YourITronics

     This is an update to a previous post regarding the change of mac address in Debian. In the previous tutorial I told you can change it by ifconfig from a root account. Now I’m going to teach you how to set an interface mac address using /etc/network/interfaces . This is a better way to set your mac address because the mac you set in /etc/network/interfaces will always load when the interfaces are loaded so you don’t have to worry about the mac after reboot for example. Let’s start by looking at my /etc/network/interfaces it looks like this:

#This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# The primary network interface
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
address 1.1.1.2
netmask 255.255.255.0
network 1.1.1.255
broadcast 1.1.1.255
gateway 1.1.1.1
dns-nameservers 1.1.1.1
dns-search .com
hwaddress ether 00:01:04:1b:2C:1F

Open this file in your favorite editor. I use nano. You can see that my ip address is 1.1.1.2 and my gateway is 1.1.1.1 instead of these in your file you will see your network settings. Now, under the last line of the interfaces file you have to add the following

hwaddress ether 00:01:04:1b:2C:1F

replacing 00:01:04:1b:2C:1F with the mac you want to assign to the interface where you are adding the line. Now save the file with ctrl+x then y to confirm and restart the network service with
/etc/init.d/networking restart
Now type ifconfig and there it is you should see the mac you entered earlier assigned to eth0 (if you choused eth0). You’re done the mac will now load every time the network load’s.

Small computers are always liked by people. The reasons are obvious they are ergonomic, environmental friendly since they only suck up about 4-6w(considering the number of PCs that are left on continuously that could add up to a big environmental – and cost – saving), silently, they have fanless designs and lets not forget cool. The first reason I can come up for buying a small computer its because it is cool, after the cool part I can think at the other advantages.

Lets start by saying a few words about Linutop a small computer that runs from a USB key. Without internal hard drive, linutop is more robust. It offers a completely silent, low-power operation in an extremely small package. It comes with optimized software to access the Web and Digital Contents (Text, Photos, Music & Videos). Its low energy consumption its very low compared to a normal desktop computer, linutop only uses 5W of energy. A pack of Linutop + USB Key 1 GB Linutop

Is priced at $400. Click the Link to visit Linutop’s web page for full specs and ordering. Next lets talk NorhTec’s MicroClient Jr., an 11.5 x 11.5 x 3.5cm box based on SiS’ 200MHz SiS550 x86-compatible system-on-a-chip part. Like Linutop, the MicroClient Jr has no hard drive, but there’s a CompactFlash slot located on the front or a card containing the user’s preferred operating system – NorhTec will pre-install Linux if you like.

The unit has 128MB of on-board memory, plus a trio of USB ports – two on the front, one on the back – along with a PS/2 keyboard port, two serial connectors, 100Mbps Ethernet and a VGA port. MicroClient Jr. prices start from 120$ and go up according to your preferences. Click the Link for full specs and details.

Next on our list is Sumo ST166. Like Linutop, Sumo Technologies bases its ST166 box on an AMD Geode CPU, either a GX533 or an LX800. The 14 x 13 x 3.2cm unit crams in at least 128MB of memory and 64MB to 4GB of Flash storage. There are four USB ports and 100Mbps Ethernet, audio I/O connectors, and a VGA port. The Sumo’s average power consumption of 4.4 Watts makes it outstanding in its field.

Particularly suited for healthcare and industrial applications, the SUMO ST166 has zero ventilation requirements and is presented in a robust, sealed aluminum case. It has Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Embedded, Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 and Linux operating systems. So its up to you what OS you will use with Sumo. Click the Link to visit Sumo’s web site.

The last small computer we will be reviewing in this article is ThinLinx. ThinLinx offers a more colorful option: the Hot-e. It’s offered in a couple of configurations both based on an AT91RM9200 SoC, itself derived from a MIPS ARM-compatible CPU, and available in lime, platinum or pink color schemes.

