LinuxQuestions.org - Blogs - archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?u=147095 LinuxQuestions.org offers a free Linux forum where Linux newbies can ask questions and Linux experts can offer advice. Topics include security, installation, networking and much more. en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://e1h7.simplecdn.net/lqcdn/images/questions/images/misc/rss.jpg LinuxQuestions.org - Blogs - archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?u=147095 <![CDATA[The 6th ArchToad's Laws of Scripting]]> http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2385 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:25:17 GMT Preface
"Clarity, Brevity, Generality"
Paterned after the "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" of the French Revolution, these are the watch words with which I introduced a presentation on programming I gave to HLUG (H=Houston) about 4 years ago. I quote them here, 1st because they are appropriate, & 2nd because I want my copyright & other intellectual property claim on the public record.

I have strong opinions on programming, especially scripting & this is my attempt to set some of them down.

Background
This blog entry was triggered by this post of mine. I got to end of what I was writing, & realized that I was going off on a tangent/rant that didn't belong in the thread, but deserved to be preserved.
Quote:
I probably would have made "$LIVECDLABEL" something like "$LABEL" on the theory that the whole thing is about burning a live CD, so "LIVECD" is redundant. I know the idea of short variables flies in the face of C programmers practice, but I think that it works in a bash scripting environment.
. . .
[formula moved & expanded]
The formula I did not post is now:

The Law of Maximum Variable Length
Variables should be as short as possible -- brevity; w/o becoming confusing -- clarity.

Code:
l(V) = s(V)^X / f(V)^Y * Z
where:
l(V) is the minimum allowable length in letters of variable V
s(V) is the span in lines of variable V
f(V) is the frequency of variable V
X, Y, Z are yet-to-be-determined empirical constants

The "math" is tongue in cheek, but the idea is serious. I believe that shorter tokens are easier to understand. I think there a psychological studies that show that this is true. If any reader knows of any, please post a link.


The Law of Capitalization
Unless the scripting language has a specific convention to the contrary, the names of variables should be all UPPERCASE. (It's not shouting because the names are short. :))


The Law of Standard Variable Length
All similar variables should have the same number of characters; even if some must be unnaturally lengthened: "INN & OUT" or "IN_ & OUT". This aids in following the Law of Alignment.


The Law of Alignment
Insert extra space to make things line up -- it's easier to read. This kind of "easier to read" is also quicker to read & w/ better comprehension.


The Law of Indenting
All logical blocks should be indented. (Python indenting syntax should be adopted by all remotely similar languages. The ideal indent is 3 spaces. 2 & 4 are acceptable. 1 space indenting can be used in an extreme case (HTML examples come to mind.) 5 or more spaces are unnecessary. Tabs are an abomination because they cause eyesores, & because they mess block mode in some text editors. Fortunately pr -t -e (RT:)M pr) can fix this. See the section "Code block 4" in http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...23#post3745723


Enough for now, maybe more later ... ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2385 If Gnome and KDE joined forces http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2276 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:13:29 GMT I recently read an otherwise excellent article -- Enduring Roadblocks to Linux Acceptance -- on another site. It contained one statement that I... I recently read an otherwise excellent article -- Enduring Roadblocks to Linux Acceptance -- on another site. It contained one statement that I consider completely bogus. Here is my reply:

"The world would be better off if Gnome and KDE joined forces." I completely disagree.

No, the world would NOT be better off; because many of the best developers from each project would quit & their talents, time, & energy would be lost to Linux desktop development. Some are paid, but many are volunteers; & it is easier to herd cats than to make a volunteer do something. I know: I "own" cats & I work with volunteers. I can on occasion herd the cats, I've never had much luck giving orders to volunteers.

My friend & original Linux mentor Steve Musacchia also used to complain about the confusion that Linux diversity brings to new users. He would suggest that Gnome had proved its point & KDE is now under a Free License, & therefore Gnome should disband & its developers join KDE. In his mind this would eliminate confusion, duplication, & wasted effort. He forgot that much, if not most, of Linux & Linux software is the product of love of the project. The existence of any given project within Linux creates the time & energy devoted to it, & doesn't take anything from other projects. To think otherwise, to believe that volunteers' time is finite or limited, is to apply the wrong economic model to volunteerism.

