• How to know my Linux server is running in 64/32 bits?
• How to check which kernel version is my Linux?
• How to show the Linux release name? Is it Ubuntu?Redhat or CentOS or something else?

In work, we have many different linux servers either in physical machine or virtual machine (Using Xen/KVM). Sometimes we easily lost track of which linux version is installed for Server A, B, and other.

There are few simple command to check for which Linux version you were using:

To show the linux release information as per LSB specification

sudo lsb_release -a

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:    Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 8.04
Release:    8.04
Codename:    hardy

To show the Linux kernel build and version

cat /proc/version

Linux version 2.6.24-19-xen (buildd@king) (gcc version 4.2.3 (Ubuntu 4.2.3-2ubuntu7)) #1 SMP Sat Jul 12 00:15:59 UTC 2008

The other commands is to show the kernel version and type:

uname -a

Linux penguin 2.6.24-19-xen #1 SMP Sat Jul 12 00:15:59 UTC 2008 x86_64 GNU/Linux

You must run this script as root.

   for user in $(cut -f1 -d: /etc/passwd); do crontab -u $user -l; done

What does it do? This script basically loop thru /etc/passwd to get the user id and call ‘crontab -l’ for each user. A nice script to share and also I would like to keep it here so easy for me to refer next time.

PSP Gran Turismo

Before Gran Turismo Portable (GTP) release,  I am very interested in it! It was one of the awesome racing game I had  play before when it was on Playstation and Playstation 2 (PS2).

And now the PSP Gran Turismo is out! However there are some issues if you want to play the downloaded ISO from your mod-ed PSP.

Problem:

After PSP’s Gran Turismo Portable image (*.iso) available for download from Internet. There are many who failed to play the downloaded GTP because it required firmware version 6.0/5.50 .

It is not playable in Custom Firmware 3.70, 3.90 M33 o. …or even 5.00 M33-6!! Yeah, I agree that CFW 5.00 M33 is an outstanding CFW that have we play quite number of games. Until this new Original Firmware 6.00 are release, it seems minimum requirement from most of the new games required firmware version 6.0/5.50. Or even can’t play if we have not patched the game! In other word, we are suck now! Yeah, “we”! Mine is PSP-1000 series with CFW 5.00 M33-<unknown> who failed to played Patched GTP! (describe patched GTP later)

Here are some common question posted by some gamer who failed to make it work:

I downloaded PATCHED GTP but how come it still doesn’t work. Is this a prank, fake or what?

Hey I GOT CFW 5.00 M33-6! Why it still can’t work!?

Not working with CFW 5.00 M33-6, frezzes pas psp logo!!

Tried Game Decrypter with GT on my PSP-3001 using GEN 5.03A and still getting black screen.

Solution:

Don’t worry, you just need to sweat for few seconds because there are some great man who made 6.0/5.50 firmware required games work!

From what I have tried, your PSP

1. need at least Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-B, and
2. Your game must be patched by using Game Decrypter (Thanks to Yoshihiro )

First Step: Make sure you have upgrade your PSP CFW to 5.50 GEN-B
In order to upgarde to 5.50 GEN-B, you required to upgrade your current CFW to 5.50 GEN-A. Then only upgrade to 5.50 GEN-B from 5.50 GEN-A. This is the compulsory steps. Don’t worry, it’s as simple as learning 1-2-3.

CFW X.XX –> CFW 5.50 GEN-A –>CFW 5.50 GEN-B

1. First, download Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-A, it is easily found from Internet  (e.g. you may get it from here)
2. Extract the 5.50 GEN-A downloaded zip file, copy it to your PSP memory stick.
3. And run the 5.50 GEN-A PSP Update from your PSP.
4. It will ask you to press “X” to continue and you can just do so.
5. After it is done, you will be getting PSP 5.50 GEN-A from your PSP’s System Information.
6. So now you have 5.50 GEN-A, next we need to upgrade it to 5.50 GEN-B. Same thing, just download the Custom firmware 5.50 GEN-B (e.g. you may get it from here)
7. Extract the downloaded 5.50 GEN-B zip file, and copy to your PSP memory stick.
8. And run the 5.50 GEN-B UPDATER from your PSP.
9. After it is done, your PSP should be CFW 5.50 GEN-B! Congrats!

