • 10 Gbit/s
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2
  • Type C & Type A Cable included (nice!)
  • while changing NVMes is also not sooo comfortable (detaching/attaching cooling pad and metal plate, but simply with the bush of an button (orange square above) it can be opened)
    • at least this time the NVMe “fit’s in”
  • the speed is 2x twice as fast as the ASUS Adapter…

<span style="color: #00ffff;">
time /scripts/bench/bench_harddisk.sh</span> 
=== harddisk sequential write and read bench v1 ===
starting test on the device that holds the current directory the user is in
no need to run it as root

========== writing 3GB of zeroes ==========
0+1 records in
0+1 records out
2147479552 bytes (2,1 GB, 2,0 GiB) copied, 3,44557 s, 623 MB/s

real    0m3,493s
user    0m0,000s
sys 0m1,885s
========== reading 6GB of zeroes ==========
0+1 records in
0+1 records out
2147479552 bytes (2,1 GB, 2,0 GiB) copied, 2,0635 s, 1,0 GB/s

real    0m2,104s
user    0m0,000s
sys 0m0,787s
========== tidy up remove testfile ==========

real    0m5,676s
user    0m0,002s
sys 0m2,745s

# rerun
real    0m5,406s

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #hardware #review #nvme #usb #asus #Inateck

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/06/14/hardware-review-usb-to-nvme-adapter-asus-usb-3-2-gen-2-type-c-m-2-nvme-ssd-to-usb-adapter-also-known-as-rog-strix-arion-vs-inateck-m-2-nvme-2-usb-adapter/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

Rant: PHP & DokuWiki update upgrade problems - too much complexity: fixing one thing, while breaking another - why updates are hated

Nobody likes rants… just as Updates are (sometimes) hated, but (sometimes) necessary.

This is how (probably) the slogan: “never touch a running/working system” originated.

Once a system was fully tested (all used cases worked), an update came along a old functionality was not functioning anymore.

For security reasons: all machines/systems directly or indirectly exchanging messages with the wild west internet need to stay as up to date as possible.

the pros:

(+) First of DokuWiki is a nice software, it’s cool that it can do a lot of fancy stuff such as LDAP (?) if the user needs it.

(-) What is not cool, to have a lot of plugins installed per default, instead of starting with a bare minimum of software needed (software minimalism) and let the user add the software the user absolutely needs, because “too much software” pre-installed tend to make systems fail.

This time it happened in a “complex grown over years software” “tripple” upgrade situation:

  • php8 is out
  • DokuWiki “upgrade plugin” needs updating
  • DokuWiki itself needs updating

… things fell apart at the 1st step already, resulting in a still readable, but pretty ugly (missing CSS) version of what it was before.

culprit: with a stylesheed was not being properly generated:

url: http://localhost/projects/lib/exe/css.php?t=dokuwiki&tseed=djf83jhdfuz38odhfzho3z80ehilf

<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff9900;">Warning</span></b>: Undefined array key "speech" in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/lib/exe/css.php</b> on line <b>83</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff0000;">Fatal error</span></b>: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is no longer supported in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php</b> on line <b>761</b><br />

DokuWiki authors added the work of this author (https://www.maswaba.de/lesserphpdocs/) for whatever reason and { curly brackets } (now deprecated) were not updated in time to [ square brackets ].

As simple as that.

In the beginning: all the user wants is an easy editable file based wiki (it’s even there in the Dokuwiki slogan “it’s better when it is simple”)

Why exactly is this CSS compiler needed/active per default in the first place?

Has DokuWiki grown into unnecessary complex “bloatware” of over 5000 files?

<span style="color: #00ffff;">wget https://download.dokuwiki.org/out/dokuwiki-8186df5bcf8bba07ff8638254a75b094.tgz
tar fxvz dokuwiki-8186df5bcf8bba07ff8638254a75b094.tgz</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">find ./dokuwiki |wc -l</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">5579 files</span>

(much less than some PHP frameworks… but still a lot of files… with a lot of moving parts… all potential points of failure…)

violating UNIX K.I.S.S and leading to software failures

More complexity = more errors = less maintainability.

DokuWiki has gained functionalities of questionable qualities, such as the very faulty and thus pretty useless and annoying SPAM detection mechanism.

(every Wiki should be login & .htaccess protected, how to activate the DokuWiki (per default disabled) login screen, is the #1 most visited page of this blog X-D, already enough SPAM protection… so completely unnecessary to add such faulty functionality)

Even worse: @the-official-DokuWiki-forum, the forum software triggers admins (that are unable to read and blindly trust this faulty SPAM detection mechanism, that basically detects EVERY URL as spam) to block the user’s (maybe useful) contributions aka “overblocking”.

Be Brave New Web World.

Only solution: write your own tools that respect UNIX K.I.S.S principle and are therefore easy to fix and maintain and actually work, fast 🙂 (using minimal resources)

DokuWiki updates-upgrades: how it is supposed to look and work like:

how to fix this mess:

==== howto fix ====
<b>Warning</b>: Undefined array key "speech" in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/lib/exe/css.php</b> on line <b>83</b>
(usually php-warnings are disabled, but if warnings are enabled, it will mess up the css's format)

=== in file: /lib/exe/css.php

== in line: 82 to 87

= change, from:
        // load user styles
        if(is_array($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype])) {
            foreach($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype] as $userstyle) {
                $files[$userstyle] = DOKU_BASE;
            }
        }
= change, to:
        // load user styles
        if(array_key_exists($mediatype, $config_cascade['userstyle']))
        {
            if(is_array($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype])) {
                foreach($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype] as $userstyle) {
                    $files[$userstyle] = DOKU_BASE;
                }
            }
        }

==== howto fix ====

<b>Fatal error</b>: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is no longer supported in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php</b> on line <b>761</b>

=== in file:
/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php

== line: 761
= change, from:
   $subProp[1]{0} != $this->vPrefix)
= change, to:
   $subProp[1][0] != $this->vPrefix)

== line: 2762
= change, from:
   if (!is_string($tag) || $tag{0} != $this->lessc->mPrefix)
= change, to:
   if (!is_string($tag) || $tag[0] != $this->lessc->mPrefix)

== line: 2816
= change, from:
   if ($tag{0} == $this->lessc->vPrefix)
= change, to:
   if ($tag[0] == $this->lessc->vPrefix)

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #dokuwiki #when #upgrades #fail #upgrade #complexity #unix #kiss

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/06/30/rant-php-dokuwiki-update-upgrade-problems-too-much-complexity-fixing-one-thing-while-breaking-another-why-updates-are-hated/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

PHP & DokuWiki update upgrade problems - too much complexity: fixing one thing, while breaking another - why updates are hated

Updates are hated, but sometimes necessary.

This is how (probably) the slogan: “never touch a running/working system” originated.

Once a system was fully tested (all used cases worked), an update came along a old functionality was not functioning anymore.

For security reasons: all machines/systems directly or indirectly exchanging messages with the wild west internet need to stay as up to date as possible.

the pros:

(+) First of DokuWiki is a nice software, it’s cool that it can do a lot of fancy stuff such as LDAP (?) if the user needs it.

(-) What is not cool, to have a lot of plugins installed per default, instead of starting with a bare minimum of software needed (software minimalism) and let the user add the software the user absolutely needs, because “too much software” pre-installed tend to make systems fail.

This time it happened in a “complex grown over years software” “tripple” upgrade situation:

  • php8 is out
  • DokuWiki “upgrade plugin” needs updating
  • DokuWiki itself needs updating

… things fell apart at the 1st step already, resulting in a still readable, but pretty ugly (missing CSS) version of what it was before.

culprit: with a stylesheed was not being properly generated:

url: http://localhost/projects/lib/exe/css.php?t=dokuwiki&tseed=djf83jhdfuz38odhfzho3z80ehilf

<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff9900;">Warning</span></b>: Undefined array key "speech" in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/lib/exe/css.php</b> on line <b>83</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff0000;">Fatal error</span></b>: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is no longer supported in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php</b> on line <b>761</b><br />

DokuWiki authors added the work of this author (https://www.maswaba.de/lesserphpdocs/) for whatever reason and { curly brackets } (now deprecated) were not updated in time to [ square brackets ].

As simple as that.

In the beginning: all the user wants is an easy editable file based wiki (it’s even there in the Dokuwiki slogan “it’s better when it is simple”)

Why exactly is this CSS compiler needed/active per default in the first place?

Has DokuWiki grown into unnecessary complex “bloatware” of over 5000 files?

<span style="color: #00ffff;">wget https://download.dokuwiki.org/out/dokuwiki-8186df5bcf8bba07ff8638254a75b094.tgz
tar fxvz dokuwiki-8186df5bcf8bba07ff8638254a75b094.tgz</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">find ./dokuwiki |wc -l</span>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">5579 files</span>

(much less than some PHP frameworks… but still a lot of files… with a lot of moving parts… all potential points of failure…)

violating UNIX K.I.S.S and leading to software failures

More complexity = more errors = less maintainability.

DokuWiki has gained functionalities of questionable qualities, such as the very faulty and thus SPAM detection mechanism.

(every Wiki should be login & .htaccess protected, how to activate the DokuWiki (per default disabled) login screen, is the #1 most visited page of this blog X-D, already enough SPAM protection… so completely unnecessary to add such faulty functionality)

Even worse: @the-official-DokuWiki-forum, the forum software triggers admins (that are unable to read and blindly trust this faulty SPAM detection mechanism, that basically detects EVERY URL as spam) to block the user’s (maybe useful) contributions aka “overblocking”.

Be Brave New Web World.

