updating the Samsung GalaxyS in Ubuntu with heimdall

A while ago I opted to drop Windows 7 and move back to a *nix variant.  Ubuntu was the one.  One big issue I had was with regards to my phone.  I am constantly upgrading the firmware on it, and the only way to do it was via Odin in Windows.

If you want to root your Galaxy S, here's a good page, but it's not good if you don't have Odin:  http://androidflip.com/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-s-running-xxjvr-android-2-3-4-gingebread/

1. I downloaded the “CF-Root-XX_OXA_JVR-v4.1-CWM3RFS.tar”
2. Extracted it which left me with a zImage file
3. Ran the command:  heimdall flash --kernel zImage

 Simple.  Right?  Well, what if you wanted to upgrade the full OS on your Galaxy S to something like uh, Gingerbread ... (2.3.4) or even (3) when it comes out?   Same principle really, just a few more arguments for heimdall.  I came across this on the site:  http://wmarkito.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/flashing-android-froyo-in-a-galaxy-s-with-ubuntu-and-heimdall/

heimdall flash --factoryfs factoryfs.rfs --cache cache.rfs  --param param.lfs --kernel zImage --modem modem.bin --pit s1_odin_20100512.pit

some stackoverflow.com flair!

I can't resist

I've been using StackOverflow.com quite a bit over the past few weeks.  Similar to a car accident happening before your eyes ... the amount of amusement I get out of some of the questions is brilliant.  

Swapped to Ubuntu

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that my Windows 7 laptop was performing worse and worse.  Today, after having it lock up well after 3 separate reboots, I had had enough.  I went and grabbed 2 USB keys, and the 2TB drive I have kicking around.

1. Made a USB boot of 11.04 Ubuntu
2. Made a USB boot of Windows 7 Premium
3. Backed everything up that I had ....

I have to admit, the Ubuntu install was the fastest, cleanest and easiest of all the ones I've tried.  I have been a die hard Fedora fan for years.  The last version I installed was Fedora V12.  I believe 15 is out now.  

Of course ... having said that, there are some things that remind me why I continually drift back to Windows as my primary operating system after a few weeks / months of gradual frustration:

• I have a touch pad on my laptop.  I hate it.  It's a Lenovo ... I have a nice track ball.  I LOVE IT.  Problem is, disabling the touch pad isn't as simple as right clicking somewhere and doing something.  You have to install another application that does this and that ... or you can edit the X11.conf ... yeah, not today.  Thanks.
• I am extremely cautious to only install "stuff" from the Ubuntu Software Center.  I have absolutely no issues downloading crap, compiling it and installing it ... however, I want to see how long I can last without fundamentally making changes to what's going on underneath this pretty facade.  Which brings me to my next gripe.  The software I want, doesn't exist.  For 10 years, it has been this continuous battle I've had deep down about passion versus productivity ... seems you can have both ...?
• Exchange 2010 connectivity.  I have my Samsung Galaxy S (Android) configured to connect to my Exchange server and get emails and calendar and all that.  In a full blown operating system (Ubuntu 11.04) I cannot.  I have tried Evolution.  I have tried Zimbra.  It's sad really.  Sad and pathetic that a little phone can out function and out feature my all mightly laptop and operating system.  Guess what?  This is a reminder to future generations why iPods / iPads and smart phones are taking over ... they work.  they just work. 

What about some good?

• Multi-screen display, and HDMI are working beautifully.
• Performance is what I had expected ... Fantastic.  I now have a Windows 7 VM running while I have my development environment running in another CentOS VM.  At the same time, my Ubuntu experience is not slowing down and is not chewing away memory ... 
• Hardware support.  If you have experience with Linux, and Red Hat....going back over the years, getting the right level of support for your hardware was horrible.  It's only just recently I've forgotten what the chip-set was on the network card for my old computer ... the reason why it was etched into my brain?  very poor support ... compiling kernel modules, trying fancy things that didn't work ... it was a nightmare.  EVERYTHING on my Lenovo laptop works.  Bluetooth, wireless, camera, touchpad :(, trackball, HDMI ... That's super..

