African Software Projects

Hello Peeps

Sorry, I couldn't resist uploading the revamped website. For a look at the old one, I'll be adding another page to the site with example designs on it. Anyway, enjoy the new one and pass the link around...cheers!

African Software Projects

Well, the time has come again for http://www.asp-web.org to be revamped. By this I mean a slight change here or a slight change there. I'm still keeping to the same tableless, frameless, 3 column liquid design layout that I created many months ago. The old site will be active for a couple of weeks for interest sake. Enjoy!

Ubuntu SpeedTouch HowTo

For all those people out there still struggling to make there SpeedTouch modem work (script for U.K. only), here it is.

I have run this script on my desktop - AMD Sempron 3100+ 1.84GHz 1Gig Ram running Ubuntu Breezy Badger 5.10 and currently on my IBM Thinkpads T30 P4 Mobile 1.8GHz 512Mb Ram running BB 5.10 - no problems.

SpeedTouch USB ADSL Modem HowTo for Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger (UK)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirements for the U.K. only!

NOTE: This script should work on any computer that uses the Silver adsl SpeedTouch 330 usb modem and OS Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger.I have installed it and use it currently on both my IBM T30 Thinkpads - Model No.s 2366 - GG1 (without touchpad) and 2366 - G85 (with touchpad).

Print a copy of this HowTo or have it visible on another machine that doesn't require an internet connection. Else save it and transfer it onto your ubuntu machine.

If you're a newbie, it would also be a good idea to print a copy of basic questions and commands (if you don't have a book) that will speed up your development. These are general to most linux distro's (distributions) and are available from - Download: http://www.linuxhelp.net/newbies/newbies-print.php

00 - SpeedTouch ADSL version 4 modem (Thomson / Alcatel)

0 - br2684ctl_20040226-1_i386.deb(I've added this to the list of requirements because when I tested this script on my new IBM T30 Thinkpad (with touchpad), it didn't work. I realised that maybe this file was missing, which it was because my modem connected after installing it and following the script again).

1 - libatm1_2.4.1-17_i386.deb
('libatm' is already packaged with Breezy Badger but you should re-install it to prevent any further frustrations. Newer versions will possibly supercede this, but this works) Download: http://packages.ubuntu.com/hoary/libs/libatm1

2 - speedtouch-firmware_0.3012k_all.deb
(Modem firmware that ensures your modem runs everytime you plug it in, switch your computer on or click to browse the internet.) Download: http://ftp.linux.it/pub/People/md/warez/speedtouch-firmware_0.3012k_all.deb

3 - speedtch.txt
(This script is necessary for hotplugging the modem ie: connecting / disconnecting when the usb plug to the modem is inserted / pulled out of the usb port [PlugandPlay].

Copy and save in Notepad everything between the lines as "speedtch.txt"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh

# Script based on /etc/hotplug/usb/speedtouch from the speedtouch debian package.
# This package is not required with kernel 2.6.10, but without this little bit
# of its functionality, we would lose automatic connection on hotplugging the
# speedtouch modem (and immediate killing of the pppd on disconnection).
PATH=/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
export PATH

# ignore device events
#[ "$PRODUCT" ] exit 0

# a PPP peer to call
PPPD_PEER="adslscript" # the name of a connection script in /etc/ppp/peers

# start the pppd process
pppd call $PPPD_PEER

#This will make sure that the pppd process is killed immediately if the
# modem is unplugged, thereby making everything ready for immediate reconnection
[ "$REMOVER" ] exit 0
{ echo "#!/bin/sh"
[ "$PPPD_PEER" ] && printf "poff $PPPD_PEER\nsleep 5\n"
} >> $REMOVER
chmod +x $REMOVER
exit 0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING PRINTED OR SAVED IN YOUR HOME DIRECTORY IN UBUNTU THAT YOU REQUIRE! IT IS SOMETIMES BETTER IF YOU HAVE THE HOWTO LOADED ON THE SAME SYSTEM SO YOU CAN JUST COPY AND PAST.
FINALLY MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION BUT DON'T PLUG YOUR USB MODEM IN JUST YET. YOU WILL BE PROMPTED TO DO THIS LATER.

