How to Convert Document Formats in Ubuntu / Debian Linux : unoconv

unoconv converts between any document format that OpenOffice understands.

It supports  document formats like Open Document Format (.odt), MS Word (.doc), MS Office Open/MS OOXML (.xml),LaTeX 2e (.ltx), pdf, HTML, XHTML, RTF, Docbook (.xml), and more.

 It also supports image files JPG, BMP,  GIF, PNG and more
 unoconv supports Spreadsheet file formats also

Requirements
unoconv is written in python. It needs a recent LibreOffice or OpenOffice with UNO bindings.

It Supports OpenOffice on Linux, Windows and MacOSX

How to install unoconv in ubuntu / debian Linux

$ sudo apt-get install unoconv

Usage

it is a command line utility. read man page for more details

    unoconv -f pdf your-document.odt
    unoconv -f doc your-document.odt
    unoconv -f xsl your-spreadsheet.csv
    unoconv -f jpg your-image.png
   

How to instal Python 2.6 in ubuntu 12.04 and Ubuntu 13.04

 According to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PrecisePangolin/ReleaseNotes/UbuntuDesktop "Python 2.6 is no longer available for install". Some legacy software that runs only on Python 2.6.

 You can use the following

 PPA: https://launchpad.net/~fkrull/+archive/deadsnakes

How to install PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fkrull/deadsnakes

Run Update:
sudo apt-get update

Install your flavor:
sudo apt-get install python2.6 python2.6-dev

How to Install and Test Beaglebone black in Ubuntu / Debian Linux

The Use and working of Beaglebone Black is very simple. You need only BBB and a USB cable (Supplied with BBB). In Ubuntu / Debian Linux you just download this file Download here and install it.

How to install downloaded file.

Open a terminal and type the following

$ chmod 755 mkudevrule.sh
$ ./mkudevrule.sh

This script will create a new file called 73-beaglebone.rules in /etc/udev/rules.d/

 Now  Plug your BBB to Ubuntu System through the USB Cable

Now BBB establish an adhoc Network Connection through USB

After a short time check the connectivity


The BBB will have an IP address, so using Chrome or Firefox (not Internet Explorer) connect to the URL http://192.168.7.2 (Chrome or chromium Browser)

Now You can see a web page served by BBB.

Top of the web page you can see the serial number of your board

Now Open a terminal and type

$ ssh root@192.168.7.2

Now it will prompt a security warning  type 'yes' or click on 'yes'

Now it will ask for PASSWORD.  There is no password so press Enter

Tools / Commands for monitoring Memory Usage in ubuntu / Debian

Tools / Commands for monitoring  Memory Usage in ubuntu / Debian

 free - Display amount of free and used memory in the system.

 watch -n 5 free -m   -  Real time memory usge
 vmstat - Report virtual memory statistics
 top - Show top processes and memory usage
 htop - interactive process/memory usage viewer
 cat /proc/meminfo Show memory size and usage.

 gnome-system-monitor — Graphical tool for viewing process/memory/network usage

New PDF Book for Beaglebone Black : Bad to the Bone

The new BeagleBone Black is out and this good  book telling you how to use it. Bad to the Bone: Crafting Electronic Systems with BeagleBone and BeagleBone Black.  400+ pages of tutorials for both novice and experienced programmers by was written by  Beagleboard.org community leader Jason Kridner, in partnership with Steven Barrett, a professor of engineering and computer science at the University of Wyoming. 

Bad to the Bone is available in paperback from Amazon for about $45 USD, or as a PDF download from the publisher for around $20 USD.



http://www.facebook.com/BeagleboneBlack

Important Points about Beaglebone Black (BBB)

Important Points about Beaglebone Black

Minimum System Startup required only the USB cable shipped with BBB.

Use Google chrome or Chromium Browser

If you can't communicate to your BBB from Browser, Use Google Chrome Browser. There is Some Problem with Firefox. Never use  Internet Explorer.

BBB Standalone requirements

1.Beaglebone Black

2. HDMA or DVI Monitor

3. HDMI to HDMI Micro cable
     ( HDMI to HDMI Mini cable also available it is not suitable for BBB).

4. USB Hub ( for connecting Mouse and Keyboard)
    Options :  You can use a wireless keyboard and mouse or
                        Connect mouse to USB port and use the virtual Keybaord Preloaded
   
5. Power Supply  5V, 1A  ( You can start without Power supply (Use USB ), If you are a Power User , Some time BBB shows some abnormalities with USB Power . If you use USB try to use rear panel USB of your computer , Power capability of Front USB is slightly low.


