Skein’s goal is provide easy functionality for rebuilding SRPMS from upstream and import them into github, where they can be built using our koji instance. The process is actually easier than one might think:

• skein request – Request a particular repository be setup on our github organization for the specified package. The package itself should be able to be requested from the SRPM, but that feature is not yet available.
• skein query – To verify the request has been placed, this shows the open queries (by default).
• skein show – For a particular request, show the detail of who requested and the purpose of such a request.
• skein grant – Only an admin can grant the repository. Only members of the admin team on our github organization can grant the repository.
• skein extract – Once granted, the SRPM can be extracted and placed into two basic directories:
• /path/to/package/lookaside/ – contains the archive from the SRPM, usually a tar, tar.gz or zip file. The contents of this directory can then be pushed to the lookaside cache.
• /path/to/package/git/ – contains the spec file, any patches and other sources that are not archives. A Makefile and sources file are also generated along with a .gitignore to provide useful functionality during the koji build

Other functionality is currently under development:

• skein push – Once extracted and committed to the git repository, this pushes the git commits to github.
• skein upload – Once extracted, this uploads the content of the lookaside directory to the lookaside cache at pkgs.gooselinux.org.
• skein import – A combination of skein extract, push and upload, since that seems fairly logical.
• skein build – Albeit mostly complete, it will need to be tested with an SRPM that has been run through this process.

I took a few minutes the other day and created a video of the completed process. I post this here for others to use for their benefit, but also so I can have it in another place besides my laptop.

Skein video

Cheers,

Herlo

Even though I did attend several presentations on Saturday. My day was mostly taken up with something else…

I built rpm packages for salt!

If you aren’t sure what salt is, check out their site and read the authors blog. Essentially, salt makes it easy to run a set of commands on multiple machines all at the same time, returning results quickly and asynchronously.

If you are interested in trying out salt on your system(s) and run Fedora, RHEL, CentOS, etc. feel free to try out the rpms. I’ve currently got a review request on bugzilla as well if anyone is interested in providing a review.

Cheers,

herlo

Test fpaste-server

I’d like to get some folks to hit it and do some testing. If you have time, I would love it if you could take a moment, read below and help.

On the development server

To help, just point your browser to http://paste01.dev.fedoraproject.org/ and add some pastes. In fact, it should be pretty sturdy. If you do happen to find a bug, please file it on our fedorahosted.org Trac instance.

Roll your own

Another way to help is to install your own instance of fpaste-server. I’ve posted some simple installation instructions for anyone who is interested.

We are always looking for helpers to make fpaste-server better. Please contact me (herlo AT fedoraproject doT Org) if you are interested in helping improve or maintain this simple and fun project.

Cheers,

herlo

What is pydf?

$ yum info pydf

I was also able to send in a patch for the python 2.4 version to the upstream author. He was very happy to receive and apply the fix. The patch is also available in the source rpm.

A nice looking screenshot of the output from pydf is below:

Cheers,

herlo

Folks, since Fedora 15 was just released yesterday, I had an idea regarding the UTOS Project Day. I’m going to setup an installation server and usb keys for anyone who wishes to try out and/or install Fedora 15 on their computer.

There are only a couple requirements:

1. If you want the media on your USB key, you must provide at least a 2GB key. (Any existing data should be preserved, but make a backup just in case.)
2. Installations will be done using network boot, which requires a PxE capable laptop. Most are these days, just make sure yours supports this feature.

UTOS Project Day is going to be tons of fun. Come on down and try out Fedora 15, work on your project., or help someone else work on theirs.

Here’s to seeing all my geek friends this weekend at UTOS Project Day!!

Cheers,

Herlo

Several new features are available, many which I am excited about.

• GNOME 3 desktop environment – built from awesome!
• Btrfs filesystem now optionally available
• Better crash reporting
• Better SELinux support
• More apps in live media thanks to XZ compression
• Better power management
• LibreOffice replaces OpenOffice
• Firefox 4
• Systemd – the new and better replacement for SYSV init
• And much, much more…

Download and share (via bittorrent) the latest release of joy and happiness. Fedora 15 is here!

Cheers,

Herlo

To fix it, in both Firefox 3 or Firefox 4, type ‘about:config‘.

Next, search for ‘browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent‘, set the value to ‘false’ as shown below.

This tip is brought to you by the number 4 and the letter F.

Cheers,

Herlo

The question is, how do you gain the skills to become a better sysadmin?

In my opinion, one of the best ways to gain experience quickly, is to participate in training classes, such as the amazing classes run by Red Hat.  But sometimes, those cost a ton of money, and the current company doesn’t want to foot the bill.  Of course, you are trying to save your pennies to get to there, but that can take time.

However, there are cheaper alternatives.  I believe the community is the best way overall to gain this knowledge. While it takes a bit more time to get there, over time, you can learn a major portion of what it takes to become a skilled sysadmin.

Local User Groups

I suggest attending a Local User Group that specializes in Linux administration.  These groups take one topic per month and can educate you (usually) for free.  I really enjoy my LUGs and have gained tons of knowledge over the years.

Conference Events

Many conferences, like SCaLE, offer space to communities to run day long activities.  The Fedora Activity Day at SCaLE is a good example of where you can quickly gain skills as a system administrator for a very low cost.  If you are looking to improve your system administration skillset, I highly recommend attending the FAD at SCaLE this year.

Sysadmin Study Group at SCaLE 9x

The study group is about helping you become a better system administrator and there will be experts on hand to help you study.  We will also be providing an installation server with Fedora 14, which will be used to build your virtual or physical machine and give you real hands on experience with the sysadmin tasks.

Machine Requirements

Register Today

I look forward to seeing you all come and improve your skills on Friday, and the entire cost is just what it takes to get into SCaLE, $70.  Register now!

You know, I’ve always enjoyed that statement.  I love hearing it over the PA at the circus, at a restaurant when someone is about to make an announcement, or at a the start of a presentation at a conference.  Not sure why, but it just gets me all excited about the world, the future and I perk up wide-eyed with anticipation of what’s going to happen next…

I’m as excited as ever to say these words myself.  I’m so happy, in fact, that I wanted to share it with you, my dear audience.  My friends, colleagues, fellow UTOS compatriots, I would like to share with you some wonderful news!  The future is bright for free and open source software right here in our fine state.

Just look around you and you will see companies coming into Utah right and left.  While some do not appear open source friendly, don’t be fooled, they want you with your amazing Linux skills, or incredible Python Fu.  It’s you they want, Miss PHP master, scripting fiend, fanciful master of kickstart!  The real question though, will be, where will these companies look for their talent?

In my opinion, they will look to the great technical community already here in Utah.  They will strive to find and hire the best and brightest from our ranks.  They will want to hire those from our communities of experts, skilled craftsman, coders, system administrators and much, much more.  It is my belief that they will want to hire from those of you who participate in our Local User Groups and directly with Utah Open Source.

I say these things with great fervor and joy.  I’d like to announce the 2011 theme of Utah Open Source, ‘Community’.

My departure from the Executive Director position leaves me to work more closely with the UTOS board of directors.  In my stead, Victor Villa will take the responsibilities and leadership of the Executive Director.

Victor comes to UTOS with a great deal of community leadership.  As the former president of the Utah PHP User Group for the past several years, Victor grew the local PHP community every year.  He’s been a great supporter of UTOS since its inception in 2006.  With his foresight and leadership, I know that UTOS will continue to grow and flourish.  I am excited to pass the baton of leadership of UTOS to a man I have grown to admire and appreciate. Thank you Victor for taking on the role of leading Utah Open Source into this bright future!

During our conversations, I’ve asked Victor to spend some extra time during 2011 focusing on community growth and development.  With this in mind, Victor and I agree that 2011 will be a year of community building.  In 2012, the Utah Open Source Conference will return.  I will let Victor respond to my comments, with a post of his own, addressing the rest of his vision for UTOS.  I’m truly excited to be a part of UTOS, and with all of the goals Victor has set forth, I am very excited for the future!

Thank you for letting me be part of this community.  I will never forget you.  I will miss you all so very much when our family moves to Southern California in the fall.

Much Joy and Excitement,

Your friend,

Clint

I mean it, It really has changed…just over two months ago, my son Alexander James was born.  He was 6 weeks early.  Wow, it’s been a ride.  I had to take some time off from my extracurricular duties and focus on family, myself and work only.  It was an interesting opportunity to introspect and think about my future.

I also have more change in my life in the next year than I believe I have ever had in any one year period in my life.  This change is good change.  This change is good for more than just me; it’s good for my two sons, and my future wife.  This change is going to make our lives different than they’ve ever been.  At least from my perspective, it’s a HUGE change.

So what is this change, you ask.  Well, maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m going to pretend you asked, because well, I’m going to tell you anyway.  Some of you might even care what the change is and how my life is going to change.

Back in April or May, I was approached about returning to teaching Linux classes.  The classes I would teach would be from the Red Hat Curriculum.  As I’ve always had a passion for teaching, I really liked the prospect, but I had a few hurdles to manage before I could really go forth with this idea.

