The point behind TomBoy

I've started using TomBoy over a year ago. it sounded a very reasonable tool to make my own "wiki". As it grew larger and larger, I was wondering of a way to move it to other computers I use.


That wish materialized one day after some research. I needed to define a path where all my files are stored. It turned out that this option was killed in my version (a very old one). After some research I managed to renew it. Then you would do the following:

Edit->Preferences->Synchronization and set a path for that file.
Then you can send a copy of that file to your second machine. And through the same process, set your TomBoy to "see" that folder.
Done! and life is good.


============ update 20150212 =================

You can synchronize Tomboy with other machines using DropBox. Simply follow these instructions:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2122776

and make sure to "kill" all tomboy processes using shell before trying it.

An Easy Recipe to install ROOT

#I am assuming you are using tcsh
cd somedir
wget ftp://root.cern.ch/root/root_v5.26.00c.source.tar.gz
tar xzf root_v5.26.00c.source.tar.gz
setenv ROOTSYS $PWD/root
setenv PATH $ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH
cd root
./configure
make

Insatalling a printer on ubuntu

I found this link to give an exceptional help

http://www.edwardstafford.com/2009/08/31/add-a-network-printer-to-an-ubuntu-desktop-the-easy-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9047

The only issue was that I had slightly different names probably due to different version of Ubuntu.

 While these instruction are specific for DELL 1700. It is easy enough to generalize them for any printer. Another technique is to add a printer from the network. All you need is the IP number and the type of the printer. In this case after running:

$sudo system-config-printer

you should go to ->Find Network Printer. and put the IP address in the "host" field. the rest is self explanatory. 

How to fix skype on ubuntu

for two years I've been sweating in an effort to fix skype on my Ubuntu. The reception was fine, but the mic never worked. This happened also on my ubntu installation in my office and for more elite services like EVO. Finally I figured out that it was all due to Audiopules. accordign to the ubuntu forum I can delete it and install another package called esound:

killall pulseaudio
sudo aptitude remove pulseaudio
sudo aptitude install esound
sudo aptitude remove /etc/X11/Xsession.d/70pulseaudio

Now skype works like magic! Lets hope that I will get the same luck with Evo.

what to do when your cell-phone contract expires.

I had a 2 year contract with ATT. The contract just ended last month and I thought that I had to renew it or else I will lose the service, and more important my number. I surfed the ATT website to see what kind of deals they have, and it took me some self restrain to stop myself from renewing with a cool cell-phone and a 2 year commitment (they charge some hefty fee to cancel your service while in contract). Finally, I did some research online and found the following:
1- You don't have to call to renew your contract. What will happen is that they will keep charging you with the usual terms month by month.
2- Cell phone companies have some cheaper plans that they don't promote. So I called ATT (CB7017) made sure that the service will remain there, on a month per month basis, as long as I am paying my bill, and no cancellation fees since I did respect my 2 year contract.

I was able to get a 200 minutes (with 1000 minutes for weekends and nights) plan for a monthly rate of 29$ instead of my 450 minutes plan that I hardly use and was able to save 10$ per month! I only lost the roll-over I used to have and I never needed to use.

This looks closer to a slight victory, but I am a deep believer in optimizing my needs and in informed consumerism. And since my old cell-phone is still running, I might as well invest a bit in it or just enjoy the 240$ I will save in 2 years.

Changing you cell-phones battery

My singular8125 started to act up few weeks ago. It will die on me after 10 minutes of usage and it keeps rebooting each time it searches for a signal. Before tossing of my 2 year old investment I decided to consider getting a new battery.

It was a bit surprising to see a range of prices from 2$ up to 30$. So I decided to get something around 10$. My purchase was done at Buy.com. The service was good, but it took USPS almost 2 weeks to arrive!

Yesterday I tried the new thing and it seems to be working. I did some research to see the best way to use a new battery, only to discover the following facts:

1. First off, if you need a new battery after following all the recommendations below, make sure you buy a new battery. Most online resellers are selling used batteries and calling them OEM. The battery you will receive will be wrapped in bubble wrap or paper. Make sure your battery comes in a retail package. You don't want to replace a used battery with someone else's used battery. And that was my first mistake since I got something that was manually wrapped in a plastic bag.

2. DO NOT fully discharge a lithium-ion battery! Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries' life is shortened every time you fully discharge them. Instead, charge them when the battery meter shows one bar left. Lithium-ion batteries, like most rechargeable batteries have a set amount of chargers in them.

3. When buying lithium ion batteries, be aware that oxidation begins at the time of manufacture, not the time of first use. As such, older lithium batteries will have reduced capacity (about 20% per year stored at room temperature). If you buy a battery at a clearance sale price, expect that you will get less life out of the mobile phone.

I felt a bit concerned after reading such material. But it is only 10$ after all, I will see how long this battery will last me. I guess one more year will be acceptable. Then it might be the time to switch to a new phone.

Sourse: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Cell-Phone-Battery-Last-Longer

Things to do to solve "honor" crimes.

Honor Crimes still exist in many countries including the Middle East and Pakistan. Where the law gives preferential treatment to the murderer so that they will end up with reduced sentences. Unfortunately these crimes are still popular and have support to some extent in the society. I think it is a fight for the intellects to change such believes. Few suggestions include:

1- Find a more expressing name rather than "Honor Crimes". It should be a name that gives a negative label to this crime.

2- Show condemnation in public while these people are courted. This might include protesting in front of the court or at the murderer's house. and posting the pics of the victim in public places.

3- Send a clear message that this killing is against Islamic believes, the scripture is clear that only the governor can apply punishments after a court. Ironically, KSA - one of the most radical Islamic counties, has no tolerance to this crime.

We all have a part in this relatively reasonable confrontation with one of the most striking signs of repression.