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88plug re-launches the Antiques Diva

By | Featured, Sample Work | No Comments

88plug is proud to announce the release of the Antiques Diva.

“The Antiques Diva® is the nom de plume for Toma Clark Haines, an American expat living in Europe whose life story has been liberally sprinkled with Cinderella dust. As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Toma dreamed of global adventures. While other kids drew houses with picket fences, Toma drew gondolas with men in striped shirts. After studying abroad in London in university, Toma returned home on the range to marry her college sweetheart. After saying “I do,” she immediately began whispering in his ear words of far-away places and before long her dream became his. When a serendipitous opportunity arose, offering them a chance to live and work in Europe, they moved to Paris for 5 years and then Amsterdam for 4. Along with her husband and well-traveled pet Catpuccino, Toma currently resides in Berlin nearby Brandenberg Gate and the Reichstag. ”

See the combined Store and Blog here:

www.antiquesdiva.com

 

 

HTML 5 Video Converter

By | Sample Work | No Comments

The best free and open source available for all you HTML 5 video needs(which include multiple format conversions) can easily be done with Miro Video Converter. There is little additional information available from the site, but this tool does exactly what the box says:

Convert to:
Theora
WebM
MP4 Video
MP3 (Audio Only)

Get it Here

Although the application is 32 bit, you can run multiple instances to max out your CPU. Also included are profiles for Android and Apple devices as well.

ThinkPad x201 Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Wireless

By | Linux | No Comments

The ThinkPad x201 is a great platform for Ubuntu 10.04.  The default installation contains an outdated version of the Thinkpad BGN wireless drivers.  After first boot you can see networks(not all available), and connect to some – but in general this will give you difficulties.  The recommendation is to first update your installation via-Ethernet to automatically download the patch.  Upon restart, you will have a fully functional Ubuntu installation.

This is where and how it was solved:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/lucid/+source/linux/+bug/567016

MySQL error /usr/libexec/mysqld: unknown option ‘–skip-bdb’

By | Sample Work | One Comment

MySQL version 5.1.47 failing to start after upgrade?  Here is the brief:

Problem: tail -f /var/log/mysqld.log

[raw]/usr/libexec/mysqld: unknown option ‘–skip-bdb'[/raw]

After poking around for a quick solution, nobody seemed to release that the bdb dependncy is no longer used in /etc/my.cnf configuration file.

Old my.cnf:

[raw] [mysqld] set-variable=local-infile=0
query-cache-type = 1
query-cache-size = 6M

datadir=/var/lib/mysql
#socket=/usr/libexec/mysqld
socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock
user=mysql
# Default to using old password format for compatibility with mysql 3.x
# clients (those using the mysqlclient10 compatibility package).
old_passwords=1

skip-bdb

set-variable = innodb_buffer_pool_size=2M
set-variable = innodb_additional_mem_pool_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_log_buffer_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_thread_concurrency=2
[mysqld_safe] log-error=/var/log/mysqld.log
pid-file=/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
skip-bdb

set-variable = innodb_buffer_pool_size=2M
set-variable = innodb_additional_mem_pool_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_log_buffer_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_thread_concurrency=2

[/raw]

New:

[raw][mysqld] set-variable=local-infile=0
query-cache-type = 1
query-cache-size = 6M

datadir=/var/lib/mysql
#socket=/usr/libexec/mysqld
socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock
user=mysql
# Default to using old password format for compatibility with mysql 3.x
# clients (those using the mysqlclient10 compatibility package).
old_passwords=1

#skip-bdb

set-variable = innodb_buffer_pool_size=2M
set-variable = innodb_additional_mem_pool_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_log_buffer_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_thread_concurrency=2
[mysqld_safe] log-error=/var/log/mysqld.log
pid-file=/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
#skip-bdb

set-variable = innodb_buffer_pool_size=2M
set-variable = innodb_additional_mem_pool_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_log_buffer_size=500K
set-variable = innodb_thread_concurrency=2

[/raw]

Add jail shelled FTP/SSH user on CentOS / Plesk

By | Interest, Linux | 4 Comments

The process of adding a new FTP user with SSH access to a Plesk / CentOS server is more difficult than it needs to be.  Plesk will only allow you to add WebUsers to your domains which have FTP accounts, not full SSH accounts.  Here is the quick and dirty. We want our new user to be in chroot jail and to inherit the same permissions as another user on the system.  The user will be restricted to the top level directory you define (for example httpdocs in this case).

Login as Root:

1.  [raw]cat /etc/passwd/ | grep ‘anyusername'[/raw]

This will return:

[cci]anyusername:x:10009:2524::/var/www/vhosts/anydomain.com:/bin/bash[/cci]

The first set of numbers after “:x:” is the UID or User Identifier.  We will use this in the next command to copy the same permissions.

