Linux Corner

[x213a]

Does anybody know of a simple way to enable file transfer between an Ubuntu Jaunty desktop and a laptop running Jaunty?

So far (on my laptop) I've right clicked the network connections, created a new network and enable sharing on various files. I can detect and join that network with my desktop and can even see the shared files on my laptop. It asks me for a password though when I try to access them via > Network>windows network>workgroup. I have installed something called ssh also, although I'm unsure what it is for exactly. I know about Samba but with my limited knowledge of Linux it's way over my head at the moment.

Thats my only complaint about Linux - nothing seems designed for entry level, it seems more geared towards people who are already gurus in other operating systems.

Desktop is ethernet wired to Netgear router, laptop is wireless.

Cheers.

[mad_jock]

ftp server is a very easy way to transfer files.

vsftpd is the server I use without issue.

Ubuntu Linux vsftpd ftp service / server install, configuration howto

Once its setup up you will be able to connect from any device which has a FTP client. Its how I get my photos off my phone these days.

[bnt]

Originally Posted by x213a

Does anybody know of a simple way to enable file transfer between an Ubuntu Jaunty desktop and a laptop running Jaunty?
...
I have installed something called ssh also, although I'm unsure what it is for exactly. I know about Samba but with my limited knowledge of Linux it's way over my head at the moment.

You're on the right track with SSH, which is short for Secure Shell. At its most basic, it lets you open up a Shell (command line) on one machine from another, even across the Internet. I've sat here in Dublin and ran commands on a server in Bangalore. It's available for Windows, Mac OS and others too. Then, to answer your question, you can do file copies over SSH using SCP (Secure Copy). You need to know a bit of odd shell syntax, or use the Ubuntu "Connect To Server" method, which opens up a file window on the other system.

There's also FTP (File Transfer Protocol) , which works in a similar client/server fashion, and might be a little easier to use, though less secure. There are more far FTP programs than SCP e.g. GFTP under Gnome, or the same "Connect To Server" method as above on Ubuntu. I wouldn't worry about Samba unless you want your Linux box to look like a Windows box to other Windows systems. (I don't use it much because, well, file transfer is all it can do.)

I prefer the SSH/SCP method, and I use it at home, synchronising data between two systems (Linux & Windows) with the Unison program. I run a script to sync my "Documents" directories on the two systems, then shut the Windows system down after that's finished.

The first step is to get OpenSSH up and running: install Server on the "target" machine, and Client on the others. Test it from the client by saying ssh <server>. This basic command assumes that the user name is the same on both systems - which I would definitely recommend. If not, you need to add a logon option such as ssh -l <user> <server>.

Then try some SCP commands as described (or secpanel). You'll be asked for a password every time, which soon gets annoying, so if you're going to do a lot of copies, you might want to look in to setting up RSA Keys. When that's done, login is automatic, no passwords required.

PS: I think the lack of "easy file copy" reflects the security-conscious nature of UNIX systems in general. When you allow other machines to connect to your system, you're creating a potential security opening, and in the UNIX world you expect there to be an administrator of the system who is aware of what's happening, and why. You can set up e.g. Samba to emulate a Windows server, so it's easy for end users, but it doesn't just happen!

[x213a]

Thanks for that.
Several hours of researching on google just about to commence!

[Saab Dastard]

If it is something you want to do a lot of, you might want to have a look at NFS.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Se...o#NFS%20Server

SD

[bnt]

Quick addendum: I forget that you can do "FTP over SSH" too, it's called SFTP. I don't disagree with mad_jock about FTP, if file transfer is all you're after.

[x213a]

I think I need to improve my basic knowledge of Linux before progressing onto this level. Have just looked at a few supposedly 'basic' guides and they may as well have been written in heiroglyphics

I've buggered up too many installations already by diving in at what (to me) was the deep end!

[bnt]

Nah, it's not that bad, just a bit "old school". You have a Server program that provides a Service, such as FTP, and a Client program that uses the Service. Keep that Client/Server model in mind and you'll be fine. Install a FTP Server on one machine, a Client on 'other (e.g. gftp), fire it up and log on.

[SoundBarrier]

Yeah if the distro fits, use it. I have gone from one to the other over the years and I have settled on Linux Mint for the moment. The quality of the distro is good and the toys are even nicer. You can get the GNOME or KDE versions and I've been getting friends to use it instead of Windows. I don't get nearly as many calls for help using Linux Mint as I did when they were running Windows. Stable and performs better too!

Oh yes and the driver support is brilliant, on a machine that I had Windows 7 on (for work) I battled for ages to get the display to work properly. Live CD of linux Mint..no worries, it worked first off.

Just my experience with it!

[rgbrock1]

x213a:

If you want to peruse a really good beginner's guide to Linux I would highly suggest the following: The Ultimate Guide On Linux For Beginners

Most people I know who have read this guide are happy they have done so and leaves them with some pretty goofundamental knowledge of things Linux.

Hope that helps.

