Wednesday, June 24, 2009

xorg.conf


I just found this little utility called xorg-options-editor-gtk which allows me to customize the xorg.conf "graphically". Although I would like something simpler, it guess this will do for now. It is a lot better than customizing the configuration file by hand with a text editor!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Linksys HP200

Finally, Linksys release the driver for Linksys&at;Home HP200 Wireless PC Card. This model was particular troublesome as it seemed Linksys&at;Home was a special brand for Tesco. Hence, there was no trace of such product on Linksys page before. Anyway, if you like me who has a Linksys&at;Home HP200 card, grab the driver from Linksys before they change their mind.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Printing with Windows shared printers

If you want to print to a printer connected on a Windows machine, you need to have samba-client installed. This will add an extra option onto the printer configuration which allows you browse and connect to a Windows shared printer!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Chinese ... another step closer to ditching Windows

Today I have found a little Java utility, called HanziLookup which can do Chinese handwriting recognitions. Windows comes with a utility which can recognize Chinese handwritings. This is very handy for people like myself who cannot type Chinese. I have been looking for something similar in Linux world and this discovery means I am another step closer to leave Windows world.

Windows 7 and my VirtualBox

I have just installed Windows 7 RC on VirtualBox to see how it compares with XP on the same setup. Well, it isn't doing so well. System monitor reported it used more CPU and more memory. If you are thinking of replacing XP on your Netbook with Windows 7, you may want to hold your thought. At least I will after this experience. I guess this explains why Microsoft has extended XP license for Netbook again.


Another negative aspect of Windows 7 is its footprint. Windows XP consumes about 3GB with minimal installation, i.e. Windows itself and AV software. Whereas Windows 7 takes over 6GB as it stands now with minimal installation. Again, this isn't something good for Netbooks which tends to have relatively small hard drive.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Virtualbox and Linux

Just tried Virtualbox on Jaunty. What a surprise, the performance is a lot better than I expected. The machine I am running is a bit dated, a 2.66GHz P4. Windows is running a lot smoother than Windows running natively on my IBM Thinkpad. Okay, the Thinkpad is only with 2.0GHz Celeron, not a record breaking machine. But, come on, after all, it is running on emulation. I am more than impressed.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Virtualbox and Graphics Acceleration

Wow, just found out Compiz works now on VirtualBox setup ... cool

name of display: :0.0
display: :0 screen: 0
direct rendering: Yes
server glx vendor string: Chromium
server glx version string: 1.2 Chromium