Don't Try opkg upgrade in you BBB Board, this will kill you BBB. BBB will work only after reflashing the eMMC.

Very careful when you are using ADC, apply only voltage between 0 and 1.8V

 Current capacity of Begalebone black GPIO Ports  is 6ma. 


http://www.facebook.com/BeagleboneBlack

How to test Beaglebone Black (BBB) System Versions

Checking The Image Version

# cat /etc/dogtag                             
Cloud9 GNOME Image 2013.05.08
#

Check The angstrom Version

# cat /etc/angstrom-version  
Angstrom v2012.12 (Core edition)
Built from branch: danny
Revision: abdca5ed77a803e9eb8fdacd4977956755276c3b
Target system: arm-angstrom-linux-gnueabi
# 

For More 

# cat /etc/angstrom-build-info

 

Electronics and Robotics Developers Choice: Beaglebone Black

Developers, makers, and hobbyists looking for a better alternative to Raspberry Pi. Now BeagleBoard.org has taken the wraps off a 1 GHz ARM-based board named the BeagleBone Black (BBB).  You can use it as a Computer, Media Center, or the controller of your Robotic Project.  One of the features that I am crazy about is the presents of ADC, PWM and lot of GPIO. As a Electronics and  robotic developer, I like Beaglebone Black and is a wonderful choice!!!!

The 3.4 x 2.1 in (8.6 x 5.3 cm) BeagleBone Black open-source Linux computer comes pre-loaded with the Ångström distro (which will  boot in under 10 seconds) and Cloud9 IDE, freeing up the microSD slot for additional storage. It's based on the Sitara 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor from Texas Instruments, including a 3D graphics accelerator. There's 2 GB of integrated eMMC flash storage and 512 MB of DDR3 RAM.  HDMI monitor, Keyboard and mouse is not must for a developer, Straight away you can connect BBB to your PC and start Development ( Now it will act like an Arduino). If you connect a Monitor, keyboard and mouse you can use it as a standalone PC.

http://www.facebook.com/BeagleboneBlack

Cost : $45 (Indian Price Approx. Rs.3200 + Shiping)

Processor: AM335x 1GHz ARM® Cortex-A8

• 3D graphics accelerator
• NEON floating-point accelerator
• 2x PRU 32-bit microcontrollers

Connectivity

• USB client for power & debug
• USB host
• Ethernet
• HDMI
• 2x 46 pin headers

Software Compatibility

• Ångström Linux
• Android
• Ubuntu
• Cloud9 IDE on Node.js w/ BoneScript library
• plus much more

Useful Gimp Keyboard Shortcuts for Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed up your GIMP Work flow

 Zoom Tool
   
    Press the + key to zoom in in increments.
    Press the - key to zoom out in increments
    Press the 1 key to zoom in to 100%, ie one pixel in your image matches one 
     pixel on your monitor
    Press Shift+Ctrl+E to fit the image to the window

  Deselect


  Once you've finished working with a selection, you'll want to deselect it.
    Menu  Select--> None

     Keyboard Short Cut   -  Shift+Ctrl+A

Fill
 
    Press Ctrl+, to fill with the foreground color
    Press Ctrl+. to fill with the background color
    Press Ctrl+: to Fill with Pattern

Reset Foreground and Background colour to Default

Press  D 

Others

Undo    Ctrl+Z
Redo    Ctrl+Y

Crop and Resize    Shift+C

Bucket Fill    Shift+B

Eraser    Shift+E
Toggle rulers    Shift+Ctrl+R
Toggle guides    Shift+Ctrl+T

Merge visible layers    Ctrl+M
Anchar layer    Ctrl+H 

Record your Desktop and Make Teaching Materials with KAZAM in Ubuntu/Debian linux

A simple tool Kazam  will capture the content of your screen and record a video file that can be played by any popular  video players.. It also records audio from any sound input device. Kazam provides a simple and clean user interface, I have tested more screen recorders, but kazam is the best.

  This will help you to make video tutorials. This will support FOUR modes, Fullscreen, All Screens, Window and Area.   you can change frame rate by default it is 15.

Now How to install kazam in ubuntu 12.04
Open a terminal and run the following commands.

sudo apt-get install kazam

If any problem do the following

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kazam-team/stable-series
• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get install kazam