Eli the Computer Guy

Archive for the ‘Linux’ Category

Ubuntu has one of the easiest ways to create a specific type of Linux server.  Whether you want a LAMP server, a File server, or a mixture of types of servers the tasksel command allows you to do it quickly and painlessly.

To create your Linux server you just install Ubuntu.  You then go into a terminal and run:

 sudo tasksel

After you hit enter a screen will pop up with a number of options on it.  You simply select what server functions you want installed and hit “OK”.  Once you do this all of the appropriate application will be downloaded and installed onto your system.  Using this process you can get a LAMP server up and running in around 30 minutes after starting with a blank computer.

If you are new to Linux, or you just need to get a system up fast this is a great way to go. 

For more information on the command take a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Tasksel

The Turnkey Linux WordPress appliance is very easy to setup and configure.  I downloaded the .iso file, burned a CD and installed the software on my laptop easily.  With little effort or experience you can host your own WordPress blog.

The problem I found was that the appliance uses WordPress 2.5 rather then the latest version.  You can update the software but you have to understand how to use the Linux terminal.

If you just want an easy WordPress installation use this appliance, but I found it easier to build my own LAMP server so that all the software is up to date.

You take a look at it at http://www.turnkeylinux.org/appliances/wordpress

Very simply a LiveCD is a CD that contains a complete, functional operating system.  You are able to boot directly from the CD into a usable computer environment.  There are hundreds of LiveCDs that allow you to perform any number of tasks.

LiveCD’s were first created for the Knoppix distribution (version) of Linux.  Once people liked Knoppix other Linux distributions were turned into LiveCD’s.  After a couple of years there were even Windows based LiveCD’s created using something called BartPE.

LiveCD’s are useful for a number of reasons.  The first is that you can test out different flavors (versions) of Linux without going through the process of installing the operating system.  The second is that it is very useful to use LiveCD’s in troubleshooting broken computers.  Using a LiveCD you can easily perform data recovery, or test to see if a piece of hardware is actually physically broken, or if there is a software issue.  And finally you can use LiveCD’s to allow your kids to surf the internet and you don’t have to worry about them infecting your computer with viruses or malware.

If you have never used a LiveCD you should give it a try.  All you have to do is find a site to download the .iso file for whichever one you would like to use.  You then use Nero, or whichever CD writing software you have, to create the CD from that .iso file.

Then you just put the CD in whichever machine you want to test it on,  (Make sure that BIOS is set so that you boot from the CD first) turn on the machine and test it out.

Please note that not all LiveCD’s work on all systems.  You may very have a LiveCD that fails to boot up your computer.  If this is the case, just find another distribution/ flavor/ version of Linux to try and test it out.

You can use the Ubuntu installation CD as a LiveCD.  Just go to http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download

When the first screen comes up while Ubuntu is booting select “Try Ubuntu Now” option and it will boot without doing anything to your hard drive.

Wubi is a nice piece of software that allows you to install Ubuntu Linux onto any Windows computer, and then allows you to be able to uninstall it just like a regular piece of software.

Basically you just download Wubi.  You then run the setup wizard.  During setup Wubi places all of the Linux files into a single folder under your Programs directory.  It then changes your boot.ini file to allow you to boot into Ubuntu when you restart your computer.

When you restart your computer you will see an option to either boot into Windows, or into Ubuntu.  If you choose Ubuntu then it starts up and you can see how well it runs on your computer.  This is a fully functioning operating system so you can install programs and change settings and they will be there after you reboot.

If you decide you don’t like Ubuntu you can boot into Windows, go to Add/ Remove Programs and uninstall Wubi.  After the uninstall is complete Linux is completely gone.  You do not have to worry about partitions that have been created or any other issues normally associated with dual boot machines.

I like Wubi better then a LiveCD because you get a better feel for how Ubuntu will really run on your computer.

The only issue I have seen is with my main workstation with a 30"” monitor.  Ubuntu fails to boot all the way.   I am sure this is a minor glitch that I could fix if I spent much time on it.  I have installed Wubi on a number of standard laptop computers and have had no issues.