Archive for the 'Technology' Category
Taking Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) For a Spin
April 26th, 2008
Ubuntu released Hardy Heron a couple days ago and I’ve finally gotten around to trying it out. I should disclose that I spend the majority of my time in OS X so Ubuntu is more of a curiosity for me than a day to day OS. I attended the Web 2.0 Expo this year and heard Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems, talk about their acquisition of VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a free virtualization application, similar to VMWare and Parallels, that lets users run other operating systems inside a host operating system. In the past I’ve run Ubuntu instances from Parallels but I’ve found Parallels to be unstable at times under Leopard so I decided to give VirtualBox a try.
After downloading VirtualBox, it was a snap to set up a new VM and then mount the Ubuntu ISO. The installation went without a hitch and I was up and running in no time. The only part of the installation that needed any manual configuration was getting Ubuntu to run at a resolution other than 800×600. Even after I installed the “Guest Additions” from VirtualBox (Devices > Install Guest Additions), I didn’t have any choices other than 640×480 or 800×600. After a quick Google search, I came across the solution of manually editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf (don’t worry, it’s not that scary). The only other thing I haven’t been able to figure out is how to get my mouse wheel to scroll. I’m assuming this is an issue with VirtualBox that will be updated once the developers have a chance to work with Hardy Heron a little more.
Overall, Ubuntu 8.04 is awesome. It’s pretty fast; I’m not sure if this is because I’m now running it under VirtualBox and not Parallels or if the developers made some major speed updates. It comes with Firefox 3 Beta 5 (the newest right now). I’m increasingly impressed how Ubuntu is really becoming an alternative to Windows that I almost feel comfortable recommending to friends and family who know almost nothing about computers.
It’s definitely worth checking out and playing with.
Sphere: Related ContentShame on Comcast
February 26th, 2008
Comcast’s actions at today’s FCC hearing are shameful. Not only are they controlling what their customers can and cannot access online (or at least how quickly they can access the content), they’re now controlling who can and cannot attend public hearings. I used to have Comcast as my cable provider until Time Warner Cable came to town and took over their DMA. I’ve always had DSL since I don’t believe cable companies know how to run networks evidenced by their inability to deliver television reliably.
I hope the FCC decides to punish Comcast for their move against net neutrality and that their customers punish them for their actions at today’s FCC hearing.
Sphere: Related ContentSSH in Leopard Through an HTTP Proxy
January 7th, 2008
Most applications in OS X automatically use OS X’s Network > Location settings (Apple > Location > [select a location]) including proxy settings for those of us who have employers that require all traffic to go through proxies. Firefox doesn’t use OS X’s proxy settings which is extremely annoying (there’s a Firefox extension to do this; I can verify that it works but can’t verify it’s not sending all your data to some other server or anything). SSH is another program that doesn’t respect OS X’s proxy settings. My guess is that this is because OS X’s SSH is a version of OpenSSH which Apple never customized enough to allow proxy support.
After a lot of research and help from a co-worker, I figured out how to use SSH on the Mac behind an HTTP proxy and have SSH automatically detect whether or not it needs to use a proxy. This works on Leopard but may not work in previous versions of the operating system.
Create a file (I’m going to call mine proxytest) and put it wherever you want on your Mac (make sure it’s executable by typing “chmod +x proxytest” in the terminal). This file is based on a user’s hint on macosxhints.com. Open the file and enter the following text:
#!/bin/sh
while getopts P:H:p:vh o
do case "$o" in
P) PROTO=$OPTARG;;
H) HOST=$OPTARG;;
p) PORT=$OPTARG;;
v) verb=true;;
h) echo "Usage: $0 [-P {HTTP|HTTPS|SOCKS}] -H
esac
done
# See if the user is using a proxy
PROXY_HOSTNAME=$(scutil –proxy | awk ‘$1 ~ /’”$PROTO”‘Proxy/ { print $3 }’)
# If the user not using a proxy, go straight to the connection
if [ "$PROXY_HOSTNAME" = "" ]; then /usr/bin/nc $HOST $PORT; else
# Determine the hostname and port of the proxy and then establish the connection
PROXY_PORT=$(scutil –proxy | awk ‘$1 ~ /’”$PROTO”‘Port/ { print $3 }’)
/usr/bin/nc -X connect -x $PROXY_HOSTNAME:${PROXY_PORT} $HOST $PORT
fi
Then, go to your SSH config file (~/.ssh/config) or if it doesn’t exist, create the file. In the config file, enter the following line (of course, replace [path_to_your_file] with the actual path to your file):
ProxyCommand [path_to_your_file]/proxytest -P HTTP -H %h -p %p
Now, fire up your terminal and SSH as you normally would. Enjoy!
Sphere: Related ContentMicrosoft Launches YouTube Channel to Promote Vista, Gets Flamed
December 30th, 2007
Microsoft has launched a YouTube channel to promote Vista and Live. The only problem for them is that they’re getting flamed by users in the comments. The majority of comments on all their videos talk about Vista sucking and how Apple rules. From a PR perspective, is it better to get your promotional videos out there next to which are “user testimonials” disparaging your product and promoting your competition or doing nothing at all? Seems like a flawed strategy if you ask me.
