Experiments with Ubuntu

Wow. Lot of linux administration today. I have made my fledgling Ubuntu OS to a level where I can use it as a full fledge production system. I have been waiting for this from the time i have bought my dv9500t HP laptop. Almost two months, I have been busy with trip and lot of work at office. Finally today , It is time as I want to contribute to Synovel venture from my friends. Ubuntu stole my attention from the minute I have started installing it. You know what even it allows users to browse and play games from the cd, While the OS getting installed on the Hard Disk. However as always with the traditional Linux systems, few things need to be fixed. They are

• sound drivers dint function
• problems with Punchin software
• availability of codecs for watching videos.

These problems are stated in the order of amount of time I took to fix them. The solutions are stated as follows.

• For fixing sound issues on Ubuntu on Intel sound drivers, see my other post in this blog.
• Punchin software worked for me after a lot of trial n errors and searching over the sun intranet website.
• For playing videos - I have used kaffeine player that is available with Ubuntu and I have downloaded codecs from www.mplayer.hq. It worked just fine.

Ubuntu have lot of cool features. But I need to make my hands dirty before I commet. Way to go Ubuntu, Lot of things should be taken care off to compete with M$. with this note, I am signing off.

Fixing Sound issues in Ubuntu 7.10

I have installed Ubuntu on my dv9500t HP laptop with intel chip set. Sound drivers did not work, as the gutsy ( ubuntu 7.10) is shipped with alsa older version drivers which have a bug / problem with ich8 family intel sound cards. After lot of trial n errors and googling, I have found the solution here.

• Keywords : Ubuntu , Sound drivers , Alsa-drivers

Enjoy.

Broadband connections in Bangalore

I have joined Sun microsystems recently and have shifted to Bangalore in middle of January. Being a geek and obligations towards job, made me look for the broadband connections like DSL type. Then on my consultations with people at office anduser reviews on different operators in Bangalore at Mouthshut.com led to these conclusions. When ever , I am looking for the Broad band connection, I will to check out on following parameters.

• Customer Support
• Speed
• Reliability
• Installation time + charges
• Prices / month.

In Bangalore , Airtel , BSNL , TATA INDIcom , HathWay , Zee next, SIFY and Local operatorsare the main players in this household market. From the user reviews,

• speed + reliability : Airtel , BSNL , TATA , others.
• customer support: Airtel , TATA , others, BSNL.
• installation time + charges : Airtel (max week), TATA(20 days - max) , others , BSNL (2 months)
• prices per month : Airtel (700 - unlimited) , BSNL (900 - Unlimited) , TATA (dint find out) , others

So Airtel is the best available as of now in bangalore. But hard luck , the feasibility in my region is problem for J.P. Nagar area. :-( . So now running after other operators. :-) ... Let us see how long it will take to find a good internet connection for my home place. Two of the User's reviews and tips at Mouthshut.com are posted here Which you might find it useful.

• http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Choosing_a_DSL_Provider-105834-1.html
• http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Choosing_a_DSL_Provider-99616-1.html

Bye, Sitharamaraju

Tutorials for C and C++

These days, I am working over C , DS and recently over C++. In order to get in touch with old concepts. C Programming Tutorial C++ Tutorial Some of the good books to be read this week are i) Programming Pearls - John Bently ii) Mark Allen Weiss - Data Structures iii) A bit of C++ and PL/SQL To Do Priority List this week:- i) Learn Bike Driving ii) Finish and Manage Bunny's Books