If you, like me recently have purchased a new Laptop or Desktop with Intel High Definition Audio and use Linux, you are possibly more than a little frustrated with the silence.
I tried three of the top five distributions and my new Laptop remained mute even though all the outputs from various posted references appeared to show all was as it should be. The biggest discrepancy I could find was a rev difference between two Alsa files in one distribution that possibly may have been the cause of no sound problem per the web comments I found. Due to the fact, that three popular Linux distros had the same problem, I decided it was a not the reason for no sound.
Having thought about what was happening and remembering this happening in the past, I decided I might know what the problem was. In the not too distant past, it was not uncommon for Linux to not be able to use the latest and questionably greatest components. Sometimes, if you were an average user, you had to wait until someone with more knowledge than yourself bought the same hardware and either wrote or updated a driver to use it.
Such is the case with Intel High Definition Audio on my Sony model vpceb23fm Laptop with an i3 processor, and other similar Laptop or Desktop mother boards using “Intel High Definition Audio” using driver: ‘snd_hda_intel’.
The fix in this case is Ubuntu Linux with help from Ubuntu Backports. I installed Ubuntu 10.04 64 bit, enabled Backports and installed the latest version of Alsa from the backports. After a frustrating week of wondering how long it will take for sound to happen, I have sound.
My hunch appears to have been right, only the software is already available, though it has not made it to the mainstream distributions quite yet. Fwiw, I read about upgrading Alsa directly from Alsa.org and doing a manual install, but the process seemed a little more complex than simply going through the few steps to do a manual install. I chose what for me was the simpler route first, and it turns out it works for my needs.
I volunteer at a community center (two now), where my main function is keeping their Laptops up and running. When I started at the community center last December the Laptops were in a sad state. They had Windows XP, little working virus protection, and all users had more or less free reign over the computers while they used them. Three of seven Laptops were not booting, and those that did boot were full of unprotected Windows problems, slow and clunky as they were riddled with viruses and spyware.
The Laptops are baseline Laptops, built on the low end of the low end. They were perfect for their function, but no where else. This meant that the cheapest parts available were used in their creation. To their benefit they were less than two years old, so I knew they could run any distribution of Linux and that would be the end of their usability problems.
I tried Ubuntu first, as I thought Ubuntu would install on any computer and be the easiest distribution to maintain. Ubuntu installed flawlessly as always. Upon connecting to the wireless network I ran into a show stopping problem. To get the wireless working, I needed to be connected to the internet to download the correct drivers. The show stopper was the only internet connection available was wireless.
I scrapped my plans of using Ubuntu and thought Zenwalk would carry the day. Zenwalk had the same wireless problem Ubuntu did. No matter what work arounds I put in place, the wireless card would not work.
I have mentioned PCLinuxOS in my other Linux posts because it is a good solid distribution, and works well with any computer I have installed it on. I downloaded the latest PCLinuxOS iso using Gnome desktop, and copied it to CD. It booted up and ran as it always does, perfectly. The real test was the wireless connection. I set up the wireless, and the network was waiting as it should be. The biggest hurdle was solved.
I proceeded to install PCLinuxOS on all the laptops, and for the most part they all work identically with the exception of two. One of the Laptops occasionally drops the wireless in Windows, and another occasionally drops it in Linux. I do not think that is a fault of the operating systems, but rather the nature of the network itself.
If you read some of what various Linux Guru’s write, they will tell you Linux is Linux. It is the Kernel that makes Linux unique and everything else is programming to support the Kernel functions. While there is no doubt this is true, it is PCLinuxOS going the extra step to include an older wireless driver in the right rev that made it possible for those Laptops to use Linux, and enjoy a solid eight month uptime as of this writing.
Windows is a truly fine operating system in its own right. If Windows were not the most popular operating system in its class, those laptops would have been running perfectly, and I would be looking for other volunteering opportunities.
Unfortunately, Windows is not always the best operating system for the job, especially when leaving laptops open for use by the general public. Due to Windows viruses, malware, and other malicious programs out there trying to infect every computer that is powered on and used, Windows in an open environment needs a lot of help in the form of virus protection.
The only PCLinuxOS, and Linux in general issue I had was access to the settings. Casual users really have no idea of what most programs on any given computer do, they like to click on different programs and see what they all do. My oversight led to a lot of people clicking on settings and making changes to the Laptops. Most changes did not add to the Laptop’s functionality of course. Of course the curious casual user does not know how to undo the changes they made.
