We're so frustrated about the DDOS effect - and apparently some of you are VERY ANGRY. We're really sorry; it's out of our hands. -- Raspberry_Pi (@Raspberry_Pi)

backup and updating of cmsms

go into control panel of webhost, use phpmyadmin and do simple db backup to an sql file.

Haven't found a better way of musing ftp than nautilus in ubuntu. don't think I have ssh access (sadly), so:

1. download a backup of the /html/urlname folder of the webserver
2. if doing a differential upgrade (for minor releases), download the package (the 'base' version = english only, fine), then copy the individually different files from local into the correspoding folders on webspace - tedious - is this the best way??)
3. because I'd deleted the install folder (as advised?) I had to also get a replacement copy of that folder from the 'full' version and copy that up to.
4. then access the update page: www.urlname/install/upgrade
5. follow instructions, which will include need to creat/make writable config.php

pfSense 2.0.1 on alix

copy nanobsd image to cf card, ensure correct /dev/sd[x] is specified!:
markp@server:~/Desktop$ sudo zcat pfSense-2.0.1-RELEASE-1g-i386-nanobsd.img.gz | dd of=/dev/sde obs=64k
1947456+0 records in
15214+1 records out
997097472 bytes (997 MB) copied, 331.56 s, 3.0 MB/s
markp@server:~/Desktop$

If you get permission denied to /dev/sdX chmod to 777 for the card. Takes a while, keep cool!

next setup an ubuntu machine to be a serial terminal (console) client. I'm using minicom:
sudo apt-get intall minicom
the usb to serial adaptor that came with the RR Diag Tool seems to be seen OK on an 11.10 machine:
markp@markp-samsung-lt:~$ dmesg | grep tty
[ 0.000000] console [tty0] enabled
[ 1119.022531] usb 2-2: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
so ttyUSB0 is the name of my terminal. (normally ttyS0 for a 1st serial port)
In minicom Cntl-A, then choose a letter to navigate the program. O = setup options.

Serial port settings should be thus:
Baud rate: 38,400
Data: 8 bit
Parity: None
Stop: 1 bit
Flow control: None
Terminal: ANSI

Despite the above being the recommended settings, I found that I had to set both the client and the alix baud rate to 9600 to prevent ASCII gibberish showing on the terminal(?) (in minicom there are flow control settings for both hardware and software (?) I set both to none.

At this stage pfsense is booting in the terminal shell just as it would in a normal vga output. Assign the nics etc.


Everything looking perfect until I came to activate the mini-pci card that came with my 'Full N' alix bundle. The card in the bundle is an N card and after failing to get it to activate after saving settings for it (BIOS did detect it initially ok as an ath0), I learn that freeBSD 8.1 (which pfsense 2.x is based on) has no support for N wifi devices, and only provisional drivers in the newer freeBSD 9. SO WHY BUNDLE THAT CARD in my ebay package which describes the board as 'great for pfSense'?! Ho hum, got a b/g card coming instead, but looks like pfSense's ability to have a wifi AP built into the box will be fine.

Even more exciting, my USB2.0 wifi nic is spotted fine on the alix's usb socket and acts as a gateway/WAN getting adsl from my phone fine. I plan to use this as a backup WAN for when adsl goes down. pfSense's multi-wan features put it way above domestic routers.

mum's ereader

the Sunstech ereader can be used with epub files, including purchased ones.

for that use kobo. a kobo account setup using usual names.
the download links work when Adobe Digital Editions (an adobe ereader) is installed on the PC (setup on Megs HP laptop on my logon; also installed on Mum's laptop now). Adobe account settings the usual using markshop AT
plugging in Mum's sunstech makes ADE identify the device as an ereader and epub files copied across can then be authorised to accept the DRM of the kobo epub files.

unison ssh issues

for some reason (when having trouble with home PC and when setting up a new one) unison in gui mode just sits there at 'contacting server'.

Run unison in text mode and the command line will ask you if you want to add the RSA key fingerprint (funny, I thought that had happened through the gui previously?)

boot@terver:~/.unison# unison -ui text crossing_groups_sync.prf
Contacting terver...
The authenticity of host 'xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is xxxx
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
Warning: Permanently added 'xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx' (RSA) to the list of known hosts.
boot@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx's password:

tweaks when setting up new 11.10 system

install mdadm then run sudo mdadm --assemble --scan to recreate the raid

if skype won't run from the launcher try command 'skype' at cli

install guvcview to adjust webcam pictures, save load them into skype

nb. synaptic is not part of 11.10

no screen saver by default in 11.10:
sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra

printer setup for linux

Crossing Kyocera TaskAlpha 400ci:

gksu gedit /etc/cups/ppd/Kyocera-Mita-TASKalfa-400ci-KPDL.ppd

this goes in:

*% Management Code Definitions
*OpenUI *KmManagment/Job Accounting: PickOne
*OrderDependency: 60 AnySetup *KmManagment
*DefaultKmManagment: MG1753
*KmManagment Default/Off: ""
*KmManagment MG1234/1234: "(1234) statusdict /setmanagementnumber get exec"
*KmManagment MG1234/1234: "(1234) statusdict /setmanagementnumber get exec"
*KmManagment MG1234/1234: "(1234) statusdict /setmanagementnumber get exec"
*KmManagment MG1234/1234: "(1234) statusdict /setmanagementnumber get exec"
etc...

the specific ppd for this printer must be placed at /etc/cups/ppd/

for accessing the machine job accounting, edit the ppd as suggested here:

http://blog.luizagostinho.com/tag/kyocera/

translated:

Oops,

Recently I came across a problem that was bothering me a lot in Ubuntu 4.10, the new printing company printer, a multifunction Kyocera KM-2820. The first problem was the drivers that did not exist in my Desktop, solved by doing a search on the installation CD that came with the MFP. The second problem annoyed me for some time, how to send the account ID, since the printer is set to print only with a valid account ID? The solution was simple, but I believe in the new driver should fix that, here's the steps:

First, before installing the printer driver CD, copy the driver to your Desktop and open it in your favorite text editor, look for the lines below and change the number for your account ID, I know it is On Windows the account ID is required when printing, but as I could not enable this option with the driver supplied by the manufacturer, I had to set it directly in the PPD file, this can be a problem on a machine that is used by several people but it was not my case.

# Vim-Kyocera_KM 2820.PPD

% * Management Code Definitions
* OpenUI * KmManagment / Control of work: PickOne
OrderDependency *: 60 * AnySetup KmManagment
* DefaultKmManagment: Default
* Default KmManagment / Off: ""
* KmManagment MG00000000/00000000 "(00000000) statusdict / setmanagementnumber get exec"

In line KmManagment MG00000000/00000000 "(00000000) statusdict / setmanagementnumber get exec" 00000000 change the values ​​for the number of your account ID, eg.: KmManagment MG123456/123456 "(123456) statusdict / setmanagementnumber get exec", save the file and install the printer using the PPD file.

Update: Open the Print Manager in Ubuntu, right-click the printer and choose Properties, then "Printer Options", go to the "job control" and choose your ID.

Ready! When printing is sent as the ID number on your account!

OBS.: This link was an Italian forum created a script to request the account ID of the user, but I did not test!


http://abaqueiro.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html