Timidity++ Midi Player

Timidity is a Linux MIDI Player, and it could be installed easily using this command :

sudo apt-get install timidity timidity-interfaces-extra freepats

Only for the first time, right click on any midi file (from Nautilus), and select open with other application, and type "timidity"

Simple and Stable Ubuntu Feisty Fawn from scratch

I start experiencing problems several days lately, and I couldn't find the exact cause of the problem, so it's time to reinstall Ubuntu Feisty Fawn from scratch, and this time I will try minimum configuration (without eye candy) that is suitable for daily work.

First, install Ubuntu from CD as usual. After installation finished, then reboot, and do software updates (from main server repository), then reboot again.

Then install my preferred applications :

# this is the basic applications
sudo apt-get install kerry beagle gparted vlc samba cups-pdf ntfs-config ntfs-3g libmeanwhile1 gaim

# this one for supporting my iPod
sudo apt-get install banshee gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.8-faad gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly

# some manual install is required (newer version than from the repo)
thunderbird v2.0.0.4 # download this and extract to /opt
lightning # could be installed from thunderbird add-in

# vmware - must be patched - follow the vmware server installation here

Optimizing Windows XP guest OS by disabling some services

Refer to : http://www.sanx.org/tipShow.asp?index=65

I disabled the bold ones (btw., some services below is not available on my guest os - may be because it's running on a VM, and some hardware is not emulated) :

* Alerter
* Application Layer Gateway Services
This serivce should only be disabled if you are not running the built-in Windows firewall on any network interface and if you are not using internet connection sharing from that computer
* Automatic Updates
Many users prefer to manually download updates from Microsoft. If you wish to use the automatic update facility, leave this service enabled.
* Background Intelligent Transfer Service
This service is utilised by many core Microsoft services and applications (and a few third-party ones) for effecting file transfers. Windows Update uses it, as does MSN Messenger. Applications should be tested following disabling this service to ensure functionality.
* ClipBook
* Computer Browser
This service should only be disabled if you are not running in a Windows NT / 2000 Domain environment
* Distributed Link Tracking Client
* Error Reporting Service
* Fast User Switching Compatibility
* Fax
* Human Interface Device Access
This service should remain enabled if you use user-defined hot-keys on keyboards, remote controls, etc.
* IIS Admin
This service should only be enabled if you run the personal version of IIS on Windows XP
* IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
This service should only be disabled if you do not have / use a CD-Writer.
* Indexing Service
* Infrared Monitor
This service should only be disabled if you do not have an IR port on your computer, or if you do not use IR communications.
* Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
This service should only be disabled if you do not use either ICS or the ICF.
* Messenger
Now disabled by default on installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2
* MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
* NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
This service should only be disabled if you do not use the Desktop Sharing facility in NetMeeting
* Portable Media Serial Number
This service should only be disabled if you do not have a portable MP3 or music device that connects directly to your computer via a digital interface.
* QoS RSVP
* Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
This service should only be disabled if you do not use the Remote Assistance feature of Windows XP
* Remote Registry
Certain third-party applications utilise the Remote Registry service to modify the local machine's registry. Symantec (Norton) Anti-Virus is one such utility, mainly because they were too lazy to code up seperate installers for local and remote installations.
* Removable Storage
* Routing and Remote Access
* Smart Card
* Smart Card Helper
* SSDP Discovery Service
This service should only be disabled if you do not have any Universal PnP devices on your network.
* System Restore Service
This service should only be disabled if you do not use the System Restore functionality of Windows XP.
* Telnet
* Terminal Services
This service underpins the following functions:
o Remote Desktop
o Remote Assistance
o Fast User Switching
Terminal Services should only be disabled if none of the above are in use
* Themes
* Uninterruptible Power Supply
* Universal Plug and Play Device Host
* Upload Manager
* Volume Shadow Copy
* WebClient
* Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
This service should only be disabled if you do not have a scanner or digital camera connected to your computer.
* Windows Time
This service should only be disabled if not operating in a Windows NT / Windows 2000 Domain / Windows Server 2003.
* Wireless Zero Configuration
This service should only be disabled if you're not using a WLAN (WiFi, 802.11) card on your computer
* WMI Performance Adapter
* World Wide Web Publishing
This service should only be disabled if you're not running the personal version of IIS on your computer.

Easy way to install NTFS support for Read/Write Windows XP Partition

To enable read/write support on NTFS volume, you could install "ntfs-3g" and "ntfs-config" :

sudo apt-get install ntfs-config # install everything including ntfs-3g

sudo ntfs-config # this command starts the NTFS configuration GUI, you could also find the icon inside the applications - system tools

Below are some example of a mounted NTFS volume (USB disk drive) :

thartono@thartono-linux:~$ df
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on

/dev/sdc1 39062012 38934512 127500 100% /media/New Volume # this is the USB Disk with NTFS filesystem. The utilization is 100% because it's full (not because of an error)

thartono@thartono-linux:~$ mount

/dev/sdc1 on /media/New Volume type fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,noatime,allow_other,blksize=4096)
# the filesystem is displayed as fuseblk