How to fix Thinkpad R61i trackpoint

How to fix Thinkpad R61i trackpoint (mouse pointer) hang ups in GNU / Linux

Earlier I've blogged on How to Work Around periodically occuring TrackPoint Thinkpad R61 issues on GNU / Linux . Actually I thought the fix I suggested there is working but I was wrong as the problems with the trackpoint reappeared at twice or thrice a day.

My suggested fix was the use of one script that does periodically change the trackpoint speed and sensitivity to certain numbers.

The fix script to the trackpoint hanging issue is here

Originally I wrote the script has to be set to execute through crontab on a periods like:

0,30 * * * * /usr/sbin/restart_trackpoint.sh >/dev/null 2>&1

Actually the correct values for the crontab if you use my restart_trackpoint.sh script are:

0,5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,58 * * * * /usr/sbin/restart_trackpoint.sh >/dev/null 2>&3

ig it has to be set the script is issued every 5 minutes to minimize the possibility for the Thinkpad trackpoint hang up issue.

One other thing that helps if trackpoint stucks is setting in /etc/rc.local is psmouse module to load with resetafter= parameter:

echo '/sbin/rmmod psmouse; /sbin/modprobe psmouse resetafter=30' >> /etc/rc.local

Install playsms and kannel on CentOS

Playsms is a PHP based application programming language that can be used to send and receive SMS. SMS sending form a single SMS can be done, ie sending an SMS to a mobile phone number, can also be broadcast SMS where SMS is sent to a group that has been defined by the user. In the first group may consist of one or more phone numbers. While the form of SMS revenues that are available are SMS received can be directly routed to an email or input box, inbox, can also be directly displayed in a html page of the SMS Board, can be used as input to hold the vote, polls or quizzes, known as SMS Poll, and can also be directed to execute a desired program on the server and get the result, known as SMS Command. In this tutorial the author uses playsms version 0.9.3 and not the last version (0.9.4) since the last version did not include a script for kannel but only scripts for gnokii only. Here is the installation on centos playsms:

# yum install php-pear-DB
# adduser playsms
# passwd playsms
# wget http://sourceforge.net/projects/playsms/files/playsms/Version%200.9.3/playsms-0.9.3.tar.gz/download
# cd playsms-0.9.3
# mkdir /var/www/html/playsms
# cp -R web/* /var/www/html/playsms
# mysql -u root -p
# mysql -u root -p playsms < /root/playsms-0.9.3/db/playsms.sql
# cd /var/www/html/playsms/
# cp config-dist.php config.php
Rubahlah file config.php pada bagian password untuk root di mysql. Berikut adalah file config.php penulis:
# vi config.php
$db_param['type'] = ‘mysql’;            // database engine
$db_param['host'] = ‘localhost’;        // database host/server
$db_param['port'] = ”;                 // database port
$db_param['user'] = ‘root’;             // database username
$db_param['pass'] = ’123456′;           // database password
$db_param['name'] = ‘playsms’;          // database name
$db_param['pref'] = ‘playsms’;          // table’s prefix without trailing underscore
Kemudian lakukan pengopian:
# cd /root/playsms-0.9.3/bin/
# cp kannel_incoming /usr/local/bin/
# cp playsmsd playsmsd.php playsmsd_start /usr/local/bin/
# cp playsms /etc/default/
# service httpd restart
Buka browser dan ketikkan:
# http://localhost(ip)/playsms

downloads playsms free sms gateway
inspirations
 sms-gateway-di-centos-5-5
install-playsms-and-kannel-on-centos-6

