BarlaventosITBlog

Unity Desktop on Ubuntu 11.04

2011-05-10T02:27:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow this blog will know that I have been an Ubuntu user and devotee for the past 6 years.

Ubuntu powers my work machine and while there have been periodic bugs it has generally performed marvelously.

Now, in the second bad piece of news today, I have to report that I have upgraded my machine to Ubuntu 11.04 with Unity Desktop and I really do not like it.

There are a lot of bugs in Unity. It is not intuitive for users and it is clunky.

It is almost that in an effort to catch up with the desktops on Apple machines, Canonical have done a "Vista".

The concept may, in principle, be good, but only launch a system upgrade like this when its ready for the big time.

The fact that one cannot also easily install Gnome3 without breaking Unity and the OS is an unmitigated disaster makes live very difficult.

I hope all this is resolved shortly, or I'm off to Debian 6.0 and will build my own customised linux box.

MS and Apple must be laughing their heads off and I cannot blame them.

If you are using Ubuntu 10.10 ... do not upgrade yet!

Microsoft Close to Buying Skype

2011-05-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

I really am concerned at this news.

It took long enough to get Skype to produce an effective Linux Client.

I can just see the "evil empire" keeping the existing Linux client and then as the product develops easing the linux version out because "it is no longer compatible.".

I can also see the "evil empire" also trying to turn itself into the "world's" phone network. Free Computer to Computer Calls will go!

With Google dominating search, Facebook social media and Microsoft voice communications, the world Interweb really is becoming dominated by a small cartel of US controlled IT companies.

We really do need companies like Amazon.com, baidu.com, yahoo japan etc. to start fighting back internationally and offer competitive products.

Is there a stable version of Linux that I can install but not have to constantly tweek to keep working?

2011-04-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

One of the main advantage's of Linux and linux distributions is that the Linux Kernel and other software is regularly updated to ensure the OS is compatible with the latest hardware.

Ubuntu, (based on Debian Linux) is today probably one of the most stable distributions. If one configures a machine with this distribution; is happy with the resultant initial configuration and does not want to receive further updates, one can configure the "update manager" not to check for updates.

The machine will remain stable as originally configured

Freeciv crash in Ubuntu 10.10

2011-02-26T02:58:00.000-08:00

I am having an ongoing problem which continually ruins playing Freeciv on my Ubuntu 10.10 installation.

I will play for several hours and then in the middle of a seesion, bingo, Freeciv crashes. The game will not restart from that point onwards.

Any help, comments or advice would be appreciated.

Details:

Ubuntu 10.10
Gnome 2.32.0
Kernel Linux 2.6.35-25-generic
Intel Celeron M CPU 530 @ 1.73GHZ
Memory: 2.0GB
FreeCiv- server version - Freeciv: 2.2.1-1ubuntu1

Error Message from system.log

Feb 26 08:20:39 xxxusernamexxx kernel: [ 5540.017512] freeciv-server[2221]: segfault at b4 ip 0000000000485b60 sp 00007fff2ae10ae8 error 4 in freeciv-server[400000+185000]

Installing Ubuntu on a Laptop

2011-02-25T15:33:00.001-08:00

First of all you will need too decide which media you will use for booting the Vaio

- usb stick
- cd

Make sure you know how to select boot mode - some laptops will let use use F11/F12 to select your boot media otherwise you will need to go into the bios F2 or delete key and change the boot selection media.

If you are not sure, use the boot from cd option. It will be slower but probably easier for newbies.

Before downloading, make sure that you know whether your Vaio is has a 32bit or 64bit processor so that you can select the correct version.

Download your preferred ubuntu distribution from ubuntu here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Very Important:

Insert the cd and boot to the live cd version. Make sure that all the essential systems are working. Sound, Networking, wifi etc.

There should be a systems testing entry on the Systems > Administration menu. Run it and see if it reports any major problems recognising any important devices such as ethernet port, wifi, sound. If it does find problems and you are a newbie, this is probably not for you to do without help..

If all OK, now go Systems > Administration > Disk utility.

Look at the Volumes table. You may find that in addition to your normal hard drive partitions (e.g. C: D: in Widnows) there may also be "hidden partitions", created on installation at the factory to customised the machine and how it runs Widnows!

If you are doing a full Ubuntu install you will need to select "use the full disk" when prompted to ensure that the hidden partitions get "nuked", otherwise you may encounter booting problems.

If all has gone all OK so far reboot the machine and when prompted select the install to disk option on the Ubuntu live CD menu and follow the walk through.

It is fairly easy process. Easier than Windows, I would say.

At the end of the installation process, let the machine remain "online" to download the latest updates. You will be prompted for authority to install them. Let them install and away you go,

Learn to use the "Synaptic Package Manager" on the System > Administration menu to install extra packages such as codec packs etc.

Hope this helps

Why I use Linux on a Laptop

2011-02-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have used Ubuntu Linux on my main machine, an Acer Aspire 4310 Laptop of 2008 vintage. At first there were problems with wifi and sound rivers, but since 9.04 everything has been fine.

I use the machine for remote server admin, personal use, client IT problems diagnosis, and a full range of admin.

It gives me such flexibility particularly when talking over the network to both Apple and Win systems

Switch from Linux to Mac

2011-02-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

Not at all! I've now been on Ubuntu since 2005.

I love linux as I am able to interface with practically every other OS sans problems.

10 days ago a tech turned up at a client's office to deliver a top of the range HP colour laser wifi scanner printer which required installation of over 250MB of drivers and software on Windows 7 or MAC before it would work.

"Give me 20 minutes" says he!

Me say - "No, me no have 20 minutes!"

Fired up my trusty 3 year-old acer laptop with ubuntu 10.10 aboard.

Went system >> printing

Find network printer

Selected Generic-PostScript-Printer

and the I.T. guy was just standing there with his mouth open and aghast as in 30 seconds a page comes flying out the new unit!!

Much as I appreciate apples as Audis of the desktop world, give me open source and linux any day.

As for looks, who cares. If the OS works, I can live without the flash of Apple and proprietary systems.

Alternative software to read MS Publisher files

2011-02-12T01:15:00.000-08:00

1. The lack of exportability and readable access of MS Publisher files has long been a source of irritation for sole proprietor/micro and small business owners who used it in the late '90's and early 2000's to produced newsletters, brochures, etc. With each new incarnation of MSOffice, they have found themselves tied more and more to purchasing a later version of Publisher and ever increasing cost. In short, there is no other program that can open .pub files.

2. In the linux world there is an open source DTP program called Scribus.
See: http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus

3. However, even this has its own type of file system that can only be read by the program. To publish a finished article one must export to .ps, .svg or .pdf.

4. I understand that there is now an installer for Scribus on Windows systems.

5. Also see: http://goo.gl/gYMT9

Is there any better editor, like VIM in ubuntu that can be used instead of Terminal (one that come with ubuntu by default)?

2011-01-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

If one is using Gnome desktop, one can log into Terminal as root and launch gedit.

Go

> Menu > Accessories > Terminal

Terminal will open up the console

> type sudo -s

- enter your password (as long as you have administrator rights)

> type gedit and use gedit's open file function to navigate to file or gedit (path to file and file name )

I use this all the time for script editing in the gubbins of Ubuntu.

Boot from a USB stick if BIOS doesn't support USB boot!

2011-01-29T01:53:00.000-08:00

Not normally possible!

However, this question intrigued me and I've done a bit of research as I have not looked at the subject in a while.

Turns out there appears to be a German programmer who has built a piece of software that boots from a floppy or cd and allows one then to boot from a usb stick.

There is an excellent walk through published on howtogeek.com here.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16822/boot-from-a-usb-drive-even-if-your-bios-wont-let-you/

The article has links to the necessary page for downloads.

Not tried it myself but hope it it is appropriate for your needs.

Powerline Adapters

2011-01-22T02:25:00.001-08:00

I had this situation exactly with a client in November who has three phase power and an old Stone/Brick traditional farm house that has grown into a 6 apartment complex.

Powerline adapters would just not work! The three phase system and old wiring/switchboards just would not let the units talk to one another.