Again, an array of USB and serial ports are included, along with Ethernet for networking. And for power – one model, the HL100, supports Power Over Ethernet. ThinLinx also equips the boxes with CompactFlash and SD/MMC slots. The Debian ARM file system is pre-installed with the 2.6.12 Linux kernel. For full specifications click the Link.

    A great piece of kit and it comes cheap(only $19.50), you can buy it from www.adafruit.com, here is what they say about it:

“A great piece of kit and it comes cheap(only $19.50), you can buy it from www.adafruit.com, here is what they say about it:
Tired of all those LCD TVs everywhere?
Want a break from advertisements while you’re trying to eat?
Want to zap screens from across the street?
The TV-B-Gone kit is what you need! This ultra-high-power, open source kit version of the popular TV-B-Gone is fun to make and even more fun to use. This version is best used in countries with NTSC: North America & Asia.
This kit comes with all parts necessary. Tools and batteries are not included. This is a very simple kit and great for people who have never soldered anything before.
Power: 2 AA batteries (not included)
Output: 2 narrow-beam and 2 wide-beam IR LEDs
Number of TV power codes: 46
This covers pretty much every TV of the following brands, including the latest flat-screens and plasma TVs
Acer, Admiral, Aiko, Alleron, Anam National, AOC, Apex, Baur, Bell&Howell, Brillian, Bush, Candle, Citizen, Contec, Cony, Crown, Curtis Mathes, Daiwoo, Dimensia, Electrograph, Electrohome, Emerson, Fisher, Fujitsu, Funai, Gateway, GE, Goldstar, Grundig, Grunpy, Hisense, Hitachi, Infinity, JBL, JC Penney, JVC, LG, Logik, Loewe, LXI, Majestic, Magnavox, Marantz, Maxent, Memorex, Mitsubishi, MGA, Montgomery Ward, Motorola, MTC, NEC, Neckermann, NetTV, Nikko, NTC, Otto Versand, Palladium, Panasonic, Philco, Philips, Pioneer, Portland, Proscan, Proton, Pulsar, Pye, Quasar, Quelle, Radio Shack, Realistic, RCA, Samsung, Sampo, Sansui, Sanyo, Scott, Sears, SEI, Sharp, Signature, Simpson, Sinudyne, Sonolor, Sony, Soundesign, Sylviana, Tatung, Teknika, Thompson, Toshiba, Universum, Viewsonic, Wards, White Westinghouse, Zenith
Max distance: At least 100 ft!”

    It seems that we like remote controlling stuff around the house. So why not control your computer remotely. Many people have turned their Pc’s into multimedia centers replacing their tv, dvd, mp3 player. But a multimedia center without a remote it’s not so good. There are a few commercial alternatives, but they are a bit expensive and are not totally adaptable.

    I have build a project like this which I will present in a future post, it’s a much simpler version of an IR receiver connected to the COM port of your computer and with the help of a plugin trough a software called Girder I successfully control almost anything in my computer. The IR receiver we are talking about now it’s a bit more complicated and more advanced, it uses ATtiny13 microcontroller.

    You have the possibility to turn on/off your computer and also control anything you like from your computer. A note to this project is that its only programmed to work with RC5 remote controls. If your remote control is made to work with RC6 code, or any other IR (InfraRed) system different than RC5, you will never make this circuit work. This is a nice project with practical applications, and its easy accessible to beginners. Click the Link to go to author’s webpage for details and schematics.

    This is simple, and the pictures tell you enough. Denkimono.com offers you the possibility to buy a kit of this alarmclock/timer that you can assembly yourself. It is available in 2 modes as a kit or ready assembled. The kit comprises of a PCB and all the necessary components.

    The assembled version comprises of a fully populated and tested CPU and display PCB. All that is required is for the two boards to be connected together and mounted on the battery. Printed instructions are provided with both forms of the product. I don’t think they supply you with schematics. That would have been nice to give others the opportunity to build the project themselves. But its their idea and their right to sell it. For full details and ordering click the Link.