Ubuntu Screen Lock
One of the more irritating things about Ubuntu 12.04 for me was the missing lock screen function when using Gnome Shell. Turns out its easily fixed by opening a terminal and typing “sudo apt-get install gnome-screensaver”
Ubunto 12.04 How to Pt 1
As mentioned in an earlier post I’ve installed Ubuntu 12.04 on my laptop. I’m extremely impressed with the speed of the O/S but there’s a few tweaks that need to be applied to get some thing’s to work. This post will focus on the process required to install Java v7.
1. Open a terminal
2. Add the following repository and update using the following commands
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:eugenesan/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer
You should receive an error message saying java hasn’t installed.
3. Now download the Java file directly from Oracle:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-7u3-download-1501626.html
4. For the next step you need to copy the downloaded file to this location
/var/cache/oracle-java7-installer/
5. Once done, from terminal type :
sudo gedit /var/lib/dpkg/info/oracle-java7-installer.postinst
6. Scroll through the opened file and look for the following :
echo “Downloading…”
rm -f $FILENAME
WGETRC=wgetrc wget $PARTNER_URL \
|| fp_exit_with_error “download failed”
rm -f wgetrc
echo “Download done.”
7. Add a hash symbol at the beginning of each line between the two echo commands so you end up with:
echo “Downloading…”
#rm -f $FILENAME
#WGETRC=wgetrc wget $PARTNER_URL \
#|| fp_exit_with_error “download failed”
#rm -f wgetrc
echo “Download done.”
8. Save the file and return to a terminal window. If all has gone to plan the executing the following command should finish off the installation .
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer
Ubuntu 12.04
So with the release of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS I decided to reinstall my O.S from scratch as upgrades can be messy. Initially I chose the 64-bit Desktop image, made a bootable cd, backed up my home folder and proceeded to install. As usual with Ubuntu the process was simple, with the usual configuration,updates and patches being installed. After logging on for the first time I noticed a few things.
1. Its fast, in fact a lot faster than 11.10.
2. Wireless works without having to install or compile drivers.
3. Unity actually works well this time around.
So far so good it would seem. Well yes if you want a standard desktop environment, but I’m after something for Audio/Video production so I decided to start over and this time install Ubuntu Studio. Again the installation was easy but required a few tweaks afterwards. I prefer gnome shell over Xfce, My wireless didn’t work straight away and I couldn’t get Java to install. All these were easily fixed and will be explained in the next post.
Thinking of the Future
Time to think of what I’m going to do over the next few years. The world of I.T never sits still so it stands to reason one shouldnt rest on one’s laurels. I’m MCSE certified and currently studying for the Cisco CCNA (starting with ICND). After this I’m contemplating working towards the Prince2 and ITIL qualifications.
Raspbery Pi – Yum !
So the Raspberry Pi is finally being shipped in the UK! For those who don’t know what this is I can assure you it has nothing to do with sticky sweet pudding.The Pi is basically a motherboard about the size of a credit card with the aim as I see it of encouraging the next generation of software / hardware hackers. And that’s hackers in the true sense, not criminals who allegedly break into phones and websites as the media fools would have you belive. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on one when my turn arrives so I can test it and post my findings. If you want more information, check out the website.
Linux from scratch
This might seem like madness to some. Building your own operating system from scratch. Why do it when we have Windows/Mac O.S? Quite simple really, 1.because I can and 2. I will end up with an O.S thats secure, compatible with all my hardware and will do exactly what I want. No worries about virus, trojans or malware and no more uninstalling unnecessary software as the only thing installed will be what I want. Yes its time-consuming and when compiling throws up an error frustrating, but at the end when I have that finished product it will be worth the effort.
Linux From Scratch
Fan boys/girls take note
I’m an avid supporter of Gnu/Linux.
I belive in what it stands for and the fact the Linux kernel is very secure and at the heart of many O/S used not only in everyday items like hard drive recorders or navigation systems but also in mainframe systems that literally make the world-wide web / internet work.
It’s also now a very popular choice for desktop and laptop systems. Unfortunately there are still a few myths about it that are shared by those who just need a bit of educating on the subject. Here are a few links to articles that should help clear up and debunk the myths.
Fact or fiction. top 8 linux myths debunked
Debunking some linux myths
9 linux myths debunked
I’m looking forward to this !
As a fan of both H.R.Giger’s artwork and the Alien / Predator universe, I’m really looking forward to watching this. I hope its going to live up to the hype and not disappoint like the recent Alien / Predator films.
I never want to drive one of these again !
Due to necessity I’ve had to drive the above car. Not my choice, but as a hire car it was a case of “you have what your given”. I’m not going into the how’s and why’s to much as I’m not a car fanatic, but suffice to say if it had a bigger Ariel on top you’d mistake it for a Dodgem! Not a car for a tall person, it beeps and tells you off if your going to fast. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as you shouldnt go too fast but when you have size 12 feet on little peddles and you’re trying to get around the A1 at the top end of Leeds, the last thing you need is this thing beeping away at you flashing “SPEED LIMIT” in your face ! Ok its clear I don’t like the car, but there’s a few saving graces. It wasnt bad on fuel, got me from Catterick to Liverpool and back on just over half a tank, its easy to park, and for a little car its got a decent enough stereo.
Audio hosting
I’m looking at hosting for my audio experiments but tbh i really cant be botherd with the likes of Soundcloud. What i create is for me primarly, but now and then i share my output. Here’s an example.
You have to see the light
Back to it.
Back to work after 5 days off. Got to love the Easter long weekend ! Today was a mass of Cat5 and RJ45 (note to self – the crimping tool is sharp!). Back on the road traveling tommorow night, my weekly visit to Liverpool consisting of an overnight stay at a hotel then the next day spent sorting out all manner of I.T related issues at a nearby factory.