PHPBB 3.x + PostFix + Virtualmin + Mass Email = FAIL
I have been using CentOS and Virtualmin for a number of years and recently I a requirement for a forum based system. I used PHPBB a number of years and so this was my first choice.
WHAT A PAIN!
PHPBB installed correctly and i had the site up and running in no time, then one of the users complained they had requested a password reset, but never received one?
The core system was CentOS with the ‘full’ install of Virtualmin, before I have only used the webmin module for Virtualmin, so i started to debug the log files.
I tried sending an email in PHPBB using the ‘mass email’ function but the error was:
E-mail error
» EMAIL/PHP/mail()
/adm/index.php
There was no real obvious signs in the logs apart from:
postfix/sendmail[19438]: fatal: chdir /var/spool/postfix: Permission denied
In the ‘maillog’ log file.
I checked the PHP.INI config file and it was correct, for using Postfix
sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail -t –i
So it was head scratching time! I then remembered that in the past I have always had issues with SELinux and generally with internal servers i disable it. So i checked the settings and it was enabled, so i disabled it and rebooted.
/etc/selinux/config
Change SELINUX=enabled to SELINUX=disabled
Gave it a test by sending a test ‘mass email’ to a user and it worked, I then got the user to request a new password and that also worked!
VMware Fusion 4 very slow on MacBook Pro
Well I have finally moved over to a Mac and I am using a MacBook Pro, Intel Dual Core Processor with 4GB of RAM and running OSX Lion. Unfortunately my job still entails me to use Windows based applications like VB .net and Windows domain tools, so I decided to try VMware Fusion 4, the Mac version of this popular virtualisation application. I have been using the Linux and Windows versions on the servers at work and the desktop I used to use, so i thought all was good.
Unfortunately this was not the case. The trial version installed very easily, but the install of Windows 7 took ages! Once install the virtual system seemed slow on the pre-selected settings, it was like running it on an old 386! even the network seemed like dial up! I installed MS Office 2010 and configured Outlook and yep that was slow as well.
The next plan was to try Windows XP instead, the default virtual settings was yet again slow and so I adjusted the memory setting and increased it from 512MB to 1GB, still no joy! Office 2010 was slow in fact all the applications ran slow, even the OS!
I am disappointed with this VMware Fusion 4, maybe I need to try Version 3?
Update: Since writing this, I have removed version 4 and installed version 3. Version 3 is definatly faster for me.
Android SDK Install or Run Time Errors
I downloaded the Android SDK and installed it on my windows 7 64bit system. Everything installed ok, even the Java SDK. so now to build my first app.
I created my first virtual device and clicked start… Error…
Hint: use ‘@foo’ to launch a virtual device named ‘foo’.
and the virtual device failed to start.
After googleing around for the error, there was many reasons, from editing config files to putting the path into system variables settings…
Well the easy solution:
When you install the Android SDK don’t install to:
C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk or C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk
Instead install to:
C:\Android\android-sdk
and it will run perfectly.
It looks like the Android SDK does not support long filenames.
iOS 5 Will Apple Ever Start Charging?
Well with the up and coming release of iOS 5, you have to wonder if Apple will ever decide to charge for major releases of their OS’s like they do for their Mac software. The upgrade from leopard to lion costs money, where as the minor updates are free, so really one does have to wonder if this we will see this across all apple OS’s.
iOS 5 introduces over 200 updates and is set to revolutionise the smart device market.
HTC Desire Alarm Clock Not Working
Have you got the HTC Desire and the alarm clock is not working?
The HTC Desire is an Android based phone, I was frustrated to find that the alarm would work intermittently. When I went into the clock, set the alarm, the alarm worked great. The next morning the alarm failed to go off… ARGHHHH… Finally after some messing around I figured it out, it was the task killer I was using, would you believe it that when the task killer killed all unclosed and unused applications to free up the memory, it killed the clock as well, well this stopped the alarm from working, even though the clock still worked and the alarm icon was still displayed?? So I added the clock as an exception in the task killer settings and now when I run the task killer the alarm still works.
So if you have one of these phones or maybe another android phone, killing the clock kills the alarm! but the clock still works…!!
Linux Fedora openSUSE Ubuntu DVD
Linux is a popular open source operating system available in a number of flavours, but why use your bandwidth in downloading it? Why not purchase the DVD with your desired flavour on it? With FREE postage to the UK. (other countries please contact me) Choose from: Fedora, openSUSE and Ubuntu in either 32bit or 64bit (where available). Please note you may receive a ‘plain’ unprinted DVD and or packaging, graphics will be used where available. The lack of graphics on the DVD or case/sleeve will not impair the media. Other flavours may be available, please contact me and enquire.
Renault Mégane Scenic RX4 Workshop / Service Repair Manual
The Renault Mégane Scenic RX4 is a four wheel drive (4×4) version of the Renault Mégane Scenic, which was produced between 2000 and 2003, and was available in both petrol and diesel versions.
Finding information for this car is difficult to say the least, I have however, an electronic version of the Renault Mégane Scenic RX4 Workshop Service Repair Manual available for a small charge.
Please note there is two versions available:
The JA0C with the F4R Petrol engine, Renault code 3323A. (185 pages)
and
The JA1F with the F9Q Diesel engine, Renault code 3415A. (111 pages)
Please also note that these manuals are for the specific differences in the RX4 compared to the standard scenic model, and may not contain some information found on the standard model.
Update:
Now available the RX4 manual pack:
- The JA0C model fitted with the F4R engine, Renault code for this manual is 3323A. (petrol version, 185 pages)
- The JA1F model fitted with the F9Q engine, Renault code for this manual is 3415A. (diesel version, 111 pages)
- The Renault Scenic – Workshop Repair Manual, Renault code for this manual is 2613A. (175 pages)
- The Renault Scenic RX4 – FAULT FINDING ABS – Traction Control, Renault code for this manual is 3416A (56 pages)
This pack is now available for purchase on Ebay.
Nokia N86 Macro
The Nokia N96 boasts an 8mp camera and I wanted to test out the macro functions of this exciting handset I had in my possession and compare it to the N95 8GB I had previously.
I think the camera is slower on the N86, mainly due to the size of the image, but the overall quality is better.
Have a look below and see what you think..
To see more images check out my Picasa Image Album
Stafford Explorer Scouts get new website
After many years the explorer scouts get their own website http://www.staffordexplorers.org.uk. Explorer scouts are district based with units. Currently in Stafford there are 6 units including the Young Leaders and Sea Scouts (who have their own site).
I designed and built this site on WordPress a popular blogging publishing platform. I used a modified theme to get the desired layout and effect. Posts and pages can be easily created and updated by the built in web interface or by using Windows Live Writer a free blogging application from Microsoft.
I am looking for ‘bloggers’ from each unit to keep the pages updated, informing others on the activities and adventures they have. Each ‘blogger’ will create their post in their own words and format making for an excited visual layout and read. It is however necessary for myself as the webmaster to make sure that each post and comment conforms with data protection in guidance from the Scout Association.
The domain was donated to the explorers by myself, (as I am an Explorer Scout Leader with the district) is is being hosted on my own sever. This project also included the installation and configuration of WordPress.
