Installing eeebuntu 1.0 on an Asus Eee PC 701SD

03Dec08

A friend lent me her Eee PC for a few days so I can replace the default Xandros with Ubuntu. Because this install isn’t for me, I’d like to make this setup the least painful as possible to use. After much experimenting with booting without a disc and fiddling with the tiny hardware, I have found the way to install a pretty good setup. In this noob-friendly guide I will walk you through how to install a distribution of eeebuntu and set it up so that all hardware works (more or less).

Before we start let’s take a look at the specs of the Asus Eee PC 701SD:

900MHz Intel Celeron-M
512MB DDR2 RAM
8GB Solid State Drive
Intel GMA 900 Graphics
Realtek Wifi
Attansic LAN

Filed under: Java, Linux   |  4 Comments
Tags: 701SD, asus, eee, eeebuntu, Linux, ubuntu

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex Experience on a Macbook 2,1

31Oct08

Fresh out of the oven, I test the latest offering from Canonical, Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, on my Macbook 2,1. Currently, I dedicate 32GB of my hard drive to Windows with Boot Camp. Because Wubi for some reason does not work in boot camp, and Disk Utility was being rather wonky, I will sacrifice my whole hard drive to test this release.

Macbook2,1 Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz
1GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (2x 512MB)
120 GB Hitachi Hard Drive
HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GSA-S10N (LG DVD Drive)
Intel GMA 950 Graphics
Atheros Wi-Fi
Intel HD Audio
Apple Bluetooth

Additional Hardware:

Samsung SyncMaster 225BW External Monitor

This experiment aims to determine the level of hardware compatibility of Ubuntu on the 2nd generation Macbook and not necessarily provide a general review. I will also make comparisons of this release with my Hardy Heron experience post.

Filed under: Linux, Mac   |  29 Comments
Tags: 8.10, Canonical, Intrepid Ibex, Mac, Macbook, ubuntu

Review: iPhone 3G FM Transmitter + Car Charger

18Sep08

This item appears to be a fairly new product from Hong Kong since I’ve only recently found it on eBay. You can find it there for about $20 and I’ve seen this product in the mall for $45! After a long shipping time I finally received it.

Here is what I have to say…

Filed under: Apple, iPhone   |  7 Comments
Tags: accessory, Apple, charger, fm transmitter, iPhone, iPhone 3G

iPhone 2.1

12Sep08

iPhone 2.0 users rejoice! The firmware that Steve Jobs claims to fix numerous problems I have mentioned before including unstable apps and faster backups. In addition to these fixes, Steve claims that 2.1 will also lengthen battery life and drop fewer calls. If this firmware version actually fixes everything, then I will be a very happy iPhone 3G owner (as opposed to just moderately happy). Who knows what else was snuck in that Steve didn’t mention?

Filed under: Apple, iPhone   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Apple, firmware, iPhone, iPhone 2.0, iPhone 2.1, iPhone 3G

Free iPhone Apps: The Keepers

29Aug08

If you have been having as much as I have wih the iPhone apps, then there is no doubt that you’ve come across numerous apps that deserve no more than a few launches. After a few weeks of looking for the best iPhone apps, here are some that I found are genuinely awesome (in roughly the order of appearance on my phone).

This article will be constantly updated as I find more great apps.

Filed under: Apple, iPhone   |  1 Comment
Tags: app store, apps, iPhone 2.0, iPhone 3G

Conway’s Game of Life in C++

24Aug08

A (rather crude) version of the Game of Life written in C++. You’ll need to compile it.

View the Source

Filed under: C++, Programming   |  4 Comments
Tags: C++, game of life

Basic Compilation of a C++ Program

24Aug08

If you are using Mac OSX or Linux, go to the folder where your cpp file is located in the terminal. On windows, you will need to install g++.

Assuming your source file is called main.app, and you want your output file to be called “hellos” then type the following:

g++ -o hellos main.cpp

To run it:

./hellos

Note: It is possible to compile the program without specifying the output file name but it will default to “a.out”:

g++ main.cpp

Additional compiler options can be found here.

Filed under: C++, Programming   |  2 Comments
Tags: C++, compilation, g++

From Java to C++: Similarities and Differences

24Aug08

After some fiddling with XCode and C++, I finally got it compiling my Hello World. To my pleasure, the syntax in C++ is somewhat similar with Java, but there are still many differences.

Filed under: C++, Java, Programming   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: C++, Java

iPhone 3G Speed Test

22Aug08

With all of the complaints about the speed of 3G, I decided to measure the time it takes to load a websitee myself. I am in Canada, so my carrier is Rogers Wireless. All of my tests are at full signal (3 arcs for WiFi and 5 bars for 3G and EDGE.) Between each of my trials, I open a new tab, close the old one, and clear Mobile Safari’s history, cookies, and cache.

Video and results in the full article.

Filed under: Apple, iPhone   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: 3G, Apple, EDGE, iPhone 3G, speed test, WiFi

Quizzicle: A Java Math Quiz Generator

26Jul08

Here is a quick Java application I whipped up. Quizzicle is a command line application that generates random math equations. You can choose an arithmetic operation, the number of questions, the number of digits in the question, and if negative numbers or zeros are allowed. Javadoc included.

Update 1.1:

• Adds a Timer
• Adds Logging (writing to a file)
• Various other minor features

I did not plan to release this one so you may see a few hacks.

Download the Source (1.1)

Download the Source (1.0)

Filed under: Java   |  4 Comments
Tags: Java, Programming