Assuming you're already in Ubuntu - OPEN A TERMINAL (Application -> Accessories -> Terminal)

STEP 0: install the package 'br2684ctl_20040226-1_i386.deb'

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo su (this will require your root password and give you something like this 'root@your username:/home/yourusername#')
dpkg -i br2684ctl_20040226-1_i386.deb

STEP 1: install the package 'libatm1_2.4.1-17_i386.deb'

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo su (you must still be in root)
dpkg -i libatm1_2.4.1-17_i386.deb

Step 2: install the modem firmware package 'speedtouch-firmware_0.3012k_all.deb'

CODE TO TYPE:
dpkg -i speedtouch-firmware_0.3012k_all.deb (you must still be in root - This will install the firmware files to your computer.)

Step 3: configure the software
You are now going to load the pppoatm module, and set up your machine so the pppoatm module is loaded at every boot - before you do this type 'exit' to get out of root ie: root@your username:/home/yourusername# exit This will leave you with: your username@your username:~$

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo modprobe pppoatm (note: whenever you're not in root and you type 'sudo' at the start of a command, you may be prompted for your root password)
sudo gedit /etc/modules (this will open up gedit word editor - in the editor window, add the word - pppoatm - at the bottom of the list, save and exit.

Now we're going to create a pppd connection script to control logging on to your ISP:

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo cp /usr/share/doc/ppp/examples/peers-pppoe /etc/ppp/peers/adslscript
sudo gedit /etc/ppp/peers/adslscript (this will open up gedit word editor - in the editor window, change the line -

# user "myusername@myprovider.com"
to
user "your-own-isp-username"

below this you are going to replace a few lines (remember to include the blank line, up to eth0), which are:

# Load the pppoe plugin. plugin rp-pppoe.so

.........ethernet interface...........eth0
and replace with

CODE TO TYPE:
# These options configure pppd to talk with the kernelspace speedtch driver.
# Don't forget to adapt the VP.VC pair to your ISP/country settings.
# (see http://www.linux-usb.org/SpeedTouch/faq/index.html#q12)
plugin pppoatm.so
0.38 #UK

After this you should have the following:

# Assumes that your IP address is allocated dynamically by the ISP.noipdefault# Try to get the name server addresses from the ISP.usepeerdns# Use this connection as the default route.defaultroute
# Makes pppd "dial again" when the connection is lost.persist
# Do not ask the remote to authenticate.noauth

If you have the above, then there's nothing else to do here except save and exit the editor.

But, if you have the following towards the bottom, comment out (ie put a # at the beginning of the line):

noaccomp
and
default-asyncmap

After you have commented out the above lines, save and exit the editor.

Now you are going to set up your isp password:

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo gedit /etc/ppp/chap-secrets (In the editor window, add the following line)
your-isp-username * your-isp-password * (Note: there is a space between username, *, password and *)
Save file and close the editor.

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo gedit /etc/ppp/pap-secrets (In the editor window, add the identical line to that just added to the chap secrets file. Don't forget the spaces.)
Save file and close the editor. (Only one of these two files that you have just edited will be used by your ISP to connect, it just depends on the authentication method used by your ISP.)

Finally, setup the hotplug system to automatically connect when the modem is plugged in and at boot time:
CODE TO TYPE:
sudo cp /your/path/to/speedtch.txt /etc/hotplug/usb/speedtch (/your/path/to must be replaced with the location of the speedtch.txt file)

Now we are going to turn this script into an executable file

CODE TO TYPE:
sudo chmod +x /etc/hotplug/usb/speedtch

CODE TO TYPE:
tail -f /var/log/messages (NOW IS THE TIME TO: Plug in your modem and watch it connect. You should see in the messages displayed with a month, date, time and localhost format with the more important stuff at the end, which will read something like this:
usbcore: registered new driver speedtchspeedtch: loaded successfullyPlugin pppoatm.so loadedpppd 2.4.3 started...found stage 2 firmware...ExitExit
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> 0.38ADSL line is synchronising
CHAP authentication succeeded
PPP...registered
PPP...registeredlocal IP address ......remote IP address ......primary DNS address ........secondary DNS address .......
ADSL line is up (2272 Kib/s down ¦ 288 Kib/s up)

CODE TO TYPE:
ctrl-c (to get out of the scrolling messages display).

You should now be connected to the internet.
NOTE: In other countries using PPPoA should work by changing the VPI/VCI numbers. To check what your VPI/VCI numbers are look at http://www.linux-usb.org/SpeedTouch/ubuntu/index.html.

Another blast of adrenalin!

Enjoy another session of sweaty palms while you watch Dano solo 'Lover's Leap'!