Only solution: write your own tools that respect UNIX K.I.S.S principle and are therefore easy to fix and maintain and actually work, fast 🙂 (using minimal resources)

how to fix this mess:

==== howto fix ====
<b>Warning</b>: Undefined array key "speech" in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/lib/exe/css.php</b> on line <b>83</b>
(usually php-warnings are disabled, but if warnings are enabled, it will mess up the css's format)

=== in file: /lib/exe/css.php

== in line: 82 to 87

= change, from:
        // load user styles
        if(is_array($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype])) {
            foreach($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype] as $userstyle) {
                $files[$userstyle] = DOKU_BASE;
            }
        }
= change, to:
        // load user styles
        if(array_key_exists($mediatype, $config_cascade['userstyle']))
        {
            if(is_array($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype])) {
                foreach($config_cascade['userstyle'][$mediatype] as $userstyle) {
                    $files[$userstyle] = DOKU_BASE;
                }
            }
        }

==== howto fix ====

<b>Fatal error</b>: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is no longer supported in <b>/path/to/dokuwiki/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php</b> on line <b>761</b>

=== in file:
/vendor/marcusschwarz/lesserphp/lessc.inc.php

== line: 761
= change, from:
   $subProp[1]{0} != $this->vPrefix)
= change, to:
   $subProp[1][0] != $this->vPrefix)

== line: 2762
= change, from:
   if (!is_string($tag) || $tag{0} != $this->lessc->mPrefix)
= change, to:
   if (!is_string($tag) || $tag[0] != $this->lessc->mPrefix)

== line: 2816
= change, from:
   if ($tag{0} == $this->lessc->vPrefix)
= change, to:
   if ($tag[0] == $this->lessc->vPrefix)

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #dokuwiki #when #upgrades #fail #upgrade #complexity #unix #kiss

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/06/30/php-dokuwiki-update-upgrade-problems-too-much-complexity-fixing-one-thing-while-breaking-another-why-updates-are-hated/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

gnu linux - bash console - animated ascii art - sl steam locomotive

just one of those programs, that make users smile 🙂

written in C 🙂

compile it from src

or go

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>; # tested on
Description: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt update</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install sl</span>

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #ascii #art #bash #locomotive

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/06/28/gnu-linux-bash-console-animated-ascii-art-sl-steam-locomotive/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

update 2022-06: hardkernel.com how to install xfce4 on ODROID XU4 can do 1080p Youtube and Super Mario Kart@50fps on 8x ARM7 (32Bit) - basic setup - cpu tuning and monitoring

update: 2022-06

  • by now under xfce4 (+lightdm + firefox) it can do 720p and 1080p Youtube (see below screenshots and video)
  • with passive cooling ARM CPU getting very hot rendering:
    • 720p Youtube video 70C (158F)
    • 1080p Youtube video 80C (176F)
  • active cooling recommended, preferably with a quiet fan (default odroid fan is said to be noisy)

720p

1080p

[video width=”742″ height=”436″ mp4=”https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ODROID\_XU4\_Youtube\_1080p\_Screenshot-at-2022-06\_works\_but\_running\_80C\_hot.mp4″\]\[/video\]

how to install xfce4 on odroid XU4

make sure network connectivity is established:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root</span><span style="color: #00ffff;">apt update</span>
# install basics
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install console-data ssh rsync</span>

# did not quiet do it
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install armbian-bullseye-desktop-xfce</span>

# should do it
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install xfce4 lightdm xorg tango-icon-theme gnome-icon-theme firefox-esr pavucontrol pulseaudio</span>

update: 2019-10: what it does:

  • one can install a very decent Debian and have okay working speed so yes it can be seen as a very energy efficient (5V based) and still usable (definately faster than pi2) desktop system (99% of all packages available
  • clock for performance: one can manually set the CPU to “performance” with the tool: <span style="color: #00ffff;">gksu odroid-cpu-control</span>

or

  <span style="color: #00ffff;">/usr/local/sbin/odroid-cpu-control</span>

(maximum clock speed at all times) but then things get very fast but also 90°C and more hot (very very hot) so not recommended, so better to select “ondemand” and “from 200 Mhz to 1400 or 2000 Mhz
- if one needs maximum performance consider installing active cooling fan and set clock to permanent maximum.

Super Mario Kart (retroarch) can be played pretty smooth (50-60fps at about 60-75°C) with a little cpu tuning.

this blog post update is written on the xu4 Debian Jessie 8 (Game Station Turbo Image, (direct download link) then recommended to download 500MBytes of updates then firefox stable) and Firefox 60.9.0esr (32-bit)

one is pretty new to Kodi (it comes with older version Javis) can’t really say anything about it… have never used it.

odroid@gamestation-turbo:~$ <span style="color: #00ffff;">hostnamectl</span> 
   Static hostname: <a href="https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=7322">gamestation-turbo</a>
         Icon name: computer
           Chassis: n/a
  Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie)
            Kernel: Linux 3.10.106+
      Architecture: arm

what it does not:

  • it does not 1080p full hd with 100 frames
    • it is okay at 720p but still one is wondering: where is the GPU hardware acceleration? the 8x ARM CPUs seem to do all the work on Firefox playing Youtube on Debian 8 (hd is stuttering)
    • kodi (latest version on android) plays stuff fine
  • netflix.com refused to work (well this guy has managed to even on an older C1)

tried all possible variants (if one got it working let me know)

suspected problem: no Widevine Support? (Google Chrome will drop 32-bit machines but Chromium is still going. (Source))

so this could be the problem… that 32Bit ARM is simply not supported by Widevine?

(Raspberry Pi 3 can run it… the older Raspberries seem too slow for the job)

neither Debian 8 (Jessie) Firefox (60.9 esr) nor Android + NetFlix App (won’t install straight from Play Store because it says “hardware not supported” but even when one exports the App via AppExtractor from a Android Phone and installs it on Android on xu4 Netflix refuses to work 🙁

who needs netflix if one can have Scott Manley’s Youtube Channel about Space stuff? HURRAY 🙂 (one is serious about this… really love it)

the hardware

you can get the ODROID with HDMI (monitor/screen with audio) output:

“The Odroid XU4 comes outfitted with 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and an Samsung Exynos 5422 CPU, the Odroid beat out many SBCs including the ultra-popular Pi 3 in benchmark tests from Love Our Pi.”

(2.1GHz Quad-Core (Cortex®-A15 (32Bit)) + 1.4GHz Quad-Core (Cortex®-A7 (32Bit)))

with active cooling: https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-xu4-einplatinen-computer-samsung-exynos-5422-2-gb-2x-usb-3-0-810409

with passive cooling: https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-xu4q-einplatinen-computer-samsung-exynos-5422-2-gb-2x-usb-3-0-810750

for 80€

bootup dmesg output of recent Armbian:

odroid.xu4.dmesg.txt

odroid.xu4.lsusb.txt

recommended addons:

  • a fast microsd card with 64GBytes of storage
  • a USB Hub (will run out of ports (only 3x) fast (mouse, keyboard, wifi stick, joypad1 and joypad2)
  • usb wifi adapter like 148f:5572 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT5572 Wireless Adapter

      <span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install firmware-ralink</span>
    

    In Debian 9: Install the firmware-misc-nonfree package:

      <span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install firmware-misc-nonfree</span>
    
  • <span style="color: #00ffff;">lsusb</span> 
    Bus 006 Device 002: ID 0bda:8153 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 
    Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
    Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    Bus 004 Device 002: ID 05e3:0616 Genesys Logic, Inc. 
    Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
    Bus 003 Device 006: ID 0079:0011 DragonRise Inc. Gamepad
    Bus 003 Device 005: ID 046d:c00e Logitech, Inc. M-BJ58/M-BJ69 Optical Wheel Mouse
    Bus 003 Device 004: ID 1a40:0101 Terminus Technology Inc. 4-Port HUB
    Bus 003 Device 003: ID 0461:0010 Primax Electronics, Ltd HP Keyboard
    Bus 003 Device 002: ID 05e3:0610 Genesys Logic, Inc. 4-port hub
    Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
    Bus 001 Device 002: ID <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>148f:5572 Ralink Technology, Corp. <a href="https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=RT5572+Wireless+Adapter&_sacat=0">RT5572 Wireless Adapter</a></strong></span>
    Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    

lsmod|grep rt28
rt2800usb 17720 0
rt2800lib 75674 1 rt2800usb
rt2x00usb 10723 1 rt2800usb
rt2x00lib 43390 3 rt2x00usb,rt2800lib,rt2800usb
mac80211 567210 3 rt2x00lib,rt2x00usb,rt2800lib

dmesg|grep rt2x
[ 23.250784] [c6] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00_set_rt: Info - RT chipset 5592, rev 0222 detected
[ 23.286987] [c6] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00_set_rf: Info - RF chipset 000f detected
[ 24.978846] [c4] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Loading firmware file 'rt2870.bin'
[ 25.010855] [c4] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Firmware detected - version: 0.29

dmesg|less
# then search for /ieee80211
[ 23.250784] [c6] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00_set_rt: Info - RT chipset 5592, rev 0222 detected
[ 23.263058] [c5] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 0 mBm), (N/A)
[ 23.286987] [c6] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00_set_rf: Info - RF chipset 000f detected
[ 23.296854] [c6] ieee80211 phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'minstrel_ht'
[ 23.298225] [c6] usbcore: registered new interface driver rt2800usb
[ 24.958894] [c4] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 24.978846] [c4] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Loading firmware file 'rt2870.bin'
[ 25.010855] [c4] ieee80211 phy0: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Firmware detected - version: 0.29


cpu frequency clock speed mhz monitoring script: (works on intel x86 CPUs as well)
==================================================================================

this will monitor “on demand” changes to cpu clock in real time… (1 sec interval)

