– John – K7JM

My computers run the Linux operating system.  Specifically, Ubuntu Linux.  I found some nice weather software called “wview” that is compatible with my weather station.  I put wview on my desktop, configured my weather station, and have it upload the weather data to my web site.  You can see it http://mcdougallshome.net/wx/.  The whole system worked real nice, but my desktop had to be powered on all the time, and for some reason, when one of my kids would get on it, the weather system would crash.

My solution is the “SheevaPlug” plug computer.  The SheevaPlug is slightly larger than a wall type transformer.  In fact, the SheevaPlug plugs into the wall just like a transformer “wall-wart.”  It also has an option for a power cord, which I find more convenient to use.

Here are some specs from this small box:

• 1.2 GHz Arm processor
• 1/2 GB RAM
• 1/2 GB solid state memory
• SD/MMC card slot,
• USB port
• Gigabit eithernet port
• USB port to use your computer as a terminal for the SheevaPlug
• It comes loaded with Ubuntu 9.04 for the Arm Processor

I added an 8GB SD card and upgraded it to Debian Squeeze since Ubuntu does not support the Arm processor anymore.  I then loaded up wview weather software, and my webcam software scripts.  And voila, it works!  It was a fun process and not as clear cut as one would think.  The SheevaPlug is a development kit; and therefore, has no instructions, but there is a lot of information on the Internet.

I made a video (actually three parts) showing an overview of the process that I took to get it all together.  Also, here are some pictures of the setup.

– John – K7JM

Here is a list of web sites shown on my videos:

• http://mcdougallshome.net/wx/
• http://www.wunderground.com/US/MT/59638
• http://www.wviewweather.com/
• http://www.wviewweather.com/release-notes/wview-User-Manual.html#Installation-debian
• http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/2315/
• http://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=La+Crosse+2315&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=lacrosse+ws+2315&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=shop:1&prmd=ivns&ei=8R9MTeKwFoOosAOn_aWTCg&start=0&sa=N&biw=1374&bih=661&fp=de82b25adf0f9dc
• http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/wx/4095.html
• http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X2QRK2
• http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/p-22-sheevaplug-dev-kit-us.aspx
• http://www.plugcomputer.org/plugwiki/index.php/Serial_terminal/Linux/Programs
• http://groups.google.com/group/wview/web/tutorial—wview-on-the-sheeva?pli=1
• http://www.openplug.org/plugwiki/index.php/Main_Page
• http://www.openplug.org/plugwiki/index.php/New_Plugger_How_To
• http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/uboot-upgrade.html
• http://www.plugcomputer.org/plugwiki/index.php/SheevaPlug_Installer
• http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/SqueezePlug
• http://squeezeplug.de/
• http://sourceforge.net/projects/esia/

Another Ham discovers Linux’s ham friendliness.  ARRL’s website has another nice story about a Ham using Ubuntu Linux and fldigi to renew his love for Amateur Radio.  Check out the post HERE.  Good going Steve (KØSRE)!  For more of Linux In The Ham Shack, check out “Linux In The Ham Shack” podcast.

- John, K7JM

Anyway, that is not really what this post is supposed to be about.  This post is about a nice theme that I came across for my Ubuntu desktop.  Ubuntu, besides being FREE with lots of FREE applications, it is very nice looking, and if you want to dig deeper, you can make it REALLY nice looking.

I usually have my Ubuntu Desktop all decked out with some sort of modified Emerald theme, with transparency, and glowing frames and pulsating buttons and such.  As I was searching around one of the many Ubuntu web sites, I came across a proposed theme for the next version of Ubuntu coded named Maverick Meerkat due to be released on 10/10/10.  I am sure this nice theme I found will not be a default theme, as purple and orange seem to be someones liking on the Ubuntu development teams.  I am personally not that thrilled about the purple/orange theme, and usually look for other options.

The theme I came across is a beautiful blue theme called Ambiance Blue.  It is not fancy, or full of glowing parts, or throbbing buttons, but is a very nice looking simple blue theme.  The Ambiance Blue Theme can be downloaded from HERE.  See the picture of my theme below, or click on the small screenshot to see a larger view of one of my desktops.  Yes, in Ubuntu, you have MULTIPLE VIRTUAL DESKTOPS.  Very Nice!

- John

The ARRL web site had a nice entry about Ubuntu for Ham Radio.  The article could have been four times as long and not cover all the aspects of why Ubuntu Linux is good for Ham Radio.  Also, several of the applications that the author mentioned in the ARRL article that he used with WINE, have alternates available for Linux, including PCB layout software, and Circuit analysis.  Almost ALL FREE.  Besides, Ubuntu’s super easy to install Ham Radio repository of applications, HERE is a page full of stuff, ranging from the latest and greatest to older Linux Ham Radio programs.  Ham Radio is about innovation, and experimentation.  It is sad to see so much of it is built up on a closed, unexperimentalable, unmodifiable, and costly solution like Windows.

73,
John – K7JM

New Logo, New URL

I am an avid user of the Linux operating system, and of course, a Ham Radio Operator. There happens to be a great podcast that combines these two endeavors into one.  Linux In The Ham Shack.  Recently, they have moved their web page and therefore have a new URL and here it is:  http://lhspodcast.info/ Check out Russ’s and Richard’s Linux In The Ham Shack site and their podcast.  If you are a regular listener to the podcast, it might be worth mentioning that they also have a new feed, so if you have been missing episodes lately (like I have), try updating the podcast feed.

I’ve also updated their link on my Links page.  Check that page out for other places I visit often.

