[October 13th, 2009]
Marvell SheevaPlug
1st off - Below link is a great resource for setting up a new Sheevaplug computer:
Pantz.org SheevaPlug Setup
I only wish I'd found it much earlier. Go there now for the easy simple fixes to your plug's sudo, apt-get & DNS issues.
So... I placed the order for my small plugged beauty the beginning of August (Global Technologies), received end of same month, then sat in the box for a couple weeks. Time and motivation converged, plugged into power strip, and connected cables. DHCP works out of the box, as does SSH. After finding it's IP on the network, SSH-ed in (Sheeva defaults - user:root password:nosoup4u), set static IP, changed root password, created user for self. Nothing to it. Immediately began running the little SheevaPlug in place of the suddenly very large over-sized looking Dimension 8300 box. I left as is, installing nothing. A lowly proxy, it was.
Couple more weeks pass.
Then... dynamic home IP address changes. Can't remote access Sheeva server/home network. Hey, I should have that perl script (linux notes) running on the Sheeva which emails me when the IP address changes/what it changed to. Should just need to install build-essential, start & config CPAN, Build::CPAN, install WWW::Mechanize module, and install Postfix. To make a long story short...
Hmmm. Sudo won't work (research/fix)
//sudo error output sudo: must be setuid root
Huh? apt-get doesn't work (research/fix)
//last lines of apt-get install error output E: Could not open lock file /var/cache/apt/archives/lock - open (2 No such file or directory) E: Unable to lock the download directory
Then, for the life of me, couldn't get CPAN to configure correctly. Kept ending with...
Is it OK to try to connect to the Internet? [yes] Fetching with LWP: http://www.perl.org/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY Fetching with LWP: http://www.perl.org/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY.gz Fetching with LWP: ftp://ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY Fetching with LWP: ftp://ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY.gz Fetching with Net::FTP: ftp://ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY Could not connect to host 'ftp.perl.org' with Net::FTP Fetching with Net::FTP ftp://ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN/MIRRORED.BY.gz Could not connect to host 'ftp.perl.org' with Net::FTP No external ftp command available Your urllist is empty! The urllist can be edited. E.g. with 'o conf urllist push ftp://myurl/' Could not fetch MIRRORED.BY CPAN.pm needs at least one URL where it can fetch CPAN files from. Please enter your CPAN site: [] CPAN.pm needs at least one URL where it can fetch CPAN files from.
This CPAN issue had me going in circles. Eventually chose to sidestep CPAN, installing the Mechanize module via apt-get
sudo apt-get install libwww-mechanize-perl
Ha! All seemed good, until running the script. Received a GET error when trying to reach www.<urlhere>.com. Dude stared blankly. After some ping tests, realized there was a DNS issue. And suddenly sense was made. CPAN couldn't finish configuring because... ftp.perl.org was unresolvable. I vaguely recalled reading something somewhere regarding Sheeva & DNS problem. Researching the cure brought me to the link mentioned above, Pantz.org SheevaPlug Setup. Go there. Heal thysheeva.
Hopefully this isn't coming off negative, because I love my Sheeva. The awesomeness is great.
- It's Plugged into a power strip near my routers, taking up zip/zero/zilch desk space.
- Uses maybe 1/25th the watts when compared to the old Dimension. To me that means 24 hrs of Sheeva power usage equals 1 hr (or less) of Dimension usage, err, wastage.
- It's very affordable.
- And maybe best of all, when using the above points, getting the wife's purchase stamp of approval was almost too easy ("What? No big humming box all day? It's saves power? I'll hardly notice it's there?"... "Yeah, baby, that's right. And on top of that, it's small, dainty and pretty, just like you.")
Project ideas are lying in queue for my hardly noticeable plug. Am just waiting for the next convergence of time and motivation.
Couple more good links:
Google Groups Thread
PlugComputer.org HowTo Wiki
[February 18th, 2009]
Windows 7 Beta
Marc unknowingly (and thankfully) reminded me, via his 'Check out this is it Windows 7 or KDE 4? vid', to download the Windows 7 beta before it's Feb. 10th test drive disappearance date.
First, made a visit to the standard dual boot sites, APC Mag & LifeHacker, for advice and/or any known dual booting issues. Looked like a safe can-do.