Linux Distribution Guide

Introduction-Linux Distribution Guide

This is a brief guide to the world of Linux distributions, primarily aimed at individuals who are new to the Linux scene, and who are thinking about taking the plunge and trying Linux for the first time.  To set the scene, let's start with a very brief history of the origins of Linux.The Linux kernel was started by Linus Torvalds in 1991, who was at the time studying at the University of Helsinki.  Linux was originally intended to be a replacement for Minix, an operating system designed for educational purposes.   One of the most important decisions ever made by Linus was the licensing agreement that the kernel was released under, the GNU General Public License (GPL).  Using the GPL meant that the programming code was freely-distributed and available to the general public.  This in turn encouraged thousands of developers to submit their own contributions to the code.  It is estimated that 1.5-2% of the kernel has been written by Linus Torvalds. 
What is a Linux Distribution?
If you follow the IT press, you probably have heard of some Linux companies such as Red Hat, Mandriva, SuSE, and Debian.  These are all organisations that have created their own 'distributions' (often known as distros) of Linux.
A Linux distribution is more than just the kernel itself.  A typical desktop Linux distribution consists of various software components including the Linux kernel, the GNU toolchain, and a collection of free and open source software, such as office suites, email clients, web browsers, instant messaging, graphics editors, video players and more.  This software is released in both binary and source code form, the former of which is code that the computer can understand, the latter what humans can read.  Having the source code released under a GPL license means that other developers can legally modify the software, thereby providing a mechanism where the community can contribute to the development of the software components.  With most distributions there is often some proprietory software included where the source code may not be released.  This may be due to patent and licensing restrictions.
There are in excess of 700 linux distributions available, of which more than half currently are being actively developed.  However, try not to be daunted by this vast number.  This huge number is partly a reflection of the fact that there is no barrier preventing an individual or organisation from creating their own distribution.  Many distros were started simply because an individual felt that none of the existing distros met his specific requirements.  Furthermore, many of the distros are derived from one of the 'major' distros, sharing the same base, even sometimes being released at the same time.  To illustrate, let's take the popular Debian distribution.  The following distributions are all based on Debian:

General Purpose:
Finnix, Freespire, Linspire, Simply GNUstep, Symphony OS, Ubuntu (see list below), and Xandros.
Live CD:
Arco-Debian Linux, Big Linux, CÃ tix, DeveLinux, Dreamlinux, Elive, Kanotix, Knoppix (see list below), Morphix, Parsix, and sidux.
Security: Adamantix
Mini: Bonzai Linux
International:
Amber Linux, Bayanihan Linux, BeatrIX Linux, LinEx, Loco Linux, NepaLinux, PingOO, Sun Wah RAYS LX, Tuquito, and Trisquel.

Additionally, some of these 'derived' distros have themselves also spawned a whole raft of other distributions. 

List of Distribtions based on Knoppix: Barnix, Bioknoppix, ClusterKNOPPIX, Clusterix, Condorux, CosmoPBX, Damn Small Linux, Danix, Dappix, DCC/Live, Dinux, distccKNOPPIX, DistccPPCKnoppix, emKnoppix, FCCU GNU/Linux Forensic Boot CD, eduKnoppix, Feather Linux, FREEDUC, GIS-Knoppix,  grml, Instant-Grid, Julex, Kazit, KernelKit, knopILS, Knoppel, Knoppix 64, Knoppix-Mib, Kalango, Knosciences, Kuliax, Kurumin, Lin4Astro, Local Area Security Knoppix, Linux Live Game Project, Luit Linux, Medialinux, Mentoppix, Musix, Myrinix, NordisKnoppix, OGo Knoppix CD, Overclockix, PaiPix, ParallelKnoppix, Parsix, Paipix, Penguin Sleuth Bootable CD, Quantian, ROSLIMS, Shabdix, SLYNUX, StreamBOX-LiveCD, Toophpix, Vigyaan, Vital Data Forensic or Rescue Kit (FoRK), Xarnoppix, Xfld, ZoneCD

List of Distributions based on Ubuntu: Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu CE (all official derivations); andLinux, Elbuntu, Fluxbuntu, gNewSense, Gnoppix, Hiweed, Impi Linux, Linux for Clinics, LinuxMCE, nUbuntu, Scibuntu, Uberyl, Ubuntu Lite, Ubuntu Stunio, and XUbuntu.

Phew! As you can see, over 100 distributions are based on Debian alone! 

Take a look at the Linux distro timeline below (clicking on the graphic will make it readable).  This timeline gives you an accurate representation of when distros were launched, and when other distros were spawned from their parent distribution.

Tweak your Linux Boot Process

Linux rarely needs to be rebooted. But when it does, it’s often slow to boot. Fortunately, there are ways to speed things up. Some of these methods are not terribly difficult. (although some, unfortunately, are). Let’s take a look.

#1: Disable unnecessary services
Depending upon the use of the machine, plenty of services won’t be needed. Using Linux just for a desktop? Then you won’t need sendmail, httpd, and many other services. If your server is only a Web server, you can shut off many services as well. To do this, you can go to the Administration menu and take a look at the Services entry. Just deselect all of the services you don’t want to start.

#2: Disable unnecessary kernel modules
If your desktop is wired to the Ethernet, you don’t need to have a wireless kernel module loaded. This task is a bit more difficult and will require a kernel recompilation, which is not the easiest task to undertake. To do this, you will need the kernel sources. Then, follow the standard steps for compiling a kernel. The difference is that you’re going to go through your system and disable all of the modules you don’t need.

