Mysql 5.1 downgrade to Mysql 5.0 on Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex

Hi couldn't understand why apt-get would always give the following error when trying to downgrade mysql on ubuntu:

Unpacking mysql-server-5.0 (from .../mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb) ...
Aborting downgrade from (at least) 5.1 to 5.0.
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

Finally figured it out. For downgrading, you must delete /var/lib/mysql directory.

After deleting that directory, I ran the following command, and had mysql setup and ready to go:

sudo apt-get -f install

Home Theater setup - HDMI

I have a Sony STR-K7100 HDMI Pass Through system. When I got a laptop with integrated HDMI, I was confident I could get a digitally tuned home theater setup. What I wanted to do, ofcourse, was play netflix movies on my computer, and route them to my projector through the Sony receiver.
This way, I will be able to get digital quality sound through my receiver, and digital quality picture on my projector!

Unfortunately, HDMI pass through means your receiver does NOT read the data passing through it, and only switches two HDMI input ports to one HDMI output port. Quite a waste I think.
So bottomline, I am using a 3.5mm jack to listen to music right now.

Blue Proton Micro Card Reader Review

I accidentally bought a micro MemoryStick card for my Sony DSC-H3. While there was a mini card adapter for the micro, which let it fit fine in the camera, but Laptop SD Card readers declined to accept the adapter.

Looking for the best way a laptop can read a micro card, I found the 'Blue Proton' Micro Card Reader at Amazon.

This thing costs less than $20 with a 4GB Micro memory card included. You can buy it individually for about $6 too.

Here's a closer look at the BlueProton.

Open the BlueProton, and you'll notice, it first looks like a regular USB Memory Stick, and if you pop open the hood, you'll notice it can take Micro SD, MMC Micro, and Micro Memory Stick (M2) cards.

Build Quality:

Unfortunately, build quality of this memory stick is sub-par. It is clunky, and looks cheap. But, once you get over that, you'll find it's able to do its job just fine. I do wish it wasn't so plasticy.


Setup:

Using the memory reader is a breeze. Pop it into the USB memory reader (I used XP and Vista 64 machines to test), and it immediately is recognized and shows up two drives.

Performance:

Given the USB 2.0 specification, it is not surprising that this device gives you great read/write speeds. Upload/download photos like it was an attached hard disk.

Final Take:

If you want a micro card reader, that's easy to take along, and has good performance, this is it. If you want something that looks and feels good too, then the blueproton is not up to the challenge.

HTC Touch Diamond Charging

I've often been asked whether the HTC Touch Diamond phone can be charged using mini-A-Type USB connectors (second from left below).

You see, the HTC Touch Diamond comes with a proprietary HTC ExtUSB Cord - which has a slightly different shape.


The answer is - yes - the HTC can use regular mini-A type plugs, and you don't need to spend a fortune buying their proprietary cables. The HTC is backward compatible, and the extra connectors that are in the ExtUSB, are for using audio/video - such as their headphones.

I have been charging my own HTC Touch Diamond using regular mini-A cables, without any problem. I would say, though, that battery performance is dismal in this phone, but it may be due to the fact that all iphone competitors give low battery life.

HTC Touch Diamond, mini-A USB Connector

ScribeFire for Blogging

I have been giving blogging a shot for sometime now, and since I have a few blogs I write to, I wondered what's a good way to get these blogs of mine out.

Turns out, there's a great firefox extension called  ScribeFire which can help you manage multiple blogs, and turn half of firefox into a full featured blogger.



This is the first blog I'm writing with ScribeFire, and it seems pretty cool.
I also managed to connect to a Google Apps based blog I run on my website for online shoppers, after doing some trial and error.

Looks interesting! I think Blogging is going to be even more pain-free now!

I wonder if these guys have a IE extension, or something for Windows Mobile - on which my phone runs.

Pausing and dialing on windows mobile

On a windows mobile phone - how do you dial a number with intermediate pauses? Simple - put in a comma (sorry, 'p' does NOT do the trick).
You can store your calling card numbers, bridge line numbers, doctors line etc -with the intermediate commas, and you'll be able to get through by just that contact.

For example, to dial 545-328-2571 option 1 and then pound sign, this is what you should dial on your phone: 545-328-2571,1,#
You can put in 2 commas (,,) in stead of 1, for good measure.

Hosted Blogger

I was keen on hosting a blog on a website I spend some time with - Likebucks - which is a site that hopes to be a gold standard for online shopping.

Well, I found Blogger easy to setup and host on the server. I created a blogger account with my website email id as the username - this keeps the blog seperate from regular blogs like this one, which I maintain.

Publishing to my host was easy once I gave the ftp information (I did need to make sure that I don't prefix the location with a '/').

The blog initially showed a header with 'Next Blog', the Blogger logo etc. This was an annoyance - I don't want anyone to know that my blog is hosted on blogger. I did find the setting for turning this off.

In blogger, go to templates, and under 'Edit HTML', set the 'Change the Blogger NavBar' to 'Off'. That's it!