I’m using Empathy inside of Ubuntu 10.10 Meerkat Maverick, but should work on any distro that has Empathy.

If you need to add freenode to the list the details are:
address: irc.freenode.net
port: 6667

Alis is a channel list search bot. For a list of commands she accepts, type in “HELP” without quotes and she’ll tell you the commands she accepts. The example I used in the video are:
LIST *ubuntu*
LIST *programming*

Hope this helps some people out, if needs be I will quite happy redo the video if people think it is really bad. Any comments on something I may have missed feel free to post them here or on the YouTube video. Thanks.

Next blog post should hopefully have some irssi stuff, and how to split up conversations. Still need to do more fiddling with it before I do actually do a write-up about it though.

So in light of this, the lovely people at #ubuntu-uk have suggested I try and setup IPv6 tunnelled over IPv4 via one of many different IPv6 brokers… and I can honestly say I have successfully managed to do so! Not just for one machine, but for any machine that gets connected to my network! Score! \o/

Before I go on, as usual, I like to take this opportunity to thank the #ubuntu-uk community (mainly through IRC) for all their help and support. The main man himself that helped me through it is MartijnVdS, without his patience and help I think I would probably still be sat trying out millions of different combinations trying to get it to work. I can’t forget shauno, since me and him were talking about IPv6 (along with MartijnVdS and possibly a few others). Shauno has also helped when I was struggling by linking me to some useful places (when most people would normally be asleep). Thank you all :). If I’ve missed anyone out, please let me know.

I’m going to essentially walk through the settings and configuration as best as I possibly can (the way I understood it as people were trying to help me), and hopefully the information here will help others get started and setup too :).

Some info on World IPv6 Day is in the spoiler.
Show Spoiler ▼

Let’s begin…

Now there are two (2) ways you can get an IPv6. You can either set each machine individually, or you can setup a machine as an IPv6 router (or IPv6 announcer) to dish out IPv6 to all machines that are capable of doing so on your network. The second method is the way I have things setup at home, however as I was learning I did do the first method first. It is entirely up to you which one you want to do, and I will be listing them both. Just click on the section you’d like to follow.

Note: Both have similar steps. Also note, using a broker you’ll essentially be assigned 2^64 address (which is a HUGE number of IPv6′s that you can have for your devices!)

Show How To Setup Individually ▼

You may need to set your router to allow pings, otherwise you cannot create a tunnel.

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

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# This is for IPv6 tunnelbroker.net (HE)
auto he-ipv6
iface he-ipv6 inet6 v4tunnel
        endpoint 216.45.64.21
        address 2001:470:beef:a3d::2
        netmask 64
        up ip -6 route add default dev he-ipv6
        down ip -6 route del default dev he-ipv6

216.45.64.21 = Server IPv4 address
2001:470:beef:a3d::2 = Client IPv6 address (notice that the /64 is taken out, this is used in the netmask section).

sudo ifup he-ipv6

ping6 ipv6.google.com -c 5

System -> Preferences ->Network Connections

Address =Routed /64 (minus off the /64 part, and replace with 1)
Prefix = 64
Gateway = Client IPv6 address (minus the /64 part).

Show How To Setup as a Router ▼

You may need to set your router to allow pings, otherwise you cannot create a tunnel.

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

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# This is for IPv6 tunnelbroker.net (HE)
auto he-ipv6
iface he-ipv6 inet6 v4tunnel
        endpoint 216.45.64.21
        address 2001:470:beef:a3d::2
        netmask 64
        up ip -6 route add default dev he-ipv6
        down ip -6 route del default dev he-ipv6

216.45.64.21 = Server IPv4 address
2001:470:beef:a3d::2 = Client IPv6 address (notice that the /64 is taken out, this is used in the netmask section).

sudo ifup he-ipv6

ping6 ipv6.google.com -c 5

sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

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# Uncomment the next line to enable packet forwarding for IPv6
#  Enabling this option disables Stateless Address Autoconfiguration
#  based on Router Advertisements for this host
net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding=1

sudo apt-get install radvd

sudo nano /etc/radvd.conf

interface eth0
{
        AdvSendAdvert on;
        prefix 2001:470:cafe::/64
        {
                AdvOnLink on;
                AdvAutonomous on;
        };
};

