Back in 2003, I used to connect my computer on the my old 32′ TV, those huge and heavy TVs, to watch stuff from the internet, at that time, eMule was ruling the p2p community (can’t talk about USENET right? :} ). Then in 2008 I decided to build a better HTPC (Home Theater PC), a full dedicated computer connected to my TV, with good MotherBoard/VGA/SoundBoard, well, a good computer, with gaming capacities. It was good while it lasted, but you know, it was huge black box below my TV, bit noisy, but it did the job.

Early this year, I got a 2TB Lacie Network Space 2, which is a simple NAS Server, and a WD Plus Live. The WD PLUS LIVE is nothing more than a small computer with an operating system to playback videos and music. He has no storage, so it should you have to plug a thumb-drive, external hard drive on it or connect to the network, which will give access to shared files over the network, in my case, files are stored at the Network Space 2 connected to the router. When I bought the WD, I was impressed with the image quality, and how he can play heavy files without any choke. I watched the Band of Brothers show recently co-directed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg in FULL HD 1920×1080 , where files were like 7GB for episode of 50-60 minutes. I played all over the network, and it worked perfectly.

Anyway, my Lacie NAS stopped working, some problem with the file system, but the HD was still working great. There is a way to re-format the Lacie’s file system, but it’s a pain in the as*. So that’s when I decided to build a real NAS Server, running UBUNTU and using that Network Space’s hard drive and another 1TB driving that was laying around. I based my NAS on the DIY 200U$ PC from Paul Stamatiou, I don’t even know if he still has his own NAS, but I’m really enjoin mine.

Hardware

For the hardware, I ended up with a fanless MiniITX motherboard Intel D510MO, which has a Atom processor, Gigabit ethernet (all my home network is Gigabit, so it does make a difference). I am also using a 2GB 800Mhz Kingston RAM memory, and both two SATA connectors. The MOBO has up to seven 2.0 USB and one mini PCI Express, in case I want to add more SATA drives in the future.

As I told before, I am using a 2TB HD from my old NAS, and also a 1TB HD that I had, so ≈ 3TB, good enough for now… for now!

Power supply, well, just got a regular one, but another good solution would be a tiny power supply, for example the picoPSU.

Building the case

As the MOBO is fanless, I don’t think it would be a good idea to let it locked in a box somewhere in my apartment, so I decided to build a acrylic case and leave the sides open for air circulation.
You just need to get a drill, make some holes and you are done.

Software

O/S

There is nothing better then Linux for any kind of server, and my distro of choice is UBUNTU, quick to install, easy to configure get it running smooth.

For installing it, you could use a USB stick with ubuntu on it, and set to install from the stick, and you are good to go.

When UBUNTU was installed, internet started working right away and there was no extra driver needed, just what I like about this distro.

You may want to update the packs from your server. I like using the Terminal, you can do it simply by typing:

[cc lang="bash"]sudo apt-get update[/cc]
[cc lang="bash"]sudo apt-get upgrade[/cc]

Torrenting

For downloading stuff from the internet, such as my Linux distribution, I like using torrent, the best p2p protocol ever!
I like leaving torrent open 24/7, and my choice for this task is Transmission-daemon, it runs on the background, I can access it using any Browser, iPhone using a app called iControlBits or even using a super cool and multiplatform GUI called Transmission-Gui.

You can check HERE for a detailed tutorial on how to set the daemon + Gui.

Backups

For backups, I am using Super Flexible File Synchronizer, and backing up my files via SFTP.

For backup I use SSH and RSYNC via terminal. It’s simple, light weight and funcional, you don’t need to use ShareWare software for this, and the way I’m doing it, you can even backup to your server through the internet.

I am not using any RAID to clone my disks because one is 1TB and the other is 2TB, the second reason is that I don’t really need to backup all data on that disks. My main concern is Documents and Pictures, especially pictures! So these are the files I save on both drives. What i’ve done is, I always sync my files to one folder on the NAS via SFTP, then with RSYNC and Cron, everyday at 3AM, it checks if files are the same, otherwise they sync both HDs. Maybe not the best ou easiest way, but it works.