A short post in the PCLinuxOS forum after doing my own search for a fix garnered a quick response instructing me to download the PCLinuxOS version of parental controls. A few quick downloads, and all important settings were only available to root which is the Linux version of Windows Administrator. The eight laptops at the first community center are now so trouble free, I have been asked to help a second community center with ten laptops in various states of usability. Care to guess what Linux distribution they will be using?
PCLinuxOS is available in all the major desktop flavors starting with KDE, to include Open Box and Enlightenment, , plus a Gnome Zen Mini desktop iso so you can create exactly what you want. My first Laptop install was PCLinuxOS using the Gnome desktop.
I use Gnome desktop myself, but it was not well received by the user community as it was foreign to go to the top of the screen to access the menu. My second choice was PCLinuxOS with the XFCE desktop, my other favorite desktop. That too was to different to be comfortably used by those casual users who were my target audience. I put on PCLinuxOS with the LXDE desktop and it was an instant success, or maybe instant no thinking required desktop.
From my perspective, PCLinuxOS with LXDE is perfect as it does not have the overhead of many additional programs, making it simpler to use and maintain. For the casual users who are my user group, it was almost like Windows. Enough like Windows, the Kids who use the laptops were not aware they were not using Windows.
 The adults on the other hand, noticed the difference in menus and knew something was different. After explaining that common programs are common programs and do the same things whether being done on Linux or Windows, they bit their lips and decided to give Linux a try knowing Windows was there if they wanted to use it instead. Eight months later, and Windows rarely gets booted up any longer.
One small issue I had from not playing kids games myself was I was told some of the games on the websites most of the kids went to were not working. I asked the what the sites were, went to them myself, and found that all the sites with the exception of one required Java. One lone website would not accept a connection from a Linux based computer. I have my own thoughts about why, and I do not think the kids are missing much from not going to one website.
The largest obstacle to overcome other than encouraging the users to try Linux is Grub. For a fix, I cut the wait time down to five seconds, which seems to be the solution. Most people turn on the computer and wait for it to boot up not paying attention to the process. I set the root password, and then created a Guest account with no password. The biggest task an user has to do is click on the Guest icon, which is something they are familiar with in Windows.
To date all users have followed the rules of the computer room, and have not tried to access any sites the Community Center does not approve of. If someone starts to access sites that are not allowed, the parental controls will come into play, allowing me to block specific websites and keywords.
If you have read all this way to find out specifics about PCLinuxOS, I do not want you to leave disappointed. PCLinuxOS has all the bells and whistles you could want unless your computing needs are out there on a tangent somewhere. PCLinuxOS at the time of this post is ranked number five, on Distrowatch.com top one-hundred.
PCLinuxOS is a very robust, yet simple to set up and use distribution. Yet it is difficult to outgrow because it is so problem free and adaptable to your needs, such as a small community distribution.
The biggest win for me is the work that goes into PCLinuxOS to ensure it will install and run on almost every reasonable computer a home user is likely to own. If you are not sure it is usable on your PC, they even have a hardware compatibility section on their website. Finally unlike a few other major distributions where you install the latest and greatest, and then six months later go through major upgrade pains, PCLinuxOS is a rolling distribution. What this means is you update monthly, you are assured that your system is up to date with the latest and greatest updates and changes.
The PCLinuxOS Forum is top notch, and I have never asked a question that no one could answer. Unlike larger forums, do not expect an answer within thirty seconds, and forty different answers a day later. PCLinuxOS runs on donations, and along with a few dollars sent their way, use the forums and share your knowledge with other as you can. This will help keep PCLinuxOS the excellent distribution it is.
I almost forgot the Magazine! A really dedicated and knowledgable group of folks put out a Monthly PCLinuxOS Magazine to help users such as myself get the most out of Linux in general, and PCLinuxOS in particular. The articles are comprehensive, yet easy to follow, many with step by step instructions which make following along and making changes to your own computer a breeze!
My Mac is soon to have its fourth birthday, which in computer life means it is on the far side of being new. While it still runs fast enough for my needs, it does suffer from one nagging problem that will never go away in its lifetime.