That's all for now.  Back to grinding out some more code and "stuff"

Weekend in England

It wasnt just a weekend in England....it was a weekend ALL over England.

Landed at London City which is fantastic if you want to be in the city.  Instead, DLR and tube to Euston to get a train to Birmingham International and then the 30min drive to the in-laws and Jack.

The next day (Friday), back to International to pick up a rental and drive down to Midhurst and a wedding on Saturday at Cowdray ruins. 

Sunday it was up super early to drive to our newest niece's Christening...to which Lucy and I are Godparents.  This was outside Tamworth. 

After the Christening....headed back to Four Oaks and then to The Lodge for a wonderful curry. 

This morning, up early...rental back to International.  Train to London Euston.  Tube & DLR to LCY..flight back to Zurich.

I'm tired but wanted to show off the happy family in the picture on this post.

wedding photos

not sure if we ever posted our wedding photos properly on the internet for folks to mock, gawk or whatever.... if not, here you go.

Unfiltered.

Apache Cassandra & RESTful API

Over the past few months I have been heavily involved in an uber-top-secret nights & weekends project.  Is it selling a virtual Chia-Pet?  I wish.  That would be COOL.  Regardless of what it is, I jumped into the 21st century and got on board with the REST of the world.

REST:  Representational State Transfer:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representational_State_Transfer

Without getting into too many details, what I love is how easily I was able to create a REST API that interfaces with Apache Cassandra.  I have an API that fully supports PUT / POST / GET / DELETE / SEARCH without having to write all that much code.  Admittedly, I did it with phpcassa which may not be the best, most efficient, or whatever .. but I have to say.  It works and I rarely touch the code.

Some simple concepts I implemented:

• A resource is a 1:1 mapping to a Cassandra column family.  For example:
• http://api.example.com/user/ is a reference to the "user" column family
• The element that follows the resource is a 1:1 mapping to a key in a Cassandra column family
• http://api.example.com/user/sdolgy is a reference to the key "sdolgy" in the column family "user"

What is great here is that as the design changes or new information is added to Cassandra, I am making no changes to the REST API code.  New column families, new keys ... it's all good.  Simple.  

The only issues I continue to have are the ones around security.  This is always an epic or regal battle / debate on the best way to approach and tackle this problem.  Some people are big into OAuth.  There are still security concerns over OAuth and even some references to that, despite the big boys (facebook / google / twitter / etc. ) are using it ... it doesn't mean it's more secure or the best way to secure a REST API.  For now, I have implemented my own variation and will have to revisit in the future before we launch the online CHIA PET....

Here is a good tutorial on creating a PHP REST API if you are keen to get started:

http://www.gen-x-design.com/archives/create-a-rest-api-with-php/

-sd

hong kong or bust

some of you may know, and some of you may not, that i am currently in hong kong.  why am i here?  that's a very good question.  originally, i wasn't supposed to be here.  this is the week that the Hong Kong 5's Ice Hockey tournament is on.  I had scheduling conflicts at the time of planning a few months ago and opted out ...

fast forward to 3 weeks ago and i received an email about a player getting hurt and not being able to play.  checked my schedule and some other things and the planets had aligned.  this dolgy was going to hong kong.  there were some other reasons for the trip too.  met up with some old friends and old colleagues i haven't seen in a few years.  that was nice.

the tournament itself is as always, very well organized.  if you ever get a chance ... find Keith Fong at MegaBox and let him know that the tournament is, and you'll find out if you are ever here, one of the best organized tournaments and facilities around.

the team this year didn't fair very well.  0 wins, 4 losses.  2 goals scored.  but that's ok.  it was still fun.

the food here is brilliant.  the mtr here is brilliant.  i really do enjoy coming here... but it's time to go.  i miss this guy:

gone a week without seeing or speaking to Lucy and Jack has been very hard.  The timing and schedules and all of that haven't worked out ... been insanely busy days of hilarity and hi-jinx

British Airways.  Take me home.