[ale] Help needed for a Non-Profit project - if not Linux thenwill go Windows

Chris Fowler cfowler at outpostsentinel.com
Sun Apr 6 23:25:38 EDT 2003


I would love to hear about this at the next ALE-NE.  I am debating about
converting my firewall to OpenBSD.  This topic would help. 

Chris

On Sun, 2003-04-06 at 23:16, Greg wrote:
> ok, I will try this stuff tonight.  And I just spoke to Aaron.  If you need
> someone to talk at the ALE-NW for April I can bring my OpenBSD firewall in
> and talk about it.  It is an IP-less bridge that uses pf (re-written ipf)
> for the firewall, altq for the bandwidth throttling, NAT, and redirection -
> all in one  program !  And it all has been severly code audited.  Really a
> fine as frog hair set up ! (and BSD licensed, of course).
> 
> Greg
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ale-admin at ale.org [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Geoffrey
> > Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2003 10:39 PM
> > To: ale at ale.org
> > Cc: Watson McKeel; Keld; FreeBytes Director
> > Subject: Re: [ale] Help needed for a Non-Profit project - if not Linux
> > then will go Windows
> >
> >
> > run it the first time with:
> >
> > minicom -s
> >
> > This will provide you a menu to set it up.  You should know the device
> > used from the SuSE configuration.  Set the device to the proper value.
> >
> > Exit the configuration and then try manually dialing a number:
> >
> > atdt770-555-1212
> >
> > If that doesn't work, try typing:
> >
> > AT
> >
> > It should return 'OK'
> >
> > Are you familiar with the AT modem command set?
> >
> > Greg wrote:
> > > how ? I type "minicom" and get nothing back.  Here are some facts
> > > that may help:
> > >
> > > Telepath 28.8 fax modem (from a Gateway pc) US Robotics chipset io ==
> > > 0x210 irq == 5
> > >
> > > The modem is recognized on the hardware inventory under  'isapnp'
> > >
> > > when trying to connect I get the following Kinternet log entries:
> > > Initializing modem Sending ATZ Sending ATQ0 Re-sending ATZ Modem not
> > > responding Connect script failed
> > >
> > > Does this have something to do with wvdial ? I have started smpppd
> > >
> > > Any clues anyone ??
> > >
> > > TIA Greg
> > >
> > >
> > >> -----Original Message----- From: ale-admin at ale.org
> > >> [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Geoffrey Sent: Sunday, April
> > >> 06, 2003 6:42 PM To: ale at ale.org Cc: Watson McKeel; Keld; FreeBytes
> > >> Director Subject: Re: [ale] Help needed for a Non-Profit project -
> > >> if not Linux then will go Windows
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Greg wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Yes, that's how I am doing it.  I went to Suse since it is so
> > >>> easily configurable.  It recognizes the modem, seems to connect,
> > >>> but won't dial out.  I need to do some googling on the type of
> > >>> modem and what it takes to connect.  I am sure that I am not
> > >>> feeding it some variable that it needs.  I have heard of modems
> > >>> that need some customized strings or variables to work.
> > >>
> > >> Try accessing it from the command line with minicom.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>> Greg
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>> -----Original Message----- From: ale-admin at ale.org
> > >>>> [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Geoffrey Sent: Sunday,
> > >>>> April 06, 2003 12:30 PM To: ale at ale.org Cc: Watson McKeel;
> > >>>> Keld; FreeBytes Director Subject: Re: [ale] Help needed for a
> > >>>> Non-Profit project - if not Linux then will go Windows
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Greg wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> BTW  If anyone has modem configuring foo then please share
> > >>>>> the
> > >>>>
> > >>>> knowledge.
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> We are this --->| |<----- close to getting a Linux project
> > >>>>> off
> > >>>>
> > >>>> the ground.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Wish I could be there!  Anyway, I've had very good success with
> > >>>>  SuSE 8.1 and configuring modems.  Use YAST2:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> yast2->Network Basic->Modem configuration
> > >>>>
> > >>>> From there, hopefully it will auto detect the modem.  If not,
> > >>>> then you'll have to configure it manually.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> If it is detected, select to configure/change it.  From that
> > >>>> point, it's pretty straight forward.  I've done this for static
> > >>>> ip as well as dhcp, it works well.
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> Greg Canter
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: ale-admin at ale.org
> > >>>>>> [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Geoffrey Sent:
> > >>>>>> Saturday, April 05, 2003 11:48 PM To: ale at ale.org Cc:
> > >>>>>> Watson McKeel; Keld; FreeBytes Director Subject: Re: [ale]
> > >>>>>> Help needed for a Non-Profit project - if not Linux then
> > >>>>>> will go Windows
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> I'd like to help, but will be out of town.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> One note, I'd be interested in knowing how anyone plans to
> > >>>>>> lock you out of the command line with win98.  If you've got
> > >>>>>> a browser, you fire up command.com and you've got a dos
> > >>>>>> window.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> I've done something very similar to what you're looking for
> > >>>>>>  though.  Had a slide show fire up from boot for my wife
> > >>>>>> during conference week.  It's pretty straight forward, you
> > >>>>>> call startx from rc as the last thing to run. In the
> > >>>>>> .xinitrc file it simply called the browser passing to it
> > >>>>>> the location of the slideshow.  Worked like a champ.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> If you're still looking for assistance late next week I'll
> > >>>>>> be back in town, let me know.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Sorry, I would have loved to get involved on this one.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Greg wrote:
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> I am helping out at a non-profit called Free Bytes
> > >>>>>>> (http://www.freebytes.org) that is providing support to
> > >>>>>>> the
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Atlanta Food
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> Bank for an initial order of 30 computers - out of a
> > >>>>>>> possible
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> future order
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> of several hundred.  We are looking for an OS that can be
> > >>>>>>>  installed on machines that will immediately dial up via
> > >>>>>>> modem to an ISP, have a web browser come up so folks can
