It was a bit of a struggle to get everything working... but here's how I did it.
1. Install VMWare 2.0.0 under Ubuntu Linux (due to kernel changes, the older version of vmware could no longer compile the kernel modules (asm/semaphore.h changed to linux/semaphore.h and the kill_proc function was removed from the kernel).
1. Browse to vmware's localhost web page and install the Firefox/Mozilla plugin for it, restart firefox.
1. Upgrade VMWare hardware version of my pre-existing Windows vmware image, add USB hardware if not there, let Windows hardware detect and install drivers as necessary, reboot if needed.
1. `mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb -o devgid=500,busgid=500,busmode=664,devmode=664` (I set the devgid and busgid to my uid, which was the admin account in vmware. Maybe you use root and don't need to do something, or maybe it was just strange for me.. no idea.)
1. Browse to http://europe.nokia.com/A4579163 Nokia's website and install the Nokia Software Updater. Reboot windows.
1. Plug in the Nokia phone, select Nokia mode (as opposed to storage mode or another mode).. mount the device in the VMware image. Any read/write errors here are probably permission related in regard to /proc/bus/usb/.
1. Shutdown Windows, find the *vmware.log* file and do `"grep path:" vmware.log`.. find the entry corresponding to the Nokia phone. Copy & Paste the Numbers/Numbers after the path: bit. (maybe it's 1/2/3 for you or just 1/2)
1. Edit the .vmx file in the same directory, add `usb.autoConnect.device0 = "path:THOSE/NUMBERS"`. I also added `usb.generic.skipsetconfig = "true"` but I'm not sure that's necessary. You are actually binding that particular USB port on the host to that VMware image. You may want to undo this afterwards.
1. Start up the Windows guest again. The phone should now connect automatically.
1. Run the Nokia Software Updater.. cross your fingers.. if it doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the software. Apparently the USB device drivers get screwed up often enough and this fixes them - at least, it did for me.
1. The Nokia Software Updater SHOULD now detect your phone.. if it doesn't, it's probably the device driver.. uninstall and reinstall Nokia Software Updater. It should find any new firmware for your phone and commence installing it.
The reason why you need to use usb autoconnect with the path option is because (it would seem) that the phone reboots into a firmware update mode and changes its identity.. and if it doesn't respond fast enough, then the Nokia Software Updater aborts (causing you to wonder whether you just turned your phone into a brick - luckily it wasn't the case for me).
Good luck!
(For the record, I ended up embarking on this journey when the Nokia Software Updater just stalled at the start screen on my girlfriend's laptop - a common problem, google would suggest.. Please Nokia, give us a Linux firmware updater!)
— by Robert Thomson, created 12th Dec, 2008, last modified 12th Dec, 2008 | 1 comment | Tags: Tech
I held a short memorial service for my SMS archive. At least I'd backed up my phonebook before doing it. Seriously, it looks innocuous if you read the gnokii manpage.
Update: Somebody on IRC said that it should be harmless. For some reason it wasn't on my phone.. but after the "reset" and the subsequent firmware update, everything works.
— by Robert Thomson, created 11th Dec, 2008, last modified 10th Mar, 2009 | Tags: Tech
http://whygitisbetterthanx.com/ WhyGitIsBetterThanX.com prompted me to take more than a superficial look at git (Version Control System), and I'm very impressed. I think I'm a convert, forever destined to look down on other VCS' with a slight air of disgust.
— by Robert Thomson, created 7th Dec, 2008, last modified 8th Dec, 2008 | 2 comments | Tags: Tech
No more lonely nights browsing websites (no, not *those* websites)! We now have a chess board... and the books Chess for Dummies and Complete Idiots Guide to Chess. :-) We still need to buy a pack of cards and a couple of board games. :) We must also find some sports we can do during winter here.. there's not really much to do in the city center itself since it's all historic, so it will take 20 to 40 minutes on a bus each time..
— by Robert Thomson, created 21st Nov, 2008, last modified 10th Dec, 2008 | Tags: World
Yes, in Italy, firemen come to your house when you're locked out. 'twas cool! And we met all of our neighbors! We have a second lock, to which we have no key, that we only use from the inside.. it must have clicked shut when we closed the door. Luckily, we had an open window, and with a long enough ladder, it was reachable.
— by Robert Thomson, created 9th Oct, 2008, last modified 9th Oct, 2008 | 1 comment | Tags: World
We have achieved that which we thought impossible. We now have Internet at our apartment in Perugia! It is a miracle! After over a month of wrangling with technical difficulties (which they never mentioned when we called to find out about our order - instead claiming that we were not customers, and trying to sell us something, thus leading us to assume our order was dropped, and to us placing a second order).. And so it is, that we now have Internet in our apartment. We probably could have had it a couple of weeks ago, had the modem (or instructions, since we had a spare modem) arrived sooner. But now we are officially customers, and we shall cherish our new-found status.
