Ubuntu Unity: SSH launcher

1. Create a new file with gedit, in the Terminal type:

gedit ~/.local/share/applications/ssh-launcher.desktop
2. Copy & Paste this text into the above file:

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Name=Remote Servers
Comment=Login to my servers
Exec=gnome-terminal --disable-factory --sm-client-disable --class=remoteserver -x ssh -t minibox.local 
Terminal=false
X-MultipleArgs=false
Type=Application
Icon=utilities-terminal
StartupNotify=true
StartupWMClass=RemoteServers
X-Ayatana-Desktop-Shortcuts=Server1;

[Server1 Shortcut Group]
Name=SSH into minibox.local
Exec=gnome-terminal --disable-factory --sm-client-disable  --class=remoteserver -x ssh -t minibox.local
TargetEnvironment=Unity

Comment=You can create more of these. Just add to X-Ayatana-Desktop-Shortcuts a "Server2", "Server3" etc, then change the domain name (in this case, "minibox.local") to the name of your server. You'll also notice that the default action (When you just click the icon in the launcher) is to SSH into minibox.local - you'll need to change that to your most used server.

3. Drag and Drop onto the launcher by navigating to ~/.local/share/applications/ in Nautilus.



Source: http://askubuntu.com/questions/35488/what-custom-launchers-and-unity-quicklists-are-available

Samsung SCX-4623F & Ubuntu 11.10/12.04: easy to install BW laser printer / Imprimante N&B à installation facile

EN: I definitively recommend the Samsung SCX-4623F black and white laser multifunction printer (MFP) (+scanner, +fax, +copies +automatic document feeder (ADF)) to be used with Ubuntu 11.10 or 12.04. Installation is easy because the drivers (printer+scanner) are included by default in the Ubuntu version. Price is low. Note that I have not tested the fax. The printer is not noisy when printing and totally silent in idle mode or 1-2 seconds after a job.

Contrary to many modern inkjet MFP, printing and scanning can not be independent from a computer (no internal software or memory, no card/USB reader, and no Scan button). For me, printing from the computer is quite natural but it is a pitty for the scanner. Nevertheless, the ADF allows you to scan 30-40 pages in a time and there is a button to send scanned documents directly in a directory of the connected computer (Not tested, may need to install the Samsung unified printer drivers to make it work). Nevertheless, as it is a USB model, it should not lead to numerous trips between the scanner and the computer (that would be more problematic with the model SCX-4623FN having an Ethernet/network connection).

About the printing and scanning quality, it is reasonable but not great. Text renders very well. Scanned documents are relatively good but colors are slightly altered.This MFP should be used for private purpose only.


FR: Je recommande l'imprimante multifonction (IMF) laser noir et blanc Samsung SCX-4623F (+scanner, +fax, +copies, chargeur automatique de documents (CAD)) pour être utilisée avec Ubuntu 11.10 ou 12.04. L'installation est facile car les pilotes (imprimante + scanner) sont inclus par défaut dans la distribution Ubuntu. Le prix est un des plus bas de la catégorie. Notez que je n'ai pas testé le fax. L'imprimante n'est pas bruyante lors de l'impression, et totalement silencieuse en mode veille ou 1-2 secondes après une impression.

Contrairement à beaucoup de IMF moderne à jet d'encre, l'impression et la numérisation ne peut pas être indépendantes d'un ordinateur (pas de logiciel ou mémoire interne,  pas de lecteur de carte ou USB, et aucun bouton Scan). Pour moi, l'impression à partir de l'ordinateur est tout à fait naturelle, mais c'est dommage pour le scanner. Néanmoins, le CAD vous permet de numériser 30-40 pages en 1 opération et il ya un bouton pour envoyer les documents numérisés directement dans un répertoire de l'ordinateur connecté (non testé, installer les pilotes d'imprimante Samsung unifiées pourrait être utile) . Néanmoins, comme il s'agit d'un modèle USB, cela ne devrait pas poser de problèmes d'aller retours entre le scanner et l'ordinateur (cela devrait être plus problématique avec le modèle SCX-4623FN qui se connecte par Ethernet / réseau).

À propos de la qualité d'impression et de numérisation, elle est raisonnable mais pas à tomber par terre. Le texte rend très bien. Les documents numérisés sont relativement bons mais les couleurs sont légèrement altérées. Cette MFP est à réserver à une utilisation privée.

