If you know how to do it, most things are simple. Figuring out how to make my Asrock ION 330HT-BD (running Ubuntu Karmic) a wireless access point  took me a couple of hours. For my own reference and maybe to save you some time I wrote down all steps.

How-to

• Check wireless adapter type
  • lspci -v | grep Network
    
    • Should be AR9285
• Enable IP forwarding
  • sudo gedit /etc/sysctl.conf
    • Uncomment
      • net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1
  • Live change
    • sudo echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
  • Check
    • cat /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
• Give wireless adapter a static address
  • sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces
    • Add code below
  • Live change
    • sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
  • Check
    • ifconfig wlan0
      

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
    address 192.168.0.1
    netmask 255.255.255.0
    broadcast 192.168.0.255

• Download latest Linux wireless drivers (currently version 2.6)
  • Extract archive
  • Build/install
    • cd compat-wireless-*
    • ./scripts/driver-select ath9k
    • make
    • sudo make unload
    • sudo make install
    • Redo when new kernel
  • Live change
    • sudo modprobe ath9k
      
  • Check
    • grep ath9k /var/log/syslog
      
• Install hostapd
  • sudo apt-get install hostapd
  • sudo gedit /etc/default/hostapd
    • Uncomment
      • RUN_DAEMON="yes"
      • DAEMON_CONF="/etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf"
  • sudo gedit /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
    • Add
      • driver=nl80211
    • Change
      • ssid=<name>
      • hw_mode=g
      • auth_algs=1
      • wpa=2
      • wpa_passphrase=<password>
      • wpa_pairwise=TKIP
  • Live change
    • sudo /etc/init.d/hostapd restart
  • Check
    • grep hostapd /var/log/syslog
      
• Install dnsmasq
  • sudo apt-get install dnsmasq
  • sudo gedit /etc/default/dnsmasq
    • Uncomment
      • DNSMASQ_OPTS="--conf-file=/etc/dnsmasq.conf"
    • Comment
      • #CONFIG_DIR=/etc/dnsmasq.d
  • sudo gedit /etc/dnsmasq.conf
    • Add
      • interface=wlan0
      • dhcp-range=192.168.0.2,192.168.0.127,12h
  • Live change
    • sudo /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart
      
  • Check
    • grep dnsmasq /var/log/syslog
      
• Routing
  • Give the Asrock a static IP 192.168.1.x
    • Preferable by your local DHCP server (based on MAC address)
  • Add a static route 192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0 > 192.168.1.x
    • In your modem/router
• Now you should be able to connect

Links

• Linux Network Configuration
• CategoryWireless

This how-to describes which hardware and software components I used to build my Home Theater PC, with the ability to watch satellite television too. It includes a step-by-step guide for installing and configuring the required software, which appeared to be quite an adventure if you want to use a softcam, because the information was scattered around the internet.

Some people consider the use of a softcam illegal. My opinion is that a softcam can be used illegally, but if you use it in combination with a valid subscription on one PC only it is perfectly legal. In fact I see no difference with a real CAM, which contains the same kind of software (firmware).

For installing the software at least some experience using the Linux CLI is required.

Comments, corrections and additions are as always very welcome!

Hardware

Goal

• Small size
• Low power
• Low noise
• HD ready
• Satellite reception
• Softcam
• Linux compatible
• Affordable

Guide

• Asrock ION 330HT (shops nl ±€300),  -BD with Blu-ray (shops nl ±€380)
  • Manuals
  • Downloads
  • Power consumption
  • Silencing (nl)
  • Temperature sensors
    • nvidia-settings -c :0 -tq GPUCoreTemp
  • Wake-on-LAN using a Zyxel P-2602H(W)-D1A (nl)
• Optional: (cordless) keyboard/mouse
• TeVii S660 DVB-S2 USB (shop nl 1, shop nl 2 ±€80)
  • IR problem,  using the Asrock IR
• Satellite dish, LNB, cable, connectors, etc
• Smargo Smartreader+ (shop nl ±€35)
• Netherlands:
  • Canaal Digitaal startpakket (shop nl ±€65)
  • Set Top Box-pakket or other deal (shop nl €5,83 p/m)

