Messages

61

Developers / Re: Developer FAQ

« on: February 17, 2008, 06:22:40 pm »

the procedure for the 0710 branch is not for the faint hearted. Therefore we use the builder farm and nightly snapshots.
Daniel invested much time on the configure script and makefile in the charonmedia trunk. That nearly gives you the whole build. I suggest starting with that. You could pull missing pieces from the linuxmce trunk (e.g. mantis fixes) if you need any.


Also, the build scripts in the svn at linuxmce.org will blow away your existing LinuxMCE database and leave you with a system that won't run LinuxMCE.. The charonmedia.org trunk has kinder and gentler build scripts; but, yes I haven't synced in weeks because I'm working on making the linuxmce.org repo replace the one at charonmedia.org. All the fixes in the charonmedia.org trunk will be synced over to linuxmce.org tree and that will become our main repo. Once that's done, the charonmedia.org repo will become a simple mirror of the linuxmce.org repo; aka a hot backup.

The build "farm" is builder32.linuxmce.org + builder64.linuxmce.org. They continuously loop rebuilding the trunk on linuxmce.org. Pluto has their own build "farm" as well, which does pretty much the same thing. FYI There were some problems with the builder machines when they first came online, but I think the scripts are pretty much working now as the builds have succeed for days on both machines. There is still some work left for the scripts, for instance they now overwrite the existing iso's with new ones, which messes up conventional http/ftp/rsync downloading, so if I want to download a particular build I need to log into the machine, hard link to the iso, download from the hard link and then delete the hard link...

62

Users / Re: Email notifications from Forum and Mantis - just me??

« on: February 16, 2008, 07:06:16 pm »

E-mails should be working again later this week...

63

Developers / Re: linuxmce.org seems to be dissapearing!!!!

« on: February 16, 2008, 06:03:42 pm »

This wasn't Pluto's fault, it was mine. I messed up a DNS entry, and then once I noticed and fixed the problem it took hours for the fix to propagate to every DNS on the internet. I've been working on getting e-mail working on linuxmce.org, so that messages can be sent on svn checkins on the new svn located there. And for the e-mail to work reliably reverse DNS needs to be working, which it appears to be as of this morning.

Whenever there are unexpected outages you can be sure to find me on the IRC channel #linuxmce shortly thereafter.

FYI There is a new "CHAT" button in the forum software now, that will bring you to that chat room, assuming of course that the problem isn't with the website. In that case you will need to use a third party chat client.

64

Users / Re: MythTV Setup in UK with Virgin Media

« on: February 15, 2008, 01:40:50 am »

FYI Justin is an active MythTV theme designer, and can often be found on IRC on the #mythtv-users channel, or on the mythtv-users mailing list.

65

Installation issues / Re: Why the hell? Formatting at installation beginning?

« on: February 08, 2008, 04:26:21 pm »

Linux installers are actually traditionally better about not deleting your data on install than other operating systems. I've lost data with Windows and OS X installers. The OS X installer gives no warning and I remember being just as upset as Marty. Unfortunately, the LinuxMCE quick installer is not as sophisticated as state of the art Ubuntu LiveCD installer and adding the warning was on my personal blocker list for the upcoming 710 release. You can never tell people enough times that their data will be deleted.

Most people are not accustomed to installing operating systems, but they are accustomed to installing application software where it is generally safe to install first and read the README.FIRST!!! file later. I think it is like giving people the keys to a 25ft U-Haul, while most people will think, "Hey this isn't like my Miata, I wonder if there are any directions in the glove compartment?" But a few people will get in, drive down the road, and run over a stoplight on their first right turn. The extra warning message is like an etching on the windshield that says "WARNING: This truck requires you to make wide turns."

And honestly, all of us have had that "doh!" moment in our lives.

Marty, fortunately most image files have a unique header that allows disk recovery software to find them on disk. Good Luck!

66

Installation issues / Re: Why the hell? Formatting at installation beginning?

