Beta 78D

Beta 78D is ready.

One of the tests that a Knoppix-based live cd linux must, or should pass, is the "testcd" on bootup.

Rapidweather Remaster of Knoppix Linux passes that test, with no exceptions.

Even isolinux.bin passes, and this means that the Beta 78D cd will boot on machines with the 451PG bios, very common on older computers.

Also, there is a distinctive order to the files reviewed by "testcd", and Beta 78D does this correctly also.

One tip-off that there would be a problem is if two files are reviewed by "testcd" before the big KNOPPIX file is reviewed.

That is not correct, and there should be several files reviewed,
among them the "isolinux.bin" file, then the KNOPPIX file is reviewed, then about 3 more before "testcd" declares the cd is OK.

Then, the computer continues to boot, and in a short while, the desktop appears and the bootup process is done.

"testcd" needs to be done only once, as it does use a lot of memory, so after the test is completed, reboot the machine.

The Knoppix Hacks cd, by Kyle Rankin flunks the isolinux.bin file and the background.jpg file. In that case, neither of these errors really affects the boot-everywhere quality of the Knoppix Hacks cd.

I have suspected that some remasters of that Knoppix Hacks cd may have had booting problems, using isolinux.

Isolinux runs before the logo.16 initial splash screen, with the boot prompt, on isolinux-based knoppix cd's.

On another subject, the "master-copy" software in Beta 78D is still experimental, but is included in the cd anyway.

The "Automated Remaster" software does work well, to prepare an iso based on a good master-copy. I have used it to build Beta 78D.

Tests will be performed to see what needs to be done to the experimental "master copy" script, so it will create a reliable master-copy of the cd on any computer, for remastering purposes.

"master copy" does work, but the cd that is produced after running "Automated Remaster" on that master-copy has at least one error when "testcd" is run on it upon bootup, that exception being the all-important "isolinux.bin".

All of the Beta 77 builds were made to test all this, and were not shipping builds. Prior to the introduction of the Beta 78D build, the last shipping build was Beta 76D. That one passes "testcd", and is a very good build. The only real changes were the updated Mozilla Firefox 1.5, and additional wallpapers for the Fluxbox window manager, each one instantly available via the unique "tear-off" Fluxbox menu. Lots of fun to cycle through all of them as fast as you can click on them in the menu. The KDE window manager takes a similar approach to Windows XP in changing the desktop background, both taking some time to install each wallpaper. Fluxbox is the speed-champ here.

Beta 77

Beta 77 is out.
The master copy script was finished and tested, and is included
in Beta 77. The master copy script prepares a master copy in a linux partition on the computer, that can then be modified by the user. Programs and packages can be added or removed. One has to know how to do that, one source of information is the book "Knoppix Hacks" by Kyle Rankin. The Rapidweather Remaster CD does include a text document that provides some of the information necessary to make changes to a master copy.
Once changes are made, then the Automated Remaster script is used to compress the new filesystem and make an .iso that can be burned to a CD. That script, Automated Remaster, is also included in Beta 77.

Planning Beta 77

I am working on Beta 77, it does not look like it needs to be released until next week sometime. I don't have a lot to put in Beta 77 right now, as the Flock-Firefox-Thunderbird upgrade has been done in Beta 76D, and they don't have newer versions as yet. Flock is still at version 0.4.10, and I am using/testing it now.

The "Automated Master Copy" script still has not been prepared, and that one needs to go in Beta 77. Once that is done, the user can take the CD to another computer and boot it up, and a "master copy" can be easily set up for remastering purposes using the new script. The "Automated Remaster" script is already in Beta 76D, and will be carried forward as is to Beta 77. That script is currently used to build each Beta version, and saves the developer a lot of time!

The remastering guide document, "remaster_command" provides all the details.

That file is located in /usr/local/keepers, and is about 13K in size.

Additionally, Beta 77 will have more wallpapers to choose from. One of the interesting features of the Fluxbox window manager is the "take apart" menu, and the wallpaper section can be taken apart, and the wallpapers can be cycled through in seconds! That is not possible with the IceWM menu, or with KDE.

The new wallpaper sub-section will feature a few Marilyn Monroe pictures, a change from the scenic wallpapers provided in Beta 76D. These new images will be suitable for desktops in all environments, and here is a sample, one of the new wallpapers that will be in Beta 77:

This sample image is not full size, the wallpaper is 77.92 KB and looks good on my 19" Monitor. You can click on the image, and it will display in your browser full-size, and you can work with it to set it as a desktop wallpaper if you want. Doing this using the Fluxbox menu in Rapidweather Remaster of Knoppix Linux only takes a moment!

(The "Rapidweather Remaster" box at the bottom of the image is not there on the one in the Beta 77 CD! )

As mentioned above, when using the Fluxbox window manager's tear-off menu wallpaper subsection, all of the available wallpapers can be cycled through in just seconds, as the menu section remains in place for you to use.

You may order a CD of Beta 77 from:
http://www.rapidweather.com/linuxcdsales.html
It will be ready for shipping when your order gets here.
Please mention that you want Beta 77!

Beta 76D finished.

Beta 76D has passed preliminary testing, and is now available!
Changes include upgrade of Mozilla Firefox to Version 1.5, rc2.

XMMS Station Selector

The Station Selector is an application in Rapidweather Remaster of Knoppix Linux, that is a front-end to XMMS, and allows selection of
a nmber of internet radio stations with the touch of a button.

Sort of like a car radio with pushbuttons for station selection.

Periodically, Rapidweather has to update the Station Selector,
as the internet radio stations change web addresses.

So, as of this posting date,
a new version of the /home/knoppix/html/station_selector.tcl
file is now available.

Point your web browser to this address to download this 12K file:

http://www.angelfire.com/ms/telegram/station_selector.tcl

Save the file, and use Emelfm to move the file to it's normal location
of /home/knoppix/html/station_selector.tcl

Once there, be sure and chmod +x the file, so it will run.

Then after you have tested it to see that all is well, be sure and
save your knoppix configuration so the new version of Station Selector will be restored when you next boot up your system.

See the Getting Started Guide for details on that.

Beta 76C Ready!

Beta 76C of Rapidweather Remaster of Knoppix linux is now ready,
and has the new Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5 rc1 mail client.

Testing on the blogging abilities of the Flock web browser Developer Preview 0.4.10 has been completed. Flock is easy to use to post to a blog, also, setting up a new blog with Flock is a snap.

Both of these applications are included in Beta 76C, to order your copy, visit:

http://www.rapidweather.com/linuxcdsales.html

The screenshots there do not show either of these two new applications, also, the Automated Remaster application does not yet have a screenshot.

Current Work

Well, I have decided to make a script to automatically place a Rapidweather Remaster CD in a hard drive partition as a "master copy". I will put this script in one of the next builds, and it will allow

the user to easily set up a master copy, that can be tinkered with, remastered, and then made into a cd with the Automated Remaster script that is already in use, and included in Beta 76B. That script really does save a lot of time, I just start it up, and soon an .iso is ready for burning to a cd. The Automated Remaster script does depend on the files and directories being set up in a certain way, so it becomes necessary to have a roadmap to that, or a script that does it for you. It will be called, "Automated Master Copy".

I am busy this week, but will be working on it when I get the time. It's all laid out, so I can put the script together once I get started.