Bend in the Weather

It would appear that even whilst I don't use either Twitter or Facebook -- I happen to be held hostage often to Farmville.

I have elected not to join either two communities for several reasons:

• I seriously spend far too many hours a day on a computer (12-18 hours a day). I don't need something else to add to the hours.
• I like keeping some level of personal privacy. I really don't have a need to post what I ate for breakfast, what my favourite book/movie/music/clothing is. (You really want to know my favourite music is -- follow me on last.fm). I also have a blog where I can write down my thoughts/opinions/frustrations already.
• I have multiple methods to keep in touch with those I elect to already. (Email, IM, Telephone, SMS). I seriously couldn't give a flying razoo about people I went to primary/high school/Uni with. I haven't seen them for over 20 years, and I don't have the desire to kindle the relationship due to the mere fact we attended the same education institution (and for the majority of that time -- compulsory; I'm sure neither of us wanted to be there!)

Having said that -- I don't object to others that do use the services. Each to their own I say. (But don't expect me to accept invites for either -- both are duly ignored!)

Pauline is a Facebook user, she enjoys it... she catches up with a lot of old friends via it. She has put off joining Farmville for months, but finally caved to the constant barrage of invites and joined.

I now seems our daily life resolves around 'harvest time'... a classic case of seeing the Farmville Alarm come into effect. An often quoted phrase at present is

'Ohh, I have to go harvest X .... gimme 10 mins.'

This can happen at the most inconvenient times.

So at present, I feel I'm affectively a Farmville hostage. I'm wanting a virtual world-war to break out so that bombers blow up the fields. I might get a bit of normality back in my life.

After SourceForge donated the Linux.com domain to the Linux Foundation, it has finally come back.

Whilst it's early days yet, I'm not overly impressed with the site and yearn for the good ol' Linux.com website.

The dark browns/black and oranges on the site looks like a propaganda website for Ubuntu (no offence Ubuntu... but it does appear that they are attempting to cash in on 'cool web colours' .. and not necessarily the easiest to read.)

Hopefully over time it will improve and these are just initial teething issues. I hope that the orange on white links disappear over time. I don't find them easy on the eye at all.

The new site contains a range of ideas submitted by the community. The site features news on both hardware and software, download links, forums and a blogging system.

Historically I haven't been a huge fan of the Linux Foundation, but hopefully they do listen to the community and represent it, and not just their own held opinions.

The site seems to aggregate views and news from other Linux sites, so it may end up being a fantastic portal to anything to do with Linux.

I agree that a co-ordinated central website for our much loved operating system is required. This will hopefully assist the average journalist on his discovery of Linux but also dispel widely held myths that competitors often throw around.

It will be interesting to see where the Linux Foundation market the website.
Will it be primarily for Linux novices looking for help, journalists wanting to cover Linux, or a valuable tech resource for the community or will it spin into a marketing website purely for the Linux Foundation; basically a membership round-up website so to speak.

It's early days yet for Linux.com, I just hope it becomes a resource for Linux users and potential converts. Personally, I liked the old website so I hope it lives up to it's former self.

Becoming just another marketing arm for The Linux Foundation serves only them and not the community. I hope this slippery slope isn't one we venture down and I'm sure it's not what SourceForge had in mind when handing over the domain.

(Content removed)

Those after the blacklist may find it at either Wikileaks or google for the list.

In Australia Internet users are limited to the amount they may download. Each Internet Service plan normally involves a speed and download limit. Failing to keep an eye on this and exceed your limit normally effects the user in question either by: Paying exorbitant excess fees that can be as much as $150/GB! Being 'throttled' by your ISP, in effect turning your lovely xDSL/Cable connection into something slower than dial-up. As you can image, most people wish to avoid these. As a result ISPs provide a usage meter normally on their site, however you have to remember to view it, which unless you're diligent in doing so, you can still run over your quota. Previously I've relied on the fabulous Firefox extension NetUsage, however this meant you had to have a browser open. This isn't always the case, and I found it frustrating to have to load a browser just to check my usage. (I could just login to the ISP's usage meter if I had a browser open). I've seen others produce mrtg graphs and even Cacti graphs to display their usage; however they too also rely on having a browser open. Ideally, I want to have my usage available, when I wanted, and without loading a browser. I use conky on my desktop to display a range of information. It seemed a logical step would be to integrate a meter into my conky setup. As you can see from the graph in the picture to the left, it displays a raw percentage of what has been used, as well as a visual bar graph. Below that is the raw data, showing exactly how much I've downloaded (~11.5GB), what my ISP believes my quota to be (55GB in this case), and when this billing period ends (the 13th of every month). I can now view my current Internet usage at a glance, without the need to load any additional program. So how did I achieve it? Like many ISPs, my ISP provides an interface to the raw data. This is used by 3rd party utilities like NetUsage and others to parse and generate the information. Internode (my ISP) has such an interface. A quick and dirty script and I was able to spit out the graph in a format conky liked. Whilst this works directly with Internode, similiar ISPs have such interfaces and you will be able to hack the script to suit your own environment.

