Twitter Updates for 2009-09-30
- @jrodgers is that hash tag "gettin' gold" or "getting old" cuz I would go for the first one. how was devcamp? in reply to jrodgers #
- @spellbunny got'er in reply to spellbunny #
- @jrodgers no I was talking about devcamp waterloo, wasn't that last night or Monday night? in reply to jrodgers #
- @jrodgers I hope they were ninja robots, otherwise that would have been scary in reply to jrodgers #
- @blueballdesign it's at least nice to see IE6 down to 25%. the other two I can deal with. in reply to blueballdesign #
- @blueballdesign yep, sad but true. in reply to blueballdesign #
- I've made some edits to to the LittleSnapper script http://sh.orti.ca/i/23 #
- Jerry Reed, "She got the Goldmine, I got the Shaft" is an awesome track. I feel ya brother #
- I just have to share the tune with y'all http://bit.ly/4zjl7R #
- @bbyrdhouse it does have autosave in reply to bbyrdhouse #
- RMS is "Docking" LittleSnappers "Dockless" feature http://sh.orti.ca/i/24 #
- I've never seen these developers before but KnapSack looks pretty cool http://sh.orti.ca/i/26 #
- 5 ways to use twitter to kill your business (via @sitepointdotcom) http://sh.orti.ca/i/27 #
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Scripting LittleSnapper
I hate clutter in my Dock… I also hate being slowed down looking for things. You can imagine these two positions are at odds with each other quite often. I don’t use the Dock in Mac OS X as a place to launch apps so much as I use it as a visual reminder of the things I can do, but don’t on a regular basis.
Like LittleSnapper for instance. I use it maybe once a day, and for pretty much the same thing — I open it up, I snap the current web page and then proceed to tag it, rate it and upload it to my ember Pro account — but I don’t keep it open. I quit LittleSnapper when I am done and cary on with the rest of my day. This kind of usage doesn’t warrant a coveted position in my Dock, but if I have to search for the app (Spotlight, Google QSB, QuickSilver) or dig for it in Finder, the inspiration to snap that web page may well pass.
So what does a magna nerdulosa like myself do to address this situation? I automate! AppleScript to the rescue!
The first thing I want to do is launch LittleSnapper and I do that by tossing a little bash in AppleScript using the following:
tell application "LittleSnapper" to activate
And now LittleSnapper is ready to have it’s buttons pushed*:
tell application "System Events"
tell process "LittleSnapper"
click menu item 1 of menu "Capture" of menu bar 1
end tell
end tell
It’s as simple as that! The full script will:
- Luanch LittleSnapper
- tell LittleSnapper to go into the “Capture” menu
- click “Snap Web Address from Safari”
You can then cary on with tagging, annotating or whatever else tickles your LittleSnapper fancy.
Now what?
For me the next step is to save the script in ~/Library/Scripts/ add a hot-key combo to it using Red Sweater Software’s FastScripts.app. You could also use this in LaunchBar, QuickSilver, Butler, or any other means you may use to run AppleScripts.
Full Script
-- This script launches LittleSnapper
-- <http://realmacsoftware.com/littlesnapper/>
-- and tells it to snap the current web page
-- By Adam Merrifield <http://www.seydoggy.com>
-- r4 10-08-09 08:12 (removed delays)
tell application "LittleSnapper" to activate
tell application "System Events"
tell process "LittleSnapper"
click menu item 1 of menu "Capture" of menu bar 1
end tell
end tell
Download
Get it fresh from CodeCollector.net
Notes
References
EDITS
r4 10-08-09 08:12
I’ve removed the delays I once needed before each section. The modifier keys I was using (specifically ⌥) in my hot-key sequence were being passed to LittleSnapper and causing LittleSnapper to prompt me to choose a new image library. Taking ⌥ out of the sequence negated the need for the delays.
r2 09-30-09 11:42
While there is technically nothing wrong with the original script, the bash line — do shell script "open -a LittleSnapper" — throws an error in console and some part of that line looks as though it will not be supported for much longer. So I have changed this line to the slightly more verbose tell application "LittleSnapper" to activate
I have also split the 1 second delay into two 0.5 second sections, one at the front end and one before system events. It seems FastScripts.app really is fast and is getting ahead of itself when executing the script with hot-keys. That causes issues for me but may not affect you, depending on what you use to run your scripts.
