Fedora 17 x86_64 Google Play Music Client Options Menu Not Opening

Problem

The Google Play Music client option menu does not open. 

Description

When you click on the Google Play Music Manager icon in the notifications tray of Fedora 17 (GNOME 3), the Options screen does not open.

Cause

This issue seems to be caused by issues with the client when you first launched it on your PC. There seems to be some issues with database files stored in ~/.config/google-musicmanager

Solution

1. Delete the ~/.config/google-musicmanager folder
2. Remove the Google Music Manager program
   sudo yum remove google-musicmanager-beta
3. Re-install the Google Music Manager program.
   Visit https://play.google.com/music/listen#/manager and download the correct version for your system architecture and operating system.
4. Once installed, start the service by opening Activities > Google Music Manager
5. You should be prompted to enter your Google ID. This verifies that the service has been started correctly the first time.
6. Complete the setup wizard.
7. Test to ensure music is uploading to the service by single-clicking on the Google Music Manager icon in the notifications tray, and see if there is a x of xx notification at the top of the context menu.

Additional Info

When I first installed this program on Fedora 17, it *did not* prompt me for account details. This is a tell-tale symptom that there are issues with the files in .config.

This solution was provided by the Google Support team, but is not well documented on their support site. I'm hoping this helps you out when/if you encounter the same issue.

Making a Standing Desk using a Shelving Rail System

Summary

You can make a standing desk out of shelving rails and brackets, and some MDF board. It really doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. I built mine for about $150, but that cost also included paint, and some tools I didn't have. See Basic Costs and Ancilliary Costs for further details.

Standing desk made out of shelving rail system, with a normal desk underneath it for those times you need a break. The 600mm deep shelf is used as the keyboard shelf, and the two 300mm deep shelves are used as the Monitor stands and an extra junk shelf.

Lessons learned

• Measure twice, corroborate your measurements, drill once.
• The internet can show you how to correctly mount shelves. 
• Read procedures, even if you think you know how to erect shelving.
• Don't be too proud to get all the facts before proceeding.
• Wall studs are your friend. 
• Measure these first. Your studs will determine how wide your shelves can be in some scenarios.
• Don't even think about using heavy-duty plasterboard screws for this task. They really aren't strong enough.
• This shelving is holding all your precious IT gear, not your collection of Lego models.
• Studs or nothing.
• Don't cheap out on tools. 
• Get what you need and don't compromise
  or
• Beg, Borrow, (but don't steal - because stealing is bad m'kay).
• Get your wood cut at your local big hardware shop. They usually do it for free, and unless you have a circular saw and a keen eye, you will get much better results having it done on a cutting station.

Basic Costs

• Double-slot Upright Shelving Rail White 100cm x 2 = $14.50
• Double-slot Bracket 320mm White x 6 = $29.40
• Brackets of this size should have holes in the bottom to screw through. Ensure yours do.
• MDF Standard 16mm 900 x 600mm Sheet x 2 = $18.00
• One of these boards gets cut in half, so you get two 300mm shelves.
• Box of 50 10g 50mm Wood Screws (you only need 8) = $9.90

Basic costs total $79.00 if you have the following Anciliary items: 

• Stud detector
• Decent spirit level, at least 60cm long
• some undercoat and gloss paint
• sample pot paint roller.
• Nuts, bolts, and screws that can go through the shelf brackets to anchor the shelves into place.

Ancillary Costs

• 60cm Aluminium Spirit Level - $15.00
• 300g Hole Filler (hopefully *you* won't need this) - $4.50
• Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3 Primer Sealer Undercoat 1 litre (you only need about 500mls) - $21.90
• Really, any cheap undercoat will do. This brand was the smallest and cheapest at the time.
• 1L Pascal Trim W/based Gloss White Enamel (hard-wearing for desks) - $27.95
• Any Enamel Gloss paint will be great. 
• Gloss is easy to clean, and won't be susceptible to greasy finger marks.
• Sample Pot Paint Roller with extra roller - $2.00(seriously worth it).
• Drill, with a selection of drill bits
• I had one of these. 
• Borrow any tools in the ancillary list to save a bucket-load on the raw build cost.

