How to Improve/Enhance HTML Rendering in Firefox

I have to admit this. I have become a font fetish. I am obsessed on making my desktop's font perfect. I also make sure that my web browser rendered fonts and images on webpages correctly. I don't really care about these things before, but I don't know what happened to me now.

Anyway, I already wrote about improving the font in Xubuntu's desktop. Now, let me show you how to enhance HTML rendering in Firefox on Xubuntu. The hack is actually very simple and easy to do. No need to install additional packages, edit configuration file, or go to the command line. Before I'll go on with the steps, you might want to look at how the image and font were rendered before the tweak.

Image (before):
Notice the "top right" (white) portion of the search box. If you look closely, you can see that it is a little bit uneven. You may say that it is not really that noticeable, but in other websites, the image rendering could be worse.

Font (before):
This is an example of the default font.


Now, try this tweak and notice the difference:

1. Open Firefox.
2. From the top Menu, click 'Edit', and then 'Preferences'.
3. Inside 'Firefox Preferences', change the Default font to: Verdana, and the Size to: 14.
4. Click the Advanced button.
5. Inside ‘Fonts’, uncheck "Allow pages to choose their own fonts..."
6. Click on OK, and then close ‘Firefox Preferences’. You are done.

The after effect:

Image (after):
The "top right" portion is now even.


Font (after):
The Verdana font (below) is definitely a lot clearer to read compared to the default font shown above.


This hack may not work for all, but there’s really no harm in trying.
***

How to Use a Mobile Phone as Modem in Linux

My home internet connection got disconnected a couple of times last month. I'm just glad and lucky that I have a cell phone that I can use as a modem for my Linux box every time my internet provider messes up.

Here's an easy tutorial on how I use a Nokia 9500 Communicator as Modem.

Note: this may also work with other Nokia mobile phone models that have internet capability.

1. Connect your phone to the computer via USB cable.

2. Open a terminal and type:

lsusb

3. You will get an output almost similar to this one:

jda@linux-lab:~$ lsusb
Bus 003 Device 004: ID 0421:0405 Nokia Mobile Phones 9500 GSM Communicator
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 05e3:0606 Genesys Logic, Inc.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0a12:0001 Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd Bluetooth Dongle (HCI mode)
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000

4. Notice the numbers 0421 & 0405 on the line in which 'Nokia Mobile Phones' is displayed. 0421 is the Vendor ID (VID), while 0405 is the Product ID (PID). We will use these numbers later as 0x421 & 0x405.

5. Enter this command:

sudo /sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x(VID) product=0x(PID)

eg, in my case: sudo /sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x421 product=0x405

6. Now enter this command:

wvdialconf create

7. You will get an output which will be similar to this:

Editing `create'.

Scanning your serial ports for a modem.

WvModem<*1>: Cannot set information for serial port.
ttyS0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- failed with 2400 baud, next try: 9600 baud
ttyS0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- failed with 9600 baud, next try: 115200 baud
ttyS0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- and failed too at 115200, giving up.
Modem Port Scan<*1>: S1 S2 S3
WvModem<*1>: Cannot get information for serial port.
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 Z -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0 -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Modem Identifier: ATI -- Nokia
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 4800: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 9600: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 19200: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 38400: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 57600: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 115200: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 230400: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Speed 460800: AT -- OK
ttyACM0<*1>: Max speed is 460800; that should be safe.
ttyACM0<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0 -- OK

Found an USB modem on /dev/ttyACM0.
Modem configuration written to create.
ttyACM0: Speed 460800; init "ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0"

8. Find the location of the modem, in my case at /dev/ttyACM0, and also the Max speed which is 460800.

9. Now enter this command:

sudo vi /etc/wvdial.conf

Note: You can use any text editors. I used Vi here.