> > >>>>>>> use a web based form for ordering food shipments, and the
> > >>>>>>> box must be configured so that it will not
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> allow the user
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> to get to a command line or otherwise play with the
> > >>>>>>> machine. A working model must be done by this week and
> > >>>>>>> not only is there a time
> > >>>>
> > >>>> crunch, but
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> since the first distro we went with (a Slackware derived
> > >>>>
> > >>>> version) failed
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> miserably (only 1 successful install out of 4 machines
> > >>>>>>> and
> > >>>>
> > >>>> even then the
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> modem is almost unconfigurable). We need a solid victory
> > >>>>>>> or
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Windows 98 will
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> be installed on all machines (it is an all or nothing
> > >>>>>>> project -
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> only 1 OS
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> will be selected).  MS Windows is our back-up if a Open
> > >>>>>>> Source solution cannot be found.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Here are the HW requirements: RAM:	64 MG (sorry, we have
> > >>>>>>> little ram and the machines
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> have varying slots)
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> HD:	1 GB is the lowest size, we can put other hard
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> drives in the PCs (all
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> less than 1 GB, though) CPU:	Pentium 133 MHz Modem:	We
> > >>>>>>> need an easily customizable interface so we can
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> easily customize
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> it.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Here are the SW requirements Boot to a browser after the
> > >>>>>>> X windows comes up. GUI (for a browser and for a button
> > >>>>>>> to push that will do a
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> shutdown/halt)
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Need to have good looking fonts on browser. A button to
> > >>>>>>> push that will do a shutdown/halt Can meet the HW
> > >>>>>>> requirements. Easily installable.  I understand that
> > >>>>>>> given enough time
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> any one can figure
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> out how to make a modem work, but we don't have the time
> > >>>>>>> or the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> folks who
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> have a high level knowledge of a *nix to configure the
> > >>>>>>> modems
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> to work.  Our
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> installers have primarily Windows experience and work
> > >>>>>>> primarily
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> on Saturdays
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> for several hours.  A member of the Free Bytes staff will
> > >>>>>>> go out to the field to deliver, configure, and do a field
> > >>>>>>> test of the PC's as well as teach the end users and
> > >>>>>>> supervise the initial install and test.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Time Line: If I cannot find a easily configurable distro
> > >>>>>>> by Sunday
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> night and no one
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> steps up with a viable alternative/solution, then I will
> > >>>>>>> have
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> to call the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> project manager at Free Bytes and tell them to go ahead
> > >>>>>>> with
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Windows 98.  We
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> would like to do a demo this week to the customer with a
> > >>>>>>> Linux
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> box and show
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> how easy it is (think kiosk). If I can get a workable
> > >>>>>>> solution
> > >>>>
> > >>>> by Sunday
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> night I will call and tell the Free Bytes project manager
> > >>>>>>> we
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> can use Linux -
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> with a demo box to follow by mid week.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Current Problems: * HD size: most modern Linux distro's
> > >>>>>>> are horribly bloated
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> and we don't
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> have the time to take out every single thing as well as
> > >>>>>>> the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> fact that the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> minimum for most distro's is about 1.7 GB anyway.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> * Needs to be easily installable.  We may have to do
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> several hundred of
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> these boxen.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> * Time.  We bet on a solution that has not worked out and
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> does not have an
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> easy way to automatically crank up the modem and easily
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> configure the modem
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> so we lost valuable time already.  A solution needs to be
> > >>>>>>>  done
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> ASAP - (in 2
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> days) and a working model by this Wed (so I can have a
> > >>>>>>> working
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> box in the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> project manager's hands by mid week).
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> What I need help with: Suggestions on a good distro. I
> > >>>>>>> intend to try several of my
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> old ones this
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> weekend.  The modern ones (RH and Suse bombed) An already
> > >>>>>>>  scripted distro that can be installed that will
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> provide a kiosk
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> or even just simple window manager, browser and a method
