CrossOver Linux is free now

I got a mail from CodeWeavers today with a registration code to download CrossOver Linux Pro for free. CodeWeavers programs enable you to run many popular Windows programs, such as Quicken, Microsoft Office, and Photoshop CS2 etc. on your favorite operating system (in my case Ubuntu).

To get a copy of a CrossOver Mac Pro, Crossover Linux Pro, CrossOver Mac Games or CrossOver Linux Games, visit the company's Web site and download the software. You will, eventually, get a deal code that fully enables the software and gets you six-months of support as well.

I would like to use this for:
a. Google chrome (though I am not sure if this with work)
b. some games (specially Spore by Electronic Arts)

You can read more about it here.
ComputerWorld story

no stream found to handle url dvd://1

On Ubuntu, I got this error when I tried to play a DVD using mplayer.

no stream found to handle url dvd://1

I googled but interestingly, could not see a solution anywhere. Thats when one of my geek friend helped me figure this out.

PROBLEM
The problem here is that of incorrect device path set in mplayer

SOLUTION
a. check the device path for your DVD drive. (can do this via sudo mount)
b. Open mplayer
c. Right click in the mplayer window >> choose Preferences >> MIsc
d. Enter the correct device path against DVD device and CD ROM device
e. OK and you are ready to play the DVD properly

The Tata Sky Challenge

Try opening www.TataSky.com website on any linux distro and you will find that it does not work.

Whereas, on Windows, it works very well. I tried both IE and Chrome. (didn't try firefox on windows though)

Interestingly, www.TataSkyplus.com opens nicely on Linux also.
Tata Sky Plus offers a TV recorder (Hard Disk based). It costs around 9K for new customers. Tata Sky plans to offer a special deal to exisitng Tata Sky users but has not announced the details so far.

Free online file conversion e.g. PDF to Word doc

Earlier a friend asked me if I could help him convert a PDF into a word document.

I only knew how to :
a. copy text from a PDF document
b. convert a PDF into a Jpeg or Png (using GIMP)

Today I learnt about Zamzar.com. This site:

• allows you to convert files from one format to other
  
• supports image numerous formats for images, docs, music, video etc
• offers free conversion (in addition to paid options)
• is very easy to use. You upload the file and indicated the desired output format. It will send you a mail with a link to the file within 24 hours

Migration is almost complete... Ubuntu rocks

Last fews weeks were very hectic and I got very little time to migrate my stuff from old laptop to the new. Finally, I completed my migration today and highlights of this exercise are:

1. Reducing the size of pre-installed windows partition was easy with QTParted. Windows XPs inbuilt disk manager was not helpful at all.
2. Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 installed like a breeze. No issues whatsoever.
3. Dualhead monitor support is also working now thanks to this post
4. VirtualBox allows me to run XP op top of Ubuntu. one of my legacy windows based application works smoothly on the same. At times, using VirtualBox and dualhead feature, I make presentations to people whithout them realising that I am running XP in a virtualised environment.
5. Fingerprint reader works fine on Ubuntu. (Not only can I swipe my finger to login using GUI login page, it also works on command line. I am using ThinkFinger)
6. Gnomad2 works with Creative Zen Vision M like a breeze.
7. J-Pilot syncs with my Treo 700p
   

Things that could have been better are:

1. Lenovo rescue and recovery CDs for my X61 laptop do not allow me to install in the virtualised environment. I wish it worked .
2. X61 has an integrated graphics card. Moving from and SVGA (1440x 1024) 14.1" to a XGA (1024 x 768) 12.1" screen is stressful. Firstly I miss the screen real-estate that I earlier had. Second, display of letters (esp. on terminal and midnight commander- mc) is not as smooth as it used to be. It will take me some time to get used to it.

Overall..... I am loving it !!!

For Airtel Users: Test your internet speed

http://speed.ncr.airtelbroadband.in/

On this page you can test your internet speed if you are an Airtel DSL subscriber. Its a god way to check and be able to report speed issues to Airtel customer service.

I have a 128 kbps plan and got:

• 77.4kbps download speed
• 44.3 kbps upload speed

When i called Airtel to check why the d/l speed is lower, they indicated that they promise upto 128 kbps speed and not 128 kbps. Smart product design ;)