I shall call this “The Triple Threat”
o hi
This is Unix! I Know This!
Tag Archives: Linux
Linux Systems Update
Done, done, and done. All systems go.
I dropped Ubuntu 10.04 LTS on the 17″ Dell, via an old image-having CD I had in the man-lab. Updated via the manager to 10.10, on my makeshift table:
Laptop Stand
No problem what-so-ever. Works like a champ.
I snagged the 10.10 image from Ubuntu, and created a bootable USB. I backed up my photos on said drive…so that sucker is one sweet USB. I have been packing it in my pocket, in case anyone needs some Linux on the fly…not holding my breath however.
Anyhow, my wireless card needed some update action…had to go manual on the little guy:
hiding spot
So the secret is out…I keep my modem and router in a wire-jumble behind the TV. It works. As does Meerkat on my Mini 9…with which I’m posting this tale at this moment.
So, I have a Ubuntu trifecta going on right now. Seems like they should have me on the payroll or something. Free shirt, or something. Not having Windows is prize enough.
State of Affairs
I’ve been busy. General business…not so much free time business. Here is a brief run-down of what is in the works:
Item: Environment updates
I am in the middle of re-purposing my computers. I have three flavors of Linux that I use on a regular basis. Gone will be that setup, along with all dual-boot machines. I am going to dedicate my Mini9 netbook as my ‘work at work’ machine…my old 17″ Dell will become my bench computer for my electronics projects…and my slick 15′-er will be my couch computer slash backup unit. All will run Ubuntu 10.10 with Gnome for the time being. I am toying with online storage options, so that I can drop files to and from my Droid without using swantron.com’s server space. More to come on that.
Action shot…updating the Mini 9 from Ubuntu 10.4 Netbook to Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop…
little guy --------------------------------^
Bonus from above…real time apt-get Arduino V0022 action
Item: PIR sensor work on the Arduino
I actually had a little POC put together last week, before the system reboot. I made a generic little alarm, using the passive infrared module and a piezo. Once I can get the Arduino IDE up and running on all three boxes, I’ll snap some pics, clean stuff up, and let it rip. Stay tuned.
Item: General EE work.
I’ve been tearing apart all sorts of stuff. Two CRT TVs, some media players, etc. I didn’t document much, but managed to keep from discharging some big ass capacitors. For the win. The goal is to locate points of failure, and swap out components on the board level. This all stems from the flat-iron failure…for which I’m searching for a replacement switch and diode. Pretty cool.
That is about it. It looks like my wireless on the Mini is non-functional. Great. I’m off to track down an ethernet cord.
PSA
indeed they do
Winning.
Droid 2 Must Have Games
Games kick ass, am I right? Am I right? (****Spoiler…YES!*****)
Since I haven’t blathered about how awesome Android stuff is in a while, I figured I would ramble about games for a while. So far, I have found four games that are pretty much “must-have.” I hate that term, but it gets me search engine traffic. And traffic is a must-have. (Sorry.) You can find these must-havers on Android Market, but you probably knew that. Let’s begin.
In order of most-must-have, to still-must-have-but-not-as-much-as-most-must-have…
Angry Birds — Q. Why so angry, birds? A. Those egg-stealing pigs, that’s why.
I like that one ^
Robo Defense — Tower defense, FTW. I got really, really sucked into this one, keeping it in the two spot. All acheivements, check.
D - Fence...get it (shakes head)
Fruit Ninja — Chopping the shit out of fruit…this game is as fun as it sounds
Fruit Ninja looks more like Nacho Ninja
Doodle Jump — Pretty sure this (like Angry Birds) made some waves on iStuff. You jump a doodle…it is amusing as hell.
Stupid Flanders
I’m still waiting for the non-advertisment-laden version of Angry Birds to drop. Right now, the free app is all that is out there on the Android Market. I’m not entirely sure, but I think I spent less than 3 bucks for the other three apps. Robo Defense has a pretty solid trial version, FWIW.
Well, in any regards, get Angry Birds. Meetings at work become little workday vay-kays. Little bird flinging vay-kays.
If you come across anything that I should check out, hit me with a comment. Or, Tweet that crap over to @swantron. Plug.
Awesome Droid Apps Redux
Guess what? I’m posting this via my Droid 2, since Verizon’s 3G is faster than my Bresnan high-speed. Maybe one of their sys admins knocked some servers offline…I bet it is really hard to get around those racks with GIGANTIC CLOWN SHOES. Fuck Bresnan…whatever.
