Changing the background in GDM

Run this command as root:

gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml::/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.vendor --set /desktop/gnome/background/picture_filename --type=string "/path/to/picture"
gconftool-2 --direct --config-source=xml::/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.vendor --set /desktop/gnome/background/picture_options --type=string "stretched"

Sourced from http://lizards.opensuse.org/2010/07/25/how-to-change-gdm-backgroundwallpaper/

VLC on SLED 11 SP1 Part Deux

I have received some comments for my previous post on VLC on SLED 11 SP1 that it doesn't seem to work according to what was stated.

Well if all else fail, revert to using the openSUSE 11.1 repos:

zypper ar -f http://packman.unixheads.com/suse/11.1/ Packman && zypper refresh Packman

zypper ar -f http://download.videolan.org/pub/vlc/SuSE/11.1 vlc && zypper refresh vlc && zypper in vlc

If it still won't install try adding these two repos and try installing vlc again:

zypper ar -f http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/libs/SLE_11/ multimedia-libs && zypper refresh multimedia-libs

zypper ar -f http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/xine/SLE_11 multimedia-xine && zypper refresh multimedia-xine

On my T61 with newly installed SLED 11 SP1, the above methods work flawlessly.

VLC on SLED 11 SP1

Out of the box, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (SLED 11) has no good video playback capabilities. In past (and now) I needed to add the Packman repos for openSUSE 11.1 and get those gstreamer plugins installed. Video playback for me is absolutely crucial as I use my lappy for entertainment as well; by that I meant playing my many downloaded AVIs, RMVBs and MPEGs.

VLC has always been the Swiss Army Knife of media players and VLC has always been sucky on openSUSE 11.1 (which SLED 11 was based on). With VLC 1.10 launched, I decided to give it a go on my SLED 11 SP1. I added the repo, refreshed it and installed vlc:

zypper ar -f http://download.videolan.org/pub/vlc/SuSE/11.2 vlc

zypper refresh vlc

zypper in vlc

I decided to add the 11.2 repo on a hunch, since there are numerous upgrades and additions to SP1.

So far it has been working well and I have no problems with any video or audio playbacks.

Hacker's Code

# Hackers come and go, but a great hack is forever.

# Public goods belong to the public.*

# Software hoarding is evil. Software does the greatest good given to the greatest number.

# Don't be evil.

# Sourceless software sucks.

# People have rights. Organizations live on sufferance.

# Governments are organizations.

# If it is wrong when citizens do it, it is wrong when governments do it.

# Information wants to be free. Information deserves to be free.

# Being legal doesn't make it right.

# Being illegal doesn't make it wrong.

# Subverting tyranny is the highest duty.

# Trust your technolust!

* Definition: A good is public if the marginal production cost is lower than the marginal billing cost.

Thanks to Ditesh.

Good Intro to SUSE Studio

Linux Journal has an awesome intro article on SUSE Studio. You can read it for free at the following location:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/working-suse-studio-exercise-online-virtual-appliance-creation

Installing Software Pattern/Groups in SUSE/openSUSE

I often use the yum groupinstall feature when running Fedora/CentOS to get the bunch of software install without fuss, especially when it comes to development tools (gcc, bison, flex etc.)

In SUSE/openSUSE you can also do so:

To search for available software pattern (ala Group in RH-based distros):

zypper se -t pattern

To install a pattern

zypper in -t pattern xxx

Patent Absurdity

For those of us who are still struggling with the whole stupidity around Software Patents, please proceed to download (legally) a nice video from http://patentabsurdity.com/download.html

Enough of mega corps dictating on how we do our computing.