April 9, 2010

Starting again!

Hey! I have changed my laptop. Now I have the brand new Acer 4740. It is having the i3 processor 330M, with 1033 MHz FSB (no other model in the market has this much speed as on 16th Mar 2010). I got it with out an OS installed so that I can experiment with the system.

I tried installing Ubuntu 9.10 today and faced a list of peculiar problems which I could solve successfully. These pages, I write to help others in troubleshooting Ubuntu on Acer 4740

Problems:
  1. Graphics is not compatible with the i3 processor (monitor becomes blank)
    • Troubleshoot by updating the kernel version to the most recent one
    • Change the X11 configuration file from 'vesa' to 'intel'
  2. Empathy doesnt support video chat
    • install latest version of telepathy, the problem is solved if not, try lucview installation
  3. U don't find a standalone application for taking photos from your in-built webcam
    • Say cheese. I mean install this application.
      3. Mic doesnt work
      • Install new version of alsa driver (www.alsa-project.org)
      • while installing alsa driver the installation might stop suddenly showing some error 'patch command not found'
      • just install patch. its done.

    January 26, 2010

    Trying to get away from piracy!

    I have finished my PhD now and not doing much work in lab. I thank my boss for not putting any pressure on me regarding lab work. Then what am I doing nowadays? This is the best time for to try and satisfy my long standing wishes- to create website for me, learn linux and computing skills. I have go the tata photon+ connection which is faster than the internet we are provided in the lab. So, I am now completely dependant on it for all the stuff I am doing nowadays!

    I shall detail my experience with Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala). I have decided that I should not be using any pirated software once I leave India. To make it happen I need to learn the alternatives - Linux OS and the Openoffice! I decided to try Ubuntu which I got from my colleague. I started installing it on my Travelmate (1.5 GHz, 1.25 GB Ram and Peltium M 715 processor). I was impressed with the speed at which it got installed - just 45 min. In this short span (compare it with the windows installation which is almost 1-1.30 hr on a computer with similar configuration) it installed all the softwares necessary for the day to day life. The list of softwares include Openoffice - the potential rival for MSoffice, pdf reader, audio and video players, lot of games, firefox.

    I was charmed by the speed and ease of installation that has almost everything. There is a lot to tell about Linux and Ubuntu particularly. I will continue in my next post.

    January 13, 2010

    Hi! I am Kalyan. I have finished my PhD and am searching for a post-doctoral positon. I wish to be part of an interdisciplinary group working at the interface of molecular biology, cell biology and bioinformatics/computational biology. I prefer a university/institutional environment that will give me an oppurtunity to interact with the young and expose me to the innovative and creative minds. I wish to be part of a research team that demands independant design and execution of experiments, problem solving ability, written and oral presentation skills. I do have a flair for teaching!If you are looking for my website please click here or type www.kalyankpy.in in the address bar