or where to put CDMA modem' extra initialization command in ubuntu

Using GSM/3G USB modems in Ubuntu is pretty straightforward (as long the devices are recognized by Ubuntu) just plug in and then set username, password and APN and sometimes custom DNS servers and you're good to go.
But that's not the case with bluetooth modems especially CDMA, since you must enter the so-called "extra initialization command" e.g. : at+crm=1 and there's nowhere to put it in Network Manager. Even before that you must type lines of command just to detect your bluetooth modem. In the past I must opened the Terminal and the not so user-friendly wvdial.
But that in the past now. Thanks to Blueman + Network Manager + Configuration Editor (command : gconf-editor).
If you have bluetooth devices Blueman will be your best friend. Get the latest stable version from its PPA by adding this line in your repository :

http://ppa.launchpad.net/blueman/ppa/ubuntu karmic main

The latest Blueman (version 1.21 can integrate bluetooth dial-up modem into Network Manager 0.8 that will make life easier :) If you run Ubuntu 9.10 you already have Network Manager 0.8.

Note :
- CDMA USB modem, skip step #1,
- GSM Bluetooth modem, skip step #3

1. Blueman step,
After Blueman installed, right click its icon in system tray -> Local Services.

Choose Network Manager in DUN Support setting (you can ignore other setting shown in this pic).

After that, use Blueman to discover your modem by right clicking the Blueman icon again -> Devices (or Setting -> Preferences -> Bluetooth Manager) and then click search.  After your device is found, right click on it and click Serial Ports -> Dial Up Service, Network Manager will take the rest.

2. Network Manager step,
If you're lucky Network Manager will start connection wizard. Follow and fill. If the wizard doesn't start automatically, add the new connection via Setting -> Preferences -> Network Connections, in Mobile Broadband tab click Add just make sure to pick "Installed CDMA Device" on the first dialog fill the rest as per your ISP manual. I use CDMA connection from Smart, and I'll use this as an example:

number    : #222
username : cdma
password : cdma

name it with something distinctive, click Apply to save your new connection profile. Read here to use custom DNS server.

3. Configuration Editor step,
Run it via System Tools -> Configuration Editor, and follow this steps :

• go to system -> networking -> connections
  
• there are numbers that represents your connection profiles, you can find which one by Edit -> Find and use  your connection name as keyword,
• in my case : /system/networking/connections/19/connection/id, so number 19 is my number,
• go to /system/networking/connections/19/cdma/
• make a new key, right click -> New Key, with this information :
  Name : Init2
  Type  : String
  Value : at+crm=1 (or as per your ISP manual)
  
  and the new key will appear :
  
  
  
  
• close Configuration Editor, and start your CDMA Internet connection from Network Manager.

Hope it helps Bluetooth modem, CDMA, or ISP with extra initialization command users.



keyword : extra initialization command | cdma | ubuntu | bluetooth

Now, I'm very certain that these are not just crazy-named real wifi connections, they  really don't exist. Ubuntu don't  see these after wireless restarted and already double checked with my other wifi devices.
But they always appear after I connect to my local "Shared With Other Computer" wifi connection. They don't do any harm as far as I can tell, connection wise. A ghostly bug :)

the only real wireless network is the one called Koalayangbaik (=the good koala)

Recently Google launched a public DNS. I used to use Open DNS's service for quite a while which is far better than my ISP's default. But I am always on the look for better free DNS. So when the news of Google DNS broke out, I don't wait another second to try it.
So here's how to use it in Ubuntu (or should I say Gnome's Network Connections).

• run System -> Preferences -> Network Connections
• you can either edit your existing connection or add new one. I suggest add a new one, so you can switch between them as a backup,
  
• add your connection as your ISP manual, but on IPv4 Settings, choose Automatic (PPP) addresses only as Method and type this in Google's public DNS servers : 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
  or if you prefer OpenDNS's type this : 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

In my case, Google DNS performs better than OpenDNS, but your mileage may vary...
If you're concern about how Google may collect/use your data, read its privacy page here.
Speaking of DNS Servers and Ubuntu, I remember back in Ubuntu 8.10 it was impossible to use custom DNS as it always revert to ISP's default. And it's been better since then, WTG Ubuntu :)
 


keyword : google public dns, howto, ubuntu

If you have various fomat of virtual cd/dvd images scattered in your hard disk e.g .iso, .img, .bin, .mdf, .nrg that you want to mount in Ubuntu, then you’ll need this little app called Furius ISO Mount. I used to use gmountiso before, but it couldn’t handle mdf/mds. So here comes Furius taking its place.

It is far more superior compared to gmountiso which is very simple, Furius comes with these features :

• works with ISO, IMG, BIN, MDF and NRG image files.
• History of the last 10 images mounted.
• Mounts multiple images.
• Burn ISO and IMG Files to optical disk.
• generate Md5 and SHA1 checksums.
• generates a log file of all commands needed to mount and unmount images manually.

 

And it’s just a few clicks away. Find it in Ubuntu Software Center.

 

 

keyword : mount mdf, iso, nrg, bin, bin, ubuntu

The default clock in Ubuntu is too big and eat a lot of precious panel space, imo. Especially for netbook users with tiny screen. If you are like me,  then you'll like this tip.
Run System Tools -> Configuration Editor, or type gconf_editor in terminal.

• go to /apps/panel/applets/clock_screen0/prefs/custom_format paste this as value
  <span size="smaller"><small><tt>%b%d%a%n</tt><b>%H:%M</b></small></span>
• /apps/panel/applets/clock_screen0/prefs/format
  type custom as value
  

configuration editor

The result :

small and space efficient clock

This format may not what you want. If you want to have different format, read here and here for more formats and tags.
I wrote something like this earlier, but this time I found a way to make it smaller i.e. by inserting "small" tag inside <span size="smaller"> and using monospace font ("tt" tag).



keyword : custom clock, ubuntu, gnome