Second Step: Prepare a patched GTP
While I’m writing this, patched GTP are available for download now. (A) For the easier & lazy way, you can download the Patched GTP and it should works like magic in your upgraded PSP.

(B) The other alternatives is assume that you had downloaded the Original GTP and don’t bother to download the almost 1 GB big file again due to your poor broadband speed. You can use Yoshihida Game Decrypter and UMDGEN to patch your game by yourself.  This will allow you to run your backup games that requires the OFW 5.55 to work properly on custom firmwares 5.50GEN.  The following are the guides I got it from developer’s note and some extra steps that I add in

1. first you need to download Yoshihida Game Decrypter (e.g. you may download from here), extract and install the GameZDecryptZ folder in your X:PSP/GAME  folder
2. *Before you made any changes to the original ISO, it is advised to “Menu > File> File List > Export…” export the file list. (this file is needed later)
3. Okay, now use UMDGEN (e.g. you may download from here) to extract PSP_GAME/SYSDIR/EBOOT.BIN and put that EBOOT.BIN on root of your PSP memory stick.
   • in UMDGEN, open GTP iso file. Browse to PSP_GAME/SYSDIR/EBOOT.BIN, right click on that EBOOT.BIN and choose “Extract Selected..”, extract it to your root of memory stick.
4. Then you can boot game decrypter now you can press X to continue. You will noticed a new folder named “DECRYPTOR” is created on root of your memory stick.
5. connect your usb cable check on root of your memory stick and copy the EBOOT.BIN from the DECRYPTOR folder to UMDGEN and replace that  PSP_GAME/SYSDIR/EBOOT.BIN.
6. *Now import back the file list that you just exported earlier, “Menu > File> File List > Import..”. And select YES to forcing LBAs, then Save.
7. Now rebuild the ISO file. Just save your the modified ISO from UMDGEN to a new ISO file.
8. Finally…. yup! your game is patched! Just copied that new ISO to your memory stick and RACE!!

!!!Important Note: Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-B. CFW 5.50 GEN-B is ONLY compatible with the PSP-1000 (Fat) & PSP-2000 (Slim) v1 or v2. DO NOT attempt to install this on a PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with the TA-088v3 motherboard. And try this at your own risk.

project
- sub-proj1
- - src
- - - - main
- - - - - - java
- - - - - - resource
- - - - - - webapp
- - - - - test
- sub-proj2
- - - - main
- - - - - - java
- - - - - - resource
- - - - - - webapp
- - - - - test

So… how do I get rid of hidden .svn folder/files when copying from sub-project1 to a new sub-project?

rsync -r --exclude=.svn SRC_FOLDER DESTINATION FOLDER

example:

rsync -r --exclude=.svn /root/project/sub-proj1/ /root/project/sub-proj2/

Hope this would help!

SNES Console

During that time, video game console was not very common in Malaysia because not many parents afford to buy any “video game console” for their kids. Parents were always disencourage their kids playing game because they used to believe it may affect their academic results. “Why should I pay for a console which could pull my son away from study!!”

I have to admit that my siblings and I were so lucky that my dad had bought us a SNES. We actually took turn and each of us 2 hours game playing time. Precious memory.

Final Fantasy is always my favorite game after I played Final Fantasy VI(JP) or Final Fantasy III (North America version) 15 years ago. And now their fans are highly expecting the release of Final Fantasy XIII but unfortunately announced that it will be released in 2010.

Final Fantasy VI Opening CG

Final Fantasy VI Town

Final Fantasy Fighting Screen

Final Fantasy VI Fighting Screen 2

Final Fantasy VI Fighting Screen 3

The other game, “Super Mario Bros. 3″ (from Super Mario All Star) is another great game for almost everyone. I bet you guys definitely tried that before right?

Super Mario Bros. 3 Main Menu

Super Mario Bros. 3

Both are very successful title. Oh, nearly forgot to mention “Chrono Trigger”, better check it out.

iPhone 3G

After very long await to SingTel iPhone 3G price release, finally it is released!! Last week I received the news about SingTel iPhone 3G will be launched on 22th August 2008 (that’s tomorrow!!). I keep searching for it selling price or selling package.