2001:470:cafe::/64 = Routed /48 address
IMPORTANT: Please note, that the number they give you ends in /48 however we need to set in the config this as /64.
So instead of putting 2001:470:cafe::/48, we're putting 2001:470:cafe::/64.

sudo /etc/init.d/radvd restart

ping6 ipv6.google.com -c 5

ip -6 addr

Show Automatically Assign IPv6 ▼

System -> Preferences ->Network Connections

Hope this guide helps you, and was informative at the same time. Please feel free to post any problems you may have in the comments, and I’ll try my best to answer them for you :).

Before I go on, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the #ubuntu-uk community (mainly through IRC) for all their help and support. Without them I don’t think I would have learned as much as I did. They helped me get started, and for that I’m really grateful. Some of the people who have helped a considerable amount are: brobostigon; shauno; AlenBell; MartijnVdS; popey; MooDoo; ali1234; and a few others. Thank you all :). If I’ve missed anyone out, please let me know.

I’ve been wanting to get into the server side of things for a long time, and like most who have come from using a Windows environment, doing so can seem like quite a challenge. Mainly because you get so wrapped up in everything being placed in a graphical interface, that you sometimes forget that there is more to the machine than what you actually see.

Let’s take me for example, the most I’ve ever done was tweaked the registry; changed a few configuration files here and there; removed/replaced files and libraries so that things worked better; heck I’ve even did some minor tweaks like placing library files in the same folder as an application to avoid installing a full framework. Thing is, all that wouldn’t have been possible if I couldn’t see anything… or so I thought…

Everything I knew, or have used in the past, was basically using an file management program of some sort, browsing files and directories to find that key file that might do something I may want it to actually do. Once I’ve found it, do a few short-cut commands type in the editor of choice and then see if I can mess with it enough to do what I wanted it to do – and I’m talking about basic config files here. Browsing the directories with a mouse/keyboard makes life so much easier – I can move a folder to one side and have something going on in the other… using my monitor screen space to the fullest. All was great!

However, one has to remember – to obtain a Licence for a Microsoft server O/S isn’t cheap. Heck, it might not even be fully secure! All it takes is for someone to find a vulnerability in any of the applications running to tamper with it, and lets face it. There’s more going on when you have a full graphical suite open at all times (even if you don’t have a monitor attached to it), which means your leaving more holes open in your system. Here is what lead me to my adventure.

I thought, lets try and build a home server using a Linux distro. I mean all that’s running is the main kernels that drives it, a terminal, and possibly a few daemons to keep it all in check. Nothing graphical other than a blinking cursor waiting for your command. Its bound to be more secure! Besides, its Open-Sourced… anything that does go wrong will have a fix eventually before you’ve even realised there was a problem. But hold on, lets rewind a second… “did you just say only a blinking cursor?”, I hear you say. Yes that is correct, I must admit I was a little shocked at first, I mean I’ve known it for a long time that server based distros are only command line based, but to actually be greeted with it was a culture shock for me.

I’ve been so use to using graphical tools for so long, to actually be greeted with a screen that shows “haz@host:~$” and nothing else was strange. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve used the terminal inside ubuntu for years! Mainly for installing/removing/clearing applications (using aptitude) and possibly copying a few tweaks I’ve read online to help fix problems. I’ve never had to navigate and control a system with only CLI tools before though. I mean think about it, if we got rid of every graphical tool we use today and throw ourselves into a pure terminal – most of us would be lost. We all take for granted what our graphical tools actually do behind the scenes that we never think; what is another way to do this, that the system is probably doing for us.

So that’s how it all began… and you know what, for the first time I feel like I am fully in control of what my system is actually doing. I can’t wait until I feel very comfortable using the terminal to finally migrate my existing server over to Linux. That will be the best day once I finally do it.

Currently I just have Ubuntu Server running in a virtual machine inside my existing server, and to access and control it I’m using a tool called ssh inside of a terminal (or on the rare occasion that I’m in Windows, using PuTTY to access it via ssh).