Power surges can also be a problem and I have heard of cases where signal quality decreases if the powerline units overheat.

I thought they were a good solution for this type of problem.

As regards using UK ones, they should work with a three pin to two ping adapter.

Lidertronica in Lisbon have a wide range of network and other hear. They deliver COD by cobrança.

The relevant page on their website with links to powerline adapters is here:

http://goo.gl/Xkq9F

I have just bought an external 10dbi omni-directional wifi antenna from them to mount on the roof of the above-mentioned client's house.

I plan to bathe the complex with wifi radiation and as well as ensuring good coverage, add to the tans of the punters regularly staying there!

If it is in stock they deliver the next day.

Re: Free webdesign lessons

2011-01-22T02:06:00.000-08:00

My reply to an article posted on a forum entitled: "Free webdesign lessons"

" I am very disappointed with webdesigners who charge so much for "maintenance costs" of the webpages they do...."

Sorry, Web designers need to live too!!!!

Specialist coding skills and graphical package training, cost of internet access, good domain and hosting skills do not come cheap!!!

I personally am tired of people and businesses who do not want to pay a reasonable rate for web design, web site maintenance, web site translation, copy writing and web marketing services!!!!!!

A website is not a game!!!! I am tired of half built websites that do not work.

If you want one built to bring good commercial results, one will need to pay a good specialist to manage and market it correctly!

If you want to do it yourself properly be prepared for months of slog!

When will it be the "year of Linux" on the desktop?

2011-01-18T01:00:00.001-08:00

I do agree that the issue of perceived desktop and support software familiarity is a major obstacle to Linux making headway against Windows and MacOS. However, I believe that increased deployment of Linux/Gnome in public access systems and mobile systems could do a lot to change attitudes and familiarize the general public with Linux. In the small town where I live, I have deployed 6 PC's equipped with Ubuntu/Gnome in bars and hostels for the use of clients. They are customized for web access using Chrome & Firefox. The owners of each establishment are happy as they have been able to substantially reduce the amount, they have had to spend on virus and abuse removal from the previously equipped Window OS machines. There have been no user complaints at all.

I also believe that, for most micro and small businesses world-wide, the deployment of linux desktop systems equipped with software such as "libreoffice" would sharply reduce operating costs and give greater flexibility in upgrading as the business in question grows..

3G Dongle Internet Portugal

2010-05-24T04:45:00.001-07:00

The availability of a a good mobile phone signal DOES NOT mean you will have a good signal with a dongle!!! It is very very important to understand this.

In Portugal, and most of Europe, most operators still operate 2G/UMTS mobile networks which only transmit data (i.e. Internet) at a slow speed.

Broadband over the mobile phone network (such as in Portugal, Vodafone/TMN/Optimus Dongles), only operates at full broadband speeds when one in in range of a 3G equipped mobile phone mast. 3G is more powerful but its range and strength is much less than 2G. Furthermore, in some cases, one can receive a 3G signal outside a property, but if the walls are thick, one may find that you can only get a 2G inside a house. I have had several clients who have had this experience. They have bought a dongle and then find it does not work at the speeds intended inside the house. They then have to trail back to the shop and get their money back.

It is, therefore, imperative to test that you can receive a good 3G mobile signal in your property before purchasing the gear.

Unlocked 3G USB Sticks/Dongles

2010-05-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Companies like vodafone have programmed the USB Sticks/Dongles to be country and company specific. This means that, in general, a vodafone UK stick will not work with a vodafone portugal sim.

However, just found this site on the web selling unblocked sticks that might help you:

http://bit.ly/b4lbEZ

Apple Retailers in the Lisbon/Lisboa, Portugal Metro Area

2010-05-19T08:40:00.001-07:00

List of all offical Apple Retailers in the Lisbon Metro Area courtesy of Apple.com. (May 2010)

1. EL CORTE INGLES - LISBOA
AVDAS ANTONIO AUGUSTO DE AGUILAR
MARQUES DA FRONTEIRA E SIDONIO PAIS
1069-413 - LISBOA
Tel. 351 213 711 700

2. TB STORE AV 5 OUTUBRO
AV 5 DE OUTUBRO N.º 26B
1050 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-291-002 340

3. TB STORE COLOMBO
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
AVENIDA LUSIADA, LOJA 0.022
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-210 129 632

4. IBERDIGITAL
AV. COLÉGIO MILITAR, 28-9º ESQ
1500-185 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217156510

5. INFORMANTEM
URB.DO POLO TECNOLÓGICO
DE LISBOA,LOTE 3
1600-546 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217101600

6. PLACALOGICA
RUA FERNÃO LOPES Nº 9-5º DTº
1000-132 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213521206

7. FNAC CHIADO
RUA DO CAMO, 2
ARMAZÉNS DO CHIADO, LOJA 407
1200-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

8. POWERHOUR
AV. INFANTE SANTO, 70 G
1350-180 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-934554305

9. RESOLUÇÃO GRÁFICA
CALÇADA DA PAMPULHA, 35
1200-751 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213959076

10. DISTRILOC
RUA DOS LUSÍADAS, 6B
1300-370 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 315 89 54

11. FNAC ALMADA
CAMINO MUNICIPAL, 1101, LOJA 1.49
VALE DE MOURELOS
2800 - ALMADA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

12. VOBIS ALMADA
FORUM ALMADA, LOJA 1.33
RUA CAMILO MUNICIPAL, 1011
2800 - ALMADA

13. COLORFOTO
PRAÇA DE ALVALADE Nº 2D
1700-035 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217932475

14. WORTEN COLOMBO
AV. LUSÍADA
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 711 3940

15. MEDIAMARKT BENFICA
AVENIDA GENERAL NORTON DE MATOS
1500-213 - LISBOA

16. FNAC COLOMBO
C.C COLOMBO LOJA A-103
AVDA LUSIADA - CENTRO COLOMBO
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

17. VOBIS COLOMBO
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
LOJA A005, AV. LUSÍADA, LETRAS CC
1500 - 392 - LISBOA

18. WORTEN BARREIRO
LUGAR ALTO DO ROMÃO, LT 32
2830 - VILA CHÃ - BARREIRO
Tel. 212149320

19. AVANTGARDE
RUA FERNANDO NAMORA Nº 44-B
1600-454 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217122010

20. WORTEN AMADORA
ESTRADA NACIONAL 249-1
VENTEIRA
2724-520 - AMADORA
Tel. 214179214

21. WORTEN TELHEIRAS - WRT
AVENIDA DAS NAÇÕES UNIDAS
TELHEIRAS
1600 - LISBOA
Tel. 217114482

22. WORTEN FORUM BARREIRO
RUA STARA ZAGORA
URBANIZAÇÃO DAS CORDOARIAS, LOJA 0,29
2830-364 - BARREIRO
Tel. 212067440

23. NORMATICA
RUA PEDROUÇOS, 28
1400-290 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213041600

24. INFORMÁTICA EL CORTE INGLÊS,S.A.
RUA QUINTA DO PINHEIRO,
16 - 4º E - EDIF. TEJO
2790-143 - CARNAXIDE
Tel. +351-214166100

25. FNAC ALFRAGIDE
AV. DOS CAVALEIROS
C.C ALEGRO ALFRAGIDE - LOJA 52
2790-045 - ALFRAGIDE
Tel. 707 20 36 22

26. WORTEN SEIXAL
RIO SUL SHOPPING, QTA. NOVA DO JUDEU
ESTRADA NACIONAL 10; FOGUETEIRO
2840-293 - SEIXAL
Tel. 212279765

27. VOBIS VASCO DA GAMA
AVENIDA D. JOÃO II
CC VASCO DA GAMA, LOJA 2115
1990 - 094 - LISBOA

28. WORTEN VASCO GAMA
AV. D.JOÃO II
CENTRO COMERCIAL VASCO DA GAMA
1990-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 218930827

