When I started using ubuntu, one of my dream for  an open source software like ubuntu is to become fully supported by all proprietary hardware manufacturer. I know that, it would take more time before it came to reality, the  way how things are working right now are thru contributions by different geeks, good hackers, advocates & enthusiasts via the world wide web.

I’LL make this tutorial very easy for anybody, I already compiled all the resources that you need. Recently I bought a new CanonIP1980 printer, then I tried to use it via Ubuntu 10.04 Linux OS. Here are the step by step process how to do it:

Step 1:

- Get all the source that you need, click here

- After downloading, extract the files & you will see libcupsys & iP1900 debian driver.- Just in case you need an alternative download for iP1900_debian_printer.tar, here is the link

http://software.canon-europe.com/products/0010647.asp

- Open your terminal or console.

- If your using ubuntu 9.04 or lower than that, there is also other alternative way to get libcupsys2, try to do:

$ sudo apt-get install libcupsys2

- Next go to folder you used to download the driver:
$ cd /path/to/your/folder

- Untar the dowloaded file:
$ tar -xf iP1900_debian_printer.tar

- You will now have 3 files on this folder (+ original tar downloaded file).
(In my case I’ve untargz the “tar.gz” file inside, but don’t think that this is necessary, how ever if you wanted or need to doit:
$ tar xvzf cnijfilter-common-3.00-1.tar.gz)

Step 2:

Then let’s install:

$ sudo dpkg -i *deb
- This will install the two deb packages included in the downloaded tar file that will install the proper drivers in the computer database.

- If your done installing, exit the terminal.

Step 3:

-Go to CUPS web manager using any of your favorite browser, run http://127.0.0.1:631

- In the page go to Admin and find the button that says “Find new printer” and then follow the assistant.

- After you complete the assistant, verify the printer properties by going to system->administration->printing->then right click the printer to show the properties.

You can run test print page to verify that its working, then if it works, CONGRATULATIONS!

Hope this helps someone. If you have troubles making the tutorial works just post your concern here, I will be glad to answer your question.

Watch out for my next post, for the part 2 of this tutorial its about how to print via your network & how to lower down print resolution via Ubuntu.

It all started from the scratch, tech savvy imagination & software engineer who bring the pieces of the code algorithm to the next level. Each version of upgrade from alpha, beta & to stable release, requires a lot of patience & trial/error for a team rocket of geeks, the system took so many months to become a consumer product.

The products & services  that are well known over the internet are the creation of the best geeks of the world. One of them is Google, since birth of this company, they wanted to organize the world’s information by creating the best search engine of the world.

Until the era of clone has finally came, Facebook that won the battle over Friendster, Myspace, Multiply and many more. Facebook become the number #1 social networking site after the first battle of the clone wars. In the 90′s there is Microsoft that crushed Netscape by simply building their own web browser and giving it away for free & in the 20th century Firefox won over Internet Explorer of Microsoft. We’ll see what will happen to Google Chrome in the next coming years on the arena of browser clones.

Meanwhile, in the social neworking battle ground, Google created Google Buzz to clone Facebook. Google needs a horse in the social networking race to be able to defend itself against Facebook over the long run. But people have very short memories, sadly, and it’ll all blow over shortly.

The war between Google & Facebook is not yet over, Google will send more clones to Facebook, who knows what will happen to another clone wars between Google & Twitter. Google has this Glitter, a Twitter clone that will arrive soon.

To be continue…..

Ubuntu Lucid 10.04

I recently got an issue on PHP 5.3.2 via Ubuntu Lucid, after upgrading from Ubuntu 9.10 to Ubuntu 10.04, On one of the old Joomla! source I’m working on I keep getting this warning “Warning: Parameter 3 to showItem() expected to be a reference, value given in…. “.

The solution is downgrade your PHP 5.3.2 to PHP 5.2, here are the steps to follow.

1. On your /usr/local/sbin/, create php5_2-downgrade.sh, copy paste this source.

#!/bin/bash
# by Ruben Barkow (rubo77) http://www.entikey.z11.de/

# Originally Posted by Bachstelze http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9080474#post9080474
# OK, here's how to do the Apt magic to get PHP packages from the karmic repositories:

echo "Am I root? "
if [ "$(whoami &2>/dev/null)" != "root" ] && [ "$(id -un &2>/dev/null)" != "root" ] ; then
echo " NO!

apache2ctl restart


2. Open your terminal, chmod +x /usr/local/sbin/php5.2-downgrade
3. On your terminal, ./php5_2-downgrade.sh
4. Just follow the steps, everything is very straight forward.

A logic that lets you save your view as image to your saved photos. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Add QuartzCore framework.

2. Add IBAction in your header.
- (IBAction)fooView;

3. In your implementation add your IBAction similar to your header file.

- (IBAction)fooView {
UIGraphicsBeginImageContext(self.view.bounds.size) ;
[self.view.layer renderInContext:UIGraphicsGetCurrentContext()];
UIImage *image = UIGraphicsGetImageFromCurrentImageContext();
UIGraphicsEndImageContext();
UIImageWriteToSavedPhotosAlbum(image, nil, nil, nil);

4. Lastly make sure to call #import to your implementation. Then set your button to your method.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but Adobe have finally given up all hope for the iPhone/iPod and iPad devices, after being “banned” by Apple.