— by Robert Thomson, created 9th Oct, 2008, last modified 9th Oct, 2008 | Tags: Tech
Tomorrow, I'm off for another week in Perugia. I'm looking forward to it, just like last time. The only downside is that I have to stay overnight in Florence, due to the timing of the flight and the last train, and the expense of a Saturday morning flight.. It's been getting progressively colder there, so I will take some warm clothes with me this time. I'm sure I'll be fine, since it's actually colder in Holland right now.
This round of packing is a little tough, though.. What's the largest set of clothes and other items that I can take with me that will still leave me with everything that I need here for my final 3 weeks here but that I can easily take with me next time. My final work day is on the 31st of October.
I also spent some money on things that I can't take with me, such as a washing machine, microwave, mattress, etc., and it would be nice if I could recoup some of the expense.. but I guess I'll be putting those things up for sale in my final week, unless the flatmates wish to purchase them from me (which would be ideal) for the next tenant, or the next tenant themselves.
— by Robert Thomson, created 2nd Oct, 2008, last modified 2nd Oct, 2008 | Tags: Private, World
It's quite ridiculous. You call, you ask if you can speak to somebody who speaks English.. they say, "No." .. so you attempt to use your pre-formulated sentences to get across your message.. they interrupt you, then you say that you don't understand, and they hang up. Gar!
— by Robert Thomson, created 9th Sep, 2008, last modified 9th Sep, 2008
I had that on Monday (yesterday), because of one of my bottom front teeth. Luckily, it wasn't very painful. The nerve of the tooth was mostly dead, and the anaesthetic worked a treat anyway.. I didn't even dribble my water afterwards!
I'm sure I could have gone without pain meds today, but as the day wore on, my overused mouth was starting to make itself known, so I decided to take a paracetamol+caffeine (for the caffeine, really!) and later an ibuprofen tablet as a preventative measure. I'll probably also take one just before I sleep, so there's less chance of me waking up.
Apparently dead nerves/gum infection usually occurs because of some prior accident, and the only accident I could recall happened when I would've still had my baby teeth, so that's almost certainly not the cause. So, no idea why!
— by Robert Thomson, created 26th Aug, 2008, last modified 26th Aug, 2008 | Tags: World
Sì amici! I was in Italy. It was a wonderful few days that Sophia and I spent in Perugia, Umbria. While it gets quite warm there, it is dry heat, so with sensible clothing and plenty of water, it’s quite bearable, even pleasant (more-so in the evening).
An Australian friend has already lambasted me for talking as if 30–35 degrees was possible only on an alien planet, and he reminded me that it’s actually quite common in Oz and told me that I must be getting soft in Europe. All I can say to that is “Nyer! Nyer! I’m going to Italy and you’re not!” which I hope will put an end to the discussion.
We stayed at a cool place called the “Farmhouse hostel”, located a short bus-ride outside of Perugia, where we enjoyed the use of the pool as well as laid-back drinks in the evening with the owner, his friends, and other guests.
We also found an apartment. It’s studenty and small, but well divided (upstairs and downstairs with desks to work on both levels) and in the city. We should also be able to fit a single camping mat on the floor downstairs, for any visitors that we might have. :-)
In the meantime, I still have almost 3 months of work at Shell/T-Systems before I move there. So I’ll be trying to save money now so that I can enjoy the good life later. :-)
One of the many old streets in Perugia:
— by Robert Thomson, created 6th Aug, 2008, last modified 6th Aug, 2008 | Tags: World
Does it irk other people as much as me that we are expected to read & write XML in order to build and run programs? What ever happened to real configuration files? How about editing tools for XML? Did half the world forget that XML is intended for machines, not humans? I always get a bit annoyed when I see end user documentation telling humans to edit XML. Sure, sometimes the tools come later, but quite often not, or they eat up 200 MB of RAM and require a GUI to edit a 30 line configuration file. EOR.
— by Robert Thomson, created 22nd Jul, 2008, last modified 5th Aug, 2008 | 1 comment | Tags: Tech
The iRiver Clix2 that I ordered finally arrived. It was supposed to be here after 2–3 weeks, but instead it took 8 weeks… in the meantime, I was given a free 1GB iShuffle by T-Systems (my new contracting client following Shell’s outsourcing), which I also quite like due to its small size and the clip, making it perfect for when I’m on my bike.
I’m happy with the Clix2. Right now, I’m using it to listen to the radio (and switching stations whenever they start talking their horrible language). It came configured in USB mass storage device mode, instead of the alternative MTP mode.. I’ve installed some new themes and some flash lite games on it.. I’ve transcoded some TV shows for it (320×240 OLED screen) .. wouldn’t want to watch a full length movie on it though.
In other news, Sophia and I are going to Perugia, Italy, later this month, to see if we can find some accommodation for her Erasmus year and my extended-holiday, and generally check out the place. We’re eagerly counting down the days until we’re both in Perugia!
— by Robert Thomson, created 13th Jul, 2008, last modified 13th Jul, 2008 | Tags: Tech
Warum liegt hier überhaupt Stroh?
