Nothing To Lose

Last year i took this phone because it could be used under Linux, i.e the phone memory card was accessible easily.

When I was using OpenSuse 10.2 (kernel version 2.6.18.2-34), when I used to connect the phone,(while the phone was on, the phone rebooted and asked an option to use it for ‘file transfer’ or ‘phone mode’, selecting file transfer), it was detected as sda1 and could be mounted, (it used to get mounted automatically).

Later when I tried to connect it on Mandriva 2009.1 (kernel  2.6.29.1)  using the above procedure, it would not get detected as mass storage device and the kernel kept trying to use it as a modem.

Finally i got a solution how to get it working in i.e get it detected as mass storage device.

First switch off the phone

connect the cable from the phone to computer.

Now the phone switches on automatically and will be automatically selected for flle transfer. Depending upon your system either it will get mounted automatically or you can mount it manually.

this is the o/p of ‘dmesg’

usb 2-5: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 4
usb 2-5: New USB device found, idVendor=0fce, idProduct=e0d0
usb 2-5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
usb 2-5: Product: Memory Stick
usb 2-5: Manufacturer: Sony Ericsson
usb 2-5: SerialNumber: 3558650274248670
usb 2-5: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
scsi9 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
usb-storage: device found at 4
usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
scsi 9:0:0:0: Direct-Access     Sony Eri Memory Stick     0000 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] 7852032 512-byte hardware sectors: (4.02 GB/3.74 GiB)
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Test WP failed, assume Write Enabled
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] 7852032 512-byte hardware sectors: (4.02 GB/3.74 GiB)
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Test WP failed, assume Write Enabled
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
sdb: sdb1
sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
sd 9:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0
usb-storage: device scan complete

Hope this is helpful if you are using the same on Linux.

The X File Explorer

If you are one of those, like me, slowly getting frustrated of too much of eye candy or unnecessary graphics, zip

zap zoom effects and want to get aways from it, window maker can be for you.
Window make will give four desktops, and very less icons on your desktop.

Now if you have become use to KDE you might want certain stuff to get you tuned to get started with window maker.

aterm

First thing that you need to do is get window makers menu. This is available on right click of screen. Please note that the menu will not just disappear off the screen, click on the upper right corner a cross will appear, click on it again.

Usually this menu is not very useful right now, we will see how to modify and get it according to your need later on in some other post.

But the first thing we need to do is get the “Run command dialog” box to get it working with alt+f2 key. So that we can run what ever commands from the dialog box easily.

xchat IRC client

Download/install few other things which you may want for daily work.

1) xfe –  the X file explore. A very light weight file manager, good for the CCP, ie cut copy paste.

2) aterm — a nice terminal — yes we have to leave ‘konsole’ behind. Suggested by Zoyd –
here is a nice combination for:- aterm command “aterm -tr +sb -sh 80 -fg cyan -font -*-fixed-*-14-*-*-iso8859-1″

3) gkrellm with loads of plug-ins.
4) Wvdial to get on to net

gkrellm

5) few text editor.  (vi on aterm is nice)
6) pidgin for all in one messenger
7) xchat for irc.. for more adventurous ones irssi
Was wondering how to take screen-shots, found out that GIMP can do the same. Nice found, in any case used to open the screen-shots to do the same. (start gimp –> file –> create –> new screenshot )

One issue is to get the resolution changing on the fly. use the following command on aterm:
to query modes that are applicable.
xrandr -q
1280×800       60.0*    50.0
1024×768       60.0
800×600        60.0     56.0

the first one or the marked is the current running mode
to change to any other use
xrandr -s 1
will change to 1024×768
to revert back
xrandr -s 0
where
0 is first mode
1 is second mode
2 is the last mode

More later….

Recent conversation on my face book status with my sister.

• Gaurav Pant:aterm is better than xterm which is better than konsole
• Nalini Dhir: #%@#”$^&^%#$#
• Gaurav Pant: yes its command line….
• Nalini Dhir: wah tu samajh gaya.. sirf ek comp genius hi isko samajh sakta tha .. he he !

CMDA IT Expo Pune is a yearly event which has been happening for almost 10 years now. The event is organized by CMDA (Computer Media Dealers Association Pune).
The event showcases latest software and hardware and other computers stuff. Many a times you get a good bargain on these devices.
A nice expo which runs for 4 days.

What does PLUG do in the expo?

PLUG has been participating in the expo for almost 8 years now. Through this expo we try to create more awareness about FOSS (Free/Open Source Software) among the ‘Aam Janta’. For last few years due to increased awareness amongst people we have been providing CD’s/DVD’s of Latest Linux Distros on the stall for nominal charges.
The expos is visited by thousands of people over the 4 days, which includes students, professionals, home makers etc.
We face have face very very interesting questions, remarks, confusions etc during the expos…
here are few of the overheard remarks, direct comments etc.

Some of them are here!!
(Q = Question, R = Remark, C = Comment, O = Overheard)

Q. What is Linux ?

Q. It is free, right, then why are you selling it?

Q. What is PLUG?

Q/R. Are you people crazy?/!

O. Lets go.. we will download in the college. (some college students)

O. Chal chal mere pass sab hai.. copy kar ke deta hoo!! (I have all of the distros i will copy it for you)

R/C. Hey PLUG stall, nice to see you people, great work, keep it up.

O. Windows is better. (lol)

R/C. I have used all of them (distros) none of those worked.

R/C. Wow you have DVD.. give me… only Rs.100/- nice whose gonna download.

Q. Where can I meet you people later.

Over all there has been a huge change in attitude of people looking toward FOSS over last few years.

I remember managing the PLUG stall for the first time somewhere in 2002, it was me, Manas, Sudhanwa, Vijay Deval, Zoyd..

We had absolutely no idea what to do with the stall and we had put up three computers, one was from Manas i think a PII, one from Sudhanwa with a 21 inch philips monitor and one was a 386/486 from Vijay.

People were really confused when they visited our stall, question we faced were.

Q.What are you selling here?
A. Nothing (think of a confused look on the persons face)

Q. Then?
A. Promoting Linux.

And went the series of generic questions.
since we were not providing CD at that time and many people wanted CD, the person next to our stall was selling Chip magazine which contained the 2 CD of mandriva/mandrake, we redirected people to his stall, and when he came to know that the first CD was in the previous issues he got all the old stock and sold it.

One very interesting question was about Sudhanwa’s 21 inch monitor. even the stall next to us was a philips stall and the max size of monitor they had was a 15inch.

Q.What is the price of this monitor
A.We are not selling monitor. (Again huge question mark)

Over the last so many years we have seen nice change and comments from people and increased awareness about FOSS and Linux.

from the first expo participation to this one here is the series of changes in attitude and comments that has taken place

Q. What are you selling (noting)?????????????
Q. What is PLUG/Linux?

Changes in comments over next few years?

Hmmm Linux…
Oh PLUG
I want CD/DVD

And recent years…

Wow PLUG people… I am a member online
Do you have xyz distro i need it now.
when is you next meeting…

Over all a nice fun experience.
Friends please add your experience which have missed in the comments.