Below is the simple bash shell script used to generate the data:
#!/bin/bash

# Get usage information from Internode's web page.
# Setup to run once every half hour.
#

# Set the username and password
Username=INTERNODE_USERNAME
Password=INTERNODE_PASSWORD

# Grab the details
Temp=`wget -q -O - --post-data "username=${Username}&password=${Password}" --user-agent="Conky ISP Quota Grabber 0.1" https://customer-webtools-api.internode.on.net/cgi-bin/padsl-usage`

# Generate the percent used.
echo $Temp|gawk '{print $1/$2*100}'> /tmp/node-graph.txt
Percent=`cat /tmp/node-graph.txt`
echo $(printf %.0f $Percent) > /tmp/node-percent.txt

# Break up the values into their respective parts
Values=($Temp)
echo "Used: $(printf %.0f ${Values[0]})MB Quota: ${Values[1]}MB Period Ends: ${Values[2]}" > /tmp/node-text.txt

# Time to leave.
exit

Sure it's not the most secure script (It stores your username/password in plain text). For me, the script sits on my desktop machine... and is protected by file permissions. The password I use for my ISP I also don't consider highly sensative. (It's important to note that most people throw around their password in clear-text across the Internet when picking up their mail with POP3! ). It does however do the job.

The above shell script I run every 30 minutes from cron.

It is then up to your ~/.conkyrc file to display the results. Here is the snippet of the appropriate code for the ~/.conkyrc file that will do that for you:

${color orange}INTERNET USAGE ${hr 2}$color
${execi 900 cat /tmp/node-percent.txt}% ${execibar 900 cat /tmp/node-graph.txt}
${execi 900 cat /tmp/node-text.txt}

There you have it, a simple ISP usage meter sitting right on your desktop.
It's not the most elegant or complicated program, however it serves it's purpose extremely well. YMMV.

Most people are aware the Google's Chrome Browser is based on the great work of the Chromium Browser Project.

CodeWeavers have even created a free 'port' of Google Chrome for Linux users, aptly named CrossOver Chromium. This means Linux people don't need to feel left out of all the Google lovin'.

There have been a few people concerned with privacy issues (also here and here) when using the Google Chrome browser. Even the EFF has raised concerns. Google has reacted and posted some information regarding privacy in Chrome.

There has been some applications produced that remove one of the largest concerns people have (a unique ID assigned to every installation of Chrome). In particular Chrome Privacy Guard will strip this unique ID out for you. Turning off some of the features (like Google Suggest) via the Browser preferences will also limit the amount of information sent back to the mothership (Google).

Buoyed by all these privacy concerns, SRWare a German software company have released 'Iron', a browser also based on Chromium source but without all the 'Googleness' privacy issues.

If you like Chrome, but are concerned about the privacy aspect, Iron might be your solution.

For those on Linux and really just wanting to use a WebKit based browser, take a peek at Midori.

It was time to upgrade my phone. Not that my old phone didn't work, in fact I actually loved my Sony Ericsson K750i, however the battery wasn't holding the charge and in this disposable world we live in it seemed crazy buying a new battery. It was purely a case of the plan I was on allowed for a new phone. So what the heck, it had served me well... but it was time to look at this 3G stuff. Sure, video calls didn't really impress me (and seemed more a gimmick then functional -- it's a call after all!)

I wanted a better camera on my phone. 2MP cut it a few years ago, but it just wasn't cutting it now. I really wanted a decent 5MP camera in my phone. It saves me lugging around another electronic device.

I own an iPod mini but find I am always forgetting it.. so a reasonable music player is also handy.
A decent browser and Email client is always handy.

We looked through all the available phones, and I was keen not to get an iPhone.

I finally settled on a Nokia N95 8GB. I was a little disappointed that the phone had no expandable memory, but hey, at 8GB I'm not filling that any time soon! (I really don't store that many songs in my phone!)

Man, how phones have progressed. To be honest, the complexity of the beast actually had me freak out a little. The K750i was pretty easy to work out, but this thing had buttons sprouting out all over the place. I guess what didn't help was that it was also my first 'slide phone'.

The first month I did the usual things, making calls, SMS and taking the odd photo or two on it.. I hadn't used a Symbian based phone for quite a while, so it took a bit of time getting used to. Over the last month I've experimented a bit more and found out it's not too bad at all. Even better is that Symbian will be released under OpenSource. Nokia also has an OpenSource website, as well as there is a bunch of OSS software you can install on your Symbian based phone.

