Mar
17
Since version 19 Mozilla Firefox comes with build in PDF viewer.
Generally it does the work and it is really useful when no another PDF reader is installed, but in some cases is not so appropriate and you might be better with external viewer.
Problem I have is that it is Java Script based and even JS is really fast on low power machines it is not as fast as “real” plugin.
In case you need to disable build in viewer do following:
- Open Firefox Options
- Go to Applications
- Find PDF in the list and change the action from Preview in Firefox to appropriate one.
That is all…
Feb
19
To control the daemons that are started at boot in Debian simply use following commands.
To enable a daemon:
update-rc.d <daemon> enable
To disable daemon:
update-rc.d <daemon> disable
NOTE: In above examples <daemon> is the name of the daemon listed in /etc/init.d/
Jan
21
How to restore HTTP to address bar
Filed Under Howto | Leave a Comment
Mozilla constantly improves Firefox. Some improvements are good, but some questionable or it is just personal preference.
One of the things developers changed in recent versions is the way website URL is displayed in address bar.
Now it looks like this:
as you can see http:// protocol in front of URL is hidden
But I prefer to be shown like that
Now I know that I’m visiting http site 😉
From one side it leaves only web address and it is less crowded, but if you feel uncomfortable without http just follow these steps:
- Type in Firefox address bar about:config
- Filter to browser.urlbar.trimURLs (just copy/paste in Filter field)
- Double click on result listing or choose toggle from context menu. Value should be set to false – this disables URL trimming.
- That is it – now you have http:// if front of your URL.
- If you prefer to go back to default value just repeat the procedure and be sure that value is true.
- This will re enable URL trimming.
Nov
25
Protect SSH logins
Filed Under Linux | Leave a Comment
SSH short for Secure SHell is cryptographic network protocol. It is widely used in UNIX/Linux(but not limited to) world to allow clients to securely connect to a server. It is replacing older and insecure protocols like rsh and telnet. In addition to security it add tunneling for other protocols.
And since it is widely used it is often exploited to get unauthorized access to the system.
Enough general information. Back to the topic.
There are few simple rules on how to protect:
- If you do not need it do not enable it
- Restrict access
- Change listening port
- Use version 2 (if possible)
- Disallow root access
- Use strong passwords
- Block access
- Use key authentication
- Use “One time passwords”
- Show Warning message
Your comments are welcome.
Nov
17
Create degraded RAID 1 array
Filed Under Linux, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
If you finally decided to add protection to your valuable data by using software RAID 1 – congrats. You are on the right path. But do not forget that you still need good backup.
If you have only 1 additional drive the procedure is more difficult, but still possible.
Note1: Try following procedure on your own risk. Preferably testing it on non-prod machine.
Note2: /dev/sdb is secondary disk it could vary for you.
First you create degraded RAID 1
mdadm –create /dev/md0 -l raid1 -f -n 1 /dev/sdb1
Validate
cat /proc/mdstat
Add it to mdadm.conf
mdadm –detail –scan >> /etc/mdadm.conf
Inform it the there is second disc
mdadm –grow /dev/md0 -n 2
Here you create partition on degraded drive and copy data from first disk
Repartition first disk if needed and add it to the array.
mdadm –manage /dev/md1 –add /dev/sda1
Note that this is just skeleton of steps and not full step by step tutorial.
Nov
1
Google Chrome offline installer
Filed Under Howto | Leave a Comment
Google Chrome is excellent browser. And probably most of you have it installed.
Only drawback I’ve noticed is that installation is online. This is generally not a problem, but what to do if the target system does not have internet connection?
The answer is not obvious and required some research. I was not able to find direct link on Google Chrome download page 🙁
Quick search on the web returned this Google Help Page.
Using Alternate installer for all user accounts link I was able to get the package and install it.
This package will help if you deploy Chrome on wider base (Windows GPO for example).
Unfortunately if target system does not have Internet access you have to revisit this page often to download new release.
Oct
30
Recently I got Error ID: 30702 on my Blackberry.
Initially I suspected problem on BB side, but after researching on the web it is common problem.
Following instructions on this post I’ve tried to login to payment options, but I’ve received same error Error ID: 30702.
Following further posts I logged in in blackberry app world.
Unlike other reports my login was successful.
Then something else was wrong.
Looking at my account I’ve noticed that my e-mail address was unconfirmed. I followed instructions and confirmed my E-mail.
This allowed me to login to my app world gain.
So solution to Error ID: 30702 for me was to confirm my e-mail address.
Lesson learned 😉
Sep
14
RaspberryPi – money talks
Filed Under news | Leave a Comment
RaspberryPi is well known for it’s price. Everywhere it is mentioned that the cost is $35.
And actually really is 🙂
But there is “fineprint” too…
This is not the price at what you will receive the board?!
In addition to cost of RaspberryPi board you have to count for additional charges.
Here are the facts:
(NOTE: numbers are coming from my invoice and may vary for different cases):
1. PaspberryPi board ($ 35 USD) (note USD part) = $37.96 CAD
Per google (On 14/9/2012) it should be $33.81 CAD
This equals to $4.15 CAD for currency exchange and rate of 1.0846
2. Tax = $7.93 CAD ( 🙂 )
3. Shipping = $15 CAD ( again 🙂 )
For total of: $60.89 CAD
So let’s do some financial analysis.
If we sum all “additional charges” they come at ~ 45% of total price.
And for the visuals representation on pie chart:
RaspberryPi total price pie chart by charges
Hope this will help to make educated choice and not get caught by surprise.
Aug
24
After acquiring Skype Microsoft continues to integrate Skype with existing infrastructure.
Now Skype updates are available from Microsoft update service in addition to previous Skype update (Help -> Check for updates).
Skype now also on Windows update
What is new in version 5.10:
- Voice and video calling your Facebook friends from Skype
- Finding your Facebook contacts more easily and faster with the new contacts lists
- Tagging the contacts you talk to most often as Favorites
- Possibility to control Skype video rendering technology for backward compatibility for people who have trouble with video calls
- And of course New update method…
For more information Microsoft KB article 2727727 and Skype Blog post.
Aug
22
RaspberryPI – Unpacking
Filed Under news | Leave a Comment
After almost 2 months waiting my RaspberryPI finally is in my hands.
I’m sharing unpacking pictures:
-
- This is the package
-
- And this is what you will find inside.
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- It is well packaged
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- And this is the hardware
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