Linux & LightScribe

I have laptop HP EliteBook 8530p and I would like to use LightScribe feature of my DVD burner in Linux (Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala).

As I found out, there are two software tools:

• LaCie LightScribe Labeler for Linux (4L)
  
• Simple Labeler from Hewlett-Packard

Simple Labeler is able to etch text to LightScribe-enabled DVD. User can choose font type. Operation takes 2-3 minutes. LaCie is able to etch images, what is more powerful and the result is more professionally looking, but operation takes longer - 20-30 minutes.

Click here for more detailed article.

But there was one problem - installation deb-files were not available for 64-bit architecture, what is my case. Here is an workaround, e.g. when installing Simple Labeler, I needed to install 32-bit libraries first, and then force installation of 32-bit deb files:

ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo apt-get install ia32-libs
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribe-1.18.9.1-linux-2.6-intel.deb
dpkg: warning: overriding problem because --force enabled:
package architecture (i386) does not match system (amd64)
Selecting previously deselected package lightscribe.
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribeApplications-1.18.6.1-linux-2.6-intel.deb
dpkg: warning: overriding problem because --force enabled:
package architecture (i386) does not match system (amd64)
Selecting previously deselected package lightscribeapplications.
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib/liblightscribe.so.1 /usr/lib32/
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib/liblightscribe.so /usr/lib32/
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ldconfig

Then I started Simple Labeler this way:

ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ /opt/lightscribeApplications/SimpleLabeler/SimpleLabeler

I found this workaround here.

In december, I will test these tools in more detail.

---

Yeah, december is here ;). I need to install also LaCie. I found this howto for Ubuntu:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LightScribe. At first, I backed up my most important data, as recommended. Then I issued this command in directory containing file 4l_1.0-r6_i386.deb:

sudo dpkg --install --force-architecture 4l*.deb
sudo ldconfig

and run LaCie this way:

sudo 4L-gui

It seems, that both tools are working all right.

NoMachine NX client keyboard shortcuts

FreeNX is great technology for remote desktop connection.

Using only SSH you do not need open any other port, you can create session separated from current local user and its use is more smooth also over slower links (e.g. mobile), than e. g. VNC.

But when using fullscreen, you may have problem, how to switch from NX session to your local session windows. When you press ALT+TAB, it switches only between remote windows (what is itself great!).

CTRL+ALT+F will toggle fullscreen of NX session off and vice versa! Try it, and now you can ALT+TAB between local windows.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

Keystrokes available in NX 3.x

CTRL+Alt+Shift+Esc to get rid of a not responding session

Ctrl + Alt + T to terminate a session

Ctrl + Alt + F to switch to fullscreen/windowed

Ctrl + Alt + M to minimize or maximize fullscreen window

Ctrl + Alt + arrow keys to viewport navigation

Ctrl + Alt + keypad arrow keys to viewport navigation

Ctrl + Alt + R to switch “auto-resize/viewport” mode.

Ctrl + Alt + E to toggle the lazy encoding

Ctrl + Alt + J to fix a visualization problem

Alt + F4 when the window manager is present, suspend or terminate a session

Ctrl + Alt + K enable/disable the catching of Alt+Tab and Print Screen keys

Click here for article, where I found this list.

Bluetooth dial-up connection via Nokia 6120 classic & T-Mobile

Very useful article in Slovak: http://stargate.cnl.tuke.sk/~mirek/homepage/pripojte-sa-do-internetu-z-mobilnej-siete-o2-cez-linux.

I am using T-Mobile, so there is one change needed - APN is "internet" instead of "o2internet". Be also careful about pasting special double-quotes (upper and lower) - it won't work, e. g. when pasting to vim. Use only regular UPPER double quotes!

Whole, but simplified, process, is:

1. Get Bluetooth MAC adress of the phone. 00:1D:6E:67:44:F2 in my case:
   hcitool scan
   
   
2. Get channel number. 4 in my case (replace my MAC address 00:1D:6E:67:44:F2 with yours, as you've got in step one):
   sdptool browse 00:1D:6E:67:44:F2
   
   
3. Write MAC address and channel number into /etc/bluetooth/rfcomm.conf:
   rfcomm0 {
# Automatically bind the device at startup
bind yes;
# Bluetooth address of the device
device 00:1D:6E:67:44:F2;
# RFCOMM channel for the connection
channel 4;
# Description of the connection
comment "Ostry's Nokia 6120 classic";
}
   Again, replace my MAC address (00:1D:6E:67:44:F2) and my channel number (4) with yours.
   
   
4. Restart bluetooth:
   sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart

   
5. Make sure, that /etc/wvdial.conf contains following lines:
   [Dialer Defaults]
Phone = *99#
Username = ''
Password = ''
New PPPD = yes
Init3 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Modem Type = Modem
ISDN = 0
Init1 = ATZ
Modem = /dev/rfcomm0
Baud = 115200
   
   
6. Connect to the service:
   sudo wvdial
   

I tested it successfully using bluetooth module integrated in my HP EliteBook 8530p.

Open question: is it possible to increase baud rate in this type of connection?

ATI graphic card on HP EliteBook 8530p with Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Edition 64-bit

The problem: blank screen after activation of the ATI/AMD proprietary fglrx driver via System > Administration > Hardware Drivers and subsequent restart.

The solution: boot into recovery mode -> root console, and then issue:

aticonfig --initial
aticonfig --acpi-services=off
reboot

For more details: google.