Downloaded Windows 7 beta, burned the ISO, used Gparted to free up some space on the drive, and dual booted Windows 7 with XP. Which is my XP computer that really has Vista, but I never bothered finishing the dual boot process after putting XP on. Anyhow, the Windows 7 install was very easy, simple, piece-a-cake kinda stuff. Not even a need to mess with the boot loader afterwards. Dude was most impressed. Oh, but wait! After installing, on the boot up menu it also lists the Vista OS. Sweetness. Vista's back without any work whatsoever on my part. I've unwitting pulled a trifecta!
Hmmm, how sweet is that really? Having Vista back, I mean?
Back on task. For a beta, there is a lot of good.
- Installed the Hawking Wireless USB Adapter with no fuss, and what really impresses me is how fast the wireless connection gets up and running. No typical minute or 2 wait after logging in, instead the wireless network is immediately accessible. And configuring it was... just plain easy!
- Next came the wireless multi-function printer. HP's install disc said no can do, "Operating system is not supported". Removed the disc and decided to give it a try anyway via Start > Devices and Printers > Add a printer. Was impressed again as Windows 7 found my wireless printer on the network and installed the needed driver from it's library.
- Time for an anti-virus application. Windows lists 3 non-free applications, but I couldn't see paying under the beta circumstance. Fortunately, Techspot has a list of anti-virus suites which are compatible and non-compatible with Windows 7. I installed Avast! Home Edition and it's been working wonderfully.
- The other day, thought I'd give offloading pics/vids from the Sony Cybershot a try. Plugged it in and Windows 7 recognized right away. Process was again easy, and even a checkbox to automatically delete pics from camera when finished (can't remember if that option was in Vista). Also had the wife install her Sims 2 and expansion packs. The experience to this point has been happy glitch-free play.
For the most part, Windows 7 has been a breeze. It loads fast, uses less resources than Vista (ZDNet write up), and the UI is an overall joy to use. My two weeks worth of opinion is: If Microsoft can keep from screwing it up by release time, and I believe they've learned their Vista release lessons well enough to get it right this go around, Windows 7 will definitely be worth the OS move.
Not that its all pretty rainbows. Here's a few misfires and "send feedback" worthy moments.
- Downloading via Firefox is ghastly slow, only 15-20KB/sec. Noticed others having the same experience with Opera. When using IE8 beta, the downloading is fast as it should be. My first guess is the other boys haven't yet been able to "optimize" their browsers for Windows 7.
- IE8 beta has JavaScript rendering issues. First encountered when writing a reply in Gmail. Here's a brief Stack Overflow thread on the issue. And I just read here on /. how Microsoft plans on pushing IE8 out by March. Hmmm...
- I was grateful Microsoft added level settings to the ever-so-annoying-in-Vista User Access Control (UAC). Then noticed a few days later, when the Avast! anti-virus updated, a UAC pop up displayed asking if Avast! could make changes. Why would I need such a question asked regarding my anti-virus? It's because UAC does not keep a whitelist of allowable 3rd party applications. It would be nice if Microsoft would incorporate such a feature, much like when my firewall pops up a window and I can click the checkbox "always allow this action", along with the ability to view a list of allowed applications. UAC is better than it was, but can still be improved upon. And if you're concerned about security holes brought about by having a whitelist, consider Microsoft has already whitelisted many of it's own applications, as read here.
Extras: Microsoft's UAC engineering concept. Network World article on Just-Say-Yes-Fatigue. - When viewing pics in Windows Photo Viewer, was plagued with the same yellow tinge encountered in Vista, and used the same steps (in January 21st, 2008, entry) to successfully rectify.
I wouldn't yet access my other partitions from within Windows 7. Surely there are issues not yet known (*beta*) and running into something unfortunate, such as the January discovered MP3 corruption (since fixed), would really suck. Consequently, I've added mp3s/photos/vids/documents and the such from previous backups.
More resources and links of interest:
CNET TV Windows 7 Beta review - He's running it on a P4, Niiice.
the How-To Geek - a nice overall look at Windows 7.
Windows 7 beta forum - Microsoft TechNet.