Power usage

Asrock ION 330HT-BD + TeVii S660

Assuming an average of 21,1 cent per kWh

Software

Goal

• Open source
• Repositories, only compilation when really necessary
• User friendly
• Recent, stable, supported, actively developed software
  • Kaffeine: not actively developed currently
  • XBMC/PVR-testing: not stable yet
  • Tvheadend: nice, but no smartcard updates
  • VDR+streamdev+XBMC: hang when no data (no signal or encrypted)
  • VDR+streamdev+My Media System: not tried yet, but will hang when no data
  • VDR standalone, using the built-in media player
    • Stable
    • Actively developped
    • Active community
    • Lots of plugins available

Guide

• Install Ubuntu Karmic Koala 32 bit (use CD or unetbootin)
  • Preferably ext3
• Pin kernel 2.6.31-14 (see issues)
  • sudo gedit /etc/apt/preferences
    • Package: linux-generic linux-headers-generic linux-image-generic
    • Pin: version 2.6.31-14
    • Pin-Priority: 1001
• Setup network (wireless or wired)
• Install NVIDIA driver
  • System | Administration | Hardware Drivers: Activate
• To prevent tearing
  • System | Preferences | Appearance: Visual Effects: None
• Install TeVii S660 driver
  • sudo apt-get install unrar
  • Download and extract to home folder
  • cd linux_tevii_ds3000
  • sudo -s
  • cp *.fw /lib/firmware
  • tar xjvf linux-tevii-ds3000.tar.bz2
  • cd linux-tevii-ds3000
  • make -j2
  • make install
  • Cycle power
  • dmesg | grep dvb
    • Check TEVII S660 DVBS2 USB2.0 successfully initialized and connected
  • The V4L-DVB device drivers contain almost the same code
  • Redo when new kernel
• Install newcs card server
  • Download version 1.67rc1 (alternate)
  • sudo -s
  • cp newcs.i686 /usr/bin
  • mkdir /etc/sc
  • cp newcs.xml /etc/sc
• Install softcam sasc-ng
  • sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r` build-essential mercurial openssl libssl-dev gettext
  • cd ~
  • hg clone http://85.17.209.13:6100/sc (bleeding edge!)
  • cd sc
  • gedit Makefile
    • Find and remove -O3 from CSAFLAGS
  • cd ~/sc/contrib/sasc-ng
  • chmod +x configure
  • chmod +x ./dvbloopback/module/config_dvb.pl
  • ./configure --dvb-dir=~/linux_tevii_ds3000/linux-tevii-ds3000
  • make
  • make module
  • sudo -s
  • cp sasc-ng /usr/bin
  • mkdir /lib/modules/`uname -r`/misc
  • /usr/bin/install dvbloopback.ko /lib/modules/`uname -r`/misc/
  • depmod
  • modprobe dvbloopback
  • ls /dev/dvb
    • Check adapter1 (assuming one tuner)
  • mkdir /etc/sc
  • cp cardclient.conf /etc/sc
  • When FTDI bug is fixed: cp cardslot.conf /etc/sc
  • Redo when new kernel
• Create card server / softcam startup script
  • Download script
  • sudo -s
  • cp sc /etc/init.d
  • update-rc.d sc defaults 19
  • /etc/init.d/sc start
    • Check /var/log/newcs.log
    • Check /var/log/sasc-ng.log
    • Check http://localhost:8080/
• Install CIR receiver driver
  • Download and install
  • Remote control configuration
    • 1st config: None, None
    • 2nd config: Nuvotron Transceivers/Remotes, None
  • Redo when new kernel (because it is a patch actually)
• Install VDR
  • deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/the-vdr-team/vdr-ubuntu-karmic/ubuntu karmic main
    • System | Administration | Software Sources, Other
  • sudo -s
  • apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 6CF20474
  • apt-get install vdr vdr-plugin-xineliboutput xineliboutput-sxfe
  • gedit /etc/default/vdr
    • OPTIONS="-w 60 -D 1 --lirc=/dev/null"
  • More than one LNB
    • gedit /etc/vdr/diseqc.conf  (Astra 19E2/23E5)
    • gedit /var/lib/vdr/setup.conf (create file)
      • DiSEqC = 1
  • gedit /var/lib/vdr/setup.conf (create file)
    • UpdateChannels = 0
  • Download channels.conf (syntax)
    • grep -v ':-' channels.conf | grep 'CANALDIGITAAL' >/var/lib/vdr/channels.conf
    • grep -v ':-' channels.conf | grep -v 'CANALDIGITAAL' >>/var/lib/vdr/channels.conf
  • Or scan channels
    • sudo apt-get install w-scan
    • sudo /etc/init.d/sc stop
    • w_scan -fs -sS19E2 -o7 -D0c >channels.conf
    • w_scan -fs -sS23E5 -o7 -D1c >>channels.conf
    • sudo /etc/init.d/sc start
    • Make channels FTA:
      • awk -F: '{if ($1 == "" ) print $0 ; else \
      • print $1":"$2":"$3":"$4":"$5":"$6":"$7":"$8":0:"$10":"$11":"$12":"$13}'  \
      • channels.conf >>/var/lib/vdr/channels.conf
  • cp remote.conf /var/lib/vdr (info)
  • sudo /etc/init.d/vdr start
    • Check /var/log/user.log
  • Optional: apt-get install vdr-plugin-femon vdr-plugin-eepg
• Update Ubuntu
  • System | Administration | Update Manager
• Watch
  • Disable screen saver
    • System | Preferences | Screensaver: Active ...: Never
    • System | Preferences | Power Management -> Display: Never
  • Dowload vdr-sxfe.sh to home folder
    • System | Preferences | Startup Applications: Add
    • Command: browse to vdr-sxfe.sh
  • Alternative
    • Put .lircrc in the home folder
    • Add irexec -d to startup applications
    • Start/stop vdr-sxfe using Enter/Clear on the remote control
    • Easy when vdr-sxfe crashes

