I’m still using old Compaq Evo laptop. It has 14.1″ LCD (so compact) but with with 1400 x 1050 resolution (full specs are here). Hi resolution is critical for me because I often use remote desktop on different hosts, and there are still only rare cases when remote desktop size is higher than my; so remote desctop almost always fit to my local desktop without scrolling.

CPU and memory is not quite big, but Ubuntu Linux still works good enough.

This model has changeable «multiport» module on the cover, with WiFi and Bluetooth modules available (some time ago; for now such spare module is rare thing). I bought my Evo with WiFi module, just to found that it works BAD under Windows, and almost not supported in Linux.

But, good news was that «multiport» connector is just USB interface. So, I (with help of my friend with soldering skill mutch better than my) was able to place USB type-A female connector on laptop cover.

Next logical step was to use polyurethane glue to put pieces of 50mm (2″) ‘loops’ part of velcro hooks-and-loops fastener to the cover surface, and ‘hooks’ pieces on various usb devices I’m using.

On this photo you could see how my laptop looks now. There are D-Link USB hub, in which WiFi card (TP-Link) and wireless mouse (Logitech ‘Nano’ series) are connected. Also there are two spare sockets on hub (there are extender n one of them), usually used for attaching memory sticks, card readers and 4G-modem when I need them.

For one small (web)project I need bug tracker / issue tracker / workflow system / name-is-as-you-wish tool. (read more…)

Here is translated piece of IDE hardware RAID discussion in ALT-linux maillist:

3Ware card (priced $200 roughly) is really hardware RAID, vendor-supported (and stable) module is already in Linux kernel. This is the best IDE-RAID card (at least ataraid-list maillist stated so) and actually the single really hardware-implemented RAID card.

On some hardware RAID solution from Fedora maillist:

MPlayer news page, post of 2004.07.23:

One of the hard drives in our project server is failing and needs to be replaced. Since it is part of a RAID1 array and performance suffers a lot when running RAID1 with different geometry drives we need either the same model as replacement or two new IDE drives.

Red these and many other opinions, I choose to go with Linux kernel-based software RAID for my current project.

Sorry, but if you aren’t system administrator, you probably will not understand this (from here).

Here it is! The cleverest and sharpest download page I seen ever!

Why I’m so exited?

1. As on many software vendor sites, this guys try to get your email. But they give a good reason for it (series of evaluation tips and tutorials).
2. They say how many mails will you get from them.
3. Thay clearly and decisively point that they will not give away your email address.
4. There are help for solving download problems.
5. There are alternate download locations and .ZIP versions.
6. You know what version, from what date, and of what size you will get.