Impressions From The Future

TurboGears 2 Installation: ImportError: No module named ez_setup

Karthikeyan — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:22:49 +0000

When installing Turbogears after installing Virtualenv, the following error occurs:

ImportError: No module named ez_setup

This can be easily solved by downloading ez_setup from

http://peak.telecommunity.com/dist/ez_setup.py

and copy into

C:\Turbogears2\tg2\Scripts

here is where the virtualenv is installed and is the virtual environment.

Installing Python Win32 Extensions

Karthikeyan — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:41:08 +0000

When installing python win32 extensions, normally while using the command

 setup.py -q install

on the command line you will end up in facing termination with the error

Unable to find vcvarsall.bat

You can try to use MinGW for this and run in the command line

setup.py install build --compiler=mingw32

after adding MinGW to the windows path. And this too doesn’t work for me.

but this will give the following error sometimes:

Cannot find version Windows.h

To easily install Pyton Win32 Extensions the key here is that instead of downloading the pywin32-214.zip, which comes automatically as a suggestion from SourceForge, browse to All Files > pywin32 > Build 214 > Download the correct exe file corresponding to your python already installed in your system.

Now it installs as a breeze and you are done with it.

VMware Server Install – Step by step –>PART TWO

Karthikeyan — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:42:22 +0000

This is the part two of the series in VMware Server installation. Please find the part one here.

In the last post we have installed the VMWare Server 2. Now it’s time to create a Datastore where the virtual disks will be created. Virtual disks are like hard disks and by creating this you create kind of ‘hard disk’ which will exist as separate hard disk as far as VMware is concerned. With respect to the guest operating systems these are no more than a differnet kind of encrypted files.

Step 12: Select Create Virtual Machine from the commands section. In your original hard drive, select a location

Step 13: Select the OS you wish to install. This will optimize the virtual disk for the selected operating system. If you cannot find the operating system you want to install, select the one nearest to the one available.

Step 14: Next is the memory and processors. Choose equal to or more than the minimum recommended memory. Selecting number of processors works only for the host operating system. This means the applications running inside the Virtual machine cannot use the second processor. But if you choose the right number of processor, the guest operating system can use it for other resources and the virtual machine will get more share of the other processor and run much faster.

Step 15: In the Hard Disk section, I recommend you to create a Virtual Disk if you already don’t have one. Otherwise you should always boot the OS using a disk and also you will not be able to write commit anything using the guest OS. This means if you install new application in the fguest application, if you login and log out you will get only the default setup and all your applications and files will be erased during the next boot.

Step 16: In the next properties section of hard disk, you have two options.

Your hard disk (of course virtual) can be made growable. This means as you install more and more applications, it will increase in size, but initially with only the minimum needed size. But the speed at which your operating system(guest) works will be less here.
If you choose the second option of allocate full space initially, then though there is no data the allocated space will be demarcated for the virtual disk from your actual hard drive and you will not be able to use it. Here speed will be more.

Choose whatever fits depending on your choice.

Split disk is for FAT16 file systems. These file systems cannot handle any files of size more than 2 GB and so you should choose this option if you have such file systems.

Step 17: In the Disk mode, you can choose independent and then you will have two options. Information straight from the manual is:

If you select Independent Mode, also select one of the following:
Persistent — Disks in persistent mode behave like conventional disk drives on your physical computer. All data written to a disk in persistent mode are written out permanently to the disk.
Nonpersistent — Changes to disks in nonpersistent mode are discarded when you power off or reset the virtual machine. Nonpersistent mode enables you to restart the virtual machine with a virtual disk in the same state every time. Example uses
include providing known environments for software testing, technical support, and demonstrating software.

What is snapshot in a Virtual machine?

In certain virtual machine configurations, you might want to revert some disks to a snapshot while other disks retain all changes. For example, you might want a snapshot to preserve a disk with your operating system and applications, while always keeping the changes to a disk with your documents and data.

When you add a new virtual disk, set the Disk Mode to Independent Mode if you do not want it to be affected by snapshots.

Step 18: VMware will choose the correct virtual device node. So pass on. If you get struck up here for example while using SCSI disks in a 32 bit Windows XP guest which you want to install get the special driver needed here –> Http://www.vmware.com/download

Step 19: Again I think, you need certain explanation in choosing the network type. Here it is from the manual:

Bridged
Configures your virtual machine as a unique identity on the network, separate from and unrelated to its host. Other computers on the network can then communicate directly with the virtual machine. If your host computer is on a network and you have a separate IP address for your virtual machine (or can get one automatically from a DHCP server), select Bridged.

