Free and Open Source blogger with an attitude
Finally I’ve gotten the time and budget to get myself a new bookshelf. Previously I’ve been squeezing my books on the premium space left on my old bookshelf which is filled with books from my school days.
Now I can arrange my technology books neatly on the new bookshelf.
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
Are you one of Ubuntu users? Then you can proudly display it with one of the “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers stamped on your computers. The only problem was, it used to be difficult to get one of those stickers as they were not offered in Malaysia.
Fortunately, Kebayan IT now offers “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers with reasonable price in Malaysia. They offers RM3/piece (without shipping) for the stickers, with each piece contains 9 “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers in various color.
Now you can turn this
In to this
How cool was it? Please visit Kebayan IT Ubuntu Stickers website for more information.
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 !
Today I would proudly write about a fine, if not the best local Ubuntu blog for Malaysian, Melayubuntu. Best of all, its written in Malay !
The website is filled with loads of Ubuntu tips which is useful for Ubuntu users, whether they are new or an old timer. It is the one particular blog which should be worth subscribing for.
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.