Next month I will move to Italy for one semester, and I know I will take many Gigs of pics. University’s internet connection will probably be fast, so I will backup everything from there to my NAS Server. So if something goes wrong with my files there, I will still be able to access them from home.

So, for backing up my photos via SSH to the NAS, I always want to make an exact copy of the files on my Macbook, so the code below does the job.
You can remove the -e ‘ssh -p 224′ part if your SSH uses the default port 22. And my server IP is 192.168.1.104, you should change to your IP.

[cc lang="bash"]rsync -av –update –delete -e ‘ssh -p 224′ /home/path/to/folders user@192.168.1.104:/home/path/on/SERVER/[/cc]

Webmin

Webmin is a great application to help you manage your server. I use it to create FTP users, manage crons and much more.

“Webmin is a web-based interface for system administration for Unix. Using any modern web browser, you can setup user accounts, Apache, DNS, file sharing and much more. Webmin removes the need to manually edit Unix configuration files like /etc/passwd, and lets you manage a system from the console or remotely.” Text from Webmin’s website. There you can find all information on how to install/configure it.

You should take a look!

Apache/Mysql/PHP/PHPMyAdmin

I like building websites, I usually run websites on my own computer before launching it to the world. But I am enjoying more creating websites and accessing them from my NAS Servers.

To install all this, just time on terminal:

[cc lang="bash"] sudo apt-get install apache2 mysql-server-5.1 php5 php5-mysql php5-cli[/cc]

Your default home folder will be /var/www

FTP

Right now I am using proftpd to run all my ftp file transfers (but today I usually just transfer files over SSH). You can use WEBMIN to handle the FTP, or you can follow many tutorials found on the internet. For example THIS.

SSH

To install SSH on your server, just use this:

[cc lang="bash"]sudo apt-get install openssh-server[/cc]

A good thing to do is to change your default SSH port, it can help on the security of your server. For that, edit the config file:
[cc lang="c"]gksu gedit /etc/ssh/sshd_config[/cc] where it says PORT 22, change to something like PORT 224.

Subsonic – Free Music Streamer

OMG, I wish I knew this software before, it AMAZING! Check the description from their website, I’m highlighting what I think amazing:

“Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music. Use it to share your music with friends, or to listen to your own music while at work. You can stream to multiple players simultaneously, for instance to one player in your kitchen and another in your living room.

In addition to being a streaming media server, Subsonic works very well as a local jukebox. The intuitive web interface, as well as search and index facilities, are optimized for efficient browsing through large media libraries. Subsonic also comes with an integrated Podcast receiver, with many of the same features as you find in iTunes.”

Here is what I am doing, when I am home, I simply use the browser to access all my songs. As it re-sample the music files on-the-fly, I created a user that I use when I’m not home, re-sampling files to 128kbps. And when I accessing via my iPhone’s 3G network, it goes down to 64kbps (slow 3G!!!).

On my phone, I am using a App called iSub, you can configure different bit-rates if you are using Wireless or 3G, and it also caches all songs played. So I don’t need to sync songs with my iphone no more, I just listen to songs on Subsonic and then shuffle them when I on the road. I am impressed, you should check it out!

To have it up and running, there are plenty of information on the website!

Now you have some pictures of the server up and running:

If you enjoy this post, or has something to say,
just leave a commend below.

Thanks for reading

You can also use to create your own gallery, simply by going to http://www.danielandrade.net/picplz/?u=USERNAME, changing the USERNAME to your own. And then you have it.

Ah, take a look at my gallery here.

Hope you like it, and use it!!
Let me know what do you think of it.

I won’t get in details about this code, it’s quite straightforward. But if you have any question, just ask!

[cc lang="c"]

/* Bhaskara Calculator
Daniel Spillere Andrade – www.danielandrade.net
Simple code showing how to use arduino to calculate Quadratic function.

X => [-b +- sqrt( b^2 - 4ac)] / 2a

Change the a, b and c to get the result via Serial Monitor
*/
int a = 1;
int b = -10;
int c = 25;
float delta, result1, result2;

#include “math.h” // Math!