 NAT
Configures your virtual machine to share the IP and MAC addresses of the host. The virtual machine shares the host’s public network identity, and has a private identity that is not visible beyond the host. NAT can be useful when you are allowed a single IP address or MAC address by your network administrator.
You might also use NAT to configure separate virtual machines for handling HTTP and FTP requests, with both virtual machines running off the same IP address or domain.

HostOnly
Configures you virtual machine to communicate only with the host and other virtual machines in the hostonly network. This can be useful when you want a secure virtual machine that is connected to the host network, but available only through the host machine. In this configuration, the virtual machine cannot connect to the Internet.

Step 20: CD/DVD drive you can change anytime from the Virtual machine homepage. Still for the first installation you can choose according to your choice.

Step 21: I had ISO images of Linux -Debian 5.0 (Lenny) hence I choose ‘choose an ISO Image’ and also browsed the location of the .ISO image file.

Step 22: If Floppy image is needed, select this else choose ‘Don’t Add a Floppy Drive’

Step 23: If you want more hardwares to be added you can do so from the links available. Sound Adapter may be a good option if you prefer to play media files.

Step 24: On successful completion of creating or installation of VMware virtual machine you will get the following screen.

Step 25: In order to access your virtual machine as a FINAL step you need to install the VMware Console Plug-in. It will be automatic pop up in Internet explorer. In Firefox you will get this information in the alet bar at the top. Watch out !

Step 26: Now you are ready to access your dream machine. You can start the virtual machine (called power on) in three ways as shown below:

Step 27: Click anywhere to reach out to your Guest operating system. If you are installing for the first time then Boot Menu will be displayed ELSE you can directly access your Guest operating system after clicking on the console window.

Step 28: Here in the below picture Debian Boot Menu shows up for first time installation. You can choose any operating system. Garnish your installation by creating virtual machine shortcut to desktop, VMware tools etc. And now it’s time to enjoy

~The End~

Bridged — Configures your virtual machine as a unique identity on the network, separate from and unrelated to its host. Other computers on the network can then communicate directly with the virtual machine. If your host computer is on a network and you have a separate IP address for your virtual machine (or can get one automatically from a DHCP server), select Bridged.

NAT — Configures your virtual machine to share the IP and MAC addresses of the host. The virtual machine shares the host’s public network identity, and has a private identity that is not visible beyond the host. NAT can be useful when you are allowed a single IP address or MAC address by your network administrator.
You might also use NAT to configure separate virtual machines for handling HTTP and FTP requests, with both virtual machines running off the same IP address or domain.

HostOnly — Configures you virtual machine to communicate only with the host and other virtual machines in the hostonly network. This can be useful when you want a secure virtual machine that is connected to the host network, but available only through the host machine. In this configuration, the virtual machine cannot connect to the Internet.

New Google Search – First Run and the Results (The Caffeine Project)

Karthikeyan — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:30:32 +0000

The next version of Google is almost ready. The months’ long secret project code named Caffeine is available for testing. It runs on next generation infrastructure and in Google’s own words

It’s the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions.

The new version as of now runs under the current version and you will not notice any major differences. But if you look from a research or analysis angle certainly you will find great differences. (Forget the UI). Try the new Google though: http://www2.sandbox.google.com

Here are the results:

For almost all searches the new engine is at least 40% faster
With fastness comes more results, approximately more than 10% more coverage.(Indexing)
Page Rank for many searches show obvious changes. Relevant searches have moved on top pushing irrelevant ones down south. Check your site for the page rank and be ready for the new Google Search.
Image search is still not integrated in the new Infrastructure.
New version (in the sandbox mode) is Ad Free. (Obviously for the test period )

If you find any interesting differences, just let me know. You can also give the feedback to Google through Dissatisfied? Help us improve link at the bottom of the search. Happy searching !

VMware Server Install – Step by step –>PART ONE

Karthikeyan — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:54:38 +0000

How to run multiple operating systems simultaneously ?

How to run linux operating system within windows ?

How to run windows operating system inside linux?

How to run Apple Mac operating system inside windows or Linux?

How to run several operating systems without dual boot option or without partitioning your hard drive?

The answer to all these questions and much more is one word Virtualization. You need a Virtual Machine for your platform to run multiple operating systems.

This way you can have one main operating system called HOST and any number of GUEST operating systems. You can run Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Mac, openBSD, Windows Mobile, HP-UX, Sprite, z/OS etc. (You name it, you can run that)

VMWare server is a virtual machine software which is a FREE virtual machine and capable of running many OS inside many OS. I just captured the steps when I installed the VMWare server 2 for working with Debian Lenny GNU / Linux on Windows Vista host. VMWare server is for server machines but can be run in most OS’s without any problems.

Step 1

Get VMWare server 2 from http://www.vmware.com/products/server. You should Register and get the license key for the free download.

Step 2

Install VMWare server 2 in your host OS. Here I have used Windows Vista Enterprise. Follow the default install options.