Twitter Updates for 2009-09-29
- man I keep getting hit with the same spam injection. whereever they have embedded themselves they are proving difficult to remove. #
- farg, I had to ssh into dreamhost to correct the permissions on a directory the Transmit botched #
- @elixirgraphics a mac mini would make a fine server. I think RMS uses a mac mini for their dev server. in reply to elixirgraphics #
- @uknowirock it's been a blast so far. I'm a bit of a command-line nerd so it's right up my alley. in reply to uknowirock #
- @uknowirock been learning more about apache then I knew there was to learn. in reply to uknowirock #
- @elixirgraphics a media server might need a little more horse power. in reply to elixirgraphics #
- @elixirgraphics oh yeah 4 sure. a media center is what mini's are good for. in reply to elixirgraphics #
- @bbyrdhouse @elixirgraphics I want to make a media center/pvr with Mythbox and an pc #
- @bbyrdhouse lol, thanks… I think
in reply to bbyrdhouse # - @bbyrdhouse
in reply to bbyrdhouse # - if you've had trouble with your wp-blog installs from @nilrog, this might help http://sh.orti.ca/i/22 #
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iMac G3 Web Server – Part 1
Recently an old iMac G3 of mine made it back home after a lengthy stint at the in-laws (introducing them to computers a few years back). My initial thoughts were to take her to the great recycling depot in the sky, but then I got to thinking. “What could a web designer/developer use a seriously underpowered G3 chip be useful for?”
And you all chant in unison… a web server!
So this is just a document of the stuff I went through to get from point a to point b. It’s not so much instructional, but if you wish to follow along, by all means, have at it.
Serve with Mac OS X… maybe not.
So I got to fiddling around with this old bubble of a machine and thought initially that I would just try to use the services provided in the Mac OS (the iMac was running 10.4 at the time). This proved to be so painfully slow that I decided to dig up an old copy of OS X 10.2 (it was called Jaguar back then, in case you forgot) and install it. While this was a tad faster, those services that were installed were sorely out of date.
Since it was clear that I was going to have to get into the command line to install MySQL and update and configure the PHP that was there, and since the the whole desktop environment was going to be redundant by the time this thing goes into service… why use the Mac OS at all?
When in Freeville, do as Linus does
That’s when I decided that Ubuntu Server was the way to go. There are a ton of worthy Linux distro’s out there but I decided to go with Ubuntu because their PowerPC ports are pretty much up to date with with the core development. I could have used Debian but trying to track down the latest stable PowerPC build was like trying to finding a hot date at a Star Trek convention.
I just so happened to have an Ubuntu Server 8.1 iso laying around, so just as a proof of concept, before tying up anymore of Ubuntu’s precious bandwidth, I tried the install out to be sure that all would work on the old PPC box. And it did.
Fast forward to the Jaunty Jackalope
So I got my hands on the latest stable build of Ubuntu Server for PowerPC, Ubuntu 9.04 (which can be downloaded here) and got to work.
The install was pretty straight forward, I just followed the steps as each prompt appeared. All in all it took about an hour on the old beast. One helpful hint: it seems the install will fail repeatedly if you don’t have the machine connected to the internet. I just ended up plugging in to the spare ethernet port of my Mac Pro, but I am assuming any connection would do.
I have a package for you
I wasn’t really sure what packages I was going to need in the end, so I installed most, if not all of them. But at the very least I knew I was going to need a LAMP stack *, ssh and possibly DNS (though unlikely that I would bother to set it up). If you plan to make your own server you might as well take the time to research the options since installing and configuring them at install will save you the hassle later.
Bong!
Once the install was done I was prompted to reboot. So I did. If your a total nerd like me you’ll get excited to hear that familiar Mac “Bong!” yet moments later get nothing but a black screen, white text and a login prompt… I can almost hear echos of Joshua (WOPR) in his computerized voice asking me, “Would you like to play a game?”
With everything done right in the install I was prompted with**:
`ubuntu login: `
I entered my username, in my case “adam”, and hit return:
`ubuntu login: adam`
Entered my password, •••••••••••, and hit return:
`password: `
Up pops a bunch of info like last login, software details, load and memory usage etc… and the all important command prompt:
`adam@ubuntu:~$ `
The root of the solution
Here is where I am about to do a no-no… if I ever planned to run this machine in the DMZ (beyond the safety of my internal network and out side my router) I would NEVER do this. However, I want to have pure, unadulterated, God-like power over this machine and I do not want to sudo (“superuser do”) it every step of the way.
Those of you familiar with Ubuntu know that they disable root login by default. But this cripples what various apps can do in various directories over ssh — namely ExpanDrive, MacFusion, various FTP clients and from what I can tell some TextMate bundles (though I probably have them configured wrong) — and I don’t want to always have my head stuck in the terminal.