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

// Calculte delta
// b^2 – 4 * a * c

delta = pow(b,2) – 4 * a * c;

// Analize delta

if(delta<0) {
Serial.print(“DELTA=”);Serial.println(delta);
Serial.println(“Delta < 0, can't calculate!");
// Ends the program
}

else if (delta==0) {
Serial.println("Delta = 0, we can calculate!!!");

result1 = result2 = (-b) / (2 * a);

Serial.print("X1=X2="); Serial.println(result1);

}

else if (delta>0) {

// X1 != X2

delta = sqrt(delta);

Serial.print(“DELTA=”);Serial.println(delta);
Serial.println(“Delta > 0, we can calculate”);

result1 = (-b + delta) / (2 * a);
result2 = (-b – delta) / (2 * a);

Serial.print(“X1=”); Serial.println(result1);
Serial.print(“X2=”); Serial.println(result2);
}

//Done

}

void loop() { }

[/cc]

It’s finally here, a document that will help us to define what Open Hardware is, and to spread the idea. Open Software have been around for a long time, Open Hardware is still beginning, but already have a really big community out there, including me. I will add the logo to my next projects for sure!

Now, to move forward, please HELP:

• Endorse the definition, post your feedback on version 1.0 on the forum and the mailing list as we work towards a 1.1 update in the next few weeks / months.
• Take a look at the logos we are considering for “open source hardware”, give feedback or submit your own logo on the forum, in the thread LOGO.
• Show your support of the OSHW Definition by applying the definition to your work/project/website

This is a very important step in propelling our movement forward. PLEASE FORWARD FAR AND WIDE.

And now, the definition:

Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Statement of Principles 1.0
Open source hardware is hardware whose design is made publicly available so that anyone can study, modify, distribute, make and sell the design or hardware based on that design. The hardware’s source, the design from which it is made, is available in the preferred format for making modifications to it. Ideally, open source hardware uses readily-available components and materials, standard processes, open infrastructure, unrestricted content, and open-source design tools to maximize the ability of individuals to make and use hardware. Open source hardware gives people the freedom to control their technology while sharing knowledge and encouraging commerce through the open exchange of designs.

Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Definition 1.0
OSHW Draft Definition 1.0 is based on the Open Source Definition for Open Source Software and draft OSHW definition 0.5. The definition is derived from the Open Source Definition, which was created by Bruce Perens and the Debian developers as the Debian Free Software Guidelines. Videos and Documentation of the Opening Hardware workshop which kicked off the below definition are available here. Please join the conversation about the definition here

Introduction
Open Source Hardware (OSHW) is a term for tangible artifacts — machines, devices, or other physical things — whose design has been released to the public in such a way that anyone can make, modify, distribute, and use those things. This definition is intended to help provide guidelines for the development and evaluation of licenses for Open Source Hardware.
It is important to note that hardware is different from software in that physical resources must always be committed for the creation of physical goods. Accordingly, persons or companies producing items (“products”) under an OSHW license have an obligation not to imply that such products are manufactured, sold, warrantied, or otherwise sanctioned by the original designer and also not to make use of any trademarks owned by the original designer.

The distribution terms of Open Source Hardware must comply with the following criteria:

1. Documentation
The hardware must be released with documentation including design files, and must allow modification and distribution of the design files. Where documentation is not furnished with the physical product, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining this documentation for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably downloading via the Internet without charge. The documentation must include design files in the preferred format for making changes, for example the native file format of a CAD program. Deliberately obfuscated design files are not allowed. Intermediate forms analogous to compiled computer code — such as printer-ready copper artwork from a CAD program — are not allowed as substitutes. The license may require that the design files are provided in fully-documented, open format(s).

2. Scope
The documentation for the hardware must clearly specify what portion of the design, if not all, is being released under the license.

3. Necessary Software
If the licensed design requires software, embedded or otherwise, to operate properly and fulfill its essential functions, then the license may require that one of the following conditions are met:
a) The interfaces are sufficiently documented such that it could reasonably be considered straightforward to write open source software that allows the device to operate properly and fulfill its essential functions. For example, this may include the use of detailed signal timing diagrams or pseudocode to clearly illustrate the interface in operation.
b) The necessary software is released under an OSI-approved open source license.

