Free and Open Source blogger with an attitude
Guides or tutorials (computer related)
Though Wubi is only officially supported on Ubuntu Hardy Heron onwards (8.04), there is a trick exist which enables you to install Ubuntu 7.10 on Windows using a discontinued binary released by Wubi Installer project.
Read more at : Unofficial-Unsupported Tricks: Installing Ubuntu 7.10 Using Wubi though i couldnt find any reason to install 7.10, it is nice to know it could be done.
Sometimes when you are about to ask questions or to get help about something related to your Linux computer, you might be asked which distro and the release of the distro you are using.
Same goes if you need to fix something or install binary packages on someone else’s computer. The first thing you should know, is the name of the distro and the release they are using. The simplest way is to use “lsb_release” command, which are included on most modern GNU Linux operating system.
Just run : lsb_release -a
And you will be given information you need to install binary packages, submit a bug report or to determine which solution best for the particular distro.
No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 7.10 Release: 7.10 Codename: gutsy
Though some might argue that Serial port are things in the past, it is still the most popular port for those who are into electronic DIY. Building electronic device with serial port interface is cheaper than buiding one that uses USB. That is the reason why people still sell USB-Serial adapter to those electronic DIY enthusiast.
Here’s how to enable USB-Serial port adapter in Ubuntu Linux (with credit to Freeman from RepRap forum)
First plug in the USB-Serial Port adaptor to one of your USB port. Wait for a couple of second, then run “dmesg”. You should see these message at the end of dmesg output.
usb 1-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_and address 2 usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
After that, unplug the device and type “lsusb”. You will see a list of output similar to this.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 002 Device 007: ID 03f0:4f11 Hewlett-Packard Bus 002 Device 006: ID 05e3:1205 Genesys Logic, Inc. Afilias Optical Mouse H3003 Bus 002 Device 004: ID 15d9:0a33
Plug in the USB-Serial Port converter back, and run “lsusb” again, and you shall see an additional line, like this.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000 Bus 002 Device 007: ID 03f0:4f11 Hewlett-Packard Bus 001 Device 002: ID 4348:5523 --- --- --- (notice the additional line!) Bus 002 Device 006: ID 05e3:1205 Genesys Logic, Inc. Afilias Optical Mouse H3003 Bus 002 Device 004: ID 15d9:0a33
Now we know the vendor id and the product id of the USB-Serial Port converter, this will enable us to load the linux kernel module “usbserial” to activate the device, like this :
sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x4348 product=0x5523
Run “dmesg” again and you shall see lines similar like this :
usbserial_generic 1-1:1.0: generic converter detected usb 1-1: generic converter now attached to ttyUSB0 usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
As you can see, the new serial port device is mapped to /dev/ttyUSB0. You can instruct Ubuntu to load this module automatically by include the line : “usbserial vendor=0x4348 product=0x5523” inside “/etc/modules” file.
Bonus: What application benefits from usb-serial port adaptor?
For starters, there are modems which uses RS-232 serial port. Some home-made devices includes Infrared remote control which uses LIRC which also depends on the serial port.
I use the adaptor to hook up my morse keyer in order to send morse code through the internet using Xchat CWIRC plugin. The site has an excellent circuit diagram to build such interface.
You can see my home-made morse code oscillator here : My Homemade Morse Code Practice Oscillator
Where can I get USB to Serial port converter?
You can get it from your local computer stores or order it online !
There are times when you want to print multiple presentation slides in one page, especially when you are making handouts to give away to your audiences. Here’s how you can do that easily using OpenOffice.org Impress.
First click at the “Handouts” tab.
Then you will see the slides arranged on a single page. Typical number of slides is usually between 4-6 on a single page. You can select layouts option to determined the number of slides.
Alternatively, you can change the page layout to to Landspace to give it a “wider” feeling to your handouts. Just right click and select Page Layout.
Finally you can print your handouts by selecting File->Print, and clicking Options at the bottom of the Print Dialog. Select Handouts, and print the documents as usual.
That’s all, hope it will help you in your daily works.
Previously I’ve published how to upgrade Ubuntu Linux operating system to the latest release using “upgdate-manager” tool. But what if the computer you are upgrading does not have internet connection ?
Upgrading to Hardy Heron without Internet Connection
gksu “sh /cdrom/cdromupgrade”
That’s all hope you can enjoy the latest Ubuntu 8.04 LTS release !
Modern Linux system uses UUID instead of traditional block name (/dev/hda1, /dev/hda5, /dev/sdb) to uniquely identify harddisk or other storage medium. This is because UUID is unique and never changes even if you switch the harddisk ordering.
So by mounting or refering your hard disk by its UUID, you are guaranteed to mount the correct storage medium no matter where its connected on your system.
Here’s how to get your harddisk UUID number
Method 1: Ubuntu and Debian Way
sudo vol_id /dev/hda1
This command display harddisk extra information including its filesystem and uuid number.
Method 2: using /dev/disk/by-uuid/
Another method which works universally on modern GNU Linux operating system is :
ls -l /dev/disk/by-uuid
which will uuid of connected storage medium to your computer.
That’s all, now you can easily identify your storage disk UUID number without much problem anymore.
