Virtual Network Clients and other high risk behaviors

I've always wanted to be able to control my multimedia computer by a VNC. I finally succeed, though I'm not quite where I want to be yet. But here are the basic steps.

1. I installed TightVNC server on the Windows Vista 64 Bit computer we use as our media center.
2. I installed xtightvncviewer on my Mini. Ubuntu told me it was not installed at first, and then told me how to get it. How cool is that?
   
3. I set the passwords on the TightVNC server, both for admin and for access.
4. I started xtightvncviewer on the Mini, typed in the IP address given by TightVNC on the Vista machine, followed it with a password, and voila, remote access.
   

I'll admit, I'm excited as all get out about this, though not really for me. I expect that when I show my wife that she can adjust Media Center recordings, start conversion of recorded TV to iPod format from her computer without turning on the TV and going through the machinations of our surround sound system selection of computer input (including whether sound will work without a reset of computer or cycling power to TV), that she will be overcome with joy. Or at least will stop beating me so much (again, I kid, I kid!).

I'm not quite happy with the setup though. I feel relatively secure in that if I understand routers correctly none of this is actually leaving my router, as both machines connect there. But regardless, I'm going to try a ssh approach to tunnel the VNC on. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. But the above works. And works surprisingly well.

Shutdowns, Hibernates, and Suspends

Okay, so I've talked a bit about how I love the Mini with Ubuntu. In the "full transparency" mode, I'll tell you where I don't think things have changed much.

Shutdowns, and reboots are comparable, and quite frankly unless I have to do them often I really don't care. I suspend or hibernate almost exclusively. To the point that I'm not even shutting down and restarting now to experiment. So there. Besides, I didn't time Windows XP. I believe Ubuntu boot times are a bit shorter than the XP boot times. Hows that for your objective scientific method?

Suspends are faster in Ubuntu. 9 seconds to suspend (though I really don't care about that other than as wasted battery life) and 6 seconds to login when restoring. Much better performance the XP. And don't get me started on Vista's phantom wakeups from suspends that result in low battery hibernations that don't complete properly. Meh.

Hibernates take 64 seconds to shutdown, 42 seconds to restart. I fundamentally think that is driven by the memory and architecture of the Mini vice any real difference in the operating systems.

I tailor my power preferences to hibernate when I'm closing the lid (I'm going outside the house so go to lowest power state to stay at max charge), and to suspend with the power button (in home, probably are hooked to charger or have access to it so fast response is more important).

Which Ubunutu for HP Mini - UNR or Standard?

This one took me exactly one day to decide. I have the 16 GB SSD based version of the HP Mini. I originally put Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR) onto it, but one of the things I've always coveted about Linux was the idea of "workspaces", and with a small screen that seems even more useful. UNR didn't have it (at least out of the box), and the standard install did. I put the standard install on and haven't looked back.

Two hardware issues had to be resolved:

1. The wireless drivers had to be updated. Because they are not "free and open source" they don't come with the install, but Ubuntu will actually prompt you to install them. To installs with the ethernet lan connected, one machine reset, and voila - Wireless connectivity with WPA2 encryption. I love it when stuff just works.
2. Internal microphone for use with Skype / sound recording. This one took some digging, but was easy once I found the answer.On the speaker think on the top tool bar, select sound preferences, and "Line in/Line in" as the source. Then open a terminal window (CTRL ALT T) and start alsamixer. Hit TAB to go to second page and crank up Capture volume. You'll can tell your on the right track with the "Line in/Line In" as if you tap the speaker, you get the taps, but not enough gain to hear your voice. I tested with Skype echo call and got good results once both the abover were done.

I've done a number of tweaks to get the best (for me) out of the Mini. I made both top and bottom toolbars "Autohide". This actually seems to work in Ubuntu. Vista used to drive me absolutely bonkers with this performance detail. I never could wrap my mind around how the decision to auto hide was being executed. In Ubuntu, it works just the way I think it should... the bar is freakin' hidden until I mouse down to it. Simple. I'd better stop or I'll start poaching into another post about simplicity versus complexity and reliability. That's another entry.

I've always wanted to love Linux...

I've always wanted to love Linux, but each time I've installed it I've gotten annoyed enough that I decided that it just was not ready for prime time. Now, a couple of parametric changes occurred:

1. I work in the Navy in a secure building, and no longer are Personel Electronic Devices (PEDs) allowed. This includes cell phones, and in my case, a iPaq Pocket PC that I used to keep synchronized with all my Outlook notes. This ability was a key part of what Linux didn't do for me. Now that is requirement is gone. The loss in personal productivity associated with that is meat for another post.
   
2. Windows installs are big and bloated. I don't mean that in a bad way, but if you are using windows, those jeans DO make you look fat. I have one of the HP Mini 1000 netbooks and with windows it just bloats up. Now that the Mini's hardware is working with Ubuntu, I was ready to give it a try.
3. Ubuntu at 10.04 has a suite of programs which is just as comfortable as their Microsoft counterparts. There is not a good spider solitaire on it, so that's another 6 hours of my life a week I'll get back. I kid, I kid!
4. I loaded Microsoft Office 2010 beta a while back. I don't like it as much as 2007, and I think it is because the programs are becoming to layered and complex. I don't think it is an "upgrade".

Okay, so bottom line is, I'm typing this blog entry on a Ubuntu Lucid Lync based HP Mini with Firefox browser, and I'm happy as all get out with the responsiveness and speed. My recommendation is that if you needed a reason to love Linux, you may actually have it now with this distribution.

Roomba - great concept, but...

I love the Roomba. But it appears that instead of eliminating labor as it promises, it merely redirects it. Instead of vacuuming, you spend time (admittedly less) repairing it. I have two. The second one, model Roomba 4150, had a ground down spur gear or drive gear. This prevents the vacuum beater and sweeper (Quidditch, anyone) from actually rotating, with the added side benefit of some really loud grinding noise. Replacement gears are about $30. Repairs are executable (I had it apart and back together to find the problem). Now just need to decide if it is worth the money. Right now, I'm voting not.

First Blog Post!!!

Okay, so I'm only... well I don't really know how late I am into this whole blogging thing, but I've decided that I'm going to start detailing my repairs / gadgets / computer stuff on line so it is easily accessible. Gotta love the cloud, baby... as long as you don't put any secrets there!!!