Hyperandy's Blog

Very few people out there will need this, but I created a small formula to make this easy a while ago and there is no reason to sit on it, I am sure .001% of the population will find this useful, so here it is. This is used if you are trying to test or read a 4-20ma output from a scale and convert it to something that makes since.

(CHOSEN WEIGHT/(CAPACITY OF SCALE/16))+4 = ma OUTPUT

The value of 16 is determined by 4ma – 20 ma = 16 divisions between the 0 Lbs and Total Scale Value.

Example:

If you have a scale with a capacity of 50,000 lbs and you wanted to see what the ma reading should be at 12,000 lbs. You would do the following:

(12,000/(50,000/16))+4 = 7.84ma

Therefore your meter should read 7.84ma with 12,000 lbs on the scale.

Example 2:

If you had a hopper with a capacity of 5,000 lbs and it was filled to 2,350 lbs. You would do the following:

(2,350/(5,000/16))+4 = 11.52ma

Your meter should read 11.52 ma @ 2,350 lbs

Another quickie post….

I remembered a while back a program for windows called Rasterbator (currently found here: http://code.google.com/p/rasterbator-ng/) which basically allows you to blow up pictures to print them in ridiculously huge sizes, that’s the technical definition (or this is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasterisation)

As all wonderful things in life, this is also available in Ubuntu and the greatest thing it’s only an apt-get away, just drop to the terminal and type:

apt-get install posterazor

or of course just pull up synaptic and do a search if your terminal scares you!

That’s it you get the same great program written specifically for Linux! Have fun covering your walls with giant art or that awkward family photo!

…and this guys blog, it’s by far one of the best Ubuntu based blogs out there for new/cool things :

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/01/pymazon-amazon-mp3-download-replacement.html

I posted in the past, a way to get Amazon MP3 working on 64 bit Ubuntu, why do that when you can use a python based replacement?!

I also recommend checking out his post on a cool Last.fm wallpaper creator http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2009/10/lastfm-wallpaper-linux.html

Usually when running my G1 I notice it beginning to lag over time, generally to fix this I do a wipe to correct this. It works wonderfully but I have found 2 other little speed increaser’s, that may help you in between wipes, may save you a little time configuring your apps after a wipe. These are specific to the Cyanogen Roms! I have not tested these myself with any other Rom.

1) Cleaning out your dalvik-cache folder

open a terminal and type:

$su
#cd /system/sd/dalvik-cache
#rm *
#exit
$exit

**Reboot** the phone, this will take longer then usual the first time, just like when you flash a rom. But it’s OK, Just wait.
Don’t worry the files you delete will be recreated. This is better then a wipe because you won’t have to reenter all your app preferences and passwords :)

2) The 10MB Ram Hack, this uses graphic memory and utilizes it for RAM, pretty clever:
Just follow the instructions @ http://www.absolutelyandroid.com/10mb-ram-hack-for-cyanogenmod-version-4-2-13/

and **Reboot**

NOTE: to remove the 10MB hack just re-flash your original Cyanogen ROM file. Also hack will not appear in recovery mode since it is a kernel hack!

Tivo HME (Home Media Engine) is a feature for Series 2 and above Tivo units to pass video, music, and other information to and from the internet and Computer. I recently found a fairly comprehensive list of HME apps at http://dvrpedia.com/HME unfortunately it appears that development on most HME programs has slowed down since 2007.  As you can see by the list some of the more popular apps, such as Amazon Unbox and Blockbuster online have been given the Tivo blessing and moved to the default Tivo configuration.

But pyTivo and Galleon appear to be the heaviest used and most updated, currently. I love pyTivo due to its ability to use the most current ffmpeg converter and I believe my internet video encodings look much clearer (especially when used with http://code.google.com/p/pytivo-auto-push/).  It is depressing that apps.tv seems to not be updating anymore and has lost it’s last.fm app but maybe someone will pick it up in the future. I have seen so many very good Tivo additions come and go (i.e. moodlogic – now rovi owned but no longer offering the same service). It would be great if Pandora would release a Tivo app or Tivo step up and revamp the music/picture viewers, I don’t believe they have changed in the last 10 years, many of the HME apps display album art and play slide shows from your pictures WITH music, novel idea, I know! They have added web videos and a few other services, but it’s a shame a free program such as pyTivo can out do Tivo so well ans so easily.