As long as Linux & its software uses the GPL & other free licenses, this will be true. Diversity cannot be prevented. This is by design. Bill Gates & Steve Ballmer might say with malice of forethought. </rant> ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2276 Clonezilla Live http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2035 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:29:49 GMT I lead the Samba & Network Administration SIG (Special Interest Group) at HAL-PC (www.hal-pc.org) here in Houston. For the last few sessions we have been in a "Disaster Recovery Arc" -- trying out various Free Software/Open Source bare metal back-up & restore software. Last Saturday, June 6, 2009, one of our members gave an excellent presentation on Clonezilla Live.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonezilla
http://www.clonezilla.org/

Another one of our members had previously made us an XP "guinea pig" box, so Juan Carlos backed it up to a 16G USB flash drive using his Clonezilla LiveCD.

To show that he really had backed it up, I then installed "Service Pack Omega" (SimplyMEPIS 7) on it, & we rebooted to MEPIS to prove that all of the "Winders" infection was gone. Unfortunately, to prove that Clonezilla works, we then had to restore the "infection" from the USB flash drive w/ the LiveCD & reboot to XP, showing that the restoration had indeed taken place.

It worked easily & just as we expected.

I only regret not making a backup of the SimplyMEPIS install to use in future tests.

We did not have the time, or 2nd box set up, to play w/ the Clonezilla Server -- maybe in a future session.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRBL
http://drbl.sourceforge.net/ ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=2035 HAL-PC Elections for the Board of Directors http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=1912 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:33:18 GMT Every Spring HAL-PC elects roughly one half of the Board of Directors, I am running for re-election. I am in the midst of writing my candidate's statement, which is due today. I realized that I may have more to say during the campaign "season", so I am reserving this spot for additional information.
-- Rick Archibald

Edit 2009/09/14:
The election is long since over. The reform group ran unopposed &, of course, won. When I started this entry, we didn't yet know if anyone was going to run against us, & I needed to provide a personal forum to counter any FUD from the potential opposition.

Thanks to all HAL-PC members who voted. ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=1912 <![CDATA[The Sphynx & viruscomix]]> http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=1784 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:01:06 GMT I recently followed a link to viruscomix in a post here @LQ, there I discovered a set of 10, so far, strips featuring "The Sphynx". The premise being how would the Sphinx of the OEdipus legend function in modern society. I wanted to keep a list of them:

_1 OEdipus Redux (oedipus redux)
_2 The Further Adventures of The Sphynx (not really)
_3 Friday Evening with The Sphynx (monsters playing poker)
_4 The Ongoing Further Adventures of The Sphynx (Sphynx IV)
_5 Video Store Sphynx (Sphynx V)
_6 Pizza Hut Sphynx (Sphynx the Sixth)
_7 The Further Additional Adventures of The Sphynx (Macerator)
_8 There's no good acting, there's only good casting. (Sphynx VIII)
_9 The Further Adventures of The Sphynx (Sphynx IX)
10 The Yet More Adventures of The Sphynx (Sphynx X)
11 Bored All Day (Thus misspoke Zarathustra)

Wikipedia article: "Sphinx" ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=1784 <![CDATA[VGA Resolution Codes for GRUB & Lilo]]> http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=830 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:53:05 GMT http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-general-1/smaller-console-font-609125/ raises the issue of how do I set, at boot, the resolution of my... http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...e-font-609125/ raises the issue of how do I set, at boot, the resolution of my consoles (tty's); not just during boot, but for afterwards too.

This got me thinking about a chart of the "vga=" codes that are available.

Googling:
"VGA Resolution" Chart
got these 2 useful answers:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/05...en-resolution/
http://justlinux.com/forum/showpost....83&postcount=5

Here is my composite of these charts:
Code:
  VGA Resolution Codes for GRUB & Lilo
--- Depth --
Colors  bits  640x480  800×600  1024×768  1152×864 1280×1024  1600×1200
   256    8   vga=769  vga=771   vga=773   vga=353   vga=775    vga=796
 32000    ?   vga=784  vga=787   vga=790   vga= ?    vga=793    vga= ? 
 65000   16   vga=785  vga=788   vga=791   vga=355   vga=794    vga=798
 16.7M   24   vga=786  vga=789   vga=792   vga=795   vga=799
If anyone has a link to a more complete or more authoritative list, or the has any of the missing info., please post it in a comment.

Edit: That means post it in a comment HERE, not as an unreadable PM. TIA ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=830 Closing duplicate posts http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=829 Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:06:25 GMT 1st, thank you to Jeremy & all the Mods, they make this an orderly & productive place to hang out.

Background note: My main way of interacting w/ LQ is through my subscription to the daily "0-reply threads" e-mail. Therefore, my problems arise when I click on an entry in that e-mail & find a closed thread which has no references to its continuation, or, worse, gives the "Invalid Thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator" error msg.

