urpmi: /bin/mv: cannot stat `/var/cache/urpmi/partial/descriptions': No such file or directory

If you got this problem (or something like it) while updating packages with urpmi.update -a or urpmi --auto-updates :

/bin/mv: cannot stat `/var/cache/urpmi/partial/descriptions': No such file or directory

Can't move file /var/cache/urpmi/partial/descriptions to /var/lib/urpmi/Main Updates (Cooker2011.0-2)/descriptions

Then the solution is by removing the file /var/cache/urpmi/mirrors.cache for urpmi to use different mirror. This is because the mirror has problem. So issuing this command should solve the problem:

rm -fv /var/cache/urpmi/mirrors.cache

That's all there is to it. Have fun!

Solving squid's pinger error: IcmpSquid.cc(155) Recv: recv: (111) Connection refused

I've installed latest squid (3.2.0.3) recently from source. I configured it with --with-icmp to enable incoming icmp request. After compiling and installing it, it's time to run it. From the log I noticed that the pinger program produced an error like this:

IcmpSquid.cc(155) Recv: recv: (111) Connection refused

and filtering the log of the word pinger (using grep) :

pinger: Initialising ICMP pinger ...

2010/12/18 10:57:16| pinger: Unable to start ICMP pinger.

2010/12/18 10:57:16| pinger: Unable to start ICMPv6 pinger.

2010/12/18 10:57:16| FATAL: pinger: Unable to open any ICMP sockets.

From the errors above, I knew that they were related to permission problem (connection refused, unable to open socket). It solved when I setuid the pinger program to enable it to open the required socket :

chmod 4755 pinger (run this as root of course)

This pinger program is usually located in the bin directory of squid path e.g /usr/local/squid/bin (this is the default if you compile from source). Please consult your distro if you install it using package manager.

After restarting squid, I could see in the log as below:

pinger: Initialising ICMP pinger ...

2010/12/18 16:58:48| pinger: ICMP socket opened.

2010/12/18 16:58:48| pinger: ICMPv6 socket opened

That I think solved the problem. Have fun.

What's coming in Mandriva 2011

After the wonderful news that Mandriva would be continuing as usual despite financial difficulties and an exodus of developers comes the technical specifications and other tidbits for Mandriva 2011. There are quite a few exciting changes ahead, many of which prove that Mandriva is still a cutting edge distribution.

With 2011, Mandriva will be switching to RPM5. This news was announced by Per Øyvind Karlsen last week and is the first item in the list. RPM5 is actually a fork of RPM with the main goals of supporting XAR, an XML based archiving format, and featuring an integrated dependency resolver. This move has been in the works for quite some time but Mandriva 2011 will be the first release fully committed. Per Øyvind Karlsen said RPM5, "is the only sensible choice." Relatedly, their software center is scheduled a face-lift for a "more modern and simple to use interface."

Mandriva 2011 will be using the Galbraith Latency patch whether the kernel that will be used has it or not - meaning they will backport it if necessary. This latency patch, first brought to wide attention by Phoronix.com, is said to help speed up desktop processes especially in the areas of graphic and video rendering.

It is listed that Mandriva would be adopting systemd for the boot process. Several other distributions started out trying to move to systemd, but so far, they have changed their minds due to difficulties associated with such a major subsystem replacement. But Mandriva is going to give it the ole college try for 2011. The advantages of systemd are faster boots for some setups because of parallel, early background, and dependency booting of processes.

Like several other distributions have done, most of Mandriva's configuration tools will be integrated into the KDE Control Center (System Settings) in 2011.

All the logins and desktops are getting new a new look and improved resource consumption. No further details on any of these items are given at this time, but it's always exciting to see what the new releases will look like.

The installer is supposed to be simplified in order to be more new user-friendly. Desktop selection and installation summary steps will be removed, meaning those will personal preferences or cranky hardware will have to wait until after the install.

During this cycle, Cooker will no longer be frozen before release and instead continue to be developed in parallel. The release code will be branched off and Cooker will proceed as a rolling release.

Finally, something originally asked for over three years ago is finally being implemented. A new user Welcome application will be added in order to help new and migrating users to acclimate to Mandriva. Again, no further details what will exactly be included, but one can speculate it will give links to online resources such as forums and documentation; perhaps a tour of the desktop, menu, and applications; and maybe offer to install popular applications, codecs, and drivers.

And unfortunately, there are still no plans posted about a 64-bit One release. One has the advantage of being shipped with proprietary codecs and drivers that aren't available in the other versions, so a 64-bit version would be extremely handy.

Of course, there are lots of other highly technical deep code improvements ahead as well. But just looking at the items that users will notice easily, Mandriva 2011 certainly sounds very exciting. A release candidate is scheduled for April 25 and final is planned for May 30.

Source

Firefox 4 Beta and Greasemonkey Add-on

If you are using Firefox 4 Beta (i'm using Beta 6) and want to install Greasemonkey add-on through Tools --> Add-ons, you're out of luck. But there's a website that provides nightly build Greasemonkey:

https://arantius.com/misc/gm-nightly/

Click Allow if prompted before installing. This add-on is for testing purposes and may not stable. Please remember that you're also using Firefox Beta.

Have fun!

A preview of next flash player released

A preview release of the next Flash Player released. Codenamed as Square, designated as version 10.2.161.22) and available for download right from Adobe Labs. It is not only available in 32-bit but also in 64-bit for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems. For the 64-bit release,this is the first time preview for Mac and Windows OS users.

This release has an advantage for IE9 Beta users where it has been enhanced to directly support the hardware-accelerated graphics capabilities in the newest version of IE. Flash Player "Square" leverages the new GPU support available with IE 9 Beta to deliver a faster and more responsive user experience (more than 35% improved performance).

Users are encouraged to test this release especially for the 64-bit. If you encounter any issues, please file a bug report here: https://bugs.adobe.com/flashplayer/

KDE 4.5 stable released

KDE 4.5 stable released. For Mandriva users, please add KDE 4.5 repo (as root):

64-bit:

urpmaddmedia kde-4.5 http://ftp.twaren.net/Unix/X/KDE/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/x86_64/

32-bit:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5 http://ftp.twaren.net/Unix/X/KDE/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/i586/

You may want to remove the old KDE repo first.

or if you prefer KDE server as your repo thusly:

64-bit:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/x86_64

32-bit:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/stable/4.5.0/Mandriva/2010.1/i586

Have fun!

KDE 4.5 RC3 released for Mandriva

KDE 4.5 Release Candidate 3 is released for Mandriva users. The final version will be available next week. This last RC is intended for verifying no showstoppers will creep into the final release of 4.5.0. It will also interest those who want an early look at what is coming to their desktops and netbooks this summer.

To install, please add KDE 4.5RC3 repo first:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5rc3 http://ftp.twaren.net/Unix/X/KDE/unstable/4.4.95/Mandriva/2010.1/x86_64/

I use above mirror for my repo for faster access. You may want to use main KDE server for your repo thus:

urpmi.addmedia kde-4.5rc3 ftp://ftp.kde.org/pub/kde/unstable/4.4.95/Mandriva/2010.1/x86_64/

For x86 (32-bit) users, please change the path x86_64 to i586. Then run urpmi --auto-select to update your KDE packages.

Have fun with your new KDE!