I was trying to run Oracle Virtualbox in my Debian testing installation in which I have just installed Ubuntu Natty Kernel from Ubuntu repositories. I got an error followed by a dialog prompting me to run:
/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup
as root.

However, it could not compile the kernel modules and I got the following error:

Uninstalling modules from DKMS
removing old DKMS module vboxhost version 3.2.10

——– Uninstall Beginning ——–
Module: vboxhost
Version: 3.2.10
Kernel: 2.6.32-5-686-bigmem (i686)
————————————-

Status: Before uninstall, this module version was ACTIVE on this kernel.

vboxdrv.ko:
– Uninstallation
– Deleting from: /lib/modules/2.6.32-5-686-bigmem/updates/dkms/
– Original module
– No original module was found for this module on this kernel.
– Use the dkms install command to reinstall any previous module version.

vboxnetflt.ko:
– Uninstallation
– Deleting from: /lib/modules/2.6.32-5-686-bigmem/updates/dkms/
– Original module
– No original module was found for this module on this kernel.
– Use the dkms install command to reinstall any previous module version.

vboxnetadp.ko:
– Uninstallation
– Deleting from: /lib/modules/2.6.32-5-686-bigmem/updates/dkms/
– Original module
– No original module was found for this module on this kernel.
– Use the dkms install command to reinstall any previous module version.

depmod……

DKMS: uninstall Completed.

——————————
Deleting module version: 3.2.10
completely from the DKMS tree.
——————————
Done.
Attempting to install using DKMS

Creating symlink /var/lib/dkms/vboxhost/3.2.10/source ->
/usr/src/vboxhost-3.2.10

DKMS: add Completed.
You can use the –kernelsourcedir option to tell DKMS where it’s located, or you could install the linux-headers-2.6.37-6-generic-pae package.
Failed to install using DKMS, attempting to install without
Makefile:159: *** Error: unable to find the sources of your current Linux kernel. Specify KERN_DIR= and run Make again. Stop.

I realized that I had just installed linux-image package only and not installed linux-headers while manually installing packages. This can be avoided by installing the corresponding headers. An easy way to do so is to run the following command:

sudo apt-get install dkms
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r|cut -d'-' -f3`-`uname -r|cut -d'-' -f4`

If you are using the older kernel and not the latest version available in the repost\itory, run the following:

sudo apt-get install dkms
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`

If you are on Debian, sudo may or may not be installed and it may or may not be configured for your user. Just use su to login as root and run the commands without sudo.

Hope this helps.

I am building a Java Applet which needs to connect to foreign host to operate. I created it and it runs good on OpenJDK Runtime Environment (IcedTea6 1.8pre) installed on my Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Beta. But it does not run with Sun Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0_18 on Windows. I don’t know if it also does not work with Sun JRE in Linux. Also, as far as I know, OpenJDK/OpenJRE for Windows does not exist.

The applet shows somewhat this kind of when run in Windows under Sun JRE:

1

java.security.AccessControlException: access denied (java.net.SocketPermission host connect,resolve)

and the page just stalls.

When I searched for help on the internet, I discovered that unsigned files do not run in Windows. So, I needed to sign it. The Certificate can cost at least a couple of hundred dollars for a month. If you are using it for commercial purposes, I advice you to buy a certificate. However, I just wanted my code to run in Windows and to do that I bundled the code inside a Jar file (I was just using the class file i.e. code=”Classname.class”. Now I need to use code=”Classname” archive=”JarName.jar” for applet in the HTML file.). So I am sharing what I did to make it run.

After building the Jar File (Netbeans IDE that I am using builds the Jar file automatically inside the dist sub-directory of the Project directory), I used the command

1

keytool -genkey

and entered the details. You can choose your own password for keystore. You can either use the same password for key password or choose a different one. Now a keyfile named .keystote is created in the home directory. I need to certify the key. Since I have not purchased a security certificate, I needed to certify it myself using the following command:

1

keytool -selfcert

. Now a key named mykey is created for me to use. This should only be done once.

Now, I changed my directory to the dist directory and executed the following command to sign a MyJarApplet.jar:

1

jarsigner -storepass KeySorePassword -keypass KeyPassPassword MyJarApplet.jar mykey

Here KeyStorePassword is the password used while creating the keystore and KeyPassPassword is the password used in the key mykey.

Now, the applet asks for authentication instead of showing nothing at all in Windows too.

Hope this helps.

References:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lsiden/tutorials/signed-applet/signed-applet.html
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/tooldocs/solaris/jarsigner.html
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/tooldocs/solaris/keytool.html

I am using Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Alpha. I have a dsl connection (WiZoom, Wireless via ubnt but wired to my PC) from Worldlink Pvt. Ltd., Nepal. I need to connect via pppoe. I occasionally keep my PC to download overnight while I sleep or even when I am away. It works well with torrents (with deluge as my torrent client, I haven’t used transmission torrent client much) but sometimes it disconnects from the internet. So, I had to configure it to auto re-connect on disconnect. It should also connect on logon. Since network manager does not meet my requirements, I had to delete the DSL connection from my network manager (which I had configured to connect at logon). Then I would need to configure pppoe connection via pppoeconf. To do so, I bring up my terminal and type in:

1

sudo pppoeconf

After that I just answer a series of questions, which include my username and password. I leave all the other values to defaults as they work for me. If they don’t work for you, you may need some tweaking. You should look for help elsewhere as I am not aware of other connection types/settings.
Now, I can connect from my terminal using:

1

sudo pon dsl-provider

and disconnect using:

1

sudo poff -a

Now, I have verified that it works and am ready to move on. But disconnect does not disconnect me immediately. pppd does not terminate immediately after I use sudo poff -a so I had to write a small script that helps me disconnect immediately. To achieve that, I created a killpppd script and placed in /usr/local/sbin/. To do so, launch nautilus as root. To do so, press Alt+F2 and type in:

1

gksu nautilus /usr/local/sbin

Create a new text file and copy/paste or type in the following:

1
2
3
4
5
6

#!/bin/sh
#kill pppd brutally
for i in `ps -eaf | grep "pppd" | tr -s " " | cut -f2 -d " "`
do
sudo kill -9 ${i}
done

Then I made it executable (Right Click on the file>Properties>Permissions>Allow executing file as Programs). Now, we can just run

1

killpppd

from terminal and the pppd dies and connection is lost.
I have created yet another file that tries to disconnect using poff and also kills pppd with killpppd. I have named it dcon and it contains the following text:

1
2
3
4

#!/bin/sh
sudo poff -a
sudo killpppd
sudo poff -a

Then I made it executable. This script first tries to disconnect gracefully and tries to kill pppd if that was not successful. I have made this like this because poff gives

1

/usr/bin/poff: No pppd is running.  None stopped.

if no pppd was running. So, I will get to know if pppd was running or not and if it did stop.
Now, I need a connect script that only connects if the connection has been lost and does nothing if it has not. To achieve I use a small script by AT-HE and place it with name “connect” in /usr/local/sbin/. Here is the script:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

#!/bin/sh
# adsl-reconnect.sh by AT-HE (at_he hotmail) nov 2008. 
# Modified by _khAttAm_, March 2010
 
IFACE=ppp0
DOWN=dcon
UP="pon dsl-provider"
LOG=/var/log/dsl-reconnect.log
 
PTP=`ifconfig $IFACE 2>&1|grep P-t-P|cut -d : -f 3|cut -d " " -f 1`
RECV=`ping -c 1 $PTP 2>&1|grep received|cut -d , -f 2|cut -d " " -f 2`
 
if [ "$RECV" != "1" ]
then
echo "connecting..."
echo ----- >>$LOG
date>>$LOG
$DOWN >>$LOG 2>&1
#wait for kill
sleep 3
echo "hopefully killed"
$UP >>$LOG 2>&1
fi

Then I made it executable. I have named this one connect and placed at /usr/local/sbin. The script uses our dcon script to disconnect and pon dsl-provider to connect. It checks if the IP of our server (placed at PTP variable) is ping-able. In that case, the connection has not terminated and it does nothing. However, if the IP of the server is not ping-able, it disconnects (which has probably already been disconnected but pppd may not have died, so we need to kill it otherwise the connection is made with interface ppp1, ppp2 and the script will not work) and then tries to connect. This must be run as root so I created another file named con in the same directory (usr/local/sbin/) with contents:

1
2

#!/bin/sh
sudo connect

Now, we can just run:

1

con

from the terminal.
Now, we have four files in /usr/local/sbin namely con, dcon, connect and killpppd. They can all be used from the terminal. Basically, only con is required as it does everything. It connects to the internet if there is no connection and re-connects if connection has been lost.
Now, I needed to run the “con” script periodically. I have chosen to run it every minute. I have used cron to do that. To do that, I ran

1

sudo crontab -e

. If you are running it for the first time, you will need to choose an editor. I just chose nano. Now, we need to write in the following line at the end of the file that opens in nano. You can use Shift+Insert to paste the following line:

1

* * * * * /usr/local/sbin/con

. Remember, the line needs to be exactly the same with all the asterisks in place. Save it with Ctrl+O and exit using Ctrl+X and crontab should update the scheduled task. This makes cron run the script “con” every minute.

Hope this helps others too.

References:
http://kevin.vanzonneveld.net/techblog/article/schedule_tasks_on_linux_using_crontab/
http://geekhut.blogspot.com/2007/05/auto-reconnecting-lost-dsl-connection.html

OpenShot is one of the best non-linear video editors coming up for Linux. You can install development version of OpenShot by adding ppa:openshot.developers/ppa to Synaptic>Settings>Repositories>Other Software>Add. Then, it can simply be installed from Synaptic Package Manager.

Docky is a great dock for Linux and is based on Gnome-do.

Installation
If you haven’t already installed it, you can add the following repositories to your Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala or Lucid Lynx: “ppa:docky-core/ppa” in Synaptic Package Manager>Settings>Repositories then reload. Then you can simply install it from Synaptic.

Now, launch it (Alt+F2>docky or Accessories>Docky) and then right click settings to configure it. After you are done configuring it, you can simply add applications to it by dragging them from the menu and dropping it on the docky.

After you are done configuring it, you may also want the 3-D look it offers. To get the 3D look, you will need to launch gconf-editor (Alt+F2>gconf-editor) and then navigate to /apps/docky-2/Docky/Interface/DockPreferences/DockX where X=1, 2, 3… the number of your Dock. On the right hand pane, look for Position and make sure it is set to Bottom (this is the default). Now, check the checkbox next to ThreeDimensional. To view the changes, you will need to quit docky and start it again.

Hope this helped.

As you know, Linuxmint is based on Ubuntu. So I thought, it might be possible to take Ubuntu as a base and turn it to Linuxmint with available Linuxmint software. Thats what I did.

I used Ubuntu Karmic Koala and turned it into Linuxmint Helena. You might use other Ubuntu base and turn it to respective Linuxmint distro, but you may need to follow different (yet similar) steps. Here is how I did it.

Please note that I am not trying to create Linuxmint Helena installation disk from Karmic Koala installation disk. What I am doing is turning a Karmic Koala installation to Linuxmint Helena Installation. However, after this is done, you may use mintconstructor to create Live+Installer CD/DVD for Linuxmint.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any kind of loss (time, data, your pet penguin.. whatever) you might face due to the instructions in this tutorial. Please proceed at your own risk.

Installation of Ubuntu:
First of all, I installed Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala. If you are reading this and have reached so far, I’ll assume that you know how to install Ubuntu so I’m skipping the details. Just a standard Ubuntu Karmic Koala installation, nothing more nothing less. You may also use your existing Ubuntu Karmic Koala installation.

Addition of repositories:

Launch Synaptic and navigate to Settings>Repositories. In the other software tab, add the following lines one by one:

deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ helena main upstream import backport
deb-src http://packages.linuxmint.com/ helena main upstream import backport #Added by software-properties
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ karmic partner
deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ karmic free non-free

Now, Reload the package list by clicking on Reload.

When reloading is complete, search for package mint-meta-main and mark it for installation. This will select most mint software. Also, search for xsplash and mark it for removal. Now apply the changes and wait.

When the installation is complete, reboot. After you are back, you should get a mint-like system with softwares, theme and boot screen of Linuxmint.

More:
You can add mint-menu to your panel by right clicking the panel>Add to Panel and select mintmenu. You can change the panel layout for it to look like Linuxmint.
You may also create Linuxmint installation disk with the mintconstructor wizard (you will need to install mintconstructor first).

Hope this was helpful.

I want to build my college project on J2ME platform. I use Ubuntu and want to use NetBeans as my IDE.

I just installed netbeans, Sun Java Wireless Toolkit for CLDC and Mobility pack for netbeans. Here is how I did it.

I opened up Synaptic and installed netbeans. It installed openjdk as Java Development Kit. You may choose to install sun-java6-jdk instead. It should run fine (maybe better).

Now, when netbeans was installed, I downloaded Sun Java Wireless Toolkit CLDC from sun website. As it has a text based installer, I had to install it via terminal. Opened up the terminal and then changed the directory to where I downloaded the .sh file. Then ran it as sudo sh downloaded_file_name.sh. It asks a few questions such as path to JDK etc.

Then, I launched netbeans and then navigated through Tools>Plugins. In the available plugins tab, I just sorted by category and installed both packages (Mobility and Mobile Web) packages.Then I restarted netbeans and then navigated through Tools>Java Platforms. Then I selected Java ME MIDP Emulator and browsed for path where I had installed Sun Java Wireless Toolkit for CLDC.

Then I restarted netbeans again. Now I was able to create J2ME projects. While doing so, I had to select the directory where I installed the Sun Java Wireless Toolkit for CLDC.

I successfully ran the Hello World project inside the emulator.

Thank you for reading. Wish me luck for the project.

I am using Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala on my Desktop with Firefox 3.5 as my primary browser. Recently I was facing problems playing online media (streaming mp3s, non-flash) including FM from my own page on Firefox.The fix was to remove all of the plugins mozilla-plugin-vlc and install only either mozilla-mplayer or totem-mozilla (or both).

Hope this helps.

Here is how I installed Linux Mint Menu in Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope. I downloaded the following packages from the Linux Mint Repo which can be found here:
mintinstall
mint-info
mintsystem
mintmenu

These are the packages (current versions at the time of writing, I recommend you download them from the repository than from these links):

http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mintinstall/mintinstall_6.3.7_all.deb

http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mintsystem/mintsystem_7.5.2_all.deb

http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mintmenu/mintmenu_4.7.9_all.deb

For my 64-bit version (amd64), the mint-info package is:

http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/romeo/m/mint-info-x64/mint-info-x64_7.0.1_all.deb

For 32-bit, it may be different. Try:

http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mint-info-universal/mint-info-universal_7.0.1_all.deb

Now, install one by one in the following order:
mintsystem
mint-info
mintinstall
mintmenu

After the installation is done, right click on the panel and select Add to Panel. Then find mintmenu and add. To change the icon, right click on the menu and click on Preferences and then in the Button Icon, put in the full path to custom icon. You may want to put in /usr/share/icons/Human/22×22/places/start-here.png

Please share your results.

If you are outside of the country or somewhere where you cannot listen to these FMs or simply want to waste your bandwidth, you can listen to them online, LIVE.

Here you will find links to Kantipur FM, Hits FM, Maitri FM, Nepal FM and Ujyalo FM:
http://www.khattam.info/fm (fixed)

However, you may like to listen to them with your favourite media player (VLC, what else). This can be possible if you have VLC installed. You will just need to download this small file and extract it somewhere. Then you may open those with VLC and listen to them.

In Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope, I was unable to listen to Kantipur FM from their site, but am able to play the pls with VLC and Totem Media Player.

Goto FM Page at:
http://www.khattam.info/fm