29. VOBIS SEIXAL
QUINTA NOVA DO JUDEU
EN 10 FOGUETEIRO
2840 - AMORA

30. CPC NET
RUA ALFREDO SILVA, Nº 2 - 4º
2610-016 - AMADORA
Tel. +351-214720322

31. DECIMAGEM
RUA ALFREDO SILVA, 8
- PISO 1 ESCRIT. C
2610-016 - AMADORA
Tel. +351-214707530

32. FNAC VASCO DE GAMA
C. VASCO DE GAMA
AV. D. JOAO II LOTE 1.05.02
1990-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

33. MEDIAMARKT ALFRAGIDE
RUA DO CANAS, Nº5
2790-204 - CARNAXIDE

34. WORTEN ALHOS VEDROS
ESTRADA NACIONAL 11 -1
(EXTINTA CORTICEIRA IBERICA)
2860-004 - ALHOS VEDROS
Tel. 212029430

35. WORTEN DOLCE VITA TEJO
DOLCE VITA TEJO, LOJA 0005
AV. CRUZEIRO SEIXAS, 5 E 7
2650-504 - AMADORA
Tel. 211 550 212

36. WORTEN ARROJA
URB. COLINAS DO CRUZEIRO, LOTE1
ZONA 6 - POMBAIS - ODIVELAS
ODIVELAS
Tel. 219349650

37. WORTEN LOURES - WRT
ESTRADA NACIONAL 250
QUINTA CASAL DA PIPA
2670 - LOURES
Tel. 210 424 258

38. WORTEN S. JOÃO TALHA
EN 10 GAVETO COM A RUA BRASIL
2695 - S. JOÃO TALHA
Tel. 219947370

39. VOBIS MONTIJO
SÍTIO DO PAU QUEIMADO
2870 - 100 - MONTIJO

40. WORTEN MONTIJO
EST. CIRCULAR ARNEIRO Nº22
2870-152 - MONTIJO
Tel. 212308358

Portugal - 3G Mobile Internet

2010-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Have a look at this article on my blog.

http://bit.ly/clGPxo

Although Vodafone UK and Vodafone PT are the same company.... the dongles sold each country cannot be used in another country..even if you put a Portuguese SIM card in.

If you have a good 3g mobile signal (as against a "UMTS) signal at your property here in Portugal, you should be able to buy a Vodafone PAYG (as against PAYE:))))) dongle here in Portugal as indicated above. Note you really MUSY check that you can receive a good 3G signal inside the house her in Portugal, otherwise you will be wasting money

The Vodafone PAYG dongle rates can be found here: (in portuguese)

http://bit.ly/dBAOXH

Dongles from Vodafone, TMN and Kanguru are available from the respective shops in any good Algarve Shopping Centre or Town Centre.

Fixed internet access over 3G networks in Portugal

2010-05-17T00:59:00.001-07:00

On a technical level PT are usually pretty quick these days in addressing line issues in the Algarve. However, you may well have problems with the bureaucratic process.

There may be another solution depending on your property's geographic location. Forget PT!

Depending on the volume of bandwidth you need each month, Vodafone have now launched a product called BestNet and TMN have a similiar one.
Kanguru Optimus probably have a similiar product but their site is a mess at the moment and it its difficult to ascertain package options..

This gives you broadband access over the mobile phone system. No phone line is required.

You could perhaps them make do with a mobile phone for voice calls and have broadband using the above system. I would suggest that you take the account out in your personal name.

Vodafone Broadband Tariff Details (in Portuguese) here:

http://bit.ly/cyxzR5

TMN Broadband Tariff Details (in Portuguese) here:

http://bit.ly/cyxzR5

However, I really do strongly recommend that you get a site test done at the property before going down this road to ensure that you can receive a stable 3G signal within the property and therefore receive the maximum speed available.

Video Flash Conversion

2010-03-20T01:15:00.001-07:00

Not always!

With many web host providers one can purchase a video server option that allows mp4 and avi format files to run "as is" on the web providing viewers have the correct viewers installed.

Nonetheless, flash format is currently the most popular.

On the following page, ( http://bit.ly/dmmxnE ) I uploaded the mpg video file to Youtube, which converted it automatically. I then took the Youtube link and embedded it into the webpage.

Still took a while to upload the video though.

ffmpeg ( http://ffmpeg.org/ ) is an opensource (free) video format converter. It can convert from various formats to flv flash formats as well as 3gp mobile phone formats. Runs on Linux, Mac OSX and Windows. (Nerd Experience recomended)

Zip Files and Large Uploads

2010-03-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

This is very strange.

A fully legal Win XP should normally only be installed in one language Portuguese or English ...not a mixture of both UNLESS one has downloaded other programs and not selected English as the default language.

With many programmes downloaded over the net, the website concerned will detect you are located in Portugal and then proceed to install the programme in Portuguese UNLESS one selects UK as you location or English as your default language when prompted. Mixed languages on Windoze or any machines is not good.

XP should automatically zip files to compressed folders.

However, what has happened here is that WINRAR has been installed on your system and has been selected as the "default" program for zipping files.

To confirm this I have just run a similar process on my other half's XP machine. This does not have Winzip nor WinRar installed. The file I selected zipped automatically using XP's onboard zip facility.

To resolve this zip problem, you would have to either deinstall WinRar or change the default program setting for zip files....not a Newbie 101 job!

Finally, I reckon that even if you zipped the file it still would take 25 minutes to load.

I've just zipped a movie of size 112MB and the resulting zip file size was 93Mb. Based on this, your file would still take 25 minutes to email once zipped. You may well find your email provider may not like this.

Use Youtube as recommended by the others. Howeverm it may well take 25 minutes or longer to upload the movie depending on your line speed and server traffic at the other end.

Website

2010-03-17T02:44:00.001-07:00

As someone who has developed a few websites over the years, I take exception to the comment "but do not want to pay the sort of prices for website development that I was being charged when in the corporate world"!

The real reason website development prices can be high is because 90% of the time the client thinks its "just a website" and its "easy"!!!

Websites come in different types and sizes.......

Flat HTML
dynamic
flash animated etc.

All clients see is the final product and not the person hours that go into the graphic design aspect, the background coding and the domain/host server management. Also often, the web-designer has write/re-write the website content because the business owner has not!!!

A further oft-quoted complaint from clients is that once the website is "done", they don't get any traffic. That is not the web-designer's fault. Website marketing after the site is done is a totally different game.

Then, there is the client, who once the site is on-line, keeps coming back for changes ..."oh..its just a photo..it will not take long, will it?"

Even for a business start-up, a website properly developed and marketed can bring substantial returns. However, a website can only bring good returns in terms of a properly developed marketing strategy implemented by a business owner who is fully knowledgeable about how both the target market and www/internet work.

A final thought.....

If one is based in Portugal and looking at a website to promote products/services that will target more than one language, don't expect
the poor b___dy web-designer to do/arrange the translation as well within the initial budget price.

Kanguru Optimus Problems

2010-03-13T00:56:00.001-08:00

The bottom line is NOT TO BELIEVE any sales rep via phone or in the flesh anywhere in the world when they assure you there will be coverage. Get some one who knows and with the right gear to test things out first. Its not just Kanguru, I've had clients who have had similar experiences with Sapo etc etc.

Sales reps just sell...They do not have the details nor access to the technical data to know if a specific location has a good signal. There may even be a good signal outside one's property, but inside owing to thick walls there may be none.

I don't know how many times I talked and written and warned about this and PEOPLE STILL DON'T LISTEN. Whether its Internet Broadband over landlines or via 3G over the mobile network, GET SOMEONE WITH TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WHO KNOWS (NOT THE SALES REP OR SHOP) TO CHECK WHETHER YOU CAN RECEIVE A SIGNAL BEFORE PARTING WITH MONEY.

Adsl - Vila Nova de Poiares - Portugal

2010-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

I've had a look at Vila Nova de Poiares on google maps. It is only a couple of kms from Vila Cha.

Both look big enough to have a PT/SAPO adsl-equipped sub-exchange.

Provided you property is within 4,5 km to 5 km (by phone line - not as the fly crows) of one of these sub-exchanges SAPO ADSL should be possible. However, a big caveat. It may depended on the quality of the infrastructure and cables.

The likely applicable tariff will be this:

http://adsl.sapo.pt/prodtarif_outras_zonas.html

This property for sale here:

http://bit.ly/d77KAI

has adsl according to the post.

It is about 5km from Vila Nova de Poiares past Vila Cha.

I suspect the area is fairly well equipped with adsl equipped exchanges..it will just depend how far you property is from one.

I also suspect that you will be tied to using SAPO as most other ISP's do not find it commercially viable to offer adsl over landlines outside urban areas.

Acer Aspire One - Linplus Lite

2010-01-11T05:07:00.000-08:00

The Linpus Linux Lite V1.0.21.E. Operating system is a commercial version of Linux customised for use on ACER Aspires etc. Because it is a commercial version of linux, it is not as easy to update or mess about with and updates are not as frequent as with main Linux Distributions such as Ubuntu.

The kernel...(the core of Linux)... is apparently an old one and it may be that the version installed on your machine does not have the included code necessary to run a 3G dongle.

However, there are various ways to possibly sort this out:

1) It may be that the dongle may work on the machine, but that the means of configuration are somewhat unclear. It maybe that a linux nerd could configure it without to much hassle as I understand that Linplus is based on the Fedora Distribution.

2) It may mean updating your machine's Linux kernel through the Asus online software support facility and then installing software.

3) Alternatively, there was a Linux dialer developed by some vodafone nerds, a couple of years ago. It worked on an earlier version of Ubuntu perfectly.

4) If all else fails, I would recommend reinstalling the machine with Linux Ubuntu Netbook Remix which is specially configured for Notebooks. I reinstalled an Acer Aspire One with this package a couple of months back and it has been a very stable system.

It may also be necessary to boost memory to 1GB for a dongle ot work properly.

One thing is sure make sure you get someone who knows Linux to sort it out. Most computers shops/Vodafone here in the Algarve do not have the necessary experience/knowledge.

However, I would recommend you get the machine tested and working with a 3G dongle prior to buying one.

3G Internet Spain

2010-01-10T07:28:00.000-08:00

Useful article.

See: http://bit.ly/6qAJ5p

TV over Internet in Portugal

2010-01-05T04:04:00.000-08:00

Interesting article of TV over Internet in Portugal here

http://bit.ly/54RrfV

Ubuntu XP dual boot

2010-01-03T00:40:00.000-08:00

Have a look at this blog post about setting XP to be default boot on a dual booting machine.
http://bit.ly/8q7Mb7

Ubuntu Koala Bar Machine

2010-01-03T00:31:00.000-08:00

I agree with these comments. I even build websites using linux and open source software.

See: www.dancaiberica.org

There is now a version of google chrome for Linux.

Yesterday, I delivered my first very small Linux install to a local bar. They had a five year old machine for use by punters that had been running on an Ubuntu Live CD just for the punters to use Firefox to browse the Internet.

They did not want to spend a fortune on new equipment. However, the motherboard had died.

I got Chipsite in Lagos to supply me with a new machine without a hard drive but with a card reader. Using a 4GB SSD flash card, (the type one uses in cameras) I installed a very stripped down version of Ubuntu from the command line. The installation occupied only 2GB and loaded Google Chrome and Pidgin Messenger.

The machine boots in less than 60 seconds and the browser is fast. It is ideal for a pub machine but one does notice some delay when writing to disk.

Nonetheless, I managed to save the client from having to buy a 160GB hard drive than would never be used. I have made a back up copy of the SSD. If anything goes wrong, I will just clone it onto another 4GB SSD (€ 7.00), drop round, plug it in and away they go.

SAPO frustrations

2009-12-31T06:38:00.001-08:00

It costs money, but it is always better to get a portuguese speaking local tech to check out initial sapo installations and that your pc is configured properly.

PT engineers are only trained to install lines and equipment...not to make sure computers are correctly connected to the router or diagnose computer problems.

The call center folk at the SAPO help centre run through standard computer generated fault check lists and do not have the flexibility to diagnose problems specific router/computer installations.

I have come across this many times here. I have been called to clients have been sold SAPO accounts/routers. Installation is supposed to be self-explanatory. However, they try to install it and often find they can't or there is a problem. They get onto to the SAPO helpline and more often than not end up in similiar posiitons to those refer to in this thread. The latest incident occured last week, and althogh the client had some computer knowledge and had spent 3 hours on the phone to Sapo, as well having had a PT tech come to check the line, it took a visit from me and 45 minutes slog to find out that a single misplaced number in a not-obvious page of the control panel of the router, was the origin of the problem. Since then no hassle but SAPO were worse than useless.

It is not only estrangeiros who have this problem. I know of many Portuguese folk who have had the same frustrations.

Download Dangers

2009-12-30T01:11:00.000-08:00

As with all threats to Linux and Apple base system this threat does require the user to authorise its installation...unlike in older Windows systems.

The real problem here is that some wise guy managed to hide a bit of malware in a screensaver supposedly designed for Ubuntu and posted it on a respected Ubuntu Linux site, alhtough not one officially recognised by Ubuntu.

The moral of the story is that whether you operate Windoze, Apple or Linux, try to make sure what one is downloading and try to download it from an official site.

For example, for a basic Windoze system these day, I only install updates from microsoft.com, adobe flash and reader from adobe.com, anti-virus from a reputable anti-virus company, and if a office package is required, Openoffice from openoffice.org.

I refuse to install anything from sites that are not reputable and authorised.

If you are not sure about any bit of software you are about to download ask in a tech forum first.
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English or Foreign Language Desktop/Laptops in Portugal

2009-12-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

I would concur...If you want to buy a laptop in English, buy outside Portugal, unless you buy an Apple as you can select the language you want on initial start up. (I did this last year for a client who bought one here at FNAC Guia.)

If you want desktop machine installed with Windows in english, http://www.chipsite.pt in Lisbon and Lagos have some very competitive offers with 2 year guarantees.I have used them for years.

Apple support in Portugal

2009-12-27T03:39:00.000-08:00

Apple Portugal website shows the following authorised Apple agents close by you:

Telstar Informática, Lda.
Praça 25 de Abril, 47 2500-110, Caldas da Rainha
Página de Internet: não disponível
Correio electrónico: mail.telstar@gmail.com
Telefone: +351-262 823 248
Fax: +351-262 832 408

The following link gives you the list of authorised Apple support centres in Portugal:

http://www.apple.com/pt/support/contact/

buying Toshiba laptop before we go to Portugal

2009-12-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

Make sure you get a Toshiba world wide guarantee certificate when purchasing the machine.

Link to Toshiba Portugal national PC/Laptop support center is here:

http://bit.ly/5tuRgt

The issue about local computer men referred to above is also important. Often we have a lot more experience with day to day trials and tribulations of computer users in the field, than manufacturers' national service support centres.

Make sure that you bring a laptop cooler with you as in summer conditions here can cause laptops to run hot.

Finally, why are you giving up on Macs? Given the fact that there are practically no problems with viruses on Macs, moving from Macs you are used to a Windoze machine is difficult for me to fathom.

Linux Malware

2009-12-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

Infiltration of Linux boxes by malware is not impossible.....does need user participation however....

See:

http://bit.ly/linux_malware

Browsers

2009-12-21T05:14:00.000-08:00

Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome all install on your PC alongside Internet Explorer so that one can have multiple browsers operating on a single PC.

Opera - www.opera.com/
Google Chrome - www.google.com/chrome
Firefox - UK version here - www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/

You will have to select one as your default browser. You should be able to import your favorites from one browser to another. Forefox has lots of add-ons but be aware it can slow down loading.

Rural Broadband Coverage in Portugal

2009-12-19T04:28:00.001-08:00

The real problem is not with national coverage of ADSL/3G, the problem is with broken terrain and loss of line of site. ADSL signals are only generally good for 4 to 5km from the nearest equipped sub-exchange. In the Vila de Bispo area, this means Vila de Bispo / Raposeira. As phone lines do not always run as "the fly crows", there can be situations where a property may be phyiscally closer than 5km to the sub-exchange but because the line runs around the houses the phone line longer.

As regards 3G, the problem is that there has to be an unbroken line of sight for the signal to follow between the dongle and the 3G Mobile mast. This has become a major problem for many people living in the country. I have friends near Bensafrim who bought a house in a valley. I ran 3G tests there. At the top of a 30m rise behind their house there was a good 3G signal but further down in the house none.

One possibility is to mount the 3g unit on one's property where there is a good signal, order a 3G booster antenna, and then run a wireless/or wired lan network signal to the computer.

The moral of the story is that if you are going to buy a house in Portugal and require Internet, check the net availability yet.

Western Algarve - Computer Shops

2009-12-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

Try Beep Informatica in Ayamonte at C/ Cristóbal Colón, 39
tel: 00 34 959 320 379

They currently have psu's available from € 27.50. according to their website.

See: http://bit.ly/7addAM

Chipsite offer them from € 19.90
http://www.chipsite.pt/list.php?fm=90

P.S:

Just remembered there's a new Radio Popular opened in Faro. They should also be able to help. They have PSU starting from € 26.90 on their online shop.

Faro Shopping
Estrada Nacional 125
KM 103
8005 - 145 Faro

Tel: 289 880 220
Fax: 289 878 525

Broadband - Vale de Telha

2009-12-06T03:35:00.000-08:00

Make sure first what providers can serve you in Vale de Telha.

Methinks that in VDT, as far as I know, PT are the only provider of telecomms access over landline copper wires and that you will be tied to SAPO. Various other providers may offer you services over the PT wires but check the small print clearly as I doubt they would be cheaper than SAPO. I do not think there are cable services in VDT at present.

In certain parts of Lagos, for example, Vodafone offer services over their own copper wires and ZON/Cabovisao offer phone/internet/tv over their own cable networks.

Your only other broadband access option if the signal is good would be by3G over dongle and that will generally on average be more expensive.

Wireless Netbook Question

2009-11-25T01:58:00.000-08:00

This can be a real pain. My other half has an Asus EEEPC which I got her and I have an Acer Laptop and despite my best efforts we often have odd problems with hotel wifi installations. I should point out that both machines run Linux.

The Asus EEEPC suffers sometimes from having to many "dead" wireless connections in its database. This happens when you visit a lot of wifi locations that you will never use again (e.g. hotels ) in a short period. It is always a good idea to clean out your wifi connection points database periodically.

With my Acer, the problem turned out to be the fact that is was designed 3 years ago and has an old spec onboard wifi card. Once I disabled that....by stripping the laptop down as there was no option to do so in the bios, and then fitting an external wifi usb dongle, 90% of the problems went away.

Another point is that often hotels and hostelries have no one in-house that understands their wifi systems. I look after two such installations and I have, after much hassling, have finally got the staff trained "Pavlov" style to text me the moment the wifi goes down. Often a router reboot sorts it. However, where one has installations involving a router, a couple of access points, a bridge, it can be more complicated.

A final point, if you can find the setting in your wifi control panel, make sure that the channel select setting is set to Auto. Wifi can be broadcaat on anything up to 16 channels I think and this can complicate matter. Setting channel selection to Auto can often resolve this.

The Difference between Linux Distributions and Windows

2009-10-22T00:58:00.001-07:00

Linux is an operating system.

Ubuntu Linux is a sub-distribution/flavour/variety of the Linux operating system and to complicate matters is based on the Debian distribution of Linux ....

Structure is like this

Linux
......... Debian
....................Ubuntu

Why so many?

Linux is for hyper nerds like Linus Torvalds (initial developer of Linux) and Mark Shuttleworth (founder of Ubuntu and 1st South African into Space)

Debian is for super nerds.....

Ubuntu is for you and me, and is a user-friendly system evolved from above with GUI's (graphic user interfaces) and designed to operate like Widnows and Mac OSX.

Linux is based on the UNIX OS developed in the '70's and '80's.

The architecture of Linux systems does not allow for 99.9% of scripts/programs to run with out the adminsitrators permission, unlike Windows systems, where .exe., .com and some .dll files can run, without permission, as soon as they enter the system. It is the latter function, that is the origin of most viruses/malware/spyware infections.

Widnows vs Linux vs Apple

2009-10-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

I have been called out to three clients with Windoze machines in the last three weeks 'cos they could not find a user friendly way to install:

a) a printer
b) a webcam
c) a sapo router

Windows user friendly??????....Ha!

However, I was called to transfer a client's data from his old XP laptop to a brand spanking new Apple 15" Macbook Pro... what a dream!

It's a BMW of PC's! The client who has always felt challenged by his XP machine was roaring around on it when I arrived. However, linux knowledge was useful to configure the inbuilt samba server to talk the XP machine. Mac OS X and upwards is unix (forbear of linux) under the hood.

Very user friendly but these machines are pricey.

However, interesting to note that FNAC in Guia are pushing them big time.

Furthermore, like Linux, with an Apple OSX machine you can select your install language on first boot so there is little risk of buying a laptop in Portugal with Windows aboard and find its installed in Portuguese and then have to buy another copy of Windows in English and do a fresh reinstall.

XP/VIsta Switching between 3g Mobile accounts

2009-10-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

A technical question:

System: Windows XP/Vista

I travel a lot and have 2 3g dongles/providers -

One from say from Vodafone UK
One from say Vodafone Portugal

Each dongle is tied to the indvidual sim/provider and is blocked.

Can I configure dial-up software in XP to recognise each individual dongle when I plug it in, instead of having to reconfigure it each time I switch accounts.

Any thoughts would be useful.

Thanks

Alentjeo Adsl Woes

2009-10-06T01:55:00.000-07:00

Why don't you consider a 3G pay as you go dongle to start with as discussed above.

I have to comment that as you are at Zambujeira, I suspect that even when you get your line in, broadband speeds will be at the bottom end of the advertised range. I am not sure where the local sub-exchange is, but I doubt that adsl speeds in that part of the Alentejo will not be great and if you are more than 2-3 kms from the local DSLAM, and dependent on overhead cables, expect climatic conditions to regularly impact on the line quality. Also, make sure your the electrics on property is properly earthed, keep a spare adsl router in the cupboard as lightning strikes and power cuts regularly fry these units.

I was called to a client a couple of years ago, situated between Lagos and Burgau. They needed broadband. Their phone line had a history of regularly frying fax machines owing to lightning strikes on overhead phone cables. I refused consequently to install Sapo over the landline because I could see what was going to happen, (i.e regularly fried modems/routers). I did however, rig them up a vodafone dongle on a yearly contract. I then attached this to a router and at one stage they had up to five machines running on it, although I would not normally recommend more than two or max three machines over such a system. I subsequently installed a similar system at Ingrina near Vila de Bispo where a property was to far from the exchange to install adsl over the landline.

The problem with a dongle solution will probably traffic volume as data transmission rates over the 3G network will be higher than over landline.

Setting Different Character Sets in MYSQL/PHP

2009-09-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

I encountered a problem this week while updating the http://www.dancaiberica.org website for Dance Algarve 2010.

The site runs off a PHP/Myssql Database setup hosted on Godaddy shared hosting and servers pages in 4 different languages. This year I introduced a javascript dropdown menu that required the strict code in the header.

All was fine until the page were served up. Despite the fact the collation in the database is set to Latin_bin_1 and the following line is included in the header

meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8",

certain browsers were not rendering the Portuguese Characters correctly unless you manually changed the encoding in the browser each time one viewed the page. Needless to say the main culprit behind all this was Microsoft whose IE6/7/8 caused the original problem.

Anyway, after a bit of searching I found the following thread that resolved the issue:

http://forums.mysql.com/read.php?103,46870,247882#msg-247882

Simple:

Add

"mysql_query("SET NAMES 'utf8'");"

to your php database connection string/file.

Problem solved!

Wifi

2009-09-17T23:20:00.000-07:00

[quote="micas"]Please... experts out there, can someone explain to me how it works?
In simple language one can actually understand.
[/quote]

Wifi is essentially a system for transmission of data signals between computers and/or computer like devices over a limited range. The technology can therefore be used in homes, businesses and in compact public places to allow computers to connect to each other or to internet access facilities (usually know as routers) in the absence of cables.

Most laptop computers today and mobile phones such as the Apple Iphone
have built in wifi antennas.

One can also encounter WIFI signs in places such as motorway service areas. This usually means that if one has the correct access account one can use the short distance wifi facility to connect to the Service Area router and via that access the internet.

3g Wifi Dongles with router

2009-09-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

As regards using dongles with laptops, it is technically possible to connect one to certain models of routers with built in usb ports and then share the signal.

I have done this twice for clients here near Lagos. However, bandwith and speed are less than a Sapo connection. In both my cases, these were rural hostelries. At one stage, one had five pc's working on the system although the webpage load times were relatively slow when all five were being used.

The other unit has two computers operating (the owner's XP machine and a linux/ubuntu guest machine) and these work fine, although there can be periodic signal drops.

The problem is that most commercially available routers that work with dongles are quite expensive. I managed, however, to find a freeware firmware download from a guy in the Czech Republic which allowed me to flash the bios of a relatively cheap Asus router (€ 75.00) and connect the Vodafone Dongle.

www.zapp.pt offer a wireless internet solution here in Portugal also using old radio-telephone frequencies. They also offer a router option. See http://www.zapp.pt/equipamento/routerasus.php.

As mentioned above, and I cannot emphasize this enough, do not buy any gear until you are absolutely sure that you can receive not only a good mobile signal but a good 3G mobile signal. A normal GPRS mobile signal will only transmit data at 64 kpbs/sec. (Not much more than old dial-up) You must make sure that you can receive a good 3G signal to get speeds approaching broadband velocity.

Scrabble Maniacs and Linux

2009-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Screenshot of wordbiz 1.8 running on ubuntu 9.04 on an Acer 4310 Laptop.

For use with Internet Scrabble Club - http://www.isc.ro/

(Click to enlarge:)

Why Linux?

2009-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

[Question]Er.. forgive a question that may sound stupid B_expert, but does Linux run all Windows compatible programs?

Does it look like windows - i.e. similar to navigate?

Are there problems reading files on a Windows computer if they were originally created on a Linux one?

Sorry - that's 3 questions. It's just that I keep hearing good things about Linux but have reservations about taking a leap into the void :? :?[/Question]

I am writing this to you on a basic laptop purchased in Worten Portimão 2 years ago and running Ubuntu 9.04 . After years of getting fed up with Windoze, viruses, upgrades etc, etc, I switched 100% to using Ubuntu Linux in 2004. I looked at Apple, but the equipment is expensive and if anything goes wrong with the hardware or software, 90% of the time, it can mean, off to Loulé to the only authorised Apple Agent in the Algarve.

One does need a little bit of "nouse"/"common sense" to begin with but I have 95% compatibility with a Windows installation on my machine. With Openoffice 3.0, one can open, edit and save documents in Word, Excel and Powerpoint formats. To be honest, there may be the odd problems with formatting compatible headers and footers. I do all my webdesign on this machine. I play music on it, I watch videos (e.g. Shaun the Sheep) and youtube on it. I Skype on it!

One thing about Linux, which is great is that most of the programmes are freely available under the GNU Open Source License. For example, the Gimp which is the Linux world's version of Photoshop is free and in my opinion has more options and functionality than Photoshop.

With a Linux installation, you can usually print anything automatically to PDF format.

With Windows, you buy the operating system (e.g. Vista or XP) and then pay (a lot) for or pirate most of the extra stuff you need. With Linux, you can usually find what you need for free from one of the online repositories.

Linus Torvalds (the original developer of the Linux kernel (the core of linux)) and the millions of Linux volunteers world-wide who have voluntarily been nerding away for the past 18 years, have created a vast volume of software way in excess of what is available in the Windows world...and it is free.

This means that in the Linux world, piracy practically does not exist.

There are certain areas where Linux is not yet up with Windows:

1) No one has yet developed an alternative of Adobe/Macromedia Flash for making Flash animations for websites.
2) Microsoft Publisher - If you use this program you will not find a compatible programme at present in the Linux world.
3) Some programmes such as for making labels, (Such as those you buy in Staples), will not work on Linux BUT there is an virtual layer adapter software available in Windows called WINE, which can facilitate running windows programmes on Linux. However, I don't use it.
3) Depending on your computer, you may encounter the odd driver problem but that can usually be overcome with the help of the vast Linux nerd community world-wide.

There also may be issues if you use special accounts software for business.

Linux does not suffer from viruses or malware like Windows machines. No operating system is 100% safe, but a Linux desktop machine is 98% safer than a Windows machine as executable files cannot usually be installed without the users explicit permission.

In terms of navigation, Linux desktops have a familiarity about them and can be made to look like a windows desktop. One has a choice of at least two main interface types KDE and GNOME. These basically set up the Desktop Screen. KDE is very popular for those wanting flashy desktops....I like GNOME, its more workman like..like Windows 2000 used to be.

I use a Vodafone 3G dongle, as well as wifi, with my Linux laptop - No problem at all.

I have installed Ubuntu Linux on at least six public machines in the Lagos area in recent years. When previously, every time some smart alec backpacker messed with a windows machine, and downloaded a virus, it was a call out and sometimes a reinstall. With Linux, the machines run for months. The main problem is usually the hardware not the machine. You can also lock Linux machines down so that people can only use, for example, the browser.

On the Ubuntu Linux distribution, updates are available and delivered regularly over the web. Each edition is updated every 6 months.

Finally, I admit, I am an evangelist for Linux. However, I have felt for a long time, that the prices charged by Microsoft, over the years for its programmes, have actually created the software piracy issue. If you could pick up a legal copy of Windows XP and other programmes for Euro 20, piracy would be down by 80%. Viruses would not go away, however, because the Windows environment with its self executable .exe files is basically open to virus abuse.

In summary, if you have the time and willingness to switch, linux gets you away from the world of viruses and piracy and above all is free.

With Linux you have the tools, you have the support and you can get on with the job in hand.

Netbooks and Mobile Internet - Portugal

2009-08-30T23:48:00.000-07:00

There are netbook & internet deals here in portugal, but most of them are fixed one year contracts with the mobile operators TMN, Kanguru/Optimus and Vodafone. Pay as you go exists but is no good for Skype owing to limited traffice volumes.

The free volume of traffic/upload/download bandwith available from fixed contract deals with these provides is also limited. So if one uses Skype a lot one soon will be paying a lot over the odds for excess traffic.

Using a UK operators dongle on roaming will cost a fortune is you use skype regularly.

Regular use of Skype, in my opinion, still requires a fixed line adsl or cable broadband connection with a good monthly download data volume. e.g. SAPO 4G/ e 8GB.

As regards no hard drives, only the the very basic models have small flash drives. The more expensive models of netbooks now all have hard drives.

I bought my other half one of the first Asus EEEpc machines sold here in Portugal as she travels a lot. It runs Linux and is fine for email, Skype with webcam and basic office stuff. Skype works well on it but it is only viable when she is in locations with free or low cost wifi.

She is currently on New Zealand on business and has been istaying n business hotels. The wifi rate at these hostelries are ridiculous. So I Skype her from my laptop here over the landline to her hotel room phone in NZ. Not free but still much cheaper. Her netbook stays in her bag. Next week she moves to a hotel with free wifi and we will then use it more.

As regards loading MS Office onboard....YUK!!!!!!!

Linux equipped netbooks already come with OpenOffice loaded. This is an opensource (free) package like MS Office from Sun. It can open, edit and save excel spreadsheets, word documents and powerpoint presentations.

There is a version for Windows, Mac and in various languages here:

http://download.openoffice.org/other.html#en-US

These are downloadable of the internet so an external DVD is not necessary.

Worten at present have a basic netbook sans dongle as follows:

Aspire One D150 BlackACERPC Portátil Intel® Atom™ N280 - 1,66GHz / TFT Wide 10,1" / 1024 MB / 160 GB / Windows XP / Intel® 945 GSE / WebCam. Price € 279.

Note this comes with Windows Xp installed and you can be sure with 99%
certainty that it will be XP Portuguese version. If you want it in english you will have to buy a new XP license and cd.

Recently, I have been encouraging expats here to look at Macs or Linux as a solution as you can setup one's preferred language on starting the machine for the first time. I did this with my partner's Asus and recently with an Apple Macbook a client bought at FNAC here.

Finally, note that netbook screens are small. If you are getting one, go for a minimum of 10'1" TFT Screen. The smaller one are a hassle.

Free Wifi Access - Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal (cont.)

2009-01-30T00:41:00.000-08:00

I have been to Albufeira again to check the availability of the free wifi algarvedigital signal around the Camara building.

At the Camara, as one enters the atrium, there is a prominent notice outside advertising the free algarvedigital wifi service. There is also a map indicating that most places within 50/75 metres radius should be able to pick it up.

I then asked the security guard on duty if I could sit in the Atrium to connect to the Internet. He said no. He then explained that the service has now been equipped with a directional antenna that blasts the signal out of the Camara Building only in the direction of the gardens and Bombeiros. There are no cafes in this direction.

He said to use it I would have to sit in the gardens. Luckily it was not raining and again I tested it and again connected to algarvedigital with no problems. I tested it again over the road at the Bombeiros. There was still a signal but it had dropped to 9%.

I reckon that the whole world was using the system and someone (the Camara) was receiving a huge broadband bill. So instead of saying that the service was uneconomic, it was more politically correct to install a directional antenna and blast the signal into an area where there are no cafes etc. Consequently, it can only be used in fair weather when there is no glare, or in a car parked in the car park, I mentioned previously.

However, the Camara can continue to say they are part of the AlgarveDigital free wifi Project!

So to use it, one has to sit in the gardens or in a car in the car park P5.

Free Wifi Access - Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

2009-01-26T01:43:00.000-08:00

OK. Finally made it to Albufeira.

I am sitting in the car in Car Park P5 in front of the Camara Municipal at 14:23.

I fired up my Acer 4310 with Ubuntu 8.10 installed and it immediately found the public wifi signal for the algarve digital project - signal strength 35% on the internal broadcom wifi card.

The machine automatically found the algarvedigital signal and access was immediate and free as in the Lagos Cultural Centre. (Centro Cultural).

I am writing this from the car in the Car Park.

However, there is free broadband wifi here!

Free Internet Access - Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal

2009-01-26T01:40:00.001-08:00

See:

http://www.expatsportugal.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7079&highlight=internet

Telephone Line/Mobile internet access Portugal

2009-01-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

This is my speciality. I am based in Lagos.

Can you tell us where you are? There are various options depending where you are! If you are in a rural location, you may be restricted to PT (Portugal Telecom) or Vodafone (dependent on line of site to Mobile Mast - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT). Also if you are more that 5000m from an adsl equipped exchange/sub-exchange you probably will not be able to get broadband over the phone line.

In certain urban areas you may have a broader range of options, including cable.

If you can post and idea of your location as well as what type of PC/operating System you have may be able to give more information.

Low Cost Notebooks

2009-01-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

For those who don't normally head back to the UK frequently, most Worten/Vobis/Radio Popular shops have been retailing the bottom of the range ASUS EEEpc and acer aspire one here in Portugal for several months now.

Although prices are a bit higher than £99.00, the local ones come with a 2 year local guarantee. Unfortunately, the Windows versions tend to be installed with Windows in Portuguese.

However, although the LINUX version of the Asus EEEpc comes installed in Portuguese, running a simple script in the terminal changes 95% of the operating system and programmes into English. It also runs beautifully with Vodafone/TMN/Kanguru dongles.

Bought one for the other half in July. She travels around Europe a lot and loves it.

Ours came from Chipsite who have shops in Lagos and Lisbon. They also do mail order.

They currently offer the Asus EEEpc with linux for € 195.00

See: http://www.chipsite.pt/list.php?fm=343

Algarve - Quinta do Lago - Blackberry and ADSL Access

2008-11-15T01:13:00.000-08:00

There are three 3G operators broadband operators in Portugal, all of whom offer blackberry service.

www.vodafone.pt
www.tmn.pt
www.optimus.pt

Vodafone is probably your best option in terms of service and coverage.. However, you will need to make sure your existing Blackberry is unlocked so that it can take a Vodafone Portugal/TMN/Optimus SIM.

See this link:

http://forums.crackberry.com/f34/how-can-i-use-italian-blackberry-portugal-14060/

As regards, ADSL, I am based in the Western Algarve but to the best of my knowledge there is only one landline operator providing ADSL access into the Almancil/QDL area. This is PT. This would make their SAPO brand the cheapest ADSL access.

See:

http://www.telecom.pt/InternetResource/PTSite/UK/

http://adsl.sapo.pt

Alternatively, depending on the volume of traffic you use, you may find that 3G Broadband HSPDA dongle modem access over the mobile phone network to be an alternative.

The three operators above offer these options. Note Optimus offers such a service under the Kanguru brand.

Phone and Internet - Rural Areas - Algarve

2008-11-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Services like Meo are currently usually only available in large towns where there are suitably equipped exchanges.

For example here in Lagos, the main exchange in town is equipped but the one covering Meia Praia where I live is not!

Most telecoms contracts in Portugal are for a minimum period of a year with the exception of Pay As you Go services for both mobile phones and low-speed mobile broadband offered by the three mobile operators TMN, Vodafone and Optimus/Kanguru.

You mention that you moving to the Odemira Area. Be warned! Unless you are within 5km of an equipped exchange you will be unable to get any reasonable quality broadband Internet over the landline. Worse still, if the phone lines are overhead as most are in rural areas be prepared for sign degradation and modem burn out if there is lightening around.

Finally, you should be aware that broadband over the mobile network will only work in places where there is line of site to a 3G equipped mobile phone mast. In the Odemira area with its hills, it is quite likely, from experience, this will not be an option. The only way to test it is to get someone with the necessary kit to test it before you buy. Do not buy without testing as the shops will say anything to make a sale.

You may find you will be tied to a PT landline, which is the only real landline option in rural areas and a slow dial-up Internet connection.

I know nothing about mobile broadband

2008-09-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Question from Oman:

I know nothing about mobile broadband, so this may be a daft question! Does it work over normal mobile phone networks, 3G (whatever and wherever that is) or wifi - such as internet cafes etc??

Answer:

Not a daft question! Yes, mobile broadband operates over the mobile phone network but only where the system supports what is called a 3G service. It is not wifi which only usually works in a small radius.

Essentially, you have a modem which plugs into your laptop, (usually via a usb port), and you plug a normal mobile phone sim card into the modem and away you go.

You can use it anywhere there is 3G coverage over the mobile phone network.

This may mean, however, that service can be patchy.

In South Africa, I understand coverage is restricted to the main population belts even though there is mobile phone coverage nationally.

Here in Portugal, we have about 95% coverage, the main constraint being that people in places, such as steep valleys, where there is no "line of sight" coverage, cannot get reception.

In Oman, Oman mobile offer the C 120 modem with the following specs:

- 3.5G 7.2 Mbps Downlink Ready
- Plug and play (No installation CD required)
- Quad Band
- Support Windows and MAC Operating Systems

They say there is national coverage but me suspects that in some of the mountains down south near Salalah this may encounter the same problems I mentioned above.

Nawras also offer mobile broadband here:

http://www.nawras.om/nawras_promotions_overview.shtml

However, their coverage is not as great as claimed by Oman Mobile.

Ubuntu 8.0.4 (Hardy) - Broadcom Wifi Problem.

2008-08-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

I run 64 bit Ubuntu on an Acer Aspire 4310 with Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01) wifi onboard.

I had hellish trouble getting it to work under Ubuntu 7.10 but finally did.

Last Friday I upgraded the machine to Ubuntu 8.0.4 (Hardy). All went well except once again the Broadcom wifi refused to connect to my wifi network with WPA. The network manager applet accessible on the top menu bar shows that my local wifi network is there. However, it does not connect automatically. When I click on the wifi network, the applet pops up asking me for the network key. I enter this and set it to TKIP.

I have managed to connect a couple of times on Saturday but since then nothing. The applet justs shows two grey balls trying to connect. (See image below. Click to enlarge.)

The mouse tip shows the following comment:

"Waiting for Network Key for the wireless network"

I have tried to follow the instructions from various posts including trying to install the new Broadcom driver ... to no avail.

My configuration is:

uname: Linux cgkhmobile 2.6.24-21-server #1 SMP Mon Aug 25 17:28:54 UTC 2008 x86_64 GNU/Linux

lshw -C network:

*-network
description: Ethernet interface
product: NetLink BCM5787M Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0
logical name: eth0
version: 02
serial: 00:16:d3:e4:15:75
size: 100MB/s
capacity: 1GB/s
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm vpd msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt 1000bt-fd autonegotiation
configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=tg3 driverversion=3.86 duplex=full firmware=5787m-v3.23 ip=192.168.1.4 latency=0 link=yes module=tg3 multicast=yes port=twisted pair speed=100MB/s
*-network
description: Wireless interface
product: BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:03:00.0
logical name: eth1
version: 01
serial: 00:1c:26:78:b3:0f
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ndiswrapper+bcmwl5 driverversion=1.52+Broadcom,10/12/2006, 4.100. latency=0 link=no module=ndiswrapper multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11g

lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) SATA AHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM5787M Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express (rev 02)
03:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01)
0a:06.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): O2 Micro, Inc. Firewire (IEEE 1394) (rev 02)
0a:06.2 SD Host controller: O2 Micro, Inc. Integrated MMC/SD Controller (rev 02)
0a:06.3 Mass storage controller: O2 Micro, Inc. Integrated MS/xD Controller (rev 01)

ndiswrapper -l
bcmwl5 : driver installed
device (14E4:4311) present (alternate driver: ssb)
netathrxusb : driver installed
smcusbt : driver installed

I would appreciate all and any comments on how to resolve this.

Latest:

I have now found that Hardy has a gui called wpa_gui which allows editing and monitoring of wpa_supplicant.conf. Currently, the gui is not recognising any wifi network adapter or card.

I am exploring this and will post any success here.

I found out that there was no wpa_supplicant.conf file on the system.

Following various posts on the web I created one as follows:

ap_scan=1
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant

network={
ssid="enter your ssid"
scan_ssid=0
proto=WPA
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
psk="enter you password"
pairwise=TKIP
group=TKIP
}

Rebooted. The machine did not automatically find the network but when I clicked on wireless networks in the Network Manager, (via the icon on the panel), it automatically found the network, and asked for the wpa key. Once I had entered it, the bottom green ball turned green and then the second one and I was online.

Not ideal but does for now.

Will keep updating this post when relevant.

Prepaid Mobile Broadband - Portugal

2008-08-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

Vodafone Portugal (as well as TMN - www.tmn.pt and www.kanguru.pt ) have in the past week launched a new pre-paid rechargeable mobile broadband service which will be useful for persons who only spend a few months of the year in Portugal or who have an unblocked HSPDA modem.

The vodafone product is called: Vita Net

Detail (in Portuguese) can be found

http://www.vodafone.pt/main/Particulares/BandaLargaMovel/Tarifarios/vita_net.htm

I have published a machine translated version of this page at the bottom of this article. For "loading" read charge.

In summary, the service works as follows:

i) You buy a modem and the first charge of € 10.00 from vodafone. The current cheapest pack if you do not already have a modem is € 54.90.

If you have an unblocked or existing Vodafone Portugal (note must be Vodafone Portugal)modem you can just purchase the starter pack for € 14.90.

The terms of usage as as follows:

1) The first charge of € 10.00 is valid for ten days and for up to 300MB of data over the ten day period.
2) One can then charge up further periods of 5 days and 150MB data validity for € 5.00 per throw.
3) One must charge the account at least once every 120 days to keep it active.
4) Payment can be made in cash at any Vodafone shop or any shop that recharges mobile phones.
5) As this is a pre-paid system you do not need to have a contribuente number to acquire it. This makes it ideal for those making regular but short visits to Portugal or for thos who have unblocked HSPDA modems.
6) VERY IMPORTANT - This package does not allow use of VOIP phone services such as SKYPE!
7) Data transmission speed rated at up to 512 Kbps.

I have verified this information at Vodafone Faro and Vodafone in Faro Airport who stock these units.

I understand that the similar TMN product also includes extra data access through any PT/TMN managed wifi hotspot such as suitably equipped hotels.

No doubt these products will mutate but for now it is a very useful development.

Warning: The information published here is for reference only and could change at any time. I strongly recommend you make sure your computer and location is suitable for use of these products before purchase as i cannot take any liability for any problems that may arise.

NOTE: Prices for modems have increased by an average of € 30.00 in December 2008.

Feel free to email me if you have any further questions or require assistance. To to this scroll down in the right hand panel till you come to the section entitled - My Profile. Click on "Ver o meu perfil completo" and on the top left you will find a button where you can email me.

Click on following image to enlarge:

ADSL VS Mobile 3G - Rural Areas

2008-08-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

There is a real problem with adsl/broadband sapo/clix/etc services over phone networks in rural areas in Portugal.

The problem is that as most phone cables in rural areas go overhead via posts and junctions that are susceptible to lightning strikes, it is a bit of a lottery.

I have had one situation in the past year where the fax line at a rural location blew a fuse three times in as many months. If a sapo/clix/etc modem or router has been attached, it would have probably been toast.

I had foreseen this, however, and had installed broadband over the mobile phone network from Vodafone.

For those folk in rural areas who have a good line of sight to a 3G equipped mobile phone mast and who only use internet for basic services such email, browsing the web and the odd skype, the answer is one of the broadband services over the mobile phone network offered by Vodafone/Optimus Kanguru/TMN.

The usb modem dongle just connects to a usb slot on a pc or laptop and away you go.

The rates are not as good as sapo if you are doing massive downloads but not bad for basic use.

Windows XP/Vista Anti Virus Protection How-To

2008-06-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

I don't understand many of these comments.

There are two good free anti-virus programmes out there.

avg

http://free.grisoft.com/

avast

http://www.avast.com

These offer free annual renewable licenses for home use.

For home and very small business use they are good, provided the computer in question runs Windows XP or Windows Vista and one has a broadband cable/adsl/Vodafone dongle type internet connection and connects regularly to the internet.

All anti-virus companies have teams working 24/7 and are usually onto writing protection updates very quickly. That is why anti-virus programmes are always wanting to update. So when you connect to the internet let the anti-virus programme update fully first before opening email programmes like outlook express.

However, and this is a big however, there are some nasties that are not called viruses but trojans. These tend to infect machines through downloads or clicking on links in badly protected browsers such as old versions of Internet Explorer.

To improve security Windows XP or Vista, one should always make sure that in addition to a good anti-virus programme, one should have the latest Browser installed, (e.g. Internet Explorer 7 or 8, Firefox 3 or Opera 9.6) and also Windows Defender which is a free anti-trojan programme from Microsoft. Make sure all the settings are set to block pop-ups etc.

Also make sure that you firewall is correctly configured.

Also, try to move away from using email programmes such as Outlook Express. If you have a gmail account and broadband, you have practically as much flexibility as the aforementioned programmes. You access the account through your browser and best of all Gmail usually catches the bulk of nasties in emails on google's computers before they get to your machine.

Don't download stuff you don't know where it came from. (e.g. Bittorrent etc.) Don't click on links in webpages you don't trust. Don't use other peoples cds/dvds/digital camera chips without scanning them with your virus progamme first.

Apple and Linux users are generally exempt from the above comments, except as regards firewalls.

I have about 10 machines operating with the above configuration and there is rarely a problem with them.

....The operators also know that they will incur my wrath if there is a hint of misbehaving ::))))))

Script for Fixing SQL infested MSSQL Databases

2008-06-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

The following link was very useful for fixing a nasty infestation of sql injected scripts on an old asp/mssql website.

http://weblogs.asp.net/ryangaraygay/archive/2008/05/25/recent-sql-injection-attacks-on-asp-sites.aspx

Annoying Footbal Ad

2008-06-05T22:54:00.001-07:00

The following annoying football ad appeared on Expat Focus forums on 6th June 2008. (Click on it to enlarge)