SCALE 8x - 2010 Southern California Linux Expo - Beginner

Linux Troubleshooting 2: Network

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

In this talk Kyle Rankin will break down network troubleshooting on Linux systems into basic steps and apply them to a few common networking problems.

Troubleshooting is a skill that some people find natural and others have to work at it. Either way it's something everyone gets better at with practice. In this talk, Rankin will break down network troubleshooting on a Linux system into a common set of tests and steps that you can apply to a majority of networking problems. Included will be basics of DNS troubleshooting, Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 troubleshooting, and an example problem solving session.

Troubleshooting is a skill that some people find natural and others have to work at it. Either way it's something everyone gets better at with practice.

In this talk, Rankin will break down network troubleshooting on a Linux system into a common set of tests and steps that you can apply to a majority of networking problems. Included will be basics of DNS troubleshooting, Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 troubleshooting, and an example problem solving session.

Speaker: Kyle Rankin

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Bash Programming

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

Basic to intermediate shell scripting.

One of the big areas wherein Linux and Unix beat out the competition is automation, and bash scripting is foundational to achieving this goal. We'll start with very simple scripts, and then begin to add features like globbing and command substituation, loops and logic. Time permitting, we'll also cover I/O redirection and features for making your scripts recyclable. Lastly, we'll take a peek into how to create a System V service management script from scratch. In this session we'll get an exciting look into the powerful features available in the shell most distributions use by default. Topics: Scripting Basics Expansion Loops Conditionals I/O Redirection System V scripts

Topics:

Scripting Basics
Expansion
Loops
Conditionals
I/O Redirection
System V scripts

Speaker: Andrew Vandever

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Learning python for non-programmers

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

An introduction to python and an overview of its useful applications. Intended for those with little to no experience with programming/pythoneering.

This presentation is a gentle introduction to the free-to-use Python programming language, for beginners from the perspective of a beginner. The talk provides a quick and intuitive tutorial on how to create a simple interactive game using Python. This tutorial will go over the interpreter, basic syntax and semantics in a script, the standard library, and choosing a text editor. Additionally, there will be an overview of Python's efficiency as a dynamic language as well as its many useful applications. The increasingly popular Python can be used for anything from banal tasks to large applications in domains, such as web application development, database access, games, education, and more. The remaining time will be dedicated to a discussion of how to best find suitable learning materials, documentation, and guides (online, books, classes) for new programming languages.

Speaker: Diana Chen

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Get Developing - it's easy.

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

We all know that Linux has some wonderful tools for developing applications. I learnt these tools to become the sole IT support for my business ( a sucessful dental office). I'll tell you what I did, and hopefully inspire you to do the same.

I started writing an application called "openMolar" in November of 2008. openMolar is an application used in my dental practice. To do this I had to learn Python, Qt4, the bazaar version control system, mysql, GNU gettext, and debian packaging. I also learnt to use the Launchpad facilities for code hosting, bug tracking, translation and a PPA repository for ubuntu . In this talk, I hope to give you a basic synopsis of why I chose these particular tools (because, let's face it, there are some fine alternatives to each). I do not claim to be anything other than an enthusiastic hobbyist in any of these areas, but I have successfully used them to get my application to a stage which is working well in a demanding real-life situation. So if you are not developing applications yet, or are doing so using different tools, please come along and hear what I hope is an interesting story of "an application from scratch". p.s. if you are not writing code yet... I will endeavour to change this. If I (a middle-aged dentist) can write working code.. anyone can.

I want to discuss the following items during the talk.

1. Having A problem to solve - a demonstration of my application in use.
2. Choosing a license.
3. Why Python?
4. Why PyQt?
5. Collaborating with others, using launchpad for code hosting and bug tracking.
6. Packaging the app so that you get feedback. Debian packaging and the use of a PPA.
7. Translating into other languages - the GNU gettext tools. Porquoi?
8. the future for the application - can we make money from this?

Speaker: Neil Wallace

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Looking beautiful in print

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

How to make attractive brochures and booklets using open source tools.

At some point in time everyone has been handed a brochure that immediately caught their eye, and another brochure that immediately got pitched in the garbage. Good brochures are part imagination, part enticing copy and part mastery of the tools which make great graphic design possible. In this session you'll learn the basics of using CC images, and how to set up and use templates in OpenOffice.org. If you need to make print brochures and you don't want them to get chucked in the garbage, this session is for you.

Creating brochures to promote your business, user group, and events can be an agonizing adventure in self-doubt. With a few simple graphic design rules, and a few open source tools you can easily make a variety of promotional materials and handouts.

In this session you'll learn how to find and use:
* Creative Commons licensed images.
* OpenOffice.org templates for tri-fold and bi-fold brochures.
* Open source fonts (yes, they exist!).
* Advanced open source applications for sophisticated layouts and custom paper sizes.

Whether you're a graphic designer exploring open source, or an open source expert looking for a little help in making appealing print materials, this session is going to have the information you need to create engaging print materials the open source way.

Speaker: Emma Jane Hogbin

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The Apache Software Foundation: No Jerks Allowed

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

An overview of the Apache Software Foundation

Recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, The Apache Software Foundation has evolved into one of the largest open-source foundations - overseeing over 70 independent projects: including Tomcat, OFBiz, SpamAssassin, Subversion, and Hadoop. In this session, we will review the history and structure of the foundation, and, more importantly, discuss the "societal norms" that help to characterize these projects through "The Apache Way." We will also discuss the growing pains we have encountered as we grew the foundation from a single project into its current state as well as Apache's licensing philosophies, and the business models that are commonly seen with Apache projects.

