Mac OSX Leopard & Xnest" OMG-WTF-LOL!

Why, oh why, has my Xnest gone away when upgraded to OSX 10.5? Not that I enjoy running X remotely, from my servers, but on occasion, it's required (thanks, stoopid Oracle and your sh*tty install routine).

If you want/need Xnest on your OSX Leopard desktop, you can accomplish it, this way:

First: Get Xcode: http://developer.apple.com/tools/download/

Second: install MacPorts: http://svn.macports.org/repository/macports/downloads/MacPorts-1.5.0/

Third: Install git, and development tools:

(from teminal window)
sudo port install pkgconfig automake autoconf libtool git-core
Install X.org libraries: (45 minutes)

(from terminal window)
sudo port install xorg-proto xorg-libX11 xorg-libxkbfile xorg-libXfont xorg-libfontenc

Forth: Get X server source from git and build it: see instructions on X.org wiki.

Fifth: Run configure as follows, NOT as how stated on X.org wikki:
./configure --prefix=/usr/X11 --enable-xnest=yes --with-mesa-source=`pwd`/../Mesa-6.5.2

Sixth: Continue with the rest of the source instructions as directed in the wiki page.

Seventh: Copy the new Xquartz binary over, then copy the Xnest binary as well:
sudo cp hw/xnest/Xnest /usr/X11/bin/

Eighth: Copy the manpage:
sudo cp hw/xnest/Xnest.1 /usr/share/man/man1/

That's it. Good luck. I suggest backing up, before doing the above.

A friends photo work

Check out my Friend's work. Phil Peterson. He's gifted, I think:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philpeterson

Veritas VEA 4.x on OSX

Update: 07.28.08
Note: This is only for version 4.x of VEA. 5.x is not currently working, with this method.
------
w00t!

I finally got around to working on this again. Sorry for those who've been asking for it.

turns out, it's quite simple, lol!

Here's how you can get the VEA GUI working in OSX:

Generally, I hate Java, but this does rock.

- Copy /opt/VRTSob from a UNIX host, put it in /opt on your Mac and replace /opt/VRTSob/jre/bin/java with a symbolic link to /usr/bin/java on your Mac.

- Run: /opt/VRTSob/bin/vea.

That's all there is to it.

Using Sprint EVDO card (S620) in Linux

Some quick/dirty notes in getting your Sprint S620 EVDO card working in Linux (I am currently using Fedora FC8):

Note Sprint S620 card vendor ID is 1410 and product is 1110. You can ascertain this by the following (as root):
[root@localhost ~]# cat /proc/bus/usb/devices
T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#= 2 Spd=12 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 1.10 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=1410 ProdID=1110 Rev= 0.00
S: Manufacturer=Novatel Wireless Inc.
S: Product=Novatel Wireless Merlin CDMA
C:* #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=a0 MxPwr=100mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=usbserial_generic
E: Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 64 Ivl=128ms
E: Ad=82(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 64 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 64 Ivl=0ms
I: If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=usbserial_generic
E: Ad=84(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 64 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=04(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 64 Ivl=0ms


As root:

Check to see if module loaded:
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe uhci-hcd
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe ohci-hcd
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1410 product=0x1110

Unload Module (Some reason, it wouldn't work, until I removed it, first):
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe -r usbserial
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe -r ehci-hcd
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe -r ohci-hcd

Re-load OHCI and probe for card again:
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe ohci-hcd
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1410 product=0x1110

mknod the device you are going to dial through:
[root@localhost ~]# mknod /dev/ttyUSB0 c 188 0

Now set up your favorite PPP dialer (I use kppp, myself) and have phun.

Jumping out of perfectly good planes...

So...

I've decided...

I am going to pursue becoming a Skydiving Instructor.

It will take quite a bit of time and $ (500 jumps, at least and extensive training), but well worth it (to me). I've always liked skydiving, and loved teaching when I taught for Sun Microsystems, so why not make a career of it? The money is good, during busy seasons. I now live where you can practically jump year-round. I enjoy it. so, I am going to do it. :-)

Unfortunately, though, I'm not starting immediately. I have some things to take care of, first. Updates, as they happen.

