Google Cloud Print on Ubuntu 16.04

As I wanted to be able to easily print from my phone and chromebook, Google Cloud Print was the solution.

Here are the simple steps that I used:

1. sudo apt install google-cloud-print-connector
2. gcp-cups-connector-util init
• It will require you to enter a code at https://www.google.com/device to create the OAuth credentials
• save the created config file somewhere safe
3. gcp-cups-connector -config-filename gcp-cups-connector.config.json

Don't forget to install Cloud Print by Google LLC on your smart phone!

Installing Unifi Controller on Ubuntu 16.04

Here are the steps that I had to do to get Ubiquiti Unifi Controller software installed on Ubuntu 16.04

1. Add the gpg key:
• sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv 06E85760C0A52C50
2. Add the repo:
• echo 'deb http://www.ui.com/downloads/unifi/debian stable ubiquiti' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/100-ubnt-unifi.list
3. Update Sources:
• sudo apt update
4. Install the software:
• sudo apt install unifi

Unfortunately, this resulted in JAVA_HOME not found errors in /usr/lib/unifi/logs/server.log. This is because the unifi software requires Java, but it couldn't find it. I tried to point to the Java 9 path, but that just resulted in errors like: /usr/lib/unifi/data/keystore (Permission denied). Apparently, the software only works with Java 8. To resolve this issue, I installed Java 8 and restared unifi with the following commands:

• sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre
• sudo service unifi restart

Then head over to https://localhost:8443 to complete the setup

Ubuntu 14.04.6 upgrade to 16.04

Because of Ubuntu 14.04 no longer receiving security updates, I had to upgrade to 16.04. In general the experience went fairly smoothly, except for the heart wrenching error messages about sane failing to upgrade and leaving the system in a bad state. However, that did not seem to be the case, as the system was able to reboot fine.

However, not everything was working.

MythTV:

• Error: Webpages say: !!NoTrans: You are missing a php extension for mysql interaction. Please install php-mysqli or similar!!
• Install php mysql connector: sudo apt-get install php-mysql
• Restart Apache: sudo systemctl restart apache2
• Source: https://forum.mythtv.org/viewtopic.php?t=2511
• Error: Webpages say: contains nonaggregated column
• Edit /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mythtv.conf to add: sql_mode=NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION
• Restart mysql: sudo systemctl restart mysql
• Source: https://code.mythtv.org/trac/ticket/12713

Sane (scanning):

• I accidently left a computer running xsane connected, so that may have been the reason it failed
• It worked after telling systemd to start it
• sudo systemctl start saned.socket
• sudo systemctl enable saned.socket
• sudo systemctl status saned.socket

Web Services Dynamic Discovery (wsdd):

• Error: systemd would fail to start wsdd, but running it directly ran fine
• edited /etc/systemd/system/wsdd.service to change group from nobody to nogroup
• reloaded changes: sudo systemctl daemon-reload
• started daemon: sudo systemctl start wsdd
• checked status: sudo systemctl status wsdd

Software Updater:

• Error: Not all updates can be installed
• sudo apt dist-upgrade

Update 2020-05-30:
To fix wsdd, I also had to disable it listening on IP6 address. To do this I edited /etc/systemd/system/wsdd.service

• ExecStart=/usr/bin/wsdd --shortlog -4
• You could also have it just sleep before starting per this issue: https://github.com/christgau/wsdd/issues/18

Samba shares not showing up on Windows 10

I had an issue where my samba shares and printers stopped showing up on my Windows 10 machines. After doing some research, it seems to be due to Windows 10 disabling SMBv1 due to security concerns.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4034314/smbv1-is-not-installed-by-default-in-windows

Now, I could just re-enable this, but I decided that wasn't the best idea due to the security concerns. However, if you want to here is the Microsoft support article about how to do it.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2696547/how-to-detect-enable-and-disable-smbv1-smbv2-and-smbv3-in-windows-and