> > >>>>>>> to
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> easily configure
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> the modem. Suggestions on good modem cards and/or
> > >>>>>>> external modems that
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> work well with
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Linux.  I know about the Linux hardware compatibility
> > >>>>>>> list but
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> I want real
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> world advice. Any suggestions on how to EASILY configure
> > >>>>>>> modems. ( I only
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> have experience
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> with TCP/IP and Linux). Any help to come by next Saturday
> > >>>>>>> to put some boxes out the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> door - unless I
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> have to recommend a Windows solution. Either Linux or a
> > >>>>>>> BSD solution is ok.  I know it can be
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> done, I just don't
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> have the time now (already spending 12 hrs at work daily)
> > >>>>>>> to do
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> it and test
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> it myself and Free Bytes needs it soon too.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> What I don't need help with: Any politically motivated
> > >>>>>>> flames.  I don't have the time
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> nor the mind.  The
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> customer wants a simple computer solution and has already
> > >>>>>>>  seen
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> a Windows box
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> and considers it the standard to beat. We need to have a
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> solution that is
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> realistic and will work.  The customer doesn't care about
> > >>>>>>> the
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> how - just the
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> what.  I will not hesitate to recommend a MS solution to
> > >>>>>>> help them feed people. I am sorry, but the hardware and
> > >>>>>>> other requirements are not
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> negotiable.  I
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> really wish we had modern boxes with already installed
> > >>>>>>> <distro
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> here> that
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> automagically just needed the phone # to work, but that
> > >>>>>>> is not
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> the reality.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> What is in the requirements is all we have to work with
> > >>>>
> > >>>> (unless some one
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>>>> donates several hundred bigger/better/faster/newer
> > >>>>>>> computer's
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> in the next 4
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> days).
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> So, can any one help ?  in any way ? even advice on
> > >>>>>>> modems
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> is needed.  It
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> would be nice if several dozen or even a few were to come
> > >>>>>>> by
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> next Saturday
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> to help with installs too, but right now I need to get a
> > >>>>>>> demo
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> working within
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> the requirements. If it passes muster, then we will worry
> > >>>>>>>  about
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> the initial
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> order of 30.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> If you want to help, then please email me at
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> runman at speedfactory.net  If
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> anyone wants to seriously help take on this project AND
> > >>>>>>> CAN
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> REALLY REALLY
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> DONATE THE TIME then just ask and we can talk on the
> > >>>>>>> phone to
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> night - but at
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> any rate I need to give the project manager the word not
> > >>>>>>> later
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> than Sunday
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> night.
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> TIA,
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> Greg Canter
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ Ale
> > >>>>>>> mailing list Ale at ale.org
> > >>>>>>> http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> -- Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user
> > >>>>>> agreement. Think about it...
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> _______________________________________________ Ale mailing
> > >>>>>>  list Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> _______________________________________________ Ale mailing
> > >>>>> list Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> -- Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user
> > >>>> agreement. Think about it...
> > >>>>
> > >>>> _______________________________________________ Ale mailing
> > >>>> list Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> _______________________________________________ Ale mailing list
> > >>> Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >> -- Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
> > >>
> > >> The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user agreement.
> > >> Think about it...
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________ Ale mailing list
> > >> Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________ Ale mailing list
> > > Ale at ale.org http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> > Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
> >
> > The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user agreement.
> > Think about it...
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Ale mailing list
> > Ale at ale.org
> > http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale


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