Nithin Kamath’s Weblog

GAIM, the multi protocol instant messenger client for Windows, Linux, BSD, and other Unixes. Using Gaim one can talk to one’s friends using AIM, ICQ, Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, and Zephyr.

GAIM has now been renamed to Pidgin. The change in the name was due to a trademark issue with AOL, which has an instant messenger which goes by the name AIM. But change in the name has been quite good and it is extremely nice to finally see the new version which was held up due to the issue with AOL.

Pidgin has a new logo, looks great and functionality is top class. One of the first things I noticed was the new Tango icon set they shifted to. The icon set gives a huge boost to the look and feel of the software. I am just in love with this icon theme. Also the way the contacts are displayed has changed a bit, they are displayed as dots along with the name and photos. The dots/images make it easier to know the status of the user much easier.

Overall a too good of a product, and I recommend it to ever one who uses any instant messenger client. In fact, yesterday when I finally managed to get back to connecting to net via Linux, the first thing I did was download Pidgin and get it working. Also when compared to the other two Internet products which also are in version 2, viz., Firefox and Thunderbird, I would say Pidgin has had more of a significant change from 1.x series to 2.x version.

I recently got a internet connection from Tata Indicom (CDMA Wireless). I purchased the Huawei EC325 modem which uses a USB cable to connect to the PC. My inital reaction was since it was a USB connection and was using a custom software to connect to the net, it would not be possible to connect to the net in Linux using this modem.

After full two months, I finally gave up my laziness and did a quick search. I tried out the first solution offered and it worked out in the first try itself, how often does that happen. It took me a total of 10 mins including searching, restarting and configuring to get connected to the net in Linux.

Here is the procedure to get Huawei EC325 Data Modem in Linux:-

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Log in as root, i.e. type “su -” sans the quotes and enter the root password.
3. Then use vi to edit/create the following file “/etc/wvdial.conf”.
4. Enter the following text into it.
   [Modem0]
   Modem=/dev/ttyUSB0
   Baud=115200
   SetVolume=0
   Dial Command = ATDT
   init1=ATZ
   init2=AT+CRM=1
   FlowControl= Hardware (CRTSCTS)
   [Dialer tata]
   Username= internet
   Password= internet
   Phone=#777
   Stupid Mode= 1
   Inherits = Modem0
5. In the above change the Modem=/dev/ttyUSB0 to what ever your device name is, you should be able to see it while the OS is booting, else give the “dmesg” command and search in that.
6. Final step is give the command “wvdial tata”, and if everything is proper you should now be connected to the net.
7. Press “Ctrl+c” when you want to disconnect.

I have tried this on SuSE 10.1 and it should work on any latest release of any Linux system. Also I had this system configured for net access for BSNL dataone service before, so am not absolutely sure if you have to do any DNS settings or not. But it should work regardless of it.

Great to be back into the Linux world again.

For the past 2-3 weeks I have been using Tomboy, which its developers mention as “a simple and easy to use desktop note-taking application”. It is a mono based application and can be added to the gnome panel. Also, it has the potential to help one organize the ideas and information dealt in every day.

Some months back I had read reviews of the application, and at that time I was just thinking why would any one use such a application after all, since there are many easily accessible text applications readily available. It is only after I began to use it that I have come to appreciate the utility of this application.

I currently use it to jot down anything nice that comes to my head, the good thing is that I can easily access it and there is no need to save the writing by giving file names. This is the major advantage since files unless they are in a folder you regularly open and check will be forgotten. It uses a WikiWiki-like linking system which makes it easy to link similar notes.

Now I use Tomboy to prepare my blog posts and anything else which I find interesting that has to be referred later. In fact Tomboy has become one of my favorite applications along with Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org, Kontact, XdTV, Picasa, GIMP, etc. The version I am using is 0.3.5, even though it has not reached the major release, yet it is fully stable and I have not encountered any crashes.

The each passing day for me is bringing new floss applications forward, which increase my efficiency and save time. Hats off for floss developers.

Off-Topic: Picasa - Google’s Photo Organiser has an hidden Easter Egg (a hidden message which is generally coded for fun) - A sweet little teddy bear which can be displayed by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Y simultaneously.