OSSPACK

Ever wanted to get the MAC or IP address of your computer in a Linux shell script? The following two commands should work on most flavours of Linux/Unix.

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Debian has updated expat (denial of service).

Jeremy Allison updates the world on his Linux-based multimedia device experiences on Tux Deluxe. "The Sonos platform is based on an embedded Linux kernel, but the user interface is completely custom, using separate Linux based controller devices to select play lists (although you can also use an iPhone). This is embedded Linux done right."

Here at Linux Journal, 2010 has been designated a Linux Odyssey. I was fortunate enough to be asked to lead the charge as the Guest Editor for the January issue where we took a small departure from our normal January focus and instead looked at Amateur Radio and Linux.

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One of the unusual aspects of open source is the fact that the software development philosophy spills over into the way that the project is run. This means that how and why things are done, and by whom, is plain for all to see.

We have three points of contact while riding a bicycle: pedals, handlebar grips, saddle. As anyone who’s been uncomfortable on a ride knows well, the latter’s by far the most significant in terms of comfort. Saddle choice is as personal as musical preferences; the only way to know if a saddle works for you is to plant your butt on it and take a spin. One general design, however, made by an English company since the late nineteenth century, has proven itself a tried and true favorite.

Brooks leather saddles come in configurations for nearly every type of rider and every mode of riding. Among the choices for leisurely upright cafe bikes is the B67 model, which I use on my utility/errand bike. It’s the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever owned. I’m obsessive about bike fit (bike fit is more important than bike quality), and there isn’t a component I’ve used that makes my bike fit me better than my Brooks saddle. Brooks’ B15 model has been around since 1937, and is best suited to a racer hunched over in the drops. Other options include women’s models, and wider models with bigger springs.

Like baseball gloves, Brooks saddles require a break-in period, though under you instead of your mattress. After a couple of months mine became noticeably more contoured to my contours. It’s felt custom-made ever since. Also like baseball gloves, bike saddles should be chosen for your size and position (on the bike). A wider platform is better suited to an upright riding position/wider body; narrower is better for racing-oriented cyclists/narrower bodies.

Leather saddles don’t tolerate wet weather as well as modern synthetic models. They’re also heavier and more expensive, too expensive for me to have a Brooks on all of my bikes, though I would.

-- Elon Schoenholz

Brooks B67
$107- $145

Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Brooks England

Matthew Casperson's Hubfolio: "This tutorial series steps you through the process of creating a 3D shoot'em'up game using the popular and powerful Ogre 3D engine. The tutorials compile on both Windows and Linux."

Diamond Systems announced software development kits (SDKs) that include solid-state IDE flashdisk modules. Preloaded with Linux 2.6.23, the bootable modules plug directly into Diamond's boards, supplying all required drivers, the company says....

Cisco announced a Linux-based WiFi router touted as the first 802.11n dual-band clustering access point for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The Cisco AP 541N Wireless Access Point includes 802.11n, gigabit Ethernet, & robust& security, voice roaming, and clustering technology, enabling a single point of administration for multiple access points....