Total for all these ancillaries total about $72.00

Vital Statistics

• Shelving rails are spaced 450mm apart. 
• For me, this was the distance between studs (the vertical strips of timber that hold a plasterboard wall in place). 
• You will need to measure your stud distance before continuing. Don't stuff this up, otherwise that Hole Filler on the Ancillaries list will be in your hardware cart.
• Shelves are 900mm long. 
• This was the closest pre-cut MDF sheet I could find at Masters North Lakes.
• If you want to convert your standing desk back to a seated desk, ensure you put the bottom of the shelving rails at a height that is equal to your current seated desk. You can see that in my picture.
• I used thin nuts and bolts to secure the shelf bracket to the MDF. 
• You can use wood screws if you like for the 300mm shelves.
• I didn't want to risk it for the 600mm shelf, which can be subjected to some load if you lean on the table. There is 300mm of overhang resting on the shelf brackets. Bolts will ensure it doesn't go anywhere.
• The original desk can be used for any number of things:
• Put your drinks on there and keep them away from your IT gear.
• Put admin stuff like filing trays, game figures, your collection of Start Wars Lego.
• Use the original desk as a break desk when having a phone meeting, or +Google+ Hangouts 

Complimentary Benefits

Because I'm a tight arse, and didn't have enough money to purchase some tools, the cool people where I worked loaned me most tools I needed.

I took this one step further, and made a forum where staff can record what tools they are willing to loan to other staff members. So far, it seems to have had a slow response, but as time goes by I can see it as a great way to have an unofficial tool co-op for everyone to benefit from.

Could your office use a Tool Co-Op?

[Fixed] Can't turn on Bluetooth after TF300T 4.2.1 OTA Update

Problem

After receiving the official ASUS Android 4.2.1 OTA update, it is not possible to turn on Bluetooth. The Bluetooth toggle in settings briefly flicks on and off. 

Cause

+ASUS accidentally shipped the update with incorrect file permissions set on /system/vendor/lib/libbt-vendor.so, which is the module that controls the Bluetooth stack. The owner file permissions should be set to read-write (this permission was not set by default), and the Group and Other permissions to read-only. 

Solution

You must have superuser installed on the tablet to implement this fix, because the libbtvendor.so file is in a protected part of the Android file system.

You can use a root-aware app such as Root Browser Lite to access the file path, and then apply the correct permissions. Or you can use a terminal emulator to access the protected part of the file system, and modify the settings.

All instructions are contained in this XDA forum post. Read the first two pages of the thread. The answers are contained within the first two pages for both the command line and Root Browser methods.  Implement the fix and you will have an operational Bluetooth stack again in minutes, providing you are already rooted. 

If you are not, I have written another blog post that can help you there.

For some reason, XDA posts are not that well indexed by google, so hopefully this blog post gets you closer to the information you need to make Bluetooth work again. The other option is to wait until ASUS release an OTA update with the permissions fixed.

Remove Headphone and SD Card Notification from TF300T Notification Tray

The stock ROM from ASUS for the TF300T is generally really great.

But one *really* annoying thing is the fact that every time you insert your headphones, you get this persistent notification that fills up your notification tray.

The same goes for the SD Card.

There is unfortunately no way to remove these notifications for Stock ROM users. I tried flashing both of the update.zip files and cleared the Dalvik/Cache, with no effect. However if you like to run Custom ROMs, you can say goodbye to these annoying tray notifications:

To remove the Headphone Notification read this XDA Forum Post:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2116389

To remove the SD Card Notification, read this XDA Forum Post.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2111142

I installed the mod using the AROMA installer this user packaged from the original files in the above post.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=38294827&postcount=108

Like I said, these files had no effect on the stock OTA 4.2.1 ROM shipped by ASUS. I wish they would work, but they don't at this stage.

Note that some custom ROMs have this feature baked-in, so check the changelog to see if the feature exists already.

