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Welcome to the second issue of the ArchLinux Weekly Newsletter. Here you'll find an "at a glance" look at everyone's favorite distribution (don't let those gentoo folk tell you otherwise).
Front Page News:
1. ncurses Upgrade
When upgrading to ncurses 5.4, pacman will spit out an error:
sh: error while loading shared libraries: libncurses.so.5: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
Don't worry about it - it's completely non-fatal. It's because ncurses is temporarily removed when /bin/sh tries to run ldconfig.
http://www.archlinux.org/news.php#45
2. PHP: Config file php.ini moved
Since version 4.3.4-6, php no longer reads its configuration from /usr/etc/php.ini, instead it reads /etc/php.ini. If you've modified php.ini in the past, after installing php-4.3.4-6, simply overwrite the default one with your customized config from /usr/etc:
mv /usr/etc/php.ini /etc/php.ini
http://www.archlinux.org/news.php#44
Publicity:
Andrew Barilla has reviewed ArchLinux over at osnews.com this week. It was a rather positive review, and spurred an interesting discussion in the comments section about Gentoo vs ArchLinux.
http://osnews.com/story.php?news_id=5971
This Week on the Forum:
1. Whol asked the question "Are there lots of new users this week?" The answer was yes, the osnews review gave Arch a little attention, and attracted some new faces. This also happened when I reviewed ArchLinux a few months ago. http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2551&start=0
2. Blaasvis wrote a draft of an ALSA-setup how-to. He received some helpful feedback, and the document is maturing. Read the how-to at http://www.soulfly.nl/~arjan/archlinux/alsa-setup.html , and the thread at: http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2544
3. Pink Chick (and others) are itching for a MONO(http://go-mono.org) package. The TUR's were busy this week, but you should see a package in a TUR or Staging sometime real soon. http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2626 and http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2629
4. Twm informed us that there is a possible issue with the new reiserfsprogs version that could prevent someone from booting off a ReiserFS partition. This problem seems to affect only a few people. If you need it, there is an older version of reiserfsprogs in twm's TUR. http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2614
5. Computrius brought up the discussion for a pacman GUI again, similar to Click n' Run or Synaptic. Most Archer's are against this, claiming that the console interface is easy enough. Pacman will be turned into a library at some point for easy GUI making, but this is far down the road. http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2608
6. Xentac finally finished the official specification for becoming a TUR. http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?t=2623
This Week on the Mailing List
1. Matt Niswonger was having trouble with ARTS and KDE 3.2. It was using 80-100% CPU. The solution was to change ARTS from autodetect to "alsa". http://www.archlinux.org/pipermail/arch … 00777.html
This week in Dev Land (by Jason Chu)
1. The quest for good docs is still going on. We're still considering the software. Eric is trying to set up a plone instance and we're going to try to convince Judd to go with that.
2. Roberto was found. Last week we were looking for him because he hasn't been very active. He replied to the email telling us he's been really busy and doesn't have internet at home. We're going to try to pick up the slack of his inactivity. Luckily we have a new packager coming very soon (all we're waiting for is him now).
3. Manolis suggested some very complicated and convoluted way for all browsers to share plugins. We decided against it because it was too complicated and convoluted.
4. A really easy method for creating source packages (if we ever wanted or needed to) was brought up by me. Turns out Judd had thought of it before and no one was really against it. When the time comes, we'll be able to add it with no problems at all. We just haven't bothered yet.
5. An acceptable solution to python's love-hate relationship with xfree86 and tk was reached. We're just waiting for a response from dorphell (the maintainer) about when/if he'll make the change. My guess is that he'll do it next time there's an upgrade. No need to push it any sooner.
On another note (and I can do this because I'm writing this section), jason@archlinux.org is working again. I changed my router to an ArchLinux based machine (yay!) and my IP changed. If I didn't reply to some email from you in the last week and a half, just send it again. As long as I'm not ignoring you, I'll probably reply.
Package Highlights
1. Mozilla Firefox 0.8 was released and packaged this week. This is the former Mozilla Firebird renamed (again). It's got plenty of new features, and seems to be the most popular browser for Arch (my observation). Read all about it http://mozilla.org
FAQ of the Week
Q: How do I get ALSA Working?
A: This question was asked almost too many times on the forum. Luckily, there is now a how-to available at: http://www.soulfly.nl/~arjan/archlinux/alsa-setup.html
Q: Is ArchLinux right for me?
A: Maybe. ArchLinux is meant for the intermediate to advanced Linux user (or the beginner who REALLY wants to learn) who does not mind using the console and config files. If you've never compiled a kernel or even worried about compiling, ArchLinux may not be right for you. Arch wasn't made painful and there is a helpful bunch of people on IRC, but don't expect us to give you a Linux 101 course.
Bugs Opened This Week:
1. pacman -Syu behaviour
2. Reiserfsprogs 3.6.12 can't mount partitions read only
3. Gnome related/dependant packages wont compile without gnome-common
4. gdm fails to run due to libglade
5. small firefox changes
6. flashplugin be updated to reflect firebird's new name change
7. Install Documentation - pacman
8. libgnomeui needs depends on gnome-common
9. gnome-audio missing from GNOME packages
Bugs Closed This Week:
1. pacman -R daemontools removes/destroys inittab
2. Juk not part of KDE Multimedia in 3.2
3. files in /usr/share/applications
4. php's conf files in /usr/etc
5. squid does not support ssl
ArchStats Update
To participate, visit http://archstats.coding-zone.com/
Number of registered systems: 123
Date first system was registered: 20031017 [22:24:30]
Most recent update occurred: 20040215 [18:18:52]
Longest recorded uptime: 159 days, 22 hours, 51 minutes, 55 seconds.