When you buy a Mac, you must be willing to make a trade off. You are trading easy access to thousands of programs for a rock solid, good looking, easy to use Operating System including life without virus, and little maintenance. The downside is an obvious lack of software outside of mainstream usage. As long as you are a general user, life is good, all the software you may wish to use is available, an it all works very well.
Make an excursion out of the main stream of computing, and the choices of software for your Mac becomes one, and if it is your lucky day, two or three software choices. Whether by design or default, with the advent of intel processor based Macs, a whole new world opened for Mac users. Suddenly, Macs had the ability to boot and run more than one operating system.
Windows was the big win in operating systems gaining a foothold on Intel Macs. Linux was only only one or two steps behind in the port. Apple either chose to, or felt obligated to make it easier, and provided an Apple based means to make it easier to put Windows on your Mac. Why one would want to run Windows on a Mac is another topic. For myself, after deliberating for some time, I decided the one or two Windows programs I would use were not worth all the things I do not enjoy about Windows.
I do like Linux though! Linux was the driving force behind my buying a Mac in the first place. Linux using a graphical desktop was always a love hate relationship. Linux had a few good choices in desktops, but when it came down to the program level, the program interfaces were a hodgepodge of what the programmer wanted. Each program had their own menu system, and ways of working. I went to Mac because while the scope of software was smaller, the consistency across programs was very integrated.
In the interim, Linux has caught up in the interface usability department. Most common programs have been absorbed by the desktop, and programs that were not are more likely to have an interface that is for the most part intuitive and usable.
I decided to install Linux on my Mac and dual boot Mac style. If you want to try it out, here is a quick explanation of what you need to do. It is written n a high level, so if you are not comfortable with tinkering with your software, you may want to pass on this article and find a more in depth explanation of the process. I can’t stress enough this is not a tried and true how to, only general overview. There are links below you should read before attempting this on your Mac.
I downloaded and installed a program named rEFIt, and had one Linux iso cd before starting. I can not suggest strongly enough to make a backup before starting. I used Rsync which is simple and works well. You can boot off your Rsync back up, and Rsync does not care if the hard drives are not the same size which is important as the Mac portion of your hard drive will shrink to make space for Linux. Once you install rEFIt and create a partition for Linux to reside on, the Linux install is the same as a Linux install on a Windows based computer.
 Booting into Linux is a little round about due to the way a Mac boots up. There is a difference between the way a computer made for Windows and an Intel Mac boot up. Mac uses a system called EFI which sort of convolutes the boot process when dual booting on a Mac. Instead of using Grub as a boot loader, you need rEFIt, as Grub is pretty helpless as a boot loader on a Mac based hard drive and will likely cause you to run off your Rsync backup while you pull your hair out patching up your hard drive to do a reinstall.
The first task needing tending was downloading and installing rEFIt. rEFIt is a slick dynamic and versatile boot manager made for Macs and other computers using EFI.
The next task was to make a partition available for Linux to use. Using Bootcamp Assistant makes the process simple, with an exception. There is a minimum size and a maximum size for the Linux partition and the partition is named Windows. Boot Camp Assistant use is pretty straight forward as long as you ignore the syntax, and create a windows partition and stop before the actual Windows install portion.
Once my partition was created and I slid my Linux cd into my Mac, I did a shutdown. rEFIt needs a complete shutdown to activate itself and start working. If it does not work the first startup, it will on a second. The boot up sequence will seemed like it was hanging, but giving it a few more seconds and rEFIt does its magic. You will notice how dynamic rEFIt is once it becomes your boot manager. You will see an icon where you can select your Linux cd to boot from.
From here on the Linux installation is what it is depending on your distribution of choice. I took care not to install to my Mac partition by mistake, and installed to the Windows partition. I used Ubuntu, and manually created my partitions as I did not like the choices Ubuntu used. One important item was the Grub install. I installed Grub to the Windows (Linux) partition.
The boot up process is a little convoluted but it works. rEFIt will run, showing you your options. You may choose Mac, the Penguin, or a few maintenance type icon choices. Pick the Penguin and you are sent to Grub. On my Mac at least, the only real choice in Grub is choosing Linux. This can be edited out, but it is not a problem to leave it as is either. Once I choose Linux, my Mac becomes a Linux Machine.