And if you're reading this +ASUS , please remove these useless notifications from the Notifications tray for Stock ROM users.

Your users are not that stupid that they need to be told whether headphones are inserted. The same goes for the SD card. If they want to browse to it, then will open a file explorer and navigate to it.

Restore superuser on TF300T JB 4.2.1 with fastboot and TWRP

Problem

Your TF300T was previously rooted, but when you took the official 4.2.1 Jelly Bean OTA update you no longer have root. 

Reason

The partitioning system in Android 4.2.1 has changed since 4.1.2 and what has happened is the su binary has been deleted as part of the re-partitioning of the protected Android system directory.

Solution

1. You need to unlock the TF300T bootloader to allow items to be flashed to the device. 
2. You need to use fastboot to push a compatible custom recovery designed to work with the new system file structure.
3. You need to flash an update.zip using the custom recovery, which contains a su binary with correct permissions applied. 
4. You need to allow the superuser app to update the su binary to the latest version.

Once you complete this process, you have the ability flash custom ROMs. It is critical you understand that only ROMs created using stock ASUS firmware source can currently be flashed to your device. If you flash a ROM not created using the ASUS source, you will not be able to run the ROM and will likely damage your device.

Configuration Assumptions

• You have unlocked your ASUS Bootloader using the latest v8 Asus unlock tool, which is available from http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=28&s=1&m=ASUS+Transformer+Pad+TF300T&os=&hashedid=8BmzkQ4yoz5WzBrW (Utilities section)
• You have Android Debug Bridge (and, by proxy, fastboot) installed and correctly configured on your PC. 
• http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html for Windows/Mac
• sudo yum install android-tools (RPM-based Linux distros)
• You have enabled "developer mode" on the TF300T:
• Settings > About Tablet > Tap on Build Number until "You are now a developer" toast notification displays. 
• Developer Options > Enable USB debugging.
• You have installed +Koushik Dutta 's Superuser app from Google Play

Required Files

• Download the Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) custom recovery, which is available from http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/97. 
• Ensure you read this page thoroughly and download the correct .blob for JB.
• Ensure you choose the openrecovery-twrp-2.4.4.0-tf300t-JB.blob version with the most downloads. This is the one that is the most successful. Versions below this specific version will not work, and will cause your tablet to soft-brick.
• Download the blob file to a working directory on your PC.
• Rename the openrecovery-twrp-2.4.4.0-tf300t-JB.blob to twrp.blob
• Download the patched version of su originally created and shared to Google+ by +Koushik Dutta, and rolled into an update.zip by +Loren M. Lang (huge thanks to these two people).
• Download this file (do not unpack the zip) to the top-level directory on your TF300T sdcard (the internal one, not the removable one).

Process

Read through this process a few times to ensure you have completed all Configuration Assumptions and downloaded all Required Files. Proper preparation before embarking on this process will ensure a smooth installation, and prevent any issues.

I am in no way responsible for you doing any damage to your tablet, or voiding your warranty. These instructions are correct at the time of writing this blog post, however some changes to files referenced in the Required Files section may have been updated to later versions. Always consult the extensive knowledge on XDA Forums if you feel unsure about any part of this process. It is better to ask many questions first rather than waiting until you damage your tablet irreparably.

1. Connect the TF300T to the PC using your supplied power cable.
2. Power down the tablet.
3. Hold Volume Down and Power until the bootloader menu displays.
   NOTE: The v8 bootloader automatically puts the tablet into fastboot mode, ready to accept commands from the PC.
4. Open a terminal and navigate to the twrp.blob file:
• Windows: Use explorer to navigate to the location of the twrp.blob file and press Shift+Right mouse and select open a terminal.
• Linux: cd /Path/to/TWRP.blob
5. Issue the following fastboot command:
   fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash recovery twrp.blob
6. The TF300T screen shows a status bar to confirm the twrp.blob is being flashed.
   NOTE: The progress bar will not disappear from the screen until another fastboot command is issued. You may think the update has failed because the bar does not disappear, but if the blue progress bar is full then the process has worked.
7. Press and hold the power button for 8 seconds, to hard-reboot the tablet.
8. Hold Volume Down and Power until the bootloader menu displays. The selector will be on the RCK item (short for Recovery).
9. Press Volume Up to enter Team Win Recovery Project recovery.
10. Tap Install.
11. Navigate to and choose the update zip you downloaded to the sdcard.
12. Install the update.zip.
13. Restart the tablet normally.
14. Superuser should prompt you that the superuser binary is out of date. Let it update the binary.

