The Bionx Bike Hack
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: February 25, 2010
Hi everyone, I have a nice little article for you e-commuters out there! Electric bikes are all the craze now here in Canada. Among those brands that are leading the pack, the BionX system is the Cadillac of eBikes. Here’s what they have to say about their product on their website:
BionX intelligent mobility products are the system of choice for many world renowned bicycle manufacturers, when it comes to powering their electric bicycles. In addition, our BionX retrofit kits allow you to convert your current bicycle into an electric one. It installs on almost any bicycle and can drastically improve your commute, training and lifestyle
What’s great about this kit is that it’s easily installed on ANY bike. Unlike many other electric systems that are designed for a specific bike frame.
I am not an owner of one unfortunately, I opted for a petrol-bike for cost reasons. However a friend of mine was lucky enough to purchase one. Needless to say, I am impressed. It’s quiet, It’s zippy, and just a fun ride.
The BionX system can:
- recharge on breaking
- power assisted pedalling-option
- turn of electicity, and pedal like a normal bike (pop the battery off too!)
- recharge while pedalling.
- everything is computer controlled.
Here in Canada there are some regulations regarding electric bikes. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation here in Canada has set bikes with the following stipulations:
- it has a total continuous power output rating, measured at the shaft of each motor, of 500 W or less,
- if it is engaged by the use of muscular power, power assistance immediately ceases when the muscular power ceases,
- if it is engaged by the use of an accelerator controller, power assistance immediately ceases when the brakes are applied, and
- it is incapable of providing further assistance when the bicycle attains a speed of 32 km/h on level ground
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.shtml
One hot summer’s afternoon, and after a few drinks – we had decided that 33km/h just doesn’t cut it. After some debate about how the motor was limited at 33km/h. We couldn’t find any specific component, that would have limited the speed of the motor. Therefore, the computer/spedometer must be controlling it. After donig some google searches, and a bit of fiddling, we were able to determine that we could very easily have this bike break 33km/h!
This softhack will allow e-bikes to go past their limited speed of 33km/h.
- Hold down the chorono and mode button at the same time
- hold it until the screen shows four zeros (0000)
- Change the 4 zeroes to the number 3773
- use the A and G buttons to change the numbers
- push the mode button when you are done
- This will take you to the next configuration screen.
- 0 = no speed limit (>33km/h)
- 1 = speed limited (33km/h)
Building Your Own .deb Install Files
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: February 24, 2010
This little tip is something that is pretty useful to all linux users(ubuntu/debian), to make package installation that much easier. Below is just a little help on what a .deb file is, what they do, and how you can make your own from install scripts you may get from other projects.
Wikipedia.org: deb (file format)
deb is the extension of the Debian software package format and the most often used name for such binary packages. Like the “Deb” part of the term Debian, it originates from the name of Debra, then girlfriend and now ex-wife of Debian’s founder Ian Murdock.
Debian packages are also used in distributions based on Debian, such as Ubuntu and others.
Here is a little guide on making your own deb files to make life a bit more managable on Debian-based computer desktops…
- Here are some packages you will need to install first:
- # sudo apt-get install dpkg-dev debhelper libstc++5 dkms build-essential cdbs fakeroot
- After you have installed those packages and everything is complied correctly, you will be able to use the program to turn those in to deb files.
- # ./filename*.run –buildpkg Ubuntu/(insert version here)
- Run/Distribute the new deb file.
Gizmodo Writer Call’s Female Bank Rep A Wench
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: February 24, 2010
Hey Guys, I just came across this article that seems to be floating around twitter today, and a bit more on a company called MacPadd.com. These guys really proved a good point when it comes to dealing with “online media” and made Tom’s Hardware, Gizmodo, and a couple of other people and sites look pretty bad and petty. I hope this isn’t what all blog sites are like. Although I seem to think that it might ring true for alot of these bottom-feeding websites that are usually desperate for just hits.
The business relationship with a customer was officially ended today. Customer received a damaged product. We had offered to him twice to replace the defective product. We asked to the customer to mail the merchandise back to him and we would be glad to send him a new mousepad.