2.[raw]useradd -u 10009 -o -d /var/www/vhosts/anydomain.com/httpdocs/ -g psaserv -s /usr/local/psa/bin/chrootsh newusername[/raw]

Replace “anydomain.com” with your domain, and “newusername” with the new user you would like to add.

3.[raw]passwd newusername[/raw]

Gives the user a password.

4. [raw]usermod -s /bin/bash newusername[/raw]

Boom! Done.

Extras:
For an in-depth discussion on working with rssh, chroot, and users – see UnixCraft

Settings Wireless Region Linux – Channel 13 Backtrack 4

By | Linux, Sample Work | No Comments

One of the most recent problems I stumbled upon while running Backtrack, or any other linux distro for that matter is setting the region on a wireless card.  The typical procedure is :

[raw]iwconfig wlan0 channel 13[/raw]

And commonly you will get

[raw]error for wireless regquest ”set frequency”
(8b04)
set failed on device wlan0 ; invalid arugment[/raw]

There is an easy fix for this that will allow you to change the region mode your wireless adapter is in.

[raw]iw reg set FR[/raw] [raw]iw reg set US[/raw]

More on IW here.

References:

Channel

Center Frequency

Frequency Spread

1

2412 MHz

2399.5 MHz – 2424.5 MHz

2

2417 MHz

2404.5 MHz – 2429.5 MHz

3

2422 MHz

2409.5 MHz – 2434.5 MHz

4

2427 MHz

2414.5 MHz – 2439.5 MHz

5

2432 MHz

2419.5 MHz – 2444.5 MHz

6

2437 MHz

2424.5 MHz – 2449.5 MHz

7

2442 MHz

2429.5 MHz – 2454.5 MHz

8

2447 MHz

2434.5 MHz – 2459.5 MHz

9

2452 MHz

2439.5 MHz – 2464.5 MHz

10

2457 MHz

2444.5 MHz – 2469.5 MHz

11

2462 MHz

2449.5 MHz – 2474.5 MHz

12

2467 MHz

2454.5 MHz – 2479.5 MHz

13

2472 MHz

2459.5 MHz – 2484.5 MHz

Acer Aspire 3690 Broadcom Wireless 43xx Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic

By | Interest, Sample Work | No Comments

Issue : After installing Ubuntu 9.10 wireless and wired networking are either working sporadicly or not at all.  The most vanilla solution you will find.

Target : Acer Aspire 3690-2159

OS : ubuntu-9.10-desktop-i386

Hardware : Broadcom 4318 Wireless Adapter

Ensure your wireless switch is turned on in the front before reading step 1.

1.  Install Ubuntu 9.10

2.  Plug in active internet connection the Wired ethernet

3.  Run update-manager

4.  Restart after Kernel update

5.  Now with internet still plugged in, goto System>Administration>Hardware Drivers

6.  Select the Broadcom B43 wireless drive and click activate.

7.  Type in your administrator password

8.  Restart

et Voila.

Ubuntu Karmic 9.10 and Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P – Black screen

By | Hackintosh | 2 Comments

After any install of Karmic, 9.10 the new GRUB 2 bootloader will not start the generic kernel. On first reboot after a fresh install, when you select the standard boot image you are left with a black screen, and possibly a blinking cursor in the upper left hand corner.  To boot anything functional I was forced to start in rescue mode, resume normal boot, login as my user, then run [cci]startx[/cci] to start GNOME. What a disaster! Simple fix? You got it!

It’s time to edit Grub2, a daunty little beast that is not to be mistaken for Grub.

1. Open the grub config

[raw]sudo gedit /etc/default/grub[/raw]

2. A note : grub.cfg cannot be modified without changing the file permissions first. Do not modify [cci]/boot/grub/grub.cfg[/cci] Simply put, every time you run update-grub this file is re-generated. Changes here can be dangerous.

3. Find the following, or similar depending on your kernel

[raw]linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=94db3b6d-1959-49d3-8565-6e3e28acdc64 ro quiet splash[/raw]

4. Remove “quiet splash”

[raw]linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=94db3b6d-1959-49d3-8565-6e3e28acdc64 ro[/raw]

5. Run

[raw]sudo update-grub[/raw]

6. Reboot

The Perfect Bag – Consulting

By | Sample Work | No Comments

Supporting multiple operating systems on all types of different hardware configurations seems to be a daunting task, however in my daily routine I find that a perfect balance in the bag can really make this job a lot easier.

What’s in the bag!

