January 2021 - Talk - lists.gtalug.org

How do I demonstrate a crappy network?
by David Collier-Brown 19 Jan '21

19 Jan '21

I'm working on an article about advances in Linux networking (eg, Cake), but with a demonstration anyone can do, to convince doubters. I therefor need a way to show how crappy someone's network is. I tried Skype "echo" calls and an couple of similar approaches, then tried playing you-tube videos, all while throwing a load on the network. But it doesn't /visibly/ fail. What is something that I can make fail, either audibly or visually? Showing my grandmother ping statistics isn't going to work (;-)) --dave -- David Collier-Brown, | Always do right. This will gratify System Programmer and Author | some people and astonish the rest davecb(a)spamcop.net | -- Mark Twain

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USB-C Dock Experience Sharing
by Scott Sullivan 18 Jan '21

18 Jan '21

This came up in another conversation. Just want to share some of my thoughts on dealing with USB-C docks / dongles. I think since COVID a lot of folks are doing these docked laptop setups for work at home. I've had three different devices I've worked with that have type-C. I've seen some very mixed results so far. Devices: GPD P2 MAX (9" Ultrabook) One Netbook A1 (8" Netbook) HP x360 15" #1 Cable Matters Dual Monitor USB C Dock (USB C Docking Station) for MacBook Pro with Dual 4K HDMI and 80W Laptop Charging (USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible) https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07MKPP1W4/ I currently own two of these, worked reliably under linux with the P2 MAX. Which is why I got a second one for my partner Trent and his HP 2-in-1 convertible laptop. The latter had all sort of driver issues under windows. Those stabilized after finding the drivers from the manufacturer, but the Ethernet only works for a while, then disappears. It does not work with the One Netbook A1, going into a power negotiation loop. (*) #2 UGREEN USB C Hub 8 in 1 Type C Dock Station Multiport Adapter to 4K HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD TF Card Reader, 3 USB 3.0 Ports https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07BFWHPBG This little guy has worked flawlessly on every machine I've thrown at it. Not built to handle really high current charging that the HP machine can demand, but great for out an about. Is currently serving desktop duty with the A1. #3 J&D 5 in 1 USB C Hub, Portable 5 Ports Aluminum Type C Hub with Power Delivery PD Type C Charging Port, 4K HDMI Port, RJ45 1000Mbps Ethernet Port, USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Port Adapter Gray https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07V1M2JXQ I filed a complaint against this listing, as it's only a 100Mbps Ethernet, not 1Gbps. It's never been corrected. Works mostly well enough and was used for desktop duty with the P2 Max before the Cablematters dock came into the picture. Would need to be power cycled ever once in a blue moon. Would not recommend. #4 CalDigit USB-C Gen2 10Gb/s SOHO Dock - Up to 4K 60Hz, HDMI 2.0b, HDR, DisplayPort 1.4, 10Gb/s USB A & USB C, UHS-II microSD and SD Card Readers, Bus Power and Passthrough Charging Support https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08FF3BDW5 This one is on my buy-next List. It's built to support the higher bandwidth USB spec, so you not fighting with the 4K-30Hhz limitations of all the above for HDMI. Based on this quick impressions video from LTT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2r10vOzxh4 --- *: My Spare Cable Matters Dock is for sale, on a try before you buy basis. Contact me off-list. -- Scott Sullivan

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DRAM Issues
by Michael Galea 18 Jan '21

18 Jan '21

Hi All, I think I have fixed a longstanding problem in a desktop by lowering the DDR3 ram speed from 1333 to 1066 Mhz. The question I'm asking here is whether lowering the speed is the only way to go, or if there are alternatives such as playing with RAS/CAS timings?. Has anyone ever experienced a situation such as this? The desktop is old, running a quad core i5 at 3.1 Ghz. It started exhibiting an increase segfaults, page faults, dual linked list errors, and just plain crashes in the last year. I was able to correlate the failures to memory intensive processes, the worst of which turned out to be running chrome in headless mode. (For the longest time I thought it was just chrome). Also, moving the video driver from nouveau back to nvidia_drm made a big difference. Thanks -- Michael Galea

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Linus blaming Intel for lack of ECC in consumer systems
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 17 Jan '21

17 Jan '21

This is something I quite agree with. I gave up complaining about 20 years ago but would welcome a change: <https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/01/linus-torvalds-blames-intel-for-lac…> <https://www.realworldtech.com/forum/?threadid=198497&curpostid=198647>

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dsl modem ideas for bell?
by Karen Lewellen 17 Jan '21