Sphere: Related ContentGetting MySQL Running in Leopard
December 25th, 2007
I upgraded to Leopard about a month ago and knew I’d have issues starting MySQL (which I installed in Tiger) from previous experiences getting it to start at work. The MySQL starter in the System Preferences in Leopard silently fails and won’t start MySQL. Following the instructions provided on the TomatoCheese blog, I was able to get everything running by doing the following (I didn’t archive Tiger, I simply upgraded to Leopard):
- Copied the MySQL launchd configuration file provided by TomatoCheese blog to /Library/LaunchDaemons (that’s the root library, not your user library).
- Made sure the owner of MySQL was “mysql”:
sudo chown -R mysql /usr/local/mysql. - Started mysql using the command:
sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.mysql.mysqld.plist. - I then created a start and stop application using the method described in the comments by opening Script Editor and creating a start application (I changed the code slightly since the provided code didn’t seem to work):
do shell script "sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.mysql.mysqld.plist" with administrator privileges(use “unload” for the stop version).
MySQL appears to be aware of the problem but who knows when it will be fixed.
Sphere: Related ContentUsing the Blackberry 8800 as a Modem on my Mac
December 25th, 2007
I finally got around to tethering my Blackberry 8800 to my Mac (on Leopard using AT&T). I’ve had the 8800 for awhile now but for some reason, never got around to actually pairing it so I could use the Internet while traveling through the bluetooth connection. The process was fairly painless after I figured out how to actually connect to the phone. I think Apple may have changed the process slightly in Leopard since the instructions I’ve come across have differed a little from what I actually had to do. The steps I took were basically as follows:
- Pair the Mac with the phone (make sure the Blackberry is discoverable by going to Settings > Bluetooth > Options and remember to make it not discoverable once you’re done).
- Copy the script located at Fibble.org to /Library/Modem Scripts (that’s your Mac’s root library, not your user library).
- Open System Preferences > Network and select Bluetooth and copy the settings from my screenshot (the password is “CINGULAR1″).
- Hit “Connect” and you should be done.
The connection speed seems decent (like an old dial-up modem) and should be fast enough for checking email and news while I’m on the road.
If you need help, check out this thread at fibble.org.
Sphere: Related ContentChristmas Lights Roundup
December 25th, 2007
When Carson Williams hooked up Light-O-Rama lighting controllers to his house in 2005 and set them to music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he started a Christmas light craze that continues to this day. Miller even used his video for a beer commercial. This year, it seems like more and more people have followed Carson’s lead and have gone all out on synchronized lighting and holiday music. Below are some of my favorites. I wonder if next year we’ll start seeing more products that actually target this market since an increasing number of people seem to want to put on a show. In the meantime, Carson has turned his fame into a business where he helps others hook up their holiday lights.
- Lindsay Lights - This family has more than 70,000 LEDs hooked up and synchronized to two songs. He offers a live stream of the house with the music track and an FM signal for people driving by. If you’re reading this after he takes the lights down or you want to find out more about his setup, you can visit his site at lindsaylights.com.
- Funny-blog.com - Funny-blog.com has three videos from an unknown (at least to me) person’s house. These are probably the best sequences and music that I’ve seen this holiday season.
- RV Edition - This man decked up his RV this year.
If you don’t get your fix from those three samples, check out Light-O-Rama’s 2006 customer videos.
Happy Holidays!
Sphere: Related ContentCongrats to nobosh Answers!
November 25th, 2007
My friend B.A. has been slaving away on a new site that he created called nobosh (see the definition of bosh if you don’t already know what it means). As a supplement to the site, he’s launched an answers site, called nobosh Answers, where users can ask financial and business questions that are then answered by the site’s community. The answers site alone is pretty spiffy but he also created a version for the iPhone that was featured on Apple’s iPhone Web apps showcase as well as listed as a Staff Pick! Way to go B.A.!
Check out nobosh Answers to get your financial and business questions answered today!
Sphere: Related ContentBest Buy Acts Shocked That Consumers Don’t Understand HDTV
September 25th, 2007
According to CNNMoney.com, 90% of consumers surveyed in a study commissioned by Best Buy, are confused about high definition televisions. Why the country’s #1 electronics retailer should act shocked that consumers don’t understand what they’re not being properly educated about is beyond me. Education starts with the sales staff and for anyone who has ever stepped foot in a Best Buy, it’s quite clear the sales staff know next to nothing about the electronics industry or technology.
I recently went shopping with my dad for an HDTV. Best Buy was one of the places we stopped by and was by far the worst shopping experience of the stores we went to. Half the HDTV floor models weren’t even working, for the ones that were, the signal they were sending to the TVs appeared to be below standard definition, and the sales people were easily stumped when asked relatively simple questions that I’m sure most consumers ask. They were even stumped when asked questions that don’t relate to technology at all and instead involve delivery policies.
Instead of commissioning studies and then lamenting the results, maybe Best Buy should actually put some time and money into training their sales force in a visible and thorough manner.
Sphere: Related ContentAmazon Launches MP3 Downloads
September 25th, 2007
Amazon.com today unveiled their MP3 download service which is clearly an attempt to compete with iTunes’ dominance. The catalog right now is limited to only Universal Music Group and EMI (I’ve still yet to figure out how consumers are supposed to know what artist is on what label). Anyway, it looks pretty promising. The prices are cheaper than iTunes’ DRM versions of songs and the MP3 format means better compatibility with the majority of portable music players; not just the iPod. It will be interesting to see how much business Amazon.com MP3 gets and whether they’ll be tracking if users are sharing music downloaded from the site.
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