Customer responded by posting the following comments on their twitter account:
Thinking about a @macpadd? Think again: http://bit.ly/aghL27
@ctrlzee I am having an issue with Macpadd, mind if I email you about it?
The customer went even as far to make some bold claims against MacPadd.com that we are denying to replace the product on their Flickr page. The customer claims “Currently, I am being denied a replacement despite the policy that states one will be given for a defective product.” This is the opposite of what we have offered him. We will gladly exchange any goods damaged upon receipt. Simply send it back to us and upon receipt of the damaged, we then mail the new one out. The Return address can be found here: http://macpadd.com/about/ The customer’s twitter account appears to display the user’s page as “under construction.” Suspicion leads me to believe that this is a tactic to garner hits for their site’s “launch.”
This former customer has also tried engaging Mark Wilson. Mark Wilson is probably best known for writing the article “Sometimes we endorse bad companies” on Gizmodo. We have provided enough space to Wilson’s article, but to highlight his character have a look at the following recent twitter updates about Chase Bank:
Judging from those thoughts and opinions written by Mark Wilson (for the whole world to see) – Does he sound like a customer you would have wanted to deal with today (or ever)? Being a woman, how would you feel if a man called you a wench? Or what would think of him if you knew he thought of you that way? (click here for the definition of wench) Does thinking of a woman in a sexually deroggatory manor empower you in customer service situation, Mark? In Canada, Financial institutions are often the leading employers of women. I wouldn’t be able to comment on the US, nor did we have a single bank collapse during the fallout. However, I think this speaks to the very character of Mr. Wilson and the corporate culture at Gawker Media. Mr. Wilson at the best of times appears to be vulgar, thoughtless, and to a stretch of the imagination… sensationalist. Wilson’s twitter account prominitely displays that he works for Gizmodo.com. Gizmodo doesn’t seem to have a problem with such comments being made by their own employees/content creators. hopefully not an echoing trend in the wider internet-media industry. Further investigation leads me to believe that unprofessionalism is a common characteristic with at least Gizmodo portion of Gawker Media:
Bloggers behaving badly: Gizmodo messes with CES flat screens:
The CES organizers only grudgingly gave bloggers press credentials to the conference, and even then kept them segregated into a working lounge that was a step down in amenity and luxury from the “press” lounge and work area. This prank will not endear the blogging class to either the CEA, which produces CES, or the companies that paid dearly for the right to occupy CES floorspace and show off their products. I would not be surprised to see Gizmodo banned from the show and possibly sued by either the CEA or the companies its bloggers harassed.
MacPadd.com and QMS Canada strives to operate itself in the most ethical of business standards. However, as a result of this high ethical standard, we sometimes have to sacrifice business relationships.
Terms & Conditions
- QMS Inc and macpadd.com will replace any damaged unit for free upon return. Shipping costs the responsibility of the customer.
http://macpadd.com/about/policy/
Regards,
MacPadd.com Admin
Microsoft Server Licensing Explained… sorta?
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: January 13, 2010
Buying Software vs Buying a License
If you work in the IT world, chances are you are going to be coming across various different server platforms. When you come across a Microsoft server, the licensing of the software can often be trickier than learning the software. There are many gifted and intelligent IT Professionals in Canada and the United States, don’t get me wrong. But I think as a collective we need to examine not just WHAT you can with a piece of software, but HOW you are intended to use it.
Many people today are under the impression that when you go out to your favorite computer shop and purchase a box that has some discs with software on it, that you are buying software. You’re not. You are purchasing a license to use softare on that CD. You have no ownership over that software. You are buying a license, and the proof of that purcahse is your Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or your “key.” If you lose either the original CD or the COA, you are out of luck, because you then have effectively lost all rights to use of the product, and you have to purchase again.
The Server License
The proper licensing for most Microsoft servers comprise of two components. The server software, and the licensing for the users/devices on the network.