It is important you get down to the nuts and bolts level of what goes on to complete the install. Here are a some links for you to read and understand if and before you start the process on your Mac:
If what you have read sounds hazy, and the links make little sense for you, you might look into one of the virtual machine software programs and use them. Virtual machine software runs other Operating Systems inside a program running on a Mac, and not as a separate Operating System. If this sounds like a better option for you, here is a link for a program called a Virtual Box.
One final disclaimer, as with any major changes to your computer, Mac or not, do your home work and verify that what you read and think you understand is correct. This is a high level overview, and probably wrong in important areas, as I wrote it from memory, and we all know how bad memory is. If you have read the links, and you are uncomfortable, let this slide by as something others have done to their Mac’s, but you won’t do with your Mac.
I see a lot of searches for Grub recovery and Grub help. here are some links if you lose Grub on your system.
 The living breathing Grub Here are some links that will hopefully get your computer going again.
Grub Home Page: The main source for everything about Grub
PCLinuxoS Forum article: Great article from a real expert!
Distrowatch Weekly 11 January 2010 Grub recovery: Very good source with a fairly comprehensive list of distribution and recovery iso’s to help.
Super Grub recovery disk: Grub recovery software
Linuxhelp.blogspot.com: Good article to get your system working again.
The best recovery is back up important information and files. Sooner or later your hard drive may crash and nothing will help. Secondly, try not to lose Grub in the first place. Install Linux after Windows, not before.
A side note, if you have a system with Lilo, Grub installs well after Lilo, but Lilo generally is not able to write over Grub.
I change from interest, to interest looking for hobbies that are fun, and also be a brain challenge No matter what our ages, or occupation, we all have a curiosity that drives us ever forward to places we either have never been or have not spent much time in. Lately Chess has caught my interest again.
If you have never played Chess, it is outwardly a simply game with a number of pieces most of which look pretty much alike. Once you understand what those wood or plastic curiosities represent, the game starts to take on new dimensions, and can jump realities if your imagination is up to the task.
The smallest pieces are lowly pawns, peasants of old who were probably conscripted to fight a war they have little chance of living through. Like all men, they have dreams of riches and power. They are the foot soldiers who generally make the first move starting the battle as the two armies stand immobile facing each other. The lighter colored conscripted soldier steps out of the ranks, scoffs at the enemy some yards away, and he pulls down his zipper and begins to mark his territory.
Next out of the ranks and into the fray are usually the Knights. Powerful servants or friends of the King. They ride powerful war horses on the battle field, looking for victims. Generally ruthless in close proximity, they fell pawns and pieces with ruthless cunning, and surprising strength.
Those lanky Bishops are another matter, their allegiance is to the King on the surface, but their habits always leave me wondering who they really serve. Bishops have a long reach in the form of distant power. They may have spies and friends in the enemy camp. Outwardly Bishops appear innocent enough, but they too are killers; with a little more discretion. It seems Bishops kill close up by virtue of their long reach. They get close and poison or stab between the ribs those who thought they were friends. After their fiendish acts, they wrap themselves in their cloaks, and slink off feigning shock and innocence over the ghastly murders.
Out on the edge of the field are the Rooks. They look like simpletons until they have a foe in their sights and they unleash their destructive power raining down death and destruction from far away and up close. Defending possibly many acres of territory, able to traverse the country side carrying their own protection with them, they are much feared by the opposing armies, as well they should be.
The King of course is very powerful in his own right. Young and strong, , directing his armies, and managing to a large extent his own safety. No member of the opposing army wants to get close to the King without some protection from other members of their own army. The King once he decides where his encampment generally does not like to break camp and travel to a new location. There are too many risks for the King to move across the country early in the battle. Plus it does not look Kingly fleeing across the board.
 The Queen is the most powerful piece though it was not always so. Through her cunning and ruthlessness, even the King gives the Queen more than a little respect. With all the power and protection of a Rook, the long arms of a Bishop, and her ear on the gossip channel, the Queen is a formidable enemy most do not want to have the unfortunate pleasure of facing. The Queen’s weakness of course is she is female, and liable to be struck down by a lowly foot soldier if she does not watch her step.
Chess as it is played is also very dynamic. The soldiers take on different roles as the game progresses. They start out scanning the fields looking for the enemy, working as sappers, and snipers, picking away at soldiers who dallied around instead of forming strong defenses with their compatriots.