A few Tivo add-ons and HME applications not listed @ : http://dvrpedia.com/HME that you may find useful:

http://code.google.com/p/pytivo-metadata-manager/

http://code.google.com/p/pytivo-auto-push/

http://code.google.com/p/streambaby/

http://javahmo.sourceforge.net/index.html

http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/

Now I just need a dedicated Tivo Server to run all of this :). If you find anything to add to this list PLEASE let me know, not only am I dying to try it, I would love to share them with others. The Tivo Desktop Software from Tivo is way underpowered and not even close to being utilized the way it should be. Tivo appears to be a slowly sinking ship right now and it would be in their best interest to do something innovative or build heavily on their already amazing platform. If they are careful they will soon be buried by many of the other great video devices currently out in the market that are starting to flex their muscles.

I have no idea why Ubuntu went from Pidgin to Empathy, I loved Pidgin, but it does what I need, so I am going to give it a go.

Most of the plug-ins I needed were already installed; except for one I really like having, Facebook. Neither Empathy or Pidgin offer it without a plug-in.

For Pidgin just download the FaceBook Plug-in (currenty pidgin-facebook-1.63.deb) from http://code.google.com/p/pidgin-facebookchat/

install the package as normal. (i.e. double click and click install)

For Empathy download the Facebook Plug-in from http://code.google.com/p/pidgin-facebookchat/

install the package as normal. (i.e. double click and click install)

then go into your terminal and type:

sudo rm /usr/share/telepathy/managers/haze.manager

Then reboot your machine and open Empathy back up and setup your accounts and you should see Facebook as an option.

Installing the Amazon MP3 downloader is a simple task in most 32 bit versions on Ubuntu by just following the instructions. But 64bit installation requires one additional step. I was hoping this would have been fixed by now but I guess I should be happy Amazon even makes a downloader for Linux.

*Current Screen shot of MP3 downloader page*

How To Install Amazon MP3 Downloader on 64bit Ubuntu

1) Download the Ubuntu 8.10 and 9.04 version of the MP3 Downloader from http://www.amazon.com/gp/dmusic/help/amd.html/ref=sv_dmusic_4 (NOTE: if they change this for 9.10 and still only offer 32bit, these instructions should still work for 64bit)

2) Download getlibs-all.deb from http://frozenfox.freehostia.com/cappy/

3)Install your downloaded packages:

a) For the Amazon MP3 Downloader you can either try to click to install it, that worked fine for me, or if it fails at installing you can go to the terminal and type:

sudo dpkg --install --force-architecture amazonmp3.deb

b) For the getlibs package you should have no problem just double clicking to install the deb package, but if you prefer the commad line then:

sudo dpkg -i getlibs-all.deb

remember to run the installs from the directory you downloaded it to, in Karmic it defaults to /home/USERNAME/Downloads.

4) Now to make the new Amazon package work, In the terminal invoke getlibs by typing:

sudo getlibs /usr/bin/amazonmp3

And that’s it!

Amazon MP3 Downloader will install under Applications –> Internet

**If it doesn’t associate with the *.azm in your web browser just open the Downloader up and go the Help –> Enable Downloader in Browser**

I’ve showed how to create a launcher in the past (See: http://blog.hyperandy.com/2009/10/02/adding-a-shortcut-to-open-a-specific-vm-under-virtual-box-on-ubuntu/) so I won’t go into the nitty gritty of anything except the command syntax needed for the program to launch correctly.

Have you ever tried to create a luncher to a program (that you unziped “or untared” into a directory) or a script and noticed the launcher you created did not work but launching the program from the command line worked? Typically you either get nothing at all or just a flash of white and then the desktop and you start scratching your head as to what happened.

For a basic script the easiest way to fix this is and first thing to try when creating the launcher (Fig.1) to a script:

In the “Type:” field Select “Application in Terminal” enter anything descriptive into the “Name:” field and then you can either type your path or use the “Browse…” Button to find the path to your *.sh file.