Been pretty busy

I promised to come back and tell more on my move. Sorry, been very busy with the new job and surroundings.

Unfortunately, this will be pretty short, as well, but I wanted to touch-base.

The move to Scottsdale, was one out of need, more than desire. I don't want to get into the specifics of "the need", but suffice it for me to say that "it had to be done" and for more than one reason. The one obvious reason, was to get away from my recent history with someone, whom is no longer, a part of my life. The other reasons... well, they aren't for public consumption, just yet.

My new job is working out, very well. I am working for a Major financial institution, as a Senior Engineer (in Unix applications). I like the team, the environment, the work. I am still trying to get used to coming into the office, every-single weekday, from 8am to 5pm. Heh. I really had it good, at my last job, with my hours!

The weather here has been mild, thus far. I am told, unseasonably mild. Still waiting for the terrible heat that everyone feels a need to warn me about, here. Heh. Bring it. Cold is teh suck. Heat, I can handle.

I've met a wonderful woman. We'll see where it goes. More on that, later.

That's all for now. I said it was going to be brief :-)

It's been awhile...

I've moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, and got a new job. I've been pretty busy.

I will try updating with new content, later on. I have a lot to tell :-)

-Wrex

For my wrexforums friends...

Try this:

Click this: KCSB Shenanigans!

What do I think of the Government?

Well, this:

The Government Sucks

:-)

And you wonder why I ride a Sport Bike???

Cause chicks dig 'em. Don't believe me? It says so, right here:
http://www.playboy.com/playmates/features/playmates-prefer-motorcycles/

Heh heh. :-P

So I put up a forum...

For what it's worth. Not sure what the "theme" or main purpose of the discussions are, yet. Kinda did it, just for the heck of it. Check it out... or don't:
http://forums.wrex.org/forums/

Proposed Assault Weapons Ban (here we go, again)...

Fuggin Democrats!!

Yet Another "Assault" On Your 2nd Amendment Rights...

In 2004 the United States Congress rightly allowed the so-called "Assault Weapons Ban" to sunset after 10 years in law. It seems that the wisdom of the 2004 congress has been forgotten. On February 13, 2007, HR 1022 or the Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2007 was introduced by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). This bill (now in committee) proposes to permanently reinstate the 1994 ban and add even more draconian provisions; essentially banning all rifles not traditionally used for hunting or sport and high-capacity (or FULL capacity) magazines. Even more disturbing is the fact that, at his/her sole discretion, the United States Attorney General can determine the classification (therefore legality) of any firearm.

Contact your elected representatives and let them know that this proposed ban is an affront to the law abiding citizens that choose to safely and legally own firearms. I've even emailed the president (heck, it can't hurt).

Following are some excerpts from HR1022 that we find particularly troubling:

SEC. 7. STRENGTHENING THE BAN ON THE POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF A LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE.
(a) Ban on Transfer of Semiautomatic Assault Weapon With Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (y) the following:
(z) It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer any assault weapon with a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'.
...
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General- Section 921(a)(30) of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 2(a) of this Act, is amended to read as follows:
(30) The term `semiautomatic assault weapon' means any of the following
(A) The following rifles or copies or duplicates thereof:
...
`(ii) AR-10;
`(iii) AR-15, Bushmaster XM15, Armalite M15, or Olympic Arms PCR;
...
`(v) Calico Liberty;
...
`(viii) Hi-Point Carbine;
...
`(x) Kel-Tec Sub Rifle;
`(xi) M1 Carbine;
`(xii) Saiga;
...
`(xviii) Sturm, Ruger Mini-14;
...
`(D) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine, and that has--
`(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
`(ii) a threaded barrel;
`(iii) a pistol grip;
`(iv) a forward grip; or
`(v) a barrel shroud.
...
`(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General. In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, and a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.'.
...
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS.
Section 922(v)(3) of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 2(a) of this Act, is amended by striking `(3)' and all that follows through the 1st sentence and inserting the following:
`(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any firearm that--
`(A) is manually operated by bolt, pump, level, or slide action;
`(B) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or
`(C) is an antique firearm.'.

