My "Running Linux in Virtual PC" posts seem to be some of my more popular reading, so let's have a go at the recently released Fedora 8 (It's no longer Fedora Core).
As with most distributions, if you try to install it right off the ISO, you will rapidly hit the "screwed up graphics". Virtual PC 2007 does not support 24-bit color, and guess what mode is used by most Linux installers? Good times :) You could install in text mode, but as it is no longer 1992, let's do this in graphics mode. Unfortunately, the tricks I list for installing Ubuntu do not work for Fedora. Oh well...
First off, you will want to download the ISO here: http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora
Create a new virtual machine, and at the first screen hit "tab" for additional options. You will want to add "vesa" to the end of the boot parameters to fix the screwed up video problem. Booting at this point will introduce you to the other problem plaguing recent distros in Virtual PC... a non-functional mouse. Fortunately, I have the fix for this as well :) Add "i8042.noloop"
Hit enter, and you will end up in Anaconda (the Fedora installer) with functional graphics and a working mouse. WOOHOO!
The next few options (language, keyboard layout, etc) are all quite standard. It appears that the Fedora team has decided to go with a knock-off of Apple's Aqua glowing orb circles. Interesting...
We get the standard option to choose what packages are installed (Office and Productivity, Software Development, or Web Server). You can select the checkbox for "Additional Fedora Software" to get packages that were not chosen for inclusion on the DVD.
If you are not up for an hour of hand-picking which packages are installed, Fedora 7 introduced the concept of "spins" (special ISOs of the distribution with custom package sets). At the time of this writing, the available spins (http://spins.fedoraproject.org/) are:
Next comes "grab some coffee" time while Fedora installs. Avoiding a problem that has plagued installers since the beginning of time, Fedora doesn't even bother to estimate how much time is left.
When you are done installing, go ahead and reboot. Graphics will work fine, but the mouse will not work again. <sigh...> make sure to stop the reboot at grub, press "e" to edit, and add our hallowed i8040.noloop parameter to the 2nd line (the one that starts with kernel). After editing the line, hit enter and then "b" to boot. We'll have to do this one more time later to save the change for good.
Now you can finish booting and walk through the first-run setup wizard!
After walking through the options, you will finally be at the (somewhat funky looking) Fedora login screen.
After logging in, let's fix that mouse problem for once and for all. Well... until Fedora updates the Kernel, then you'll have to repeat these steps.
Go to Applications --> System Tools --> Terminal
Normally, I would do the following commands with Sudo, but I get a message that I am not in the sudoers file. Wierd... feel free to fix that if you'd like and do the following with sudo. I'm just going to violate security best practices and elevate to root with SU. So:
Hooray! You should have a working mouse from now on :)
So what is new in Fedora 8? Ars has a great writeup here, and the official feature list can be found here: http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/8/FeatureList.
Taking a look through the UI, I see that only FireFox and Evolution are in the quicklaunch. OpenOffice has been relegated to a menu, where even the OpenOffice branding has been removed. I wonder if there's a story behind that?
In any case, once you get the mouse and video working, Fedora 8 works like a champ and runs great. It sure would be nice if they did a bit of testing on Virtual PC (as that is a platform that is baked) so that we did not have to diddle around with the video and mouse, but unfortunately that is a bar that only Novell/Suse seems to be able to hit. All in all, great distro!
Unified Tools and Guidance for Desktop and Server Deployment Automation. Download it today!
We are pleased to announce the official release of the Microsoft Deployment Solution Accelerator! Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. Microsoft Deployment, the fourth generation deployment accelerator, enables deployment of servers and desktops. Its tools and end-to-end guidance reduce deployment time, standardize desktop and server images, limit service disruptions, reduce post-deployment help desk costs and improve security and ongoing configuration management.
Microsoft Deployment follows the trend for unified deployment tools across desktops, servers, and applications. This release represents an exciting opportunity for thousands of current BDD 2007 users to easily adopt Microsoft Deployment’s new capabilities for Windows Server® imaging and deployment automation. At the same time, Microsoft Deployment continues to enhance Windows Vista® and 2007 Office system deployment using new technologies, like System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or the new multicast feature in Windows Deployment Services.
Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:
· System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
· System Center Operations Manager
· Windows Automated Installation Kit
· Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
· Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
· User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
· 2007 Office system
· Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition
· Systems Management Server 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack
Accelerator Features
Microsoft Deployment is the recommended process and toolset to automate desktop and server deployment. It provides detailed guidance and job aids for every organizational role involved with large-scale deployment projects. This release continues to provide automation options to satisfy a broad range of organizations – Lite Touch Installation (LTI) with minimal infrastructure requirements up to the enterprise-class Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) option using new System Center Configuration Manager 2007 deployment features. The new Deployment Workbench tool in Microsoft Deployment offers enhanced flexibility for defining deployment task sequences. Customizable and easy-to-use deployment task sequence templates are provided for client and server deployment.