The best way to find out what kernel modules currently install and run on your system is to install Bootchart. Not only will this give you a good list of modules, it will illustrate for you what is happening during your system boot. You can also issue the command chkconfig –list | grep 3:on to find out what services are running. Once you know what loading modules you don’t need, you can remove them during a kernel recompilation. While you’re at it, compile the kernel to exactly match your architecture.

#3: Use a lightweight window manager instead of GNOME or KDE
I plug smaller footprint window managers for a reason — they drastically reduce graphical boot time. Instead of having to wait that extra 30 to 60 seconds for GNOME or KDE to boot up, why not wait two to 10 seconds for Enlightenment or XFCE to boot up? Not only will they save you boot time, they will save your memory and the headache of dealing with bloatware.

#4: Use a text-based login instead of a graphical login
Most of my Linux machines boot to run level 3 instead of run level 5. This will halt at the text-based login, where I only have to log in and issue startx to start my desktop of choice. The graphical logins do two things: increase load times and create headaches trying to recover from an X windows fubar.

#5: Use a lighter-weight distribution
Instead of loading the heavyweight Fedora, why not try a Gentoo, Arch, or Puppy Linux? The boot times for these smaller distributions are far faster than the more bloated Fedora (and even Ubuntu). Of the larger distributions, OpenSuSE claims to boot the fastest, but I have not personally tested this. Between the latest Fedora and Ubuntu, Ubuntu blows Fedora’s boot times away (and that is out of the box).

#6: Use an OpenBIOS
If you’re savvy enough to upgrade your PC’s firmware, you might consider migrating to an open source BIOS. One caveat to using open firmware is that it allows Linux to actually initialize the hardware as it boots (instead of relying on the BIOS). On top of that, many open BIOSes can be configured to meet your machine’s specific needs. If you don’t go the open BIOS route, you can at least configure your BIOS to not search for a floppy drive that’s not there or to boot directly to the first hard drive (instead of the CD drive first).

#7: Avoid dhcp
If you are working on a home network (or a small business network) where address lease isn’t a problem, go with static IP addresses. This will keep your machine from having to call out to a dhcp server to get an IP address. If you take this approach, make sure you configure your /etc/resolve.conf to reflect your DNS server addresses as well.

#8: If you can spare it, get rid of hotplug
Hotplug is the system that allows you to plug in new devices and use them immediately. If you know your server won’t need this system, delete it. This will cut down on boot time. On many systems, hotplugging consumes much of the boot time. Removing hotplug will vary depending upon the distribution you use. NOTE: udev has, for the most part, replaced hotplug. But if you’re running an older distribution, this does apply.

#9: If you are REALLY daring, you could give initng a try
The initng system serves as a replacement for the sysvinit system and promises to drastically decrease boot times in UNIX-like operating systems. If you would like to see the initng system in action, you can give the Pingwinek livecd a try.

#10: Use a hack with Debian
If you’re using Debian, there is a simple hack you can use to switch your startup scripts to run in parallel. If you look at the /etc/init.d/rc script, you will see: CONCURRENCY=none around line 24. Change this line to CONCURRENCY=shell and you should see a reduction in boot times.

That’s about it. Of course there are always more and better hacks out there. But the above should mostly cover everything. The good news is that you’re most likely already running Linux, so the burden of boot times is generally eased by the infrequency of reboots.

PDF Tool for Linux

Portable Document Format (PDF) is afile format created by Adobe Systems in 1993 for document exchange. The formatincludes a subset of the PostScript page description programming language, afont-embedding system, and a structural storage system.

There is a large range ofPDF-related software available with many different applications available thatcan both output to and open files. Many open source software save documents tothis format such as OpenOffice.organd GIMP.

This article identifies the bestfree Linux PDF related software that is available. It covers software thatcreates, views, manipulates PDFs as well as selecting some useful utilities.All of the applications featured here are released under a freely distributablelicense, with the exception of Adobe Reader (which is closed source), but thisapplication is too important to ignore. Hopefully, there will be something ofinterest for anyone who wants to manage PDF documents.

Now, let's explore the 11 PDF toolsat hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing ascreenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depthanalysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources andreviews.

inspirations article : PDFTools

PDFedit	Editor for manipulating PDF documents
Scribus	Desktop page layout software which produces commercial grade PDF output
Inkscape	Vector-based drawing program
Ghostscript	Ghostscript PostScript / PDF interpreter
Evince	Multi-page document viewer
Adobe Reader	View, print and collaborate on PDF files
okular	Universal document viewer with support for advanced document features
Final Page	Document post production tool
pdftk	Useful tool for manipulating PDFs
QPDF	Tools for and transforming and inspecting PDF files
Xournal	Add annotations to PDF files