Validate integrity of LibreOffice downloaded files on Mac

On this page https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/, click info
https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/stable/7.2.1/mac/x86_64/LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg.mirrorlist

Mirrors for LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg
File information

Filename: LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg
Path: /libreoffice/stable/7.2.1/mac/x86_64/LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg
Size: 267M (279867887 bytes)
Last modified: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:43:36 GMT (Unix time: 1631267016)
SHA-256 Hash: b83e841360fa6ee9e42bfc1579ce9ae135972d6e7a01e79d1b975c2b855ff152
SHA-1 Hash: ad46a513f7c2047f632d8a3929a23b74aaebcc3d
MD5 Hash: 741cd9f35e133d0b2cc1944dc362cb0f
BitTorrent Information Hash: bcb717c49259229b9108c0967679dc2f53c9aba9
PGP signature available

At the terminal:
$ openssl dgst -sha256 LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg
SHA256(LibreOffice_7.2.1_MacOS_x86-64.dmg)= b83e841360fa6ee9e42bfc1579ce9ae135972d6e7a01e79d1b975c2b855ff152

Search and compare the hash sum match before install

Free Windows 10 Upgrade

As I guessed in my post last year, the next version of Windows is a free upgrade to consumer of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. I love it.

MAC – Easy to Use?

Refresh:

• Windows: F5
• Ubuntu: Ctrl-R
• Mac: ?

Create a new text file.

• Windows: Right click
• Ubuntu: Right click
• Mac: ?

Connect to Windows Share from Ubuntu

When I attempted to connect to Windows Share from Ubuntu 12.04, I got this error message: "Failed to retrieve share list from server"

Found solution from UbuntuForums.org (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1082148&page=12&p=9762937#post9762937). Enter "smb://192.168.123.123" where 192.168.123.123 is the IP address of Windows Share, it bring up the list of shared folders on Windows machine.

Now, I just entered the user name and password to get in.

How to access Wamp Server running on Windows 2008 from other computer?

The firewall rules on Windows 7 or Windows 2008 or later version may not allow you access to your web site running by WampServer from other computer. To fix this problem:

Step 1: Update httpd.conf to add this line
Allow from 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0 # for LAN
#or
Allow from all # for any computer in the world
Remember to restart Apache server after change the httpd.conf

Step 2: Check Windows Firewall.

• Is the port 80 open?
• Is the Apache Web Server (\wamp\bin\apache\Apache2.4.4\bin\httpd.exe allow to receive the request from other?

Install Windows 8.1 Preview on VirtualBox

When I installed Windows 8.1 Preview on VirtualBox 4.2.14 hosted on Mac OS/X machine, I got this error:
“Your PC need to restart, Please hold down the power button Error Code : 0x000000C4”.

Here is a solution I found at https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/10792:
Open terminal windows and execute this command:
VBoxManage setextradata [vmname] VBoxInternal/CPUM/CMPXCHG16B 1
where [vmname] is your Windows 8.1 virtual machine name.

Here is my screenshot: Install Visual Studio 2013 Preview on Windows 8.1 Preview

Update on July 10: You need to the Oracle VirtualBox 4.2.16 or later to install VirtualBox Addition in order to make the full screen, shared folder and other features.

Scan a whole drive for virus in Windows 8

1. Go to desktop screen to using Windows Explorer or open command prompt windows.
2. Change to folder C:\Program Files\Windows Defender
3. Execute program c:msascui.exe

Antivirus on Microsoft Windows 8

Microsoft Windows 8 has built-in antivirus software called Windows Defender so we don’t need to install Microsoft Security Essential as in Microsoft Windows 7 or previous Windows version. If you need to install other third party antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus or McAfee, etc… you need to disable Windows Defender first. You cannot more than one antivirus software run at the same time. It will slowdown your machine and make it easy to crash.

I am much happy to use the Windows Defender on Microsoft Windows 8. It saves me at least fifty bucks per year on antivirus software.

New Year New Password

Your password should change frequently. If you cannot change every month, every quarter, then at least once a year.

When you change the password, it should NOT in "The 25 worst passwords of 2012". You should NOT using the same password for all accounts. Use the KeePass or a password protected LibreOffice document to keep track your password. Read "The guide to password security (and why you should care)" for more info.

Happy New Year!

Beware of Fake Federal Express Emails

When I maintained my client's computer few days ago, I found his computer infected by trojan downloader Win32/Kuluoz.B

These trojans infected my client's computer since he clicked on the fake email claimed from Federal Express.

As a matter of fact, the delivery companies like Federal Express, UPS, DHL and US Post Office never send email notification. They don't know your email. If they cannot delivery package, they will left a note at your door.