So, to enable root login I had to set a root password (since the install never prompted me for a root password). This is done with:
`adam@ubuntu:~$ sudo passwd root`
I then entered my own password for adam@ubuntu, •••••••••••:
`[sudo] password for adam: `
And the the new root password twice:
`Enter new UNIX password: `
`Retype new UNIX password: `
And success:
`passwd: password updated successfully`
Now I am able to switch to root:
`adam@ubuntu:~$ sudo su root`
And after entering the password I just created I am now presented with:
`root@ubuntu:~# `
Now with that out of the way I can proceed with causing some real damage…
More to come
In following posts I will talk about my ssh setup, configuring apache and working with my in my new server environment.
Notes:
- * LAMP stands for Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP/Perl/Python and is a generic acronym for a stack of applications that provide the kind of web services need to run web applications and dynamic web content.
- ** I set my server name up to the default “ubuntu”. Yours may read different.
MacFusion – Snow Leopard Fix
I’ve been playing around with ssh while I configure my Ubuntu Server (more details about that soon) and figured I would get my head out of the terminal for a bit. So I downloaded ExpanDrive again (used it a while back) only to discover that it’s since been upgraded… a paid upgrade… and my old serial no longer applies. I wasn’t enamoured with “mounting” remote servers as hfs volumes enough to pay for this app a second time so I decide to move on to the free alternative; MacFUSE + MacFusion.
The only hiccup I encountered was that MacFusion didn’t seem all that happy about launching an ssh connection under Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. I could connect with no issues in terminal but not in MacFusion. A quick visit to the MacFusion Google Group revealed this temporary solution, which is basically:
- quite MacFusion
- set up MacFUSE to get betas (under System Preferences)
- and remove this file in Terminal:
rm /Applications/Macfusion.app/Contents/PlugIns/sshfs.mfplugin/Contents/Resources/sshnodelay.so
To get the nitty-gritty, please read the full post at Racker Hacker.
Twitter Updates for 2009-09-28
- @jrodgers where is devhouse and who's involved? in reply to jrodgers #
- @jrodgers called lazy tweets
in reply to jrodgers # - crap, Blocks hung up on export… did I save prior to exporting? #
- even using the xfce desktop, xubuntu is a bit much for the iMac G3 Slot Load. had to pop in another 512MB ram #
- An interesting looking CMS that Rachel Andrew has been working onL Perch http://sh.orti.ca/i/1z #
- My daughters… are running Linux http://sh.orti.ca/i/20 #
- WidgetPad Announced WidgetPad for iPhone http://sh.orti.ca/i/21 #
- ROFL RT @elixirgraphics: OK. This is pretty hilarious, and seriously may get stuck in your head for the day… http://thurly.net//5kt #
- @jschumann I would soooo luv to put Puppy on there but there is no full PPC version yet (Power Pup in in the works) in reply to jschumann #
- loading the girls computer up with educational linux games. #
- if there is a God, twas He who created Caramel Pecan Crunch. #
- R… T… F… M!!!!!!!! FUCK! RTFM! RTFM! RTFM! RTFM!!! #
- BLOCK earned, tweet-bot @Linux_Games is stuck in am infinite loop with me-itself-itselfitself-itselfitselfitself-itselfitselfitselfitself #
- LOL RT @timopp: I read The F$&king Manual and ended up with two kids. Bad advice: ) #
- ok, spent long enough ssh tunneling and shell scripting and getting my head stuck in command line… time for sleep. #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-09-27
- burning an iso of xubuntu for the kids computer #
- ubuntu's GUI installer has come a long way in the last few years. #
- @fowgre funny enough, I have the in-laws running linux and the kids running linux now. it fits the bill perfectly for what they do. in reply to fowgre #
- I just bought another SitePoint book. http://sh.orti.ca/i/1y #
- @bbyrdhouse short of php scripts that would be the simplest way to target iPhone. in reply to bbyrdhouse #
- @lisa365 I can't go into Canada computers without making a virtual Christmas list big enough to take out a second mortgage. in reply to lisa365 #
- I suffer the same condition RT @dwhelan: The good news is that your hearing is fine. The bad news is you have to explain that to your wife. #
- that looks cool RT @loghound: just ordered my fitbit http://fitbit.com #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-09-26
- @jschumann hmm… can't I just sudo apt-get install webmin? in reply to jschumann #
- heading out to swimming lessons with the wife and girls. #
