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Upgrading to Ubuntu Linux 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

2012-04-28T12:42:00.001-04:00

Now that the latest LTS is out, I thought the time is ripe to upgrade.
I downloaded via BitTorrent, burned the image to a CD, then booted the CD and chose "Install." I was able to make some install choices while files were being copied and downloaded, left, and when I came back all I had to do was reboot.

Instagram Nashville: Ubuntu Install

On reboot, I had the unpleasant surprise to discover that my login was not functional. I got in via a Guest session, accessed System Settings, changed my password by giving the old password for root, logout and login again with the new password.
Once "in" I ran the command to encrypt my home folder and stored the key elsewhere. I had to reinstall Opera and a few other proggies from the Software Center but luckily, the old settings were recovered.

Software Sources - Select Best Server

The default repos for this distro were painfully slow, so I ran the good old Software Source (software-properties-gtk) "fastest repo" routine to choose the fastest. You can run it by itself, from the Edit menu of the Software Centre or you can "unhide it" as follows:

mkdir ~/.local/share/applications # to make sure directory exists
cp /usr/share/applications/software-properties-gtk.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/
sed -i s/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/ ~/.local/share/applications/software-properties-gtk.desktop

The app will reappear after you re-log in.
First, I looked in the sources.list generator and used it for a few more repos:

deb-src http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted universe multiverse

##############################################################
##################### UNOFFICIAL REPOS ######################
##############################################################

###### 3rd Party Binary Repos

#### Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 1024R/BB901940
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/audacity-team/daily/ubuntu precise main

#### Esmska - http://code.google.com/p/esmska/
## Run this command: wget -q -O - http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Java:/esmska/common-deb/Release.key | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Java:/esmska/common-deb/ ./ #Esmska

#### Google Linux Software Repositories - http://www.google.com/linuxrepositories/
## Run this command: wget -q https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub -O- | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ stable non-free

#### LibreOffice - http://www.documentfoundation.org/download/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 1378B444
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/libreoffice/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### MKVToolnix - http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/
## Run this command: wget -q http://www.bunkus.org/gpg-pub-moritzbunkus.txt -O- | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://www.bunkus.org/ubuntu/precise/ ./

#### OpenShot - http://www.openshotvideo.com
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys B9BA26FA
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openshot.developers/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### Opera - http://www.opera.com/
## Run this command: sudo wget -O - http://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://deb.opera.com/opera/ stable non-free

#### Pidgin - http://pidgin.im
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A1F196A8
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### Tor: anonymity online - http://www.torproject.org/
## Run this command: gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv 886DDD89 && gpg --export --armor 94C09C7F | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://deb.torproject.org/torproject.org precise main

#### Ubuntu Tweak - http://ubuntu-tweak.com/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 0624A220
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu precise main

#### VirtualBox - http://www.virtualbox.org
## Run this command: wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/oracle_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian precise contrib

#### Wine - https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-wine/+archive/ppa/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys F9CB8DB0
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu precise main

####### 3rd Party Source Repos

#### Audacity (Source) - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 1024R/BB901940
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/audacity-team/daily/ubuntu precise main

#### LibreOffice (Source) - http://www.documentfoundation.org/download/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 1378B444
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/libreoffice/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### MKVToolnix (Source) - http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/
## Run this command: wget -q http://www.bunkus.org/gpg-pub-moritzbunkus.txt -O- | sudo apt-key add -
deb-src http://www.bunkus.org/ubuntu/precise/ ./

#### OpenShot (Source) - http://www.openshotvideo.com
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys B9BA26FA
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/openshot.developers/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### Pidgin (Source) - http://pidgin.im
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A1F196A8
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu precise main

#### Tor: anonymity online (Source) - http://www.torproject.org/
## Run this command: gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv 886DDD89 && gpg --export --armor 94C09C7F | sudo apt-key add -
deb-src http://deb.torproject.org/torproject.org precise main

#### Ubuntu Tweak (Source) - http://ubuntu-tweak.com/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 0624A220
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu precise main

#### Wine (Source) - https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-wine/+archive/ppa/
## Run this command: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys F9CB8DB0
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu precise main

Not as pretty as a separate file in the sources.d directory, but good enough.
I also easily adjusted my monitors as I wanted, using "Displays" in the System Settings. I checked if the Wacom tablet functioned as expected and it did. I will check the fingerprint stuff later. In Oneiric Ocelot 11.10 the tablet stopped working after I got the fingerprint scanner to behave.

