Gadgets : Samsung CLP-310 Colour Laser Printer

So I brought a Samsung CLP-310, because of the Ubuntu compatibility.

However, I discovered very quickly that the driver within Ubuntu, Foomatic/foo2qpdl isn't that compatible. The printout are dirty brown and the colour templates are awful, none work, plus side black is great and it does automatically recognise the printer.

So, you end up downloading the Samsung Unified Driver. Good news, Ubuntu instructions and they are simple and easy to follow. Bad news, the unified driver is closed-source and you can tell as the installer adds "Unified Driver Configuration" icon to your desktop and "Samsung Unified Driver" to your Application Menu, it stinks of Microsoft! Are Samsung trying to fill a gap or find a gap in the market?

Next dirty little addition is smfpd to your deamons, this is Samsung's unified solution to multi function printers connected via the LPT port, this was added due to a root level flaw in the previous version, but we are back to closed-source again and as you can probably guess, a USB only device has no need for this deamon. So, enter bum, or boot-up manager and deamon disabled, what is disappointing is the lack of description for this deamon, again something that would be done automatically in the open-source world.

So, driver installed enter the unified driver configuration and guess what? Two printers, one setup via Ubuntu/CUPS and one via Samsung Unified Driver, delete the Ubuntu/CUPS and Ubuntu will auto-reinstall at restart, the reason Samsung also create their own URI's for LPT and USB ports, again doubling there own work by not working with existing open-source methods for LPT/USB URI naming and creating the two printer issue. Messy, but I can live with it, so the Samsung Unified Driver Printer Driver needs configured because by default it selects the recommend and poor Foomatic/foo2qpdl printer driver, so after trial and error, I discovered that the correct setting is "Samsung CLP-310 Series (SPL-C)". The printouts look great and the colours are good, very good. The printer is quiet, it goes to sleep straight after printouts are complete, it is small, compact and cheap to run both electrically and on consumables.

It is a shame that Samsung's closed policy means a degree of messing around, but results are worth it for £90. I suggest Samsung should look at the policy on drivers and follow HP into open-source market.

Further Reading:
http://www.samsung.com

Ubuntu 10.04 : My Evolution hangs at startup

Interesting start to the morning, booted up Ubuntu 10.04 and opened Evolution, hangs? Force quit then try again, must be temporary. Nope, still hanging. Ok, so I search the forums and seek a fix and here it is;

1. End the process evolution-alarm-notify, Evolution should start
2. In Evolution perform a Backup of Settings, this seems to reindex the database
3. Problem solved
   

Official Evolution Website:
http://projects.gnome.org/evolution/index.shtml

Open Source : Support Open Source

One of the biggest problems for the development of open source is often cash and Open Source groups seems to think it is wrong to ask for donations. I personally believe that if you like a product and are financially able then donate, or buy something from their store. I try to do my bit, I have made a commitment to myself and open source that I will purchase, or donate at least once or even twice a year. This year a brought a few items from Ubuntu's store including the official mug, which seems to be able to hold a gallon of coffee!

Anyway, one of the easiest ways to the support the GNOME is by visiting the link below and adding the Amazon Search Plugin to your browser, so every time you search Amazon and make a purchase GNOME get a few pennies. Brilliantly simple, so Support Open Source, spread the love and the link.

Official GNOME Support Site:
http://www.gnome.org/friends/

Ubuntu 10.04 : My tweaks and changes

Moving the Button Layout

I know the Ubuntu Team moved these buttons of the window bar to match Apple's OS X, but I like my buttons on the right not left. This link http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13535/move-window-buttons-back-to-the-right-in-ubuntu-10.04/ explains how to move the buttons back or in anyway you fancy.

Changing your Computer Name

When I first installed Ubuntu 10.04, I mistyped my computer name and after searching on the 'net this is the easiest way to change the computer name.

Press Alt+F2 and type gksudo gedit /etc/hosts /etc/hostname and click Run

Now use gedit to change the computer name in both hosts and hostname, Save both files and Restart your computer and the name will change. Be warned, if the computer names don't match or you don't change both files this can cause issues.

Ubuntu 10.04 : My 64 bit adventures

Back in July 2007, not only did I review Ubuntu 6.10, but it had become my operating system of choice. Since then I have used 7.04, 7.10 and 8.04 LTS (Long Term Support), all 32 bit, but recently with a purchase of a couple of new computers. I have moved to 10.04 64 bit, it wasn't without a couple of hardware hiccups, but this blog isn't about them, it is about issues I encountered with 64 bit, rather than 32 bit.