During the installation is the license key will be required. Register with the license keys you have got.

Step 3

Complete the Installation.

Step 4

The challenge of installing a Virtual Machine does not end with the default installation. Now you have to create a Virtual Disk which is a portion of your hard disk for installing the GUEST Operating System. To access your VMWare server homepage find the icon available on the Desktop and start the same it will open in Firefox or Internet Explorer or any browser which is the default one.

You cannot immediately reach to the VMWare Server Homepage as your browser will not allow because of security violations. [ The Server communicates with your Guest OS in a different port which may be blocked usually]

In Firefox you should provide an exception. Here’s how to overcome the ‘This Connection is Untrusted’

Step 5

Click on I understand the Risks

Step 6

Select Add Exception, to exempt the security check for this port.

Step 7

The next step would be to get a certificate. Click on Get Certificate.

Step 8

Check the Permanently Store Exception, for next log on and Confirm the Security Exception.

Step 9

If you are using internet explorer, it will throw a ‘There is a problem with this website’s security certificate’. To overcome this just select ‘continue with this website (not recommended) and proceed.

Step 10

After successfully completing your security exception you should log in into the Server Homepage. Now the question is: Which username and password you should use to log in to your VMWare Server Homepage?

Use whatever password and username you use for your Guest operating system, in this case my Vista login username and password.

Step 11

Now you will see the VMWare Server Homepage which will contain many details like system name and it is the CENTRAL platform for managing your virtual machines. It does not load completely in Firefox as seen below:

I tried to get this right but cannot get the details of why the VMWare server is not loading properly in firefox. Hence I switched to Internet Explorer. Everything loaded completely in Internet explorer as below:

We will see how to configure the Virtual machine in the next part–>VMware Server installation Part Two here.

Cute FeedDemon is not so cute now

Karthikeyan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:56:25 +0000

My favourite feed reader FeedDemon is not so cute now. Reason –>The synchronization have shifted from Newsgator to Google.

What this means to you is:

You cannot synchronize your accounts to NewsGator and Google Reader is the official backend synchronization option. Though initially I was surprised by Google Reader’s robustness, all my tempo immediately died down when I saw an Ad in the left side bottom of the newsgator main window.

It’s annoying to see an Ad continuously in some program like Reader were we put our eyes most of the day . But it’s great gain for Google as it has got a fantastic facelift for it’s reader with FeedDemon’s desktop option.

What’s still ON?

NewsGator will continue to develope & update FeedDemon (for free as usual)
FeedDemon synchronization ends by 31st August. –>You should move to Google Reader if you want synchronization.

Procedure described by FeedDemon guys is for switching the Synchronization is:

FeedDemon Customers

Download the latest version of FeedDemon
Sign-up for a Google Reader™ account
Associate your Google Reader account with your FeedDemon product. A step-by-step wizard is provided within the new version of FeedDemon to assist you with this process.

Decide yourself: To crib for the Ad or make yourself happy for the Google Reader synchronization.

Windows Task Manager not showing up Menu bar, Title bar, close, maximize, minimize button and tabs.

Karthikeyan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:12:54 +0000

Sometimes you will not be able to find out the Menu Bar, Title, Close button, Maximize button and Tabs like Applications, Processes, Services, Performance, Networking, Users etc in the Task Bar.

The Task Manager behaves in such a way because it runs in what Microsoft Windows describes as Tiny Footprint mode.

Task Manger with Menu Bar & Close Button

Task Manager with No Menu, No Tabs, No Control Buttons

How the Strip occurs?

If you have accidentally Double Click anywhere in the empty Tab areas Task Manager will switch to Tiny Footprint mode.

You can close this ONLY by:

1. ALT+F4 OR

2.If you are in the Processes Tab and taskmgr.exe is visible kill that by using Endprocess.

Even if you kill the Task Manager or Restart it, it will come in the same ‘useless’ state again and again until you rever it back to Normal Mode.

Solution 1: Double click once again in the empty tab areas (Grey area surrounding the list) to show all tabs, title bar etc.

Solution 2: (If you want to kill some time )

Click Start, and then click Run.
Type taskmgr.exe
Hold down CTRL+ALT+SHIFT at the same time, and while holding them down press OK or ENTER.

This is simple and the Task Manager behaves in such a way because it runs in what Microsoft Windows describes as Tiny Footprint mode.

Why it Occurs

If you have accidentally double lick anywhere in the empty Tab areas Task Manager will switch to Tiny Footprint mode

You can close this only by ALT+F4

If you are in the processes tab you can kill taskmgr.exe by using Endprocess

What is Tiny Footprint mode

Solution 1: Double click once again in the empty tab areas (Grey area surrounding the list) to show all tabs, title bar etc.