vim /scripts/mon\_cpu.sh

while true; do
echo "===== arm based cpu frequency monitoring ====="
sort /proc/cpuinfo | uniq
for d in /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu* ; do
if [ -f "$d/cpufreq/scaling_cur_freq" ]
then
echo "$d";
cat $d/cpufreq/scaling_cur_freq;
fi
done
sleep 1; clear; done
```

sample output:

===== arm based cpu frequency monitoring =====
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0
300000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1
300000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu2
800000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu3
800000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu4
600000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu5
600000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu6
600000
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu7
600000

what does it look like?

What SoC are you using?

The SoC is a Samsung Exynos5422 Octa.

What GPU does it include?

An ARM Mali-T628 6 Core.

heat

Complex components such as the XU4 processor may reach temperatures as high as 95°C. At high temperatures, the processor will throttle itself and operate slower so that temperatures do not continue to increase.

robotics

The 30-pin GPIO port can be used as GPIO/IRQ/SPI/ADC, and the 12-pin GPIO port can be used as GPIO/I2S/I2C for electronics and robotics. The GPIO pins on an ODROID-XU4 are a great way to interface with physical devices like buttons and LEDs using a lightweight Linux controller. If you’re a C/C++ or Python developer, there’s a useful library called WiringPi that handles interfacing with the pins, which is described in Chapter 4. Note that all of the GPIO ports are 1.8Volt, and the ADC inputs are limited to 1.8Volt. If a sensor or peripheral

needs higher voltage, the GPIO ports may be level-shifted to 3.3V or 5V using the XU4 Level Shifter Shield.

Serial console port

Connecting to a PC gives access to the Linux console. You can monitor the boot process, or to log in to the XU4 to perform root maintenance.

Note that this serial UART uses a 1.8 volt interface, and it is recommended to use the USB-UART module kit available from Hardkernel.

A Molex 5268-04a (2.5mm pitch) is mounted on the PCB, and its mate is Molex 50-37-5043 Wire-to-Board Crimp Housing.

RTC (Real Time Clock) backup battery connector

If you want to add a RTC functions for logging or keeping time when offline, just connect a Lithium coin backup battery (CR2032 or equivalent). All of the RTC circuits are included on the ODROID-XU4 by default. It connects with a Molex 53398-0271 1.25mm pitch Header, Surface Mount, Vertical type (Mate with Molex 51021-0200).

Gigabit Ethernet

The Realtek RTL8211F is a highly intergrated 10/100/1000M Ethernet transceiver that complies with 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, and 1000Base-T IEEE 802.3 standards.

USB MTT hub controller

The Genesys GL3521 is a 2-port, low-power, and configurable

USB 3.0 SuperSpeed hub controller.

documentation

community support forum: https://forum.odroid.com/

https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid-xu4/odroid-xu4

https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid-xu4/application_note/software/headless_setup

https://magazine.odroid.com/wp-content/uploads/odroid-xu4-user-manual.pdf

download images firmware os software

first of all if you want to use the MicroSDCARD you will have to flip the switch to the left:

android 4.4.4

https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid-xu4/os_images/android/android

debian “armbian”

i used this image of stretch (debian9): https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=30552

https://www.armbian.com/odroid-xu4/

overall the xu4 is more powerful hence a better better/ quicker desktop replacement than raspberry pi 2 (did not test version 3) but it is not perfect.

You can clearly feel a lack of computing power and speed when you fire up gimp to “quickly” edit some screenshots – it works – but even 8x

model name  : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
BogoMIPS    : 36.00

cpuinfo.txt + SANDISK Ultra microSDXC 64 GB MicroSD card as “harddisk” can not compete with i5+SSD.

    • gnome mate works 🙂 (this is what you see screenshot above)
    • LibreOffice works 🙂
    • hdmi video and sound works! (tested with Samsung TV)
    • firefox (could not get youtube hardware encoding to work yet, also not DRM so netflix not working 🙁
      • youtube works
    • thunderbird does not work “Segmentation fault” but mail client evolution does 🙂
    • use retroarch for gaming / game emulation
    • vlc does not work, you can use cvlc /path/video.mp4
    • gimp works 🙂
    • blobby volley works perfectly with 75 FPS
    • SuperTux2 works
    • chromium does not work:
      • chromium –version
        Chromium 70.0.3538.110 built on Debian 9.6, running on Debian 9.6
      • here is the log: chromium crash.txt
  • webcam cheese works!

    • HD Pro Webcam C920 as /devices/platform/soc/soc:usb3-0/12000000.dwc3/xhci-hcd.3.auto/usb3/3-1/3-1.2/3-1.2:1.0/input/input6
  • /etc/apt/sources.list looks like this.

  • list all installed software: dpkg -ldpkg-l-installed-software

<span style="color: #00ffff;">hostnamectl</span> 
Static hostname: odroid
Icon name: computer
Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)
Kernel: Linux 4.14.81+
Architecture: arm

<span style="color: #00ffff;">uname -a</span>
Linux odroid 4.14.81+ #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Nov 16 14:06:58 UTC 2018 armv7l GNU/Linux

games:

some really manage to turn this thing into a major gaming emulator machine 🙂 nice job!

ODROID GameStation Turbo https://magazine.odroid.com/article/os-spotlight-odroid-gamestation-turbo/

https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?f=98&t=7322

ubuntu

http://com.odroid.com/sigong/blog/blog_list.php?tag=ODROID-XU4

leads to:

ubuntu-16.04.2-mate-odroid-xu4-20170510.img.md5sum2017-05-10 21:1078ubuntu-16.04.2-mate-odroid-xu4-20170510.img.xz2017-05-10 21:141.2Gubuntu-16.04.2-mate-odroid-xu4-20170510.img.xz.md5sum2017-05-10 21:1481ubuntu-16.04.2-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170516.img.md5sum2017-05-17 21:1881ubuntu-16.04.2-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170516.img.xz2017-05-17 21:18257Mubuntu-16.04.2-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170516.img.xz.md5sum2017-05-17 21:1984ubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-mate-odroid-xu4-20171025.img.md5sum2017-10-30 07:2882ubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-mate-odroid-xu4-20171025.img.xz2017-10-30 07:281.2Gubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-mate-odroid-xu4-20171025.img.xz.md5sum2017-10-30 07:2885ubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170824.img.md5sum2017-08-24 14:0185ubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170824.img.xz2017-08-24 14:03280Mubuntu-16.04.3-4.9-minimal-odroid-xu4-20170824.img.xz.md5sum2017-08-24 14:0388ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-mate-odroid-xu4-20171212.img.md5sum2017-12-13 15:5983ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-mate-odroid-xu4-20171212.img.xz2017-12-13 15:591.3Gubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-mate-odroid-xu4-20171212.img.xz.md5sum2017-12-13 15:5986ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.md5sum2017-12-15 16:1786*ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz*2017-12-15 16:17302Mubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz.md5sum2017-12-15 16:1789load it onto sdcard

warning! POTENTIAL DATALOSS! selecting the wrong device can OVERWRITE DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER ATTACHED HARDDISKS!

insert sdcard into your sdcard reader..

<span style="color: #00ffff;">wget http://de.eu.odroid.in/ubuntu_16.04lts/ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz</span>; # download image<span style="color: #00ffff;">
lsblk</span>; # make sure you identify the right hardware. 
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda 8:0 0 119.2G 0 disk 
├─sda1 8:1 0 49G 0 part /projects
├─sda5 8:5 0 67.4G 0 part /
└─sda6 8:6 0 2.9G 0 part [SWAP]
sr0 11:0 1 1024M 0 rom 
<span style="color: #ff6600;">mmcblk0</span> 179:0 0 14.9G 0 disk 
└─mmcblk0p1 179:1 0 14.9G 0 part
# mmcblk0p1 is the first partition on device <span style="color: #ff6600;">mmcblk0 (the sdcard)
</span><span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install xz-utils</span>; # install maybe missing unpacking software <span style="color: #00ffff;">md5sum ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz</span>; # check if md5sum matches <span style="color: #00ffff;">unxz ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz</span>; # unpack the image
<span style="color: #00ffff;">umount /dev/mmcblk0p1</span>; # unmount sdcard time
# write directly
<span style="color: #00ffff;">md5sum -c ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz.md5sum</span>; # verify downloaded file has no errors 
<span style="color: #00ff00;">ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz: OK
</span>
# two possible ways to continue
# write directly unpack on the fly<span style="color: #00ffff;">
xzcat /download/folder/ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz | sudo dd bs=41 of=/dev/mmcblk0
watch kill -USR1 $(pgrep ^dd)</span>; # watch progress, it will copy 1.8GByte
<span style="color: #00ffff;">sync</span>; # run this to write disk cache to disk

# or
# unpack first<span style="color: #00ffff;">
unxz ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img.xz</span>; # unpack 1.8GByte
# possibly this tool was called un-xz, if unxz does not work try un-xz?

# umount the sdcard
<span style="color: #00ffff;">umount /dev/mmcblk0*
</span># write the image<span style="color: #00ffff;">
dd bs=1M if=/download/folder/ubuntu-16.04.3-4.14-minimal-odroid-xu4-20171213.img of=/dev/mmcblk0</span>; # write image to sdcard
<span style="color: #00ffff;">watch kill -USR1 $(pgrep ^dd)</span>; # watch progress, it will copy 1.8GByte <span style="color: #00ffff;">
sync</span>; # run this to write disk cache to disk

<span style="color: #ff0000;"># NOTE!</span>
# during first boot it sits for 3-5 minutes on this message: 
<span style="color: #ffff00;"># "random crng init done"</span>
# it then reboots and sits again on this message...
# this is <span style="color: #ffff00;">NORMAL! it does some partition resizing! this takes time.</span>
# (using the full size of the sdcard)
# please wait paitently.
# if one hour later nothing has changed
# and you do not see a login screen
# restart try again...
# or
# either powersupply is insufficient
# or
# sdcard has problems, check it for bad sectors and/or exchange
<span style="color: #00ffff;">umount /dev/mmcblk0*
badblocks -n -v /dev/mmcblk0</span>

setup

depending on if you can connect a monitor or not:

  1. insert micro sdcard…
  2. LAN connect ODROID XU4 to a DHCP-server ((DSL) router/fritzbox with DHCP enabled)
  3. LAN connect PC/Laptop to the same DHCP-server
  4. start wireshark on your laptop and power on ODROID XU4.

networking: dhcp and finding odroid’s ip

can be a little pain in the a….fternoon.

the ubuntu ODROID XU4 image does not come with a fixed IP, so you will have to connect it to some sort of DHCP-server (router) in order to ssh into it, or install the dhcp-server-service under debian 8. (maybe as VirtualBox VM).

you can also use wireshark and to listen to network activity related to the odroid (dhcp-offer) and find it’s IP this way.

you are looking for simething like:

15 2.286036000 <span style="color: #ff0000;">Wibrain_</span>30:cf:9b Broadcast ARP 60 Who has 192.168.0.1? Tell <span style="color: #ff0000;">192.168.1.101</span>

or use nmap network scanner to find it’s ip…

nmap -n -v -p 1-255 -n -sS 192.168.<span style="color: #ff0000;">10</span>.0/24
Initiating SYN Stealth Scan at 22:21
Scanning <span style="color: #ff0000;">192.168.10.10</span> [255 ports]
Discovered open port 22/tcp on 192.168.10.1

modify the above line depending in what kind of subnet your router is operating. (192.168.XXX.XXX)

ssh into it

usr: root / usr: odroid
pwd: odroid

root@odroid:~# hostnamectl 
   Static hostname: odroid
         Icon name: computer
  Operating System: Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS
            Kernel: Linux 4.14.5-92
      Architecture: arm

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU LOGGED IN SUCCESSFULLY THE FIRST TIME TO YOUR EMBEDDED POWERHOUSE!

fix the ip

to not have to hassle with dhcp servers again one can change the ip to fixed via:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">nano /etc/network/interfaces</span>

fill it with this content:

# The loopback network interface  
auto lo  
iface lo inet loopback  

# The primary network interface  
auto eth0 
iface eth0 inet static  
address 192.168.<span style="color: #ff6600;">0.111</span>
netmask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.<span style="color: #ff6600;">0.1</span>
dns-nameservers 192.168.<span style="color: #ff6600;">0.1 
</span>

modify the orange parts so it fits your LAN settings – then type:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">reboot
</span>

if everything went straight… you should be able to ping the odroid on 0.111 and ssh into it on 0.111

messing with the odroid

the first thing you probably do with a new system is check for updates…

