Ubuntu Server Edition

After trying to (unsuccessfully) get CentOS working with my hardware, I switched away to Kubuntu. Although Kubuntu worked fine, if I stayed with that I would need to install and configure the individual applications needed for my server. That is: Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl. Although it would be easier to do within a GUI like KDE, it’s not that much easier because, as far as I can see, the GUI-based tools are few and far between. Hence, I would be dropping down into the control line anyway so why not just stay there?

So, for now, I am working with the Ubuntu Server Edition. This edition is command line based, although there may be some web-based tools that could help. If/When I choose one, I’ll let you know which. Until then, I’m still learning how to get things configured by editing text files found all over the place. Sigh.

Someday, someone (other than Microsoft) will realize that there is an opportunity to fill a need for installing and configuring home servers in an easy to use GUI-based environment. Until then, I’m running Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl from the command line (and hating every second of it).

Aloha!

CentOS Doesn’t Work for Me

Perhaps it’s my inexperience with CentOS, but things did not go well when I tried to install and configure it on my new home server.

First, a few words about the hardware as they came into play. I’m using an Intel D201GLY motherboard that comes with a Celeron 215 (1.3GHz, 64-bit) processor and a SiS chip set. Note that this board uses IDE drives while the D201GLY2 uses SATA and has a Celeron 220 running at 1.2GHz. In addition, I have the maximum of 1GB of RAM installed, a no name DVD/CD-RW drive, and a 160GB Seagate.

The smoke test went well and all the hardware seems to be operational.

But from the beginning, the CentOS install did not work out as well. First, there was problems with the video. The resolution did not match anything my old MAG DX17F monitor could handle. Hence, the image did not fill the screen and white “snow” like flakes filled parts of the screen. No matter what I tried to do, via the desktop GUI, nothing solved the problem.

Secondly, although the install has several pre-configured packages to choose from, choosing certain ones didn’t seem to make a difference on what the desktop looked like. For example, I chose the KDE package over the Gnome. But when the installation
completed, the Gnome desktop was displayed (or at least what looked to me like a Gnome desktop). Just for kicks, I re-did the install but chose the Gnome desktop and sure enough, it looked just like the KDE install. The only difference seems to be some, but not all, of the applications.

Then it came time to configure Apache, MySQL, and PHP. But even though I installed the server and server GUI packages, I could not find any GUI-based programs to configure and initiate any of the three mentioned. I suppose I could have gone to the
command line but that’s not what I was expecting.

Then there were the problems with the OS just locking up. There wasn’t anything consistent and I don’t know what the cause(s) was, but it happened several times.

So, as an interim solution, I installed Kubuntu over CentOS (I had to delete the CentOS partitions first because something about them kept Kubuntu from installing, even though Kubuntu was supposed to format the drive first). At least now I have a stable installation and everything, including the video, seems to be working.

So, this is where things stand. I will see what I can do with Kubuntu but if that doesn’t work, I’ll need to try something else.

Aloha!

Unto the breach…

Yes, the theme has changed. Again. Reader Don from Down Under reminded me that the CSS should degrade gracefully so that folks who turn off graphics in their browser can still read my ramblings.

Although I could have gone back to the previous theme, I was getting tired of that one and, in any case, it didn’t have the ability to navigate easily to past months/years. Unfortunately, although this theme does, I think, degrade to something that is readable, it does not have the ability to easily go back through the months.

What to do? Well, the bottom line is people have to be able to read what’s here. So, one way or another, the theme I use will be readable. If not easy to navigate…

By the way, congratulations to Don in the recent marriage of his son. Best wishes to all!

Aloha

They are a changing…

No, you eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, I have changed the look of the site.

It started out by my trying to figure out how to add a separate archive page. But although there is much to appreciate about using wordpress.com (it’s free, they take care of the program updates/administration/back-end) I am limited to which theme templates I can use.

And as far as I could see, none of the templates had a separate archive page or which could be automagically created by dragging a widget to it. You could, perhaps, write your own program that might work, but that sure seems to be more trouble than it was worth.

So, after quickly looking at what themes are available, I chose this one (“Ocean Mist” by Ed Merritt (mahalo Ed), which has a drop down box in the right column for monthly archives). I’m not entirely satisfied with the new theme but it comes close to what I want. This will have to do until such time I can get my own server running.

Speaking of which, the motherboard/CPU that I ordered from Amazon was delayed. When I ordered it at the end of January, Amazon said it would ship in about five weeks. Five weeks came and went and Amazon said it would be another four more weeks. So, I checked NewEgg and they had it in stock. I went back to Amazon and canceled it and then back to NewEgg to order it there. The Intel D201GLY2 is scheduled to be here late next week.

Once I have everything installed and running I will begin setting up my own home server. This should keep me occupied for awhile.

Aloha!

Honda Customer Service Excels

Over the last two months, I’ve had the opportunity, if I may use that word, to see how two large corporations treat its customers.

The first, Dell, you already know about.

The second, Honda, I have also mentioned but have had the occasion to update it today.

Although all the options for our new Honda CRV were installed by the dealership or its sub-contractors, one item I decided to install myself.

This would be a leather steering wheel cover. Given that Honda was asking over $200 to install what, to me, seems to be a simple thing to do, I decided to do it myself. So, I went to the corporate Honda site and ordered the cover. As it turns out, corporate Honda just forwards the order to your nearest dealership and they then actually process the order.

In due time, I got the box from Windward Honda and upon opening it, was surprised to find a set of wheel locks. Said locks are used to deter thieves who want to steal your tires and or rims. Being that I already had a set, I have no need for another.

So I emailed Windward Honda telling them of the mix up and within two hours I got a call from Byron in Parts apologizing for the mix-up. Without asking him, he offered to send out the correct part today, refund the $15 shipping cost I paid for the original, and further refunded an additional $20 off the price of the steering wheel cover. To top things off, he said I could keep the wheel locks at no charge.

Now, leaving aside the problems with the order system that does not appear to provide checking prior to shipping, this is how customer service is supposed to work. I didn’t have to demand to be made whole. I didn’t have to work my way up the corporate chain in order to speak to someone. Windward Honda apologized, corrected the problem, and offered something for my trouble.

You better believe that when we need to replace our Toyota Camry next year, we will be getting a Honda Accord, instead. YMMV. Insert disclaimer here.

Aloha!