Issue #151 / Jun 2013

Highlights:

The Nepomuk semantic desktop has matured with the KDE 4 series. We look at how you can use Nepomuk to structure information about the files, folders, and applications on your system. Then, discover Qt build tool Qmake, social media data mining, and the e-commerce services of eBay and Amazon.

Cover Stories:

• Nepomuk; Master RDFs, URIs, ontologies, and KDE tags to unlock the semantic web.
• Qmake for Qt: See if Qmake trumps Cmake in your build environment.
• Open-Xchange and Zarafa: Merge data from social web services in your groupware software.
• e-Commerce APIs: Build a custom online shop with eBay and Amazon APIs.

Also in this issue:

• Table of Contents
• Comment: Features
• On the DVD: openSUSE 12.3
• DVD Inlay
• News
• Tech Tools: RunRev Releases Open Source Version of LiveCode; HP Launches Moonshot Server; Offensive Security Releases Kali Linux; TeamViewer Version 8 for Linux Now Available
• Ask Klaus: Knoppix creator Klaus Knopper untangles MBRs, VBRs, and GRUB’s rightful place; then, he proposes a way to recover files from a proprietary filesystem.
• I-Nex System Info Tool: Gather and view hardware information in a handy GUI.
• Logstash: Stop hopping from one logfile to the next when troubleshooting. Logstash log server consolidates logs and has analysis tools, too.
• Charly’s Column – Munin: Monitor you SNMP-compatible devices with the Munin system monitoring tool.
• Security Lessons – Ruby Tools: We look at tools to keep your Ruby on Rails code secure.
• Perl – Vagrant Package: Command-line management of VMs in VirtualBox.
• Jekyll: This simple template engine lets you create blogs and static web pages without the use of PHP or a database.
• Fractal Fr0st: Fractal Fr0st uses Flam3 to generate fascinating fractals.
• Workspace – Gallery Apps: Lightweight photo-sharing options.
• Command Line – Aria2: Fast downloads from the command line.
• flareGet Download Manager: A multiprotocol downloader with an informative GUI.
• Ardour3 Digital Audio Workstation: Discover this full-featured DAW.
• WordPress Administration: Manage multiple blogs.
• Doghouse – Device Drivers: Teaching students to write device drivers will help them learn the skills they need to succeed with much larger projects.
• Kernel News: The Perl kernel build dependency, the linuxnext tree, and Linus on Microsoft keys.

SERVICE: June 2013: DVD Inlay

Issue #151

The DVD enclosed with this issue includes 32- and 64-bit editions of openSUSE 12.3, the latest release in the st......

SERVICE: Welcome

Editorial

What is the Raspberry Pi really? A trinket? An educational tool? A very inexpensive computer? Of course, it is all these things, but what is the meaning of Raspberry Pi? I’m not the first journalist to ask.

SERVICE: Table of Contents: 151

What's inside the June 2013 issue

The Nepomuk semantic desktop has matured with the KDE 4 series. We look at how you can use Nepomuk to structure information about the files, folders, and applications on your system. Then, discover Qt build tool Qmake, social media data mining, and the e-commerce services of eBay and Amazon.

SERVICE: On the DVD: openSUSE 12.3

This Month's DVD

The DVD enclosed with this issue includes 32- and 64-bit editions of openSUSE 12.3, the latest release in the storied history of SUSE Linux. The openSUSE developers strive to maintain a system that is friendly enough for end users but still well equipped for server room environments. Version 12.3 comes with Linux kernel 3.7, along with several new cloud and database options and support for UEFI boot. Select the KDE 4.10 or Gnome 3.6 desktop at installation, or choose another leading desktop option: Xfce, LXDE, or E17.

NEWS: Linux News

News

• Gnome 3.8 released
• Aereo wins battle to stream broadcast TV

openSUSE 12.3 Out

• New browser engine
• Pirates on the run
• Ubuntu reduces non‑LTS support

Projects

• OpenDaylight open source framework
• ASF promotes CloudStack

NEWS: Tech Tools

• RunRev Releases Open Source Version of LiveCode
• HP Launches Moonshot Server
• Offensive Security Releases Kali Linux
• TeamViewer Version 8 for Linux Now Available

COVER STORY: Nepomuk

Nepomuk-KDE and the quest for the semantic desktop

Nepomuk extends the tools of the semantic web to desktop applications and files. We look under the hood at this exciting technology and show you what Nepomuk is doing right now on the new KDE desktop.

