Build of cdfs-src failed in Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot and The Alternative Solution

VCD ripping, using k3b

Error Message in cdfs building in Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot

Unlike Windows, Linux, because of its kernel design, couldn't read an copy VCDs as normal files in a data CD. But, of course, there are some way to “copy” VCD in Linux to our harddisk drive. The most used tools to read and copy VCD in Linux are vcdxrip (part of vcdimager) and cdfs. If vcdimager is a ripper tool, cdfs is a module to be patched in kernel so we could mount VCDs just like as a normal data CD, and we could copy paste them into our harddisk.

I prefer use cdfs to vcdimager, and for enough long time I used cdfs to copy and collect my old VCDs into harddisk, but in Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot, I've found an annoying bug. I couldn't build cdfs package from cdfs-src package. When I tried build cdfs from cdfs-src package, module-assistant gave me this error message : Build of cdfs-src failed! How do you wish to proceed?

A post in Launchpad told that current cdfs-src version is not compatible yet with Linux Kernel version 3.x.x (Owwwwhh!). This is bad news of course, because the bug seems like unsolved until someone hack or build new version of cdfs-src to be compatible with Linux Kernel 3.x, or until someone patch Linux Kernel 3.x.x to be able to work with cdfs. As an common end-user, I just could pray and hope that the solution will be presented soon :D

But, of course, as a loyal Linux user, I didn't give up to find a way to cover this problem while I wait for upstream solved for cdfs-src bug with Kernel 3.x.x. Happily, finally I found a simple solution to copy VCD in Ubuntu Oneiric and the solution is k3b+vcdimager. K3b, as a sophisticated and high quality disc burner, presented many sophisticated features such as vcd and dvd ripping, and vcd and dvd making. And magically, by using vcdimager, I've successfully ripped VCD into harddisk without any notable error (really!). The only one note is, if the ripping process couldn't completely rip our VCD, just repeat the process until all the tracks in the VCD successfully ripped into harrdisk :)

Technical Note :

System : Xubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot with default Kernel 3.0.0-12-generic

cdfs-src : 2.6.23-4

module-assistant : 0.11.4

k3b : 2.0.2

vcdimager : 0.7.23-4ubuntu2

How To Simply Build A Debian (.deb) Package?

Because of many reasons, Ubuntu now has became a very popular Linux Desktop Distribution (probably the most popular). As result, Debian package management (dpkg), also has grown very popular as well as Ubuntu. Now, many third party software developer (Adobe, Real Player, Foxit, etc), almost always, provides their software installer in Debian package (with .deb extension), alongside or even instead of RPM and other package managements in Linux.

Of course, this is not a sign that in the future, Debian package will be the only package management that will be used in every Linux distribution. Every Linux distribution has its own strength and weakness, so we must realize that all Linux distributions must live and grow bigger together, to pursue the ultimate advantage of the free and open source softwares (FOSS).

Now, I want to share a little tip to build a Debian package (.deb) using a basic element of Debian system called dpkg-dev. Dpkg-dev is a basic tool in Debian system to make simple modification, build and maintain Debian package management. This tip is useful (for me), to build an independent software or desktop themes or wallpapers to a .deb package, so in other time, we can simply and easily install and use them.

BASIC COMPREHENSION

In every Debian package, has a structure like this below :

1. DEBIAN

   A folder including some files :

   a) control, is the package/software description (core file),

   b) md5sum (additional),

   c) postinst, a script of post/after install scripts (additional),

   d) postrm, a script of post/after remove scripts (additional) and other additional scripts (if necessary).

2. Target Directory (Recrussive)

   A folder including the library, binary and core data files that used by the software. The files placed recrussively same as their destination. This folder might be consisted of more than one folder depending of the software/package structure. Usually, this folder consists of :

   a) usr

   Main directory that consists the binary, library and xdg standard desktop shortcut (with .desktop extension). Example : usr/share/lib/libk3blib.so etc; usr/bin/k3b; usr/share/applications/kde/k3b.desktop; usr/share/apps/k3b.

   b) opt

   Main directory if the software work directory is placed in opt

   c) etc

   Additional directory if necessary

   and other directories if necessary.

We has known the structure of dpkg. Now, what is the content of the software description file (DEBIAN/control)? This is the example :

Package: maknyus-wallpapers

Version: 0.1alwan1

Architecture: all

Maintainer: Alwan Rosyidi

Installed-Size: 8100

Replaces: ubuntu-wallpapers

Section: gnome

Priority: optional

Description: Wallpaper pengganti dan tambahan biar desktop Ubuntu terlihat lebih maknyus.

(one space)Wallpaper pengganti karo tambahan ben tampilane Ubuntu lewih maknyus.

(one space)A replacer and additional wallpapers to make Ubuntu desktop looks awesome :D

(one empty line)

There are few important notes we have to know in the control file :

Version must be started with number and then can be followed by characters (look at the example).