Essentially, I had agreed to a non-compete with one of my former employers, which prevented me teaching Linux classes for any of their competitors until June this year.  The job I will be taking teaching for Red Hat would definitely be considered one of their competitors.  The other was expected delivery of our son AJ in August required me to have insurance and boy am I glad I did.  Because he came early, the insurance I had with my former company essentially saved us from bankruptcy.

With these two considerations in mind, I decided to stay until the end of August, then leave for this new position.

I’ve been employed for the last year and half at Backcountry.com.  They are a great company and their Site Operations (read Infrastructure) staff is amazing.  I was blessed with the opportunity to work with some of the smartest people I’ve ever worked.  I was also very blessed to work at a job that challenged me to no end.  But in the end, my passions got me, of which there have always been a few…

The first passion I have, is my family.  I actually never thought I’d be in a situation where I would have two children from different mothers.  I had sworn off dating, marriage, family (beyond my son, Shaun) for good.  But then along came this amazing woman who turned my life back around, and made me want to share my life with her and what will become our amazing family.  We’ve already started, with AJ coming six weeks early on July 2, we’re proud new parents with some very unique challenges.

Another passion I have, teaching and training.  I accidentally fell into a training role back in 2003, when I was forced to get a job to pay for child support right after my divorce.  Luckily for me, it was the best accident professionally that I could have had.  It allowed me to show my talents and skillset to those who really could benefit from my passion and enjoyment of sharing how technology works.  With the exception of the 21 month sabbatical from training that is about to end, I hope to be in some sort of educational role for my remaining professional years.

Lastly, while there are many other passions, I’ll discuss my love for free and open source software.  To me, it’s almost like my religion.  I believe in it so strongly, and think that there are so many things that FOSS communities can and do provide to help others, I want it to always be a part of me.  I especially want to instill in my children the importance of openness and sharing, and FOSS really allows me to give a very credible and altruistic vision of these ideals.  For me, it’s been a passion of mine for more than 6 years and I’ve spent a good portion of that helping with two big organizations, the Utah Open Source Foundation and the Fedora Project.

These passions keep me going, which brings me to the whole point of all that I’ve said.  My days are numbered here in Utah.  Yes, I’ve said it, I’ve loved living here in Utah all my life, but it’s time to move to pursue the first of my passions, my family.  Because I’ve been here in Utah so long, it’s been a very difficult decision to make and one that I’ve not come to lightly.  In fact, I’ve been debating when would be the right time, and I know that now is the time.

My son, Shaun, lives in Los Alamitos, California, and has lived there with his mother for more than 5 years.  I’ve done my best to be a good father at more than 700 miles away, but I don’t think I can ignore a few very important years coming up.  Shaun is now 10 years old, and will be coming into manhood in the coming years.  Because of this, I believe that I need to be nearer to him to help him deal with many of the tough challenges he will face as he becomes a teenager and starts to pursue more adult activities.  I want to be there for him, and I think it’s very valuable for him to be a big part of our now growing family.

So, where does this leave my other passions.  Specifically some big loves I’ll have to leave behind here in Utah.  My family has always been here and I’ll miss them sorely.  The Utah Open Source Foundation and Conference as well as the Local User Groups.  I love the mountains here, the beauty and especially, the people.  I’ll miss you dearly, I surely will.

Lest you think that I’ll be in a hurry to leave, it’s not the case.  I’m starting a new job next week, September 12, as a contract instructor.  Again I will be teaching Red Hat classes.  My plans to move to California require that I am able to sell my house and that means it will require some fix ups first.  All in all, I believe our family will be moved to Southern California sometime in late summer or early fall of 2011.

In the coming weeks, the Utah Open Source Conference will be happening.  It’s been a passion of mine for now 4-1/2 years.  My leadership as the Chief Executive of the Foundation and manager of the conference will end at the end of 2010.  I believe now is the time for UTOS to have a new leadership and new life. One of the big tenets of the free and open source community is that leadership should change regularly.  In this way, I look forward to many more UTOS events and especially the great tradition of UTOSC.

Hopefully at the Utah Open Source Conference, we’ll be able to nominate and elect new leadership for both the Utah Open Source Foundation Core Team and Board of Directors.  Their roles will start at the beginning of 2011 and transitions will likely happen in late 2010. I plan to run for the Board of Directors.  In this way, I will maintain a less day-to-day role in UTOS and more an administrative and support role to the new Chief Executive as well as providing support to the new and continuing members of both the Core Team and Board.

Now that this post has become somewhat of a novel, I’ll just say one more thing.  I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the the community here in Utah.  I’m excited for my future and the future of my family and look forward to many more great years of watching Utah’s tech and free software communities grow!  It’s always been the goal of UTOS to ‘Help Open Source Grow in Utah and the Mountain West’ and I see great things now and in the future!

Cheers,

Clint