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Matlab’s .fig figure files: how not use them!

Note to self.
Do not save images as Matlab .fig files, then come back to them a year later and expect them to be editable! A much better idea is to save the script that generates the plots instead! At least this way if you don’t have Matlab then you can recover the data manually, or [...]

Better ATI graphics driver install

After having more problems installing the proprietary driver for my HD4710 ATI graphics card, a forum post pointed me towards a tool named SMXI. This will automate the dist-upgrade of your system, but more importantly, is a simple way to install the current fgrlx drivers without any weird performance issues!
Also note that for crunchbang linux I had [...]

DigiKam: PNG’s with EXIF content

Another quick note just in case anyone is searching for PNG EXIF information in DigiKam. I’ve just found that officially, PNG does not support EXIF data, google it. (Another waste of time). I’ve found that most of the time, it seems to work. I’m not sure if this is just an internal DigiKam thing, since [...]

Using paper as a PCB exposure masking medium

I normally use OHP transparencies (acetate) for my PCB masking, but after running out I wanted to find something cheaper (from staples a pack of inkjet transparencies costs approximately £20!). I wanted to try and use paper, since it’s essentially free (everyone has it) and I wouldn’t have to go out and buy more stuff!

I don’t really use this any more

Well, as it turned out, I don’t really use this as much as I thought I would. The main reason was that I don’t have enough time to do stuff let alone write about it!
I am keeping the old content though, for posterity’s sake.
If I ever get around to doing something interesting, they I may [...]

Network problems - Static IP and DHCP

Latest ubuntu ball-ache started when I wanted my wireless network to use DHCP and the ethernet to use a static address.

Streaming to the XBox - Using Fuppes

I’ve now moved back to Kubuntu, and I am sure that I am going to stay.
Nearly top of the list is to get my XBox streaming back up and running. This post details my Fuppes installation process and thoughts. Initial thoughts is that this doesn’t look very mature. There is no GUI and it was [...]

ATI HD 4730 Ubuntu/Kubuntu on Karmic 9.10

I’ve had major problems getting the newest ATI drivers, both proprietary and open source. Black screens, freezes, everything.
The solution (so far) is to use an older ATI Catalyst driver. I have tested up to 9.12 to be working. Download, sudo sh -i ***.run, sudo aticonfig –initial -f, restart, sudo amdcccle, to setup. Done.

XBox Windows 7 Problems

Having problems where I couldn’t see the xbox on the network.
Turns out that all I had to do was disable the SSDP discovery service and the Upnp service that comes with it.  That

xBee ZNet 2.5 ongoing serial problem fixed

I have had an ongoing problem with the xBee’s for some time. It goes something like this:
Setup:
xBee ZNet 2.5 in API mode using sleep’s.
Problem:
Periodically (aren’t they always the worst!) the xBee would not perform some of the functions that I asked it to. For example, it did not like sending AT commands after [...]