I didn't have a GPS - and one thing I had also been toying with for a while. It is handy for long trips or somewhere you've never visited before, but I really couldn't justify it... it seemed more 'toy' then functional. Those people I had seen with a GPS seemed more frustrated then helped. Granted, these were early models but I'd seen too many people being send down non-existent roads or dead ends -- or told to do U-turns on freeways!

The Nokia N95 8GB comes with Nokia Maps. To be honest, I'd never used a GPS before so it was all greek to me. After playing around with it for a while I learnt that it wasn't too bad. Nokia kindly gave us 6-months free Navigation (basically the voice saying turn right/turn left, etc). It actually works quite well. The GPS in the Nokia N95 8GB is actually quite fast... I was surprised how quick it was able to re-route me once it realised I had missed it's 'chosen route'. I've seen dedicated GPS devises screw that up big time.

The one sticking point for me... is the cost of navigation after 6 months. Nokia want you to pay $124AUD/yr for the feature. They can shove that. I spend enough on the damn phone. Seriously, if you can give me the maps free.. .I can't see why I have to pay for the damn voice.

As a result I'm now looking around at other options (I'll continue using their Maps until I'm required to pay).
I've come across two reasonable candidates: Nav4All and amAze. I'll be testing them both out shortly to see how they stack up in Australia... and in rural parts of Victoria at that!

Ideally I would love to be able to use some thing like OpenStreetMap...which just makes sense and gives me the feeling of sharing and caring.

I'm interested in hearing from anyone that has used some of the free GPS phone software and how is rates.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase. The built in SIP client and 802.11 b/g support is fantastic. The included web-browser is reasonable, though there are better ones around. (which have found their way to my phone). I see there is even an SSH client -- so that may also make it's way, handy when you need to do a quick 'fix' on a server and not near a computer.

Ideally I was hanging around for an OpenMoko phone, but the lack of 3G really soured that expectation. I needed a phone now and not somewhere in the distant future. Having said that.... I'll see what the future holds, I may just pickup one once the features I'm seeing in this phone make their way into the OpenMoko phone.

Ask any small business owner in Australia what drives them craziest running their business.
More often then not the answer will be their accounting software.

Why? It's not because they are unable to understand the principles of double-entry accounting or even the tax system imposed on them.

No, its the lack of a decent, flexible and affordable solution.

The two most popular business accounting packages for the SME is either MYOB and QuickBooks. Both have huge hurdles, and it's not uncommon for users to find that they spend more time attempting to work the software than the software working for them.

I have previously blogged about the issue when talking about how Linux is difficult for many Aussie SMEs to take up. (Mainly due to their critical accounting software only available under Windows, though it is possible to run them under WINE if required). Though getting these Windows programs running under Linux doesn't actually solve the problem, it just migrates it. You are still stuck attempting to drive these frustrating accounting packages.

The Australian market is crying out for an alternative! It's something I've pondered over for some time.

An OSS based accounting and payroll system that put the source code directly in the hands of the users would be appealing to many.

I like the idea of a browser-based accounting system. It means end-users aren't restricted to one operating system platform, and in theory it doesn't need to be restricted to just a computer. (3G Accounting anyone?).

Accounting isn't fun, in fact it's dead-pan boring. It is however a required evil if you wish to be paid and be compliant with the taxation law. (Particularly GST, BAS reporting and PAYG).

I've looked at programs like SQL-Ledger and LedgerSMB, though both didn't 'fit right' for an Australian environment.

SYMBOL was promising. But unfortunately has been abandoned. fiveDASH, I played with for several hours, though I found it quite primitive and in it's infancy... it's one that at least has some promise, but it will need to progress quite some way to make it in any real production system for a business.

As such, I've decided to look at writing my own. This is purely selfish, as I would like to ditch MYOB come the 2009-2010 financial year. That gives me just under a year to get something up and running. I'll run a dummy book up til the time, by running MYOB in parallel to ensure all is working as required. The ATO also has some excellent test suites/scenarios to assist in testing an application.

The big choice now is from what components should I build it?

I think PostgreSQL is probably the most solid OSS database to use, though writing something that can also talk to MySQL (due to it's popularity) is probably also wise. End-users can then elect to run whichever they feel most comfortable for their backend.

I considered many languages, but I'm leaning towards PHP for a few reasons:

• Most SMB that have a Linux server for File and Print serving also have a LAMP environment already setup.
• Writing the system using say the Zend Framework ensures a lot of the ground work is already done. Working within their coding standards also ensures the code is reasonably clean and readable (and thus maintainable).
• Python was also considered, but it's more likely a SMB has a Apache/PHP environment over an Apache/Python setup
• I already have quite a number of generic PHP libraries that will mean I can get moving much faster. My Python libraries are no-where as extensive.
• A Java-based web app would be an overkill and likely to confuse many small business owners. (ie: Install a Java Application Server, etc.)
• SugarCRM is already popular in many SMBs. It would be quite easy to have an Accounting + Payroll package integrate into SugarCRM. Sugar is written in PHP, so it would make the job much easier if they both spoke the same language.