4. Derived Works
The license shall allow modifications and derived works, and shall allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original work. The license shall allow for the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of products created from the design files, the design files themselves, and derivatives therof.

5. Free redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the project documentation. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale. The license shall not require any royalty or fee related to the sale of derived works.

6. Attribution
The license may require derived documents, and copyright notices associated with devices, to provide attribution to the licensors when distributing design files, manufactured products, and/or derivatives thereof. The license may require that this information be accessible to the end-user using the device normally, but shall not specify a specific format of display. The license may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original design.

7. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.

8. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the work (including manufactured hardware) in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it must not restrict the hardware from being used in a business, or from being used in nuclear research.

9. Distribution of License
The rights granted by the license must apply to all to whom the work is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.

10. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights granted by the license must not depend on the licensed work being part of a particular product. If a portion is extracted from a work and used or distributed within the terms of the license, all parties to whom that work is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted for the original work.

11. License Must Not Restrict Other Hardware or Software
The license must not place restrictions on other items that are aggregated with the licensed work but not derivative of it. For example, the license must not insist that all other hardware sold with the licensed item be open source, nor that only open source software be used external to the device.

12. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology, specific part or component, material, or style of interface or use thereof.

Afterword
The signatories of this Open Source Hardware definition recognize that the open source movement represents only one way of sharing information. We encourage and support all forms of openness and collaboration, whether or not they fit this definition.

Licenses and Hardware
In promoting Open Hardware, it is important not to unintentionally deceive designers regarding the extent to which their licenses actually can control their designs. Under U.S. law, and law in many other places, copyright does not apply to electronic designs. Patents do. The result is that an Open Hardware license can in general be used to restrict the plans but probably not the manufactured devices or even restatements of the same design that are not textual copies of the original. The applicable section of copyright law is 17.102(b), which says:

In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.

1. Twitter Update

Nothing more geek than updating your twitter from terminal. Just change the user e pass from the code. Way cool.
curl -u user:pass -d status="Tweeting from the shell" http://twitter.com/statuses/update.xml

2. Sing songs

Release your creativity, sing along.
sudo osascript -e 'say "Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum he he he ho ho ho fa lah lah lah lah lah lah fa lah full hoo hoo hoo" using "Cellos"'

3. Download from a unstable server

You know, sometimes you are downloading a big file, but it keeps failing, and you always have to hit RESUME. Your problems are over, with this code, if the download stops suddenly, it will automatically restart. This code have a 15kbps speed limit, delete –limit-rate 15k to remove the speed limit.
while ! curl -C - -O --limit-rate 15k file-address-goes-here; do sleep 10; done

4. Secure SSH Tunnel

This is very important if you are using a public/open wireless connection. If you want to access your bank information or online shopping, making sure no one is stealing your information, then SSH Tunneling is the solution. You can find more information HERE.
ssh -D 8080 -f -C -q -N myuser@myserver.com
From: Stammy

5. Real-time view of a running processes

To know what is running on your computer, how much memory and processing, just hit:
top

6. Resize pictures

One quick way to resize pictures in a batch is using a simple program called SIPS. In this example, I’m resizing all pictures .JPG to a 500 pixels width. For more information, type on terminal man sips
sips --resampleWidth 500 *.JPG

7. Build a fast and simple HTTPD server

If you want to start a simple HTTPD server on the 8080 port, go to the folder you want to show and use the command:
python -m SimpleHTTPServer 8080

8. Kill a process

When using top, you have access to the processes ID, and if they are using too much RAM (for example), you can kill it.
killall firefox
kill 234

9. Watch Star Wars Episode IV

No comments on this one
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

10. Show hidden files (those with . in front of the name) in Finder

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

Thanks for readying.