Issues

• FTDI bug
  • Linux kernel must be pinned
  • newcs is needed to read smartcard, which it sometimes fails to do at startup
• Communication sasc-ng/newcs sometimes fails
• Zap time encrypted channels >= 5 sec
• The German FTA HD channels work, but NederlandHD has only sound sofar
• No official repositories, some compilation necessary
• I have to set the listed frequencies about 25 MHz lower to get signal. This is annoying, because scanning channels does not work properly. The cause is most probably the TeVii S660 device, since using Windows doesn't make any difference (assuming the drivers are different) and because my LNB has been replaced in the meantime. My local supplier will replace the device when it is restocked (probably within a week).
• The fans of the Asrock are little noisy, however the high pitch can be canceled:

To remove the heatsinks the motherboard has to be removed (four screws and some cables).

Questions

• Does anybody know how to compile vdr-plugin-sc without compiling vdr too?
  • Without getting the message below when starting vdr
    • WARNING: The following plugins have been left out due to really binary incompatibility: sc.

Links

• My Asrock 330 ION HT * Tweaks, Tips, fixes & tricks!! *
• [Nvidia Ion] Nieuws & Discussie Topic - Deel 3 (Dutch)

Als je alleen FTA zenders (Nederland 1, 2 en 3 en regionale zenders) via de ether (Digitenne) wilt ontvangen, is televisie kijken en opnemen met Ubuntu heel eenvoudig. Hiervoor heb je nodig:

• Een Linux compatible DVB-T tuner, bijvoorbeeld de Asus My Cinema-U3100 DVB-T Plus (ca. 35 euro)
• Geschikte software, bijvoorbeeld Me TV (installatie via het Ubuntu Software center)
• Informatie om de kanalen te kunnen vinden, zie hier

Bijna overal in Nederland is er dekking. Afhankelijk van je woonplaats en -situatie kan het nodig zijn om een buitenantenne te gebruiken. Ik heb bijvoorbeeld op zolder net voldoende signaal, maar op andere plaatsen in mijn huis niet. Ik heb een USB-verlengkabel gebruikt om de antenne op een gunstige plaats te zetten.

Zelfs op mijn Asus Eee PC 701 werkt het goed. De beeldkwaliteit is aardig, maar niet zo goed als via de satelliet.

I tried the Ubuntu Netbook Remix (Karmic Koala 9.10 version) on my desktop by installing the meta package ubuntu-netbook-remix and by adding the Go Home and Window Picker applets to the upper panel. Because the Desktop Switcher application has been dropped from the Karmic Koala release, I was searching for a documented way to remove the netbook remix. I couldn’t find one, so I determined on another desktop which packages are being installed and came up with the following:

• Remove the Go Home and Window Picker applets
• Using System | Preferences | Startup Applications disable and remove:
  • Maximus Windows Management
  • Netbook Launcher
• Issue the following commands in the terminal:
  • sudo apt-get remove go-home-applet libclutk-0.2-0 libfakekey0 liblauncher-0.1-0 libnetbook-launcher-0 maximus netbook-launcher ubuntu-netbook-remix-default-settings webfav window-picker-applet ubuntu-netbook-remix
  • sudo apt-get cheese (if you hadn’t Cheese installed before)
  • sudo apt-get autoremove
• Reboot

If you know a simpler way, please let me know.

Based on the installation instructions of the previous version here a how-to guide to install the desktop version of Ubuntu Karmic Koala (version 9.10) on an Eee PC. This guide has been tested using an Eee PC 701 and will take one or two hours to execute (depending on your download speed and the hardware used).

Starting points

1. The (smaller) SSD will be erased (backup important data!)
2. Ubuntu will be installed without customizations ('Vanilla') and without swap space
3. You have some experience using the CLI (Terminal)
4. An USB flash memory stick of at least 1 GB is available

Instructions

The first four steps can be executed on a desktop PC running Microsoft Windows too. Instead of UNetbootin it is possible to use the new Ubuntu USB Startup Disk Creator too (System | Administration | USB Startup Disk Creator).

1. Download the desktop version of Ubuntu here
2. Download UNetbootin here
3. Insert the USB flash memory stick into your desktop PC
4. Start UNetbootin
   • Select 'Disk Image' and select the downloaded .iso file
   • Select the inserted USB flash memory stick and press 'Ok'
5. Remove all removable media from the Eee PC and insert the prepared USB flash memory stick
6. Turn the Eee PC on
   • Press Esc soon after startup
   • Select USB Flash Memory or Disk and press enter
   • Select 'Default' (or wait a moment)
   • Ubuntu Live should startup
7. Check if everything works (wireless, sound, etc)
8. Select System | Preferences | Appearance, Visual Effects -> None
   • Press the 'Close' button below
   • By pressing Alt + left mouse you can drag larger windows using the mouse pad now
9. Start the installation wizard by double clicking the install icon and follow its steps
   • I choose my own keyboard layout: 'USA - International (AltGr dead keys)'
10. At the step 'Prepare disk space':
    • Select 'Specify partitions manually (advanced)' and press 'Forward'
    • Take a good look at what drive you want to install Ubuntu (all data will be erased!)
      • You probably want to install on the smaller SSD, because it is the fastest
    • Delete all partitions from the chosen drive (click on each partition and press 'Delete')
    • Select 'free space' and press 'Add...'
    • Choose 'Ext3 journaling file system' as 'Use as:' (I don't recommend using Ext4)
    • Choose '/' as 'Mount Point'
    • Check 'Format?'
    • Press 'Forward'
    • Confirm the message that no swap has been selected by pressing 'Continue'
11. Continue the wizard, the installation will take about 25 minutes
12. Press 'Reboot Now' and remove the USB flash memory stick when asked

Karmic Koala is installed and should work now.

Tweaks

The following steps are to improve some things and to setup others. Skip what you don't need/want.

1. Open the terminal and run this command:
   • gconftool-2 --set /apps/compiz/plugins/move/allscreens/options/constrain_y --type bool false
   • By pressing Alt + left mouse you can drag larger windows using the mouse pad now
2. Setup wireless internet:
   • Click the signal indicator in the upper task bar
   • Select your network of preference
   • Enter the network password if required
3. Limit the number of writes to the SSD this way (sudo gedit /etc/fstab)
   • Don't change the UUID!
   • Apply this patch
4. Disable login sound:
   • Open the terminal and run this command:
   • gconftool-2 --set /desktop/gnome/sound/event_sounds --type bool false
5. Select System | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager, then Settings | Preferences | Files
   • Select 'Delete downloaded packages after installation'
   • Set 'Delete History files older than 0 days'
   • Press 'Ok'
6. Select System | Administration | Time and Date
   • Press the keys symbol and enter your password if asked
   • Set 'Configuration' to 'Keep Synchronized'
   • Press 'Install NTP support'
   • Select one or more servers near your location
7. Right click on the date/time in the upper task bar and select 'Preferences'
   • General | 24 hour format
   • Location | Add, enter a location name near to you
   • Weather | C & km/h
8. I installed the following applications:
   • Using Applications | Ubuntu Software Center:
     • Setup:
       • Edit | Software Sources | Other Software, check '... partner'
     • Software:
       • Ubuntu restricted extras
       • Putty SSH client
       • Cheese Webcam Booth
       • gThumb Image Viewer
       • BloGTK Weblog Client
   • FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla)
   • Truecrypt
     • Open a TrueCrypt volume by right clicking and selecting 'Open with Other Application'
     • Select 'Use a custom command', type 'truecrypt'
   • RAR (sudo apt-get install rar)
   • Nautilus Image Converter (sudo apt-get install nautilus-image-converter)
9. Localized spell-checker: sudo apt-get install aspell-<language> (thanks Satyamo)
10. Localize OpenOffice (thanks Satyamo):
    • Go here
    • Search for your language
    • Press 'Get it!' and save the file
    • Right click on the saved file
    • Select 'Open with Other Application'
    • Select 'OpenOffice.org Word Processor'
    • Follow the dialog
11. I changed the following Firefox settings:
    • View | Toolbars | Bookmarks Toolbar -> Uncheck
    • View | Status Bar -> Uncheck
    • Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Network | Offline Storage ->Use up to 0 MB
    • Type 'about:config' in the addres bar
      • Press 'I'll will be carefull, I promise!'
      • Set 'browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll' to 'true' by double clicking
    • Tool | Add-ons, search 'Firebug', click 'Add to Firefox...', etc
12. Start Pidgin automatically (or Empathy)
13. Default detailed file lists: Open a file browser, Edit | Preferences, View new folders using -> List View
14. Default subtitles: Move Player | Edit | Preferences, Text Subtitles | Automatically Load ... -> Check

Performance

Desktop

After some shuffling around, my desktop looks like this:

Basically the bottom panel has been removed and most of its items have been moved to the top panel.

Comments, corrections and additions are as always very welcome!

Vandaag wilde ik net als Satyamo een video van Uitzendinggemist.nl met Ubuntu Jaunty (versie 9.04) downloaden. Na even zoeken, blijkt het zo te kunnen:

• Installeer via het menu Applications, Add/Remove… VLC media player
• Ga naar de pagina met de video, bijvoorbeeld Holland Doc: My second Life
• Klik rechts op de video en kies Copy om de link te kopiëren
• Start VLC media player (via het menu Applications, Sound & Video)
• Kies Media, Convert / Save…
• Ga naar het tabblad Network
• Plak de gekopieerde link in Address
• Kies Convert / Save
• Vink File aan en Browse naar een file, kies als extensie .mpeg
• Kies Profile MPEG-4 / DivX
• Kies Save en heb geduld …

Update: installing Karmic Koala

Based on an earlier Dutch post to install Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex on an Asus Eee PC here an English how-to guide to install the desktop version of Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope (version 9.04) on an Eee PC. This guide has been tested using an Eee PC 701 and will take one or two hours to execute.

For installing the Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR), see this weblog.

Starting points

1. The (smaller) SSD will be erased (backup important data!)
2. Ubuntu will be installed without customizations (‘Vanilla’)
3. You have some experience using the CLI (Terminal)
4. An USB flash memory stick of at least 1 GB is available

Instructions

The first four instructions can be executed on a desktop PC running Microsoft Windows too.

1. Download the desktop version of Ubuntu here
2. Download UNetbootin here
3. Insert the USB flash memory stick into your desktop PC
4. Start UNetbootin
   • Select ‘Disk Image’ and select the downloaded .iso file
   • Select the inserted USB flash memory stick and press ‘Ok’
5. Remove all removable media from the Eee PC and insert the prepared USB flash memory stick
6. Turn the Eee PC on
   • Press Esc soon after startup
   • Select USB Disk
   • Select ‘Default’ (or wait a moment)
   • Ubuntu Live should startup
7. If you’re not using an Eee PC 701 check if everything works (wireless, sound, etc)
8. Select System | Preferences | Appearance, Visual Effects -> None
   • Press the ‘Close’ button below
   • By pressing Alt + left mouse you can drag larger windows using the mouse pad now
9. Start the installation wizard by double clicking the install icon and follow its steps
10. At the step ‘Prepare disk space’:
    • Select ‘Specify partitions manually’ and press ‘Forward’
    • Take a good look at what drive you want to install Ubuntu (all data will be erased!)
      • You probably want to install on the smaller SSD, because it is the fastest
    • Delete all partitions from the chosen drive (click on each partition and press ‘Delete partition’)
    • Select ‘free space’ and press ‘New Partition’ (I don’t recommend using Ext4)
    • Leave everything default, but choose ‘/’ as ‘Mount Point’
    • Check ‘Format?’
    • Press ‘Forward’
    • Confirm the message that no swap has been selected by pressing ‘Continue’
11. Continue the wizard, the installation will take about 15 minutes
12. Remove the USB flash memory stick and press ‘Reboot Now’

Jaunty Jackalope is installed and should work now.

