Re: Linux help please?

[Graham Percival]

On 3/13/11, Phil Holmes <address@hidden> wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
>>> Dahdi.  This failed on an include, and so I was trying to edit the source
>>> file.

For the record, the proper solution here is to install the development
library(ies) that it wanted.

>>>  It's owned by root and so logged in as phil, it was read-only.  I
>>> thought that rather than learn the syntax of chmod, I'd just briefly log
>>> in
>>> as root.

For the record, never never do this, and especially not in ubuntu.
You get extra permissions by running "sudo".  Also, I wouldn't try
modifying source code as root -- copy the source into your user
directory (is this from a tarball?), do the ./configure and compile
there, and only at the last step do sudo make install.

But in addition, I really don't recommend compiling software unless
you're absolutely certain that you need to.  I don't think you need
to:
http://packages.ubuntu.com/lucid/dahdi

* oh, if the problem was the kernel thing, then you should use an
automatic tool for dealing with the kernel interface.  I forget what
it's called... module-assist or something like that?

> Thanks for your suggestion - it's not a terminal, though, it's a desktop,
> but with no start bars, places, applications or anything like that.  I can't
> find a way to run anything...

You could try right-clicking, which might allow you to create a
launcher, and then make a terminal.  Alternately, hit ctrl-alt-F2 to
get a terminal.  (ctrl-alt-F7 to go back).  From there, you can try
rescue commands that you find (hopefully you have another computer or
laptop handy)?

My first guess is that some of the files in /home/phil/.foo  (note the
. )  are now owned by root and non-readable, so your user can't read
them and inialize stuff.  Check out .xinit and stuff like that.

Cheers,
- Graham