Migrate/Upgrade Debian 7 Wheezy GNU/Linux from 32 bit to 64 bit HowTo
This HowTo converts a working 32 bit installation into a 64 bit system. You keep all programs, settings and data. You start with a 32 bit system that can run 64 bit programs, and finish with a 64 bit system that can run 32 bit programs. We firstly demonstrate an upgrade from 6.0 Squeeze 32 bit to 7 Wheezy because Debian 7 is a pre-requisite.
With the recent release of Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 Wheezy, a new feature called multiarch has been introduced. The facility permits the installation of executable files (such as libraries and programs) from multiple architectures simultaneously on the same system. The primary use of this is to allow 32 bit programs to be run on a 64 bit system, but there are more interesting possibilities. We can turn this on its head, allowing 64 bit programs to run on a 32 bit system, then ultimately replace all 32 bit programs with their 64 bit equivalents. No other operating system can provide this flexible feature.
Upgrading GNU/Linux from 32 bit to 64 bit HowTo
This brief HOWTO shows how to take a working 32 bit 12.04 installation and convert it into a 64 bit system. You will be able to keep all your programs, settings and data. You start with a 32 bit system that can run 64 bit programs, then convert it to a 64 bit system that can run 32 bit programs.
With the upcoming release of Debian GNU/Linux wheezy, a new feature called multiarch is being introduced. The facility permits the installation of executable files (such as libraries and programs) from multiple architectures simultaneously on the same system. The primary use of this is to allow 32 bit programs to be run on a 64 bit system, but it has other uses.
With the release of Ubuntu LTS 12.04 (Precise Pangolin), this feature is available now.
Complete guide to install and run Debian GNU/Linux on Asus WL-500W using OpenWRT
There are various articles describing how to install and run Debian GNU/Linux on USB flash memory on an Asus WL-500W. This guide differs in that it will provide a complete end-to-end set of instructions. All you need is an Asus WL-500W, USB flash memory (say, 2 GB in size), a computer to build the firmware and Debian root filesystem, and an Internet connection to get the source code for OpenWRT and packages for Debian.
Multi-user on Doogee X6
The relatively new Android mobile cell phone from Doogee called the X6 has its multiple user account capability disabled. The operating system is an old and non-standard Lollipop 5.1 Android, but the multi-user option should still be enabled in a phone of this operating system release. Below are a few simple steps to enable it. A prerequisite is installation of the Android Debug B
Grandstream HT503 on Virgin Media
Finding information on setting up the Grandstream Handy Tone 503 (HT 503) analogue telephone adapter (ATA) for the UK on Virgin Media telephone network was a difficult and time consuming task. An overall summary is available for FreePBX. The specific settings were not covered and are summarised below.
Chelmsford winter beer festival 2016
The dates have been set for the Chelmsford winter beer festival 2016. It starts at 12pm on Wednesday 17th of February and finishes at 11pm on Saturday 20th February. The same as last year, the event will be held at King Edward VI Grammar School, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3SX.
Please read on or see the official CAMRA site for further information.
Shy Roomba!
My Roomba 560 seemed shy as it was backed into a corner with a dead battery every time I came home. So, as I had done many times before, I cleaned all the LED sensors under the bumper and fitted a new battery. No change. I eventually found this site about the nine beep dance of death. Ah, more dust in the sensors, I thought. Testing showed the faulty right bumper switch. Taking it apart I was pleasantly surprised by the use of optical rather than mechanical switches. Still, dust could still be a problem.
Chelmsford summer beer festival 2015
It is now time to start preparing for the Chelmsford summer beer and cider festival 2015. It starts earlier this year at 12pm (noon) on Tuesday 7th of July and finishes at 11pm on Saturday 11th July. Just as last year, the event will be held at Admirals Park, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2LY.
Please read on or see the official CAMRA site for further information.
Apache2 fails to start on boot (but subsequent manual starts work fine)
I migrated a virtual machine running the Apache 2 web server software on Debian wheezy GNU/Linux from Bytemark's legacy virtual machine infrastructure to their new BigV infrastructure. Staging this on my internal virtual infrastructure worked without a hitch. However, on the true infrastructure, Apache failed to start on boot with the following message. It would restart without issue if I then logged on and started it manually.
'ACID' compliant NoSQL document database
Following on from FoundationDB's graph store, they are now proposing a document store. Again, there is emphasis on 'ACID' compliance. So, unlike most other newcomers to the database scene, their database will support the protections familar to RDBMS database administrators. The database should be protected from interference and corruption, and benefit from protection of saved transactions.