Here is a pic of an angry bird:
kaw kaw so mad kaw kaw
I feel your pain, angry bird. I’m picking up what you are angrily putting down. Now to the point of the post. I’m bringin Droid Apps back. You Apple fanboiz don’t know how to act.
Back in the day, I posted a little gem about the Android apps that I deemed must haves. Well, as fate would have it, my title brought me a bit of traffic. SEO FTW. Here is another (hopefully) perfectly titled post, that is dually of value for my fellow Android users.
Here we go…my top 5 Droid apps as of right now.
1) ATK, again. Battery life is still a perpetual issue. Blast your junk processes, and blast them often.
2) Angry Birds. Those birds are angrier than I. Best game I have seen on this damn thing. Bar none.
Tie, 3/4) Nesoid/GameBoid. Emultating the crap out of NES and GBA games. I found a bunch of stuff I used to play when I was a youngster. +1 usage of younster.
5) WiimoteControl. You know what…this will assuredly jump to the number two spot, once I can chop up the code and figure out the motion control aspect. Perhaps number one…who needs a ton of battery life when you can map the crap out of motions and use that as your input scheme I bet ten minutes with that interface combo will sufficiently blow your mind.
Grab one of these phones, root it, and grab those ^ apps. Good times will ensue.
I Love Newegg, You Should Too
You know that part of your brain that makes you do stuff unconsciously, but slowly enough that you have to wonder if it was deliberate?
Case in point…
You are watching TV, and some botox-faced newscaster mentions something about a stolen wallet. Your find your hand checking the contours of your pockets, making sure that your wallet is still where it should be, by your junk. You feel yourself reaching for it, and try to take control from the brain stem…take charge…you got it. Nope. That was impulse, dog.
Well, I don’t rock a wallet in the traditional sense. I use a binder clip to keep my credit cards from migrating to the floor. I also have the same knee jerk reaction to computer part prices as most would have with the wallet example. Hear of a computer type product…look on Newegg.
Remember that HP touchscreen tablet I was pining about a few days ago… check this out:
when did robot become a bro...nice?
That is 20 USD cheaper than I saw on HP’s website, and that is without a NewEgg promo code. Get a promo code and we make that twenty dollar savings from the HP site looks small. Small, like my wallet, which once again, is a binder clip.
Even writing about my binder clip makes me check my pocket for my binder clip. I feel for you wallet folk. Check out Newegg…it’ll work itself out. If you feel really bad, check out Savings.com on the regular. The Newegg promo codes are just one of many that those guys toss out there.
FWIW, I want that HP even more. Gutted with Ubuntu Unity…that’s the stuff dreams are made of. Nerd dreams are dreams too…nerd dreams are dreams.
+1 Twin Terminal Sessions
I’d like to post the details of my latest one-on-one with my Arduino…but, I’m not going to.
twinsies
Suffice to say, it was sweet. Anything (non work related) involving multiple command lines is plus one awesome.
Remote Desktop Musings
I am a fan of remote computer access. Huge fan, in fact. I use the crap out of it at work on our Windows XP boxes to access the Load and Performance boxes. I too fire up remote access software at home on my Linux machines…primarily to help D-Rock troubleshoot his Ubuntu set-up. Both scenarios have proven to be quite important, and almost a necessity any more.
+1 Full House
Whereas my scenarios are quite secure and specific, there exists a need for more secure, wide ranging remote access solutions. How about some 256-bit encryption? Like industry leading PROXY Pro 7.
With a secure system like that, you can troubleshoot other people’s computers remotely, with confidence for both the client and operator. Same is true for work collaboration. The flow of ideas is far easier to channel via a remote connection, be it a single user driving the discussion, or even with multiple users rolling simultaneously. Another use is a little less conventional. You can utilize the remote desktop set-up to act as a file share system. Multiple users, remotely rolling files in and out of a ‘server’ machine remotely via the interwebs. Not too bad of an idea at all, if you ask me.
Hit one of those links to read more. I’m going to attempt to remotely access Katie’s notebook, through a remote connection from my netbook, from a remote connection to my notebook.
+1 bonus degree of separation
Maverick Meerkat
Hot on the heels of Lucid LTS, Shuttleworth has just announced the next Ubuntu drop will be 10.10, Maverick Meerkat.
See what I did there...aviators? Like Maverick from Top Gun? Ha!
Check Mark Shuttleworth’s Blog for the press release-ish details. Long story short, more emphasis on the netbook and the cloud…quicker boots, etc. Should be good times.