1 – Expand the Software Repository List

First of all, lets make ubuntu “see” more packages:
Load Synaptic, go to System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager. There, click in the menu Settings -> Repositories. In Ubuntu Software mark these repositories that will be accessed from the Internet:

Canonical-suported Open Source software (main)
Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)
Proprietary drivers for devices (restricted)
Software restricted by copyright or legal issues (multiverse)



After you have selected the new repository list, I suggest you go to the Terminal and type:
sudo apt-get update
Then
sudo apt-get upgrade

Now all your programs will run on the last version.

2 – Have more fun with Compiz

Now you should install advanced graphics settings for compiz. By default, Ubuntu only let you choose from None, Normal or Extra Compiz graphics configuration. To make it more configurable, you can write on the Terminal:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager gnome-art usplash startupmanager

3 – Installing packing software

It’s bad when you don’t have Internet on your computer/notebook, but you have to pack/unpack something but the file format isn’t recognized by the system. To prevent from this bad situation, you can install a bunch of packing software by typing this on the terminal:

sudo apt-get install unace rar unrar zip unzip p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils aish uudeview mpack lha arj cabextract file-roller

4 – Installing More Fonts

Here you will find a bunch of fonts you can install on your system, but remember that you don’t need to install all of them

mkdir mkdir -p /usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1 sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts

sudo apt-get install ttf-larabie-straight ttf-larabie-deco mplayer-fonts xfonts-terminus-dos xfonts-terminus xfonts-terminus-oblique xfonts-mona tv-fonts ttf-tuffy ttf-sjfonts ttf-sil-padauk ttf-sil-ezra ttf-paktype ttf-georgewilliams
ttf-fifthhorseman-dkg-handwriting ttf-farsiweb ttf-essays1743 fonty ttf-opensymbol ttf-nafees ttf-mgopen ttf-gentium ttf-freefont ttf-dustin ttf-devanagari-fonts ttf-dejavu-extra ttf-dejavu-core ttf-dejavu ttf-bpg-georgian-fonts ttf-bitstream-vera ttf-alee

Yes, it’s a big code, but you can just copy/paste it.

5 – Multimedia

To have ubuntu playing all kinds of stuff, you need to install many codecs. So on the Terminal, type:

* Installing vlc and mplayer (playis almost everything):

sudo apt-get install vlc

or

sudo apt-get install mplayer

* Common packs

sudo apt-get install mpeg2dec a52dec vorbis-tools id3v2 mpg321 mpg123 libswfdec0.3 libflac++6 ffmpeg cdda2wav toolame libmp4v2-0 totem-mozilla libmjpegtools0c2a tagtool easytag id3tool lame lame-extras nautilus-script-audio-convert mozilla-helix-player helix-player libmad0 libjpeg-progs libmpcdec3 libquicktime1 flac faac faad sox toolame a52dec ffmpeg2theora libmpeg2-4 uudeview flac libmpeg3-1 mpeg3-utils mpegdemux

* Gstreammer 0.10

sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3 gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mpegdemux gstreamer0.10-gl gstreamer0.10-gnonlin gstreamer0.10-pitfdll gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-farsightgstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-sdl gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-schroedinger gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse totem-gstreamer

* More programs

sudo apt-get install gstreamer-dbus-media-service gstreamer-tools

* Flash

sudo apt-get install gsfonts gsfonts-x11 flashplugin-nonfree

6 – Installing Java

Java is a very important thing to install, now that many programs like Azureus need it to run. So type:

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-bin sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin
sudo apt-get install equivs ttf-sazanami-gothic ttf-sazanami-mincho

7 – Frontend FTP Software (Filezilla)

This ia great FTP program, very complete, in my opinion, the best one for linux. To know more about it, click here.

On the terminal type:

sudo apt-get install filezilla filezilla-locales

8 – BitTorrent Client

* Deluge: Written in python, great one:

sudo apt-get install deluge-torrent

* Azureus: Uses Java to run, very complete but a bit heavy,

sudo apt-get install azureus

9 – Installing Gparted (Making disk partition easy)

You never know when you will need to change your disk partition, so you better be ready anytime by installing Gparted,
a great GUI software where you can easily create, resize and format partitions on your hard disk.

sudo apt-get install gparted

10 – Get rid of unneeded stuff:

If you want to keep your Ubuntu clean, you may consider uninstalling a bunch of software that comes with. I can’t tell much what to remove then,
but you can check and see what you will not use. Then to remove, on terminal, you can type:

sudo apt-get remove "program name"

Now I believe your Ubuntu Linux will be almost ready to deal with anything. Hope you enjoyed this guide, and please, share your linux wisdom with us on the comments below.