While anyone who makes duplicate post in clear violation of the rules may be, in your private opinion, a/an/uno: <!--break-->
  1. new member in need of gentle guidance :)
  2. stupido
  3. moron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron_(psychology))
  4. imbecile
  5. idiot
  6. malicious arsehole
and therefore, except for a), deserving of the punishment that results when his/her duplicates are summarily closed or deleted. However, it is not only the OP who is affected; the rest of, innocents mostly, also suffer by not being able to follow & fully participate in the overall discussion.

I respectfully request that when closing a thread you try to follow these guidelines.
  • Never do it in way that results in the "Invalid Thread specified. ..." msg. Always put in a visible explanation.
  • Never close a duplicate w/o a link to the remaining "live" thread.
  • Evaluate the duplicates for content -- close the one w/ the fewest replies, even if it then needs to be moved to a different forum.
  • If there are replies w/ real answers in more than one (duplicate), merge them.
  • If you don't have the time, energy, or patience to do all this, can't you report your post so another Mod., or you yourself at another time, can finish what ought to be done?
  • Feel free to ask (another Mod.) for help.

========================================
These are some thoughts/musings on ways of closing duplicate posts & the problems they can cause. For the moment, this is a scratch pad for my ideas. Ultimately, when the content & tone are right, I'll make it more widely public.

-----------------------------
I posted similar thoughts here:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?p=2992087#post2992087 ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=829 The Coolest Things I Have Done in Linux http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=681 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:59:16 GMT One of the greatest, potentially-too-long-&-boring-but-it-isn't, threads is here. I have spent several hours over the last 2 days reading it all & taking notes. I wound up w/ more items than I thought proper to put in the thread. So I chose 3 & posted them.

In addition to:
  • bash indirect variables
  • "Moving to Linux" class
  • "Linux for Cowards" (tm) presentation

Here are some that I didn't post:
<!--break-->
(Why doesn't this -- "break" tag -- work? Where are the instuctions for blog specific tags in LQ?)
  • discovering HLUG (Houston TX)
  • Windows free since May 2005 (Where's my chip??? :))
  • dial-up sharing w/ a headless RH 7 box controlled by PuTTY
  • extracting my (dynamic) public IP address from my old SMC router w/ cURL
  • "hand rolled" (w/ mcedit) website, hosted at home (since taken down)
  • SmoothWall Express 2 firewall in front of my LAN
    • no other permanent AV or other protection on my girlfriend's Win box
    • custom dnsmasq.conf to block ads, tracking cookies, etc. by domain
    • bash/awk scripts to extract domains from blocking hosts files found on the Web
  • (ongoing) run a weekly Linux Workshop
    • recent average attendance: ~12
    • 50+ dual-boot installs
  • LQ: 1800+ posts, 0 threads started (w/o too much thread hijacking :))
  • started a Samba & Open Networking SIG at HAL-PC
  • 1st unassisted Debian (Sarge) install. At the time, I could do Mandrake, SuSE, even RH w/ no outside help.
  • transferred files between 2 off-site boxen using Midnight Commander w/ 1 pane "fished" into each
  • my only (so far) desktoplinux.com post (a comment on a distro comparison article) was sent to Warren Woodford of MEPIS for comment. They recently published his point-by-point responses. I feel like I've been slashdotted.
]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=681 Pastebins http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=630 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:29:20 GMT From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastebin

"A pastebin, also known as a nopaste, is a web application which allows its users to upload snippets of text, usually samples of source code, for public viewing. It is very popular in IRC channels where pasting large texts is considered bad etiquette."

Mostly, I am writing this to remind myself of the name of these things, I just spent most of an hour reading my old posts looking for a place where I had referred to them.
<!--break-->
<rant>
However, I also wish more of us here @ LQ would learn about & use these -- just as large blocks of text is already considered bad etiquette in IRC channels, it should be here too; & for the reasons: clutter & distraction. All too often someone will paste a huge config file into a "Code:" block (or, worse, 3 huge config files into 3 "Code:" blocks :)) when only a few lines are relevant. The trouble is the poster doesn't (yet) know what is relevant & thinks "better too much than too little". The result is a post that is 95% junk in terms of extracting the nature of the problem & the relevant info to solve it.

If, instead, the relevant config file(s) (w/ many irrelevant lines) are put in a pastebin, with the lines numbered -- an automatic feature, then everyone who wants to plow through it/them can & then refer to only the relevant lines in posts.

I believe that this would help helpers get to the heart of the problems they are trying to solve; &, therefore, get helpees better, quicker answers.
</rant>

Here are links to 2 pastebins:
  • http://pastebin.com/
    the original according to Wikipedia
  • http://pastebin.ca/
    the one I have used

Equivalent sites for images:
http://img214.imageshack.us/ ]]> archtoad6 http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog.php?b=630