eee pc 900 installation of Ubuntu 9.04 (Ubuntu Netbook Remix)

OK, I finally got around to install UNR 9.04 in My wife's eee pc 900. the experience was very similar to my eee pc 1000:

1. Follow this instructions from the ubuntu website:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromImgFiles

2. Install the eee-control-tray:

http://greg.geekmind.org/eee-control/

3. Install one kernel patch:

https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/linux/+bug/349314/comments/74

The last step is just temporary until the general release kernel is patched. After that my 900 works like a charm.

Well, one word of advice, both the 900 and the 1000 have a problem with flash. Playing flash video is not a very good experience, it is OK except if you try to watch it full screen then it is kind of jerky, so far I haven't found a solution. Let me know if you have a solution ot the problem.

Ubuntu 9.04

This week ubuntu 9.04 (jaunty jackalope) has been released and I can say with certainty that it is the best version of Ubuntu so far. This time, instead of upgrading my current installation I decided to go re-install from the beginning. Something that I like from Linux is that all your data is in your home directory, making easier to backup and restore. (Tip, if you care about configuration information saved in hidden folder, you will need to use the command prompt).

After backing up my Acer 5315-2153, I place the live cd in the cd-rom and there we went. The installation was a breeze, I went with an standard installation, except for 2 items: I use ext4 instead of the default ext3 (ext4 is faster) and use a different keyboard configuration. It worked without a flaw, all hardware was supported and ready to be used (including my bluetooth mouse!).

It was a great experience, so good that I decided to replace the Asus Xandros Linux in my eee pc 1000 for Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

The experience was just as great as with the full desktop except for the following:

1. UNR can't turnon or off the web cam or bluetooth, you have to do it by using the BIOS.
2. Not all hotkeys are supported.

After some digging I found this neat software that allows me to control the web cam and bluetooth (plus a couple of extra utilities, including the hotkeys):

http://greg.geekmind.org/eee-control/


I am planning to do the same on my wife's eee pc 900, I expect an easier ride since it is an older model but I'll post about it!

One quick note: the 1000 has 2 SSD, once speedy the other not so much, I partition both with ext4 and mounted "/" in the 8gb and "/home" in the 32gb. I left some 2gb in the 32gb for swap space, the rest for "/home".

Internet browsing in my centro part 2

Ok, this week I want to talk about Mobile HTML Transcoders or compressors. These are websites that can take a normal website and transcode for mobile viewing, reducing image quality, change layout, etc. These are extremely useful when you want to see the content of a complicate web site or like I mention last week, if you are using an RSS reader, since you will be able to take the link for the article and using a compressor you will be able to see it in Blazer!. These are my top favorites:

Google

Google is just great at making a web site manageable for Blazer or Xiino, I still don't understand how it does it but in the case of heavy web sites (engadget or lifehacker) it cuts all the links and images not related to the article you want to read, leaving with only the content you were intented to see. The other content is available just a click away. Its only problem is when I try to read pages in spanish using Xiino, the character set that it uses doesn't display correctly in Xiino, I think this is more a problem in Xiino than in Google but it is a problem for me.

Skweezer

Skweezer is another great compressor, the main reason why I love it is because the spanish pages show correctly in Xiino.

As you can imagine I use Skweezer for spanish web pages and Google for everything else.

I hope this helpful in your quest to browse the internet from your centro.

Internet Browsing in my centro

Let's be honest, the only mobile device that offers a great mobile internet experience is the iPhone and to a lesser degree the iPod touch. Safari is a great browser in all its incarnations (Mac, Windows and Mobile) raising the bar for all other devices.

Now I can see a small ray of hope for Windows Mobile (Opera Mobile) and for the next generation of smartphones using Linux in its different incarnations (Nova, Android, etc) but what can we do faithful users of a PalmOS (Garnet) device?

A lot I can say.

First, the time were we just "browse" is over, with our current information overload, it is more important than ever to get what we want/need to read without distracting information and to our rescue we have QuickNews. This incredible piece of sofware is a news reader or rss reader or feed reader, depending on the buzz word of the day, it basically allows you to get only the content that you need by subscribing to RSS Feeds, nowdays almost every website offers this neat tool. With Quicknews you will avoid jump from website to website to check the latest news, weather, industry specific articles, etc. All the information will be in your palm.

Now, an RSS Feed is basically the latest content of the website in text format and most web sites include the full article but some don't, for this you will need to actually go the web site, but what to do when the web site don't offer a mobile version? it can be really annoying to wait for pages whose content is so rich (images, video, etc) that takes forever to load even in the mobile fastest networks. Then what to do?

The solution is simply to use a compressor, compressors are web sites that "compress" the websites to be more useful in a mobile browser (Blazer, Xiino), QuickNews works well with 3: Google, MobileLeap and Skeezer.