Fig. 1 – Example of ‘Create Launcher’ window

If setting the Type to Application in Terminal did not work then you will need to invoke bash. Below is an example I used to create a shortcut to the Arduino programming interface. I am aware I can also create a PATH but this works much better for my uses.

When you download the Arduino IDE from http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software it comes in a *.tgz package (NOTE: this is not help on installing, just info on creating the shortcut, please see install help for Arduino on linux @ arduino.cc).

I extracted the *.tgz package to my home directory and can launch the program whenever I wish from the command line by going into the directory and typing:

./arduino

But as you can see this is highly inconvenient. To correct this (and this method works for scripts as well) when creating a launcher for “Type:” I choose “Application“. I don’t choose “Application in Terminal” in this instance, because I only want to the program to run and I don’t want to leave the terminal open the entire time I am working (if you close the terminal that is opened up, it will close the program as well). For “Name:” I set this as Arduino, that’s pretty descriptive. :) next is “Command:“  the important part that must be right. In the input area I type:

bash -c "cd /home/hyperandy/Downloads/arduino-0017/ ; ./arduino"

Also instead of “;” you can also use the common “&&”. The typical short cut to home “~” also works just fine. So the following command would work fine too:

bash -c "cd ~/Downloads/arduino-0017/ && ./arduino"

It’s fairly straight forward, the bash and sh command interpreters work interchangeably here. The -c allows it to interpret the commands as a string instead of from the standard input  the cd is quite obviously the change directory command to the directory holding your program and/or your script the ; and && basically say, when done with X do X.

I Imagine this will work on most distributions out there, but I have only used it with Ubuntu, Jolicloud, and Mint (both of the latter, derivatives of  Ubuntu). Please feel free to share this information if you find it useful. If you have any additions or corrections please let me know.

Ever since the DROID came out, everyone has been enthusiastic about the new FREE Turn by Turn Nav feature on it. Those of us with older hardware have been left in the dust (no thanks to Google), until now! I used very similar steps (everyone seems to be doing it a little different) to get Nav running. Personally I recommend using adb from the computer, mainly due to the complexity. I am usually a proponent to doing it only on the handset. But using adb in this instance allows you to do this in record time. I did not use the instructions from this post, I kind of made my own way but after reading these there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to get it going using these instructions. Good Luck!

Your mileage may vary and  if you ask “who is cyanogen or what is root?” you shouldn’t waste your time.

****As always preform a Nandroid backup first – no need in loosing all your stuff over this :) ****

This guy did, what appears to be, a rather good write up (people always beat me to the punch):

Google Maps with Turn by Turn Navigation for CyanogenMod – Michael Mayhew

If you want to dive head first into the development of this how-to and more issues with installation check out:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582656

Getting Started

If you are unfamiliar with “Rooting” then I suggest you head over to the CyanogenMod WiKi and get caught up specifically on the Unlocking Process. The CyanogenMod is just one of many after market firmwares to enhance the usability of your handset. But it is the one I suggest for getting your feet wet, due to the fact that the CyanogenMod is the most popular firmware at this time due to his constant updates and pushing the envelope of expectation, he truly has the end user in mind when he puts these Roms (the firmware) together.  Please head over to The CyanogenMod Wiki and Cyanogenmod.com for more information on Cyanogen and the the CyanogenMod.

Ok I have the CyanogenMod and it works, What now?

At this point there are many things that open up to you, because you are no longer “locked” into preselected settings and configurations. I highly believe some monkey with a dart board full of ideas picks out some of our “default” settings. Time to take back control!

I’m Up, I’m Up, can I please change that sound?

You will soon find out to save space certain audio files have been omitted from the Rom thankfully these can be easily added back to your device. just head over to http://www.cyanogenmod.com/downloads/audio-resources and download the audio-resources.zip, unzip it, and place it into the root of your SD card leaving the audio folder structure intact (this insures the audio doesn’t appear in your music player and shows up where it is suppose to, i.e. alarms will be under your alarms when you are setting them). Also feel free to browser this folder and remove sounds you don’t like or add sounds you want (into the corresponding folder of course). MP3 and OGG are the only two types of sounds I have created and as far as I am aware the only type you can use. Audacity is excellent for cutting/creating ring-tones!