Read the full text here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.1022:

Happy Birthday Kevin Tanck (12.04.1984 - 01.29.06)

Today, marks the birthday of a dear and sorely missed friend, Kevin Tanck.

We miss you, brother. Ride In Peace.

-Wrex

UNIX: Simple one-liner to chop last field from file

So, I wanted to chop off the last field in a file extension (bob.joy.txt, for example).
Here's is a simple solution, using reverse (rev), ls, cut and a for loop:

for i in `ls *.txt`; do mv $i `echo $i|rev |cut -d '.' -f2-|rev`;done

There's prob a cleaner way, but this was quick and easy.

Fun Online Game

Check it out!

www.cybernations.net

Short Description:
About Cyber Nations - Welcome to Cyber Nations, a nation simulation game. Create a nation anywhere in the world and decide how you will rule your people by choosing a government type, a national religion, ethnicity, tax rate, currency type, and more in this new geo-political, nation, and government simulator. Build your empire by purchasing infrastructure to support your citizens, land to expand your borders, technology to increase your nation's effectiveness, and national improvements to build your nation according to your choosing.

More description, here:
http://www.cybernations.net/about.asp

Stay the course... or don't.

Bush: ‘We’ve Never Been Stay The Course’

I love watching this idiot try and back peddle.

BUSH: We will stay the course. [8/30/06]

BUSH: We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq. [8/4/05]

BUSH: We will stay the course until the job is done, Steve. And the temptation is to try to get the President or somebody to put a timetable on the definition of getting the job done. We’re just going to stay the course. [12/15/03]

BUSH: And my message today to those in Iraq is: We’ll stay the course. [4/13/04]

BUSH: And that’s why we’re going to stay the course in Iraq. And that’s why when we say something in Iraq, we’re going to do it. [4/16/04]

BUSH: And so we’ve got tough action in Iraq. But we will stay the course. [4/5/04]


Watch Here

DISTURBED - LAND OF CONFUSION [DVDRIP]

Nice remake of Genisis's Land of Confusion. Kewl vid too.

Sometimes it's just painful, to be an American

Actually, I can't remember any time in my 37 years where I was almost embarrased to be an American.

Why does the current administration feel like we, America, can just do whatever the hell we want, all in the name of "protecting" ourselves against terrorism? I am talking about the following (from: thinkprogress.org) :

Congress moves to authorize torture.

The House voted 253-168 to approve legislation on military commissions that authorizes torture and strips detainees of the right to challenge their detention. Also voted down was a measure by Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) which called for an expedited judicial review of the constitutionality of the commissions, and required the bill to be reauthorized in three years to ensure congressional oversight in evaluating the effectiveness of the commissions. The Senate is expected to approve nearly identical legislation tomorrow. September 27, 2006 9:45 pm (103)

We've invaded countries for such acts against humanity.

We're spiraling down. I think someone needs to hit the reset-button and start all over again.

How to restart the OSX Desktop...

Without loging out and back in.

Useful for when desktop "freezes" or you have artifacts (see Macbook) and don't want to kill off background processes.

1. Open up term app

2. ps -aux|grep Graphics

3. Find the following:
windowse 52 0.9 5.6 915688 57592 ?? Ss 11:02AM 0:20.62 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Resources/WindowServer -daemon

4. then HUP the found process:
sudo kill -HUP 52

52 is the process id tht I found. Yours will be different.

This will restart the GUI, logging you out, but at least you won't have to reboot the whole machine.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree...

Today I have shed tears of joy.

My beautiful and wonderful daughter (Shyanna) of 13 years, came up to me today and said the following:

"Daddy, my laptop is dead again. I just get this blue screen that says "Fatal Error" and a bunch of numbers on it."

To which, I asked:
"Did you try rebooting it into "Safe Mode"?"

"Yes Daddy. And it's still broke! Can you just put Linux or something on it? I am so sick of Windows."

I almost fell-over!

So, tomorrow, my brilliant daughter will be running the latest version of Kubuntu :-)