- I am still sore from last weekend so I am not looking forward to more renovations this afternoon. #
- @edbrenner morning in reply to edbrenner #
- just passed @jrodgers cutting his lawn. #
- I think my wife is trying to kill me with all this weekend worrior reno BS #
- @LeeSFoster tnx in reply to LeeSFoster #
- This might be a fun project, rip the imac apart and throw it in here http://icio.us/iw41ln #
- @blueballdesign re demo sites, I have a pretty awesome system in the works with @stash(()) and PHP that is saving me a ton of time. in reply to blueballdesign #
- @blueballdesign still working on it but I plan to write about the basic concepts soon. in reply to blueballdesign #
- @blueballdesign It's one more step closer to hosted solution I hope to make in the next year. just getting the concepts down locally for now in reply to blueballdesign #
- downloading Ubuntu 9.04 Server install. it floors me that I can't find a ppc netinst. #waistofaCD #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-09-25
- I couldn't remember the name of this book but knew I wanted it. It was the cover that finally tipped me off. http://icio.us/5ndjkm #
- @loghound yep, there you are, #10 on google for "nikita kroutchev naked" in reply to loghound #
- I think the iMac G3 from the in-laws is destined for other duties http://icio.us/vxykil #
- …maybe the iMac G3 is destined for the river. would need another router to get it on the network. not worth the money just for fun. #
- @JennW what would you do with an iMac G3 besides turn it into a fish tank? in reply to JennW #
- @kbbrux nginx runs on PPC? in reply to kbbrux #
- @kbbrux n'md jusdt found the ppc port in reply to kbbrux #
- @kbbrux already installing ubunto server for shits and giggles in reply to kbbrux #
- @JennW I don't know how much fun you'd have trying to surf the net on a PPC mac from 1999 :S in reply to JennW #
- there is something so primitively satisfying by working in command line #
- it's a geeky persuit but it makes me smile http://sh.orti.ca/i/1v #
- after a few failed attempts I might actually get a web server made out of this POS #
- yeah I now have my very own free web server… for fun http://sh.orti.ca/i/1w #
- @elixirgraphics I'll keep an eye out for my invite then…
just kidding in reply to elixirgraphics # - nice, ssh set up. now admistering iMac server through terminal on mac pro. I am such a nerd. #
- @elixirgraphics *sniff* I'm hurt… lol in reply to elixirgraphics #
- I need a cooler hobby. http://sh.orti.ca/i/1x #
- I might be able to use this and not bother with vim, nano or pico http://icio.us/nq5bq5 #
- wishing there was a central administration for LAMP on my Linux server. #
- @jschumann 8.1 because I had the iso laying around. if I like stick with it I will download 9.1 daily (if they fix the iso size) in reply to jschumann #
- i would love to get my hands on one of those old Marathon iRacks for this G3. That would be cool and way overboard. #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-09-24
- Great Lake Swimmers – The Legion Sessions was release on the 21st #canadianmusicfind #
- @saffyre9 happy birthday. eat cake. be merry. in reply to saffyre9 #
- I have 4GB RAM in my Mac Pro now. Should I get more? #
- @saffyre9 eat broccoli and be merry then? Or salad? in reply to saffyre9 #
- @jschumann yes my child… divinity shall be yours with more ram in thine system. Go forth and sow thy seeds of FB-DIMMS. in reply to jschumann #
- @elixirgraphics no but my my RW demo files are REALLY SLOW! in reply to elixirgraphics #
- RAWR! RT @saffyre9: http://twitpic.com/ixr0m – @spellbunny's desk dino climbing the kiwi #
- @WebKarnage yes I have and in fact, and most images are pulled from online sources. the demo files are just big. in reply to WebKarnage #
- @yabdab lol in reply to yabdab #
- @WebKarnage demo sites are only 46 pages but with every big media plugin available. gets pretty intense sometimes. in reply to WebKarnage #
- which RAM dealer should I go with: http://sh.orti.ca/i/1s or http://sh.orti.ca/i/1t or http://sh.orti.ca/i/1u thanks in advance. #
- @nilrog is there anyway to get normal function out of the delete button in @stash(())? #
- @ENBdavies except the RAM available at Carbon is outrageously expensive. in reply to ENBdavies #
- @ENBdavies just called and the price is more than twice what I can get online! $600!!! me thinks not. in reply to ENBdavies #
- @MrForScreen wordpress in reply to MrForScreen #
- feeling good after my massage. needed that after crawling around laying floor for 3 days. #
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