if your network settings are correct your odroid should be able to access the internet.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">ping yahoo.com</span>; # check if internet is working
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt update</span>; # update package index
Hit:1 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial InRelease
Hit:2 http://ppa.launchpad.net/saiarcot895/myppa/ubuntu xenial InRelease 
Get:3 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-updates InRelease [102 kB] 
Hit:4 http://deb.odroid.in/5422-s xenial InRelease 
Get:5 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-backports InRelease [102 kB] 
Get:6 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-security InRelease [102 kB]
Get:7 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-updates/main Sources [286 kB]
Get:8 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-updates/main armhf Packages [587 kB]
Get:9 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports xenial-updates/universe armhf Packages [499 kB]
Fetched 1678 kB in 2s (667 kB/s) 
Reading package lists... Done

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt upgrade</span>; # upgrade system
The following packages have been kept back:
 linux-image-xu3
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1 not upgraded.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install linux-image-xu3</span>; # force upgrade of this package

# what follows is this scary message that one accepts by selecting "No"
<a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/odroid-scary-kernel-upgrade-yes-no-question-screen.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-12775 size-full" height="246" src="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/odroid-scary-kernel-upgrade-yes-no-question-screen.png" width="1677"></img></a>

# then an <a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/apt-install-linux-image-xu3-output.txt">output like this should follow...</a>

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt autoremove</span>; # remove packages that have become obsolete

<span style="color: #00ffff;">reboot</span>; # reboot now to load new kernel
Connection to 192.168.0.111 closed by remote host.
Connection to 192.168.0.111 closed.
<span style="color: #00ffff;">ping 192.168.0.111</span>; # after round about 30 seconds the odroid xu4 should have rebooted and respond to your pings
PING 192.168.0.111 (192.168.0.111) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.111: icmp_seq=27 ttl=64 time=1.12 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.111: icmp_seq=28 ttl=64 time=0.513 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.111: icmp_seq=29 ttl=64 time=0.480 ms

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install htop vim rsync</span>; # install cool software task monitor htop, vim, rsync
<span style="color: #00ffff;">htop</span>; # and start it
<a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screenshot_odroid-xu4-htop-task-monitoring.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-12778 size-full" height="552" src="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screenshot_odroid-xu4-htop-task-monitoring.jpg" width="1024"></img></a>
# as you can see the 8x CPUs of the odroid xu4 are pretty bored right now

cpu benchmarking:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt install sysbench</span>; # let's install them some work
<span style="color: #00ffff;">mkdir /scripts</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">vim /scripts/bench_cpu.sh
</span>
#!/bin/bash

NUM_CORES=$(grep -c ^processor /proc/cpuinfo)

echo "============ CPU MIPS and FLOPS"

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -ie hardware;
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -ie model;
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -ie mips;
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -ie flops;

echo "============ CPU BENCHMARK"

sysbench --test=cpu --cpu-max-prime=20000 run --num-threads=$NUM_CORES

:wq save and quit or download it.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">wget <a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bench_cpu.sh_.txt">https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bench_cpu.sh_.txt</a></span>; # download script<span style="color: #00ffff;">
mv bench_cpu.sh_.txt bench_cpu.sh</span>; # rename<span style="color: #00ffff;">
chmod +x /scripts/bench_cpu.sh</span>; # make script executable
<span style="color: #00ffff;">/scripts/bench_cpu.sh</span>; # run it

============ CPU MIPS and FLOPS
Hardware : ODROID-XU4
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
model name : ARMv7 Processor rev 3 (v7l)
============ CPU BENCHMARK
sysbench 0.4.12: multi-threaded system evaluation benchmark

Running the test with following options:
Number of threads: 8

Doing CPU performance benchmark

Threads started!
Done.

Maximum prime number checked in CPU test: 20000

Test execution summary:
total time: 37.4554s
total number of events: 10000
total time taken by event execution: 299.4689
per-request statistics:
min: 23.26ms
avg: 29.95ms
max: 44.59ms
approx. 95 percentile: 40.59ms

Threads fairness:
events (avg/stddev): 1250.0000/327.26
execution time (avg/stddev): 37.4336/0.01

so the benchmark ran in 37 seconds. (rerun with the debian jessie 8 turbo game station image and performance governer: execution time (avg/stddev): 56.9216/0.01…)

on an QuadCore Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4200U CPU @ 1.60GHz the benchmark run in 14.60 seconds.

so the 8x core ODROID X4U is 2.5 times slower than the 4x core i5 at 1.60 GHZ using all available cores.

while doing this

<span style="color: #00ffff;">vim /scripts/cpu_temp.sh</span>
#!/bin/bash

while true ; do

cpu_temp=$(< /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp)
cpu_temp=$(($cpu_temp/1000))
echo $cpu_temp C

sleep 1;
clear;

done # executes COMMAND every second

i monitored the temp of the cpu for around 30minutes while running all 8 cores full speed.

the system is PASSIVELY cooled and seems to throttles the CPUs automatically when 80 degrees Celsius are reached.

maximum measured temp was 82 Celsius (179.6 F).

the passively cooled case got warm but not uncomfortably hot. i have heard raspberry had problems with heat.

when the benchmark was over the temps dropped instantly to 53 C.

Introduction Videos:

https://youtu.be/xxl4ORk4SJo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqfC9v0xB0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUchfyTpOjU

Real Time Clock: RTC

just as the Raspberry pi, the odroid needs a battery to keep clock when it is turned off.

https://www.hardkernel.com/main/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=G137508214939

ODROID-HC1 no HDMI but SATA version

there is/was a NAS/SATA variation (headless, no GPU, no HDMI, no screen/monitor) : https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-hc1-einplatinen-computer-fuer-nas-und-cluster-anwendungen-810766 for 60€.

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #hardware #odroid #embedded #desktop #desktopreplacement #mariokart #snes #segamegadrive #genesis #sega #sonic #mario #game #games #retrogames #retroarch #debian #hardkernel

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2017/12/19/update-2022-06-hardkernel-com-how-to-install-xfce4-on-odroid-xu4-can-do-1080p-youtube-and-super-mario-kart50fps-on-8x-arm7-32bit-basic-setup-cpu-tuning-and-monitoring/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux bash - get distribution OS version

this might sound trivial, but there are multiple approaches:

# for (theoretically every) Debian, but not every Debian based system:
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat /etc/debian_version</span> 
11.3

# for Debian 10 and prior
<span style="color: #00ffff;">hostnamectl|grep Op</span>
  Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)

# for Debian 11 and higher
<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)

# get kernel version (sometimes also includes hints to the distribution)
<span style="color: #00ffff;">uname -a</span>
Linux hostname 5.4.106-1-pve #1 SMP PVE 5.4.106-1 (Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:08:47 +0100) x86_64 GNU/Linux

# yes Debian is running conservative mode on kernel updates
# it has it's pros and cons
<span style="color: #00ffff;">uname -a</span>
Linux hostname 5.10.0-14-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 5.10.113-1 (2022-04-29) x86_64 GNU/Linux

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/06/03/gnu-linux-bash-get-distribution-os-version/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux - how to - LTE modem sim card change PIN

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>; # tested on (should work under Debian as well)
Description:    Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

# list all modems
<span style="color: #00ffff;">mmcli -L</span>
# show details of modem 0
<span style="color: #00ffff;">mmcli -m 0</span>
# change pin of sim 0 at modem 0
<span style="color: #00ffff;">mmcli -m 0 -i 0 --pin=OLDPIN --change-pin=NEWPIN

</span># it is also possible to disable PIN entirely (should work like this)<span style="color: #00ffff;">
mmcli -m 0 -i 0 --pin=OLDPIN --disable-pin
</span>

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/03/01/gnu-linux-how-to-lte-modem-sim-card-change-pin/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux (Debian) - how to shrink-resize lvm2 luks encrypted root partition - how to enlarge SWAP space

“to swap, or not to swap, that is the question”: definately swap Shakespeare

“to encrypt, or not to encrypt” (if it contains valuable data, encrypt)

“to lvm, or not to lvm” (well….)

because: one fine day, the user decides to open 1000x programs + serveral vms at the same time, why not right?

the system runs out of RAM AND SWAP space (it almost freezes, to death).

but behold!

instead of simply pulling the plug.

the admin decides to wait and work on device B, while device A is struggling to keep alive.

after aprox 15min… the kvm vm crashes (probably because it used the most RAM) while the other programs survive.

For some reason, the otherwise excellent Debian installer, per default decides to reserve only 1GByte of SWAP on an 1000GB SSD.

In past times, the rule of thumb was “at least half of RAM size”, would even go as far and say: make swap = RAM size, why not? SSD space and NVMe space are getting cheaper and faster, nothing worse then running out of RAM & SWAP space (system enters undefined behavior, not only GNU Linux, OSX too)

let’s change that to something like 30GB of swap.

per default the user (probably) has chosen to use lvm2 (logical volume management) + luks2 encryption.

gparted is a pretty nice gui based program, that can do resize of ext4 partitions nicely, but it can’t help with logical volume management.

<span style="color: #ff0000;"># HAVE A FULL BACKUP OF THE HARDDISK IN QUESTION!</span>

# <a href="https://dwaves.de/2021/04/11/ideallinux2021-updated-optimized-bootale-gnu-debian-10-9-64bit-non-free-based-usb-stick-the-live-system-that-keeps-changes-stored/">boot dwaves' live usb stick, or another live system</a>
# (it is Debian 10 based)

# IdealLinux stick, already has those requirements installed
<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install lvm2 cryptsetup</span>

# first thing: find the partition in question

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsblk -fs</span>

# might help too
<span style="color: #00ffff;">alias harddisks='lsblk -o '\''NAME,MAJ:MIN,RM,SIZE,RO,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINT,UUID'\'''</span>

# run the alias
<span style="color: #00ffff;">harddisks</span>

# look at the disk sizes...
# which one is (probably) the partition in question?

# found it? good, let's continue...

# decrypt the partition
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cryptsetup open /dev/sda5 encrypted</span>

*** enter decryption password ***

# make all volume groups active
<span style="color: #00ffff;">vgchange -ay</span>
  2 logical volume(s) in volume group "IdealLinux2021-vg" now active
  2 logical volume(s) in volume group "toplap-vg" now active <- that's the one

<span style="color: #00ffff;">vgdisplay</span>; # list all volume groups
  --- Volume group ---
  VG Name               toplap-vg <-
  System ID             
  Format                lvm2
  Metadata Areas        1
  Metadata Sequence No  3
  VG Access             read/write
  VG Status             resizable
  MAX LV                0
  Cur LV                2
  Open LV               0
  Max PV                0
  Cur PV                1
  Act PV                1
  VG Size               <931.02 GiB
  PE Size               4.00 MiB
  Total PE              238340
  Alloc PE / Size       238340 / <931.02 GiB
  Free  PE / Size       0 / 0   

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lvdisplay</span>; # list all logical volumes
  --- Logical volume ---
  LV Path                /dev/toplap-vg/root <- the one to shrink down to 900GB
  LV Name                root
  VG Name                toplap-vg
  LV Write Access        read/write
  LV Creation host, time toplap, 2022-05-17 03:48:56 -0400
  LV Status              available
  # open                 0
  LV Size                930.06 GiB
  Current LE             238096
  Segments               1
  Allocation             inherit
  Read ahead sectors     auto
  - currently set to     256
  Block device           254:3

