These are instructions for the installation of JMRI on a Ubuntu Linux/GNU system. Unfortunately they assume some knowledge of Linux. They have been used by a number of users successfully and should work on Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Debian (The USB port has not been tested under Debian).
This is still in its draft stages.
GNU/Linux is becoming increasingly popular as a desk top operating system. This short instruction deals with installing JMRI on the Ubuntu desktop.
JMRI is quite easy to install on Windows. It consists of two stages, install Java and install JMRI. Unfortunatly GNU Linux takes five stages and involves some command line work.
GNU Linux provides a viable alternative to Windows. As it is often free it is suitable for loading onto older machines which may no longer have a viable legal OS. It is also far less resource hungry current windows distributions.
Ubuntu is based on Debian and is recognised as being a very user friendly distribution. Indeed in the US Dell are going to supply computers with it pre installed.
Details on installing Ubuntu can be found below at Ubuntu:
Follow the Path “Download” then I suggest you read up on the help page which is offered which give one advice on how to download the iso image and then create a bookable CD to install Ubuntu.
Java will be downloaded into /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/bin/ from the repositories.
JMRI will created inside a JMRI directory which is created inside the directory that contains the .tgz file. Umm..
When PanelPro and DecoderPro are first run the look for a directory .jmri in the home directory . (I think I am right in saying this). If they do not find it they create it. To see this hidden directory in the file browser select “View” and “Show Hidden Files”. This directory holds the preferences. If you are experiencing difficulties with the program closing renaming the relevant config.xml file should do the trick.
There are Five steps in Installing JMRI in Linux/GNU, The are installation of Java, RxTX,JMRI itself, setting up permissions and finally setting up the programme environment.
One must be carfull which Java is Loaded. java -version will often show Java 1.4.2 gij, this one is not wanted. Blackwood does not work. I would recommend installing from the repositories.
System > Administration > Sympatic Package Manager.
The search for sun-java6-jdk (or latter version) and load it.
Job Done.
A problem here is that the RxTx in the Ubuntu repositories does not work with JMRI! It appears that "2.0.7pre2" is required and that is what is included in the files section.
Download RxTx
and place in spare directory then unpack by double clicking, and then extracting (extract) the file.
Then copy to the relevant sub directories.
javax.comm.properties to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/lib/javax.comm.properties
javax.comm.rxtx.properties to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/lib/ext/javax.comm.rxtx.properties
comm.jar to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/lib/ext/comm.jar
RXTXcomm.jar to usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/lib/ext RXTXcomm.jar
Make a Soft link so the Programe finds the correct RxTx
Change directory to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/lib/i386
And then make the link by
ln -s librxtxSerial-2.0.7pre2.so librxtxSerial.so
This should now have the serial port working. Unfortunately the programme will probably not see the USB port. If this is the case the start up script needs altering. An example is given below.
JMRI is downloaded in the normal manner.
Edit etc/group to change /etc/group file like this:
uucp:x:10 becomes uucp:x:10:your name
Alter Permissions on /dev/ttyS0 and 1
sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyS0
sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyS1
On a fresh install the environment is OK, java -version will give
java version "1.6.0"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-b105)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-b105, mixed mode, sharing)
If it does not this should simply be a matter of changing the PATH variable.
PATH=/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.00/jre/bin/:$PATH
A neater way is to alter the Start Up script. (We need examples of start up scripts).
Also bash or csh. T
To start open a terminal and enter ./DecoderPro
If you have any problems get make to the group.
No Serial Port. Have a look in System > Preferences > Hardware Information. One should have a screen like that shown showing com port as /dev/ttyS0
bash: ./whatever.csh: bad interpreter: No such file or directory
Can not run the shell try installing csh.
bash; ./cats.csh: Permission denied
try setting the icon to executable.