Solution 2:

Click Start, and then click Run.
Type taskmgr.exe
Hold down CTRL+ALT+SHIFT at the same time, and while holding them down press OK or ENTER.

Bing – First Look and Cool Tips

Karthikeyan — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:08:45 +0000

Microsoft have reinvigorated it’s search and now Bing is out in the open for all. The Usage is interactive with text snap to get a quick preview of results.

Watch parts of even paid content or inaccessible videos through Bing

Bing list all videos as moving thumbnails with sound. This means you will be able to watch even restricted shows and paid content videos as thumbnails. Remember these are only excerpts NOT full videos. (Sometimes certainly worth it )

Bing is available on Mobile too

Access bing mobile via http://m.bing.com. Works as fine as Desktop version and better than Google and Yahoo’s mobile interface.

For More options change Location

Use http://www.bing.com/worldwide.aspx to choose your region. US, UK regions have more options and more unfiltered content.

Search files inside Pages

Use the contains keyword to search for specific files like gif, avi, mp3, divx etc inside the pages. This is unlike suffixing search term with ext:ppt in Google.

Example:

To find PPTs related to hedging

Bing: hedging contains: ppt –> The page will contain links to PPTs

Google: hedging ext:ppt –>PPTs which contains the word ‘hedging’

More search services

Currently the following services are active:

Health

+ –>Contains inline articles from medical experts

Images

++ –>You can scroll infinitely to find related images on the web. This is really a GREAT feature. It will save pressing “Next” several times like in Google which is now seem a tiring effort.

+ –>Facial search features

+ –>Black and white search

+ –>Photo or Illustration

++–>open an image in a new window/Tab you don’t have to come back to the other images as they are listed in the left side scroll bar.

+ All the options easily accessible unlike in Advances options in other search engines.

Local

http://www.bing.com/local

Maps

http://www.bing.com/maps

+ –>Bird’s eye view for cities

+ –>Virtual 3D

News

http://www.bing.com/news

Shopping

http://www.bing.com/shopping

+–> Bing cashback offering money back for certain purchases made through the site.

Translator

http://www.bing.com/translator

Translate texts or entire web pages

Travel

http://www.bing.com/travel

+–> Best buy suggestions, looks promising.

Videos

http://www.bing.com/videos

++–> The Smart Preview to instantly watch a short preview of an original video.

xRank

http://www.bing.com/xrank

Search ranks for celebrities, musicians

More about Bing @ : http://www.discoverbing.com/

Bing Tidbits

Bing has taken over second position at over 15% of search traffic (Source: StatCounter) and this may be due to new interest in a new product and initial hype.
Microsoft has set aside $100 million to promote Bing
As usual Bing has been already banned in China. Ironically “Bing” is an easily memorable name for Chinese.
Your IP address will remain in Microsoft’s log of your search for the next 18 months. For Google- 9 months, and Yahoo 90 days.
The search still points to Live search help L
Search Linux on Bing is not so OK.

Million Dollar Question

In one thing Bing may not be able to compete Google I think. Guess what -duration of Beta status.

Bing is not Google but this time it is neither like ‘Microsoft’ and is certainly on the upward trend.

Yahoo briefcase is closing- How to download by folders

Karthikeyan — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:25:13 +0000

Yahoo! Briefcase is closing on March 30, 2009. You have to download all your files before that, after which any files remaining on Yahoo! Briefcase will be deleted and no longer accessible.

If you are a Yahoo! Briefcase Premium subscriber, your current subscription will be cancelled on March 30, 2009. You will be refunded the unused portion of your Premium subscription, if any. The refund will appear as a credit via the billing method you have. So please make sure that your billing information is correct and up-to-date. For more information, please visit https://billing.yahoo.com.

How to download yahoo briefcase files by folders
The one main hitch at this point of time is that you cannot download all your files by folders. To do this,
1. click on “Show All”
2. “Check All”
3. Then click “download” to download your folder as a zip file.

Finally you have to manually rename your zip file to something of that folder.

How to stop the annoying Content Preparation Progress in Adobe Reader 8?

Karthikeyan — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:44:14 +0000

While opening all Adobe documents you will receive an initial pop up Content Preparation Progress which says please wait while the document is being prepared for

Problemo
This wastes lot of time and we got to remain idle every time until this preparation is complete.

Why this Occurs?
Accessibility standards ensure that the software must be accessible even for visually challenged persons. In order to prepare the document for reading every time this pop up checks the document for preparing it to Read Out Aloud.

Solution
1. In the Adobe Reader press CTRL+K (Alternatively open EDIT > Preferences)

2. Go to Categories, select Reading

3. Choose Screen Reader Options and select Only read the currently visible pages.
4. OK
5. Next time you will not see the pop up.