Recently, Apple changed their developer agreement, prohibiting the use of third party tools to construct iPhone applications (including the heavily invested CS5 iPhone Exporter).

Apple have reason not to include Flash on their devices because it’s now said to be almost obsolete, with the rise of HTML5 to allow video/audio and animation: a feature which is heavily supported in Mobile Safari.

Adobe have said: “We will still be shipping the ability to target the iPhone and iPad in Flash CS5. However, we are not currently planning any additional investments in that feature.”, instead they will focus their attention on the competing smart phone, Google Android.

Fedex say “we live to deliver!” BUT they want your money before they deliver! or else they will leave your package.

This post is about my pain in the ass!, my fedex experience as courier for the item that was sent to me from USA to the Philippines. I also hope that this post would serve as guide on how to avoid Fedex as your courier & how to handle the situation if it happens the same thing to you.

It was Dec. 21, 2009 when my item arrived early in the morning at NAIA Terminal. Then it was transferred right away to Cargohaus, inc. located at the lower ground of Bureau of Customs. I can track my item because of the tracking number that was provided to me by my sender. You can start tracking your item by going to http://www.fedex.com/ph/. If this is your first time to use fedex service you will think having a tracking number would make you feel relax & comfortable. On that day before the office hours ends, I make sure to call the fedex hotline 8558484. I talked to the CSR and she says to me that my item transaction was handled by Fedex agent Mr. Anthony Villanueva of Import department, and this guy will call me to further details and assistance. After that call I decided to just wait after 2 days.

By Dec. 23, 2009 there still no one calling on behalf of fedex, so I decided to call again the hotline. Then the CSR redirect me to import department direct line 8558450. After 2 hours of hanging on the phone & listening to different advertisement of fedex, someone pick-up the phone from that department. I asked for the person handled my transaction and the operator says he is out for lunch, take note during that time its already 2PM in the afternoon and how come he still out for lunch. After that call I tried to track the item on fedex website for the second time. I saw there the item went to Manila on Dec. 22 and went back to Cargohaus inc., Paranaque by Dec 23, 2009. During that time I’m afraid of what is going on to the item specially the succeeding days are 24th & 25th of December which is holiday.

Starting from 26th until 27th I always called the hotline of fedex but I always get the same answer that the item is still under the inspection of Bureau of Customs. I also checked fedex website to track my item and it always say that transaction is still delayed for no reason at all. During that time I’m upset what is going on because I still don’t get any call from fedex agent Mr. Anthony Villanueva. I now called one of my friend from Bureau of Customs to check and monitor if Fedex already submitted any document to process my item. Unfortunately my friend said the item is never been processed by fedex since its arrival Dec. 21st. I asked helped to my friend to do something to call the attention of Fedex and submit the papers to them. Where in fact its the job of fedex to submit it to customs.

By the 28th I called the fedex hotline and monitor the tracking number if there is update, I still get the same feedback. By 7pm I received from my friend a text message that fedex already filed the papers on that day and they already release the papers. My friend advice me to contact my fedex agent the next day to follow up to them and also to avoid the upcoming delay because of another holiday.

Since hotline of fedex, direct line & website tracking is a waste of time. The next day by the 29th I have decided to go to the cargogaus bldg., naia complex, brgy. vitalez, paranaque city. I personally went to Fedex office at the 2nd floor. At the lobby of import department I saw 3 persons already upset because of waiting to the personnel to went out. Behind the cabinet you will see 2 personnel busy where in if you carefully see what their doing, you will see their “friendster account”. At that moment I called their attention and say “EXCUSE ME! can you connect me to your friend Mr. Anthony Villanueva”, so they hurry up to assist me and they replied back that they don’t know that person. They also check the status of my tracking number on fedex Jurassic system and there you go still the same result!. They say transaction is still delayed and they put the blame to Bureau of Customs that its not yet being process. They suggest me to go to CSR office at the 3rd floor of the bldg.

When I was on the 3rd floor, I tried to looked for the name Mr. Anthony Villanueva and the girl replied back he is still out for lunch, this is the funniest & craziest part it was 2PM already at that time again the same reason when I called the last time. Its also confusing because on the hotline they say this agent belong to the import department. I tried to enter on that department. Basically, I notice that this area is like a call center setup so I concluded that when I’m calling 8558484 this department is the one answering my calls. I also discovered that their all busy with their facebook, yahoo messenger, friendster & etc. They didn’t even notice that I was already inside. So I directly talk to their team leader to ask where the heck is Mr. Anthony!. It seems based on his reaction that this guy is just a ghost and not for real.

I can say the analogy if I compare the situation to a game I’m now on the 2nd to the last stage. Immediately 3 person assist me right away before I start to get mad. The team leader check from the other fedex system the status of my item. There you go, it says that by 28th 6pm its already cleared, just like what my friend said to me. Then the process went smoothly after that and I completed my transaction & bring home my item successfully.