It took me an hour to clean up and re-scan whole computer to make sure it clean. So, beware when you check email.

Reinstall Guest Additions on Ubuntu Virtual Machine

Each time Ubuntu virtual machine running on Apple Mac OS/X host machine upgraded to new kernel or major upgrade, Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions need to re-install. Also, it need to upgrade when Oracle VM VirtualBox upgrade to new version.

Windows 8 Preview on VirtualBox

Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview or Enterprise Preview will run perfectly on VirtualBox virtual machine. However, after I installed VirtualBox Guest Additions, Microsoft Windows 8 Preview did not run correctly. I could not open my email client or desktop. So, I wiped out the virtual machine and start over without install Guest Addition.

How to show hidden files in Mac OS X

To show hidden files in Mac OS X:
1. Open terminal
2. Type the following command turn show hidden files:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true
3. Restart the Finder application by this command
killall Finder

To hide the hidden files, replace the 'true' value with 'false' in command at step 2 above

Quickly Lock Your Screen using Keyboard

To quickly lock your computer using keyboard shortcut:

1. On Ubuntu: Press <Ctrl><Alt>L at the same time 
2. On Apple OS/X: Press <Shift><Ctrl><Eject> keys at the same time 
3. On Microsoft Windows: Press <Windows> and L keys at the same time 

Unity Launchpad error in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) Beta 1

In the last couple days, I encountered the Unity Launchpad error in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) Beta 1. I got the error dialog box displayed, closed it, got a blank screen, nothing there. No launchpad.

How I got into the terminal or launched the application? How I fixed it?

Launched the keyboard shortcut by pressed these keys together <Ctrl><Alt>T

Now in the terminal, I ran these commands:
~$ sudo apt-get update
~$ sudo apt-get upgrade

I thought the new updates would fix it. Still no launchpad. I typed this command at the terminal
~$ unity

The launchpad launched. Still some glitches. Reboot. Repeated these processes above couple times, it worked.

Automatically Show and Hide Dock Bar on MacBook Pro

By default, the dock bar always show on MacBook Pro. It consume a lot of space on screen. To make it automatically hide and show:

1. Right click the middle space between icon, go to dock preferences.

2. Check automatically hide and show the Dock

or
Click on the Apple icon on the top left screen to access Dock preferences

or really quick: Press <option><command><command>D keys at the same time to turn on/off the automatically hide and show the Dock

Troubleshoot Internet Connection

1. Make sure you can connect to your router by ping to your router IP (for example: 192.168.1.1) from command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac or Linux) or access to the router web page using the browser. If you cannot ping or see the router web page, check your network configuration on your computer.
2. Are you using the wireless? If yes, connect the CAT 5 Ethernet cable connect to your computer.
3. Is the wired connection working? If yes, your wireless has issue.
4. If the wired connection is not working, is other computer in your home, your office or your LAN can access to the Internet? If just only your computer, check your network configuration.
5. If all computers in your LAN could not access to the Internet, power down both the router and cable modem.
6. Wait for 15 seconds, and turn them on.
7. If you still not connect, check to see there is outage in your area. If not, verify your router is working.
8. To verify your router is in good condition, hook up another spare router or your computer directly to the cable modem. Note: If you hook up your computer directly to the cable modem, make sure the firewall on computer enable and all ports other than 80 are closed. Connect computer with open ports: 20, 21, 139, 3389 directly to cable modem or Internet is dangerous and not recommend. Here, I'm using my test computer running GNU Linux with all closed ports to connect directly to the router.
9. If you can connect to the Internet without router or with another router for an hour or more, your existing router is bad. It need a replacement.
10. If you cannot connect to the internet, chance is your cable modem or the link from cable modem to your internet service provider have issue, call your internet service provide technical support.

Apple iPad 2 vs. Toshiba Thrive vs. Acer Iconia Tab vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab vs. Motorola Xoom

There is no question that Apple iPad 2 is a leading table. Let compare it with other 16GB Wi-Fi tablets.