-320GB External USB Hard Drive – 7200 RPM/SATA/USB
(2 screws to open external exclosure)

-Macbook (2.1Ghz C2D, 3GB Ram, 320 GB 7200 RPM HD)
Parallels running Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.04

-Headphones

-Small Screwdriver Set

-USB Charger – large/mini usb for Blackberry

-iPhone w Charger
Jailbroken w/SSH

-Dual USB charger, with miniUSB

-Sprint Unlocked Blackberry 9630 Tour

-8GB USB Key

-3FT Firewire Cable

What do I need?
Well, I would one day like to be able to replace the Macbook with a well partitioned netbook.

Nolcha comments on 88plug and the HotChocolate Society Oscar Party

By | Sample Work | No Comments

Nolcha had a nice writeup on the event and the work that I did.

“The HotChocolate™ Society Oscar Pool was the big prize of the night with the winner receiving “A Kiss from the Queen of Salt”, a salt painting by world renowned artist Bettina Werner and of course a mini HotChocolate™ Man Statuette. One mentionable highlight of the pool was the system created by 88plug, an Andrew Mello brand, that allowed guests to register online with their phones and then watch it auto-rank all players as the awards were revealed. The winner was Pablo Cartaya, a freelance writer, with 10 of 15 answers correct.”

Goto the HotChocolate Society Oscar Party website.

2nd HotChocolate Society Oscar Party

By | Featured, Sample Work | No Comments

88plug is sponsoring the Oscar pool with some custom built software for iPhone and Blackberry. We will be releasing this come Sunday evening!

More info and tickets here!

+ 2-Hours 2-4-1 DRINK SPECIALS from 7pm to 9pm
……….HotChocolate Martini (cold)
……….HotChocolate Toddy (hot)
……….Lemondrop Martini
……….Cosmopolitan
+ Guittard’s Grand Cacao Drinking Chocolate
+ Ceviche & Empanada Station
+ Top Chef’s Savory & Sweet Bites
+ The Oscars® Broadcast on Multiple Screens
+ Whole Foods Market® Gift Bag
+ Live Online Oscar Pool
+ Fabulous Prizes!

22 February 2009, 7pm ‐ Best Picture
310 LOUNGE @ 310 Bowery; New York, NY 10012

TICKET REQUIRED: $25 advance
DOOR: $35

Additional MENU OFFERING: La Barra Cevicheria

* Mexican Fish Ceviche Hors D’oeuvres
* Mexican Mushroom Ceviche Hors D’oeuvres
* Argentinian Style Beef Empanada
* Argentinian Cheese & Poblano Peppers Empanada with Corn
* Mexican Tamales with Chicken & Mole

Animata – Real Time Animation in SL

By | Interest | No Comments

http://animata.kibu.hu/

Video after the break!


Reverse Shadow Theatre from gabor papp on Vimeo.


Animata Jazz Pub from gabor papp on Vimeo.

“Animata is a cross-platform open source real-time animation software for live performance developed in Kitchen Budapest in 2007.

The software makes it really easy to create scenes with virtual puppets, which can be moved according to live input signals received from various physical sensors, microphones or cameras.

This video demonstrates Animata reacting to live audio input.

Credits:

Bence Samu – video, animation, programming
Peter Nemeth, Gabor Papp – programming
Janos Gardos – graphics
Gabor Csordas – sound

animata.kibu.hu”

February Radar – Oscar’s

By | Sample Work | No Comments

I have been working hard over the last two weeks with Lisa Rein and Michael D Ellenbogen to bring a piece of social interaction to an Oscar’s Party in NYC on Sunday the 22nd.

Our Site:

http://thehotchocolatesociety.com/

Tickets:

http://2009hcsop.eventbrite.com/?discount=mello_09

Full writeup/review/breakdown after the break on Sunday.  We are writing a bit of custom code for this as well to create a pool that is fully compatible on iPhone/Blackberry.  Future goals include porting an SMS feature onto the MSGME API.

Future of Social Networking – W3C – Barcelona 2009

By | Featured, Sample Work | No Comments

“The W3C organized a Workshop on the Future of Social Networking, with a high level goal of bringing together the world experts on social networking design, management and operation in a neutral and objective environment where the social networking history to date could be examined and discussed, the risks and opportunities analyzed and the state of affairs accurately portrayed.

Within the W3C workshop, the issues facing social networking growth could be documented and, in this workshop in particular, taking into account social networking on mobile devices/platforms with and without PC/broadband Internet services.

The workshop also explored whether it is worthwhile to consider the creation of an Interest or Working Group under the auspices of W3C to continue these discussions.

The discussions of the workshop were fed by the input of the 72 position papers submitted(including ours!) by the participants, and animated by the Program Committee composed of experts from the industry and academics on this topic.”

Our Position Paper:
Using Standards to Normalize Domain Specific Metadata

Day 1 Minutes / Day 2 Minutes