CD Burning on Linux

Below is a screenshot I took from my setup for burning a copy of Debian Etch using K3b.

If anyone out there is looking for CD burning software for Linux, I would recommend K3b (k3b.org), which worked right out of the box (that being the apt-get box), auto-detected cd burner and write speed.

Notes:

• Used K3b in Ubuntu Edgy on an HP zd8000 Laptop.
• Burned a copy of Debian Etch RC1 successfully.

Custom Debian Linux Kernel Debian package w/ initrd

My attempt to build a new Debian Linux Kernel was thwarted by initrd! Thanks to Diane Trout mentioning that when using make-kpkg, to build a kernel image, doesn't automatically make an initrd image. I investigated further and found out if you use --initrd, it will automatically generate the initrd image.

Below are the instructions for building a custom Debian Linux Kernel Debian package:

1) Install the following Debian packages (Need access to Universe repository for Ubuntu):

• kernel-package
• initrd-tools

2) Get the kernel source (choose version, I used 2.6.17):

apt-get install linux-source-2.6.17

3) Decompress /usr/src/linux-source-2.6.17.tar.bz2

4) cd /usr/src/linux-source-2.6.17

5) Switch to root if you haven't done so already (sudo -s)

6) type 'make menuconfig' to configure your kernel

It may require installing libncurses5 and libcurses5-dev.

7) type 'make-kpkg --revision 1.0 --append-to-version -custom --initrd kernel_image'

Feel free to change the revision number or and use something other than custom (or omit --revision and --append-to-version to use defaults).

8) type 'cd ..'

9) dpkg --install linux-image-2.6.17-custom_1.0_amd64.deb

Except using the .deb package name which was generated on your computer.

10) Reboot and enjoy!

Global Warming: An Inconvenient Truth

I made the previous two posts on "Global Warming" from videos (and descriptions) I found on Google Video. I have been interested in the effects of "Global Warming" for some time now. The movie An Inconvenient Truth sparked my attention again. I highly recommend seeing the movie especially if you haven't paid much attention to the "Global Warming" topic.

For those of you who don't believe that "Global Warming" is happening, I have this question for you:

Are you willing to bet life on this planet as we know it, because you don't believe Global Warming is happening? Maybe the outcome of Global Warming isn't as extreme as some may believe it to, but maybe it will be worse. If Global Warming is real and we treat it has a scientific hoax, and don't take action. Isn't that worse than the scientists being wrong about the how extreme the changes will be on our planet? Isn't it work taking action now "just in case"?

The Denial Machine

In the past few years, a hurricane has engulfed the debate about global warming. This scientific issue has become a rhetorical firestorm with science pitted against spin and inflammatory words on both sides. This documentary shows how fossil fuel corporations have kept the global warming debate alive long after most scientists believed that global warming was real and had potentially catastrophic consequences. It shows that companies such as Exxon Mobil are working with top public relations firms and using many of the same tactics and personnel as those employed by Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds to dispute the cigarette-cancer link in the 1990s. Exxon Mobil sought out those willing to question the science behind climate change, providing funding for some of them, their organizations and their studies.

Blue Man Group on Global Warming

Description from Google Video:

Your attention please. Thank you for choosing earth as your planetary vehicle. We hope you enjoy the many wonderful features of this planet, as you hurtle through the cosmos. Please note, that in the event of continued inaction in the face of global warming - your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. Please take a moment to locate this planet's emergency exits. As you can see, there aren't any!