The CAL
When you are dealing with any sort of Microsoft server, no doubt the word “CAL” will come up. CAL simply means “Client Access License.” It’s merely a whitepaper document with a serial-code on it. And it grants every device (or user, depending on how you set it up) the rights to access the server. A CAL is not a piece of software or technology. Client Access Licenses have to be purchased, either for every user on your network or for every device on your network. Virtually every Server
Terminal Services (Remote Desktop Services)
If you are running terminal services on a Windows server you will need to:
- buy windows server cals
- buy windows terminal services cals (now called Remote Desktop Services cals in server 2008)
- purchase a license of the software you want to run over terminal services. you will also need to purchase a license of the software you want to run for EVERY terminal services cal you have. Anything else, would be piracy.
Upgrades
- There is no such thing as server upgrades with Microsoft. If you dont believe me, google it. If you do find a server upgrade, it’s probably a counterfeit on eBay
- You always buy the FULL server installation. Whether its OEM, Volume License, or Retail.
- In some cases, you may be able to install over top of the old software that is currently running on the computer. However, if you are upgrading Windows Server OS, then you will need to always perform a clean install.
Buying and Licensing
Microsoft offers people a whole different bunch of licensing schemes when they sell their server software. To most people, they don’t really seem to care, as long as they get the thing up and running. However, depending on which licensing scheme you choose, you may find yourself very limited as to what you can do, to be in compliance.
There are 3 or 4 basic licensing choices to choose from when you buy the server. OEM, Volume License, and Full Package Product (retail). Here’s how the licenses break down.
OEM
- Other Electronics Manufacturers
- These licenses only come pre-installed on hardware from the manufacturer.
- You may not buy and oem license unless it is being sold with a new motherboard, unless you are a system builder.
- These licenses live and die with that machine. You can’t uninstall it and put it on another computer.
- Service and support are now taken over by the OEM. Not necessarily Microsoft. If you need to resinstall the program for disaster recovery, the OEM provides the replacement media, not Microsoft. Many OEMs are cheap and dont want to give you the media, so they’ll just try to redirect you to Microsoft.
Volume License
- Allows access to website where you can re-download cd images if they’re lost
- Allows access to website where you can obtain your keys again if they’re lost
- 20% discount off of retail price
- Have to buy through a reseller/distributor
- 2-3 year agreement terms
- licenses are perpetual
- agreement may only be transferred under explicit consent of MS
- minimum of 5 licenses being purchased to start volume agreement
- restricted to Organizations, not individuals (only business, nonprofit/charity, and education institutions)
The Hackintosh: The Good, The Bad, The Why Bother?
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: November 17, 2009
Introduction
Build a Hackintosh Mac for Under $800
When you see headlines like this, it really makes your consider trying out those Macs that everyone is talking so much about these days. One of the biggest barriers to switching to a Mac is that they are very expensive. So, why not take their operating system that has gotten such rave reviews, and put it on a cheaper PC computer, right?
Since Apple has made the switch to using Intel and nVidia technology in their computers, they’re essentially the same stuff that’s in PCs too. So why not? Because Apple doesn’t let you. Even if you bought the software, you are not allowed to. You agree to those terms when you use the product. I’ll better explain the ramifications, and headaches you will run into by making your own “Hackintosh” Computer.
————————————-
Apple Legal Stuff and Licensing
Here are just a few things to consider if you want to legitimately use the Mac Operating System on a non-Mac Computer. This is concerning the software license around the OS
Apple Legal – Software License for Snow Leopard
0. Geography
What The Paperwork Says:“11. Export Control. You may not use or otherwise export … Apple Software may not be exported or re-exported (a) into any U.S. embargoed countries or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Department of Commerce Denied Person’s List or Entity List. “
What It Really Says: “It’s not a matter of copyright or distribution laws if you can use our software. You have to be on the USA’s side.”
1. Liability for Damages
What The Paperwork Says:“In no event shall Apple’s total liability to you for all damages (other than as may be required by applicable law in cases involving personal injury) exceed the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00).”
What It Really Says: “We’re not responsible for the software we make. If for some reason it hurts you, the most we’ll give ya is $50!” — If you put it on another computer, you’re not in compliance and you dont get that $50!
2. Liability… Again
What The Paperwork Says:“SHOULD THE APPLE SOFTWARE OR SERVICES PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.”