Average uptime: 8 days, 9 hours, 16 minutes, 56 seconds.
Least packages installed on a system: 44
Average installed packages: 252
Most packages installed on a system: 563
New Packages:
jhead 2.1-1
libnasl 2.0.9-1
nessus-core 2.0.9-1
nessus-libraries 2.0.9-1
nessus-plugins 2.0.9-1
samba 3.0.2-2
ncurses 5.4-1
mplayer 1.0pre3-2
mysql 4.0.18-1
ecasound 2.3.2-1
libxml2 2.6.6-1
hdparm 5.5-1
trackballs 1.0.0-1
cscope 15.5-1
ngrep 1.40.1-3
libpcap 0.8.1-2
mutt 1.4.2-1
sodipodi 0.34-1
clamav 0.66-2
fortune-mod-buffy 0-1
libdaemon 0.5-1
ifplugd 0.22-1
mozilla-firefox 0.8-1
naim 0.11.6.6-1
streamtuner 0.11.1-1
squid 2.5.STABLE4-3
libjpeg 6b-3
rssh 2.1.1-1
reiserfsprogs 3.6.12-1
php 4.3.4-6
blassic 0.8.1-1
gkx86info 0.0.2-1
cpudyn 0.6.1-1
metalog 0.7-2
lvm2 2.00.08-1
device-mapper 1.00.07-1
dillo 0.8.0-1
kernel26-scsi 2.6.2-2
makepasswd 0.4.2-1
kdemultimedia 3.2.0-2
kdebase 3.2.0-2
bincimap 1.2.6-1
dvd+rw-tools 5.17.4.8.6-1
mutt-devel 1.5.6i-1
lynx 2.8.5-1
multitail 3.0.6-1
mjpegtools 1.6.1.93-1
mplayer-plugin 1.2-1
netspeed-applet 0.9.2-1
mrtg 2.10.13-1
Packages in Staging
To use this repository and the TURs, visit http://tur.berlios.de
filelight 0.6.4-1
rasmol 2.7.2.1-1
dbp 0.5.7-s1
abcm2ps 3.7.3-1
potracegui 0.3-s1
atitvout 0.4-1
amule 1.2.4-1
dcraw 1.161-s1
bogofilter 0.17.0-s1
fftw3 3.0.1-1
glabels 1.93.1-1
gp 0.26-1
jhead 2.1-s2
ion-devel 20030814-1
libcapsinetwork 0.2.5-s1
labplot 1.2.2-1
lcab 1.0b9-1
hwd 1.6-2
libchipcard 0.9.1-1
libksba 0.4.7-1
liblrdf 0.3.1-1
libofx 0.6.4-1
gtk-smooth-engine 0.5.6-s1
lzo 1.08-1
lzop 1.01-1
mage 6.30.030607-1
mpck 0.04-1
pixieplus 0.5.4-1
potrace 1.2-1
prekin 6.30.030607-1
maxima 5.9.0-1
tla 1.1-2
stellarium 0.5.1-1
lwm 1.2.0-1
ascii 3.4-1
tse3 0.2.7-1
windowlab 1.21-s1
universalkopete 0.1-1
xv 3.10a-1
avidemux 2.0.20-1
smclone 0.55-1
kbarcode 1.6.1-s1
barcode 0.98-1
gtick 0.2.12-1
bs 2.6-1
mp3burn 0.3.1-1
shaaft 0.5.0-1
kobodeluxe 0.4pre8-1
hd2u 0.8.1-2
monopd 0.9.0-s1
giftui 0.3.1-1
gurlchecker 0.6.4-s1
ttf-cheapskate 0.1-2
libxml++ 1.0.0-1
chromium 0.9.12-1
passepartout 0.4-1
gnome-cups-manager 0.17-1
libgnomecups 0.1.6-1
logjam 4.2.4-2
xpenguins_themes 1.0-1
libmath++ 0.0.3-1
gtkatlantic 0.3.2-1
ms-sys 1.1.1-1
rox-system 1.9.0-s1
smb4k 0.3.1-1
ksambaplugin 0.5b2-1
materm 0.1-1
seahorse 0.7.3-2
parse-yapp 1.05-1
libavc1394 0.4.1-1
xml-dom 1.43-1
xml-regexp 0.03-1
xml-xql 0.68-1
inkscape 0.36-1
liferea 0.4.6b-1
panorama-tools 2.6bml12-s1
sylpheed-gtk2 0.9.8a-s1
kaffeine 0.4.1-s1
amarok 0.8.3-s1
kile 1.6.1-1
mlview 0.6.2-1
gossip 0.7.1-s1
loudmouth 0.15.1-s1
gtodo 0.13.5-s1
gnome-alsamixer 0.9.6-s1
That's it for this week, stay tuned for more exciting ArchLinux news.
-- Jason Chu and Ben Mazer
"Contrary to popular belief, penguins are not the salvation of modern technology. Neither do they throw parties for the urban proletariat."
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