After 1Y0-259, you can continue studying by doing 70-536, or you can gain some work experience as required by 642-825. Later you can go for 640-863 as well.

http://www.levenez.com/lang and

PowerQuest is famous for its extremely useful Partition Magic, but the company also developed other very good programs. One of these programs is Drive Image 2002. There isn’t any better exact backup of your system then cloning your HD or partition: and that’s exactly what DI2002 does, he creates an exact partition of what you want.

DI2002 has a very easy interface, and it’s quite secure (it checks the trustworthiness of the data, allows to set passwords for the images, etc…). One of the biggest differences from the old version is that now the program can practically make everything without leaving Windows – except making/restoring the image of the partition where Windows is installed (in this case DI2002 leaves Windows to make the image/restoring and then returns). In any other partition, everything is made inside Windows. There’s also the option to make a boot disk for restoring, if you can’t login windows…

DI2002 also can partitioned your HD: it’s not Partition Magic but handles through basic tasks, making it easier to save the image direct for a backup partition. DI2002 can also save images in CDs and DVDs, Zip Drives, among others supported, and you can also save/restore over LAN, saving and getting date from other computers.

It isn’t right to make a backup copy in the same hard drive in talking about security (if something goes wrong with your HD, your backup will be also lost), you will be safe against software problems but not hardware. That’s why the best options are other HDs, CDs, DVDs and other drives. You can also schedule your backups daily, weekly or monthly.

DI2002 works on DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP. And supports FAT, FAT32, NTFS and Ext2 (Linux).

Creating and Restoring

There’s two kinds of backup: From a user specific files or HD cloning. DI2002 is dedicated in making an exact clone of the HD, building an perfect version of the HD, with all files, configurations and registries, on the exact moment the file was created. You can’t create an image from specific files/dirs (that’s why backup programs are made). It only supports complete partition images. That’s why its always good to make an partition (on windows C:\) just for programs and installation files.

When making the image, you should take care to see if all programs and windows are running right, the way you want (with the newest patches and everything). After that we’ll start making our image.

It’s very easy to navigate thought the program’s interface: To create an image you just click on “Create Image” (if you want to restore “Restore Image). On the next screen, “Select Drives“, and choose Disk/Partition in witch will be copied and then “Select Destination” and choose your image will be saved: you can make any name and comment on it.

Clicking in” Options” you will be able to choose the level of compression of the created image, password protection, and separate the image in fixed sizes volumes (650MB for CD-R/RW, 4.7GB DVD-R/RW, etc…).

After this, just click in Finish and wait until DI2002 creates the image in the selected place.

The restoration is also very simple: click in “Restore Image” and selects the image file and where it will be restored. There’s an option called “Restore to Original Locations” where it will restore in the exact same place where the image was made (for example, if you made an backup of C:\, it will restore on C:\). If you don’t use this option, you can restore anywhere.

If there’s any problem on Windows that it’s not working, you can use a Rescue Diskettes that can be made while DI2002 is being installed, or after clicking in “Boot Disk Builder” or even on “Create Rescue Diskettes“, on windows main menu (inside DI2002 folder).

Two boot disks will be created: Boot and the other with the DI2002 to DOS. Using this you simply boot using DI2002, and then when asked you use the requested image file.
DI2002 to DOS is very clear, just fallow the same simple steps: “Restore Image“, select the image place and the place to restore. Done! Now you reboot (without the boot disk of course) and there’s your computer working the same way as before

Moblogging:

The word Moblog comes from mobile and blog, this is quite common thing lately, you are on a trip, going to school, well, anywhere you have signal on your mobile, you take a great picture and you don’t want to wait to go home, put in your computer, then you can send the picture to a specific email address, and by that, it will automatically be uploaded to some website you’ve configured. The two famous moblogging hosts are Flickr and TextAmerica. On this websites, you can upload a pictures with tags and title. At TextAmerica, you can upload videos too. Both services are paid, having a free accont with many restrictions. I’m starting my moblog, don’t have many pictures still. To integrate with my website, I have placed a flickr slideshow showing only pictures with “cameraphone” tags, and it works great. If you know more mobloging option, please let me know!

