automaticable

I’ve started another pet project for the summer, and I believe it’s ready for a stable release.  The program is called Pwdhash Sharp, and it’s a C#, Gtk-based desktop implementation of the PwdHash password-generator, written for Ubuntu.   We’ve written about PwdHash before, but if you’re not familiar:

PwdHash automatically replaces the contents of [site address and password] fields with a one-way hash of the pair (password, domain-name). As a result, the site only sees a domain-specific hash of the password, as opposed to the password itself. A break-in at a low security site exposes password hashes rather than an actual password. We emphasize that the hash function we use is public and can be computed on any machine which enables users to login to their web accounts from any machine in the world. Hashing is done using a Pseudo Random Function (PRF).

Now with Pwdhash Sharp, you get the same functionality integrated into your desktop.  When I first started writing this application, the PwdHash Firefox extention wasn’t compatible with Firefox 3 (although they’ve updated the addon since then), so that was another reason I needed an alternative.  Pwdhash Sharp is also convenient for non-browser applications which require a password– now you can easily use strong passwords for them as well.

Pwdhash Sharp 0.8.4 is the fourth version released, and is now relatively stable.  Some of the features include:

• Passwords exactly match those generated by PwdHash, so they are interchangable.
• Native GTK window and icons.
• Create and retrieve passwords for web- or desktop-based applications.
• Minimize to tray for convenient access when you need it.

There are two ways to download Pwdhash Sharp 0.8.4.  You can either download the .deb for your platform from the release page, or you can get uploads via my personal PPA.  The benefits of the PPA is that you will receive automatic updates of pwdhash-sharp as they occur, just like all other programs in Ubuntu.  To add it:

• In the panel, select System > Administration > Software Sources
• Select the “Third-Party Software” tab, and “Add…” to add a new entry.  In the popup, enter the line:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/swegner/ubuntu hardy main

• Close the software sources manager, and allow the repository cache to reload.  Now, you can install pwdhash-sharp from your favorite package manager.  On the command line:

sudo aptitude install pwdhash-sharp

Once installed, you can launch it from the “Accessories” submenu.  Use it just like the form on the pwdhash.com website.

I’m pretty happy with the project so far, but it’s by no means complete.  It’s been a learning experience in packaging for Ubuntu, as well as developing using Mono and GtkSharp.  There’s still a few bugs to work out, and some features that I’d like to add.  Namely:

• For some reason, Pwdhash Sharp can’t be launched from within Gnome Do.  Anybody have this issue?
• I’d like to add some preferences to automatically copy generated passwords to the clipboard.  Also, it might be useful to automatically minimize, and “forget” the previous site password, for security reasons.
• Also, “man” pages aren’t generated correctly, but this seems to be a packaging issue.
• It would also be nice to port to Windows, and should be relatively easy since it’s in C#.  I could either do a Gtk port, or use a native Windows interface.  Anybody interested in helping?

So, give Pwdhash Sharp a try, and let me know what you think.  I’m open to suggestions and feature requests.

PS: The PwdHash algorithm generates only pseudo-random passwords, which could be decrypted, given at least half of the key.  Can anybody figure out the password in the screenshot?

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Have you ever wanted to set up a subversion repository on your home computer? Whether it be for a new software project, versioning your personal documents, or any other reason, there are many benefits to using version control. Some free websites that will host your project for you, such as SourceForge or Google Code, but it’s often necessary to have a little bit more control.

I set up a subversion repository for a new project the other day, and the process was relatively painless. I’m using a standard Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 desktop setup, with OpenDNS and DD-WRT for port-forwarding, and without an Apache web server. Keep reading to host your own subversion repository server.

Continue reading “How To: Host a Subversion Repository in Ubuntu Hardy”

Well, it’s all but confirmed now.  With Firefox 3 download day set to hit any time this month, it looks like the Firefox developers are preparing.  As a result, it appears that the final release of Firefox 3 hit the hardy-proposed repository this morning.  I installed the update, and am running it now.  Check it out:

And you can see the version string through Synapic Package Manager:

The latest in hardy-updates is “3.0~rc1+nobinonly-0ubuntu1″, but this version string is “3.0+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.8.04.1″, clearly lacking any “release candidate” tag.  Could this be the real deal?  It was probably uploaded in an effort to make sure that Ubuntu users are able to access it in hardy-updates on release day, so they have a better chance at their world record.

If you want to download this pre-release for yourself, all you need to do is enable the hardy-proposed repository:

• Go to System > Administration > Sofware Sources
• Click on the “Updates” tab, and make sure the box for “Unsupported Updates” is checked
• Press “Close”, and let the package manager refresh.

Afterwards, you should see the update icon in your taskbar, with the latest Firefox 3 ready to go! Note, however, that the hardy-proposed repository does contain *unsupported* updates.  To be on the safe side, you should disable it after you install Firefox.

Has anyone else been running Firefox 3 yet?  Have you noticed any differences?  Mine feels a little faster, although that may be due to the fact that a few extensions are still incompatible.

While the majority of people browsing the internet use Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari, these are not the only options available to surf the web. One browser I recently started testing that I have learned to love is Flock, a social web browser based on Mozilla’s Firefox web browser. A fusion of social networks, user generated media, and super-fast web browsing, Flock brings together the best parts of the web in an easy-to-use interface.

Above is a screen shot of Flock’s initial home screen. The only modifications I have made are to log in to a few of the social sites Flock supports, Twitter and Facebook. Flock also supports social sites such as Flickr, YouTube, and almost every blog platform you can imagine. Below I’ve outlined a few of the major functions of Flock, but with so many innate features it will be worth your while to check out the Getting Started page on Flock.com for additional information.

1. The Social Sidebar - After logging in to all of the sites Flock supports, tabs will be added to the People Sidebar for quick access. Here I have the “All” tab selected, which currently has a chronological time line of when all of my Facebook friends and Twitter contacts have updated. On top of simply knowing what their most recent update is, the Media button will be highlighted whenever new pictures have been added to one of your friend’s profiles. Also, if you have any private messages, pokes, or other notifications, each tab will highlight individually notifying you of the update. What provides the most convenience, though, is the ability to update your own status across all of your networks simply within the sidebar instead of visiting all of the different sites individually. As someone who recently joined Twitter and is getting back into the Facebook game, this saves me a ton of time throughout the day.
2. Media Streams - Flock makes it easy to find, access, and browse all different types of media in the integrated media bar. You can load up your own streams from any site that supports picture and video updates, as well as access automatic streams that come from the social networks you are a part of. An example of this is the stream I currently have running. Because I am logged in to Facebook, I can access pictures posted by my friends, any recent photos that are public, or just pictures of myself. In order to keep Facebook’s embarrassing photos from marring the reputations of any of my friends, I only have my photos across the top. If there is anything incriminating up there, ignore it. Thanks.
3. My World - My World is a unique homepage powered by Flock that integrates many of its best features in one place. As you can see, there are columns that show the most recent updates to your Favorite blog Feeds, your Friend Activity from any social networks you subscribe to, and your Favorite Media as defined through Flickr, YouTube, Picassa and more. There is also a Favorite Sites widget you can include to show a set of bookmarks you access frequently. All of this can be customized easily and works great as a snapshot of everything you define as important across all sections of the web.
4. Other Sidebars - Even though the only sidebar you can see is my People Sidebar, there are many more options available. Flock includes an integrated RSS feed reader, accessible through the Feeds Sidebar. Although I am a big fan of Google Reader for RSS, Flock’s integrated Feed Sidebar reminds me a lot of the Firefox extension Sage, which is super convenient as well. Another sidebar available is the Webmail bar, which allows you to get up to the minute updates from all of your webmail services at once. This is a great feature for someone like me who is forced to subscribe to Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Gmail for separate work groups. Other sidebars available are a Favorites (or bookmarks) Sidebar, a Web Clipboard manager, an integrated blog editor, and an amazingly convenient and efficient photo uploader.
5. Firefox Extension Compatible - Because Flock is built upon the open-source Firefox browser, almost all of your current Firefox extensions will work with Flock, though currently Flock doesn’t support additional themes. This is a saving grace for any diehard Firefox fans, as you get to keep all of the customization and work you have put in to Firefox while reaping the benefits of Flock at the same time. Pro-tip: Instead of reinstalling all of your Firefox extensions, you can copy and paste your current Firefox profile folder into the Flock profile folder. Make sure to name your new profile exactly like the original one. It should look something like: p61rvkbt.default.

These are just a few examples of the many benefits of Flock. If you are a frequent social networker, media-guru, or just want to add some power to your Firefox browsing, Flock is for you. Although I am currently testing Firefox 3 at work and at home, I spend the bulk of my time browsing, Twittering, and Facebook stalking through Flock. As I mentioned earlier, there are a huge amount of features available in Flock, so check out the Flock homepage for more information.

As an added bonus, Flock is not only Windows compatible, but runs seamlessly on Mac and Linux machines as well.

I know there are many other browsers than the few mentioned above, so if you have had success with any other lesser known browsers, leave some words on your experience in the comments.

[ get flock ]

Well, it’s finally here, the latest release from the Ubuntu team.  Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is the second in the line of “long term releases”.  This means that Canonical and the Ubuntu team will continue with support and updates for 3 years on the desktop edition, and 5 years for the server.

If you’re ready to convert a new system today, the fastest way to get Ubuntu will be through torrents.  If you’re upgrading an Ubuntu system, simply open the Update Manager and it’ll show a new option to upgrade.  Make sure you’ve selected local repositories, because the servers are going to get hit hard today.

Be sure to check out the desktop feature tour.  And if you plan on burning some Ubuntu CDs, print off the CD album artwork for the cases.

Our countdown to Hardy is nearing its end; we are just days away from the final release of the latest version of Ubuntu, codenamed Hardy Heron.  I’ve been testing since the alpha release, and I can safely say that it’s come along way.  It also marks about a year since I installed Linux for the first time.  I feel like I’ve learned a lot in the process.  However, I think I want to start clean with Hardy, and setup my system with a few goals in mind:

• Drop Windows Vista:  Currently I have a dual boot setup with Vista on a separate partition.  But at this point, it’s a waste of space, and a waste of energy everytime I boot into it.  The only reason left for using it has been for Netflix, but I think I can live without it.  Worst-case scenario, I can setup Wine or a virtual machine.
• Separate /home Partition: I think this should be done on new Ubuntu systems by default, but alas, it’s not.  By putting your /home directory on its own partition, it’s very easy to separate your data from program files.  This makes it very easy to upgrade, or share your /home folder in a dual-boot.
• Optimize MythTV: I have a TV tuner card in my computer, and I’ve only been using it experimentally at this point.  But with Hardy and a clean system, I’d like to install MythTV and really use my computer for it’s media-center potential.
• Leave Some Test Space: Along with Ubuntu 8.04 coming out in the next couple days, there are also many other great Linux distros planning releases right around the corner.  I’d like to set aside a partition on my system for testing on distros, such as Fedora, openSUSE, or Debian.

In the latest Ubuntu newsletter, a new link was posted for the Hardy Heron release countdown script.  The beta version is already available, and we are under a month away from the final release.  Hardy will have the latest Firefox 3 pre-release, as well as major updates to GNOME, the Linux kernel, and much more.  This is another step closer to a general-purpose free operating system that “just works”.  Get excited.

[ Hardy Countdown Timer ]

We’ve released our second iteration of Wosaic just in time for the Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois. At the Engineering Open House, we created over 120 mosaics for people, and won 3rd place for the non-technical theme.

This new release represents a major rewrite in the code for the GUI and general control flow. While this won’t be immediately apparent at first glance, this means major efficiency gains and better stability. You can now create multiple mosaics in the same session, and even cancel processing mid-generation. Also, the resolution parameters don’t take effect until saving, which means you can save a Mosaic at a variety of different resolutions.

For more details, check out the Release Notes, which also contains links to other useful wiki pages. Or, head straight for the download page to grab a copy of the latest version. Keep reading below for a walk-through to create your first mosaic.

Continue reading “Wosaic 1.0 beta– Faster, Cleaner Mosaics From Your Own Photos”

I just upgraded to Ubuntu Hardy Alpha 6 to start testing, and am delighted to try the new Firefox 3 beta.  Amongst other changes, I found this peculiar warning message when trying to view about:config.  In case you’re not aware, about:config allows you to change some backend settings to your Firefox profile, similar to the Windows registry.  When trying to navigate to the page, you get a warning:

This might void your warranty!
Changing the default values of these advanced settings can be harmful to the stability, security, and performance of this application.  You should only continue if you are sure of what you are doing.

It’s a useful message, as you can do a lot of damage with about:config.  But void my warranty?  Since when does Firefox ever come with a warranty?  Check out the screenshot for a closer view.

Screen savers lost their utility as screen-burn preventers years ago, but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose. The main reasons I still use a screen saver are for privacy, through locking my computer whenever a screen saver comes up, and for aesthetic reasons. The latter is what I will be discussing here, and my favorite screen saver for aesthetic reasons is Electric Sheep.

Electric Sheep is an open source screen saver that is ever changing, and more importantly, ever adapting. It started as just a few video files, but through user ratings, evolution, and individual creations has grown to include a library of thousands of “sheep.” Sheep is the term used for each individual video file, while a flock is a group of video files you can get all at one time.

The best aspect of Electric Sheep is that your sheep evolve over time. Users can rate whether they like or dislike the current sheep that is playing with a simple press of the up or down arrow. This rating is taken into account when the computer, or more specifically everyone’s computers (Electric Sheep takes advantage of your computer’s downtime to run small computations instead of only using in-house servers), to take the higher rated sheep and breed them together. Through the magic of torrents, your computer also uses its downtime to constantly download small bits of the new sheep that are always being produced, thus you are provided with new and beautiful screen savers all the time.

I think I’ve missed the most important aspect of Electric Sheep while explaining all this technical stuff; Electric Sheep is absolutely beautiful. The videos that play are entrancing, dynamic, and vividly colored. I honestly have never seen anything like it before. The picture above is a single frame of a single video. As good as it looks up there, it can’t even compare to how it moves in video form, which I am lucky enough to have playing on my laptop currently.

Electric Sheep is free, open source, and cross platform. One suggestion I have is to download a mega-pack of sheep with your initial download, as the screen saver does not come with any videos at first. If you do not want to download a separate pack, it may take a few hours for sheep to start since they need to download, so let the screen saver run overnight so you will have beautiful sheep to wake up to in the morning.