  --- Logical volume ---
  LV Path                /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1 <- the swap that is too small, will increase to 30GB
  LV Name                swap_1
  VG Name                toplap-vg
  LV Write Access        read/write
  LV Creation host, time toplap, 2022-05-17 03:48:56 -0400
  LV Status              available
  # open                 0
  LV Size                976.00 MiB
  Current LE             244
  Segments               1
  Allocation             inherit
  Read ahead sectors     auto
  - currently set to     256
  Block device           254:4

# run a pre-resize filesystem check
<span style="color: #00ffff;">fsck -y -v -f /dev/toplap-vg/root</span>

# resize the root filesystem from 930GB to 900GB
<span style="color: #00ffff;">resize2fs /dev/toplap-vg/root 900G</span>

resize2fs 1.44.5 (15-Dec-2018)
Resizing the filesystem on /dev/toplap-vg/root to 235929600 (4k) blocks.
The filesystem on /dev/toplap-vg/root is now 235929600 (4k) blocks long.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lvreduce -L 900G /dev/toplap-vg/root</span> 

  WARNING: Reducing active logical volume to 900.00 GiB.
  THIS MAY DESTROY YOUR DATA (filesystem etc.)
Do you really want to reduce toplap-vg/root? [y/n]: <span style="color: #00ffff;">y</span>
  Size of logical volume toplap-vg/root changed from 930.06 GiB (238096 extents) to 900.00 GiB (230400 extents).
  Logical volume toplap-vg/root successfully resized.

# post-resize filesystem check
<span style="color: #00ffff;">fsck -y -v -f /dev/toplap-vg/root</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">
lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1</span>
  Size of logical volume toplap-vg/swap_1 changed from 976.00 MiB (244 extents) to <31.02 GiB (7940 extents).
  Logical volume toplap-vg/swap_1 successfully resized.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">mkswap /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1</span>
mkswap: /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1: warning: wiping old swap signature.
Setting up swapspace version 1, size = 31 GiB (33302769664 bytes)

<span style="color: #00ffff;">sync; sync; sync;</span>

# reboot system

<span style="color: #00ffff;">shutdown -r now</span>;

it worked?

possibly related Links:

also checkout:

https://dwaves.de/2017/05/29/lnux-lvm-lvm2-logical-volumen-management-concept-man-pages-dynamic-resizing-partitions-snapshots-how-to-upgrade-lvm2-encrypted-to-larger-harddisk/

cudos:

https://www.casesup.com/category/knowledgebase/howtos/how-to-shrink-an-lvm-volume-safely-on-linux

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #gnu-linux #debian #storage #ram #swap

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/19/gnu-linux-debian-how-to-shrink-resize-lvm2-luks-encrypted-root-partition-how-to-enlarge-swap-space/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux (Debian) - how to resize lvm2 luks encrypted root partition - how to enlarge SWAP space

“to swap, or not to swap, that is the question”: definately swap Shakespeare

“to encrypt, or not to encrypt” (if it contains valuable data, encrypt)

“to lvm, or not to lvm” (well….)

because: one fine day, the user decides to open 1000x programs + serveral vms at the same time, why not right?

the system runs out of RAM AND SWAP space (it almost freezes, to death).

but behold!

instead of simply pulling the plug.

the admin decides to wait and work on device B, while device A is struggling to keep alive.

after aprox 15min… the kvm vm crashes (probably because it used the most RAM) while the other programs survive.

For some reason, the otherwise excellent Debian installer, per default decides to reserve only 1GByte of SWAP on an 1000GB SSD.

In past times, the rule of thumb was “at least half of RAM size”, would even go as far and say: make swap = RAM size, why not? SSD space and NVMe space are getting cheaper and faster, nothing worse then running out of RAM & SWAP space (system enters undefined behavior, not only GNU Linux, OSX too)

let’s change that to something like 30GB of swap.

per default the user (probably) has chosen to use lvm2 (logical volume management) + luks2 encryption.

gparted is a pretty nice gui based program, that can do resize of ext4 partitions nicely, but it can’t help with logical volume management.

<span style="color: #ff0000;"># HAVE A FULL BACKUP OF THE HARDDISK IN QUESTION!</span>

# <a href="https://dwaves.de/2021/04/11/ideallinux2021-updated-optimized-bootale-gnu-debian-10-9-64bit-non-free-based-usb-stick-the-live-system-that-keeps-changes-stored/">boot dwaves' live usb stick, or another live system</a>
# (it is Debian 10 based)

# IdealLinux stick, already has those requirements installed
<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install lvm2 cryptsetup</span>

# first thing: find the partition in question

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsblk -fs</span>

# might help too
<span style="color: #00ffff;">alias harddisks='lsblk -o '\''NAME,MAJ:MIN,RM,SIZE,RO,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINT,UUID'\'''</span>

# run the alias
<span style="color: #00ffff;">harddisks</span>

# look at the disk sizes...
# which one is (probably) the partition in question?

# found it? good, let's continue...

# decrypt the partition
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cryptsetup open /dev/sda5 encrypted</span>

*** enter decryption password ***

# make all volume groups active
<span style="color: #00ffff;">vgchange -ay</span>
  2 logical volume(s) in volume group "IdealLinux2021-vg" now active
  2 logical volume(s) in volume group "toplap-vg" now active <- that's the one

<span style="color: #00ffff;">vgdisplay</span>; # list all volume groups
  --- Volume group ---
  VG Name               toplap-vg <-
  System ID             
  Format                lvm2
  Metadata Areas        1
  Metadata Sequence No  3
  VG Access             read/write
  VG Status             resizable
  MAX LV                0
  Cur LV                2
  Open LV               0
  Max PV                0
  Cur PV                1
  Act PV                1
  VG Size               <931.02 GiB
  PE Size               4.00 MiB
  Total PE              238340
  Alloc PE / Size       238340 / <931.02 GiB
  Free  PE / Size       0 / 0   

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lvdisplay</span>; # list all logical volumes
  --- Logical volume ---
  LV Path                /dev/toplap-vg/root <- the one to shrink down to 900GB
  LV Name                root
  VG Name                toplap-vg
  LV Write Access        read/write
  LV Creation host, time toplap, 2022-05-17 03:48:56 -0400
  LV Status              available
  # open                 0
  LV Size                930.06 GiB
  Current LE             238096
  Segments               1
  Allocation             inherit
  Read ahead sectors     auto
  - currently set to     256
  Block device           254:3

  --- Logical volume ---
  LV Path                /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1 <- the swap that is too small, will increase to 30GB
  LV Name                swap_1
  VG Name                toplap-vg
  LV Write Access        read/write
  LV Creation host, time toplap, 2022-05-17 03:48:56 -0400
  LV Status              available
  # open                 0
  LV Size                976.00 MiB
  Current LE             244
  Segments               1
  Allocation             inherit
  Read ahead sectors     auto
  - currently set to     256
  Block device           254:4

# run a pre-resize filesystem check
<span style="color: #00ffff;">fsck -y -v -f /dev/toplap-vg/root</span>

# resize the root filesystem from 930GB to 900GB
<span style="color: #00ffff;">resize2fs /dev/toplap-vg/root 900G</span>

resize2fs 1.44.5 (15-Dec-2018)
Resizing the filesystem on /dev/toplap-vg/root to 235929600 (4k) blocks.
The filesystem on /dev/toplap-vg/root is now 235929600 (4k) blocks long.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lvreduce -L 900G /dev/toplap-vg/root</span> 

  WARNING: Reducing active logical volume to 900.00 GiB.
  THIS MAY DESTROY YOUR DATA (filesystem etc.)
Do you really want to reduce toplap-vg/root? [y/n]: <span style="color: #00ffff;">y</span>
  Size of logical volume toplap-vg/root changed from 930.06 GiB (238096 extents) to 900.00 GiB (230400 extents).
  Logical volume toplap-vg/root successfully resized.

# post-resize filesystem check
<span style="color: #00ffff;">fsck -y -v -f /dev/toplap-vg/root</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">
lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1</span>
  Size of logical volume toplap-vg/swap_1 changed from 976.00 MiB (244 extents) to <31.02 GiB (7940 extents).
  Logical volume toplap-vg/swap_1 successfully resized.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">mkswap /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1</span>
mkswap: /dev/toplap-vg/swap_1: warning: wiping old swap signature.
Setting up swapspace version 1, size = 31 GiB (33302769664 bytes)

<span style="color: #00ffff;">sync; sync; sync;</span>

# reboot system

<span style="color: #00ffff;">shutdown -r now</span>;

it worked?

possibly related Links:

also checkout:

https://dwaves.de/2017/05/29/lnux-lvm-lvm2-logical-volumen-management-concept-man-pages-dynamic-resizing-partitions-snapshots-how-to-upgrade-lvm2-encrypted-to-larger-harddisk/

cudos:

https://www.casesup.com/category/knowledgebase/howtos/how-to-shrink-an-lvm-volume-safely-on-linux

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #gnu-linux #debian #storage #ram #swap

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/19/gnu-linux-debian-how-to-resize-lvm2-luks-encrypted-root-partition-how-to-enlarge-swap-space/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux (Debian 11) - Brother HL-5450DN reliable Black and White Laser printer - that works out of the box with cups - filter those laser printers

Brother HL-5450DN

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>; # tested on
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)

# with mate desktop
<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root</span>
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt update; apt install mate-desktop-environment;</span>
ii  mate-desktop-environment              1.24.0+4                         all          MATE Desktop Environment (metapackage)

good job all involved 🙂

the MFC 9465 and 9460 and 9332 also should work “smooth” (the install script (which will download & install additional drivers) might be needed for scan functionality)

https://dwaves.de/2016/03/24/how-to-reset-toner-of-corruption-brother-mfc-9332cdw-what-to-do-about-laser-printer-air-pollution-and-healthcare-concerns/

https://dwaves.de/2015/06/16/gnu-linux-one-script-to-setup-them-all-setup-brother-mfc-9465-9460-9332-cdn-and-others-to-print-and-scan-in-color/

laser printers & health

  • it might be wise, to give the laser printers it’s own room (get a room)
    • living room
    • sliping room
    • dining room
  • plus a filter on the output fan vents (it’s the large one on the right-top side)
      • tested and yes, a lot of black sooth will accumulate here

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #print #printer #gnu-linux #cups #brother #works

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/19/gnu-linux-debian-11-brother-hl-5450dn-reliable-black-and-white-laser-printer-that-works-out-of-the-box-with-cups-filter-those-laser-printers/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux Debian 11 - Gnome Boxes - an Open Source VirtualBox replacement?

In search for alternatives, decided to test drive “gnome boxes“, which is said, to be an easy-going gui for the libvirt qemu virtualization system.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -d</span>; # tested on
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)

<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
</span># with MATE Desktop (Gnome2) it's actually only 175MBytes that needs to be downloaded<span style="color: #00ffff;">
apt install gnome-boxes
apt show gnome-boxes</span>
Package: gnome-boxes
Version: 3.38.2-1
Priority: optional
Section: gnome
Maintainer: Debian GNOME Maintainers <pkg-gnome-maintainers@lists.alioth.debian.org>
Installed-Size: 7,140 kB
Depends: genisoimage, libosinfo-bin, libvirt-daemon, tracker (>= 2.0), dconf-gsettings-backend | gsettings-backend, libarchive13 (>= 3.1.2), libc6 (>= 2.7), libcairo2 (>= 1.6.0), libfreerdp2-2 (>= 2.0.0~git20160317.1.75ae3f5+dfsg1), libgdk-pixbuf-2.0-0 (>= 2.25.2) | libgdk-pixbuf2.0-0 (>= 2.25.2), libglib2.0-0 (>= 2.52.0), libgtk-3-0 (>= 3.22.20), libgtk-vnc-2.0-0 (>= 0.5.1), libgtksourceview-4-0 (>= 2.91.4), libgudev-1.0-0 (>= 165), libhandy-0.0-0 (>= 0.0.11), libosinfo-1.0-0 (>= 1.4.0~), libpango-1.0-0 (>= 1.14.0), libsecret-1-0 (>= 0.7), libsoup2.4-1 (>= 2.44), libspice-client-glib-2.0-8 (>= 0.35), libspice-client-gtk-3.0-5 (>= 0.32), libtracker-sparql-2.0-0 (>= 0.10.0), libusb-1.0-0 (>= 2:1.0.8), libvirt-glib-1.0-0 (>= 3.0.0), libvte-2.91-0 (>= 0.40.2), libwebkit2gtk-4.0-37 (>= 2.26), libwinpr2-2 (>= 2.0.0~git20160317.1.75ae3f5+dfsg1), libxml2 (>= 2.7.8)
Recommends: qemu-system-x86
Breaks: libspice-server1 (<< 0.12.5-1.1~)
Homepage: <a href="https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Boxes">https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Boxes</a>
Tag: admin::virtualization, hardware::emulation, implemented-in::python,