OK, after this your browsing experience should be more pleasant but still not perfect, so here are some extra tips:

The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal detect when you are using Blazer and they redirect you to the mobile version of the web site. It works for everything except for the NYT blogs.

I am working in a utility which will give you more choice between compressors, the printer friendly version of a web page (for some websites) or the mobile web site directly. I will make it public next week.

I love GTD, to me it is the one technique that click with me and that really has helped me. Now I will not make my blog about GTD but what I have found missing is a comprenhensive compilation of interview of David Allen, for this reason I am creating this post, I will maintenan it and re-post it from time to time, I'll create another one about video interview, this is exclusively for podcasts. I am including the link in text format for each podcast since I found that sometimes blazer doesn't pass the links to Kinoma, if that happens to you, just copy the link and past it in kinoma.

43 Folder productive talk. click here for the mp3.

http://odeo.com/show/3351643/1005364/download.mp3

Accidental Creative. click here for the mp3.

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/podcasts/ac-podcast-57-david-allen

Professionally Speaking. click here for the mp3.

http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/wp-content/audio/David_Allen.mp3

Donation Coder. click here for first part and here for the second part mp3.

http://podcast.donationcoder.com/shows/dcpodcast5p0.mp3

http://podcast.donationcoder.com/shows/dcpodcast5p5.mp3

Precision Change. click here for the mp3

http://precisionchange.com/podpress_trac/web/51/0/PC008_GTD_201_David_Allen.mp3

IMNO.ORG. Click here for the mp3

http://www.imno.org/audio_files/interview_David_Allen.mp3

Productivity Podcast. Click here for the mp3

http://www.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/productivity/tpn_productivity_20050614_003.mp3

The Duct Tape Marketing. Click here for the mp3

http://media.libsyn.com/media/ducttape/davidallen1.mp3

Palm Centro, Bluetooth and Ubuntu.

OK, I received my new Centro and I just finished reviewing what applications to re-install and I make sure it doesn't reset any more, if you want to hear more about my review, you can check this post.

Now, I did all of this in Windows (it was just easier) and now I am trying to work again with Ubuntu, this time with a twist, I want to use bluetooth.

Now bluetooth is something that needs a little more work in Ubuntu, the basic functionality is there but making it work with my centro has not been easy, most people use the networking hotsync, I don't think it should be this difficult, it should be as easy as it is in Windows. My main roadblock right now is the virtual serial port, I am working on this based on some articles I found in the internet, I will update you when I figure it out how to sync my centro with Ubuntu via Bluetooth.

If you have any tips, please post it in the comments!.

My centro died

I know I was supposed to post my impressions on how to sync my centro with Ubuntu but my centro decided to died while I was working on it, I received today so hopefully I can try again in a couple of days, I decided that I will sync mycentro with Ubuntu using bluetooth, so wish me luck!.

One note on the whole ordeal to get my centro to work again, I couldn't and I decided first to call sprint, sprint told me that my phone was dead, then I contact Palm and after a couple of minutes it was decided my phone was dead, I paid for advance exchange (25usd ) to make the process quick and I got it today! 5 days total, not bad and I need to say that even without all the bad rep from sprint and palm support, everyone was very nice and helpful, I hope this is a trend with this 2 companies.

Palm and Ubuntu

I've been using Ubuntu as my main desktop (at home) for the last 6 months and I need to say, I love it!, here are the reasons why I love it:

Easy to install (well almost easy to install).

For the most part the installation process is very straightforward, just get a CD, put it in your laptop/desktop cdrom drive, select install and click next until it is done! Now, there are occasions where your hardware may not be supported out of the box, if this happens, you have 2 options:

Walk away.

Try to fix the problem, don't even try this option if you don't consider yourself an advanced computer user.

If you just want to see if Ubuntu will work on your computer, try the live CD, if everything works, then go for it, if it doesn't, I'll recommend you to wait.

Tons of applications.

There are a lot of open source applications for Ubuntu, which are easy to install by using the Add/Remove application, just run the application, select what you want to install and you are ready to go!

Bring back to life old computers and low cost computers

I installed Ubuntu in an Acer 5315-2153 which is a very low spec laptop (vista crawled on it) but with Ubuntu is a snappy laptop with a lot of computer power. The only warning is that the wifi and sound are not supported out of the box and it took me at least 4 hours to make them work.

In my next post I'll write my experience connecting my Palm Centro with my Ubuntu Laptop.

Do you want to take your media with you? but it is too much? don't worry I have a solution

Actually I have 2 solutions for you:

ORB

Winamp Mobile.

Both solutions are easy to use and install, they required little work but they require a Windows computer which for 90% of the people out there should be ok, I am looking for similar solutions for Linux or Mac.