A tribute clip to the man that has inspired me the most to climb beyond my expectations - Dan Osman

If you've seen my previous post, you would have remembered my reference to the late Dan Osman. Well, here is a tribute to him by the makers of the series Masters of Stone - enjoy the ride!

Wild 5 100m Gorge Swing

Here it is peeps. 100 metres of pure exhiliration in under 4 seconds. The initial footage was taken with the camera strapped to my wrist. Following this is footage of my brother-in-law and then footage of me on my second jump. This doesn't compare to anything, like the single roped jumps achieved by the person to have influenced me the most to take climbing beyond my own expectations, the late Dan Osman...R.I.P.

Hell's Gates

Well, I said I would keep you updated on my wild adventures! Here is a tit bit of what's to come. These pics were taken when Faf and I were doing a recce on the Orange River for a client. The client was keen to send their staff on an extreme whitewater river rafting weekend. The recce of the river was an unforgettable experience, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, camping on the banks of the river and an excellent whitewater experience - running some rapids (especially Hell's Gates) at Grade 4+.

Memories

I thought I might share a few good memories I have of things I got slightly attached to, be that a good or a bad thing.

My Landy in London during a really cold spell. I bought this with the intention of driving across Europe and down through Africa but unfortunately we had a costly relationship that never quite worked out. She constantly gave me mechanical problems and ever so slightly, tainted my view of Land Rovers.





I also got attached to this little beastie. Sad to say, but the cost of replacing a tyre and an exhaust far outwayed the cost of the actual machine. Can't complain though, she served her purpose!

Backdated Posts

I've decided to place the few backdated posts I did into this one post, else it could get a bit tedious. Here we go...

IBM T30
01 February 2006
IBM T30 Laptop, 1.8Ghz Pentium 4 Mobile with 256Mb ram and 40 Gb HHD. Currently running Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger. This is one of the first without the touchpad. Have had no problems, initially dual booted with Win XP Pro but later deleted XP. Have used Free BSD 6.0 for a very brief period on this machine...no problems, now waiting for the Dapper Drake release from Ubuntu.

MPEG4 Recorder
09 February 2006
Purchased this little gem, Archos AV500 MPEG4 Recorder, yeehaaaa! At long last I have a device to record my extreme antics. Just waiting for the all important camera and travel pack from Archos.

IBM X30
11 February 2006
Got a great deal on one of these excellent machines that can be carried around in your backpack, without the tag 'Mug Me' written all over it like a laptop shoulder bag!. Have XP Pro on it, initially for .Net development. IBM X30 Laptop, 1.2Ghz Pentium 3 Mobile with 512Mb ram and 40Gb HHD. Deciding to delve deeper into the lesser known / used software packages out there - Ruby etc.

AV 500 Travel Pack and Camera
13 February 2006
They finally arrived. Watch this space for further development on the combination of these new gadgets!

IBM T30 Touchpad
11 March 2006
Got another great deal, this time an IBM T30 with a touchpad. Loaded Ubuntu Breezy Badger 5.10 on it, but had problem setting up SpeedTouch modem. Weird, I have 2 x IBM T30's, only difference is touchpad and both running the same Nix and kernel. Touchpad T30 doesn't like script I wrote for non Touchpad T30, which works everytime I load it :(
Will publish script later!

Holiday in sunny South Africa - December 2005

In December 2005, Mel (wife) and I relished in a long overdue break back home. It was fabulous, although we only had a few good days of sunshine, it was still heaps better than the dismal cold of London :(

Here are some classic shots of what some of you can only dream of :)

The long awaited blog...

It's been a long time coming, but finally I've managed to find some time to share my thoughts and ideas with you.

After attempting to replicate something similar to a blogspot which I started on Feb 01 2006, I've decided to use blogger for ease and simplicity. I'll post some backdated blogs to kickstart my new residency.

Firstly, a little background information.

I'm a bit of a gadget fiend. I don't buy the latest gadgets to hit the market, just gadgets that will serve their purpose in my little world, hence you will find me listing all sorts of things that I require with a little tech talk.
I'm also a programmer, which doesn't neccessarily mean I sit glued to a computer all day and night...catapulting myself into alphageek status. I'm a bit of an animal at heart, love extreme sports and participate in a few. However, that part of my life is on hold at the moment...temporarily while I live out the final few months of my career in London, U.K. before I head back to the untamed mountains and rivers of South Africa...jeez I can't wait!

Keep 'em peeled!

Later...