Result

You should now have root re-established on your TF300T. 

If you do not, verify the zip was flashed correctly from Step 10. 

If you still have problems, refer to the XDA Forums and request assistance.

Piaggio MP3 250ie Lifetime Running Costs

It had to happen sometime. I had a low-side accident on Wednesday riding the normally un-stackable Piaggio MP3. I can't count the number of times this bikes' parallelogram steering system at the front has saved my bacon in wet weather and on uneven or gravelly surfaces.

Because the bike will most likely be written off, I will be in the market for a new bike. I decided to do the math about how much this bike has cost me over the (just clicked over) 6 years I have owned it.



The exercise has proven to be an interesting one. The first three years were mostly trouble-free, however the fourth and fifth years are where the big-money issues start showing up.


The third year for me was a heavy riding year because I moved out of Brisbane and was doing North Lakes to Brisbane each day. 5000KM intervals came around every three months.

The real thing to be aware of is that between 25000 to 30000 you need to be aware that the front steering bearings and the Master Pressure Switch will need to be replaced (this is part of the scheduled servicing for this particular model). The rear shock absorbers also failed during this time and the rear brake caliper warped and needed replacing (not a scheduled servicing item).

Piaggio shock absorbers on this model are really underrated for the load they need to handle. The bike is heavy, and hopefully in the 300cc version they have addressed this.

Another lesson learned is that if you park your bike on a flat surface (say in your garage), do not engage the park brake. You will stretch the cable unnecessarily, and cause the service interval for this part to be much earlier than it needs to be. I never engage the park brake now unless I am out in a carpark or parking on a hill. Ensure your technician lubricates the pivot point for the handbrake on the brake caliper. Piaggio uses crappy white grease that dries up and siezes.

I'm sharing this information in a hope that it helps you budget for these big expenses (in Australian Dollars), or work out whether this bike is the right one for you as far as servicing costs go. It is rare that you see this information when a bike is sold to you, because in many cases it simply is not available data.
The suggested monthly savings target is just that: a suggested figure. I would be inclined to start off the budget with a float of $500, so you cover your first few services in the year.


All servicing was done by Scooterlife Fortitude Valley. Thanks for looking after me with this bike, guys.

Note: Prices indicated should not be taken as a quote for work done through this company. Always get a quote for big jobs and use a qualified and experienced repair shop for this model scooter. It is more complex than most scooters on the market, and needs special care.


Happy riding!

Deleting old Google Play reviews, and updating them with your G+ identity.

Problem

You have written a review for one of your favorite apps before Google updated the play store to credit your review with your G+ identity. 

You can't find a way of replacing "A Google User" with your G+ name easily

Solution

Follow this procedure to update your review, and have your G+ identity credited to the review:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Open the app for which you want to update the review.
3. Open the Your Rating menu (the rating stars). Your review (with "A Google User" credited) opens.
4. Cut and paste the Title and Comment into a Text File.
   Note: All text fields must be empty.
5. Slide (do not tap) your finger on the Star rating all the way to the left until Unrated displays.
   Note: You should have no stars selected in yellow.
6. Tap the Delete button to delete the legacy review.
7. Exit the app description screen, and then reopen the app description screen.
   Note: This resets the review cache for the app.
8. Open the Rate & Review menu.
   REVIEW BY should be credited at the top, with your G+ photo.
9. From the text file, copy the Title and Comment over to the new review.
10. Change the Star rating from Unrated, to a ranking of your choice.
11. Tap OK to finish.