Medibuntu from previous instructions then install libdvdcss2 for DVD playback. However, keep in mind that for some reason it is incredibly slow and tends to hang, which is why I will probably disable it.

I also downloaded and installed TrueCrypt. This involved:

Downloading the actual program, its digital sig and importing TC sig.
I discovered that somehow gpg settings and my key did not survive the upgrade so I imported my old key, then signed TC key and verified it (see handbook):

gpg --import TrueCrypt-Foundation-Public-Key.asc
gpg --edit-key F0D6B1E0
>trust
to marginal (using choice number 3)
and then
>sign
I sign it with the above generated key and my password.
gpg --verify truecrypt-7.1a-linux-x64.tar.gz.sig truecrypt-7.1a-linux-x64.tar.gz
Uncompressing and running results in

Installing package...
usr/bin/truecrypt
usr/bin/truecrypt-uninstall.sh
usr/share/applications/truecrypt.desktop
usr/share/pixmaps/truecrypt.xpm
usr/share/truecrypt/doc/License.txt
usr/share/truecrypt/doc/TrueCrypt User Guide.pdf
Victory!

Transmission Remote GUI was next, and after uncompressing it went to /usr/local/bin where stories are made.


UbuntuOne error

For UbuntuOne I signed up for a new account, but unfortunately my old computer name was recognized as attached to the previous account, which I suspect is the reason for the error above. I'll sign up with the old account later, when I can find it.

To disable IPv6, echo at the end of /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf: blacklist ipv6

I then intended to install a number of apps I could no longer see but for some reason apt-get was locked, so I rebooted. On reboot, apt-get autoremove went on for a minute or so removing obsolete crap, then processing triggers, and finally spewing

Reading package lists... Done
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://ubuntu-archives.mirror.nexicom.net/ precise-backports/multiverse amd64 Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/ubuntu-archives.mirror.nexicom.net_dists_precise-backports_multiverse_binary-amd64_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://ubuntu-archives.mirror.nexicom.net/ precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/ubuntu-archives.mirror.nexicom.net_dists_precise-backports_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages)

I'm not sure how to fix it, we'll see later.

For TV, I installed HDHomeRun Config GUI from repos as well as hdhomerun_config. Scanning with a simple indoor antenna results in the following channels:

hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF scan /tuner0 scan0.txt

SCANNING: 671000000 (us-bcast:47)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=77 snq=50 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43AB
PROGRAM 2: 47.1 CFMT
SCANNING: 653000000 (us-bcast:44)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=85 snq=63 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43AD
PROGRAM 2: 57.1 CITYTV
SCANNING: 635000000 (us-bcast:41)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=95 snq=70 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43A9
PROGRAM 1: 41.1 CIII-HD
PROGRAM 2: 41.2 CIII-SD
SCANNING: 539000000 (us-bcast:25)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=98 snq=77 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43A7
PROGRAM 3: 25.1 CBLFT-D
SCANNING: 509000000 (us-bcast:20)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=98 snq=85 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43A1
PROGRAM 3: 5.1 CBLT-DT
SCANNING: 503000000 (us-bcast:19)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=92 snq=71 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43A5
PROGRAM 1: 19.1 TVO
SCANNING: 189000000 (us-bcast:9)
LOCK: 8vsb (ss=100 snq=82 seq=100)
TSID: 0x43A3
PROGRAM 1: 9.1 CFTO

