Mac OS X (currently Leopard 10.5.3) includes an implementation of the Apache HTTP server. However, it isn’t running by default nor does it have the PHP engine enabled. This guide shows you how to activate Apache with PHP support in a few easy steps.
How to Enable Apache HTTP Server with PHP in OS X [Mac Guide]
By Sam Davis on Jun 26, 2008 within Apple, Guides | Comments
Ripping and Burning DVDs in Linux with K9Copy and Brasero [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on May 31, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
If you have installed software and codecs for watching DVDs on Ubuntu as per this post, then this guide will get you started ripping and burning DVDs using Brasero (the CD/DVD burning application included with Ubuntu) and an application called K9Copy, which is similar to the popular program DVD Shrink for Windows.
How to Install Media Codecs for Flash, DVD, QuickTime (MOV), MP3, WMV, WMA, and ACC (MP4, M4A) Playback in Linux [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on May 30, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
Due to copyrights, Ubuntu (currently Hardy Heron 8.04) is distributed without codecs to play many of the most prevalent media formats including DVD video (unencrypted and encrypted), Flash (.swf and .flv extensions), QuickTime movies (.mov ), MP3s (.mp3), Windows Media Audio and Video (.wma and .wmv), and unencrypted ACC files (.acc, .mp4, and .m4a). [...]
How to Mount and Share a USB Hard Drive with Macs Using Netatalk [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on May 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
At home, I’ve installed a Netatalk Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) file server on a machine running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04) so that I can easily share files between my Macs (mostly running OS X 10.5.3) and the Ubuntu machine (see this post for details). Using an open source network service discovery protocol similar to Apple’s [...]
Widescreen Wallpapers for Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04)
By Sam Davis on May 25, 2008 within Images, Ubuntu | Comments
I was inspired by the Ubuntu logo and the Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04) default background to created some new widescreen wallpapers. Click on the images to download them from my Picasa web album.
Energy Crisis! What Energy Crisis?
By Sam Davis on May 22, 2008 within Coffee Break, Featured | Comments
With oil approaching 140 dollars per barrel, there is a lot of talk of peak oil production and the end of civilization as we know it. Well, maybe civilization will come crashing down, but I don’t find this very likely. Read on to see why.
Five Guides on How to Integrate Ubuntu into a Mac OS X Network
By Sam Davis on Apr 30, 2008 within Featured, Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
I have a machine running Mac OS X (currently Leopard 10.5.2) and another running Ubuntu (currently Hardy Heron 8.04) and have been striving to get these two machines to interact more harmoniously on my local are network (LAN). In particular, I’ve been trying to get my Ubuntu machine to act more like a Mac in [...]
Widescreen Wallpapers: Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04) Meets Mac OS X Leopard (10.5)
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Apple, Images, Ubuntu | Comments
I
have computers running both Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) and Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04). Both of these operating systems have very attractive default desktop backgrounds. Leopard has the purple nebulous looking star field (below right) and Hardy has the modern artsy looking heron (below left). However, these very different looking wallpapers make my machines [...]
Configure Netatalk on Ubuntu to Share a USB Printer [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
If you have installed Netatalk following this post and Avahi following this post, it is fairly straightforward to share a USB printer connected to your Ubuntu machine with Macs on your local area network (LAN) via AppleTalk. By default, Netatalk installs and runs the print sharing service called papd. So, after the printer is installed [...]
Configure a Firefly (mt-daapd) Media Server in Linux for Streaming to iTunes and Front Row [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
Using Firefly, your Ubuntu machine can host an iTunes media server which, with the help of Avahi installed as per this post, will show up in the iTunes “SHARED” list and will be accessible via Front Row. The following guide (written for Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 and OS X Leopard 10.5.2) will get you started.
Configure Vinagre in Ubuntu to Share the Screen with Mac OS X [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
The image at left shows a windowed VNC session where I am sharing the desktop of my Ubuntu machine (running Hardy Heron 8.04) with my Mac (running OS X Leopard 10.5.2). If you have installed Avahi following this post and are running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04), then it is easy to configure Ubuntu to use [...]
Configure Avahi in Linux to Broadcast Services via Bonjour to Mac OS X [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
If you followed this guide, your Ubuntu machine can now serve files to Macs on your local area network (LAN) using AFP. It would be nice if this Ubuntu/Netatalk Apple file server was discovered automatically by your Macs. This can be accomplished by installing Avahi, an implementation of Zeroconf similar to Apple’s Bonjour that allows [...]
Configure a Netatalk File Server in Linux Based on Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) [Ubuntu Guide]
By Sam Davis on Apr 29, 2008 within Guides, Linux, Ubuntu | Comments
Apple computers communicate with one another using the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP). Using the freely-available implementation of this protocol called Netatalk, Ubuntu (currently Hardy Heron 8.04) can interface with Mac OS X (currently Leopard 10.5.2) and you can set up a AppleShare file server on a Ubuntu machine that is accessible to Macs on your [...]
The General Motors (GM) Volt and E-Flex: Transportation’s Future
By Sam Davis on Apr 15, 2008 within Technology | Comments
For many reasons, I have never been a big fan of General Motors. With the exception of the Corvette and the short lived EV1 electric vehicle, their products have never inspired much enthusiasm from me. Moreover, I am turned off by the company’s shameless use of patriotic rhetoric to market their vehicles. Many of their [...]
Clearwire - The Next Great Telecom?
By Sam Davis on Mar 20, 2008 within Technology | Comments
In the world of telecom behemoths like Verizon (market cap 100 billion) and AT&T (217 billion), Clearwire is a midget (1.8 billion). Chances are you have never heard of the company. But you will. And the competitors had better look over their shoulder. Here is why. Clearwire Corporation builds and operates wireless broadband networks in [...]