Can not shut down fedora 17 without providing superuser credentials

Cause

Hypersonic (the service called hsqldb) was starting silently for all run levels between Init 2 and 5, and creating it's own temporary user.

When viewing Activities > Services (GNOME 3), there was no way to stop hsqldb from starting each time. Even after providing superuser credentials.

Consequence

When shutting down fedora 17 of an evening, I was being asked to provide superuser credentials because "Authentication is required for powering off the system while other users are logged in". If I did not provide credentials, the computer would not shut down, and returned to the Login screen.

Fix

Step 1 - List active sessions

Execute the following command to detect what users are actually logged on:


[jmorgan@dhcp-0-209 ~]$ systemd-loginctl list-sessions
   SESSION        UID USER             SEAT            
        10       1000 jmorgan          seat0           
        c2         96 hsqldb                           

2 sessions listed.

This detected the other session as hsqldb

Step 2 - Check run levels

Execute the following command to check the run levels hsqldb was set to automatically start:


[jmorgan@dhcp-0-209 ~]$ chkconfig --list | grep hsqldb

Note: This output shows SysV services only and does not include native
      systemd services. SysV configuration data might be overridden by native
      systemd configuration.

hsqldb         0:off 1:off 2:on 3:on 4:on 5:on 6:off

Step 3 - Turn off all run levels for the offending service

Execute the following command to turn off hsqldb permanently between reboots:


[jmorgan@dhcp-0-209 ~]$ sudo chkconfig hsqldb off

Step 4 - Verify changes

[jmorgan@dhcp-0-209 ~]$ chkconfig --list | grep hsqldb

Note: This output shows SysV services only and does not include native
      systemd services. SysV configuration data might be overridden by native
      systemd configuration.

hsqldb         0:off 1:off 2:off 3:off 4:off 5:off 6:off

Result

Hypersonic (hsqldb) no longer starts on boot, and I can now shut down the laptop without having to provide superuser elevation.

See also

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=818935

On YOMYOMF, and the growing trend of youTube mini-series

On my Google+ feed today, +Neil Lund shared a 4-part youTube mini-series called Drone.

Drone is hosted by a youTube channel called YOMYOMF (which originated from a Asian American pop culture blog, You Offend Me You Offend My Family).

If you watch all four episodes of Drone (I strongly recommend you do, because they are pretty awesome), you'll see that this mini-series would not look out of place on a commercial networks' Science Fiction channel.

So how does a channel like YOMYOMF fund something of this caliber.

There are a number of factors I can see at play here.

youTube sponsorship.

The channel is one of youTube's "sponsored" channels. That's right: youTube curates a list of sponsored channels to highlight and promote original content. Sponsored channels have to drive huge traffic to youTube, and would result in users viewing other videos that come up in the suggested videos at the end of each episode. I can see why youTube do this. Smart business.

Promotional Consideration (or as we know it, Product Placement).

In Episode 4, we get to see credits for the show. This is where the primary funding aspect (at least to my understanding) becomes clear.

There are some big names behind this. Some names are not familiar to me, and may be USA only.

The thing is that I didn't feel like I was slapped in the face with product placement. This makes a change.

If this is the model that allows content to the quality of Drone, then please place product with gay abandon until the robots take over the earth.

I would rather invest 10 minutes every two weeks watching something of epic quality, than put up with a drawn-out, network-carried series. Digestible content, presented to you when you want it. The future...

See also: Sync by Corridor Digital (hosted on BAMMO!)

Creating Shortcut "Apps" on the New Tab page in Chrome

Problem

You have a few websites you access all the time in Chrome, and don't want to clutter up your Shortcut Bar with heaps of shortcuts. 

You also don't want to nest this website shortcut in a deep folder structure, because that isn't easy, is it?

Solution

Chrome lets you create shortcuts on your New Tab page, so every time you open up a new tab, the shortcuts are at your fingertips.

Method

Watch the youTube video to see how to do this (16 seconds)