Replacing GNU Gnash with Adobe Flash

Video playback on YouTube is stuttering again. The Gnash player supplied with Debian 7 is a remarkable effort to replace proprietary Flash with an open source alternative. However, in its current state, it is unusable for the masses. Myself included.

Removing GNU Gnash isn't terribly difficult. Using the Quick filter feature in Synaptic Package Manager, do a search for "Gnash". In the sidebar on the left, click the Status button and choose Installed. Mark the three packages listed (gnash, gnash common, browser-plugin-gnash) for Complete Removal. Apply all marked changes.

Install Adobe Flash by doing a search for it in Quick filter. Mark flashplugin-nonfree for Installation. The package binutils will be installed alongside as it is a dependency. Take note that All, and not Installed, should be highlighted in the left sidebar.

This Linux user can now experience YouTube as God originally intended: hassle-free.

Preparing Flash Drive as Install Medium for Debian 7

The Arrival of Debian 7.2.0

Debian has been updated to version 7.2 on 12th October 2013. The second point release incorporates miscellaneous bug fixes, security updates and an improved installer. I will be updating the install images on my USB flash drives over the weekend. Since the process tends to be rather tedious, I have decided to document the process to serve as a guide for future reference.

CD 1 Installer

The first image to be updated would be installer on CD 1. Coming at under 700 MB, the iso will fit on any flash drive with a minimum capacity of 1 GB. Download CD 1 from http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/7.2.0/i386/bt-cd/ and copy the iso into a flash drive with the following command:

dd if=debian-7.2.0-i386-CD-1.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M; sync

The image needs to be moved to /home prior to command execution. The flash drive is unmounted and referenced as the third hard disk at /dev/sdc. The block size (bs) option instructs dd to copy in 4 MB chunks. This speeds up the operation as the default block size is a mere 512 bytes.

At the end of the operation, partition the remaining free space with Disk Utility. The filesystem should be 32-bit FAT. Download firmware.zip or firmware.tar.gz from http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/stable/current/ and extract the files to the 32-bit FAT partition on the flash drive. These non-free firmware packages increase the likelihood of locating drivers necessary for a smooth installation.

Live Image

The live image of Debian is particularly handy when troubleshooting PCs. It can be used to determine when a system is failing is due to bad sectors on a hard disk, or a burnt-out graphics card. Obtain the ISO image from http://live.debian.net/files/stable/images/7.2+nonfree/i386/iso-hybrid/ and execute the command as before:

dd if=debian-live-7.2-i386-gnome-desktop+nonfree.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M; sync

The GNOME image is a large 1.3 GB. 2 GB flash drives will be necessary.

Integrity Check

It is always a good idea to determine if the install medium has been imaged properly. Errors during copy can occur if the the dd operation was interrupted or if the memory on the flash drive has worn out. Integrity checks can be performed by booting into the flash drive and loading the installer. Hitting the Esc key subsequently brings up a menu with the option to "Check the CD-ROM(s) integrity". If the check completes with an error message, the entire process needs to be reviewed. Perhaps the downloaded image is corrupted, which can be verified with an MD5 hash. Perhaps the flash drive is failing, which can be determined with Disk Utility. Proceed to install Debian 7 when the check completes with no errors.

Reference

• http://www.debian.org/News/2013/20131012
• http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/7.2.0/i386/bt-cd/
• http://www.debian.org/CD/faq/
• https://wiki.debian.org/Firmware
• http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/firmware/

Encoding Music with Ogg Vorbis

My music library is filled with FLAC audio files. Although great for archiving due to its lossless nature, the individual files are large. A 4 minute music track weighs in typically at a hefty 40 MB. Repeat this for every compact disc in the collection and the hard disk fills up quickly.

Ogg Vorbis is supported on every Linux distribution. Android phones are capable of playing it, although some have difficulty recognizing it as a music file. This was a problem with iterations before Froyo (version 2.2). A number of game publishers have also released their apps with Ogg Vorbis-encoded soundtracks. Gameloft's Despicable Me: Minion Rush is a prime example.

Install vorbis-tools with Synaptic Package Manager. This will also pull in the official oggenc encoder by Xiph.Org. Place the files to be converted in the home directory. Depending on the files you have, enter one of the following command in a terminal.

oggenc --quality 6 *.flac
oggenc --quality 6 *.wav

I chose Vorbis quality 6 because it did not require noise normalization. It also preserved lossless channel coupling. The files were encoded around 192 kbit/s. My music library is about to be filled with Ogg Vorbis audio files.

Magnet Links in Debian 7

The Problem

Magnet links are a hassle to use with Debian. Clicking on them brings up a "Launch Application" dialogue box with no apparent application for selection.

First Solution

This involves manual copying of the magnet link from the browser of choice into Transmission.

1. In Iceweasel, right-click the link of interest and select "Copy Link Location".
2. In Transmission, open File and select "Open URL...". Voilà! The dialogue box that ensues will contain the magnet link allowing the download to commence.

Second Solution

1. In Iceweasel, click the magnet link of interest. Check the box "Remember my choice for magnet links" and click "Choose...".
2. Select "File System" under the Places sidebar. Navigate to /usr/bin and select "transmission-gtk".
3. Follow through with the remainder of the dialogue boxes by selecting Open and OK.

The latter method is preferred as it mimics the familiarity of a point-and-click workflow.

Moving Ahead With Debian

Debian 7, code named "Wheezy", was released June 2013 to little fanfare. It provided much relief to the Linux community. At a time when most were torn between the newfangled overhaul that is GNOME 3 and the other desktop environments, it is reassuring that one of the oldest distributions continues to provide choice to the masses.

My journey with Ubuntu has come to an end. Although quickly riding to fame on the merits of usability and a commitment to the community, recent years have proved otherwise. The introduction of Unity as a fork of GNOME 3, Mir replacing X Window System, the Amazon privacy controversy stemming from an implementation of Head-Up Display... the list does not end. Fragmentation has resulted when choices should have been offered. Little wonder that Mint is now king at DistroWatch.

Having used Debian for a month, I am pleased with its stability. Suspend-to-RAM works as it should, Gnash is smooth when handling YouTube videos, and Wi-Fi stays up without glitches of any kind. Even the occasional game on WINE plays beautifully. Technology can be empowering. Debian is certainly one of them.