CFMT (multiculti) is the weakest, but the others are quite alright. Channel flipping is a bit time-consuming with their GUI as it scans unless you enter it directly. Using a more advanced application might require installing dvbhdhomerun to masquarade as DVB:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tfylliv/dvbhdhomerun
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install dvbhdhomerun-dkms dvbhdhomerun-utils
sudo service dvbhdhomerun-utils start

SOPcast is best served with TVmaxe. I wouldn't

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:venerix/blugsudo add-apt-repository ppa:ferramroberto/sopcast
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install tv-maxe sopcast-player
gksudo gedit /usr/share/sopcast-player/lib/vlc_1_0_x.py
search for # Decorator for callback methods
replace below with callbackmethod=
ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.POINTER(Event), ctypes.c_void_p)

Tribler allows for some limited P2P TV as well:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/tribler
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install tribler

For accessing network shares, I could follow the old instructions or simply go to the Connect to Server interface (in the menu) and fill in the needed info. I could then simply bookmark the drives or edit fstab so that they are mounted automatically.

To get the cube:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager # mine was already there
search for ccsm, then launch it
Under 'Desktop', simply tick the checkbox beneath the 'Desktop Cube' plugin (for my laptop with an Intel card it's not showing, being blacklisted). In the dialog that pops up, choose 'Disable Desktop Wall'
Enable "rotate cube" plugin under 'Desktop'
For a perfect cube, General > General Options > Desktop Size and change 'Horizontal Virtual Size' to '4', and 'Vertical Virtual Size' to '1' (originally 2, 2, 1).

To re-enable hibernate, type first sudo pm-hibernate to see if your system supports it.

gksudo gedit /var/lib/polkit-1/localauthority/50-local.d/hibernate.pkla

then paste

[Re-enable Hibernate]
Identity=unix-user:*
Action=org.freedesktop.upower.hibernate
ResultActive=yes

then restart. 'Suspend' will disappear.
To install a bunch of codecs:

sudo apt-get install libxine1-ffmpeg gxine mencoder totem-mozilla icedax tagtool easytag id3tool lame nautilus-script-audio-convert libmad0 mpg321

To install the System Load Indicator:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:indicator-multiload/stable-daily
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-multiload

Turn off recording history in Privacy (System Settings) and delete past history. I see no use for it.
By default, Ubuntu hides some apps in the Startup Applications. Get them back with

sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

I don't bother with a screen saver, but if you do, try Xscreensaver after removing gnome-screensaver. To prevent it from starting when watching a movie, install caffeine with ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa | caffeine python-glade2.
Finally, I wish I could tweak the Startup menu with the old Startup-Manager, but it's not showing up.
Well, that's about it. I might add more stuff and clean up this later; or maybe not :)

Sources / More info: reinstall Opera, repos, sources.list generator, libdvdcss2, dirs, TC-digital sig, handbook, Transmission Remote GUI, XBMC-tv, Maxe-wiki, sopcast-segfault-64b, dvbhomerun, webupd8-tweaks

ConsumedConsumer, linux, install, tech, notes, walkthrough, tutorial, ubuntu, 12.04, precise pangolin, setup (Tags)

Increasing the persistent file for USB linux

2012-03-05T14:23:00.001-05:00

Ever since the power regression bug, I found myself increasingly moving away from Linux. I still want to be able to use it, but I see no reason why I should allocate a partition in a dual boot setup, especially since these days I'm using SSD on my tablet convertible and space is precious.

Before going any further, let’s just clarify that I am definitely, positively NOT considering virtualization / VMware stuff because at least older versions had issues with wireless and this is a far less portable solution than the others.

With that in mind, I formatted a 4GB USB drive as FAT32, downloaded the ISO and used Unetbootin (though Ubuntu’s endorsement, Universal USB Installer is just as good) to install the ISO to the USB drive. Additionally, I specified a very small 300 MB casper_rw file; this is where changes are stored and it turned out to be wholly inadequate, which is why I decided to increase it to 1 GB.