[x213a]

Thanks! Site bookmarked, research commenced

[Guest 112233]

Update

Hi everyone - Ubuntu 9.04 is working just fine on the Asus - EM up and going via Eudora. Installing the MPC 465C Multifunction Printer comes next.

Sbackup doing what it says on the tin. The biggest improvement that I'm seeking, is disk performance; over the dual boot senario.

Battery life is about the same as XP. (its one of the small battery types - 1and 3/4 Hours working time.). application performance again slightly better. Flash Add in installed, to watch BBC etc.

Firefox 3.5 loads very quickly. Complex web sites like the Guardian or the Telegraph (No advert intended - No connection in any way with either other than as a user) load very quickly - Boot time 15-20 seconds or so - The same as XP.

Network connectivity - room for improvement here; but still completely usable. Download speeds (With MK1 BT HH) about 620 Kbs. So far so good.

The user interface is simple to use. Anyone could use this. Open Office comes as part of the install - Also there's a very good dictionary. Finally Help does help.

CAT III

[None of the above]

Ubuntu 9.10 sound problem

A few weeks ago I gave a neighbour a PC with Ubuntu 9.04 installed which he has since upgraded to 9.10.

Said gent is an Internet radio fiend and runs two web radios via Reciva and Frontier Silicon portals. Both radios work fine but sometimes he likes to listen via the PC. Stations selected via the Reciva website play fine but those selected via Frontier Silicon don't play at all.

FWIW, CDs, BBC iPlayer and the likes of Youtube all produce audio OK.
He says that I managed to get 9.04 set up to work on the Frontier Silicon site but I honestly don't remember how I did that. I've recently had a bereavement and the neighbour's Ubuntu configuration hasn't been at the top of my list of things to commit to memory.

Any thoughts Gentlemen please?

N o t a

[x213a]

Isnt 9.10 still in Beta?

Try this link for help...

Sound Solutions for Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty) Users|Ubuntu Geek

I had to download extra codecs for firefox to enable sound on youtube etc etc.

I have the command line info on other laptop. Will hunt them out for you.

[None of the above]

Many thanks for that x213a.

One shall gird up one's loins, so to speak, and apply the appropriate 'stuff' to the neighbour's machine.

Ubuntu 9.10 was released in its finished form during the second half of October. Can't remember the exact date.

Do you notice 'memory' (mine) has featured in both of my posts? Age is catching up with one.

[batninth]

I think I had a vision of hell the other day, being stuck on a flight next to a colleague who was having problems trying to get Ubuntu up & running. I must admit my own experiences have been mixed with it as well.

Having seen your post, SoundBarrier, I've just tried Linux Mint & on first sight I'm very impressed. Even when Ubuntu has worked reasonably well, it's still been a chore to get the multimedia up & running, but LinuxMint just worked straight out of the box, especially a Flash application. It installed quicker too, and with the system monitor swicthed on it's using less memory & sharing the workload across the CPUs far more efficiently than Ubuntu was doing.

I've always had a beef that Linux would always have a problem competing with Windows until you could get Linux straight of the box & it works as well as Windows. So far, Linux Mint has been it so thank you for the recommendation.

Now, dare I offer the install CD to my colleague....?

[x213a]

Here is a link to a piece I found very useful as a beginner to Linux after installing Ubuntu.

To Do List After installing Ubuntu 9.04 aka Jaunty Jackalope The Indexer

Basically, a guide as to all the additional tweaks required to get it running. I never managed to sort DVD playback with decent quality though.

Edit..

And this also:

How to setup the perfect 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Desktop | chrisjohnston.org

[Guest 112233]

Ubuntu a further update

Reading the posts re 9.04 makes interesting reading. I hope that my account of the difficulties that I have had might help others.

Here goes.

The Acer Aspire was updated from 9.04 to 9.10 this afternoon. Remember I did not have any previous sound or internet access probs (Wired and Wireless).

The Very good:

General speed is greatly improved its about 20% quicker. Fire fox 3.5.5 Included too. There's support for SMART analysis of the hard disk drive too. Nice ! and useful too.

Update keeps you settings and installed progs where possible.

The not so good:

Wireless access although a lot quicker (56 Mb/s from 5-6 at most) - seems to be intermittent. More on this when I get a better picture.

The login screen is less than beautiful, but that's a minor point.

Update is a good move if you do not have an exsisting problem. (1MB Ram, Atom, 160 GB HD )

CAT III

[rgbrock1]

As for Linux working out of the box:

I've been working with Linux for about 8 years now. (15 years if you consider it's mother - Unix).

With all the distros I've used - some more difficult than others to get to work out of the box - I can unequivocally state that
Mandriva Linux is by far the most prone to doing so. Most, if not all, codecs are loaded by default, most hardware is correctly identified on load, etc.

If anyone out there is in the process of considering a Linux distro to use, definitely give Mandriva Linux a test ride.

No, I do not work for Mandriva!!!! Just a happy user.

[Saab Dastard]

Thanks for that RG - the biggest problem I've had with Linux is finding drivers with WPA / WPA2 support for wifi cards.

SD