This solution is not exclusive for Palm OS, it works with pretty much any device that can stream media.

I used Winamp Mobile and it was the easiest to use, good luck and give me your opinions on the comments!

Bluetooth audio

How many times have you been in the situation that the earphones cable gets in the way? in the gym, while you are working or while laying in the bed? well I have the perfect solution for you, simply buy a bluetooth headset and audio gateway and connect your treo or palm TX, it is a very easy solution although a little pricey but totally worth it! check the links below:

Motorla HT820

Audio Gateway

My Palm as a Doggie Sitter

Lately my dog cujo has been misbehaving and tearing off his diaper when we are out, ending with his face full of white stuff and a mess in the room where he stays. So what to do? We've learn that the best way to change his behavior is to correct him right after he mis-behaves but usually he does it when we are not around, so what do to?, here comes Windows Media Encoder, My laptop, a WebCam and my handy TX to the rescue.

Step 1.

Setup your laptop and the webcam in such a way that you can see what your dog is doing.

Step 2.

Setup Windows Media Encoder to stream your webcam, you find a nice guide here.

Step 3.

Use Kinoma media player to watch the stream.

Now what we do is that while we are at the house we watch him in his area and every time he starts tearing his diaper we correct him immediately, hopefully a couple of times and Cujo will get the message :)

Kinoma Player.

Ok, so if coreplayer is such a great program why do I have a second player?, reason number one because I am a palm OS program junkie, I love play with programs and see if I can use them. The second is convenience, Kinoma can play internet streams (coreplayer too) and supports flash (which coreplayer can't) that gives me access to more content plus neither program has a good bookmarking system so if I am listening to podcast and then I want to switch to watch a movie, I just switch programs and there you go, exactly were I was. I really wish both programs support bookmarking a la PocketTunes (although PocketTunes is not perfect but at least is better). Want to know more about Kinoma player? visit: http://www.kinoma.com/

I am starting to work on a in-dept review of both programs and a comparison so you can check the strengths and weakness and make an informed decision if you want to buy either program.

Coreplayer.

Coreplayer is a very versatile media player, it can play most AVI, MP4, WMA, MP3 files out there and then some, so it is perfect for viewing your media in your palm. It is a direct descendant of TCPMP a freeware player. Version 1.0 was not so good but the current version (1.1) is good enough, I use it mainly for video playing of the content I record with my OSD in MP4 format, it plays without a problem. The software has many capabilities but again, it is a jack of all trades but not so good at them except for the video playing. You should check it if you planning in watching video in your palm.

OSD.

Ok, so what's good of having a very good media player without content? and legal content for that matter.

Here come our rights to record non-digital content (at least for now) a DVR and the OSD

So what's the OSD, it is a device that allows you record directly into a SD or Compact Flash card or a USB drive in two different formats MP4 or ASF, this is create because both formats are supported by the PalmOS players, finally I can see TV anywhere I am, not only TV Shows, but documentaries, movies, etc. And thanks to the DVR I don't miss any show. I chose the OSD because I believe it is the most dynamic device, now it is not for the non-geek, although out of the box works for the most part but you will need some technical skills to get the most of it.

The OSD is not the only game in town, Neuros makes a couple more recorders, here is a list:

Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2

Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2

Now if you don't want a Neuros or are not convinced, here are a couple more options:

SanDisk SDMV1-R V-Mate

Audiovox PVR1000 Portable Personal Video Recorder with LCD

Video on the palm.

One of the best uses for my palm is the ability to watch video, there are many occasions that I had to wait for my car to be fixed or in a doctor's office, but thanks to my palm I actually had a good time. In coming posts I will review each of the software that I use, but in the meantime, let me give the list:

1.OSD
2.Coreplayer
3.Kinoma player

I'll talk about the strength of each software and why I use 2.

Until next week!

Podcasting in your palm

Finally after some time I got to do a new entry in my blog, I am starting a new one too, this one about my points of view as an immigrant living in the USA and about some other things, althoug more than a blog will be a podcast, which is why I wanted to give you my impressions about podcast and how I have it implemented in my Palm.

First What is a podcast? in my layman terms is the ability to get audio content (almost in any topic) and in an easy way transfer to a mp3 player. Now, let me tell you it is really easy to start listenning to a podcast if you have the correct setup and software, here is the software I use.

1. iPodder
2. PocketTunes
3. Windows Media

Just download ipodder and install it. Check the directory or podcastAlley to check for podcast that might interested you, I recomend The Daily Source Code , ITConversations and OnTheMedia, of course there is a ton of them, just look for the one you like.

After you select your feeds, just click on get new podcast and you are ready .. almost.

Second part is to transfer your files to your PalmOS handheld, there is tons of way to do this, but I will describe two, I use the second.

