Electric Sheep: Configuring On Ubuntu, Step-By-Step Guide

Electric Sheep is a collaborative abstract artwork run by thousands of people worldwide. When a computer goes to 'sleep', the Electric Sheep screensaver comes on, and the computer connects with other devices to create morphing abstract animations known as 'sheep'. The Electric Sheep screensaver can be installed on Ubuntu, but it is not without its challenges. For instance, it seems that Electric Sheep does not work with Ubuntu 14.04 due to missing legacy packages. However, it is possible to install Electric Sheep on Ubuntu 12.04 and Ubuntu 17.10.

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Install dependencies: libsvga1, esound-common, libaudiofile1, etc

To install the dependencies for Electric Sheep on Ubuntu, you will need to install libsvga1, esound-common, and libaudiofile1. Here is a detailed guide on how to install these dependencies:

Install libsvga1

To install libsvga1 on Ubuntu, you can use the following commands:

Cd ~/Downloads

Wget -c http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/e/eglibc/multiarch-support_2.19-0ubuntu6.15_amd64.deb

Wget -c http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/s/svgalib/libsvga1_1.4.3-33_amd64.deb

Wget -c http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/s/svgalib/svgalib-bin_1.4.3-33_amd64.deb

Sudo apt-get install ./multiarch-support_2.19-0ubuntu6.15_amd64.deb ./libsvga1_1.4.3-33_amd64.deb ./svgalib-bin_1.4.3-33_amd64.deb

These commands will download the necessary packages and install libsvga1 on your Ubuntu system.

Install esound-common

Esound-common, or EsounD, is a sound server for the Enlightenment and GNOME desktops. It can be installed through the Ubuntu Software Centre or by using the `apt-get` command in the terminal.

Install libaudiofile1

To install libaudiofile1 on Ubuntu 20.04, you can use one of three methods: apt-get, apt, or aptitude. First, ensure that you have updated your apt database.

Using apt-get, you can run the following command to install libaudiofile1:

Sudo apt-get install libaudiofile1

Alternatively, you can use apt by running:

Sudo apt install libaudiofile1

Note that you might need to install aptitude first, as it is usually not installed by default on Ubuntu. To install aptitude, update your apt database with the following command:

Sudo apt update

Then, install aptitude with:

Sudo apt install aptitude

Finally, you can install libaudiofile1 using aptitude with the following command:

Sudo aptitude install libaudiofile1

By following these steps, you will have installed the necessary dependencies for Electric Sheep on Ubuntu.

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Use Xscreensaver to enable Electric Sheep

Electric Sheep is a popular screensaver that generates complex fractal animations by communicating with other computers that use the same screensaver. It is possible to use Xscreensaver to enable Electric Sheep on Ubuntu, although it may be a complex process.

Firstly, you will need to install Xscreensaver and Electric Sheep. You can do this by using the following command:

> sudo apt-get install xscreensaver electricsheep

Once you have installed both Xscreensaver and Electric Sheep, you will need to configure Xscreensaver to use Electric Sheep. This can be done by editing the Xscreensaver configuration file, which is located at `/etc/xscreensaver/xscreensaver.conf`.

Add the following line to the configuration file:

> GL: electricsheep --root 1

This will tell Xscreensaver to use Electric Sheep as the screensaver. You can also add additional options to the `electricsheep` command, such as `--max-megabytes`, `--zoom`, `--display-anim`, `--show-errors`, `--nrepeats`, and `--frame-rate`, to customize the behavior of Electric Sheep.

Finally, you will need to restart Xscreensaver for the changes to take effect. You can do this by logging out and back in, or by restarting your computer.

It is important to note that this process may not work with all versions of Ubuntu and Gnome. Some users have reported issues with Electric Sheep on Ubuntu 14.04, as this version of Ubuntu does not have the necessary packages for Electric Sheep. Additionally, it may not work with Gnome 3.8 or newer. If you encounter issues, you may need to try a different version of Ubuntu or Gnome, or seek further assistance from the Electric Sheep community.

Run electricsheep from the command line

Electric Sheep is a simple tool that allows you to execute backup jobs over the network and copy archives offsite. It can be run on Ubuntu, but it is worth noting that it does not work with Ubuntu 14.04 as this version does not have the legacy packages that Electric Sheep requires. Instead, you will need to run it on Ubuntu 12.04.

To run Electric Sheep from the command line, simply type "electricsheep". You can also use "electricsheep-preferences" to configure it. It has been packaged for Debian and Ubuntu, but those versions are out of date and cannot download Gold Sheep.