17 Jan '21

Hi folks, Hope you all are finding ways to feel creative. Wondering if anyone might have a suggestion providing a solution. Bell is my dsl provider, they also provide my land line and satellites service as well, but that is not the issue really. Because I still use analog phone service, its tied to some of my adaptive technology, my dsl modem / rooter combination provided by Bell is a tw or two wire model...or at least it was until this weekend. Honestly I am not a major user of data, but I do often need to connect more than one Ethernet setup, and require that someone using wireless be able to do this with little fanfare. Largely because none of bell's software works for my setup. anyway, the problem is that bell has replaced my beloved modem with one that causes my landline to click, as in makes a constant clicking noise whenever the modem is connected, which is all the time. What I am seeking is hopefully an older, but still to be found prospect, with several Ethernet ports the ability to connect wirelessly, yet being a tw model. My old one had stream in the title if that rings a..bell. I have literary had 5 technicians here since Saturday, with three of them messing up my Internet on top of not addressing the issue. Any bell modem ideas come to mind? why on earth by the way, must I only use bell equipment in the first place? Kare the ranter.

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David Tilbrook
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 16 Jan '21

16 Jan '21

David Tilbrook passed away in the night yesterday. COVID-19, dammit. David had given a couple of talks at GTALUG. He was a long-time UNIX guy. We did CS degrees at the same time at the University of Toronto. He was an official member of DGP (I was only a guest) where (and when) the first U of T UNIX system was installed. We and Rob Pike worked on text editors (ed, qed), among other things. You know when a GUI interface changes the cursor symbol to indicate that the system is busy? He invented that. He was one of the founders of HCR, a Toronto UNIX software house. He did a lot of interesting things, knew a lot of interesting people, and had a lot of interesting stories. He has a good family too. I miss him. In fact, I've missed him for a year -- we were planning to visit when COVID showed up. "We" included Christopher Browne, now also passed.

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The Best of GTALUG
by Warren McPherson 15 Jan '21

15 Jan '21

I would love to hear people's thoughts about the best things about GTALug. For me, there is an element of digital citizenship that is uncelebrated but remarkably compelling. I would love to hear the thoughts of other people in the group. I have two questions in mind. What was a moment for you of GTALUG at it's best? What would you like to see more of, or what direction would be good to explore? <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Rust Frontend Funding in GCC News
by Nicholas Krause 13 Jan '21

13 Jan '21

Greetings, I'm aware Hugh and some people's interest in seeing a possible GCC Rust Front-end if possible. Seems some companies are working on funding people to work on it full time: https://opnsrcsec.com/open_source_security_announces_rust_gcc_funding Cheers, Nick

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odd evince command behaviour
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 12 Jan '21

12 Jan '21

I have a PDF filename named "RE: something.pdf" This fails: evince "RE: someting.pdf" with the error messages on stdout: ** (evince:397922): WARNING **: 11:14:02.077: The specified location is not supported ** (evince:397922): WARNING **: 11:14:02.080: set_filenames: The specified location is not supported The message in the evince window is more interesting: Unable to open document “file:///tmp/evince-397922/document.SR35V0- something”. The specified location is not supported. Clearly evince is trying to treat the prefix "RE:" as something magic. Just what, I don't know. But it sure isn't in the evince man page. This command works fine: evince ./"RE: someting.pdf"

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[GTALUG-Announce] Meeting Tomorrow
by hi＠gtalug.org 12 Jan '21

12 Jan '21

https://gtalug.org/meeting/2021-01/ # Using OpenEmbedded Linux to automate and control the wood-fired heating of his home with Trevor Woerner Trevor Woerner will be presenting his recent work using OpenEmbedded Linux to automate and control the wood-fired heating of his home. Bio: Trevor Woerner is a senior software developer with deep knowledge of deploying embedded Linux systems. He lives on a farm outside Toronto. His technical blog is at: https://twoerner.blogspot.com/ ## Location We will be meeting on Zoom: * Join Zoom Meeting -- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88449213217?pwd=MjlMT2VHRFFqbE9RMVB3SDVlSk5yUT09 * Meeting ID: 884 4921 3217 * Passcode: 658008 * Find your local dial-in number -- https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kvVXMQGoD ## Schedule * 7:30 pm - Meeting and presentation. # Code of Conduct We want a productive happy community that can welcome new ideas, improve every process every year, and foster collaboration between individuals with differing needs, interests and skills. We gain strength from diversity, and actively seek participation from those who enhance it. This code of conduct exists to ensure that diverse groups collaborate to mutual advantage and enjoyment. We will challenge prejudice that could jeopardise the participation of any person in the community. The Code of Conduct governs how we behave in public or in private whenever the Linux community will be judged by our actions. We expect it to be honoured by everyone who represents the community officially or informally, claims affiliation or participates directly. It applies to activities online or offline. We invite anybody to participate. Our community is open. Please read more about the GTALUG Code of Conduct here: https://gtalug.org/about/code-of-conduct/ If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the GTALUG Code of Conduct please contact the GTALUG Board @ board(a)gtalug.org --- GTALUG Announce mailing list announce(a)gtalug.org https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/announce

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