I haven't commenced any coding to date, and am still in the embryo stage of getting something up off the ground.

I'm interested to hear people's feedback with their thoughts. Do you think a PHP application (backended by your choice of MySQL or PostgreSQL) for your business accounts is feasible? (Obviously if 'approved' by the ATO as compliant).

Do SMB owners prefer the option of paid software with support packs? (like offered by MYOB and Quicken) they can fall back on? Would you not trust your business books to an OSS based accounting package? What other hurdles do you envisage if you used OSS accounting software?

I recently posted a subtle article in relation to microblogging. It may have been a little too subtle for many.

It seems a few other Linux Australia Planet readers also feel the same way about microbloggings from sites like twitter, delicio.us and the like.

I like reading the posts of what others are upto in the Linux community, even when not directly related to Linux per say. (it's a great way to discover new gadgets, general thoughts/opinions, and general useful information). We truly are a diverse community!
I find that microbloggings offer no substance of value to anyone but the author. That said, they are best left not syndicated. It appears that both Tim Connors and Andrew Pollock share my view.

Mary Gardiner has an interesting spin on the concept particularly when it comes to syndicating in a blog, actually her idea does have merits.

It's good to see that Michael Still has recognised it is an issue for people and provided a non-microblogged version of his feed. Though that didn't come without a retort.

Let's hope that PLA picks up this version... others that want the microblogged version can still then get it directly from him.

People that know me realise I'm not overly fond of the so called 'social' websites. Why?

Not because I'm anti-social (I'm far from it). I personally however find my time on the web is used more as a tool for research and my personal enjoyment. You won't find me Linked In, Facebooked, Twittered or MySpaced. I don't even have a delicio.us account (I have used a system very similar to delicious on our internal LAN for years prior to delicio.us so I have no need). I also don't feel the need for web-based group hug sessions which these so called 'social' websites appear to be all about. I'm also not in it for the popularity contest.
If someone wants to contact me, there are plenty of avenues available to do so. (I sit multiple IM and IRC networks and find these much more personal anyway) I keep in contact regularly with those that matter and really aren't that interested in chatting aimlessly to someone three-friends removed.

Personally, I feel microblogging has it's place. However it's best confined to the bounds it was created for (on twitter, facebook, etc). Microblogging needs context to make sense to the outside reader, and as such doesn't make sense to have it syndicated to planets. If I feel the need to pick up such microbloggings I can go directly to those sites.

Sure I can skip or filter it, but should I really need to?

The mobile connectivity we're starting to see now 3G is starting to become more widespread, will ensure microblogging will become more popular. I still see it in it's infancy and not too advanced. I suspect that future microblogging generations will allow people to use it to automate tasks (microblogging -> Home automation anyone?!). I suspect a microblog to a bank may in future also give me my account balance and other useful things (Microblogging -> street directions returned, etc). However, we're not there yet.

All in all, if you are happy with microblogging, more power to you. Ditto goes for social websites. For me, it doesn't meet my needs and something I choose to exclude myself from. I don't feel I'm missing out, in fact I feel empowered not being caught up in the hype that surrounds them all. I also find I can better use my time.

Anyway that's my $0.05 on the topic.

</rant>

It seems various people are getting certificates for helping the Mozilla team set a new world record for the number of downloads in a day.

It's always interesting to see some of the organisations that made it possible!

Tip: Click on the image to see a larger version.

At 3:00am AEST on Wednesday 18^th of June will herald the release of Firefox 3.

It's a big jump ahead from the heady days of Firefox 1 and Firefox 2 days. This version includes over 15,000 enhancements from the 2.x series. It's faster, funkier and doesn't eat anywhere near the memory Firefox 2 did!

The guys over at SpreadFirefox are attempting to set a world record, with the most downloads in a given 24 hour period. You too can be part of it!

I'm currently running one of the Release Candidates, and I've found it brilliant, all my favourite add-ons are now working flawlessly in it.

So help spread the world, Australia has around 30% of it's Internet users using Firefox these days. So people do understand and utilise the crazy fox based browser.

Moving more people off Internet Explorer will also ensure that Australian websites that wish to remain 'visible' will also start writing websites that are browser agnostic and follow the W3C standards (something IE only websites break heavily).

Microsoft claim that they are going to be moving fully to standards compliance with IE8, but don't hold your breath. We've been hearing that for years. As long as nasty ActiveX still hangs around like a bad fart in a crowded elevator it's not going to be compliant (or safe for that matter). And yes, IE8 will ship with ActiveX.

So hop to it! Pledge to download Firefox 3 on Wednesday, and become a World Record Holder!