User:Valente

Valentin-Stefan Cobelea

I am using Fedora since its beginning, at home and of course at the office. Before Fedora, I was using RedHat Linux and I was deeply enjoying it.

I am a senior engineer in a Romanian office of a major U.S. Devices Software Optimization company, where I am a Development Engineer.

Contact

• Email: too much spam, email removed (mail me using the Fedora Project email)
• Skype: valentin.cobelea
• IRC: kobelev @ #fedora-ambassadors , #fedora-meeting , #fedora-mktg , #fedora-bugzappers , #fedora-python , #fedora-ro , #fedora
• GPG key: 7695 7091 93B6 9B9B 865C 53A7 EB97 8A6E 0ADA 6AF7
• Fedora Account: Valente

Activities within Fedora

File:Ambassadors Header AmbassadorsN1.png

• I've been accepted as an ambassador.
• Since in the area where I live there is no big activity regarding Linux, I'll do my best at work, to help my colleagues with Fedora related problems.
• I've been accepted as a bug-zapper.
• Established contact with the Romanian team from Fedora Project.
• Bugs reporting (as many as I can do with ABRT).

Fedora and me

• I like and use Fedora for everything I need. I want people to know about Fedora and what it could offer them.
• When somebody needs help with some issue I always explain and show how to solve that.
• I've created several documents that shows solutions for general problems, patches, manuals etc. All these things are really helping people, for instance here in the office where I work, because I see that there is no "publicity" for Fedora.
• Looking at other Linux distros, I think branded CDs, DVDs and even USB-data sticks could make more people use Fedora.

vaLinux

Vali's Linux from scratch

vaLinux is not a trademark (at least not yet), nor I have/demand any rights on it

this has nothing to do with VA Linux Systems

the name is in this form only to cover my first name and Linux

in case of any trademark infringement, contact me in order to make any required changes that are in (or represents a) conflict with your trademarks/copyrights

do not refer to this Linux distro in other way than 'Vali's Linux' or vaLinux (capital 'L', and bold text 'vaLi'); otherwise it could create confusions with the mentioned corporation

do not refer to it as a product nor as a solo entity without mentioning LFS (Linux From Scratch) or without applying the above demands

this is only a personal project that first started as modifying the Fedora Linux distro and that ended-up creating a new Linux distro using mainly the LFS guide lines

just contact me if you do like the idea that I am trying to implement with this, I can provide you the change tree (at this moment there are some issues exporting this Linux distro)

• vaLinux 0.34 [sNOW]

   v0.34 branch @111223 - read below
   
   > start working on:
   > -kernel 3.2.x integration (3.1.x done).
   > -latest xorg-x11-server !
   > -nVidia kmod for 3.2.x .
   > -libreOffice 3.4.4. [done]
   > -mozilla apps update. [done]
   
   > continue the x64 as the main branch (this will not be persistent).
   > prepared a new build server for further development.
   > main target: stability and performance improvement.
   > -services cleanup.
   > -ser fix, some apps/libs update.
   > -probably 'x-tile' system wide integration (as default window setup inside openBox 3.5).
   
   > taking in consideration some major changes for v0.40 regarding FS & UI & EM (export method - .iso/.live).

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

• vaLinux 0.33 [i3u3]

   v0.33final reached @111222
   > longest time frame (4.5 months) for a branch until this moment.
   > -three months and a half of pre-release development and testing, and, another month of releases (four of them).
   > indexed around 100 working machines with this branch (90% reported to be for testing, chroot & learning).
   > it was the first x64 vaLinux.
   
   > hostname.DNS still buggy (bug not blocking / bug accepted).
   > looking into removing openJDK.
   
   v0.33d @111219
   kernel 3.1.5
   RAM 330+MB after boot / user logon.
   RAM 1010MB in normal dev usage mode.
   nVidia kmod updated.
   terminal windows predefined setup.
   xfce-notifyd instead of notif-daemon.
   firefox & thunderbird seems NOT to occupy so much RAM any more.
   faster boot, in average with 2 sec.
   stability++.
   
   v0.33c @111214
   volumeicon in tray.
   media buttons (better than ever).
   audacious as default player (+codecs).
   pcmanfm2 as file browser is back.
   battery-metter replaced by tint2 defaults.
   urxvt instead of xterm.
   nVidia kmod updated.
   startall script updated.
   eth0 -> em1 (ethernet main);
   some system wide bug fixes - network, UI, X11.
   /media & /run are tmpfs now.
   httpd up.
   pastebin server up.
   
   v0.33b @111128
   arch: x64.
   kernel: 3.1.2.
   ui: OpenBox 3.5; tint2; XscreenSaver.
   gpu driver: nvidia.
   
   v0.33a @111126
   kernel: 3.1.0.
   gpu driver: nouveau.
   + see above
   
   probably i3wm will be postponed to v0.33c or v0.33.1.
   