I now had 3 choices, after deleting the existing casper_rw:

Create an arbitrary file and name it casper_rw – it won’t work
Boot in another Linux then run

dd if=/dev/zero of=casper-rw bs=1M count=1024
mkfs.ext3 -F casper-rw

copy the file to the USB drive or, to resize, run:

dd if=/dev/zero bs=1M count=1024 >> casper-rw
resize2fs casper-rw

Under Windows, use TopoResize to resize it or PDL Casper-rw Creator to create a fresh new one.

If you have a portable apps suite, you might want to install there the above apps.

The current install keeps your data unencrypted. If you prefer to have the benefit of encryption, you might want to follow these instructions.

Sources / More info: uninstall-restore-bt, unetbootin, univusb, pendrive-usb, TopoResize, PDLCC, bt5-enc, bt-pers-usb, cw-safe, casper>4GB,

ConsumedConsumer, linux, backtrack, usb, install, encryption, secure, portable (Tags)

CIBC (PC Financial / Amicus Bank) shenanigans

2012-02-01T01:00:00.000-05:00

PC Financial is a wholly owned “virtual” subsidiary of CIBC, one of the 6 big Canadian banks in a closed market. I opened an account with them not long ago, and that’s when the troubles started.

First, there were unauthorized charges on my credit card, which I disputed via their convoluted process. I faxed them the requested responses, but they pretended they did not and denied my request, forcing me to pay for their mistake. Then, when it came to insure my home, their broker CSR told me they purposely falsified my application (otherwise, according to them, the property was not insurable), causing me to pay premiums for a policy that would most likely not have been honoured in case of need. On yet another occasion, I deposited a foreign cheque, yet the exchange rate had not been calculated as they stated causing me to once again lose money. I called repeatedly, I’d be placed on hold, then they’d hung up.

Finally, on October 1, 2011, I deposited some money into my account. Here’s that transaction slip:

As you can see, it clearly shows October 1 as the deposit date. Howver, upon checking the online statement, I’ve found this:

As it is clearly visible, the deposit is recorded for October 3, TWO days later, after the balance had dropped below zero, in negative territory, allowing the bank to charge later on a hefty overdraft fee. I tried downloading my transactions in order to check for other similar fraudulent accounting, but could not:

I attempted to send an inquiry:

So far, I received no response and the fraudulent charges have not been reversed.

Sources / More info: pcfinancial.ca

Consumed Consumer, finance, personal finance, banking, rapacity, theft, thieving, thievery, canada, big banks (Tags)

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2010-06-15T00:00:00-07:00

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2010-04-08T00:00:00-07:00

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Romania destroys its schools and hospitals, replacing them with churches

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2010-02-03T00:00:00-08:00

VOIP from scratch I - Introduction
I recently bit the bullet and tried to set up my PAP with a VOIP service with my Cisco / Linksys PAP2T. Here's how it went.

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2010-01-29T00:00:00-08:00

RIP JD Salinger
It is extremely difficult to pay your respects to an author whose book you haven't read. None of us have read catcher in the rye. We lived it.

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2010-01-28T00:00:00-08:00

VIDEO: iPad is here!
Some call it a big iPhone that doesn't make phonecalls, while others point out that it may not be a hot sell for women, for intimate hygiene reasons. The very last video in the playlist below explains this best.

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2010-01-26T00:00:00-08:00

facebook wants me to slow down
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I recently discovered I needed to brush up on my CSS skills. Here are a few sites that can help.

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2010-01-25T00:00:00-08:00

Johnny Depp will never die
Recently voted the world's most stylish man and with numerous other awards under his belt, the rumour has it that Johnny Depp was recently involved in a car crash. As our "designated rebel", the connection to James Dean and his tragic end seemed too attractive for the rumour mill.