Zerd.Net

I’ve just upgraded to the new Ubuntu version, and I have to say I’m thrilled so far. It has fixed many of my earlier problems. For instance, it’s much more responsive than before, because the new Intel graphics driver is so much better. Before I couldn’t play most 3D games, but now I can. I can even use Compiz! And everything feels much snappier because it has removed delays when hovering buttons opening menus, switching windows and even just opening tabs! The user interface has undergone a graphical overhaul which I find really pleasing with new icons and themes, new login screen etc. And finally the forward and back mouse buttons work in the nautilus file browser without doing anything

There has been some trouble getting Mobile Broadband (Mobilt Bredbånd) from Telenor working in Linux for some time now. But when Ubuntu 9.04 came it seemed promising for those who have had problems before. Everything needed is included at install time. But you have to use some non-default configurations when connecting. All you need to do is plug in your USB-dongle, follow the wizard and when you’re done, edit the connection settings. You need to add Username and password (both are the telephone number for your sim card). Write “telenor” as the APN. I entered the PIN too, but I’m not sure if it’s needed. That should be it. Hope it helps!

I would like to monitor my server on my desktop computer with the GKrellM-utility. I would also like to have it run over ssh, so that it can run over the internet without being open to everyone. So here’s what I did:

• First step is to set up key-based passwordless login.
• Install gkrellmd (gkrellm-server). As I use debian I type “apt-get install gkrellmd”. Use your flavor of package-manager.
• (optional) Edit /etc/gkrellmd.conf if there’s anything you’d like to change. The default works perfectly when using SSH-tunnels, because it looks like you’re running from localhost. If you don’t want to run over SSH you could add your desktop’s IP in allowed-host. Restart gkrellmd if you have changed the config.
• Now open a SSH-tunnel on your desktop to your server. The text in red you should change to your wish, and the text in green is OK if you didn’t change anything in the config-file.
• ssh -N -f -L 19150:127.0.0.1:19150 user@server
• The red number is the local port which leads to your tunnel. If you want to monitor more than one computer you’ll need to change this number to an available port (check with netstat -nt). The red text is of course your user login on the server.
• run:
• gkrellm -s 127.0.0.1 -P 19150
• The red number should be the same as above.
• GKrellM should pop up and do it’s thing

I’ve just finished the new game Portal, from Valve. It’s pretty much about making Portals, and using them to solve puzzles. But the portals are a really spectacular method of doing stuff. You can do pretty much everything with just placing 2 portals somewhere, and walking/jumping into them. If you’d like a short preview, watch this video.

You start of at simple training, where you walk trough a portal, and simply picking up objects. Then you advance step by step, learning how to do things. Later you are tested in these skills, and you have to find your way to the goal. The problems get more and more complex, but not so hard if you just use a few minutes to think first. The game is over too quickly tho, but I think that’s better than dragging the story even further. Now people will want more, and try the bonus challenges, and probably the sequel (of some kind) that they talk about in the commentary. There are some extra material to do after the story, like challenges, advanced tests, achievements and commentary from the makers.

One of the fun parts about the game is the story, and the computer that communicates with you while you play. Her name is GLaDOS, and has a very dark humor that probably will make you laugh. I recommend turning on the subtitles, as it’s sometimes hard to hear what she’s saying.

So… I really recommend this game. It’ll make you laugh, think and have fun. I really did!