Fedora Cloud Image on Linode

Linode offers pre-assembled Fedora VMs, but their environment doesn’t support SELINUX. You also don’t get any notification on when you should reboot for new kernels, etc. I decided to attempt to adapt Fedora’s stock cloud image on Linode. It was not without it’s own effort, but ultimately I think it’s a better solution than attempting to retro-fit the linode image for booting. Also, I’m using the fedora cloud image on all my other VMs, so I’m familiar with how it’s set up (and can easily spool up a local copy for testing).

SELinux and apache (httpd)

I’ve just built a new web server vm, basically identical to my mariadb one, and the fedora cloud image. This is documentation on how I configured it, as well as the ttrss update daemon. To get nfs to work, install nfs-utils. I need some packages also for ttrss. $ yum install nfs-utils httpd php php-mysql php-mbstring php-xml I’m putting the web root on an nfs mount from my nas. I have multiple virtualhosts.

SELinux and mariadb (mysql)

I’ve just built a new mysql server vm, using the instructions I posted previously. This is documentation on how I configured it. To get nfs to work, install nfs-utils. $ yum install nfs-utils httpd mariadb mariadb-server I’m putting the database on an nfs mount from my nas. Socket files can’t exist on nfs. It’s easier to move the data than the socket file (I think I hit an selinux issue with socket access).

Fedora cloud for mere mortals

I’ve come across a post by Marek Goldmann detailing the basics of running Fedora cloud images on kvm. I found it was a massive help, but only got me part-way toward what I wanted. The documentation for cloud-init is sub-par from what I can find, so I thought I’d post this with my own modifications. My requirements were: Easy scriptable deployment (Marek’s script got me 100% of this goal) Static (sequential) IP assignments instead of DHCP hostname !

Offlineimap repeatedly deleting All Mail

or “That’s why you read changelogs” I was having some significant difficulties with offlineimap after upgrading to 6.5.4 (I’m using Ubuntu currently, so I upgraded straight from 6.3.4). The original issue was a FolderValidity error, which is covered by the offlineimap FAQ. This affected my “All Mail” folder (It also affected my “Sent Mail”, but it got lost in the noise of the 67964 messages in All Mail). The recovery process is simply to remove that folder (and it’s sync history), and start over.

Workaround for conflict between gnome-shell and vmware-player

I recently got a new machine for work, with lots of fancy memory and everything. First thing to do was install a friendly operating system with gnome-shell, and set up a VM for my windows/office requirements at work. Normally I would favour Virt-Manager+kvm, but since we’re now using vmware-server (and soon vsphere hypervisor) I thought it would be better to keep compatible. Luckilly, vmware has a free player that works pretty well for my basic needs.

Update for maildir-indicator

Follow-up to my post about using Maildirs with Ubuntu’s messaging menu. Brad, the original author, has indicated that he considered his code to be essentially WTFPL. I feel the same about my bits, and have added a COPYING file specifically indicating this license instead of the previous GPL3 license. I have made some other changes since that last version: The configuration values (frequency, directories) are now loaded from separate files.

My own Firefox Addon Collection

I’ve created a Firefox addon collection. This is mostly for my own use (Since firefox can’t sync addons, a single list of addons I use helps bring up machines), but I thought I’d throw it out there if anybody else was curious. [Chris’ Addons](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/collections/chrisirwin/chris-a/ Chris’ Addons collection at addons.mozilla.org)

Maildir with Ubuntu's Messaging Menu

I was pretty sure I wasn’t the only mutt user who missed having mail notifications in the indicator area. From a quick google search, it turns out I was in good company. Even better, a fellow by the name of Brad Mont actually wrote a basic python script to create an appindicator that would monitor a maildir. It was about 90% of what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I didn’t want another icon crowding the panel, so I adapted his script to use the messaging menu, so it shows up with chat (and any other communications programs).

I'm Internet Famous!

Assuming you’re doing a Google Image Search for a specific unicomp keyboard. ZOMG!