Tweaks

The following steps are to improve some things and to setup others. Skip what you don’t need/want.

1. Open the terminal and run this command:
   • gconftool-2 —-type bool —-set /apps/compiz/plugins/move/allscreens/options/constrain_y 0
   • By pressing Alt + left mouse you can drag larger windows using the mouse pad now
2. Limit the number of writes to the SSD this way (sudo gedit /etc/fstab)
   • Don’t change the UUID!
   • Optionally change the settings of the IO scheduler
3. Make the microphone work:
   • Open volume control (right click the speaker in the upper task bar)
   • Click ‘Preferences’, uncheck ‘e-Mic’, check ‘i-Mic’ and ‘i-Mic Boost’
   • Check ‘Input Source’ and press ‘Close’
   • Set the i-Mic volume to maximum and i-Mic Boost to about one-third
   • Enable i-Mic and i-Mic Boost by clicking on the little speaker when you need the micorphone
   • Select the tab ‘Options’ and select ‘i-Mic’
   • Press ‘Close’
4. Disable login sound: System | Preferences | Sound | Sounds | Login -> Disabled
5. Right click on the battery in the upper task bar
   • Preferences | On xxx Power | When laptop lid is closed -> Suspend
6. Setup wireless internet (finally working out-of-the-box now!):
   • Click the signal indicator in the upper task bar
   • Select your network of preference
   • Enter the network password if required
   • Choose a password for the keyring (and remember it)
7. Select System | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager, then Settings | Preferences | Files
   • Select ‘Delete downloaded packages after installation’
   • Set ‘Delete History files older than 0 days’
   • Press ‘Ok’
   • Press ‘Reload’
8. Select System | Administration | Time and Date
   • Press ‘Unlock’ and enter your password if asked
   • Set ‘Configuration’ to ‘Keep Synchronized’
   • Press ‘Install NTP support’
   • Select one or more servers near your location
   • Press ‘Close’
9. Right click on the date/time in the upper task bar and select ‘Preferences’
   • General | 24 hour format
   • Location | Add, enter a location name near to you
   • Weather | C & km/h
10. I installed the following applications:
    • Using Applications | Add/Remove (Show: ‘All available applications’):
      • Putty SSH client (Enable installation of community maintained software)
      • Ubuntu restricted extras (Confirm installation of restricted software)
      • Cheese Webcam Booth
      • gThumb Image Viewer
      • BloGTK Weblog Client
    • FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla)
    • Truecrypt
      • Open a TrueCrypt volume by right clicking and selecting ‘Open with Other Application’
      • ‘Use a custom command’ -> type ‘truecrypt’
    • RAR (sudo apt-get install rar)
    • Nautilus Image Converter (sudo apt-get install nautilus-image-converter)
11. Localized spell-checker: sudo apt-get install aspell-<language> (thanks Satyamo)
12. Localize OpenOffice: start Writer, select Tools | Extension Manager (thanks Satyamo)
13. I changed the following Firefox settings:
    • View | Toolbars | Bookmarks Toolbar -> Uncheck
    • View | Status Bar -> Uncheck
    • Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Network | Offline Storage ->Use up to 0 MB
    • Type ‘about:config’ in the addres bar
      • Press ‘I’ll will be carefull, I promise!’
      • Set ‘browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll’ to ‘true’ by double clicking
    • Tool | Add-ons, search ‘Firebug’, click ‘Add to Firefox…’, etc
14. Start Pidgin automatically
15. Default detailed file lists: Open a file browser, Edit | Preferences, View new folders using -> List View
16. Default subtitles: Move Player | Edit | Preferences, Text Subtitles | Automatically Load … -> Check
17. If your display is slow, follow this how-to
18. Advanced: longer battery life (not tested yet)
19. Advanced: Wifi speed optimization (not tested yet)

Performance

Desktop

After some shuffling around, my desktop looks like this:

Basically the bottom panel has been removed and most of its items have been moved to the top panel.

* See here and here for information about bluetooth PAN and here and here about bluetooth A2DP (headset).

Comments, corrections and additions are as always very welcome!

Voor mijn eigen referentie, voor Satyamo en voor andere geïnteresseerden volgen hier Nederlandse instructies om Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) op een Asus Eee PC te installeren. De instructies zijn getest op een Eee PC 701 en kosten één à twee uur om uit te voeren.