What It Really Says:“Should it be proven that our product is defective, your responsible for replacing and paying for the defective parts/repairs – even if it’s our fault” – Aside from your Mfr Warranty
3. Apple’s Rights With Your Computer
What The Paperwork Says:“Apple and its licensors reserve the right to change, suspend, remove, or disable access to any Services at any time without notice. In no event will Apple be liable for the removal of or disabling of access to any such Services. Apple may also impose limits on the use of or access to certain Services, in any case and without notice or liability.”
What It Really Says: “We can change, remove, or disable any part of your Mac computer at any time without any notice. And you can’t come after us for doing it.”
4. The Types of Hardware Allowed to Run OSX
What The Paperwork Says: “You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-branded computer, or to enable others to do so. “
What It Really Says:“If you bought this software, you can’t put it on any machine. It has to be a Mac or else! And your not allowed to help or show others to do it”
5. General Licensing
What The Paperwork Says: “This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.”
What It Really Says: “We license our Operating System no different than Microsoft.”
————————————-
How Apple Reacts to Hackintoshers
Apple’s Snow Leopard Update Zaps Bugs, Kills Hackintosh Netbooks
When it comes to Apple’s feelings towards people making their own Hackintosh computers, please reference the link above. That’s right. Apple will fix the bugs in their computers, and shut down you hackintosh if you update.
Regardless if you have purchased the software or not legitimately, it is not in compliance with their terms of use. Therefore illegal. Therefore not supported. Therefore it’s only going to cause you problems down the road – no matter what.
Apple will defend it’s intellectual property rights now matter what. They are no different than Microsoft in this case. Although they may find a way of warning you more “poetically,” like they did to the OSx86 project:
“Your karma check for today:
There once was a user that whined
His existing OS was so blind
He’d do better to pirate
An OS that ran great
But found his hardware declined.
Please don’t steal Mac OS
Really, that’s way uncool.
(C) Apple Computer, Inc.”
Apple’s code is often laced with lines that explicitly tell you not to pirate their software, too.
——————
Can I Buy A Pre-Installed Hackintosh?
Kinda-Sorta – But definitely not legally. There is a company called PsyStar that has blatantly disregarded Apple’s License Terms and started selling PCs pre-installed with Mac OS on it. Apple got angry. So Apple sued, and won. No big suprise there.
Apple Wins Big Against Psystar
In that case the judge also:
- Ruled out a “fair use” defense for Psystar
- Psystar also argued that it had the right to sell OS X as part of the first-sale doctrine. The judge ruled that any copies were not made with the permission of Apple
- Noted the copies installed on the Open Computers, in some cases, did not even match up with the “backup copies” sold together with the computers
- Said: “The inclusion of the copyrighted Mac OS X with the above-described additions and modifications makes Psystar’s product an infringing, derivative work”
- “The judge also noted that Apple had not raised claims on breach of contract, induced breach of contract, trademark dilution, and infringement, and other breaches of California law.”
PsyStar has been left without a legal foot to stand on. The trial resumes December 14th. But clearly Apple has sent a precedent to all those other people out there distributing and selling their own “Hackintoshes” that the matter will not be taken lightly by them.
I don’t know what the execs at PsyStar were thinking, trying to win a legal battle like this against Apple – over their own intellectual property. Quite frankly it was plain stupid of them. For every copy of OSX they claimed to sell, they had a license agreement to go along with it. Not once did ANYONE at that company bother too look at it. Especially for a reseller to be selling illegitimate software, that doesn’t match the license on the machine.
That puts PsyStar in the “Pirate” category. There’s nothing wrong with being a pirate (or a ninja for that matter). But there’s something definitely wrong about cashing in on other people’s code, and exploiting another company’s intellectual property for your own personal gain.
——————
But Can It Be Done?!
Yes, my children it CAN be done. I’ll have a video up here in the coming days to show it can be done, and I can do it.
Unfortunately, with my experiences – it’s just plain simpler to install a netbook-ready distribution of linux on your computer. Like Ubuntu Netbook Remix.