COVER STORY: Qmake for Qt

Building Qt projects with Qmake

Qt’s own build system Qmake is often overlooked for larger projects, but many experienced developers appreciate Qmake support for shadow builds and pre- or post-build dependencies.

COVER STORY: Open-Xchange and Zarafa

Accessing Twitter and Facebook APIs from a groupware system

The Open-Xchange and Zarafa groupware systems can tap into the APIs of Facebook, Twitter, and Xing, but you need different tactics for each service – keep in mind that the information yield is sometimes quite meager.

COVER STORY: e-Commerce APIs

eBay and Amazon e-commerce APIs

Thriving online stores are rare and the result of hard work. If you are just beginning to peddle your wares, you might be better off building a custom interface to sell your goods on eBay or Amazon.

REVIEWS: Ardour3 Digital Audio Workstation

Introducing Ardour3

The latest version of Ardour – a full-featured digital audio workstation – offers some major new developments. We take a closer look.

REVIEWS: WordPress Administration

Central management of WordPress blogs

Blogs have evolved from private diary to professional tool, and if you manage more than one WordPress installation, administration support would be useful. Three tools can help.

KNOW-HOW: Ask Klaus!

Klaus Knopper answers your Linux questions

Klaus Knopper is the creator of Knoppix and co-founder of LinuxTag expo. He works as a teacher, programmer, and consultant. If you have a configuration problem, or if you just want to learn more about how Linux works, send your questions to: klaus@linux-magazine.com

KNOW-HOW: I-Nex System Info Tool

Reading system hardware information with I-Nex

Thanks to I-Nex, users can see an overview of all their important hardware inventory information, such as graphics cards, processors, and hard drives.

SYSADMIN: Charly's Column – Munin

The sys admin’s daily grind – Munin monitors SNMP-compatible devices

What do you do if the Munin system monitoring tool does not have a native Munin client for a device? Sys admin Charly has a solution.

SYSADMIN: Security Lessons – Ruby Tools

Ruby, Rails, and Gems developer tools

Great tools and resources are available to help you write secure Ruby on Rails code. Kurt examines some tools and offers some tips.

KNOW-HOW: Logstash

Centralized log archiving with Logstash

When something goes wrong on a system, the logfile is the first place to look for troubleshooting clues. Logstash, a log server with built-in analysis tools, consolidates logs from many servers and even makes the data searchable.

PROGRAMMING: Perl – Vagrant Package

Perl controls VirtualBox

The Vagrant package provides easy management of virtual machines with VirtualBox as the hypervisor on the command line. Provisioning tools like Puppet let customers try out products in pre-installed environments.

PROGRAMMING: Jekyll

Generating static pages and blogs with Jekyll

Most people starting a blog will almost automatically turn to WordPress, which calls for PHP, a database, and regular security updates … and thus a lot of attention. With the small Jekyll template engine, you can avoid all that.

LINUXUSER: Flam3 and Fractal Fr0st

Generate unusual fractals with Fr0st and Flam3

Few fractal algorithms create as beautiful and ethereal structures as Flam3. The Fr0st GUI helps you master the complex software.

LINUXUSER: Workspace – Gallery Apps

Lightweight web-based gallery applications

Sometimes full-blown photo sharing solutions are more than you need. We look at some lightweight alternatives that still get the job done.

LINUXUSER: Command Line – Aria2

Aria2 – Making your downloads sing your tune

Downloading files is central to modern computing. Whether you use your browser's function or rely on more specialized tools, you won't find a more versatile utility than Aria2.

LINUXUSER: flareGet Download Manager

Download management with flareGet

FlareGet accelerates your downloads and avoids the consequences of disconnections while downloading files.

COMMUNITY: Doghouse – Device Drivers

Teaching how to write device drivers

maddog considers the benefits of teaching students how to write device drivers.

COMMUNITY: Kernel News

Zack’s Kernel News

Chronicler Zack Brown reports on the latest news, views, dilemmas, and developments within the Linux kernel community.