Replaces is a description if our package is another newer version of other package that has existed in the system, or, if our package has a file with the same name with another existing file in the system that is the part of a package. For example : I made a wallpaper to be the main wallpaper and replace the default Ubuntu wallpaper, so I have to replace the ubuntu-wallpapers package in this description file. If we miss this column, our package will not be able to be installed completely. Even, our package will contaminate our apt database an our apt and dpkg system will be error.

Description must be ended by an empty line. If we need sub-descriptions in the new line/paragraphs, we must put one space in the beginning of the paragraphs/line (look at the example).

BUILDING

As an example, now, I want to build a package called maknyus-wallpapers, an additional wallpaper set to eyecandize Ubuntu desktop. This is the folder structure and its files inside :

maknyus-wallpaper :

DEBIAN/control

usr/share/backgrounds/files.jpeg

Now, we just have to build the package by typing this simple magical command :

sudo folder-name folder-name_version_architecture.deb

sudo dpkg -b maknyus-wallpapers maknyus-wallpapers_0.1alwan1_all.deb

Important notes : we must confirm that the package name must be same as in the description in the control file. One different character will make our package recognized as another different package. Example : in the control file, I've written the package name as maknyus-wallpapers (with s), so in the package name I must type the same name (with s). If we miss this, our package will be actually installed, but will not be recognized well as an installed package.

Now I have a package called maknyus-wallpapers_0.1alwan1_all.deb and can be installed manually by terminal or graphically by gdebi (look at the screenshot above). Enjoy! :)

Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B laptop specifications , price ,review

		Rs. 114,000  Launched on: May 30, 2008 First Look Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B has Intel Centrino Processor Technology, Intel Core2 Duo Processor U7700(1.33 GHz), Mobile Intel 945GMS Express Chipset, 533MHz System Bus, 667MHz Memory Bus, 2MB Cache Memory, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120GB(Ultra ATA/100, 4200rpm) HDD AND DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM Optical Drive. Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B has Genuine Windows Vista Business operating system. Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B has Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950. It has 11.1 inch (WXGA 1366 x 768 screen resolution) TFT Colour display (Clear Bright High Colour LCD: White LED). Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B has High Speed USB 2.0 x 2, Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft n, Bluetooth standard Ver. 2.0+EDR, Fingerprint Sensor, Intel High Definition Audio compatible, 3D audio (Direct Sound 3D support) with Built-in stereo speakers, Built-in monaural microphone and integrated 640x480 pixels camera. Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B has WindowsXP Professional Operating system.
Expert Ratings        Portability  Features  Ergonomics  Build  Performance   User Ratings      Portability   Features   Ergonomics   Build   Performance

Specs And Features

Processor Model : Intel® Core™2 Duo processor Speed (GHz) : 1.33   Memory Hard Drive (GB) : 120 RAM Size : 2 GB RAM Type : DDR2 Optical Drive : DVDñRW   Display & Video Screen Size (inches) : 11.1 Graphics Solution : Intel? Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Onboard Video Memory : Shared   Audio Audio Solution : Intel High Definition Audio Speakers : Stereo   Peripherals Integrated Webcam : Yes Microphone : Yes Fingerprint Reader : Yes   Connectivity WiFi Present : Yes Bluetooth® Present : Yes Bluetooth® Type : Bluetooth Ver. 2.1+EDR USB Ports : 2 USB Port type : USB 2.0 Firewire Port : Yes   Battery Battery Backup (min.) : Battery Description :   Size Width (cm.) : 27.7 Weight (kg) : 1.2 Height (cm.) : 2.98 Depth (cm.) : 19.8   Bundled Features Operating System : Windows Vista Business Warranty : One Year   Others Memory Card Reader : Yes Remote Control : No Titanium Casing/Carbon Fibre Casing : Yes Hard Drive Protection : Yes TV Tuner : No Water Resistant : No Media Control Buttons : Yes S-Video Out : No Face Recognition : No

Expert Review

Positives Build, Looks, Features, Keypad. Negatives Price. Review Details The long, confusing name not withstanding, this notebook struck us as a work of art! It’s simply stunning—the kind that only international supermodels can aspire to be. The dark copper-red, (coffee colored if you will), lid, glossy black and charcoal grey body, and the fact that at a mere 11.1 inches of screen size, we’ve never seen anything lighter, or slimmer for that matter. Build quality is exemplary, and everything has that distinct up market feel, and you’re suddenly aware of its pedigree. Like a Ford owner who suddenly beholds a Bentley, we were stunned and spent a lot of time just flocking around it. The Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/B is flawless in design and has half a centimeter thick lid! The display quality is amazing with crisp, clear and amazing colors. The keys are well spaced making it a delight to use. It has good configuration with 2GB RAM and offers added security by a biometrics device that recognizes your fingerprints. Priced at Rs 1,14,900, the Sony Vaio VGn-TZ37GN/B is meant for a separate class altogether. It is to be appreciated though not accessible for all!!