In the middle game, the blood flows freely. Pieces and foot solders hack, slash, and cry out in pain. Some soldiers on the board are trapped and/or tortured, others are cut down so swiftly they do not even have time to realize they are dying.
Later still, in the end game, the remaining Soldiers become wild dogs, chasing the scent of spilled blood. The few pieces that remain standing at the battles end, work together to hunt down the enemy King, and give him the death he deserves for making their life so miserable.
Occasionally, a foot soldier, a simple pawn, survives the bloodshed and makes it to the far end of the board. For that lowly peasant, the power and riches of the Kingdom await him. With that final step he can ask to be changed into any piece in the battle! Instantly his wishes are granted. Behold his wrath as he is transformed from a nothing, and given the power of a Queen! The enemy King shudders at the sight, knowing his end has come much closer.
At the lowest levels of play, the battles are horrid, slashing, spearing, and hacking. Resembling a rabid pack of wild dogs, hot on the scent of fresh blood, only dimly mindful there is victory and treasure if they win the battle.
On the highest levels of play, chess battles take on a unique form, almost a dance. Perhaps a choreographed ballet, where the battle is not only be fought with precision and maximum effect; the battle can also be visually stunning, carefully crafted to give the look of simplicity. For of course the spectators looking on from the sidelines might imagine their games look as good, and one day they too will rule battlefields around the world.
Talking with strangers is easy once you start to practice. Strike up a conversation wherever you are about what you are doing at the moment. If you are in a grocery line, ticket line, waiting room, hallway, or bus stop make an open ended comment about it to start a conversation.
Engage the other person, with open ended comments. Mention the way the store, is arranged, “I had to walk all over the store to find these few items, you think they would arrange products to make it easier to shop”. Waiting at a bus stop, mention while looking at someone how much you enjoy, or are frustrated by riding the bus.
Cashiers in the checkout line (when not too busy) are great people to talk to. They help carry a conversation because it breaks their boredom for a moment or two. Ask them how their day is going; are they having fun, and is today going better than their last day off? Simple, non specific and non threatening questions are best when learning to talk to strangers.
People usually respond because it is a non threatening question and not about anything they care about too much. Strangers are good people to ask questions of which you would never ask someone you know. Personal problems or delicate situations are made for strangers. Their answer is usually frank and direct, and at times filled with common sense and wisdom. When they answer you about a problem or frustration they are usually talking to it from life experience, and not pulling words out of the air.
If nothing else comes to mind, comment on someones clothing, or hair style, possibly even their shoes if they interest you. Tell them you like their hair, clothes, shoes, and where did they get them? Tell them they seem to have a knack for dressing cute, well, pretty, or smartly, if it is true.
 Stay away from Land Mine Topics. Land Mine Topics are topics that can easily get out of hand, and take the conversation somewhere neither of you really wanted to go to, but now you are there, and you have to find a way out.
Land Mine Topics, are generally about: religion, sex, or politics. These are big hitters for most people, and we all have strong opinions. We will voice them if the opportunity presents itself, and a conversation with a stranger is an opportunity. Strong opinions always meet strong opposition, and if you are not careful, you may find yourself in a heated conversation, rather than a simple chat.
If you are unfortunate to find yourself in such a conversation, there is help available. The easiest thing to do is shift gears and start talking in the third person. This way you won’t make things worse by directing your thoughts or comments to the other person. Change your style of talk to starting with phrases such as: some people, other people, a few people think, act, do, or whatever ending makes sense in the moment.
If there is a rebuttal, meaning the other person is getting excited and still disagrees with you, it is time to bail out of the conversation. If you are fast on your feet, you can change the conversation to something else far away from the current topic, such as, “Hey, look at that little kid, he/she looks lost.” We should move forward little bit, we are blocking the aisle.” For the rest of us a simple, “You have a valid point, I never thought of it that way.” will help you slide away from land mine territory.
If you are really desperate find a reason to leave the conversation. “Hey look, the bus is coming.” “You know, I meant to get pickles, and I almost forgot.” are a few examples of how to get away without being too obvious. No matter how careful you are these awkward moments will happen, so be prepared. It is better to practice alone than have to think under the stress of the moment.
The surest way to become better in talking to others is to practice every chance you get. Find your own two or three general conversation starters, and go from there. Before you know it, you will not even remember you thought you did not know how to talk to people.
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