New Features in this Release
This release marks the first in a series of three Microsoft Deployment releases planned between now and Summer 2008. It focuses on integration with new deployment features in Configuration Manager 2007 as well as features and guidance to support server deployment. Future updates to Microsoft Deployment will add further support for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista SP1, and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 releases.
Microsoft Deployment delivers additional value to Configuration Manager 2007 users by adding complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 administrator console and task sequencer as a product extension. Microsoft Deployment combined with Configuration Manager 2007allows users to:
· Dynamically install packages
· Automatically determine user state store locations
· Back up computers and database settings
· Install to computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
· Perform offline patching
· Install language packs offline and online
· Monitor deployments using an updated Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack
In addition to the new integration with Configuration Manager 2007, Microsoft Deployment also enhances the Lite Touch Installation for deploying desktops and servers. This release allows LTI users to:
· Deploy pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008, including support for Server Core installation options.
· Automate server role definition using Server Manager.
· Configure disk and network interface cards (NICs), including static TCP/IP configuration.
· Migrate from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
· Create custom task sequences or modify task sequences based on new templates for:
o Client template: Windows Vista, Windows® XP
o Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
o Replace scenario template
· Invoke Web service calls from rules.
· Deploy operating system images using the new multicast feature in Windows Server 2008 Windows Deployment Services.
Where to Find Microsoft Deployment
Microsoft Deployment is available as a free download on the Microsoft Download Center.
The Microsoft TechNet Desktop Deployment Center and the new Server Deployment Center host the Microsoft Deployment process guidance for online reading.
Related Resources
Microsoft Deployment Team Blog
System Center Configuration Manager on Microsoft TechNet
System Center Configuration Manager evaluation software on Microsoft TechNet
Windows Server 2008 on Microsoft TechNet
Previously, I told you how to get Office 2007 Ultimate for $60. For one day only, you can do the same with Office 2008 for the Mac. From the MacBU blog...
This year, in the giddy frenzy that is the road to Macworld and the worldwide launch of Office 2008 for Mac, we wanted to do something BIG. Bigger than big. The BFD-biggest deal out there. So, for ONE DAY – if you purchase this coming Friday November 23rd – you can get an additional $100 mail-in rebate from us on any qualifying Office 2004 for Mac product (Standard Edition, Standard Edition Upgrade, EVEN Student & Teacher Edition!) AND, you can combine it with our Super Suite Deal, which means you can get Office 2008 Special Media Edition (about $500 street price) for under sixty bucks, if you include the $6.99 shipping and handling fee for Office 2008 (which we’ll send to you after it launches in January.) Whoa. That is our BFD – Best. Friday. Deal. EVER. Never seen before. Unlikely to be repeated. Hope you like it. Get the full details and download the rebate coupon here.
This year, in the giddy frenzy that is the road to Macworld and the worldwide launch of Office 2008 for Mac, we wanted to do something BIG. Bigger than big. The BFD-biggest deal out there.
So, for ONE DAY – if you purchase this coming Friday November 23rd – you can get an additional $100 mail-in rebate from us on any qualifying Office 2004 for Mac product (Standard Edition, Standard Edition Upgrade, EVEN Student & Teacher Edition!) AND, you can combine it with our Super Suite Deal, which means you can get Office 2008 Special Media Edition (about $500 street price) for under sixty bucks, if you include the $6.99 shipping and handling fee for Office 2008 (which we’ll send to you after it launches in January.)
Whoa. That is our BFD – Best. Friday. Deal. EVER. Never seen before. Unlikely to be repeated. Hope you like it. Get the full details and download the rebate coupon here.
I see Amazon has Office 2004 for $124.99. If you don't count tax/S&H... you could get Office 2008 for around $30...
A cheery ribbing, in rhyming verse. By Sean. :)
Tis our third Apple Cupin only 4 yearsand those shamed to wear purpleshall go home in tears
For the Cougs, they have wonit was as I had thought.The Huskies were schooled,and the Cougs? Well, we taught.
Husky sorrow and painyour loss was our gain.Though your QB can run,the better team, we have won.
Go Cougs!!!
I have 5 different computers with iTunes. 5 different computers with the Apple Software Update program. 5 different computers that will NOT update iTunes through Apple's updater program, which is not shy in bugging me that I don't have the latest version. What the heck?!?! Uninstalling...