Instant messaging:

For those who can’t stay away from ICQ or more common lately MSN, there is a great program called Agile Messenger, that allows you to connect to MSN, ICQ, Yahoo and AOL thru GPRS. I’m using this software for a while now, it works very well, if you can buy GPRS plans for cheap, you can just leave the program running on your background. It’s great!

Using your cellphone as a webcam:

One I’ve heard about using a symbian phone as webcam, but it was little complicated, and you needed a bunch of different programs, but the guys from Warelex made a program to make it a easy job, using your USB BlueTooth. The program is great, works with any Windows application that can receive video feeds from a web camera including Skype 2.0, MSN and others. You can give it a try or buy it clicking here.

Tune your guitar:

There is a little program called GuitarTuner, it’s an interactive guitar tuner software designed exclusively for the Series 60 platform. The built-in microphone of the device is used to record and analyze any sound that can be heard, and the detected pitch is displayed in real-time. I’ve tested this software, it works, its a little slow, but it’s very handy to have a guitar tuner wherever you go. You can try it here.

Office one your smart phone:

If you deal alot with Microsoft Word, Excell and Powerpoint this if for you. With this program you can open view, edit and print your documents. The only thing is that the way you are going to use such software on a smartphone is not the same as on a PC, laptop or even a traditional PDA. Series 60 smartphones, by their very nature, have small screens and limited input capability. There will be limited amounts of data entry, especially in spreadsheets set up to keep track of records, notes or expenses, but actual amounts of data entered are going to be small. The principal use is going to be viewing files on the move. The PC is never going to be that far away and so the key is to have an easy way to get files on the phone, good viewing functions and edit functions that allow for limited data entry while on the phone. The price is a little expencive too, 50 bucks. But anyway, it’s a good try!!! You can try it HERE.

Watching movies:

This is one of the things I like most on a symbian phone, to be able to watch movies, or small videoclips. There is a good program called SmartMovie, that consists in 3 things, a XviD codec, a video converter, and a player on the phone. It works like this, you convert any video file on your PC into a phone-friendly video file. The file gets quite small, in the size of the phone’s screen. You upload the video into device/memory card. And then Play the video in SmartMovie Player installed on your mobile device. It’s a great software, it plays standard AVI format, allowing you to preview converted files on your PC. Uses popular XviD video codec, which increases compatibility with other video players. Player uses the phone screen in portrait or landscape mode, utilizing the full screen size of the device. PC converter allows you to split video file into multiple segments, so that it fits onto your memory card, if not entire, then cut to more parts – you may watch your favorite video in parts, e.g. while traveling to work/school. Mobile player which supports subtitles – allowing you to watch movies in different languages. Friendly PC converter – preview videos on PC, select parts you want to convert, alter quality. Adjustable quality parameters for video and audio streams, allowing tuning target video to your needs.
You can try this program here.

Playing Nes, Gameboy And Megadrive

Playing games like Frozen Bubble is cool, but nothing compared to playing classics of the consoles on your smartphone. I was playing Sonic, Final Fantasy and other games, its one of the coolest things on symbian OS.

For Nintendo, there is two emulators, YewNes and Vnes, but I choose YewNes, it works pretty well, you can play in full screen mode, it open .zip files, different speed levels, configurable controls and a bunch of other features. The only problem is that it costs $15, not much anyway.

 

 

 

 

For Sega Mega Drive (or Genesis), there is PicoDriver, emulator with a bunch of features, such as: LandScape and Portrait screen mode, configurable controls, Save/Load state, sound and Rom search on full mobile.

 

 

 

 

 

For GameBoy, there is GoBoy, other very good emulator, with features like full sound support, configurable key support, run games directly from Inbox or from Memory Card, play games from .zip and. All emulators are great try.