Maverick Installer (March 2011), Package Repository Signed

A new Maverick image has been created as a convenience for users. Changes from the previous image are relatively minor:

• Includes the 2.6.31.14.20 (2011.03) kernel update which adjusts the DVI monitor support
• Includes the xserver-xorg-video-imx driver update that fixes the minor graphical corruption in GNOME panels
• A package source for http://packages.efikamx.info/ has been added by default, along with the correct key for the signed repository for seamless, non-interative updates
• New version of Firefox (3.6.14) and several security updates released in the last week from Ubuntu upstream

One Annoying Bug

Note, however, there is one regression which has been plaguing us for a very long time. Due to the way the oem-config tool is run from Ubuntu, a race condition can occur that is exacerbated by the accelerated graphics drivers and boot improvements we have made recently. It happens at random, but the net effect is that rather than booting into the oem-configuration system to set up the system with a new user account, define passwords, timezones, keyboard layouts and so on, it will instead start the GDM desktop manager. The system is usable in this state (the username and password are both "oem" by the way) but a fixed user account is both unfriendly and unsecure.

There is only one fix right now: don't log in, but use the power button in the lower right of the GDM screen to Restart the system until oem-configuration runs successfully. The bug has been logged for nearly 6 months, reproduced on other platforms, and duplicated, but finally has a fix. Unfortunately the fix is not for Maverick. We are coordinating with the Ubuntu developers to solve it for Maverick very soon.

Package Repository

The package repository is also now signed. If you have added the repository to your /etc/apt/sources.list.d directory or /etc/apt/sources.list file already you can do the following to fetch the key:

wget http://packages.efikamx.info/Repository.key

sudo apt-key add Repository.key

rm Repository.key

Or if you like to use GPG (but don't mind that it gets installed into your GPG keyring)

gpg --recv-key 67841ED0 --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com

gpg -a --export 67841ED0 | sudo apt-key add -

Have fun :D

Package Repository

Users may wish to add this to their APT sources (using the method of your choice):

deb http://packages.efikamx.info/ maverick main universe

We have provided all the pertinent kernel, 2D, 3D and settings files shipped in the image for people who do not want to trash their system. The repository and builds are currently unsigned, but we're working on that. There is no deb-src reference as the source is in our github area and we don't feel like we should be duplicating it in a different way.

A couple of packages are missing (like the debug version of the kernel), but they'll be uploaded once the archive key is in place.

Pertinent updates from the latest Maverick image:

• Small kernel fix for DVI monitors. The kernel will no longer attempt to find 1080p or 720p modes on DVI since it's uncommon to connect via DVI to a monitor capable of 720p, and we feel that getting 1366x768 or native resolution is more useful to users. The HDMI vs. DVI monitor switch is determined by the presence of the HDMI OUI in the EDID CEA Extension block, and double checked against the presence of HDMI "basic audio" support.
• A minor graphics corruption bug in the Xorg driver where tooltips would leave trails on the GNOME panels, or become totally white with compositing enabled.