10. A file will open. Delete everything in that file and replace it with the following: (Don't forget to put the 'modem location' and 'max speed')

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = PUT MODEM LOCATION HERE
Baud = PUT MAX SPEED HERE
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
ISDN = 0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Phone = *99#
Username = username
Password = password
Stupid Mode = 1

11. Save the file, and the setup is done.

12. You can connect by opening a terminal and then typing the command: wvdial. You will then get an output like shown below if everything worked as expected.

jda@linux-lab:~$ wvdial
WvDial<*1>: WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.56
WvModem<*1>: Cannot get information for serial port.
WvDial<*1>: Initializing modem.
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATZ
WvDial Modem<*1>: OK
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
WvDial Modem<*1>: OK
WvDial<*1>: Modem initialized.
WvDial<*1>: Sending: ATDT*99#
WvDial<*1>: Waiting for carrier.
WvDial Modem<*1>: ATDT*99#
WvDial Modem<*1>: CONNECT
WvDial Modem<*1>: ~[7f]}#@!}!} } }2}#}$@#}!}$}%\}"}&} }*} } g}%~
WvDial<*1>: Carrier detected. Starting PPP immediately.
WvDial: Starting pppd at Wed Feb 6 21:53:10 2008
WvDial: Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/pap-secrets: Permission denied
WvDial: --> PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) may be flaky.
WvDial: Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/chap-secrets: Permission denied
WvDial: --> CHAP (Challenge Handshake) may be flaky.
WvDial: Pid of pppd: 5936
WvDial<*1>: Using interface ppp0
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: local IP address 10.157.42.199
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: remote IP address 10.6.6.6
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: primary DNS address 121.1.3.208
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]
WvDial<*1>: secondary DNS address 121.1.3.199
WvDial<*1>: pppd: ��[06][08]ؗ[06][08]

13. You are now connected. Disconnect by hitting Ctrl+c.

How to Easily Improve/Enhance Font Rendering in Xubuntu

I freshly installed Xubuntu “Gutsy Gibbon” today on my main workstation replacing my Ubuntu installation. I just love the speed and simplicity of an Xfce desktop. However, there's a certain problem that I always encounter after a clean install. It's the font.

I find Xubuntu and even Ubuntu’s default font rendering somewhat ugly compared to that of Windows XP. However, there are many ways to make your Xubuntu font a thing of beauty. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Open a terminal, and then enter the ff. code:

sudo apt-get install libcairo2-dev libxft-dev libfontconfig1-dev

sudo apt-get remove libcairo2-dev libxft-dev

mkdir fontpatches

cd fontpatches

sudo aptitude update

sudo aptitude install libfreetype6 libcairo2 libxft2

2. Restart X-server after installing the packages by pressing CTRL + Alt + Backspace.

3. When Xubuntu comes back, go to Menu -> Settings -> User Interface Settings

4. Turn on sub-pixel hinting and anti-aliasing. Activate also the "Use hinting" option and choose a value of slight, medium or full hinting depending on your preference and your screen resolution. I'm using medium hinting on my 19" monitor that has an optimum resolution of 1440x900.

5. I’m a big fan of Bitstream Vera Sans font, and many have said and testified that it works well with the rendering. Therefore, it is sensible to replace the default ‘Sans’ font.

I hope this will work for you too. Enjoy your new font and notice the big difference.
***

Ways to Remove and Avoid the 'Lame' CommWarrior Virus

As described by F-Secure, CommWarrior is a worm that operates on Symbian Series 60 devices. Phones infected with CommWarrior will start searching for other devices within Bluetooth wireless range and will attempt to send infected SIS files to the discovered devices. CommWarrior will also spread via MMS as it will read the user's local address book for phone numbers and will then start sending MMS messages automatically.

I know that there are already plenty of tutorials available on the web on how to remove the said virus, but I would like to write my own version. I’m doing this because I believe that CommWarrior is still pretty much rampant. Just yesterday, my mother’s Nokia N70 got infected. It would have been costly if I didn’t know how to disinfect her phone because she would have to send it for repair.

