Big Trev

After running ubuntu on my main box for 12 months now (who would have thunk it?), and using it as a bit of a sandbox, I’ve decided to do a re-install as it was ending up with all sorts of crap on it, and starting to run a bit average.

All of these commands are without "sudo" in front of them - I tend to get into a terminal, sudo -s to login as root, and then hammer away. 

So, I’m going to document from a fresh build what I do, for when I need to do it next time!  And I might just help someone out there in the process.

1. Set my sources to ftp.iinet.net.au (my ISP, free data and faster).  This is done by doing a find/replace in /etc/apt/sources.list

2.  apt-get update, and then apt-get upgrade to get all the new stuff on there.

3. Install Microsoft fonts.  Some instructions here:    http://ubuntu.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/installing-microsoft-fonts/
All you do is run

apt-get install msttcorefonts

and then

fc-cache -fv

4. Setup my printer.  It’s a HP 2300dn, with a Jetdirect card.   Just go to System, Administration, Printing, and Add.  It detects the printer on the network (which is cool because I can’t remember the IP, and can’t be bothered looking for it!), detects the model, finds the driver, and installs.  Setting up a printer like this is still one of the kick-arse, "gee-whiz-that’s-fkn-cool" things I find with Ubuntu!

5. Add WINS support (not sure if I still need this, but it’s worked in the past):
edit /etc/nsswitch.conf

change the line that says

hosts: files dns (and maybe some other stuff)

to have wins in the line as well.

Then sudo apt-get install winbind

6. Setup my file share, which happens to be on a Windoze box (at the moment).  From here: http://industriousone.com/mounting-windows-shares-ubuntu

First off, make sure you can browse to the Windows share and connect to it (Places, Connect to Server)

And I’m putting this into /media, so it shows in Places.

apt-get install smbfs

mkdir /mnt/fileshare

Add to /etc/fstab
//server/share /mnt/fileshare cifs exec,credentials=/etc/cifspw 0 0

create a file /etc/cifspw, and enter the following (and save it)
username=bigtrev
password=YouGottaBeKidding

Then run:
chmod 600 /etc/cifspw

and then
mount -a

7. Install & configure SBackup - it’s easy-as to setup, but here’s the wiki:  http://sbackup.wiki.sourceforge.net/

apt-get install sbackup

It shows up in System, Administration as "Simple Backup Config".  Setup with daily backups to a remote share.

8. Setup a static IP, through System, Preferences, Network connections.  Select the interface, and edit it.

 

–

I think that’s about it for the moment, but I might add to this as I find more stuff.

Sick of incompetent drivers ruining your road-going experience (at best), or causing you to have near-death experiences (at worst)?  A little-known piece of legislation in Victorian road law, the Incompetent Road User Identification Act 2008, can help you identify those most likely to kill you or piss you off.

The act states that, by law, drivers identified as incompetent, badly skilled or downright dangerous must identify their cars.  This can be done through one of the following approved methods:

- "Baby On Board", "Child/children On Board" signs, stickers or other variations.

- Stickers with the slogan "HSV - I just want one"

- A hat on the rear parcel shelf.  Drivers designated as "Extremely Hazardous Drivers" are compelled to make this a bowling hat.

- A rear spoiler, not less than 25 cms from the boot lid of the car, and not less than 15 cm wider than the widest point of the vehicle. 

- Quantities of soft toys and/or novelties affixed or placed to the dashboard and rear parcel shelf.

- Driving of a large "Sports Utility Vehicle" or "Four Wheel Drive" of German manufacture.  The vehicle MUST NOT show any signs of EVER having been offroad, nor show signs of any intention of being taken offroad. 

- Tissue box placed on the parcel shelf.  "Extremely Hazardous Drivers" must also affix a knitted or woven tissue box cover.

- Shopping list of automotive brand stickers affixed to the sides of the vehicle (eg. aem/tanabe/greddy/typeR/si/mugen), and/or the top of the front or rear windshields.

- Drive a white, one-tonne van

 

Hope this helps, and happy motoring!