There are new packages available in addition to the existing SingTel Plan:

• iFlexi Value
• iFlexi Plus
• iFlexi Premium

These iFlexi Plans are loaded with BONUS mobile data for Mobile Internet Browsing, and extended free Wireless@SG. Broadband on Mobile.

For Existing Plan, the price will be:

Singtel iPhone Standard Price Plan

This iPhone 3G is another dream gadget that I wanted but it seems out of my budget at the moment. Maybe grab it some other time or just give up for this gadget. :’(

The packages below are compared:

Comparison iOne Plus, iFlexi Value and iTwo Value

For 2 year subscription:

iFlexi Value (200 mins, 500 sms, wireless)
SGD$56 X 24mths =    SGD$ 1344
iPhone 3G 16GB     =    SGD$  508
Total = SGD$ 1852 (8GB= SGD$1692)

iOne Plus (100 mins, 500 sms, NO wireless)
SGD$25.68 X 24mths =     SGD$ 616.32
iPhone 3G 16GB        =    SGD$ 848.00
Total = SGD$ 1464.32 (8GB=SGD$1314.32)

iTwo Value (300 mins, 500 sms, NO Wireless)
SGD$48.15 X 24mths =     SGD$ 1155.60
iPhone 3G 16GB        =    SGD$  508.00
Total  = SGD$ 1663.6 (8GB=SGD$1503.60)

Here comes the headache problem again, if I plan to buy this gadget, which plan should I take? sigh.. I think I will go for 8GB/16GB iOne Plus package, to save my $$$ in long run because I don’t think I will use more than 100mins for phone calling within Singapore.

iPhone 3G Black or White

Black or White? Need to see the actual color of real device before I make the choice.

Due to the very demanding of the iPhone 3G. To purchase the iPhone 3G from SingTel, customer required to make a reservation online or via Hello! Store. By the way, I just check www.singtel.com/iphone/booknow, the reservation is closed!! Means what? Only walk in reservation at Hello! Store is available now. SingTel do provide a very detail FAQ section to answer your common question.
Links:

1. SingTel
2. SingTel iPhone 3G
   
3. SingTel iPhone 3G Booking/Reservation
4. SingTel iPhone 3G FAQ section
5. iPhone 3G Technical Specification
6. SingTel iPhone Existing Price Plan
7. SingTel iPhone iFlexi Price Plan

Earlier of May I found that BonusLink will run a new promotion for few items from 26 May 2008 to 31 August 2008. This promotion event called MAD MAD DEALS. There are total 7 items now, as below:

1. Sony Cybershot T2, RM1399 –> RM1129 (-RM200), 14% off
2. **iPod Nano 4GB, RM569 –> RM375 (-RM194), 34% off
3. Nintendo Wii (US version), RM1699 –> RM1259 (-RM440), 26% off
4. Philips 32″ LCD TV 32PFL7332/98, RM3499 –> RM2089 (-RM1410), 40% off
5. Philips DVD Micro Theater MCD299/98, RM1599 –> RM1059 (-RM540), 34% off
6. Philips Docking Entertainment System DCM230/12 , RM929 –> RM629 (-RM300), 32% off
7. Philips Clock Radio AJL308/98, RM729 –> RM499 (-RM230), 31% off
   

As you can see, these items discounted from 14% ~ 40% of original price. What I can say is.. It worth to buy!

Do you see the highlighted item? IPod Nano 4GB, this is the gadget I want the most among the items. It only cost RM375! The first day, 25 May 08 where this MAD MAD DEALS begin, the time I browse to Ipod Nano found that it is OUT OF STOCK, WTF. However, it is in stock on the next day but I have no $$$ for that at this time. =(

By the way, of course there are certain rules. You must have at least 550 bonuslink points and MUST use Maybank2u.com for payment.

Link: BonusLink Mad Mad Deals

Frankly, I really feel glad that my readers do find my guide useful to them.

If you have time, please have a look in Installation of Mac OSx86 in VMWare, you should try this guide which allow us to Install Apple Mac OS into Windows Platform!!

Another guide is bout downgrading PSP, Downgrade PSP 2.5/2.6 to 1.5 is REAL!!!

Enjoy~! I will be back very soon and redesign the site!

Click here to see Sony Ericsson’s Price

Updated on 01 MAY 2007. Hope this post really helps you guys.

Click here to see Nokia Price