F-Secure listed several CommWarrior variants with corresponding detailed descriptions. They have also given several instructions on how to remove them. So, my tips are basically just in addition to those specified by F-secure.

Removal:

Case 1: If your phone can still be properly turned on, doesn’t hang or freeze, and doesn’t restart/reboot on its own, the best thing to do is download the F- Secure Mobile Anti-Virus and follow the instructions on installation and virus removal.

Case 2: If your phone can’t be properly turned on, keeps restarting on its own, hangs or freezes occasionally, there's no other way to fix it but to "reformat" the phone or do a hard reset. A reformat will wipe out all your saved files from the phone's own memory. To do this:

a. If available, remove the MultiMediaCard (MMC) first. Then, turn the phone off.
b. Turn it on and then immediately hold the green * 3 buttons at the same time . Hold until you will be prompted to reformat, or in other cases until the "Country Select" screen will appear.
c. After reformatting, you can now install the Anti-Virus.
d. Reboot the phone and then activate the Anti-Virus.
e. Reinsert the possibly infected MMC. Run the Anti-Virus and let it clean the phone as well as the MMC. Though, I still think that the best way to clean the MMC is to reformat it.

Prevention:

CommWarrior or just about any other phone viruses are very easy to avoid. Just follow these simple rules:

1. Don’t leave your Bluetooth device "always on".
2. Don’t install applications that came from unknown sources.
3. Don’t download and install applications from "untrusted" websites.

That’s about it. I will leave you with some words of wisdom from the Department of Health :)

When dealing with computer and phone viruses, or in worst case HIV virus, remember that "prevention is always the best cure".

For Dummy: How to install/upgrade/increase RAM

Every once in a while, I will be posting an easy-to-follow and easy-to-do computer related tips and tutorials. My main aim is to provide in my own little way some technical help and advice to those who are still lacking the know-how to fix or do several computer associated tasks. So here is my first uncomplicated tutorial, and it’s about the proper way of installing RAM:

What is RAM?

RAM is short for Random Access Memory. It is the area where your computer stores programs that you are currently running and data that you are currently working on. RAM is different from disk storage, e.g. hard-drive. Each and every one of your programs and data are held by disk storage whether you are running them or not. The moment you turn off the computer, the contents of RAM will instantaneously disappear, but the contents of your disk storage will remain in tacked. RAM is also different from ROM. ROM (Read Only Memory) are memory chips that have had data stored on them which cannot be changed at all. ROM chips can be usually found on a computer motherboard.

Why upgrade or increase RAM?

The main reason for upgrading RAM is speed. More and faster RAM means quicker and more responsive computer performance. Upgrading RAM is considered as one of the cheapest if not the cheapest way to speed-up a computer.

When to upgrade or increase RAM?

When your computer is running sluggish while performing memory demanding tasks like video and graphics editing, CD/DVD burning, or while running several applications simultaneously, then upgrading RAM is one of the best available solutions.

How to install RAM?

Before adding RAM, be sure to read these important tips and reminders first:
*If you have a new motherboard, check the owner’s manual or manufacturer, this is the sure way to purchase the correct type when you're adding computer RAM.
*If you want to add RAM to your current motherboard, the easiest way is to see which type of RAM you currently have. First open your computer case. Remove your current RAM by pushing down on both of the retaining clips holding the RAM in place. Your RAM should have the type and speed printed on it. That's the type you need!
*You can mix different memory speeds and sizes but not of different types. Like a DDR and DDR2 cannot be used together.
*Stand on uncarpeted flooring to reduce static electricity. Touch as little as possible inside your machine and especially avoid touching any computer chips. Static damage, and even oil from fingertips, may cause a failure months later.

Instead of illustrating the procedures on how to install, upgrade or increase RAM myself, I'm going to refer you to these existing good tutorial sites that can be found here and here. If you have some questions or needed extra help, you can always ask me later thru a comment. And then there’s always Google, when all else fails.