Today's Linux Nugget

I've been using Linux almost exclusively for quite a few months now and I have been avoiding setting up my printer until I needed it because it is connected via a USB to parallel port adapter and it didn't work out of the box. Linux seems to have no idea it is there.

Well, today I needed it. I rolled up my sleeves and got ready for frustration, but it wasn't that bad. Contrary to what I thought, there is no driver that I needed to install for the USB to parallel adapter. In fact, it was already installed.

~$ ls /dev/u*
/dev/urandom  /dev/usblp0  /dev/usbmon0  /dev/usbmon1  /dev/usbmon2

It is right there as /dev/usblp0. But the printing system in Gnome seems to know nothing about it. So how do I add my printer?

Assuming you are running Ubuntu 10.04 as I am: Select System > Administration > Printing, click the Add button, then select Other in the devices list. Now enter the magical device URI:

parallel:/dev/usblp0

Add your printer using the built-in Linux driver and voila!

More Baking

I got around to making supper tonight, and some Chelsea Buns! I hope these taste OK because I have never actually made them before.

Pizza!

Here are some pictures of the pizzas we made yesterday. We have been making one fancy one (prosciutto ham, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, pesto) and the usual "kitchen sink" pizza. They are both good. The crust turned out a little thinner than it should have, but that was because I was pushing it to fit the two large pizza stones.







I think today I am going to try to make Chelsea Buns!

Long Weekend

This weekend is a long one in Canada as Monday is Labour Day. We don't really have any plans, but personally I'd like to get the following done in no particular order:

• Bake some bread


• Play lots of guitar


• Work on the latest amplifier cabinet


• Clean out all the old computer carcasses lying around my basement

Seeing as it is freezing cold and raining, it should be a good weekend to get some indoor stuff done.

Since we didn't have our usual Friday night home-made pizza last night, we're doing it tonight. We've been making some rather nice pizzas lately. Perhaps I'll post some pictures later tonight before we eat them!

I'm Selling My Bike

Let me know if you are interested!

From Motorcycle

Click here for the Kijiji ad.