Scrolling Area Adjustment for Touchpads Using Ubuntu
Update for this article is now up at /*** http://www.eddiemonge.com/2009/07/02/scrolling-area…ng-ubuntu-8-10 ***/ It has been updated for version of Ubuntu including and greater than 8.10 and derivatives.
I reinstalled Ubuntu on my laptop recently because certain issues with my Vista install made me not want to trust it. I have had Ubuntu installed before on my laptop, but not for a few months. I really like Linux but need Windows sometimes for those few apps that don’t work too well in Wine. Overall, I have been happy with Linux on my laptop, with a few notable exceptions including:
- Can’t adjust the brightness on my laptop (will look into a fix later)
- Touchpad vertical scroll area was way too big. My laptop has a spot on the Touchpad dedicated to scrolling and Ubuntu recognized this, but doubled its size so it was on the other side of the line also
- Not as easy to connect a phone as a modem as it is in Windows. Windows it is literally plug and play. Linux has not been so easy
The first and third issues I will work out, if I can, but I felt the second one was a priority since at times my screen would scroll instead of moving the mouse around like I wanted it to. These are the steps I followed to fix this:
Windows Networking Vs. SSH
A couple of weeks ago I had to transfer a large amount of data across a network. It was about 30gb and I needed to copy it to 2 different computers. Since the files were on a Windows computer, I figured Windows file sharing would be the easiest way to go. The tricky part though, was the one of the computers getting the data was running Linux.
Batman: The Dark Knight
I went to see The Dark Knight Friday at 12:01 am, one of the first showings on the west coast, theoreotically the first showing since they should all have started at the same time or later. Anyway, it was definitely worth going to see it at midnight on a work day.
The action in this movie was really good. There was so much going on to keep me entertained. I love stuff blowing up and chases and fighting scenes and there was a plethora of that and then some.
The plotline for the most part was followable and well written. There were some major jumps that left you in the dark but didn’t take you away from the story. I mean jumps in that you just had to assume some things like Harvey Dent’s background. They make references to it in some places but at the end pretend like you know a lot more then what the movie gives you. Another part towards the end we see Rachel in a warehouse and are left wondering “how did she get there?” and just have to think “oh well, she’s there now, let’s move on”. But for the most part, the story is coherent and very intriguing.
United, the Way to Fly … Or Not
Recently I had the *ahem* pleasure *ahem* of flying on United Airways. I must say, it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have encountered in my life time. Between the duct tape holding my armrest together, to the mysterious piece of card board with the TSA stamp of approval that was stuck in a crease above my head, to the broken headphone ports all around me, United has been the best airline I have flown on yet. *Rolls my eyes*.
First Impression of Google’s Android
dzo over at xda-developers.com has ported Android to the phone I am currently using, the Sprint Touch. The phone also goes by the name VX-6900 (Verizon) and Vogue (generic name). It is made by HTC. It comes with Window’s Mobile 6.0. Carriers are starting to release version 6.1 which includes threaded messaging, EVDO Rev. A and GPS. The threaded messaging is nice because it means no more 3rd party apps are required for something that should have already been built in. Palm had it on the Treos for years so why did it take Microsoft so long to make it standard? EVDO Rev A speeds means faster Internet connection. The connection was pretty fast before, slightly better then low DSL speeds, but now its 2-3 times as fast, or it seems like it. The GPS isn’t true GPS, I’m not sure if any cell phone does have true GPS, but it works pretty well, when it works.
Drupal vs. Joomla Comparison
Darrell Houle has made a pretty good posting over at http://www.communicopia.net/blog/joomla-versus-drupal comparing and contrasting Drupal and Joomla. Having used both, I feel it is pretty accurate. There are some points that are generalized and slightly misleading, but overall it is a great place for someone deciding between the two platforms to start from and build from there.
Airlines now charging for checked in bags
Airlines are now charging travelers for bags they check in. No, I’m not talking about the previous, any more than 2 bags checked in and we will charge you. I’m talking about them charging for ANY bags checked in, including the first two. United for example will charge $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second bag. That’s ridiculous. Flights are already expensive enough.
These fees will be waived if you fly first or business class, which charge you more anyway.
Some airlines will even start charging for drinks on the plan. Although it’s only $2 for non-alcoholic drinks, that is still an extra charge. Why is everyone nickel and diming you all of a sudden? I know the economy isn’t great and people need to make a few extra bucks to compensate, but by charging customers more, some businesses may be alienating those customers and driving them to competitors. That is just no way to do business.