 implemented-in::vala, interface::graphical, interface::x11,
 role::program, scope::application, suite::gnome, suite::openstack,
 system::cloud, system::virtual, uitoolkit::gtk, use::simulating,
 use::viewing, x11::application
Download-Size: 1,085 kB
APT-Manual-Installed: yes
APT-Sources: <a href="http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/debian">http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/debian</a> bullseye/main amd64 Packages
Description: Simple GNOME app to access remote or virtual systems

 GNOME Boxes is a desktop client to view or use local virtual machines,

 remote physical machines, or remote virtual machines.

Boxes is intentionally simple and easy to use.

Hardware virtualization is required to use local virtual machines.

as minimalistic as the description is the gui:

indeed nothing against a bit of gui minimalism…

kvm is developed by Redhat… that’s why it is right there on top… but there is more for “easy” or “instant” install…

would have been nice, if the disk size can be directly entered in numbers as well…

also a checkbox for “thin provisioning” would have been nice

but it definately works

the vm properties tab, might be a bit too minimalistic… when changing vm settings afterwards, the user will have to rely on the user’s xml editing skillz ;-p

this isa nicely done overview screen… showing real time thumbnails of the all vm’s current desktop…

when almost finished installing Debian 11… gnome boxes skips the “where to install grub” screen and reports “debian 11 is ready to use”

but it won’t boot X-D

just in case if the cursor is “stuck” it can be released by hitting Ctrl+Alt

the gui minimalism is a nice try, but gnome-boxes got some quality issues there, not ready for use with Debian, not ready to replace redhat’s kvm’s excellent virtmanager, which works flawless under GNU Linux Debian and has way more settings to modify vms

https://dwaves.de/2020/12/05/gnu-linux-debian-10-how-to-install-kvm-virtualization-qemu-basic-virsh-commands-kvm-cheat-sheed/

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #gnome #boxes #virtualbox #kvm #virtual #vm #virtualization #qemu

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/10/gnu-linux-debian-11-gnome-boxes-an-open-source-virtualbox-replacement/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux Debian - how to view chm (windows help) files

chm files are basically html files packed into an archive.

unpacking them should be possible, but

archmage file.chm output

“Segmentation” faulted.

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -a</span>; # tested on
No LSB modules are available.
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)


<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install xchm
</span>

then in caja (or other file explorer) r-click-the-file-> open with xchm

even comes with cross os support! (lin, win, osx)

the GPL licenced src is here: https://github.com/rzvncj/xCHM

the author does not have any access anymore to: https://sourceforge.net/projects/xchm/ (someone else restored the page, might be scam!)

manpage:

xchm.man.txt

specs:

http://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/chmspec

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #chm #gnu-linux #debian

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/08/gnu-linux-debian-how-to-view-chm-windows-help-files/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux (Debian) on very very old hardware (~20 Years) old hp compaq NX 7010 notebook laptop

  • this notebook was premium when released aprox. 2003
  • it still looks with those LEDs and mic and speaker mini-jacks at the front (it even has a wifi hardware switch on the front (blue LED)
  • the screen and speakers are excellent
  • the CPU und 512MB of RAM and a IDE harddisk (that can not be easily upgraded to SATA) are of course… very very sloooooooooooooooow, but as can be seen: thanks to 32Bit i386 Debian the LATEST firefox is running on this 20 year old device
  • this is the time, when modularity would have been nice, swap out the mainboard for a newer one, off you go another 20 years

how to setup GNU Linux on this old hardware?

two options: (as booting from USB does not really work with computers that old)

  • hook up to internet via LAN
  • burn a 32Bit i386 Debian to CD-R or
  • try to setup like this

or:

https://dwaves.de/2021/12/10/gnu-linux-debian-11-bullseye-example-for-https-enabled-etc-apt-sources-list-including-contrib-and-non-free/

  • what is REMARKABLE, that the https://xfce.org/ Desktop ONLY takes about 250MBytes of RAM! NICE WORK! 🙂
  • instead of running the latest firefox (which is really not recommended with this kind of old calculators) use terminal based text based lynx browser instead 🙂
    • while not being able to display pictures (?) it lynx browser does it’s job nicely to retreave text based answers on text based search engine queries
    • again: great job 🙂

PS: background story: the demise of compaq

(it does not do much, but it still exists… as a name)

Compaq Computer Corporation (sometimes abbreviated to CQ prior to a 2007 rebranding) was an American information technology company founded in 1982 that developed, sold, and supported computers and related products and services. Compaq produced some of the first IBM PC compatible computers, being the second company after Columbia Data Products[1] to legally reverse engineer the IBM Personal Computer.[2][3] It rose to become the largest supplier of PC systems during the 1990s before being overtaken by HP in 2001.[4] Struggling to keep up in the price wars against Dell, as well as with a risky acquisition of DEC,[5] Compaq was acquired for US$25 billion by HP in 2002.[6][7] The Compaq brand remained in use by HP for lower-end systems until 2013 when it was discontinued.[8] The brand is licensed to third parties for use on electronics in Brazil and India. ” (Wiki)

(Elon) “He moved to California in 1995 to attend Stanford University but decided instead to pursue a business career, co-founding the web software company Zip2 with his brother Kimbal. The startup was acquired by Compaq for $307 million in 1999.” (no wonder they went BROKE X-D)

“The same year, Musk co-founded online bank X.com, which merged with Confinity in 2000 to form PayPal. The company was bought by eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion.” (Wiki)

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #gnu-linux #debian #hp #compaq

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/06/gnu-linux-debian-on-very-very-old-hardware-20-years-old-hp-compaq-nx-7010-notebook-laptop/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux (Debian) on very very old hardware (~20 Years) old hp compaq NX 7010 notebook laptop

  • this notebook was premium when released
  • it still looks with those LEDs and mic and speaker mini-jacks at the front (it even has a wifi hardware switch on the front (blue LED)
  • the screen and speakers are excellent
  • the CPU und 512MB of RAM and a IDE harddisk (that can not be easily upgraded to SATA) are of course… very very sloooooooooooooooow, but as can be seen: thanks to 32Bit i386 Debian the LATEST firefox is running on this 20 year old device
  • this is the time, when modularity would have been nice, swap out the mainboard for a newer one, off you go another 20 years

how to setup GNU Linux on this old hardware?

two options: (as booting from USB does not really work with computers that old)

  • hook up to internet via LAN
  • burn a 32Bit i386 Debian to CD-R or
  • try to setup like this

or:

https://dwaves.de/2021/12/10/gnu-linux-debian-11-bullseye-example-for-https-enabled-etc-apt-sources-list-including-contrib-and-non-free/

PS: background story: the demise of compaq

(it does not do much, but it still exists… as a name)

Compaq Computer Corporation (sometimes abbreviated to CQ prior to a 2007 rebranding) was an American information technology company founded in 1982 that developed, sold, and supported computers and related products and services. Compaq produced some of the first IBM PC compatible computers, being the second company after Columbia Data Products[1] to legally reverse engineer the IBM Personal Computer.[2][3] It rose to become the largest supplier of PC systems during the 1990s before being overtaken by HP in 2001.[4] Struggling to keep up in the price wars against Dell, as well as with a risky acquisition of DEC,[5] Compaq was acquired for US$25 billion by HP in 2002.[6][7] The Compaq brand remained in use by HP for lower-end systems until 2013 when it was discontinued.[8] The brand is licensed to third parties for use on electronics in Brazil and India. ” (Wiki)

(Elon) “He moved to California in 1995 to attend Stanford University but decided instead to pursue a business career, co-founding the web software company Zip2 with his brother Kimbal. The startup was acquired by Compaq for $307 million in 1999.” (no wonder they went BROKE X-D)

“The same year, Musk co-founded online bank X.com, which merged with Confinity in 2000 to form PayPal. The company was bought by eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion.” (Wiki)

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #gnu-linux #debian #hp #compaq

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/05/06/gnu-linux-debian-on-very-very-old-hardware-20-years-old-hp-compaq-nx-7010-notebook-laptop/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux -> Alternative Privacy enhanced Browsers :) (for Desktop and Mobile) - WARNING SDKs with surveillance build in! - check VPN app

who/what to trust in 2022?

it’s hard…

“A February 2020 research report published by the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin tested six browsers and deemed Brave to be the most private of them, in terms of phoning home: “In the first (most private) group lies Brave, in the second Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and in the third (least private) group lie Edge and Yandex.”[108] (src)

“From a privacy perspective Microsoft Edge and Yandex are qualitatively different from the other browsers studied.”

Both send persistent identifiers that can be used to link requests (and associated IP address/location) to backend servers.”

Edge also sends the hardware UUID of the device to Microsoft and Yandex similarly transmits a hashed hardware identifier to back end servers.”

“As far as we can tell this behaviour cannot be disabled by users.”

“In addition to the search autocomplete functionality that shares details of web pages visited, both transmit web page information to servers that appear unrelated to search autocomplete.”

(src: arstechnica.com)

alternative Browsers for Mobile OS: Android

https://privacytests.org/android.html

https://privacytests.org/ios.html

alternative Browsers for Desktop OS:

update 2022-04

https://librewolf.net/

https://librewolf.net/

https://librewolf.net/docs/faq/

just for completion:

https://www.torproject.org/download/

https://www.torproject.org/download/

https://brave.com/

(currently best Browser in terms of privacy according to https://privacytests.org <- check em out they got a ton of alternative browsers also mobile)

(based on Google’s https://www.chromium.org/)

how to install for various GNU Linux distributions: https://brave.com/linux/

update 2020-10

(untested)

https://www.falkon.org/

“Vivaldi is a freeware, cross-platform web browser developed by Vivaldi Technologies, a company founded by Opera Software co-founder and former CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Tatsuki Tomita” <- if that is a good thing… probably not.

Given the Kremlin’s naming convention “Wagner” (the Russian mercenary group killing around the globe like Ukraine but also Africa).

Antonio Vivaldi would be (almost obviously) just another classic music composer in their naming scheme (correct if wrong!?).

“The browser was officially launched on April 12, 2016.[8][9] The browser is aimed at staunch technologists, heavy Internet users, and previous Opera web browser users disgruntled by Opera’s transition from the Presto layout engine to the Blink layout engine, which removed many popular features.[8][10] Vivaldi aims to revive the old, popular features of Opera 12.[11] The browser has gained popularity since the launch of its first technical preview.[12][13] The browser has 1 million users as of January 2017.[14]

the bigger problem with Opera might be this: the Russian Yandex SDK:

  • “A development kit for applications offered for free by Yandex, the Russian tech giant, collects information, which is then stored on Russian servers.”
  • “The proximity between the company and the Kremlin raises questions about the end use of this data.”
  • “Your personal data probably ends up on Russian servers.”
  • “On Tuesday, March 29, the British daily Financial Times revealed that tens of thousands of applications have been developed using software that retrieves users’ information.”
  • “The computer tool is provided by Yandex, a Russian search engine, Google’s main competitor in this country.”
  • “The recovered data is then stored in servers in Russia and Finland.”
  • “In the clutches of the Kremlin AppMetrica’s “open access” makes it one of the most used tools on the market: 36% of applications on Google Play go through this SDK and 11% on the App Store according to Appfigures.”
  • “Among the services offered are video games, messaging apps and virtual private networks (VPNs), designed to browse the web without being tracked.”
  • 7x VPN apps are offered specifically for the Ukrainian public, according to financial times.”
  • “In total, it would be applications installed hundreds of millions of times that would be affected.”
  • auto translated from (src: numerama.com)

(… Google & Apple would NEVER do such things…. NEVER (right? X-D))

# -> what are those files doing INSIDE tor-browser bundle folder #wtf?
./tor-browser_en-US/Browser/.config/vivaldi
./tor-browser_en-US/Browser/.cache/vivaldi
./tor-browser_en-US/Browser/.local/share/.vivaldi_reporting_data

/home/user/.cache/vivaldi
/home/user/.config/vivaldi
/home/user/.local/share/.vivaldi_reporting_data

{"description":"This file contains data used for counting users.
If you are worried about privacy implications,
please see https://help.vivaldi.com/article/how-we-count-our-users/",
"installation_time":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX","next_daily_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"next_monthly_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX","next_semestrial_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"next_trimestrial_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"next_weekly_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"next_yearly_ping":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"pings_since_last_month":0,"unique_user_id":"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"}

Arora

it’s always a good idea to try out alternatives. 🙂 Welcome to Arora: (under Debian-Gnome3)

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_1

is a lightweight, cross-platform, free and open-source web browser

Arora is available for Linux, OS X, Windows, FreeBSD, OS/2, Haiku,[6] and any other operating system supported by the Qt toolkit. Arora’s name is a palindrome.

The browser’s features include tabbed browsing, bookmarks, browsing history, smart location bar, OpenSearch, session management, privacy mode, a download manager, WebInspector, and AdBlock.[7]

For several months, Meyer discontinued development of Arora due to uncertainty about the strictures of non-compete clauses by his employer; finally in July 2011, he announced that he would no longer contribute to the project.[8] Another software developer, Bastien Pederencino forked Arora’s source code, and published a variant called zBrowser – renamed Zeromus Browser in February 2013. In May 2013, Pederencino published another variant called BlueLightCat. In February 2014, some new patches were released on Arora’s github project page, with some Linux distributions incorporating the changes in their individual versions of Arora packages in their repositories.[9]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arora_(web_browser)

install

under Debian it’s easy as the usual:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update</span>; # update apt package definitions
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install arora</span>; # install arora browser

Nice features:

  • fast, sleak, efficient, webkit without Google influenced Firefox (they get millions for making Google the default search engine…)
  • JavaScript and Images can be easily disabled
  • AdBlock INCLUDED 🙂
  • Nice Page-loading %percentage% view
  • Excellent https://startpage.com/ / https://ixquick.com/ integration 🙂
  • You can use all the Firefox-Hotkeys like Alt+D to select the Adress-Bar

I really love that loading %percentage display, that also shows you how big and bulky a website is: (maybe disable grafics or js) arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_5 size of website

Nicely: Easy to disable image loading (speed up things) and javascript (security problem)

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_3

It has Adblock INCLUDED! 🙂 No extension needed! GOOD JOB!

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_2

Midori

Check out the FAQ.

Midori is a cross-platform GTK browser based on Webkit. It tracks the latest Webkit very closely, so you always have a fresh version. Midori is very lightweight and fast, but still has a lot of features. Midori is amazingly quick and can be useful for sites like Facebook which tend to slow down Firefox. Users concerned about privacy will be interested to know that Midori features Duck Duck Go as the default search engine, offers built-in ad blocking and good cookie control. An old version (0.4.3) is currently included with Ubuntu 13.10, so it is recommended that you install from the Midori PPA.

SETUP:

tested on debian:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update; apt-get install midori</span>; # let's test this ;)

QupZilla

QupZilla is a fast Qt and Webkit based browser that is available for multiple operating systems. It features a reasonably simple interface that will seem familiar to new users. The browser is packed with options, but really offers nothing new or unique when compared to Firefox or Chromium. The QupZilla team has put together a really solid browser, but without offering something unique, I find myself asking “what’s the point?” [Install Now](apt://qupzilla)

IceCat

icecat_browser_logo_gnuzilla_fsf

GNU IceCat, formerly known as GNU IceWeasel,[3] is a free software rebranding of the Mozilla Firefox web browser distributed by the GNU Project. It is compatible with Linux, Windows, Android and macOS.[4]

IceCat is released as a part of GNUzilla, GNU’s rebranding of a code base that used to be the Mozilla Application Suite. As an internet suite, GNUzilla also includes a mail & newsgroup program and an HTML composer.

Mozilla produces free and open-source software, but the binaries include trademarked artwork. The GNU Project attempts to keep IceCat in synchronization with upstream development of Firefox (long-term support versions) while removing all trademarked artwork and non-free add-ons. It also maintains a large list of free software plugins. In addition, it features a few security features not found in the mainline Firefox browser.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_IceCat

QupZilla 1.6.6 on Debian-Gnome3

qupzilla_screenshot_browser

qupzilla_screenshot_about

install

debian linux

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update</span>; # you know what this does
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install qupzilla</span>; # install qupzilla

Screenshots

Import Bookmarks.html

it’s nice that Arora and QupZilla (the naming is terrible 2 remember :-D) allow importing Firefox/Iceweasel exported bookmarks.html.

qupzilla_screenshot_toolbar_bookmarks

QupZilla even gets all the website Icons for you….

qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer2

qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_extensions qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_javascript_options qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_privacy qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_appearance qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_downloads qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_browsing qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_browsing2 qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_tabs qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_appearance qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_adblock_settings

Web (Epiphany)

Web (formerly Epiphany) is the official web browser of the GNOME desktop. It is a very easy to use Webkit based browser with a simplistic user interface. In fact, Web is like the granddaddy of simple web browsers, delivering a simple user interface years before Chrome came on the scene. The browser is very speedy and polished, offering more features with each release. Web makes a great simple alternative to Firefox and Chrome. [Install Now](apt://epiphany-browser)

Bash / Command Line Browsers 🙂

Elinks

Elinks is a text based browser similar to the classic Lynx browser. It launches inside a Terminal window and presents you with only the text of websites, no images, javascript, or Flash. This can be rather useful for website developers to test their sites, or for reading information on sites that are full of annoying javascript and Flash ads.

that’s what http://google.de looks like in elinks:

<a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/google.de-in-elinks.png"><img alt="google.de in elinks" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5752" height="424" src="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/google.de-in-elinks.png" width="910"></img></a>

Source: https://www.starryhope.com/10-alternative-browsers-for-ubuntu-linux/

Links:

http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/arora-web-browser-review

Other alternative fast / lightweight browsers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_lightweight_web_browsers

https://sourceforge.net/projects/zbrowser-linux/

https://sourceforge.net/projects/bluelightcat/

http://www.vavai.net/2010/01/7-lightweight-linux-browsers-you-may-want-to-consider-for-fast-browsing-experience/

how to get (a bit) more privacy:

https://dwaves.de/2022/03/31/wie-privatsphare-online-verbessern-mit-tor-und-kostenloser-vpn-firmware-fur-router-how-to-protect-privacy-online-with-tor-and-free-vpn-firmware-for-routers-how-to-setup-tor-node-%d0%ba%d0%b0/

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #alternatives #browser #www #internet #web #firefox #Linux #Internet #Browser #Alternatives #html #css #js #browse #theweb #javascript #html5 #webrtc #vivaldi #android #mobile

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2015/07/17/gnu-linux-alternative-privacy-enhanced-browsers-for-desktop-and-mobile-warning-sdks-with-surveillance-build-in-check-vpn-app/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux -> Alternative Privacy enhanced Browsers :) (for Desktop and Mobile) - WARNING SDKs with surveillance build in!

who/what to trust in 2022?

it’s hard…

“A February 2020 research report published by the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin tested six browsers and deemed Brave to be the most private of them, in terms of phoning home: “In the first (most private) group lies Brave, in the second Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and in the third (least private) group lie Edge and Yandex.”[108] (src)

“From a privacy perspective Microsoft Edge and Yandex are qualitatively different from the other browsers studied.”

Both send persistent identifiers that can be used to link requests (and associated IP address/location) to backend servers.”

Edge also sends the hardware UUID of the device to Microsoft and Yandex similarly transmits a hashed hardware identifier to back end servers.”

“As far as we can tell this behaviour cannot be disabled by users.”

“In addition to the search autocomplete functionality that shares details of web pages visited, both transmit web page information to servers that appear unrelated to search autocomplete.”

(src: arstechnica.com)

alternative Browsers for Mobile OS: Android

https://privacytests.org/android.html

https://privacytests.org/ios.html

alternative Browsers for Desktop OS:

update 2022-04

https://librewolf.net/

https://librewolf.net/

https://librewolf.net/docs/faq/

just for completion:

https://www.torproject.org/download/

https://www.torproject.org/download/

https://brave.com/

(currently best Browser in terms of privacy according to https://privacytests.org <- check em out they got a ton of alternative browsers also mobile)

(based on Google’s https://www.chromium.org/)

how to install for various GNU Linux distributions: https://brave.com/linux/

update 2020-10

(untested)

https://www.falkon.org/

“Vivaldi is a freeware, cross-platform web browser developed by Vivaldi Technologies, a company founded by Opera Software co-founder and former CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Tatsuki Tomita” <- if that is a good thing… probably not.

“The browser was officially launched on April 12, 2016.[8][9] The browser is aimed at staunch technologists, heavy Internet users, and previous Opera web browser users disgruntled by Opera’s transition from the Presto layout engine to the Blink layout engine, which removed many popular features.[8][10] Vivaldi aims to revive the old, popular features of Opera 12.[11] The browser has gained popularity since the launch of its first technical preview.[12][13] The browser has 1 million users as of January 2017.[14]

the bigger problem with Opera might be this: the Russian Yandex SDK:

  • “A development kit for applications offered for free by Yandex, the Russian tech giant, collects information, which is then stored on Russian servers.”
  • “The proximity between the company and the Kremlin raises questions about the end use of this data.”
  • “Your personal data probably ends up on Russian servers.”
  • “On Tuesday, March 29, the British daily Financial Times revealed that tens of thousands of applications have been developed using software that retrieves users’ information.”
  • “The computer tool is provided by Yandex, a Russian search engine, Google’s main competitor in this country.”
  • “The recovered data is then stored in servers in Russia and Finland.”
  • auto translated from (src: numerama.com)

Arora

it’s always a good idea to try out alternatives. 🙂 Welcome to Arora: (under Debian-Gnome3)

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_1

