Lock The Software or Kernel Versions

There are times you want to lock in your software or kernel version so that it won't upgrade to the next available version.
This article will show you how to do it and provide examples why you might want to do this.

You just got your Ubuntu system all tweaked out and running sweet. The Nvidia driver problems are all fixed and you are happy. BLINK! The updater has informed you about new updates.
So you click on the updater and start the download and install process. One of the updates is a new kernel. Cool! Might have some new features in it.
You finish the updates and restart your computer to enable the new kernel.

Disaster!!
The video is screwed again. The new kernel hosed your old settings. After a few minutes of making changes you toss up your hands and scream at the top of your lungs.
Lucky for you, you can reboot and select the old kernel for your boot up.
Then you can use one of the tips from my previous blog entry to remove that new kernel.
However, every time you start your computer, the updater informs you that you have a new update. That update is the kernel you just got rid of. How can we tell the updater to ignore it?
Here's how;

Open up the Synaptic Package Manager and do a search for linux-headers.
Find the version you are now using and highlight it.
Now go to the Package button and click on the Lock Version button.
Go back to the search field and do a search for linux-image.
Find the version you are now using and lock that version also.

Now the update manager won't bug you about an update for the new kernel.
You can also use this for software you have installed.
Use this technique to prevent update problems when your system takes a dive with a new kernel or software version.

Enjoy!

TaZMAn

Create Split Archives and Files Using A GUI

I came to Linux after using Windows for years and during that time I became spoiled using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for almost all the software.
Winrar was one of those programs that I used to create split archives.

But when I started using Linux I found that archiving files into split rar files required me to open the terminal and type in the commands to arrive at the final solution.
But no more! That has changed with the help of a small script that creates a GUI and makes archiving and splitting files an easy process.

I know. I can hear the comments. Use File Roller or use the free 7zip.
Using either of these requires the use of the command line to create split archives.
I can also use the Windows version of 7zip in Wine which will create split files but using Wine is not the objective here. I'm trying to use software that is native to Linux and this script fits the bill.

The actual script download is found in an Ubuntu forum link that can be found here;
Ubuntu Forum
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=556756

This will require you to sign up for free as a member.

But if you don't want to sign up I'm providing the actual tar.gz file links to Rapidshare.
There are 2 versions and both come with updaters.
One is the standard interface and the other contains a modified interface.
Both tar.gz files are about 3k each.

Download links;
Standard GUI
http://rapidshare.com/files/161620313/mkrar_and_updater-PACKAGE_VERSION_2.1.tar.gz

Modified GUI
http://rapidshare.com/files/161620314/mkrar_and_updater-PACKAGE_VERSION_2.1_MODIFIED_INTERFACE.tar.gz

All I did was extract the tar.gz files to a folder. Then I opened the folder and clicked on the mkrar.sh file. It asked me what to do and I chose the Run option.
The GUI opened up and I was easily able to create several split files.

What you can do is integrate this into your menu as a software option or even include it into your right click shell just like you do with the Nautilus Scripts.

Also, you will see a file named mkrarupdater.sh
Running this file will check for any updates to this script.

There doesn't seem to be any bugs with this script but I haven't tried out all the options so if you do find any bugs you can contact the maker.

Enjoy!

TaZMAn