   things look more than perfect, RAM consumption 64MB, disk space 360MB, boot time (until login) 9 seconds average.
   probably this will be labeled to 0.40 instead of 0.33.
   preparing huge system overhaul: based on kernel 3.0x / 3.1x, and i3WM (now you see why so many '3's in the name).
   UI: OpenBox/tint2/xScreenSaver will be included also as alternative setup for i3WM/i3Bar/i3Lock.
   FS: probably BTRfs - if it will get 'more' stable until December 1st.
       ext4E still included.
   Apps: latest and greatest.
   v0.33 branch @111102

• vaLinux 0.32 [VBOX2]

   v0.32b - update mainly
   v0.32 branch will continue until 0.32c
   updated Firefox & Thunderbird + themes changed (to a more compact look).
   default settings for terminals and windows in general changed.
   updated Deluge - default torrent client.
   <*> abandoned the SawfishWM branch.
   <*> abandoned the ScrotWM (wird name) branch.
   <*> continue the i3WM branch - things look more than awesome :D .
   v0.32a - stability improvement on Dell and Asus notebooks
   v0.32 branch @110724

• vaLinux 0.31 [VBOX1]

   v0.31.final reached @110723
   improved boot time (cleaner modules list).
   new terminator UI.
   latest kernel on 2.6.35 (@110620).
   integrated Pidgin for the other IM protocols.
   start working on a P$3 spin (thx Rapth0R).
   start testing BTRFS (versus current EXT4) - so far so good.
   v0.31 branch @110516

• vaLinux 0.30 [D3US]

   v0.30.final reached @110513
   send me an email/message for repo (git) access (limited to less than 40 users).
   continue to final version.
   more usable UI space, by using lightweight mods/skins/themes in application.
   full system update - tested on heavy duty.
   included GNU Make 3.81 (as "make_381") for @ndroid kernel build compatibility.
   started testing Scrotwm [1] as alternative WM againts Openbox.
   named vaLinux 0.30s - Scrotwm instead of Openbox, two different branches only for testing.
   fixed 38 bugs out of 41 (reported).
   received reports of vaLinux running mainly on low-specs machines (specially nettops).
   0.30.beta out on 110506
   0.30.alpha out on 110404
   screen from 0.30a : http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8777/valinux030a110121.png

• vaLinux 0.29 [DEU2]

   counted 409 active machines with vaLinux 0.29 @110130 - no more registrations slots.
   v0.29.final reached @110129
   continue the 0.29 branch development until 0.30 will become final
   0.28 branch closed
   performance improvements mainly
   more server side support
   full i686 system
   kernel upgrade to 2.6.37 branch

• vaLinux 0.28.0 [DEUS]:

   v0.28.0.final reached @101220
   0.28.2 out on 110124 - last subversion on this branch
   update distribution logo [done]
   nVidia accelerated drivers as default [done]
   tint2 update & new look [done]
   OpenBox update [done]
   VPN support in wicd[done]
   kernel update to latest @2.6.35 branch [done]
   libraries updates for:
    -glibc [done]
    -GCC [done]
   apps updates for:
    -Firefox [done]
    -Thunderbird [done]
    -Deluge [done]
    -terminator [done]
    -mc [done]
   apps changes:
    -replace file manager with: Xfe [done]
    -replace pdf viewer with: xPDF [done]
   distro clean:
    -unneeded libs and apps [done]
   GUI updates / new things:
    -no graphical boot (remove "rhgb" and "quiet" from grub.conf) [done]
    -new GTK2 theme [done]
    -new mouse pointer [done]
    -new volumeicon theme [done]
    -new wallpapers [done]
    -new Grub splash image [done]

• vaLinux 0.27.3 is out: faster than previous, cleaned the services list, removed unneeded libraries (*-devel mainly), several core apps upgraded.
• vaLinux 0.27.2 released: no window decoration (default), many system wide key-binds, automated application start with proper (pre-set) layout, quad monitor support (multiple CRTC support in graphical card required).
• version 0.27 of vaLinux released: openBox & tint2 (Gnome/KDE free) otimization and setup.
• version 0.26 of vaLinux out: RPM-build support added, yum added as default pkg manager, yumex added (as less as it can be, the RPMs and yum*, will be used only for end user apps), many optimizations done in the process list and start sequence.
• version 0.25 of vaLinux lived shortly, it was mainly a RPM packages test versus direct software install from archives.
• version 0.24 of vaLinux done: removed NetworkManager, using now: wicd.
• versions 0.21 -> 0.23 of vaLinux were mainly file system, configuration, packages (libs, bins & apps) versions changes and way too many stability tests.
• v0.19.3 renamed to v0.20 after the kernel was built from scratch.
• First official version (0.19.3) of vaLinux released: http://img19.imageshack.us/f/valinux0220100615232834.png/ using: terminator, conky, pcmanFM...
• several versions were done for personal use ONLY, highly experimental in what the GUI could offered.

