My friend Charlie, M0PZT has taken the time to write a piece of software which provides quick and easy access to the DX Cluster via the internet (telnet). ClusterClient, as it's known, recently received some good comments on the ICQPodcast and I decided to give it a try myself. The only issue being, I run Linux and the software is written for Windows.

Not to worry though. I spent some time last night figuring out if I could make it run and the short answer is yes I can. Thanks to this guide, now so can you!

It's actually very straight forward to get the software going in Linux, and it may well be much simpler than the guide tells you. I'm assuming that the computer being used does not have a copy of WINE installed, nor the appropriate DLL files. I should also mention that I have tested this in Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) and Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackelope).

1. First we need to get a copy of the software. This is available from Charlie's site (see ClusterClient link, in Related Links below) - just scroll down the page until the Download link is visible. Download ZIP file and open it.

2. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a suitable place on your computer. I've put it in /home/ben/ClusterClient/ but it doesn't really matter as long as you have full permissions to the folder.

3. Use the Applications > Accessories menu to access the terminal. Don't be scared of the terminal if you haven't used it before. It really is quite straight-forward.

4. In the terminal window, change to the directory containing ClusterClient. In my case I'd type the following code. Replace the directory structure with wherever you saved your copy of ClusterClient (remember it is case sensitive):

   cd /home/ben/ClusterClient

5. Again in the terminal window, type (or copy) this command to install WINE (the Microsoft Windows compatability layer) and cabextract:

   sudo apt-get install wine cabextract

   You will probably be asked for your password. This is normal and is required to confirm that you wish to make changes to your system i.e., install an application. After entering your password, if you are prompted to confirm installation, press Y

6. Once WINE is installed, we need to get a couple more files required by ClusterClient. These aren't available through the repository.

7. Still within the terminal window, type (or copy) the following command:

   wget http://www.kegel.com/wine/winetricks

   A few additional files will be placed in the currently selected folder; the ClusterClient folder if you followed Step 2 above.

8. The package downloaded will enable us to get those missing files, so type in the following command:

   sh winetricks comctl32.ocx vb6run

   When asked to confirm if you would like to the Visual Basic 6.0 Run Time files, click on Yes.

9. With any luck, that should now be it. Attempt to run ClusterClient from the terminal with this command:

   wine ClusterClient.exe

   After a few moments, the window should appear.

That's all there is to it. ClusterClient can now be run from the terminal at any time by opening the terminal window, changing to the ClusterClient directory and running the command above.

But that's not the easiest way to launch it. Follow these additional steps to add a launcher to the desktop:

1. Right-click on a blank area of the desktop to display the context menu

2. Choose 'Create Launcher...'

3. A window will appear. Complete the following details (remember, the directory in Command will need to be whatever is applicable in your case):
   Type: Application
   Name: ClusterClient
   Command: wine /home/ben/ClusterClient/ClusterClient.exe
   Comment: ClusterClient by Charlie, M0PZT

4. Click OK

5. An icon will now be on your desktop. Just double-click to launch ClusterClient

Simples!

3 comments | Related Entries: 0 | Related Links: 3 | Attachments:

Tags: amateur radio, software