This forum thread (https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2409183) pointed me to a python package on github that enabled me to have my linux box show up on my Windows 10 machines. https://github.com/christgau/wsdd

Here are the steps that I used to install it on Ubuntu 14.04 that uses upstart:

• git clone https://github.com/christgau/wsdd.git
• cd wsdd
• sudo cp src/wsdd.py /usr/local/bin/wsdd
• sudo vi /etc/init/wsdd.conf
• sudo initctl start wsdd

Check that it is running as an unprivileged user:

• sudo initctl status wsdd
• ps aux | grep wsdd

Contents of wsdd.conf:

# Windows Discovery

description  "WSDD Server"

start on runlevel [2345]

stop on starting rc RUNLEVEL=[016]

respawn

respawn limit 2 5

kill timeout 300

exec start-stop-daemon --start --chuid nobody --exec /usr/local/bin/wsdd

Lenovo Chromebook 500e

Background

As my older Toshiba laptop was just too large, lagging in ssh and vnc applications (WiFi power save?), and battery performance was bad, it was time to try something different. I was tempted by Chromebooks from a price/performance standpoint, so that is where I focused my search.

The Search

Criteria:

• 2-in-1 design
• 11 - 13 inch 1080p display
• Pen Input
• USB Type C charging on both sides
• Processor Min Celeron N3450 (preferably a m3 or i3)
• RAM Min 4GB (preferably 8GB or more)
• Storage Min 32GB (preferably 64GB or more)
• Backlit Keyboard

I had eye on a couple different models:

• HP 14-DA0011DX (on sale $449 from Best Buy)
• No Pen
• 1920 x 1080 16:9 screen
• Core i3-8130U processor
• 8GB RAM
• 64GB storage
• HP X2 (on sale $499 from Best Buy)
• Pen mounts in loop on side
• 2400 x 1600 3:2 screen
• Core m3-7Y30 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 32GB storage
• Screen detaches from keyboard
• Lenovo 500e (on sale $269 from Lenovo)
• EMR Pen
• 1366 x 768 16:9 screen
• Celeron N3450 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 32GB Storage
• Keyboard not backlit
• Samsung Plus (on sale $449 from Best Buy)
• Pen
• 1920 x 1200 16:10 screen
• Core m3-7Y30 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage
• USB C ports on same side
• Reviews cast doubt on longevity of touch screen
• Samsung Pro (on sale $499 from Best Buy)
• Pen
• 2400 x 1600 3:2 screen
• Core m3-6Y30 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 32GB storage
• Reviews cast doubt on longevity of touch screen

The Decision

I decided to go with the Lenovo largely due to the price and minimal compromises. It allows me to try out a Chromebook (and pen input) without spending too much. I also liked it due to its rugged build as I have a toddler that loves "helping". However, if the 14 inch HP would have come with a pen, I probably would have went with that.

The Review

I have had the laptop for 2 weeks and here are my impressions.

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Pros:

• Price, at $270, I could not find any other comparable Chromebooks
• Solid build quality
• Screen looks great indoors, but have not tested visibility outside
• Scheduled Night Light to warmer after 10pm
• Silent operation as there are no fans
• Keyboard typing is great (I am typing this review on it)
• Touchpad works well, but lacks a premium feel
• Pen input was nice when I used it, but have not tested it thoroughly
• Updates straight from Google (Version 71)
• I have not seen a single slowdown with the Quad Core N3450 which benchmarks better than my A8 4500M (https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Celeron-N3450-vs-AMD-A8-4500M-APU/m208922vsm758)
• Came with several free drawing/note apps ranging from $7.99 to $9.99
• Came with 2 years of 100GB of Google Drive storage (about a $40 value)

Cons:

• USB C cable on charger is not detachable
• Keyboard is not backlit
• Only bottom portion of touchpad is clickable
• Chrome OS Web Store took backstage to Play Store and wasn't evident as where to get software from