Tablet	Apple iPad 2	Toshiba Thrive	Acer Iconia Tab A500	Samsung Galaxy Tab	Motorola Xoom Family Edition
Operating System (OS)	Apple iOS 4, 5	Google Android 3.1, 3.2	Google Android 3.1	Google Android 3.1	Google Android 3.1
Screen Size	9.7-inch	10.1-inch	10.1-inch	10.1-inch	10.1-inch
Screen Resolution	1024x768	1280x800	1280x800	1280x800	1280x800
Processor	1GHz dual-core Apple A5	1GHz Dual-core	1GHz Dual-core NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2	1GHz Dual-core NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2	1GHz Dual core
Memory (RAM)	512MB	1GB DDR2	1GB DDR2	1GB	1GB
Storage (ROM)	16/32/64 GB	8/16/32 GB	8/16/32 GB	16 or 32 GB	16GB
Expandable memory	None	Full-size SD Card slot. Up to 128GB SDXC	microSD, microSDHC	None	Up to 32 GB microSD card
Back Camera	1MP. Video recording, HD (720p)	5MP with auto-focus, 720p video capture	5MP with auto focus and single LED flash	3MP auto-focus camera with LED flash. HD(720p) Video recording	5MP auto-focus camera with LED flash. 720p video capture
Front Camera	0.3MP VGA	2MP	2MP	2MP	1.3MP
Microphone	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes
HDMI	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
USB	No	Mini USB 2.0 port, Full-size USB 2.0 port	1 USB 2.0	No	Micro USB
Wi-Fi	802.11a/b/g/n	802.11b/g/n	802.11b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n Dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz)	802.11b/g/n
Battery	10 hrs	11 hrs	8 hrs	9 hrs	10 hrs
Weight	1.33 lbs	1.60 lbs	1.69 lbs	1.25 lbs	1.43 lbs
Flash support		Yes		Yes	Yes
Price	$500/$600/$700	$380/$400/$480	$350/$450/$500	$500/$600	$400

HP TouchPad Liquidation

Last night, I read from TechCrunch "HP Issues TouchPad Liquidation Order – Get Yours Now For $100". Wow. Is that's true? I would like get one for $99 and use it for browsing, reading, listening music and watch video. I don't need other apps.

I do some more research. It looks like that price for Canada only.

But for BestBuy in USA, it still $399

Even I cannot click thru the link at BestBuy.com, I check the special return policy for HP TouchPad

So I will stop by at BestBuy to check it out. If it's $99, I will buy it.

Disable Mousepad on Dell Inspiron 1545 with Ubuntu 11.04

After upgraded to Ubuntu 11.04, I could not use the command 'sudo modprope psmouse -r' to disable. Executed that command cause my laptop hung.

This discussion "Ubuntu 11.04 with Gnome on Dell 6510: cannot disable touchpad" on UbuntuForums.org offered me a solution. Here, what I did on on my computer:

user@vn-software:~$ xinput list
⎡ Virtual core pointer id=2 [master pointer (3)]
⎜ ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer id=4 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Logitech USB Receiver id=10 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Logitech USB Receiver id=11 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ ImPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint id=13 [slave pointer (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard id=3 [master keyboard (2)]
↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard id=5 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Video Bus id=6 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Power Button id=7 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Sleep Button id=8 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard id=12 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Dell WMI hotkeys id=14 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Integrated Webcam id=9 [slave keyboard (3)]

Device ID for my mousepad is 13. Let find out what properties on device 13 are:

user@vn-software:~$ xinput --list-props 13
Device 'ImPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint':
Device Enabled (127): 1
Coordinate Transformation Matrix (129): 1.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000
Device Accel Profile (250): 0
Device Accel Constant Deceleration (251): 1.000000
Device Accel Adaptive Deceleration (252): 1.000000
Device Accel Velocity Scaling (253): 10.000000
Evdev Axis Inversion (254): 0, 0
Evdev Axes Swap (256): 0
Axis Labels (257): "Rel X" (137), "Rel Y" (138)
Button Labels (258): "Button Left" (130), "Button Middle" (131), "Button Right" (132), "Button Wheel Up" (133), "Button Wheel Down" (134), "Button Horiz Wheel Left" (135), "Button Horiz Wheel Right" (136)
Evdev Middle Button Emulation (259): 0
Evdev Middle Button Timeout (260): 50
Evdev Wheel Emulation (261): 0
Evdev Wheel Emulation Axes (262): 0, 0, 4, 5
Evdev Wheel Emulation Inertia (263): 10
Evdev Wheel Emulation Timeout (264): 200
Evdev Wheel Emulation Button (265): 4
Evdev Drag Lock Buttons (266): 0

The Device Enabled property for device #13 (Touchpad) is 127 and it set to 1. Let turned it off.

user@vn-software:~$ xinput set-prop 13 127 0

It worked! I loved it.

So, to enable the touchpad, I will using this command "xinput set-prop 13 127 1" on my computer. Please note: The device ID and device enabled property for the touchpad on your computer may not same as mine. You need to find out yours by using commands 'xinput list' and 'xinput --list-props' as describe above.

Updated Aug. 13, 2011: Make sure you check device number by using command "xinput list" before disable your touchpad. Otherwise, you may disable the wrong device.