Windows Team Blog
Comparisons: ZDNet's Windows 7 vs Vista vs XP & Tux Radar's Ubuntu vs Vista vs Windows 7
[February 6th, 2009]
Dynamic Name Range Formula for PivotTable (Excel 2003)
Posting so I don't lose this formula.
=OFFSET('SheetNameHere'!$A$1,0,0,COUNTA('SheetNameHere'!$A:$A),13)
The formula makes it possible to create a PivotTable in Excel 2003 that references a sheet in which the sheet's rows of data fluctuates. One report might display, say, 15 rows, next time 150. The 13 at the end is the number of columns, the static number being okay in my case because the number of columns doesn't change. SheetNameHere is the name of the sheet holding my data (the data the PivotTable will be referencing).
Where to stick the formula. Create a Dynamic Name Range for the sheet holding the data.
- From the Excel menu bar click Insert > Name > Define.
- Give it a name in the Names in workbook: box (This is the name to be entered in the PivotTable Wizard's step 2 of 3)
- Then enter the formula in the Refers to: box
Now create the PivotTable.
- From menu bar, click Data > PivotTable and PivotChart Report...
- Choose "Microsoft Office Excel list or database" & "PivotTable" (or whatever works for you)
- Click Next
- Step 2 of 3 is where the Dynamic Range Name goes. Enter the Name you put in the above "Names in workbook:" box
If the day comes again that I need this, and it's so far off in the future that the memory suffers a lapse of rememberance, at least I have something to re-reference.
[January 24th, 2009]
J-Dude.com - The Newness
For the most part, I've finished up the recent newness (redesign). Certainly better than the last version. In fact, I feel it's the finest J-Dude.com design to date. Switched the Project Journal's over today, but the Run Tables will have to wait. I rather like the earthy tones there. Then there's Digression, which will have it's own persona, whenever I get around to it.
IE6, as usual, had the biggest problem adapting. There was great temptation to walk away and let you IE6ers languish in the legacy graveyard, but my conscience always gets in the way. Especially after a review of traffic stats for the last month showed nearly a third of IE visitors still using it, leaving no other choice than for a cross browser conscience kinda guy to find answers. IE Conditionals to the rescue! The layout in IE6 now bends, but doesn't break. At least, I don't think. If it does, let me know, and I'll kinda sorta contemplate doing something for you legacy folk ;)
[January 2nd, 2009]
Purging the Trojan Vundo Virus
A computer at work (mine!) was the unproud recipient of the Vundo virus (wikipedia). Symantec AntiVirus noticed suspicious activity the moment it began, I'm guessing this is when Vundo was making registry changes, but the "remove..." button continued grayed out while it was "examining" the activity and never became ungrayed as pop up windows began in IE and my system slowed to a near halt. Forced a restart and scanned with Symantec in Safe Mode. It found nothing. Hmmmmm. Logged back in as normal and popups began again. Fortunately Samantha had seen this on someone else's workstation a couple weeks back, grabbed her memory stick, and installed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). Bam! It saw it all.
To fully remove Vundo, you must first boot into Safe Mode, otherwise a couple files will continue hiding in your system. Then run a MBAM scan (choose "Perform full scan").
After complete removal, a problem continued to exist. About 5 or so minutes after log in, a yellow "Symantec Anti-Virus Auto-Protect is Disabled" box would pop up for about 5 seconds. Much like the window found here at Symantec's site. Everything looked enabled in the AntiVirus settings and running another scan showed the system as clean. It appeared my virus definitions had become corrupted. Read further at these Symantec pages to determine if your virus definitions are corrupted and how to revert to previous definitions. We decided on un-installing, then re-installing Symantec AntiVirus, which solved the remaining problem.
Hopefully the day plus of purging has fully eradicated my viral antagonist. Was a little disconcerting that Symantec 'saw' suspicious activity without preventing it. But for now I'm gonna enjoy watching Discovery's informative show on barley, hops, yeast, micro-brews, home brews, and bathing in... Yes, beer!
[Update 1/5/09]
Ever have one of those nagging thoughts that won't let go? Over the weekend I kept dwelling on Vundo variations and rootkits. Upon returning to my computer today, for peace of minds sake, ran a scan using RootkitRevealer v1.71. It satisfyingly returned nothing of concern. I may now return to untossing/turning sleeps.