Keep up the great work guys!

John – K7JM

I’ve been hacked! My web sites have been hacked.  Fortunately, the hack was so bad that it just broke the web site and I noticed it right away.  It looks as if they came in through my hosting company some how, but I have not received any notice that a server at the hosting company has been compromised.  I deleted the web site and restored it all from a reliable backup.  It was a learning experience; and I am glad that I am fanatical about backups!

73,
John – K7JM

After I installed Ubuntu 9.04 – Jaunty Jackalope, I posted a lengthy list of problems I encountered during and after the process. You can read it by clicking HERE.

I received a great reply from Rob laying out some important facts about updating a major distribution of most any variety.  I encourage you to read Rob‘s reply Here: May 9th, 2009 at 11:25 am.

It seems, however, that my experience with Jaunty was not unique.  My blog post has been ready by many other users looking for solutions.  Here is a partial list of search entries that resulted in finding and reading my post.

• solution gdesklets jaunty

• menu bar missing gnome ubuntu 9.04

• jaunty jackalope install/upgrade experie

• install kept back upgrade brasero jaunty

• desktop effects could not be enabled

• ubuntu 9.04 partial upgrade brasero

• error gdesklets ubuntu 904

• partial upgrade ubuntu 9.04

• tracker jackalope reindex

• ubuntu alternate install +grub boot load

• +nvidia +drivers +jaunty +not +loaded

• jaunty partial upgrade problem

• jaunty jackalope partial upgrade

• ubuntu 9.04 no menu bar

• ubuntu 9.04 failed to open gdesklets

• ubuntu 9.04 sansa not connecting

• missing menu bars jaunty

• 9.4 jackalope indexing error

• downloading files from sansamp3 player t

• ubuntu 9.04 tracker applet missing

• jaunty jackalope menu bar disappear

• ubuntu jackalope tracker reindex

• ubuntu 9.04 missing password

• ubuntu jaunty not detecting sansa

• upgrading to jaunty jackalope partial up

• gdesklets jaunty fix

• desktop effects could not be enabled

• ubuntu jaunty sansa

• tracker indexing error jaunty

• how to start the compiz gui in ubuntu 9.

• ubuntu 9.04 recovery menu

• menu bar missing in ubuntu 9.04

• applet is not loading ubuntu jaunty jack

• ubuntu update manager icon disappeared

• jaunty jackalope recovery menu

• “open movie editor” ubuntu 9.04 mp3

• ubuntu 9.04 problem hp laserjet printer

• ubuntu 9.04 sansa not connecting

• how to install gdesklets in ubuntu 9.04

• compiz buggy since upgrade to jaunty

• kernel failed install when updating to 9

• partial upgrade jaunty error open office

• sandisk jaunty

• nvidia picked up during live not after I

• missing 9.04 from grub

• jaunty install software failed

• ubuntu 9.04 missing compiz menu

• ubuntu 9.04 tracker “what is”

• how do i fix a failed ubuntu 9.04 instal

• sansa clip not working on ubuntu 9.04

• reindex ubuntu 9.04

• not work tracker ubuntu 9.04

• ubuntu 9.04 gdesklets

• tracker ubuntu 9.04 “re-index”

• jaunty disable tracker

• ubuntu 9.04 partial upgrade cannot resta

• jaunty compiz startup

• ubuntu 9.04 + update error

• ubuntu 9.04 nvidia not detected

• power button missing from ubuntu 9.04

• sansa not connecting in jaunty

• kino ubuntu 9.04

• ubuntu partial upgrade jaunty

• some of the menus are missing on ubuntu

• ubuntu 9.04 reindex

• tracker applet missing ubuntu jaunty

• ubuntu 9.04 gdesklets

• ubuntu jaunty auto detect sandisk sansa

• ubuntu 9.04 vlc media player error

• xbmc failed to detect distribution jaunt

• upgrade ubuntu jaunty jackalope gui err

It is obvious that there were too many errors, many of the same ones I encountered, while installing Jaunty.  I (and others) would love to hear about your experience installing Jaunty.  Good or bad.

John – K7JM

I love CW

There seems to be a resergence of interest in CW.  Eliminating CW as a requirement to get a Ham Radio license hasn’t done much to bolster our numbers.  CW is not the reason that our hobby has declining numbers.

Enter LCWO.net .  LCWO.net  is a web site I just discovered that will help you learn, or improve your CW skills.  LCWO stands for “Learn CW Online”.   I fiddled around  a bit on the site and found it very interesting; and it will even track your progress.  Give LCWO.net a try, it just might be the ticket to help you learn, or improve your CW.

CW is FUN!

John – K7JM

My Leap Second Capture Setup. Click the picture to see a larger view.

A “Leap Second” was added to our clocks at 12:59:60 on Dec. 31, 2008 (12:59:60 is not a typo).  Leap Seconds are added or subtracted every so many years, to keep our clocks in sync with the actual orbit of Earth around the sun.  There are several different methods to capture the leap second, and I took the opportunity yesterday to see if I could do the same without fancy or expensive equipment.

HERE is a good web site about the “Leap Second”.

And, HERE is a page about how to watch a “Leap Second”.

This is how I did it.  I tuned into WWV on my Ham Radio receiver, and set up a camera to record the time on my GPS.  After looking at the Leap Second web site, I should also have connected my computer to my GPS to capture the NMEA output from it.  Click on the picture to the left to see my setup. View the video below, and you will see that 12:59:59 lasted for two seconds on the GPS.

John – K7JM