Fedora Weekly News Issue 81

Thomas Chung tchung at fedoraproject.org
Mon Apr 2 10:07:29 UTC 2007


= Fedora Weekly News Issue 81 =

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FWN/Issue81

Welcome to Fedora Weekly News Issue 81 for the week of March 25th
through March 31st, 2007. The latest issue can always be found
[http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FWN/LatestIssue here].

== Announcements and Fedora Board ==

=== Fedora 7 Test 3 Announcement ===

The third of four test releases for Fedora 7 was announced by
JeremyKatz in [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-announce-list/2007-March/msg00003.html
fedora-announce-list].

Fedora 7 Test 3 is packaged initially as a Desktop/Development
Workstation/Server implementation, called "Prime".  This spin is
delivered in DVD ISO format only.

This test release includes an i386 ISO for a Desktop Live CD. This
Live CD features the ability to install to a hard disk using the same
graphical Anaconda installer as the non-live CD variant.

This test release also includes an x86_64 ISO for a Desktop Live
image.  Due to size, this requires a DVD.  As with the i386 Live
image, the ability to install to a hard disk is available.

This test release features a new i386 ISO for a KDE Live CD.  Note
that as of this writing, this ISO is only available via bittorrent. It
should be available via the mirrors in the near future. (Editor's
Note: It's now available from
[http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/test/6.92/
Fedora Download Site] and
[http://rhold.fedoraproject.org/Download/mirrors.html Mirror Sites].)

=== Board Meeting: 2007-03-27 ===

MaxSpevack reports in
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-advisory-board/2007-March/msg00279.html
fedora-advisory-board], the first 40 minutes of the meeting was spent
talking with Donald Fischer, Red Hat's VP of Online Services. One of
the things that was discussed is that Fedora 7 allows a group like
Donald's all the tools necessary to put together an "Experimental
Desktop" spin anytime they want, which can be really useful for
testing and getting their ideas into people's hands in a very
consumable way.

JeremyKatz indicated that LiveUSB keys are close to becoming a
reality. It is Jeremy's decision as to whether we can do a LiveUSB key
or just plain LiveCD for the [http://www.redhat.com/promo/summit/2007/
Red Hat Summit].

MaxSpevack summarized his recent conversation with ThorstenLeemhuis in
which they discussed the fact that the Fedora Board is inadvertantly
poaching some of the topics that are more appropriately discussed by
[http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Development/SteeringCommittee FESCo].

== Developments ==

=== Presto Debut Shows Great Promise ===

Presto is a yum plugin that uses ''deltas'', or small changes, between
software packages to increase the speed users obtain updates.
AhmedKamal and Jonathan Dieter took the initiative to adopt and modify
an implementation originally developed within Red Hat and targetted
for Red Hat RHN web service.  The yum plugin uses delta packages when
available.  Presto debuted on
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01405.html
on March24th] .  The Presto
[https://hosted.fedoraproject.org/projects/presto/wiki/WikiStart
project] seeks testers using i386 FC6 systems.

RahulSundaram [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01765.html
reported around 74%] savings in download size for an update using this
method.  The plugin is planned to be packaged in Fedora, and mirrors
can be encouraged to make delta packages available so that more users
will test it.

=== Missing /dev/hdX Devices? ===

A query from a Fedora 7 development branch tester about why there was
no longer a `/dev/hda` on his system was
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01455.html
answered] by WillWoods with the information that rawhide is using a
new libata that passes all devices (PATA/IDE and SATA subsystems)
through the SCSI layer so that all disk devices are now referenced as
`/dev/sdX`.

=== FC6 NetworkManager Gets Some Love ===

A discussion about why NM was being built against dbus-0.93 but is
currently running with dbus-1.0.1 morphed into an investigation of why
NM keeps on asking for the user's password
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01458.html
each time the WEP key is needed].  When it was asserted that this had
become even more intrusive in rawhide with prompting at each
suspend/resume, Richard Hughes explained that this was a design
decision for security where gnome-power-manager tells gnome-keyring to
lock on suspend.  After some discussion, Richard Hughes
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01493.html
decided] to add a gconf option to make this behavior configurable.

=== LSB Compliance of Initscripts ===

Michal Marciniszyn was concerned
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01544.html
that a recent audit] carried out by him showed that most of the
shipped initscripts returned exit codes of "0" when there was no
configuratin file.  Jakub Jelinek argued that this was irrelevant
because Fedora allowed the installation of LSB compliant applications
and their initscripts.  Further, the current coding idiom resulted in
a snappier start-up.  Emmanuel Seymann argued that the problem was
simply that "6" should be returned instead of "0".

=== Hplip:  Advertising Via Icons? ===

A [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01498.html
very long thread] was opened by BernardJohnson on whether or not the
hplip package should install its icon to the menu.  Hplip is
Hewlett-Packard's Linux Imaging and Printing software.  The icon is
that of the Hewlett-Packard corporation and was removed by a developer
who wished not to fill the menus with "free advertising".
Bernard objected that the package was 100% GPL and that other
packages, such as VNC, did something similar, so for consistencies
sake a uniform standard should be applied.  Technical objections to
hplip  were voiced by other developers who felt that HP should instead
contribute to CUPS instead of installing a parallel stack.
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01538.html
Suggestions of replacement software] appear to reveal that
functionality is still scattered between different packages and that
hplip may provide features not available elsewhere.  Leading on from a
suggestion by Dan Horák a possible way of installing specific drivers
for printers was
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01702.html
proposed by JeremyKatz] .  No blood was shed during the discussion
which ranged into interpretations of the GPL, the inclusion of
CodecBuddy, and more.

=== Proper Flags in RPM .spec for Dell Firmware? ===

Leading on from a query about Dell's firmware package
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01880.html
failing to build] a debate took place over whether this was an
arch/noarch package and what exactly the
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01884.html
packaging guidelines say].A strong opinion was voiced in favour of the
idea that it was '''not''' a noarch package as demonstrated by its
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01882.html
failure to build using ExclusiveArch: x86_64].

=== Provide "buildsys-macros" in Installed System? ===

JesseKeating made a
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01759.html
favorably received proposal] to install the "buildsys-macros" in
shipped systems.   These macros are used in the current build system
to provide essential definitions for package builds.  Their inclusion
in shipped systems would make it easier for those rebuilding packages
for their current system.  Those wishing to build for other releases
or distributions should probably use mock and redhat-rpm-config.  Some
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-devel-list/2007-March/msg01803.html
objections were voiced] to the idea of "vendor" macros.  RalfCorsepius
and JarodWilson explored the issue, which seemed to pivot about
redhat-rpm-config breaking the ability of rpmbuild to cross-build
packages for non-Fedora.  Ralf mentioned a possible work around and
Jarod suggested that this was a very exotic, unusual case that would
not affect most people.

=== KDE SIG Packages Status ===

Ending off March with the release of Fedora 7 Test 3 there is a bit of
activity worth sharing on the fedora-extras-list. KDE-SIG, or the KDE
Special Interest Group, has submitted a review request this week for
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-extras-list/2007-March/msg00267.html
kicker-compiz], which for the uninformed is a replacement KDE panel
capable of handling Compiz and Beryl. Other Fedora KDE-SIG packages
awaiting review are koverartist, klear, kdebluetooth, and keep.
Speaking of KDE, new plug-ins for Kipi and digikam also have pending
review requests.

=== Extras i386 rawhide rebuild in mock status ===

Last week Matthew Domsch had reported in with the Extras
Rawhide-in-Mock Build Results
([https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-extras-list/2007-March/msg00277.html
March 28, 2007 Results]). In total are now 2847 packages for Extras!
Though for i386 and x86_64 the number of packages that had failed to
build were 34 and 65, respectively. For comparison, back in January of
this year were 2606 packages while over 100 packages failed for each
architecture.

=== FC6 Gaim package update and sametime plugin issue ===

If the recent GAIM update for Fedora Core 6 had caused adverse effects
for your system, the
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-extras-list/2007-March/msg00289.html
issue with gaim-meanwhile] is in the process of being worked out. If
you use gaim-meanwhile, which is a plug-in for allowing GAIM to act as
a Sametime client, it would be wise to not yet update GAIM.

== Documentation and Translation ==

=== Changes in Docs CVS ===

Paul W. Frields
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-docs-list/2007-March/msg00197.html
reports] on a  change in the Docs CVS.  Previously, {{{xml2po -e}}}
was used to parse entities when creating POT and PO files; now
{{{xml2po -k}}} is used.  Translation of the common entities file can
now proceed using the same methods, directory structure, and access
permissions as the rest of the documentation in CVS.  Because the
changes create fuzzy entries for translators, there is some minor
inconvenience caused in the short term.  The long term effect is to
make translating quicker and easier.