— by Robert Thomson, created 28th Jun, 2008, last modified 28th Jun, 2008 | Tags: World
I'm sure many of you have heard about Getting Things Done, an action management method by David Allen, which basically involves recording tasks and information in an manageable fashion, to get them out of your head and your worries. For a while now, I've been using a piece of software called ThinkingRock at work, and I find it quite useful. I do project work, and at the moment, it's a lot of small insignificant projects and tasks for them, all demanding some level of time and thought throughout the day, so doing a brain dump is excellent and it's a relief to know that things won't be forgotten.
My only complaint is that ThinkingRock doesn't have any web integration at the moment.. It would be nicer even, if it could use WebDav to save/synchronise with other instances, and publish summaries online for an on the road reference, perhaps talking to a web app for collaboration with other users (you can delegate tasks, and being able to track them would be great)
— by Robert Thomson, created 5th Jun, 2008, last modified 18th Jun, 2009 | Tags: World
Vado a Perugia questo anno! Eccellente!
— by Robert Thomson, created 7th May, 2008, last modified 27th May, 2008 | Tags: World
The countdown has begun! Maibaumkraxeln is an annual event in Freinberg, Austria (just near Passau) of beer-swilling pole-climbing fun! There are often side-events that are more readily accessible to the inebriated types, but ultimately it's just a day of drinking beer and eating good Austrian/Bavarian food in the sun along with friends and strangers, while watching some death-defying unharnessed people climb a 15m high pole like monkeys, and watching others climb it like your grandmother, inching up with arms and legs holding on tight enough to choke a bodybuilder. I can't recommend it enough! This year it's on the 18th of May (unless the weather really is terrible, in which case it's postponed). Bring your Lederhosen and your Dirndls and come along!
— by Robert Thomson, created 6th May, 2008, last modified 18th Jun, 2009 | Tags: World
Never move to Den Haag.
May 6 update: Sure, *now* the weather's lovely.. don't trust it, though.
— by Robert Thomson, created 25th Apr, 2008, last modified 6th May, 2008 | Tags: World
Defective C++
Scripting languages, managed runtimes and similar (CLR, Parrot and D) make me smile.
— by Robert Thomson, created 24th Apr, 2008, last modified 18th Jun, 2009 | Tags: Tech
Hopefully. In the Netherlands, you can't really tell. It still gets to around freezing point, but the days lately have been around 10-12 degrees with sun, which makes sitting outside with a light jumper or even a long sleeved shirt a possibility. With daylight savings changes, it's no longer dark of an evening, which makes it a lot less depressing. I'm hoping for a nice summer here - mid-twenties with a soft cool ocean breeze.
— by Robert Thomson, created 16th Apr, 2008, last modified 16th Apr, 2008 | Tags: World
I’ve an NVidia card with driver version 169. Sometimes when playing movies with Totem, the colours would be off. It took me a while to figure it out, thinking it was maybe a bug I couldn’t do anything about except for downgrading the NVidia driver (which seemed like too much work with Fedora).. Not sure exactly where the bug lies, but the hue setting for XV changes sometimes, resulting in odd colours. I think gstreamer may reset it sometimes. The quick fix is to install xvattr and run the following:
xvattr -a XV_HUE -v 0
.
— by Robert Thomson, created 2nd Feb, 2008, last modified 2nd Feb, 2008 | Tags: Tech
Shell has been working on an IT outsourcing plan for about 12 years now, and it’s finally coming to fruition this year. As a result, my contract has been “mapped” to T-Systems, who are known in Germany but have no brand recognition in the rest of the world. In the Netherlands, they only have around 300 staff and contractors, so the addition of Shell’s Netherlands team will double their workforce. It’s a big opportunity for T-Systems to develop a name for themselves, so they will be trying hard to keep things working smoothly. Unfortunately one T-Systems person has stated that they don’t do development as a company (focusing instead on integration), which may turn out to be disappointing. But as a colleague told me, many times companies don’t realise that their staff are doing a lot of internal development, and I’m not likely to stop my current development work after T-Systems takes over in July. My contract is currently until the end of October, and I’m hoping in that time to make contacts within T-Systems so that it is an option for my future when I’m back in Germany.. or potentially make such a great impression that they keep me on the payroll part time, even while I’m in Italy.
My own future, intriguingly, will quite possibly take me to Italy. After almost two years contracting to Shell (as will be the case by the end of October), I want to move closer to Sophia; and by all accounts, it looks like she’ll be going to Italy for an exchange year. Being the intrepid character I am, I’m planning to go along with her and learn Italian in the process. It will leave me with no source of income (except maybe teaching some English) but it will no doubt be a great experience. La Buona Vita! It’s also vital for Sophia and I to live together and ensure that we can have just as great a (if not better) relationship living in the same house as with several hundred kilometres between us. I’m looking forward to it! She is hoping to go in September this year, in which case I will follow in November, otherwise in March next year, and her choices for cities are Perugia and Pavia. If March, I may stay for a little longer in the Netherlands to better equip myself for the income-less student lifestyle.
— by Robert Thomson, created 20th Jan, 2008, last modified 20th Jan, 2008 | Tags: World
