Cameron's Blog

Graphical RPM Package Management

The system-config-packages graphical utility can be used for RPM package management. It allows for the installation and removal of RPM packages. When installing RPM packages the default will prompt for a specific CD to install the RPM package from. Trying to install several RPM packages using CD's becomes cumbersome and sometimes requires that CD's be inserted into the CD-ROM drive many times. There are several options that can change the default installation source tree. These options are --tree= and --isodir=.

The --isodir= option is used to specify the directory that contains the iso images.

The --tree= option is used to specify the directory that contains the contents from the installation CD's.
NOTE: In order for the --tree option to work properly the .discinfo file must be copied from one of the installation media CD's into the installation source tree directory. If the .discinfo file does not exist in the installation source tree directory, error messages will be displayed about an improper installation source directory.

An example:
sytem-config-packages --tree=/var/ftp/pub

SELinux relabeling files

Under Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 or Fedora Core 3 when SELinux is disabled all files that are created do not contain any security information. When SELinux is enabled, these files which are missing the "security information" or security context will not function correctly. One method to quickly relabel all files based on default contexts is to use the touch /.autorelabel command. This creates an empty file that will be used by the rc.sysinit script to relabel all files when the system is rebooted.

The Voodoo King

Ukorz the king of Zul'Farrak, a huge troll, an evil troll with the powers of voodoo magic discovered that I had entered into his forbidden lands and killed one of his precious Zum'rah witch doctors. In fact his most prized witch doctor. Upon discovering this treacherous news, Ukorz sent one of his deadliest assassins, Bah'Kull the ghost dragon (picture 1) to assassinate me. Bah'Kull discovered my whereabouts, located within the depths of a Sunken Temple and was able to take me by surprise. It was a vicious and deadly fight, one which I shall never forget, being scarred for life. Again I beat the odds and escaped death's deadly grasp on my life. Knowing that Bah'Kull was one of Ukorz's assassins I made a vow and swore revenge against Ukorz and his evil followers. In my weakened condition I crawled and pulled my wrecked body from the sunken temple and finding a trusted griffin flew home (picture 2) to visit one of the local priests. After healing and receiving several priest blessings returning me to full health, it was time for revenge. I traveled back to Tanaris and entered that horrible land of Zul'Farrak. I carelessly approached Zul'Farrak appearing to be a lost and wandering traveler and was immediately seized by the guards. Before the guards could kill me, I said that I had news from Bah'Kull and it was for the king only. The guards dragged me off to see the king. Standing before the king, Ukorz asked me for my name and for the information. Knowing that Ukorz was going to kill me after giving him this information, I said, "Ukorz, Bah'Kull is dead by my own hand and I have come to claim your head, for I am Elric The Red". A deathly awe inspiring silence settled over the kings hall. In those few silent moments I called forth my demon and attacked with hell's fury. It was a vicious, gory and bloody battle... now the trolls of Zul'Farrak call me "The Voodoo King" (picture 3). But that is another story.

Sunken Temple

Searching the dark depths of the Sunken Temple looking for priceless treasure and the forbidden Infernal grimorie.

Partition Table Recovery using sfdisk

Before modifying a device's partition table create a file that contains a list of the current partitions. If for some reason there's a problem or the original partition table needs to be recovered (before modification) this file can become invaluable.

Create the file using sfdisk and redirect it's output to a file.
sfdisk -d /dev/hda > hda_partitions.pt

To restore the partition table
sfdisk /dev/hda < hda_partitions.pt

How do you wake a sleeping rock giant?

Get several people to stand around the sleeping rock giant to pose for a picture. Have one of those people climb up and stand on the rock giant's head. Make sure the camera's flash is turned on to maximum brightness and then take the picture. Be prepared for a very angry rock giant.
(Note: Don't try this at home, this is extremely dangerous and should only be performed by World of Warcraft professionals.)

Demon Lord Pet

I enslaved (muuhahaha) a new pet last weekend, and yes, he is the Demon Lord (Elite) of Mannoroc Coven. Each enslavement lasts about 5 minutes and then I have to re-enslave the demon to keep him under my control. Each enslavement costs one soulshard. Anyway, I ran the demon lord around Desolace and laid waste to everything in sight. Guess that's why they call the place Desolace. Everything in my path fell to his blade. We sliced through 5 to 8 mods without a sweat and then I ran out of soulshards... and the fight really began between us. He was a powerful opponent but in the end I was triumphent and my new pet was no more. I sure will miss that angry demon lord.

Wait I need a ride

Uh, Kimberis you've gotten to big, I can't give you a ride any more. (Felsteed says, "She better lay off the roasted dragon chops!")

Meditation

Medatating with the dead is so restful because its deathly quiet. (I think she likes me, her eyes lit up when I sat down next to her. Shhh, don't tell Zalienda)

Shrunken Heads

As I was questing across the sand blown dunes of Tanaris I stumbled upon an evil Zum'rah witch doctor who tried to shrink my head. Barely escaping with my life I managed to kill that evil witch doctor but only after he shrank my entire body.
Continuing my quest in my current state was not possible, so I headed off for the town of Gadgetzan to a find strong drink and to wait for the witch doctor's spell to wear off. While sorrowing over my drink about my tiny condition fate decided to smile apon me and brought me Zalienda, my newest girl.

Warlock Fishing

Ever wonder how warlocks go fishing? We use imps for bait. Not a bad day of fishing, two reef sharks and three hammer head sharks.

Dragon Slayers

Several of us "Gurus" battling a young dragon in the scorching deserts of the Badlands. I'm going to have roasted dragon chops for dinner, Yummy!!!