Linux: delete duplicated files / effacer fichiers dupliqués

In case you have a folder (and sub folders) containing many duplicated files that were renamed with a pattern such as "(2)", "(3)", or "Copy of", you could run the commands below permanently delete them. Change eventually the path to the directory and the pattern "*(2).pdf" to fit your needs.

Si l'un de vos dossiers (et ses sous dossiers) contient des fichiers dupliqués dont le nom a été changé avec un motif tel que "(2)", "(3)", or "Copie de", vous pouvez effacer définitivement ces fichiers en lançant les commandes ci-dessous. Changez les chemin vers le dossier (/path/to/directory/with/duplicates) et le motif de la commande find "*(2).pdf" pour les adapter à votre cas.

cd /path/to/directory/with/duplicates
find . -name "*(2).pdf" -exec rm -rf {} \;

Fingerprint reader for Lenovo X220t on Ubuntu 11.10

Type the following command to identify your fingerprint reader:

lsusb

If you see this in the output you can try the installation procedure below:

147e:2016 Upek Biometric Touchchip/Touchstrip fingerprint Sensor


Installation:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fingerprint/fingerprint-gui
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install fingerprint-gui policykit-1-fingerprint-gui libbsapi.

Then, run the software to configure your fingerprints.

fingerprint-gui

source: http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/fingerprintgui

SSH remove fingerprint or key from known hosts list

Run this command replacing hostname by relevant name:

ssh-keygen -R hostname

how to save a list of installed packages and install these packages later

The following solution may be worth trying:

http://www.arsgeek.com/2006/09/19/ubuntu-tricks-how-to-generate-a-list-of-installed-packages-and-use-it-to-reinstall-packages/

Loosing keyboard when using CTRL-s in a terminal

In a linux terminal, if it seems that you loose the keyboard control when pressing CTRL-s (ex. when saving in Emacs by C-x C-s), you may use a telnet connection to a server (may be through qlogin). In this case, C-s stops the terminal output and C-q starts it back. To fix it, you can run the following command before the connection or add it to ~/.bashrc:

stty -ixon

Sources:

• http://gridengine.org/pipermail/users/2011-February/000154.htm
• http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/aix/v6r1/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.ibm.aix.cmds%2Fdoc%2Faixcmds5%2Fstty.htm

Alternatively you MAY try the following: add the line below to ~/.screenrc and restart Emacs:

defflow off

(source http://superuser.com/questions/251446/problem-with-gnu-screen-when-using-emacs-c-x-c-s-save-buffer)

Ubuntu 10.10: move active window to next screen

How to create a keyboard/mouse shortcut in Ubuntu 10.10 to move the active window to next screen (dual/several screens configuration):

1. Install CompizConfig Settings Manager
2. Run it
3. Go to bottom (Window management)
4. Go to Put
5. Configure shortcut for Put to next Output

From: http://askubuntu.com/questions/22207/quickly-place-a-window-to-another-screen-using-only-the-keyboard 

Bug (2012-01-26): if the window position is first set by some Compiz shortcuts (using CTRL+ALT+NUM PAD) and you try to move it to the next screen, then it returns to its original location.

Navigon Fresh & Ubuntu 11.04

Navigon Fresh is a software to manage GPS navigation devices from the Navigon company. A Windows and a MAC OS X versions exist but the former can run in linux Ubuntu 11.04. Here is the procedure for Ubuntu 11.04:

1. install Wine from the Ubuntu software center
2. download NAVIGON_Fresh_setup.exe from navigon.com
1. The link to the French download page is http://www.navigon.com/portal/fr/karten_services/fresh.html
3. make the downloaded file executable by changing the permissions
4. execute the file (ex. by double clicking) to install the software using Wine
5. connect the device to the computer using the USB cable. It should be mounted automatically.
6. setting up Wine
1. open the Wine configuration tool (winecfg)
2. in the Drives panel add a new drive using an available letter
3. select this new drive in the list and show advanced options
4. select a path to the mounted USB directory
1. e.g. /media/NAVIGON
5. set the type to floppy drive
6. exit the configuration by clicking OK
7. open Navigon Fresh, create an account if necessary, login and the device should be visible by the program

Source: http://my.opera.com/theoperalink/blog/2010/05/18/navigon-fresh-android-ubuntu-and-wine

[Update 2012-01-23] After some testing, it seems that some bugs are present and may prevent the device from updating properly. Alternatively, installing and running the software in a Windows XP virtual machine (using VirtualBox) in an Ubuntu 11.04 host works fine.