1. Get a card ready, plug your card and copy your mp3 from your computer to your card.
2. Open PocketTunes in your PalmOS handheld, conect it to your PC, in your PC open Windows Media and go to Syncronize, check your playlist and once you selected the one you want sync, just click in the Sync button.

Now I know using Windows Media looks more complicate but it is really not, plus it is a lot easier to keep track of what you have transfer to your PalmOS handheld.

Ok, I hope you get interested in podcasting,really it is totally worth it.

Pocket Tunes
I know it's being a while since I wrote something, but let me tell you, it's been a busy summer, mainly since one of my projects went live and we bought a new house, it's been a lot of work, in consequence my blogs are kind of alone, but hopefully I can start to do something about it. First I am starting a series of posts reviewing every piece of software in my palm, I will start with one of my favorite software title: Pocket Tunes.

Now, once you move to a PalmOS 5 handheld you move to a new dimension, not only it is a better operating system but it takes you to think in new ways to use your handheld, one of these uses is for multimedia, yes for the first time, any PalmOS 5 has enough power to play music and videos, yes you heard it, you can be productive AND have fun with your palm. One of the first products that I discover was PocketTunes an mp3 player for the PalmOS, now, PocketTunes is not the only mp3 player, there is AeroPlayer and RealOne player too, but PocketTunes is the only one that allows you to listen to Ogg Vorbis files AND Windows Media files (not encrypted). This expands your universe incredible since Windows media files are smaller, meaning that now you can put more files in your 256 mb SD card.

Now I am not a big music fan, I'd like listenning to tunes in my palm but I am not great at describing features like the equalizer and whatnot, I basically use the following features of PocketTunes:

1. MP3 and WindowsMedia playing.
2. Crossfading which I think means that there is no silent moment between songs.
3. Internet streaming, you read correctly, PocketTunes allows you to listen to streams using WinAmp technology, which is awesome, right now I am in starbucks listenning to virgin radio using my T608 and my T3, isn't that incredible?

Now, don't think pocket tunes is restricted to these features, it has tons of features, you can check at: http://www.pocket-tunes.com I highly recomend this software.

Gabriel

Backup strategy
A recent post in palmAddicts.com inspire me to write my backup strategy which I'm sure some will find a little extreme but it works for me:

1. I Hotsync at least 2 times a day.

2. I use Backbuddy for Windows from BlueNomad, awesome backup software! it really makes a complete backup.

3. I use Backupbuddy not only to make a backup of the main RAM but also I make a backup of my SD card.

4. I use cardbackup in my T3 and I schedule a daily backup to my sd card at midnight, plus I keep each day backup individually so if I need to recover a file from 2 days ago I can do it.

I hope that this can help you to always recover from disaster.

Gabriel Castellanos.

IM clients review: Verichat
Yesterday I saw re-publish in PA (without my intervention) my first IM review, I saw that as a sign that I should finish what I started, here is part 3:

Verichat

Finally we get to the current king in IM clients for PalmOS: Verichat. PDAApps maker of Verichat uses a propietary protocol and its own servers as gateways to other IM services, while very reliable (I never had a problem connecting to the service) it opens several uncomfortable options: the company can start charging a subscription fee plus the cost of the software, if the company goes under then the software will stop working. Now this is just speculation, I mention this because it a possibility.

Now, let's check what it supports:

- MSN, Yahoo, AOL IM and ICQ.
- Full support for emoticons (not animated though)
- Background support, it keeps connected while your are working in other apps.
- Keeps online presence even "offline", by sending your messages to your cellphone.
- Support for multiple conversations.
- Really, really pretty.

Now the problems:
- Verichat allows your handheld to turn off not like chatapus that just turn off the screen, probably because it keep you "online" forwarding all your messages to your cell phone.
- It does not notify you if you receive and email in your hotmail or yahoo account.

In my next post I will give my personal selection and why.

Gabriel Castellanos

How I use my palm at work
I use it in so many ways:

- Taking notes: each meeting I go I use my wireless keyboard to take notes in slap, after the meeting I use slap to tranfer my notes to Task, Calendar or Memo+. Plus at the end of the meeting I take a picture of the whiteboard so I don't forget to write anything.

- Archive notes: All my notes and project contacts go into and special database in Handbase.

- Managing project: I apply the GTD methodology using Shadow to keep track of all tasks and status, Task where the tasks I am working are and DoctToGo where I keep reference material and an Excel spreadsheet where I keep a status report.

- Email: I sync my "action" email with VersaMail so any free time I can read and reply my emails.

- Check email and calendar on the go: My office depends heavely in exchange and outlook and it is important for me to be able to check my email and calendar, thanks to my T3 and my T608 I can access the wireless web client and check my information.

Gabriel Castellanos