« on: February 05, 2008, 09:56:44 pm »

Some warning text has been added in svn for the 0710 release:

WARNING :
 This will delete everything on all partitions of your hard drive
 the data is not recoverable

67

Installation issues / Re: 710beta3 install problem

« on: January 31, 2008, 09:31:03 pm »

It looks like it is complaining about not being able to read the DVD. dmesg should tell you why exactly, but generally you either have to burn a new DVD, re-seat the cables connecting the DVD drive to the motherboard, or if those don't work replace the DVD drive.

68

Developers / Re: minutes from the conference.

« on: January 24, 2008, 01:13:03 am »

Aaron.B was going to write it up. But I'll write something up from my notes if he doesn't get to it soon.

69

Users / Re: Choosing VDR versus MythTV

« on: January 23, 2008, 05:00:23 pm »

I just want to warn people up front that LinuxMCE 710 is still in beta. And a beta operating system is a different from a beta application, in that it really can result in you having to reinstall everything from scratch and possibly lose data stored on that computer that an application couldn't normally touch.

That being said, if you receive DVB-x or ATSC via a DVB device driver please test the VDR option even if you aren't going to be using it going forward. It's new and more testing is appreciated. The MythTV in LinuxMCE 710 beta 3 is the same version as was in LinuxMCE 704, but there have been some improvements to UPnP and a few LinuxMCE specific fixes have been applied to make it much more stable.

The multi-record capability in VDR is most useful in Europe where different networks use the same transport stream than in North America where the additional streams are generally just low-resolution versions of what is on the main channel, or some looping content like this morning's weather forecast. This capability won't be in a MythTV release until this spring.

But really it is an entirely different program. On the whole is more lean (and by extension less feature rich) than MythTV. And  while it took many revs to get the giant MythTV suite stable under LinuxMCE, I expect there will be a lot less surprises with the new VDR integration, since it just provides the DVR we are looking for from it in LinuxMCE and has a more fine grained modular structure.

70

Users / Re: Creating a FAQ

« on: January 23, 2008, 04:25:28 pm »

I think "get it", "install it" and "troubleshoot it" all belong in one FAQ, but I can see a "use it" FAQ as a separate entity. I already think the developer FAQ should be a separate entity and started a discussion in the developer forum about that FAQ.

FYI There is already a FAQ in the Wiki which Zaerc and Lozzo edited, but these answer more general questions than some of the 'how do I do X' questions I see posted in the forums.

71

Developers / Re: Developer FAQ

« on: January 23, 2008, 04:08:30 pm »

Richard,
The basic tools are:
  gcc/g++                      linking compilers for C/C++
  emacs/vi/kdevelop       text editors and IDEs of your choosing
  make                          tool for executing makefiles (compile/link/install scripts)
  dpkg-buildpackage       tool for creating debian packages
  dpkg/apt-get/apt-cache tools for managing package installation
  ./configure                  default script name for configuring make options
  autoconf                     tool used to generate some of the makefiles
The LinuxMCE specific tools are:
  MakeRelease_Prep      tool for preparing makefiles, and making other textual replacements
  MakeRelease              tool for running make & dpkg for each package based on info in database
  mysql                         database used by MakeRelease

There may be some that I'm missing, plus we'll need short descriptions on how to use the tools.

72

Developers / Re: UI3 Discussion

« on: January 22, 2008, 05:50:27 pm »

One of the things that came up at the meeting on Saturday was that the KDE folks are already planning to add gnash support to libplasma, so we should get flash objects for free by targeting libplasma.

73

Developers / Developer FAQ

« on: January 22, 2008, 05:47:03 pm »

One of the suggestions for the furums that came up when I was out in Sunnyvale talking to various people about UI3 was to create a a list of frequently asked questions for both this forum, the Users forum. The idea is to make a sticky post to the respective forums with the questions and short answers which point to the wiki for each in depth answer.

So lets figure out what should go in that FAQ in this thread.