=== Fedora 7 Desktop User Guide ===

To get ready for Fedora 7, the Fedora Documentation team is
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-docs-list/2007-March/msg00202.html
discussing] updates that need to be made to the
[:Docs/DesktopUserGuide:Desktop User Guide].  Known issues in the
Fedora Core 6 release to resolved in the Fedora 7 release include:

 * Adding KDE information, now that KDE has a more prominent focus in the spins
 * Add more task focused documentation
 * Push concept material to other documents

There is a general call for writers who can document the KDE desktop
for the DUG.  Refer to the [:DocsProject/Join:Documentation Project
join] page for more information.

=== More wiki cleanup ===

As part of a general effort to clean up the wiki, Paul W. Frields
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-docs-list/2007-March/msg00183.html
requested] that someone from the Fedora Documentation Project ensure
that all the meeting minutes and IRC logs are correct for the
[:DocsProject/SteeringCommittee/Meetings:Steering Committee (FDSCo)
meeting page]. Jason Taylor has taken
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-docs-list/2007-March/msg00188.html
this] up.

=== Domain for translation statistics etc ===

Dimitris Glezos
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-trans-list/2007-March/msg00076.html
requested] a decision be made about domain name structures for the new
translation-focused web presence that hosts statistics and other
project related items. DimitrisGlezos submitted
http://translations.fedoraproject.org, http://l10n.fedoraproject.org/,
and http://i18n.fedoraproject.org/ for discussion. No decision has
been reached yet.

== Events and Meetings ==

=== Ambassadors Event Report ===

 * [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-ambassadors-list/2007-March/msg00194.html
Event Report: Dakshh 2007 (India)]
 * [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-ambassadors-list/2007-March/msg00215.html
Event Report: ISEIT Install Fest (Venezuela)]

=== Ambassadors Meeting: 2007-03-29 ===

 * [https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-ambassadors-list/2007-March/msg00220.html
Ambassadors Meeting: 2007-03-29]

=== EPEL Meeting: 2007-03-25 ===

 * [https://www.redhat.com/archives/epel-devel-list/2007-March/msg00396.html
EPEL SIG meeting: 2007-03-25]

== Security and Updates ==

=== Security ===

 * FEDORA-2007-376: [SECURITY] Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00082.html
openoffice.org-2.0.4-5.5.17]
 * FEDORA-2007-375: [SECURITY] Fedora Core 5 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00081.html
openoffice.org-2.0.2-5.21.2]
 * FEDORA-2007-391: [SECURITY] Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00099.html
file-4.19-2.fc6]

=== Fedora Core 6 Updates ===

 * FEDORA-2007-374: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00080.html
SDL-1.2.11-1.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-349: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00078.html
nfs-utils-1.0.10-7.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-356: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00083.html
libvirt-0.2.1-2.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-378: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00084.html
net-snmp-5.3.1-14.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-379: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00085.html
fonts-indic-2.1.5-1.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-364: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00087.html
selinux-policy-2.4.6-46.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-381: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00088.html
gaim-2.0.0-0.31.beta6.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-382: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00089.html
paps-0.6.6-19.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-358: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00091.html
epiphany-2.16.3-4.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-357: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00092.html
rhythmbox-0.9.8-1.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-385: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00093.html
ElectricFence-2.2.2-21.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-386: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00094.html
samba-3.0.24-3.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-387: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00090.html
redhat-rpm-config-8.0.45-9.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-388: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00095.html
ruby-1.8.5.35-2.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-392: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00100.html
dovecot-1.0-2.rc28.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-327: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00098.html
yum-3.0.5-1.fc6]
 * FEDORA-2007-384: Fedora Core 6 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00101.html
audit-1.4.2-5.fc6]

=== Fedora Core 5 Updates ===

 * FEDORA-2007-373: Fedora Core 5 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00077.html
samba-3.0.24-2.fc5]
 * FEDORA-2007-380: Fedora Core 5 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00086.html
fonts-indic-2.1.5-1.fc5]
 * FEDORA-2007-389: Fedora Core 5 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00096.html
ruby-1.8.5.35-2.fc5]
 * FEDORA-2007-390: Fedora Core 5 Update:
[https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-March/msg00097.html
samba-3.0.24-3.fc5]

== Feedback ==

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-- 
Thomas Chung
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/ThomasChung




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