Latest things I've done

latest here...

• Prepared for winter holidays.
• Finalized the vaLinux 0.33 branch with a fourth release.
• Got Fedora 16 before the release, good thing that download link rename always works. PS I was in the first ten to have F16.
• Started the vaLinux v0.33 - complete system change (see above).
• Hmmm, removed the old Fedora 12 from my server, preparing for F16.
• Pro commented on BTRFS as default in the next Fedora release.
• Updated to Fedora 15 on the repo server.
• Voted for Fedora 16 name.
• Continue the vaLinux project with a new release v0.29.beta on January 21, 2011.
• Downloaded Fedora 14 (i386, x64 and live spins) and installed.
• Played with Fedora 14.beta on several machines.
• Start working on a new project vaLinux : my own Fedora-based distro: minimal installation, outstanding performances, GUI based on: XDM/Openbox/Tint2, NO GNOME/KDE !!
• Created a Pastebin server based on Fedora 10 running on an old computer.
• Already downloading the Fedora 13 release. Informing the nation about this on: irc channels, forums, mailing-lists.
• Waiting for Fedora 13 release on May 25th.
• Subscribed to other mailing-lists: python-devel & kernel-devel.
• Voted for Fedora 14 name.
• Tried Fedora 13 Beta.
• Created a LXDE spin with Revisor: only development tools are integrated, plus some internet tools.
• Played with the LXDE official spin.
• Reported many bugs (almost 40 I think) using the Automatic Bug Reporting Tool. I've also offered some feedback for all the questions I've received in the bugs comments.
• Making my laptop a triple-view machine: laptop display (default), LCD monitor #1 (via DVI), LCD monitor #2 (via VGA). So cool and so much space.
• Converting another dude to Fedora.
• Wrote a HOW-TO with many details and screen-shots about Fedora 12/11 install in parallel with Windowz 7.
• Voted on all the available polls, on December 7th.
• Moving all my previous spins to Fedora 12.
• Fixing the Hu@wei E220 3G modem issues on the Fedora 12. Posting the solution ( http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=234332 ) so all the Fedora users can enjoy a well paid internet connection.
• Downloading Fedora 12.... yes I'm doing this already by changing "11" to "12" in the download filename :) .
• Start working on a Fedora 12 beta (for the moment) Media Center spin for my brand new nettop.
• Testing Fedora 12 beta on several machines.
• Downloading (and sharing) Fedora 12 beta.
• Several replies on FedoraForum.org, just helping the brotherhood :) .
• Sharing CDs/DVDs to my work colleagues/friends/Linux enthusiasts with the above mentioned spins.
• Adding new applications to my server dedicated Fedora spin.
• Bringing more adepts (colleagues) to Fedora Project.
• Creating another Fedora spin, very small and robust, text only dedicated to my home server called DeuSServer.
• Finalizing the Fedora "DevSpin".
• Using the Fedora 11 as work environment.
• Start working on creating a Fedora Spin dedicated to development work.
• Wrote an article on www.fedoraproject.ro .
• Installed Fedora 11, and presented to my fellow colleagues from the office.
• Start giving away LiveCDs to Fedora users.
• Received a package with Fedora stuff: tshirt, LiveCDs, stickers. Started to give to colleagues at work, at the University of Galati, Linux fans.
• Contact the other Fedora Project members from Romania to get some branded LiveCDs. So I could give them to people around me who need them.
• Helped a colleague with a serious NetworkManager problem.
• Proposed the name "Deus" for Fedora 12. Waiting and hopping to be approved.
• Gone to a long good vacation.
• Created, tested and presented my master diploma project on Fedora 10.
• Tested Fedora 11 Beta release with my colleagues.
• Established contact with the other Romanian fellows from Fedora Project (thanks Nicu for all the infos).
• Presented to my office colleagues how to create .rpm packages for Fedora, from .deb and archives.
• Helped a guy from Republic of Moldavia to setup his computer with Fedora 10.
• Created a topic on an important Romanian Linux forum regarding joining to Fedora Project.
• Invited a colleague from the office to participate to Fedora Project. He enlisted as BugZapper (https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Dstuxo).
• Subscribed to Fedora BugZappers group.
• Contributions on several topics on a Romanian large forum.
• Tested Fedora 11 Alpha release and presented to my colleagues the new things added.
• Start working on creating service packs (with Service Packs Creator) for computers that don't have internet access (due to security issues).
• Fixed the error caused by the kernel 2.6.27.9 on several Dell D630 notebooks (mine was the "guinee pig").
• Created USB memory sticks with Fedora 10 as rescue solutions for broken computers.
• Installed and configured Fedora on several computers as base servers for different projects.
• Created several how-to wiki pages (inside company) for Fedora problems/issues.
• Helped my colleagues with the PackageKit update problem.