Adobe Flash Player 10, 64 bit

Ubuntu offers a version that uses a 64 bit wrapper on a 32 bit package, which to be honest is pretty awful. Worst than that is the nature of closed source, which means that the 64 bit version of Adobe's Flash Player is still only in a beta test stage and best of all currently unavailable! But don't be put off, the linux community is resourceful and this link http://nxadm.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/install-64-bit-adobe-flash-player-on-ubuntu-904/ includes all requirement to get Flash Player 10 64 bit installed.

Sun Java 6, 64 bit

Ubuntu offers the OpenJDK as a replacement for the closed source of Sun Java, but I found that it was a bit sticky with Facebook. So, here are my instructions for adding Sun Java's official plugin;

Open Ubuntu Software Centre, search for openjdk and remove it

Select Edit and Software Sources, click on Other Software and tick http://archieve.canoncial.com/ubuntu lucid partner.

On clicking close the database cache will update, then search Software Centre for sun java, install the plugin and accept the notices.

Probably not very interesting, but the two issues that I actually had where both around closed source software.

Gadgets : Acer Extensa E420 Desktop

Acer Extensa E420 Desktop AMD 1640B Athlon

Good Points :

• A steal at less than £150
• 64 bit Processor
• HDMI connector
• High Quality Audio Card
• Motherboard can take up to 8 gigabytes of RAM
• 4 USB ports plus audio input/output on the front of the base unit
• Gigabit Network Card
• 160 Gigabtye SATA Hard Disk
• Very, very quiet
  

Bad Points :

• Single Core Processor
• ATI Graphic Driver provided by AMD/ATI and approved by Ubuntu Development Team can be unstable
  
• Memory is very specific, ie; you cannot use anything faster than the PC2 5300 667Mhz. I tried 800Mhz and it caused massive instability, but I also found that PC2 4200 444Mhz will actually work safely.
• BIOS does not have an option to move the AGP aperture, this can cause problems, if you install 4 gigabytes or more of RAM as this aperture is placed in the high memory and from my research, I found that both Microsoft Windows and Linux attempt to mark the area as reserved. Linux uses 64 megabytes and the Windows system will reserve around 1 gigabyte of memory. Unfortunately, this reservation can be overwritten causing instability. See following example from my kernel log;

Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Checking aperture...
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] No AGP bridge found
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Node 0: aperture @ 2832000000 size 32 MB
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Aperture beyond 4GB. Ignoring.
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Your BIOS doesn't leave a aperture memory hole
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Please enable the IOMMU option in the BIOS setup
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] This costs you 64 MB of RAM
Jun 8 16:40:36 ub02 kernel: [ 0.000000] Mapping aperture over 65536 KB of RAM @ 20000000

Conclusion; As a long time Ubuntu and Linux user, this computer is steal and runs like a dream in full 64 bit, but the 4 gigabyte AGP aperture is an issue because of the integrated video card and reservation being overwritten. I was forced to reduce my memory to allow the BIOS to put the aperture in lower memory, but for a Linux user that is probably less of an issue than for a Microsoft user, where memory is often a premium.

Further Reading:
http://www.acer.co.uk
http://www.ebuyer.co.uk

Python.org

Python is high level programming language that is both powerful and versatile with extensive library support. This language is used by Google, NASA and Industrial Light & Magic. Why not try it, its free, open-source and has cross platform support!

Requirements:
Microsoft Windows XP, Linux, Ubuntu Distro, Others

Download from:
http://www.python.org/

Screenshots:
None

Linux Game Publishing.com

Linux Game Publishing are committed to offering high quality commercial games and they provide demo versions on there website for you to try. Below is a list of all the currently available commercial games:

• Ballistics
• Bandits: Phoenix Rising
• Candy Cruncher
• Cold War
• Creatures Internet Edition
• Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy
• Gorky 17
• Hyperspace Delivery Boy
• Knights and Merchants
• Majesty Gold
• Mindrover
• Mindrover Downloadable Update
• NingPo MahJong
• Postal 2: Share the Pain
• Sacred: Gold Edition
• Software Tycoon
• Soul Ride
• X2: The Threat
• X3: Reunion
• X3: Reunion - Special Edition

Requirements:
Linux

Packages:
N/A

Distributors Website:
http://www.linuxgamepublishing.com

Random Selection of Screenshots:

Introversion, Darwinia

Another great commercial Linux game in which you take control of the Darwinians and help them destroy a virus that has infected their virtual world.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro, x86 Build

Packages:
darwinia-demo2-1.3.0.sh

Developers Website:
http://www.introversion.co.uk/darwinia/

Screenshots:

Introversion, Uplink

The problem for Linux is that although it has a nearly limitless list of software, commercial games don't tend to feature. So, I have been on a mission to find developers with the bottle to publish games. Let's start with this offering from Introversion called Uplink. The game is set 2010 and put you in the position of being a hi-tech criminal or hacker. The game is clean, well designed and a real challenge. Try the Linux x86 demo and at this price buy it and support more games development.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro, x86 Build

Packages:
uplink-demo-1.54.sh

Developers Websites:
http://www.introversion.co.uk/uplink/

Screenshots:

GnGeo

GnGeo is a SNK NEO-GEO Emulator for the Unix/Linux platform. This product is both fast and smooth due to its use of SDL. However, to run this emulator you will need the NEO-GEO BIOS roms. Once you have them, you can use the -i command to specify the location of these roms rather than installing them for all users.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro, NEO-GEO BIOS roms

Packages:
gngeo_0.6.4-2_i386.deb

Developers Website:
http://gngeo.berlios.de/

Screenshots:

DGen

DGen is an open source Sega Megadrive Emulator that works on the Linux platform. Unfortunately, DGen is no longer in development and only supported loosely. It is a shame as it runs ROM files very smoothly.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Packages:
dgen_1.23-7_i386.deb

Developers Website:
http://tamentis.com/projects/dgen/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DGen

Screenshots:

OpenTTD.org

I am a massive fan of Transport Tycoon Deluxe and I had already tried this open-source clone of the classic Microprose game of the same name. So, pleased to say that OpenTTD now features in the Ubuntu 7.10(Gusty Gibbon) distro, the only problem is that you require the original graphic files from original Transport Tycoon Deluxe. I am only glad, I own a copy.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro, graphic files from Transport Tycoon Deluxe

Packages:
N/A

Developers Website:
http://www.openttd.org/

Screenshots:

TuxPaint.org

I love this application, when I originally reviewed it, I was using Microsoft Windows XP. This time it is Ubuntu 7.10 and I have to say, that I am impressed with how responsive the package is, very nice work. Anyway, Tux Paint is an art package designed for young children and it is perfect!

Oh and if your interested, any pictures your child draws and saves are in .tuxpaint/saved of their home directory as PNG files.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Packages:
tuxpaint_0.9.16-1_i386.deb
tuxpaint-data_0.9.16-1_all.deb

Developers Website:
http://www.tuxpaint.org/

Screenshots:

Szeredi Miklos, Spectemu

Another ZX Spectrum emulator for Debian/Ubuntu, I really like this one because it does run in a window, but the user interface is run in the terminal. Please note, it only emulates the 48k ZX Spectrum.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Packages:
spectemu-x11_0.94a-5_i386.deb
spectemu-common_0.94a-5_i386.deb
spectrum-roms_20021001-1_all.deb (non-free & incomplete ROMs)

Developers Website:
http://www.inf.bme.hu/~mszeredi/spectemu/

Screenshots:

Santiago Romero, Aspectrum

I was looking for a Debian/Ubuntu ZX Spectrum emulator and I found ASpectrum or Another Spectrum emulator. It works pretty well, but I couldn't find a link to the GUI shown on the developers website, as a result it runs full screen rather than in a window.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Packages:
aspectrum_0.1.8-1_i386.deb
liballegro4.1_4.1.15-6_i386.deb

Developers Website:
http://aspectrum.sourceforge.net/

Screenshots:

Mean, Avidemux

Avidemux is a simple video editing tool for a number of platforms. However, I have tested it on Ubuntu and I am impressed, it was incredibly quick to encode video clips and makes other so-called free products look stupid.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Download from:
http://www.avidemux.org

Screenshots:

Frisk Software International, F-PROT Antivirus for Linux

I know, Antivirus for Linux, its laughable, but at least you can scan and clean files for the Windows community. F-Prot is free for personnel use and runs from the terminal. It can also be scheduled by the cron utility.

Requirement:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Download from:
http://www.f-prot.com/

Screenshots:
None

Canonical Ltd, Ubuntu 6.10

Ubuntu is fast becoming the best Linux distribution in the world. Due to it easy to use nature and support from millionaire Mark Shuttleworth. I am in fact using Ubuntu 6.10 and Firefox 2 to create this blog.

Requirements:
None

Download from:
http://www.ubuntu.com

Screenshots:

Ingo Ruhnke, Pingus

Pingus is basically a Lemmings clone for Linux, but it is very impressive and well worth a look.

Requirements:
Linux, Ubuntu Distro

Download from:
http://pingus.seul.org

Screenshots: