Lest I forget what I did

Friday, September 3, 2010

Automated Debian installs are handled via the d-i (Debian Installer) package. Ubuntu OS automation is based on the Debian installer.
Canonical has a frontend for it in python called Ubiquity.
Using a preseed file from the Ubuntu Preseed site works (tried a few options) but Ubiquity stops at a window where it gives an Install summary and does not enable the Install or Back button.
Ubiquity can be run with debug enabled and it is run thus for automatic installation: ubiquity --debug --automatic
On verifying the logs, it was found that ubiquity too needs an option for the installation to be automatic in the preseed file. Addition of this line solves the problem ubiquity ubiquity/summary note
There is a bug still about the percentage of the debconf file that is read, it varies and goes up to 400%
debconf-(s/g)et-selections are helpful in verifying the debconf database. Though it would be good to have something like a debconf-set-only-selection and the rest not configured.

Got a promo mail frm the blogger team abt Blogger Stats. It was a long standing requirement. Finally got and it and how!
It shows who accessed my page and how they landed on it, which pages in particular and which locations were they accessed from.
It gives me amazing feedback as to which information that I put up is relevant and sought after, based on history (day, week, month, etc).
It still is in the draft stage and can be accessed here http://draft.blogger.com
Thanks Blogger Team !

Got HP Mini from a friend. The Spec is here
It came with FreeDOS and win xp sp2 install apparently had issues.
Upgraded the OS to win xp sp3 from the Microsoft site.
Downloaded HP drivers from this site HP Driver download for 210 1084tu.
Only HP Bluetooth Module driver had some issues as the support team pointed me to the wrong driver. The USB BT module is the following: Vendor_id: 03F0 Prod_id: 2A1D. The correct driver + stack is here. It is 100 MB !!
The Synaptics touch pad has to be enabled differently. One needs to go to the properties to understand its operation: double click on the left top to enable/disable, etc.

Aim is to build an amplifer for an Autorikshaw. Has to be low cost, music quality doesnt have to be great.
Availability of Low Cost MP3 SOCs boards like the AX2008, AJT, etc. Looking at extending these SOCs for other things. They have on-board SOC from Appotech, etc, a USB connector, an SD reader, an FM receiver, a Remote and is available as a board for Rs 150 ie 3$ !!
Can couple it with an amplifier. Got an amplifier for Rs 150 and this works on 12 V and is a dual bridged amplifier with roughly 15 + 15 Watts of power. Audio board mfd by Shan. It has bass and treble controls. Uses a dual SANYO 4440. Had to experiment with the connections: connect the MP3 player to the AMP to the speakers.
Got the casing and accessories from Pooja electronics frm SP Road. Roughly 150 Rs and cheap speakers for Rs 50 without box.
Audio quality is ok. The box provides: MP3 playing, FM, AUX INPUT and works on 12 V.
Had to use a voltage reg: a 7812 and 7805 for the 12v to the amp and 5v to the MP3 player.
Picture 1 is the almost finished amp and Pic 2 is from an earlier stage.
Total cost of amp+player around 500-600 Rs.

GPS device is a Holux GPSLIM240: Bluetooth based return NEMA 0183
Phone is a Motorola Ming 1200 having Bluetooth etc.
A J2ME phone having MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1 or above is needed. CLDC 1.1. supports floating point.
Used SUN's java development environment on Ubuntu Linux 9.04
Debugging on a phone is pretty problematic. I did not enable bluetooth via the emulator.
Used a Bluetooth app provided by Bruce Hopkins for device discovery, etc.
The App shows speed, the direction of travel, odometer, date and time.

Installing java on the Razr needs some circus tricks.
Install Motorola Phone Tools from somewhere. It is officially sold but lucky I had an earlier install.
All transfers to the device are done via the USB modem and some protocol.
This page said it all http://gomestic.com/consumer-information/how-to-install-java-games-onto-motorola-v3-phones/
Have to install Jadmaker first and make a jad from the Jar.
Have to install midway to transfer file to the phone.
Java app loader has to be enabled on the phone to first initiate the transfer. The Serial Port is obtained from the Advanced tab of the Device Manager.
After tx the app is auto installed and run.
The application runs pretty slowly.

Nokia color LCD inspiration from this page http://serdisplib.sourceforge.net/ser/nokcol_15g10.html
Bought a color display at the usual place for 200 INR.
Ckt similar to the 3310, driven by serial means but requires an additional Led backlight powersource. A variable adaptor set to 6V provided enough backlight to view the LCD.
The trickiest part is the Nokia LCD connector (receptacle). The form factor is uSOP, pitch is 0.5mm. Wrecked a few by trying to solder it myself. Many alternatives were considered: getting a PCB made (costs quite a bit), importing a prototyping IC adapter such as the Epboard uSOP to DIP adapter about 6$ + shipping, getting some mobile repair people to rig it up. None of them worked and as usual the local repairmen were no good, most of them chose not to do it even if I would pay them handsomely
Finally asked the GD Guys. Sparkfun calls anybody who can solder 0.5mm a God and I had the privilege of getting one wire soldered by Nagaraj Nagarkar. Special thanks to the GD folks. Wouldnt have been able to do it without you.
Serdisp did nothing with the S1D15G10 with testserdisp. The assumption was it was a Nokia 6610.
Decided to try the N3510 driver. The screen came up with a lesser resolution 97x68.
Recompiled the n3510 driver with 130x130 and the results are below.
Weird! Need to check this further.