Prompt is blue in IPython

If you want green prompt, open ~/.ipython/ipy_user_conf.py and uncomment this line:

o.autoexec.append('%colors Linux')

jabbatron: an interactive installer script for Ubuntu

Update (20120328): jabbatron is now available via pypi (sudo pip install jabbatron).

Problem
Whenever you install a new Ubuntu system, each time you need to repeat the same steps: edit .bashrc, install mc, install vim, etc. It’d be nice to automate these steps.

Solution
There are lots of installer scripts for this task but most of them are written in bash. As I’m better in Python, I made my own version in Python. Here it is.

Related

• update_fresh_ubuntu.sh

Listen to Pandora Radio from anywhere

See the end of this post.

Update (20121110)
If you want to listen to Pandora Radio, there is an easier method.

Learn C The Hard Way

“Learn C The Hard Way will fill in the “beginning programmer” gap in the literature on the C Programming language. It will teach good modern C programming practices and avoid habits that lead to buffer overflows, security defects, and other problems that even experienced programmers cause. This book is designed for:

• Students who have read LPTHW or LRTHW.
• Programmers with skill in one other “scripting” language.
• Programmers who need to relearn C.
• Objective-C programmers who want better C skills.
• People who like a challenge.”

http://c.learncodethehardway.org/

FoxyProxy, proxy switcher for Firefox

Problem
While browsing, you want to use a proxy server.

Solution
The FoxyProxy add-on allows you to switch proxies easily.

Useful Links

• 
  http://www.ip-adress.com/proxy_list/
  (prefer Elite proxies)
• 
  http://www.samair.ru/proxy/
  
• paid proxy services
• Anonimity Checker

Use Case
Say you want to listen to Pandora Radio but when you visit their website you get a warning in your face: “You are not a US resident therefore you don’t exist. Go away!” What can you do? Install FoxyProxy, set up a US proxy, verify it on an arbitrary site to see if it works, then visit the Pandora website again. Problem solved.

Related posts

• Proxy Explorer script

Update (20121110)
If you want to listen to Pandora Radio, there is an easier method.

Oh my Gosh! 100,000 visitors!

Today the blog had its 100,000th visitor! Wow, thanks! When I started this blog I was afraid that after a while I wouldn’t have anything to write about. Fortunately it’s not the case. Sometimes I wish I had more time for this blog. In the world of Linux one can learn something new every day.

Slogan generator

Problem
You have a great project and you need a slogan for it.

Solution
Then Sloganmaker is for you. However, it only makes one slogan at a time. I wanted to get several slogans, thus choosing the best one is easier.

For this, I made a simple Python script that uses Sloganmaker as an API (available here). It’s part of my jabbapylib library (whose new motto is: “Nail it with jabbapylib.“).

Example:

$ python slogan.py 'Jabba Laci'

Sample output:

Jabba Laci can't be hurried.
You can count on Jabba Laci.
There's a Jabba Laci in your future.
It's wonderful, it's Jabba Laci.
Jabba Laci whatever.
Jabba Laci fresh you up.
It's miracle in the rain, it's Jabba Laci.
More smiles with Jabba Laci.
The Jabba Laci effect.
Everyone should believe in Jabba Laci.
Always the right answer with Jabba Laci.

LOL :)

VLC 2.0 is out

How to install VLC 2.0 in Ubuntu

In short:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:n-muench/vlc
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install vlc

Library.nu is down

• 
  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/librarynu-book-downloading-injunction_n_1280383.html
  

• 
  http://www.reddit.com/r/trackers/comments/ppfwc/librarynu_admin_the_website_is_shutting_down_due
  

Alternatives

• /gro.ifkoob.ne//:ptth
• /ce.sur.bil.neg//:ptth
• /gro.ifkoob.ne//:ptth
• /em.etaripyrarbil//:ptth

Mom’s Gmail account is at 98%

Problem
You create a Gmail account for your Mom and a year later she signals that it’s almost full. You told her to delete those “funny” Powerpoint presentations she received but she didn’t listen. How to help her out?

Solution
On my current machine I have lots of free space so I decided to save her mails here. I made a new account for her but I didn’t want to log out from mine while fetching her mails. Here is what I did:

• I made a new account for her (System Settings -> User Accounts, Add). Set her password.
• sudo xhost local:mom (where ‘mom‘ is her username)
• su - mom
• thunderbird (without xhost you’d get an error: Error: cannot open display: :0)
• set up her account in thunderbird and download her emails via IMAP
• sort emails by size and delete the biggest ones

Read this post too (Thunderbird + GMail).

Update (20120227)
Mom managed to reduce her space occupation to 37%. What is this if not a full success? ;)