Take Care,
The_Ubuntu_Geek
The_Ubuntu_Geek’s Network
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: November 16, 2009
1. Wired Router
2. Roommate’s Computer
3. Roommate’s Computer
4. LivingRoomPC
—-Running Windows 7 Ultimate
—-Connected to wired network
—-Ad-hoc wireless mode for connectivity of wireless devices in household
5. My PC
—-Connected to wired network
—-Ubuntu Studio 9.04
6. Basement Stereo Laptop
7. My Netbook
A110L – 8 GB SSD – 512 MiB RAM – 3-cell Battery – 0.3 megapixel webcam – 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
**work in progress will add more stats when possible
How To Get Joystick to Mouse – Ubuntu 8.04
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: November 16, 2009
I love media PCs in a futile attempt to build/find a media system platform for my television – I came up with the idea that I could operate the mouse with an old USB Playstation 2-like controller.
0. Install a joystick calibrator
#: apt-get install jscalibrator
–this program is used to calibrate joysticks and game pads.
1. Install Joystick Utils and X-server input plugins for joysticks.
#: aptitude install joystick xserver-xorg-input-joystick
2. Edit your xorg.conf file as root
(#: gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf )
Section “InputDevice”
Indentifier “Joystick”
Driver “Joystick”
Option “Device” “/dev/input/jso”
Option “SendCoreEvents” “true”
EndSection
–This is your X Window System config file. It sets up your windows for Gnome or KDE
Find and edit this section:
Section “Server Layout”
InputDevice “Joystick”
EndSection
A Guide To Simple WEP Sniffing and Cracking
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: November 16, 2009
Although the article title may seem appealing to some, This Guide is only meant to evaluate and test your own personal wireless networks.
The Tools:
-Acer Aspire One Netbook
-Xubuntu 9.04 LTS
-aircrack-ng install on ubuntu
The How-To
0. Install aircrack-ng if you have not already:
#: apt-get install aircrack-ng
1. Find Your Target
-put your network card into “monitor mode”
-Monitor mode merely turns your wifi card into a “wireless scanner” of sorts
#: airmon-ng start *wifidevicehere*
2. Start airodump-ng
-airodump is an app that “dumps” the data captured from monitor mode
#: airodump-ng *wifidevicehere*
–if this connects properly, then you should see a table showup in the terminal. airodump hops channels to see what is out there
–it will list access points and informaiton about them, including devices on those networks.
3. Sniffing around
#: airodump-ng -c *channel of AP* –bssid *macaddressofAP* -w dump *wifidevicehere*
–before you can begin to crack, you need information
–it will intercept from an accesspoint/client when they connect to the AP
–once you capture enough data, you will be able to decipher the encryption of the signal.
–Generally you need to capture between 400 000 and 800 000 bytes of data.
4. Down to Cracking the Signal!
#: airocrack-ng -b *macaddressofAP* dump-01.cap
–once you have captured enough data/IVs, you can now try and crack the WEP key!
The_Ubuntu_Geek’s Blog
Posted by: theubuntugeek on: November 16, 2009
This is the first entry of The_Ubuntu_Geek’s Blog.
I have been an open source enthusiest for a number of years. In the beginning I experimented with Madrake and Fedora Core/Red-Hat. I was pretty sufficient with that until the little Distro Debian came my way. It took a while to setup and but was pretty widely supported and snappy. Finally I became aware of Ubuntu that was based off Debian. It was simple to setup, speed, widely supported on a variety of software platforms, and extremely configurable. I have been using Ubuntu solidly for about 5 years and I can honestly say that I haven’t installed Windows ANYTHING on my machines for 7 years.
I am technophile that avidly particpates in his local Linux User Group. I also work as a software licensing specialist for a large software company. Terms of Service, Product Use Rights, and Licenses is the essence of what I do. Combined with my knowledge of the GPL – I’d like to think of myself of as a Software License Powerhouse! 
Over the past few years I’ve picked up a few slick tips and tricks that I’d at least like to share with you. Unfortunately most of them are on hardcopy inside my notebooks (the pen & paper kind).
I look forward to sharing and working with you and the community!