Uitgangspunten

1. De SSD wordt volledig gewist
2. Ubuntu wordt zo standaard als mogelijk geïnstalleerd (‘Vanilla’)
3. Internet via een netwerkkabel is mogelijk, automatische instellingen via DHCP
4. Enige vaardigheid met de CLI (Terminal)

Instructies

De eerste drie instructies kunnen ook op een desktop PC met windows worden uitgevoerd

1. Download de desktop versie van Ubuntu hier
2. Download UNetbootin hier
3. Start UNetbootin
   • Selecteer ‘Disk Image’ en kies het gedownloade .iso bestand
   • Kies de USB stick (minstens 1 GB)
4. Verwijder alle verwisselbare media van de Eee PC, behalve de USB stick
5. Boot de Eee PC van de gemaakte USB stick
6. Kies System | Preferences | Appearance, Visual Effects -> None
   • Het is nu mogelijk d.m.v. Alt + linkerklik de schermen m.b.v. het mouse pad te verplaatsen
7. Start de installatie van Ubuntu (m.b.v. het desktop icon) en volg de wizard
8. Bij stap 4 van de wizard:
   • Kies handmatige partitionering en bevestig
   • Verwijder alle partities (selecteer elke patitie en kies ‘Delete Partition’)
   • Selecteer ‘free space’ en kies ‘New Partition’ (Ext2 of Ext3?)
   • Laat alles op standaard staan, maar kies bij ‘Mount Point’ ‘/’
   • Vink ‘Format?’ aan
   • Bij de melding dat er geen swap partitie is, kies ‘Continue’
9. Volg de wizard verder, de installatie duurt 15 à 20 minuten
10. Kies aan het eind ‘Reboot Now’, verwijder de USB stick en sluit een netwerkkabel aan
11. Installeer de kernel van Adam McDaniel volgens deze instructies
    • Laat voor de zekerheid nog de orginele kernel staan, maar stop wel de updates
12. Schakel ‘readahead’ uit voor een snellere opstart op deze manier
13. Repareer het probleem met het afsluiten met deze fix #1 (sudo gedit /etc/default/halt)
14. Beperkt het aantal schrijfacties op de SSD op deze manier (sudo gedit /etc/fstab)
    • Verander de UUID niet!
    • Verander eventueel ook de instellingen van de IO scheduler
15. Geen opstart van mail na aansluiten netsnoer op deze manier (sudo gedit /etc/acpi/events/asus-mail)
16. Verander de ‘clocksource’ op deze manier (sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst)
17. Stel de microfoon in zoals hier beschreven (FrontMic = i-Mic)
18. Klik rechts op de batterij in de bovenste taakbalk
    • Preferences | On xxx Power | When laptop lid is closed -> Suspend (Pauzestand)
19. Ik gebruik dit script om de taakbalken te verkleinen (zie eventueel ook hier)
    • Klik rechts op boventaande link en kies ‘Save Link As’
    • Klik rechts op het bestand en kies Properties | Permissions | Execute -> Aan
    • Klik dubbel op het bestand en kies ‘Run’
20. Kies System | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager, Settings | Preferences | Files
    • Kies ‘Delete downloaded packages after installation’
    • Zet ‘Delete History files older than 0 days’
21. Kies System | Administration | Time and Date en zet ‘Configuration’ op ‘Keep Synchronized’
22. Klik rechts op de tijd in de bovenste taakbalk en kies ‘Preferences’
    • General | 24 hour format
    • Weather | C & km/h
23. Start opnieuw op en let er op dat je niet de generic kernel selecteert
    • Wijzig eventueel het bootmenu (sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst)
24. Draadloos netwerk instellen:
    • Klik op het netwerk symbool in de taakbalk bovenin
    • Kies het gewenste draadloze netwerk
    • Vul het gevraagd wachtwoord in
25. Ik installeer de volgende applicaties extra:
    • Met ‘Add/Remove Applications’:
      • FileZilla FTP client (Edit | Settings | File Editing | Default Editor: /usr/bin/gedit)
      • Putty SSH client
      • Alle GStreamer plugins
      • Cheese Webcam Booth
      • Last.fm
      • gThumb Image Viewer
      • BloGTK
      • Macromedia Flash plugin
    • Firebug
    • OpenOffice 3.0 op deze manier
    • Truecrypt
      • Open een TrueCrypt volume met de rechterklik en custom command ‘truecrypt’
      • System | Preferences | Main Menu, Applications | Other | TrueCrypt -> Aan
    • RAR (sudo apt-get install rar)
    • sudo apt-get install nautilus-image-converter
26. Ik verander de volgende instelling van Firefox:
    • View | Toolbars | Bookmarks Toolbar -> uit
    • View | Status Bar -> uit
    • Edit | Preferences | Security | Tell me … -> uit (zie ook hier)
    • Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Network | Offline Storage -> 0 MB
    • Tik ‘about:config’ in de adresbalk en zet ‘browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll’ op ‘true’
27. Pidgin automatisch starten
28. Standaard gedetailleerde bestandenlijst: Edit | Preferences, View new folders using -> List View
29. Standaard ondertitels: Move Player | Edit | Preferences, Text Subtitles | Auto … -> Aan
30. Geavanceerd: levensduur batterij verlengen
31. Geavanceerd: Wifi snelheid optimaliseren