Other Thoughts:

• A little heavy for use as a tablet
• Between the tabs on top and the shelf on the bottom, the usable screen real estate was not acceptable for web browsing. However, moving the shelf to the left side and setting the display size to tiny and page zoom to 110%, remedied the situation.
• No caps lock key (Use: Alt + Search)
• Function keys (F1-F12) are replaced by Search + Number
• Lenovo is preparing to release a 2nd gen 500e with a Celeron N4100 which would be a nice improvement, but according to their website will on support AC power on one side

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact review (H8314)

In September, I decided it was time to get a new phone to replace my LG G5 that I got in November 2016. The straw that broke the camel's back was the GPS stopped working while I was out of town.

Here is the list of issues I was having with my LG G5:

• Didn't like to stay connected to LTE
• Screen retention
• Poor battery life (tried a replacement battery, but was unable to find an official one from LG)
• GPS would only work after a reboot, then finally quit altogether
• Software had not been updated since January (and still hasn't!)

My wish list for a new phone included:

• Smaller phone for a better one-handed feel
• Great screen and not curved (preferably LCD)
• Fingerprint reader (preferably on the back)
• Consistent updates
• Preferably a Snapdragon 845 processor
• Nice to have: Wireless Charging
• Good price to value ratio

That boiled down to 2 phones, the yet to be announced Google Pixel 3 or the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact. In the end, I went with the XZ2 Compact because of three reasons. First, it was immediately available. Second, it was on sale for $500 vs at least $650 for the Pixel. Third, my wife's Pixel 2 did not feel/look much smaller than my LG G5 and I wanted something that was easier to use with one hand.

Now onto the review. I purchased the XZ2 Compact in Silver on September 8th from Best Buy for $500 ($450 if purchased with Cricket Wireless Sim and Refill card) plus tax. I immediately put it into a clear slim TPU case and put a tempered glass screen protector on it. I have had the XZ2C for a little over 3 months, and it has been a joy to use.

Pros:

• Monthly software updates (was a pain when I first got the phone that I had to install 5 updates)
• Android Pie released in October
• Battery life has been phenomenal, some examples:
• on WiFi with light browsing:
• 4 hours of on screen time in 16 hours with 60% battery left
• 6 hours of on screen time across 48 hours with 22% left
• 3.5 hours of on screen time across 72 hours
• typically go at least 2 days between charging
• One handed feel is great and easy to use
• GPS and Fingerprint reader are quick
• Close to stock android
• Venom, Halloween, and Christmas Themes have been fun to play around with

Cons:

• Sometimes miss the bigger screen
• Screen has slight curve at the edges so screen protectors either don't cover the whole screen or only adhere at the edges
• Miss the ability to pin apps to not be accidentally swiped away
• Miss the convenience of the headphone jack (Added 2019-01-28)

Marvel Future Fight: 44 week update

This is my 44 week update. I have reduced the frequency of updates since my roster is not changing as much.

Update 4.2 (Ant-Man & Wasp) was released. New characters include Ghost, Wasp (Nadia) and Goliath. New uniforms for Ghost, Giant-Man, Ant-Man, and Wasp. New Tier 3 for Thor and Ant-Man.

Update 4.3 (Deadpool) was released with a new epic quest. New characters include Deadpool, Fantomex, Domino, Psylocke, and Stryfe. New uniforms for Colossus and Cable. New Tier 3 for Deadpool.

ABX has been switched to a 2 week rotation.

Update 2018-08-30:
I forgot to mention that I unlocked Apocalypse and am saving up crystals for Psylocke.

Characters

New Uniforms:

• Rocket: Infinity War
• Giant Man: Goliath

Newly Tier2:

• Baron Mordo (materials)
• Rocket
• Star-Lord
•  Hellstorm (materials)

Summary:

• Tier 3: 0
• Tier 2: 61
• 6*: 100