kstars Linux

[allan gould]

Would it be possible for some of you linux gurus to help with the installation of kstars for linux. I ave downloaded the tar.g
file but dont know sufficient linux to install and i cant find an idiots guidevon how to do it. Thanks for any help.
allan

[Tandum]

You should have a file called kstars-1.2.tar.tar. Try getting it from http://sourceforge.net/projects/kstars/
That looks to be the source code with compile and install instructions included in the tarball.

[riklaunim]

Look in your Linux distribution repository for KStars package. The application may also be hidden in kdeedu package.

[Barrykgerdes]

Is there a kstars compiled package for your linux distro? If there is there should be some form of installer or configure to run from the command prompt in the terminal. Check the repositories.

If not you will need to get the source.tar.g, un tar it and compile it yourself

Barry

[troypiggo]

Allan,

What linux distro are you using? If it's a package-based distro, and I'd guess it is, it would be far easier to use a package if you can find it. RedHat or Debian-based?

I haven't installed KStars, but searching around it looks like it could be part of a kdeedu package if it's not as a stand-alone. So search for that as well.

If you're stuck and have to use the source code, here's how you typically would "unzip" and compile from the command-line.

$ tar xzvf package.tar.gz
$ cd package
$ ./configure
$ make
$ sudo make install

This assumes that there's no special configure options you need to specify. There's usually a README or INSTALL text file in the base dir to help with that and special instructions.

If that doesn't work or doesn't make sense, maybe call me. Depends on what distro you're using, how the file was compressed (could have been bzip2 instead of gzip), and how you access root permissions etc.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Alan

I run Ubuntu 10.4.
I just checked the synaptic package manager and found a package for kstars version 1.6.0 by KDE 4.4.2.

I downloaded the package (64 files) took about a minute at 650KB/s
It installed automatically (I did not check where) the bin file is in /usr/bin/kstars

I clicked on this file and the kstars setup file loaded. I followed the instructions and now have kstars available.

took 15 minutes from the time I turned my linux computer on till I was running kstars.

Barry

[pmrid]

Hi Allan, I can't help with the install but can encourage you to persevere with this. I have KStars that was part of the standard install on a little ASUS EeePC 701 - the original little one with just 4GB of SSD. I can report that it runs Gemini without any issues - and also recognised a USB/RS232 adapter without any prompting. I run it through an external monitor and have the whole setup rigged up on the pier with the Titan/C14. It's a good little planetarium/scope controller and well worth a play.
Peter.

[allan gould]

I am running a small mid device called a SmartQ V5 which runs both Linux as well as Android systems. I bought it as I travel o/s a lot and wanted something that I could view moves (HD), PDF and ebooks as well as access wifi etc and have an sd slot for expansion. This seemed to fit the bill and so I purchased one and have been very happy with it.
I had seen Kstars running on an EEPC and thought this may also be able to run Kstars under the linux O/S. So Illl report back on my progress.
Thanks all of you for your assistance-I maay need your assistance Troy. Ill bring the beast to the meeting tonight and let you have a play
Allan

[troypiggo]

Did a bit of a search, and it appears it's a Ubuntu distro on that SmartQ. Not sure if it's a cut-down version, but you can either use it's GUI package manager to install it or commandline. I use commandline and it should be something like this:

$ sudo apt-get install kstars

It will probably ask if you want to install some other packages that would be prerequisites for it. You'll need them.

[pmrid]

Allan, that SmartQ look interesting. I see that a 7-inch version is being sold here for A$299. It doesn't seem a bad price - particularly if it is possible to load useful apps such as KStars on it.
Please keep us posted on your progress with it.
Peter

[netwolf]

For those interested, I saw something at JBHifi that looks very much like this SmartQ and it was on salfe for 129$. I was tempted but wanted to learn more about it. I am trying to find out today what it is that they are selling and if indeed it is a smartQ or something similar.

Edit: Turns out this is a GHT 7" not a SmartQ, I think they are on a close out sale. Its classed as a Ereader and not a MID like the SmartQ.

[allan gould]

Still not getting the package installed - seems so much like old dos that Im probably issuing an incorrect syntax as Im not at all familiar with Linux.
Liking the device even more as it has HDMI output to a TV and can do HD movies, PDF reader, Ebook reader, BT, WIFI and is quite versatile. Just want to get something other than Google sky working on it.
Thanks for your assistance - may need you to come around sometime Troy if I cant get it going.

[allan gould]

Troy I ran the command line from the dscard directory but it comes up with the following.
Reading package lists...Done
Building dependancy tree...Done
E: Cant find package

So Im off somewhere.
Help :D

[hikerbob]

I've just started playing with Ubuntu, initially on a BeagleBoard xM and now on a couple of laptop's. Versions 10.10 and 11.04. I've also accidentally set up Debian on the BeagleBoard. I've put Kstars on following each install using the Ubuntu Software Center (or in the case of Debian it's Software Center). Click and point to install. One of the Laptop's is an old IBM T20 thinkpad. Kstars has installed easily on each and appears to run Ok. I've tried Stellarium on a couple as well and on the Beagleboard and T20 the performance has been horrible. I've not yet tried any telescope control but from what I've read of the INDI protocol (I think INDI does the Linux functions which ASCOM does in windows) that should be easy.

My intent is to site the BeagleBoard (or possibly a PandaBoard when they are available again) at the telescope and remote to it from a laptop. It should be possible to run INDI in server mode on the BeagleBoard.

I'm still exploring options for guiding from a Ubuntu box.

Bob

[joe_smith]

Kstars needs the KDE desktop environment to run, Ubuntu uses Gnome. Kstars is part of the KDE desktop I think you can run KDE apps under Gnome but its a hassle. have you looked at LinuxMInt they have a new KDE version that's just been released and it based on Ubuntu. I tryed it and and downloaded Kstars from the download manger and it works OK for me.

[allan gould]

To be honest I gave up on installing this on my smartQ v5 as it was too much of a hassle. Ill use my iphone instead as (sorry if this offends) but its too geekish to attempt to install unless you have immersed yourself in Linux for years.