is a lightweight, cross-platform, free and open-source web browser

Arora is available for Linux, OS X, Windows, FreeBSD, OS/2, Haiku,[6] and any other operating system supported by the Qt toolkit. Arora’s name is a palindrome.

The browser’s features include tabbed browsing, bookmarks, browsing history, smart location bar, OpenSearch, session management, privacy mode, a download manager, WebInspector, and AdBlock.[7]

For several months, Meyer discontinued development of Arora due to uncertainty about the strictures of non-compete clauses by his employer; finally in July 2011, he announced that he would no longer contribute to the project.[8] Another software developer, Bastien Pederencino forked Arora’s source code, and published a variant called zBrowser – renamed Zeromus Browser in February 2013. In May 2013, Pederencino published another variant called BlueLightCat. In February 2014, some new patches were released on Arora’s github project page, with some Linux distributions incorporating the changes in their individual versions of Arora packages in their repositories.[9]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arora_(web_browser)

install

under Debian it’s easy as the usual:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update</span>; # update apt package definitions
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install arora</span>; # install arora browser

Nice features:

  • fast, sleak, efficient, webkit without Google influenced Firefox (they get millions for making Google the default search engine…)
  • JavaScript and Images can be easily disabled
  • AdBlock INCLUDED 🙂
  • Nice Page-loading %percentage% view
  • Excellent https://startpage.com/ / https://ixquick.com/ integration 🙂
  • You can use all the Firefox-Hotkeys like Alt+D to select the Adress-Bar

I really love that loading %percentage display, that also shows you how big and bulky a website is: (maybe disable grafics or js) arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_5 size of website

Nicely: Easy to disable image loading (speed up things) and javascript (security problem)

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_3

It has Adblock INCLUDED! 🙂 No extension needed! GOOD JOB!

arora alternative webKit based browser (similar to firefox)_2

Midori

Check out the FAQ.

Midori is a cross-platform GTK browser based on Webkit. It tracks the latest Webkit very closely, so you always have a fresh version. Midori is very lightweight and fast, but still has a lot of features. Midori is amazingly quick and can be useful for sites like Facebook which tend to slow down Firefox. Users concerned about privacy will be interested to know that Midori features Duck Duck Go as the default search engine, offers built-in ad blocking and good cookie control. An old version (0.4.3) is currently included with Ubuntu 13.10, so it is recommended that you install from the Midori PPA.

SETUP:

tested on debian:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update; apt-get install midori</span>; # let's test this ;)

QupZilla

QupZilla is a fast Qt and Webkit based browser that is available for multiple operating systems. It features a reasonably simple interface that will seem familiar to new users. The browser is packed with options, but really offers nothing new or unique when compared to Firefox or Chromium. The QupZilla team has put together a really solid browser, but without offering something unique, I find myself asking “what’s the point?” [Install Now](apt://qupzilla)

IceCat

icecat_browser_logo_gnuzilla_fsf

GNU IceCat, formerly known as GNU IceWeasel,[3] is a free software rebranding of the Mozilla Firefox web browser distributed by the GNU Project. It is compatible with Linux, Windows, Android and macOS.[4]

IceCat is released as a part of GNUzilla, GNU’s rebranding of a code base that used to be the Mozilla Application Suite. As an internet suite, GNUzilla also includes a mail & newsgroup program and an HTML composer.

Mozilla produces free and open-source software, but the binaries include trademarked artwork. The GNU Project attempts to keep IceCat in synchronization with upstream development of Firefox (long-term support versions) while removing all trademarked artwork and non-free add-ons. It also maintains a large list of free software plugins. In addition, it features a few security features not found in the mainline Firefox browser.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_IceCat

QupZilla 1.6.6 on Debian-Gnome3

qupzilla_screenshot_browser

qupzilla_screenshot_about

install

debian linux

<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get update</span>; # you know what this does
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt-get install qupzilla</span>; # install qupzilla

Screenshots

Import Bookmarks.html

it’s nice that Arora and QupZilla (the naming is terrible 2 remember :-D) allow importing Firefox/Iceweasel exported bookmarks.html.

qupzilla_screenshot_toolbar_bookmarks

QupZilla even gets all the website Icons for you….

qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer2

qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_extensions qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_javascript_options qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_privacy qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_appearance qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_downloads qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_browsing qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_browsing2 qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_tabs qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_appearance qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_bookmark_importer qupzilla_screenshot_preferences_adblock_settings

Web (Epiphany)

Web (formerly Epiphany) is the official web browser of the GNOME desktop. It is a very easy to use Webkit based browser with a simplistic user interface. In fact, Web is like the granddaddy of simple web browsers, delivering a simple user interface years before Chrome came on the scene. The browser is very speedy and polished, offering more features with each release. Web makes a great simple alternative to Firefox and Chrome. [Install Now](apt://epiphany-browser)

Bash / Command Line Browsers 🙂

Elinks

Elinks is a text based browser similar to the classic Lynx browser. It launches inside a Terminal window and presents you with only the text of websites, no images, javascript, or Flash. This can be rather useful for website developers to test their sites, or for reading information on sites that are full of annoying javascript and Flash ads.

that’s what http://google.de looks like in elinks:

<a href="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/google.de-in-elinks.png"><img alt="google.de in elinks" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5752" height="424" src="https://dwaves.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/google.de-in-elinks.png" width="910"></img></a>

Source: https://www.starryhope.com/10-alternative-browsers-for-ubuntu-linux/

Links:

http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/arora-web-browser-review

Other alternative fast / lightweight browsers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_lightweight_web_browsers

https://sourceforge.net/projects/zbrowser-linux/

https://sourceforge.net/projects/bluelightcat/

http://www.vavai.net/2010/01/7-lightweight-linux-browsers-you-may-want-to-consider-for-fast-browsing-experience/

how to get (a bit) more privacy:

https://dwaves.de/2022/03/31/wie-privatsphare-online-verbessern-mit-tor-und-kostenloser-vpn-firmware-fur-router-how-to-protect-privacy-online-with-tor-and-free-vpn-firmware-for-routers-how-to-setup-tor-node-%d0%ba%d0%b0/

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #alternatives #browser #www #internet #web #firefox #Linux #Internet #Browser #Alternatives #html #css #js #browse #theweb #javascript #html5 #webrtc #vivaldi #android #mobile

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2015/07/17/gnu-linux-alternative-privacy-enhanced-browsers-for-desktop-and-mobile-warning-sdks-with-surveillance-build-in/

canoodle@nerdpol.ch

GNU Linux Debian 11 - text to speech (text2speech) - read out text loud - listen to computer spoken text

instead of reading massively long passages of text (which can become tiresome fast)

it might be nice, to have the computer read out that text?

let’s do that 🙂

multiple choices

there are different Open Source text2speech systems, programs out there…

multi language talent: pico tts

(no not the text editor)

  • supported languages:
    • English, US (en-US) / English, GB (en-GB)
    • Spanish (es-ES)
    • French (fr-FR)
    • German (de-DE)
    • Italian (it-IT)

The Pico service produces audio streams using WAV containers and PCM (signed) codec with 16bit depth.

“The Pico Text-to-Speech (TTS) service uses the TTS binary from SVOX for producing spoken text.”

“You manually need to install the pico2wave binary in order for this service to work correctly. You can, e.g., install it with apt-get on an Ubuntu system” (src)

show me the src: https://github.com/naggety/picotts

<span style="color: #00ffff;">lsb_release -a</span>; # tested on
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Debian
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
Release:    11
Codename:   bullseye

# if not already, install the genious mplayer & ffmpeg packages :)
# (or some other player that can play wav files)
<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update
apt install mplayer ffmpeg</span>

# pre compiled package (not the latest, but might just do the job)
<span style="color: #00ffff;">apt search libttspico-utils
apt install libttspico-utils</span>
libttspico-utils/stable,stable 1.0+git20130326-11 amd64
  Small Footprint TTS (binaries)

# compile from src
# as non-root
<span style="color: #00ffff;">git clone https://github.com/naggety/picotts.git
cd pico/picotts/pico

su - root
apt update; apt install autoconf libtool help2man libpopt-dev debhelper;</span>
Ctrl+D # log off root
<span style="color: #00ffff;">./autogen.sh
./configure 
make

su - root
cd /software/pico/picotts/pico
make install

</span># remove packages (not needed anymore)<span style="color: #00ffff;">
apt-get remove --purge autoconf libtool help2man libpopt-dev debhelper
apt-get autoremove --purge</span>

how to let it read text, usage example:

copy and paste the text the user wants to have read out loud into a file called read.txt

# for US-English
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l en-US -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;</span>

# for UK-English
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l en-GB -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;</span>

# for Spanish
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l es-ES -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;</span>

# for French
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l fr-FR -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;</span>

# for German
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l de-DE -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;</span>

# for Italian
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat read.txt| pico2wave -l it-IT -w ./read.text.wav; mplayer ./read.text.wav;rm -rf ./read.text.wav;

</span>

script it 🙂

usage example of the script:

<span style="color: #00ffff;">/scripts/read.sh read.txt en</span>
# create the script<span style="color: #00ffff;">
vim /scripts/read.sh</span>

<span style="color: #ff6600;">#!/bin/bash

echo "... converting text $1 to computer spoken audio"

if [ "$2" = "en" ];
then
    # for US-English
    cat $1 | pico2wave -l en-US -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

if [ "$2" = "uk" ];
then
    # for UK-English
    cat read.txt| pico2wave -l en-GB -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

if [ "$2" = "es" ];
then
    # for Spanish
    cat read.txt| pico2wave -l es-ES -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

if [ "$2" = "fr" ];
then
    # for French
    cat read.txt| pico2wave -l fr-FR -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

if [ "$2" = "de" ];
then
    # for German
    cat read.txt| pico2wave -l de-DE -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

if [ "$2" = "it" ];
then
    # for Italian
    cat read.txt| pico2wave -l it-IT -w ./read.text.wav;
fi

echo "... starting playback"
mplayer ./read.text.wav;

echo "... removing temporary wav file"
rm -rf ./read.text.wav;

</span>

english only but with accents: flite

flite supports only english (?) but that even in DIFFERENT ACCENTS! X-D

<span style="color: #00ffff;">su - root
apt update; apt install flite;</span>
flite/stable,now 2.2-2 amd64 [installed]
  Small run-time speech synthesis engine

# get more english language accents
<span style="color: #00ffff;">wget -r --no-parent --no-directories --accept flitevox http://www.festvox.org/flite/packed/flite-2.0/voices/
</span>
# usage example
<span style="color: #00ffff;">cat speak.txt | flite -voice /path/to/flite/voices/cmu_us_awb.flitevox
</span>

Links:

creditz: https://cstan.io/?p=11840&lang=en

#linux #gnu #gnulinux #opensource #administration #sysops #text #speech #audio

Originally posted at: https://dwaves.de/2022/04/25/gnu-linux-debian-11-text-to-speech-text2speech-read-out-text-loud-listen-to-computer-spoken-text/