In this session, we will review the history and structure of the foundation, and, more importantly, discuss the "societal norms" that help to characterize these projects through "The Apache Way." We will also discuss the growing pains we have encountered as we grew the foundation from a single project into its current state as well as Apache's licensing philosophies, and the business models that are commonly seen with Apache projects.

Speaker: Justin Erenkrantz

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Programming Lego Mindstorms with leJOS and Linux

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

Programming Lego Mindstorms with leJOS and Linux

This presentation is an introduction to programming Lego Mindstorms NXT with the open source project leJOS and Linux. The presentation gives an overview of both the Lego Mindstorms NXT and leJOS with a hands on demonstration of installing leJOS and running a leJOS application. The presentation also discusses the endless possibilities both Lego Mindstorms NXT and leJOS provide the audience in creating and controlling their own Lego Mindstorms NXT robots.

The presentation also discusses the endless possibilities both Lego Mindstorms NXT and leJOS provide the audience in creating and controlling their own Lego Mindstorms NXT robots.

Speaker: Steven Doran

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OpenSolaris: The Other White Meat

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

OpenSolaris can offer users a powerful and innovative alternative to traditional community OS choices.

In a world that is owned by Debian, SuSE, and Red Hat distributions why do we need another open source choice at the operating system level? Relatively new (about 5 years) to the open source scene is OpenSolaris. OpenSolaris fills a unique gap that is present in the datacenter and general purpose desktop markets that revolve around the lack of innovation. In a world of “me too” features, OpenSolaris brings a fresh approach to the the table on some very old problems. An Operating System basically sits on a CPU and MEM facilitator, rides on storage of some type, has a runtime, and is accessed by users or their applications. - CPU/MEM access layer - File System/Disk/Storage layer - Runtime layer - User Access layer In this paper we will explore the problems OpenSolaris saw in traditional community based operating systems and explain it's solution for them.

OpenSolaris attacks the four problem areas in an unique manner. Through the remainder of the paper we will examine each of the 4 problems areas declared above. We will look over the historical problems consumers of Operating Systems face and detail how OpenSolaris solves those problems with examples.

1.) CPU/MEM access layer

Kernel = Solaris Kernel
Virtualization = VirtualBox, Xen, Containers, LDOMs

2.) File System/Disk/Storage layer

File System = Zettabyte File System
Universal Storage Framework = COMSTAR

3.) Runtime layer

System Services = Service Management Facility
Fault Management = Fault Management Architectures
Process Diagnostics = Dynamic Tracing
Network Virtualization = Crossbow

4.) User Access layer

User Administration = Java Panels
Windowing Environment = GNOME/compiz
User Applications = Mozilla/OpenOffice/MySQL
Developer = GNU/Netbeans/AMP stack/SourceJuicer
Network Installation = Automated Installer/Distro-Contructor
Software Management = Image Packaging System
Security = Role Based Access, audit, file fingerprint, Least Privilege, Privacy Levels

Speaker: Michael Barrett

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A Basic Introduction to KDE4

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

This is a brief introduction to the KDE 4, including the Desktop and Applications that make Linux fun and easy to use.

This presentation will give a general overview of KDE, the community and the products that this community has created. There will be a brief history of KDE, and then live demonstrations of the KDE 4 Desktop and Applications including: A. The Plasma Workspace B. The K Menu C. The Dolphin File Manager D. Konqueror, the web browser E. Other KDE applications such as K3B, Digikam, Amarok, Koffice, etc. This will be a great opportunity for those that are new to KDE, or even Linux in general to get a taste of what software freedom is all about.

This presentation will give a general overview of KDE, the community and the products that this community has created. There will be a brief history of KDE, and then live demonstrations of the KDE 4 Desktop and Applications including:
A. The Plasma Workspace
B. The K Menu
C. The Dolphin File Manager
D. Konqueror, the web browser
E. Other KDE applications such as K3B, Digikam, Amarok, Koffice, etc.
This will be a great opportunity for those that are new to KDE, or even Linux in general to get a taste of what software freedom is all about.

Speaker: Aaron Johnson

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Linux For Windows Users

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:53 +0000

New to Linux, transitioning from Windows, or just thinking about upgrading to Linux? This session is for you! We answer: Why should I switch? Is Linux right for me? Will Linux work with my hardware and software? Where do I go if I have questions?

Are you are new to Linux, transitioning from Windows, or just thinking about upgrading to Linux? This session will provide you with practical advice for moving to Linux and its applications. The goal is to help make the Linux experience easy for you. * What's in it for me to switch to Linux? * Is Linux right for me? * Prepare for the move to Linux by using cross-platform, Open Source applications while you are still using Windows. * Learn how to move your mail, browser favorites (bookmarks) and documents, painlessly from Windows to Linux. * How to find Linux alternatives for your favorite applications. * Assure yourself that your hardware (computer, printer, router, etc.) will work with Linux. * You are not on your own! Tapping-in to the support network for your new operating system and its applications.

* What's in it for me to switch to Linux?

* Is Linux right for me?

* Prepare for the move to Linux by using cross-platform, Open Source applications while you are still using Windows.

* Learn how to move your mail, browser favorites (bookmarks) and documents, painlessly from Windows to Linux.

* How to find Linux alternatives for your favorite applications.

* Assure yourself that your hardware (computer, printer, router, etc.) will work with Linux.

* You are not on your own! Tapping-in to the support network for your new operating system and its applications.

Speaker: Larry Bushey

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