Conclusion:
1. Never believe to fedex hotline, they create story telling & ghost employee.
2. Never use fedex because their system is Jurrasic. Meaning to say never rely to their tracking number because its not connected to the updated system.
I also discovered that updating their website is delayed by 15hrs.
3. Never attempt to use their service I discovered that their not secure. When I get my item they didn’t even get any identification from me and it seems they just rely to the tracking number that you will provide to them. Just think about this if someone knows your tracking number and they stole your item/package & don’t expect to fin it anymore.
4. Never trust their computation they give you hidden charges. Based on the receipt it seems I paid twice for docs/stamps.
5. Don’t waste your time waiting, do something!.

Information:
Cargohaus, inc, formerly U-warehouse, inc
- this is where they stored your item or your package

address:
Cargogaus bldg., naia complex, brgy. vitalez, paranaque city
tel: 879-4301/ 4372

http://www.cargohaus.com

Fedex 2nd floor & 3rd floor, Cargogaus bldg., naia complex, brgy. vitalez, paranaque city

http://www.fedex.com/ph/

Fedex hotline: 8558484 Import Department: 8558450

Resources:

http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+topic/id/18855/Bad+Experience+with+FEDEX

http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/fedex-a438/page/5

On this day November 5, 2009, I will celebrate my silver year as a human being.  Its my 25th birthday today!

I still remember when I was a kid, I always say to myself that “by my 25th birthday I will be financially independent”. And yes its a dream come true for me that now I’m one of the young high-tech entrepreneur in the Philippines.

Wishing more birthday to come for myself and thanks to you my Lord God almighty for all the blessings that you’ve given to me.

This is not a marketing post for yoshinoya rather its a thank you post for them. Last Oct. 26, 2009 I receive an email from “Yoshinoya Team Mega” that I won a free meal.  So I immediately plan my visit to receive my price.

Yoshinoya is a famous restaurant originated in Japan. Team Mega is one of their branch located in SM Megamall, Philippines. I won by dropping my calling card to their fish bowl near to their cashier section.

Next time if you plan to visit Yoshinoya just bring your calling card and lots of surprises awaits.

Thank you for the free meal “Yoshinoya Team Mega” until my next visit.

Its been many years since I started using Ubuntu, from its first version to 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope). This would be my first post about ubuntu and giving tutorial how to fix annoying problem like what I’ve encountered.

Recently, I attempted to plug-in my smartbro usb MF627 and try to make it work on Ubuntu 9.04. This is my 2nd attempt, the last time I tried it I encountered the same problem. Before I upgraded to 9.04, the recent 8.10 works ok for my smartbro usb MF627.

I’m one of those concern citizen trying to push this device to support our beloved GNU/Linux. I will keep trying 9.04 and also future releases and see if this device will work soon.

Here is what I encountered, during the start-up or boot-up stage. The terminal freeze on reading from usb-serial device. You will see usbserial/usbcore many times and it seems forever loop.

To solve this problem, don’t wait forever, try hitting ESC many times or ctrl+alt+delete to deactivate reading other hardware devices. Try hitting Enter+ESC many times until you reach the login message, asking you to login with your username or password. During this stage you will still encounter annoying reading of usb-serial device. Just continue to sudo root and then try aptitude update.

Make sure to plug your ethernet cable.

Check your ubuntu release:
lsb_release -a

Reconfigure your xserver by:
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

If you encounter permission denied on dpkg try:
mount -n -o remount, rw/
- to remount your drive and renew file permission. Currently it says that your under a read only file system.

If success you may now clean your aptitude by:
apt-get clean

Fresh update your aptitude:
apt-get update

Try again dpkg reconfigure:
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Your gnome GUI needs some restart:
/etc/init.d/gdm restart

What happens to me gdm stop so after fixing file permission. I remount my Sda1 by:
/etc/init.d/gdm start
- This brings me to my login GUI.

I hope when you reach the end part of this tutorial it helps you solve your problem.

Feel free to post your questions & idea here.

This is my share on Installing IonCube to your LAMP. Here are some helpful steps to follow:

(STEP 1)
# tar -zxvf ioncube_loaders_lin_x86.tar.gz
# cd ioncube

(STEP 2)
- copy the php ioncube to your server root
# cp ioncube-loader-helper.php
Go to: http://localhost/PATH_/ioncube-loader-helper.php

You should see something like this:

PHP Version ___
Operating System Linux
Threaded PHP No
php.ini file /usr/PATH_/php.ini
Required Loader ioncube_loader_lin_#.#.so

(STEP 3)
- make directory under /usr/local and paste the required .so
# cd /usr/local
# mkdir /ioncube
# cp ioncube_loader_lin_#.#.so /usr/local/ioncube

(STEP 4)
Edit php.ini file:
# gedit /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini
OR
# gedit /usr/local/lib/php.ini

- At the end of the code add this
zend_extension = /usr/local/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_#.#.so

Save and Exit

Restart the server by typing:
# /etc/init.d/httpd restart

(STEP 5)
To confirm that ioncube is fully working
Go to: http://localhost/PATH_/ioncube-encoded-file.php

You should see something like this:
This file has been successfully decoded. ionCube Loaders are correctly installed.