Modify the initial ramfs (initramfs) archive

1 Introduction

Just a tiny note about modifying the initrd image on Debian, Unbuntu, or other Linux distributions. For glossaries about initial RAM disk, initial RAM filesystem, Root filesystem, etc, please reference the links listed in the end of the article.

Writing Your First PyQt4 OpenGL Program

1 Introduction

In this tutorial, we are going to have a glimpse of OpenGL programming in Python. I will introduce several simple Qt GUI applications and show you basic OpenGL programs.
Python is a programming language that lets you work more quickly and integrate your systems more effectively. PyQt is a Python wrapper for the C++ GUI framework Qt. Qt is a framework that uses the native widgets to draw its user interfaces.
PyOpenGL is a cross-platform open source Python binding to the standard OpenGL API. OpenGL is an application program interface that is used to define 2D and 3D computer graphics.
The article is written under Debian Linux. Packages that are required will be installed using powerful APT tool. If you are not a Linux user, however, don't worry. Since Python is a cross-platform language, Qt is a cross-platform framework, OpenGL is also a cross-platform interface, all the programs in this article also work for you. Just 'translate' the package installations according to your system and have fun.

Debian Backporting

It is easy to install packages on Debian. All you have to do is "apt-get install package". But what if we would like to install a newer version package? For example, git-core version on Debian stable is 1.4.4. It is too old and does not have basic commands such as git config, init,... etc. We may install git from Debian Backports. It is a easier way than building from source for most people.