My initial suggestions:

Q: Where do I get the sources?
Q: How do I compile the whole shebang?
Q: How do I compile and install a single library/application?
Q: How do I create a new GSD device and sync it to sqlCVS?
Q: How do I translate the UI into my own language?

74

Users / Creating a FAQ

« on: January 22, 2008, 03:45:35 pm »

One of the suggestions for the furums that came up when I was out in Sunnyvale talking to various people about UI3 was to create a a list of frequently asked questions for both this forum, the Developers forum. The idea is to make a sticky post to the respective forums with the questions and short answers which point to the wiki for each in depth answer.

So lets figure out what should go in that FAQ in this thread.

My initial suggestions:

Q: I just installed LinuxMCE and all I see is a blank screen, what now?
A: The AVWizard is running on a different video port, or at a resolution your screen can't resolve so you can't see it. See here http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/AVWizard for instructions on making it visible.

Q: Why does the LinuxMCE core router want to act as the DHCP server?
A: In order to netboot Orbiters it needs to be able to run a DHCP server that tells new computers and devices on it's private network where to find their operating system kernels; or in some cases their configuration parameters. Running the DHCP server on the core also allows it to locate network devices such as a HDHomeRun tuner without constantly scanning the network for new devices. This allows you to do things like temporarily boot your MS Windows laptop as a LinuxMCE orbiter without installing any software on that laptop, just by selecting network boot (aka PXE boot) at startup via BIOS hot-keys.

Q: What is the easiest way to set up networking for the LinuxMCE core router?
A: Use two network ports on your core, one with connected to your DSL or cable modem, and the other connected to the network switch that serves the rest of the computers in your home. When it receives a response to it's DHCP request on one port it will automatically use the other port for it's DHCP server, to serve the rest of your network.

Q: If I can't add a second NIC to my LinuxMCE core, how can I still allow LinuxMCE to furnish DHCP to my network?
A: This can be done by turning off DHCP on your cable or DSL modem, and configuring LinuxMCE external networking parameters in the admin panel. [link to step-by-step instructions].

Q: If I can't turn off DHCP on my cable or DSL modem, and I can't add another NIC to my LinuxMCE core, can I still use LinuxMCE?
A: Yes, but you will not be able netboot orbiters and some external control and recording devices will not function. To do this you must reconfigure LinuxMCE to disable it's DHCP server in the admin panel. [link to step-by-step instructions].

Q: What kinds of remotes are best for LinuxMCE?
A: ....

Q: How do I use my existing infrared remote with LinuxMCE?
A: ....

Q: What do I do about video tearing in LinuxMCE?
A: This usually happens when you try to use a more advanced UI than your graphics card can handle with the video resolutions you are using. Try turning off alpha blending if you have it enabled for UI2, or switching to UI1. This can be done in the AVWizard. You can launch the AVWizard at boot time by pressing the shift key on your keyboard when rebooting just after the rising series of beeps, but before the descending series of beeps. See [url]http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/AVWizard[url] for instructions on using the AVWizard.

Q: My monitor has a resolution not supported by the AVWizard, how do I make things look right?
A: First run the AVWizard to set things up using any resolution supported by both the AVWizard and your monitor. See  [url]http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/AVWizard[url] for instructions on using the AVWizard. Now once you have successfully set up LinuxMCE at this resolution you will have to manually edit your X.org configuration file. It is located at "/etc/X11/xorg.conf". Normally all you have to do is change the Modes "640x480" line below the Depth 24 line to match the resolution of your monitor, but you may also need to commend out some additional configuration lines for nVidia cards in particular. Once the right resolution is set, simply reboot and LinuxMCE will adjust to the new resolution. [link to more detailed explanation/howto].



Please add any other, non-development, questions and answers [if you know them] to this thread....

75

Developers / Re: 0710b2 Build Errors

« on: January 17, 2008, 08:02:35 pm »

Those are replaced by MakeRelease_Prep, you need to run that on the sources before you try to compile it.