Snelheid

Desktop

Na wat geschuif ziet mijn desktop er zo uit:

* Zie hier en hier voor informatie over bluetooth PAN.
** Geluid met de eeepc-lean kernel werkt niet perfect
Zie hier voor meer model specifieke informatie over wat werkt en wat niet.

Commentaar, correcties en aanvullingen zijn van harte welkom!

Voor de reis naar Marokko had ik mijn trouwe Garmin eTrex Euro GPS meegenomen met de bedoeling om de afgelegde weg zichtbaar te maken met behulp van Google Maps. Dit is aardig gelukt, maar het had nog leuker geweest als ik meer gegevens dan de locatie van de kampen had kunnen verzamelen. Vooral voor het nauwkeuriger bepalen van de plaats waar de foto’s zijn genomen. Na het toevoegen van geografische informatie aan foto’s, wat geotagging wordt genoemd, kan de plaats van de foto’s in de vorm van kleine miniaturen ook met behulp van Google Maps zichtbaar worden gemaakt.

Het grootste probleem is dat mijn Garmin GPS teveel batterijen nodig heeft om continu aan te staan. Ik had mij dus voorgenomen om uit te kijken naar een betere GPS. Ik ontdekte dat er inmiddels speciale appraatjes voor geotagging op de markt zijn gekomen. Na enige vergelijken, heb ik de GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr Lite uitgezocht en besteld bij Snel’s WebShop. Voordelen boven mijn Garmin GPS zijn:

• Er is slechts één penlite nodig die meer dan 22 uur zou moeten meegaan (mede dankzij een trilsensor)
• Het appraatje is klein (73,35 x 33,2 x 31,2 mm) en licht (slechts 67 gram inclusief batterij)
• De ontvanger is veel gevoeliger en zal dus ook in moeilijkere omstandigheden werken (bv in een bos)
• Er wordt prima Windows software voor geotagging meegeleverd

Een nadeel is dat het apparaatje niet waterdicht is.

Het downloaden en converteren van de gegevens onder Ubuntu lukt prima met iTU4l. Geotagging onder Ubuntu kan bijvoorbeeld met GPSCorrelate of met Geotag. Trips zichtbaar maken kan ook online met GPS Visualizer. Downloaden en geotagging werkt ook zonder problemen op mijn Eee PC 700 onder Ubuntu.

Veel informatie over geotagging vind je op het Tweakers.net forum ‘Geotaggen: Waar ben jij geweest, en waar nam je je foto’s?‘.

Download, convert to GPX, merge tracks, geotag:

iTU4l.pl -a -e -o xxx.sr
sr2x.pl -i p gpx xxx.sr
gpsbabel -i gpx -f xxx.gpx -xtrack,merge,title="yyy" -o gpx -F yyy.gpx
gpscorrelate-gui

To simplify (merged) tracks (documentation):

gpsbabel -i gpx -f xxx.gpx -xsimplify,error=0.025k -o gpx -F yyy.gpx

Dit weekend heb ik de Linux distributie Ubuntu op mijn PC geïnstalleerd. Dit ter evaluatie voor installatie op de Eee PC. Ik ben aangenaam verrast door:

• Het gemak van installeren; alle apparaten worden automatisch herkend, zelfs mijn Tiptel 115
• De snelheid van starten en stoppen
• Het gebruikersgemak
• De heldere en duidelijke documentatie
• De hoeveelheid goede programma’s die beschikbaar zijn
• Het gemak waarmee programma’s kunnen worden toegevoegd en verwijderd

Ik blijf Ubuntu dan voorlopig ook gebruiken. Ubuntu is een Afrikaans woord voor mensheid.