Stinkin Keyboard, I want Better!

Another thing you will find at http://www.cyanogenmod.com/downloads/audio-resources is a file called HTC_IME.apk and Clicker.apk. These files allow you to use the HTC keyboard instead of the stock keyboard. Some people love the Stock keyboard, I am happy for you, but I hate it. Save these files on your sdcard (once installed you can remove the files you copies over). There are several methods you can use to get the same result, but I opened the files with Astro File Manager and installed with the built in App Manager. Easy Peasy! To enable your newly installed keyboard, anywhere where you would normally type, long press and you will see “Input Method” select that and then choose “Touch Input” and that’s it! Oh, and I should note HTC_IME.apk is the actually keyboard and Clicker.apk gives you the ability to calibrate it. I installed the calibration tool, but never have needed to use it.

Did someone say Tether?

So you pay for a super overpriced Internet plan on your phone, your out and about, with your laptop and you really need to get onto a real website to do something. Well you could pay more of your hard earned money to use that nearby HotSpot or leach off of someone else’s Wifi for free but then you are running the risk of not knowing whether or not the operator of the Wifi  really has your best interest in mind. Do yourself a favor and download Wifi Tether @ http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/ It’s better then nothing. You can install it the same way as the Keyboard above, using Astro File Manager. Also it should be noted Cyanogen added USB Tethering to his firmware version 4.2.3 and abovc!! Even more secure! Just go to Menu –> Settings –> and check “Internet tethering” I haven’t tried it on Windows yet, you may have to install a driver, but on Ubuntu 9.10 works perfect with no additional drivers to install!

Android is so Ugly, help me Beautify it!

With the CyanogenMod (as well as most other Roms) you can theme the hell out of it. Currently the most common method is downloading a Rom specific theme, booting into Cyanogen recovery, and applying the theme as you would an update. Not too hard and you can find a few themes @ http://www.cyanogenmod.com/downloads/themes also if you go to http://forum.xda-developers.com and go to Dream –> Dream themes and wallpapaers you can do a search and find a plethora of themes as well as information on how to create them (if you dare). Far a pretty cool dark theme try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=549363 and if you like things a little on the lighter side try, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=576848. These are only 2 examples of themes you will find at the site. There are tons of great ones, just browse around! Unfortunately these type of themes are Rom specific, as I noted earlier, an easy way to keep up-to-date is by downloading the  CM Updater (I recommend this for keeping the firmware updated as well) from the Market. Visit http://www.cyanogenmod.com/downloads/cm-updater for more information on the Updater.

Thankfully a few developers are looking at something that may fix Rom specific Themes, It’s called MetaMorph @ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=574556, it’s still an Alpha , so it has a way to go. Although it works pretty well, I recently used it to add the Moto Blur Menu animations to my Standard Cyanogen install. I definitely don’t recommend it with someone just starting out. If you are comfortable with breaking things, like I am, and understand some basic Command-line Fu in Linux/Unix to get yourself out of trouble. I highly suggest you give it a spin. I really love that little animated menu…I am such a nerd.

Also if you aren’t adventurous, then you are more then welcome to take the easy way out and use aHome or dxTop from the Market and apply a theme from there. The biggest benefit I have found from doing it though Cyanogen recovery with Rom specific Themes is that, they run much faster and generally (at least the ones I have tried) are much more polished.

I got too many apps and I feel unorganized!

Bom Pow…Tada http://www.cyanogenmod.com/downloads/mods/advanced-launcher check it out, you may want to wait until your comfort level has come up on your phone. Also if you are using a Rom specific theme, a lot of them will include a themed version of the Advanced Launcher.

Ok I am felling frisky now, give me something else to try

Get Google Maps 3.2.0 and the new YouTube App

Moto Blur Menu animations

Haven’t installed these independent of a theme, but I have seen it done with various methods:

Stericson’s Lockscreen

Loccy Browser

** Before you get to frisky please use nandroid to backup, don’t blame me if it all comes tumbling down. Blame everyone else :)