Anyways, I feel I’ve wrote too much on this post… so I might have to put everything I’ve been using into a separate post. I hope you enjoyed reading this, and I hope you all follow me while I take the plunge and finally start learning some new tools and ways to configure and manage my server. I will migrate my server over to Linux soon, and I can’t wait! I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time but I have been too scared to because of the thought of using only a command line interface. For those of you who are also scared, but would like to setup their own server… best way is to do like what I did, install it in a virtual machine and test all you want. Don’t be afraid to break it, I mean after all its a virtual machine – if things go really wrong, format and try again :).

I also have some new stuff I would like to blog about in the coming weeks, its my new adventure into the Open Source world!

More details will come flooding through soon, but lets me just say this… I’m getting really sick of relying on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to do all my home server needs. Time for change. Some command-line love is much needed, and long overdue.

I won’t get into the full ins and outs of the site, basically put anyone can put their original music on their servers for everyone to download – if people like the music, you can donate to the artist via the website.

Oh another note, I’m a full ubuntu convert (finally :D!). By full convert, I mean I use ubuntu every day… I only ever boot into windows when I absolutely have to for whatever reason (e.g. college related stuff, or playing games – but I don’t really play windows-based games much these days anymore).

Here’s a random playlist on Jamendo:

Wonderful quote from Linus Torvalds himself recently (found here):

How is life at the moment? Are you enjoying work at the Linux Foundation in Portland, Ore.?

I’m all happy with my life. The reason I come to Linux.conf.au is it is summer here and freezing in Portland. My job is the same, and I do the kernel and nobody tells me what to do and they pay me for it, which is just the way I like it.

Just goes to show you that despite everyone who tells you that Linux or Open-Source developers don’t get paid for their work – their wrong. You just have to have an interesting project that shows some future value, and you will get paid for your work. Just thought I’d get the myth clarified.

Well, I’ve been trying to look into it and this one quote is by far the best one I’ve seen on the matter (found here comment number 25):

Re: BUT..
by Xanthir, FCD – Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 1:11pm

Incorrect. The GPL states that you must release the source code to people you distribute the program to. If you never distribute it, you never have to share the source, and your improvements remain your own.

However, if you make an improvement to some GPLed code and then use that in your product that you sell, you *do* have to release the source code with it (along with your improvements). As noted by a previous respondent, that’s THE feature of GPL. GPL is a viral license that infects anything that touches it. The point is to eventually make virtually everything GPL, so that we return to the early state of computing where anyone could change any program they had to do what they wished.

This is why the Open-Source model is always overlooked! Everyone thinks, just because as part of the GPL you MUST release the source code, that Open-Sourced must be bad!

This is wrong and should be clarified to the media right now! Yes, you must release the code along with your compiled version, but that isn’t a bad thing. You only have to distribute the code to the audience that your distributing it to – I might be wrong on this statement though, but bare with me.

If, say, your creating some code for a business (bank) and by disclosing your work to the public could be a risk to people’s privacy (in this case money). Now, recreating the wheel is terrible. I know, I’ve tried to recreate code that’s already been out there for years and its hard work! Specially when doing it from scratch. Using the GPL as the licence, I could use Open-Source code, improve it and then sell my changes to the bank (but obviously provide my code with it). Since the program will not be used outside of the bank’s building, that code never needs to be released publicly – but any code that the bank doesn’t mind disclosing, could be sent out back to the community. For example I fixed a bug that people have been trying to work on for months, this could be then sent back and help the community forward.

Where do you see the bad side in this? If the bank later needs to adjust the code further, sure they could hire someone else – which could be bad – but aren’t they more likely going to trust the man who made it originally? Won’t his services, if they thought it was good enough, worth re-hiring for alterations? But on the other hand, it also means they can get a new set of eyes to improve their software further, and life would continue, bug fixes and code the bank again doesn’t mind disclosing could be sent back out to the community… etc… etc… life goes on, people are getting paid for their hard work, etc…

If someone thinks this is the wrong thinking towards the GPL, please do bring it to my attention, but as far as I’m aware this is what the GPL was made for, to make code viral and spread to everyone.

Edit:
Wow, I couldn’t of put this any better. It seems I am right in my thinking above. Read the quote found here, he uses references from the actual GPL licence website.

Edit, Edit:
Some news on a French police organisation that has switched from Windows to Linux (ubuntu no less). ;)

– Everyday I like the Open-Source community more and more. :)
Haz

Has anyone tried any of the other software developments based on Mozilla technologies? I’ve just resently tested Songbird, and I must say it’s pretty awesome! It’s like having the best qualities of iTunes (which I hate with a passion, but it does have some great feats.) and WinAMP, mixed in with some of Mozilla’s great initiative. Also, there’s Mozilla Ubiquity – the addon that should rock the world of browsing, but I’ll get onto that later.

Songbird, is a media player – with addons! Bold statement Haz, I hear you say, but don’t we already have that? Do plugins mean nothing to you? Well yes, I know that, but still… power to the open-source! Besides, you forget I’ve converted to the dark side! Linux!

As standard on ubuntu, it has 2 media players (Movie Player, and Rhythmbox Music Player). Neither apeal to me much. I had to apt-get install VLC straight away for watching movies, and I’ve stuck with Rhythmbox Music Player for music – it lets me play music from Last.fm, and manages music with a library. Songbird seems to be a treat to the eyes (and the ears), it also brings something I thought was not possible… Firefox (or at least the gecko engine) browser integeration, and all things music all in one app.

I’ll put it into context, I didn’t think Ronald Jenkees would be a highly know artist. I mean he’s a YouTube guy who made his own album and distributes it himself via his site (and now amazon.com as MP3 downloads). But sure enough, his album was regnoised in the mashTape addon section at the bottom:

Now before you say hey that’s cheating, that isn’t in-built into the software!, technically it isn’t. I left everything as default during the install (not really an install on linux, but I digress), so unless you unticked it… you’ll have it as standard.

Anywho! As I was saying, mashTape! At first glance, it seems to pull information from the internet based on the currently playing artist/song. It shows information about the artist from [Last.fm | MusicBrainz | Freebase], Lists reviews from [Amazon], News from [Digg | Google News | Hype Machine | MTV Music News], Photos from [Flickr] and Videos from [MTV Music Videos | Yahoo Music | YouTube]. Those are default values obviously, configuratable in the Preferances. Also, bare in mind that I assume it pulls information from sources that has data which is why I’ve used | character, in programming you might know this as being the OR operator and this is why I’ve used it.

I’m currently looking into addons, because at the end of the day thats why you get an application with addon (or plugin) support. To customise it to your liking. Ones that have caught my attension so far are: Now Playing List (for the right panel) and FireTray (a system tray extension for linux). Themes? Oh yes please! I wish Foxkeh was ported to Songbird, but alas it isn’t yet (or maybe I haven’t looked hard enough yet). Either way, much everyone’s favourite browser, there’ll be something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Below is a picture of the addon manager in preferences:

One cool addon that also comes with Songbird by default is called “Concert”, and guess what that might do? Yep, it lists upcoming concerts based on artists in your library. Brilliant! Even more exciting is the fact that if you leave it to just show concerts based on your library, it shows the number of upcoming concerts in brackets, so you’ll always know if something new is happening! Sadly, I have only one artist in my library so it showed me this message:

BUT on the upside, you can set it to show all concerts coming soon in your area:

Okay, onto the next topic: Ubiquity for Firefox (addon).

If you haven’t heard about it already, well then you should click the link and watch the videos. It’s basically trying to make browsing more intuitive, more language based, and being able to display/use/manipulate data the way you want it. Rather then me rant on, watch the videos and you’ll see for yourself. :)

I’ve known about Ubiquity for about a year, but they’ve finally made a prototype of it! If your interested, give it a try. Head on down to the Mozilla Addon page for Ubiquity. I’ve currently installed it myself, and need to restart my browser to try it. So this is me signing off, and I hope you enjoy my findings/review. :)

Songbird Images:

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