Guru dell'Eccelso Picco

New Linux kernel 2.6.38 gets a speed boost

The new Linux Kernel 2.6.38 has been released and has a lot of new exciting features and improvements.
http://www.infoworld.com/d/open-source-software/new-linux-kernel-gets-speed-boost-723
Besides, it seems that Ubuntu Natty will get this kernel.
((enjoy))

Driving a car with the power of thought

http://www.fu-berlin.de/en/presse/fup/2011/fup_11_047/index.html

Interactive map of the Linux Kernel

Linux Kernel Map:
http://www.makelinux.net/kernel_map

((enjoy))

Firefox and the Java Console

After upgrading to the lastest 3.6 Firefox and the latest Jre 6.0.20 on my Ubuntu 10.4, I faced the problem about the Java Console.
Since Jre6u10 the Firefox extension has been dropped by design.
You have to enable it from the Java Console Plugin Control Panel.
Useful links:

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=460244

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Java#Java_Console_disabled

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=511884

((enjoy))

Thnuderbird and Date Display format

To make Thnuderbird display the date in a more readable format, I made the following customizations:

In the prefs.js added these lines:

user_pref("mail.ui.display.dateformat.default", 2);
user_pref("mail.ui.display.dateformat.thisweek", 4);
user_pref("mail.ui.display.dateformat.today", 0);

just to have a more compact date for the last week messages.

Then to have the date in my locale it_IT, you need something like this:

export LC_TIME=it_IT.UTF-8

and the trick is done!
The usage of the script in $HOME/.mozilla-thunderbird/init.d/S00Locale.sh has been removed from T3.
Beware that you have to install the right locale and run “sudo dpkg-reconfigure locales”

((enjoy))

Gnome Background Generator

I really like to have the background image of my Ubuntu desktop automatically changing over time.
From System -> Preferences -> Appearance -> Background you can use the Gnome feature of using a special .xml file to accomplish this.
Togheter with this nice Python script (gnome-background-generator) you can simply automate the process of updating the files for new images in my collection (especially from APOD).
I put my background images in a dedicated folder and then I run from crontab this simple script:

0 */4 * * * $HOME/bin/gnome-background-generator -d 1800 --path $HOME/Pictures/MyCosmos/ --output $HOME/Pictures/MyCosmos/background.xml >/dev/null 2>&1

Then add the background.xml file to Gnome Control Panel and you’re done!
((enjoy))

Ubuntu Lucid Lynx 10.4 on HP EliteBook 8530p – Almost all is fine!

I’ve finally upgraded my Laptop to Lucid Lynx 10.4 and all is almost fine.
The volume control from the panel now works coerently, but the brightness control from Fn+F9 and Fn+F10 keys is not working.
I’m trying to upgrade the fglrx driver to 10.9, but this bug #555122 and especially comment #20 may be helpful. There is a problem in building the DKMS module, look at this patch.
I really appreciate the boot speed, but what is really impressive is the shutdown speed, a matter of few seconds, less than Suspend to RAM
More later.
((enjoy))

An Interview with Edsger W. Dijkstra

An Interview with Edsger W. Dijkstra:
http://www.cbi.umn.edu/oh/display.phtml?id=320

“It is the algorithm for the shortest path, which I designed in about twenty minutes.”

((enjoy))

Why the Nokia N900 is an incredible device

I ordered the N900 just after the Nokia’s launch announce. Being already an N800 owner, I was waiting from a long time for a device like this.
Here is a list of things you can do with it, from my experience on a daily usage basis:
* email reading and writing
* web browsing with flash support and with several different browsers
* rss feeds reading
* connect via vpn to your private lan and manage linux and windows server with ssh and rdp
* wordpress blogging
* skype chat and calling with video!
* gtalk messaging
* find your way with the Map application and the integrated GPS

My preferred applications:
* FeedingIt for RSS
* Opera 10 for browsing: the flash plugin is currently missing but it is a really fast browser, it has an handy reading feature which the microB lacks and a great on screen keyboard
* vpnc for Cisco vpn connections to your private Lan (other vpn protocols are supported as well)
* Rdesktop for Windows Rdp connections
* openssh server and client
* WordPress blogging client
* Documents To Go for viewing Word, Excel, Powerpoint files: it is incredibly fast to open, faster than my PC! It is not free but the quality deserves the 10€ cost
* multimedia player
* Nokia Maps even if it is not yet as good as the Symbian version
* Autodisconnect application to maximize the battery duration

The great ideas of Maemo people:
* sliding desktops
* great desktop customization options with widgets, contacts, applications
* great integration of the phone, skype, gtalk and other IM contacts in a uniform and elegant way
* integration of the traditional gsm phone with other VoIP clients (skype, gtalk) in a uniform and elegant way
* the hardware keyboard
* the great 800×480 display (which was already great on my N800 3 years ago!)
* the Qt based development framework

What can be improved:
* usage in portrait mode: this is mainly a landscape mode device, it may be hard to use with just one hand

Must have accessories:
* ultra-clear screen protection from Brando Workshop
* a carry case from Noreve

((enjoy))

KVM Forum 2010

The KVM Forum 2010 just ended and the speakers slide decks are now available online. They are full of extremely interesting details about the KVM project and its roadmap.

((enjoy))

Guru dell'Eccelso Picco

La Fibra che Ride

The Next Ubuntu coming…

New Linux kernel 2.6.38 gets a speed boost

Driving a car with the power of thought

Interactive map of the Linux Kernel

Firefox and the Java Console

Thnuderbird and Date Display format

Gnome Background Generator

Ubuntu Lucid Lynx 10.4 on HP EliteBook 8530p – Almost all is fine!

An Interview with Edsger W. Dijkstra

Why the Nokia N900 is an incredible device

KVM Forum 2010

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La Fibra che Ride

The Next Ubuntu coming…

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