Before running Electric Sheep, you will need to satisfy its dependencies. Install the following packages in the order listed: libsvga1 (32-bit, 64-bit), esound-common (32-bit, 64-bit), libaudiofile1 (32-bit, 64-bit), libesd0 (32-bit, 64-bit), mplayer (32-bit, 64-bit), and flam3 (32-bit, 64-bit).

Each backup job is created in a configuration file called a Sheepfile. You can have as many configuration files as you need, and each Sheepfile can contain multiple jobs. Each job typically refers to one or several hosts and starts with a single resource such as a database, a file, or a directory.

To start a master process, run ES.IO from the directory containing your Sheepfile. The master process will look at job scheduling and fork to process the backup jobs when needed. By default, the master will read and write the Sheepfile, PID file, and log file in the current directory.

Configure with electricsheep-preferences

Electric Sheep is a volunteer computing project that creates and displays crowdsourced, collaborative, and evolving abstract artwork. When a computer goes to sleep, the Electric Sheep screensaver comes on, and the computer connects with other devices on the internet to create and share morphing abstract animations known as "sheep". These animations are generated from fractal flames, which are distributed to networked computers.

To configure Electric Sheep on Ubuntu, you can use "electricsheep-preferences". Here are the steps you can follow:

• Install the Required Packages: Before running Electric Sheep, ensure you have the necessary packages installed. The specific packages may vary depending on your Ubuntu version, but some common ones include libsvga1, esound-common, libaudiofile1, libesd0, mplayer, and flam3. Install these packages in the recommended order and satisfy any additional dependencies as needed.
• Run Electric Sheep: Open your terminal and simply type "electricsheep" to run the Electric Sheep screensaver. This should automatically configure itself as your screensaver.
• Configure with electricsheep-preferences: Once Electric Sheep is running, you can use "electricsheep-preferences" to customise your settings. This command allows you to adjust various options to personalise your experience. For example, you can set the behaviour of Electric Sheep when your computer goes to sleep, such as whether it should start automatically or only when you manually activate it.
• Customise Your Sheep Experience: With "electricsheep-preferences", you can explore different configurations to make Electric Sheep unique to your preferences. This includes adjusting the speed of animations, the colour palette used, the complexity of the fractal flames, and even the voting behaviour on sheep you like or dislike. Play around with these settings to find the right balance of aesthetics and performance for your system.
• Create and Share Your Own Sheep: Electric Sheep encourages user participation. You can create your own fractal flame files and upload them to the server. Your creations will be rendered into video files of animated fractal flames, which can then be shared with the Electric Sheep community. This allows your unique artwork to be distributed and displayed on other users' screensavers as well.
• Advanced Configuration: If you're comfortable diving deeper, you can explore advanced configuration options using configuration files, also known as Sheepfiles. Electric Sheep allows for multiple configuration files, and each Sheepfile can contain multiple jobs or settings. These files give you granular control over various aspects of Electric Sheep's behaviour, ensuring it runs exactly as you want.

Remember, the exact steps and options available may vary depending on your Ubuntu version and the Electric Sheep release. It's always a good idea to check the official Electric Sheep documentation and community forums for the most up-to-date information and troubleshooting guidance.

Uninstall and install the newest version

Electric Sheep is a popular screensaver for Ubuntu. However, it seems that Ubuntu 14.04 does not have the legacy packages that Electric Sheep needs. As a result, it can be challenging to install Electric Sheep on Ubuntu 14.04, and it may be necessary to use an older version of Ubuntu or a different distribution.

If you have already installed Electric Sheep and want to uninstall and install the newest version, here are the steps you can follow:

• Uninstall Electric Sheep: To completely remove Electric Sheep from your system, you will need to delete each subdirectory associated with the program. This can be done by navigating to the installation directory of Electric Sheep and deleting all the files and folders within it. Alternatively, you can try uninstalling Electric Sheep using the same method you used to install it. For example, if you installed it through a package manager, you can try removing it through the package manager as well.
• Install the newest version: Visit the official Electric Sheep website or GitHub repository to download the latest version of Electric Sheep. The preferred way to install it is from the source code. You can also refer to the Electric Sheep Linux Client Instructions for detailed installation steps and dependencies. Make sure to satisfy all the dependencies and install the required packages in the correct order.
• Configure Electric Sheep: Once you have installed the newest version of Electric Sheep, you can configure it to your liking. You can run Electric Sheep from the command line by typing "electricsheep". To access the preferences and configure the settings, type "electricsheep-preferences".
• Test Electric Sheep: After configuring your settings, test if Electric Sheep is working correctly. Activate your screensaver settings and wait for your screensaver to kick in. You should now see the Electric Sheep animation on your screen.

By following these steps, you should be able to uninstall your current version of Electric Sheep and install the newest version, ensuring that you have the latest features and improvements offered by the software.

Frequently asked questions