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A few hours ago received my cheap USB Wifi adapter purchased from shopping.rediff.com, never knew what type of hardware I have paid for, except for that it is a USB WiFi adapter. But thanks to the community efforts I was very much sure I would be able to use it in GNU/Linux (Fedora Core 10) one way or other.

The hardware was as per USB Vendor ID (0CDE:0008) a Z-Com Sitecom Wireless Network Adapter 100G+ WL-125 USB WiFi 802.11B/G Adapter. GNU/Linux /var/log/messages identified it to be a GlobespanVirata. Marketed under the brand name EDUP. A ISL3887 2nd Generation Prism54 chipset based device.

Ahh so the Windows user did it finally, even after my warnings to the contrary.

Say, "Did what?"

Well the story goes like this. After getting impressed by all gloss and glitter of Gnome and KDE Desktop GNU/ Linux and the beautiful looking windows, themes, 3D effects thanks to compiz, fancy gadgets & better than Apple Mac like looks via cairo-dock and the best thing localisation in Punjabi. And seeing what he (the nube) never though was possible on a PC/ Laptop with Windogs. Finally I was asked to install GNU/ Linux on his laptop. Got most of issues of an unsupported H/W worked out and finally GNU/Linux with X started (but no 3D, no compiz).

This is amazing, atleast for me, my three and a half years old (now almost four in about four months), can use GNU/ Linux fairly well (for a kid of his age and fairly well than many older windoz guyz I have seen around). This is what he can do after about ten minutes of coaching.

1. Powers on the monitor, powers on the Desktop.
2. Waits for GNU/ Linux to load.
3. On GDM Login screen enters his username, sometimes selects his username from the user list displayed by GDM (I have set his password to blank for his convenience).

Finally I have a new laptop an HP Compaq Presario C700 (Model C738TU). A good machine with very good performance, for a fairly reasonable price.

The default factory installation on it was Free/DOS. I have installed GNU/ Linux Fedora Core 8 on it. Most of the things have worked out of the box. Here is some basic informations which can help other owners of this notebook using GNU/ Linux.

After a long wait finally I dared to install a (comparatively) cheap USB webcam, I bought from a local friendly neighbourhood computer goods vendor, on my GNU/ Linux machine. The make was Intex Night Vision Camera IT-305WC (as per the box) and the cost was INR 700/- (approximately USD 16).

I was hoping for a long night ahead but hey thanks to these guys, it was a breeze. Fortunately my webcam (USB vendor ID 0x0AC8 and Product ID 0x303B) was listed on this page with another brand name Vimicro (USB vendor ID 0x0AC8 and Product ID 0x303B). Then the usual download from the driver download page.

I have been using ethereal/ wireshark network protocol analyser on GNU/ Linux for over last 3 years, for trouble shooting, for a subject that I am teaching, for analysing protocols, to study network behaviours and also for my research work. Highly recommended if you are anyway involved with computer networks of any type.

So the developer in you has captured the packets using ethereal/ wireshark and now need to perform some macho custom analysis of the captured data, that may not be possible or too cumbersome using wireshark. Here is my own experience with that and hope it helps you save some time.

Some really interesting projects using GNU/ Linux

• Operating your laptop computer using knocks
• Make your computer generate music from system events
• Using Doom (The classic 3D game) as a user interface to control processes

The title for this post can be considered a misnomer. I think it should read:

Well if you do write perfect software you are kicking yourself in your er.. belly, and sitting on the branch side of the saw.

For any commercial company/ enterprise writing perfect and bug free software would mean:

• Happy and smiling Customers (hmm... that is a good)
• Satisfied customers (this is also good)
  

It seems there is a bug in gnokii 0.6.12 sms sending code for nokia 6110 models (that includes 3310). When reading sms message center number from phone only last digit is returned. The consequences sms sending fails. Also further communication with the mobile fails, the mobile must be restarted before it can communicate with computer again.

So are you managing an email server? Well If yes make sure you keep the following into account: