Category Archives: Linux

Multi-database Manager for Mac, Windows, and Linux

Let’s face it, having to learn the ins & outs of a unique database interface for each type of database we come across is annoying.  If you’re using a PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite database, you’re either using the archaic command line interface each with their own syntax, a web-based interface, or a specialized GUI application.  If you need to administer the MySQL database, you’ll need to either command line your way through or find an application.  But if the next day you need to administer a PostgreSQL database instead, you need a new set of commands to command line your way through, or use a separate application.  Now the  phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin guys have tried to solved this, but to be blunt, web interfaces stink.  In fact even if you use these two web interfaces, the GUIs are nothing alike.  It is as ridiculous as it is irritating.

So, how would you like a single desktop application that would let you, your employees, and coworkers mange, maintain, and query PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, and perhaps any other database that can be connected via ODBC?  What if it would work on your Mac machines, your Windows machines, and your Linux boxes? Well, I have already started on this and have the ability to read PostgreSQL and SQLite databases since those are the two that I use the most.  Currently databases are readable but not editable; one step at a time.

Before I go further into development, I’m looking for your thoughts: If you were to buy such an application…

- What are the most important databases that the application supports?

- Would you want to pay more to have access to all supported databases or purchase access to databases a la cart?

- Is starting with simple query & editing enough, or would scripting, filtering, and triggers be required in a first release?

- What are the most important features for a SQL editor in your mind?

REALbasic and LogLevels

REALBasic is a great cross-platform programming tool. However, one bug recently bit me. The System.Log function was giving weird results in Windows XP and Windows 2003. The function was working fine in OS X. (I have yet to check Linux.) After some testing, I realized that if I wanted the output to look correct on each platform, I would have to do a conditional compile. Below, is my testing on Windows XP and OS X:

I did a test, and the following RB “Log Levels” are translated into the following in XP’s logging:
LogLevelAlert = error
LogLevelCritical = error
LogLevelDebug = information
LogLevelEmergency = error
LogLevelError = error
LogLevelInformation = information
LogLevelNotice = information
LogLevelSuccess = information
LogLevelWarning = warning

On OS X:
LogLevelAlert = Logs to console
LogLevelCritical = Logs to console
LogLevelDebug = Does not log
LogLevelEmergency = Logs to console
LogLevelError = Logs to console
LogLevelInformation = Does not log
LogLevelNotice = Does not log
LogLevelSuccess = Does not log
LogLevelWarning = Does not log

Finally Have Linux Working Again

This a post I made to the REALbasic forums on June 2. I’m posting it here for my own records. Essentially, I tried many Linux distros and none would get on my network:

I decided to come full-circle last night, so I wiped the drive and reinstalled Fedora Core 5. As I was doing that, I was searching the internet and saw a message regarding another distro (Debian, I think). Stating that this is an issue with “new” 64-bit machines. Something to the affect that there is no timer pin for ACPI. On boot, I noticed an error message “8254 timer not connected to APIC.” Anyway, after adding “noacpi” to GRUB (in /boot/grub/grub.conf), the Fedora Core 5 ditro decided that is was OK to get online.

The only thing left to do is test out the remote debugger (I needed to install an older c++ library) and get Pico installed somehow. Last time I installed Pine and Pico came along for the ride, but Pine said that depencies weren’t there. When I went to install dependencies, I was told that newer versions were already installed.

Why Linux makes me feel like I’m using Windows 95…

Yes, I know it is not good form to complain about something and then ask for help with it but, my gosh, Linux is extremely frustrating! For those that would like to take pitty on me, just look over the rant. 8)

For those who wonder why Linux isn't the primary OS even though Windows is so bad, here is an example of why:
- Fedora Core 3: Once you upgrade the kernel, it won't boot.
- Fedora Core 4: The software update system is broken. How did that make it out of alpha?
- Linspire 5: Requires me to format my Linux drive to FAT32 to install, and then promptly refuses to intall.
- Fedora Core 5: Can't get on my freaking network
- SUSE 10: Works but I can't use my LCD monitor.

Can you feel my pain? I should have left my FC4 install alone, but I fell for the marketing hype that Linspire put on at REAL World 2006. I wanted to install it but all it does is put the GRUB loader on the drive and sit there. I asked for help in the Fedora forums, but once I was told to start switching jumpers around on my drives... I was done. Not gonna happen. Windows boots fine and so did FC4.

Now that my Linux system is trashed, I reluctantly downloaded FC5. Why reluctantly? Because I really wanted to like Linspire, but I'm used to Fedora. So, I install FC5 and it installs flawlessly. Except... I can't get on my LAN. I quadrupal-checked my network settings, ensured the services were actually running (which they weren't initially). The OS thought I was on the LAN but could I ping any local machines? Could I go see Mr. Google? NO. What a wasted day.

Today I figured I'd try SuSE... 5 CDs for the install, no DVD distribution... oh well. I start the installer and my monitor goes out of sync. Reboot and try again, this time changing the resolution configuration. Same deal. So, I decide to go with the "text" install. The first time, 80% or so through the first CD, there's an install error. OK, reformat the drive, install again. This time it works. Yay! I can now configure my system (still in the text mode installer). Yay, the networking works! Yay, I can run VNC as a service! Monitor settings... hmm... It thinks my monitor is some strange model, at least it got the brand right. I go through the list of models, and mine has got to be the only one not in the list!

I switch back to my Mac and find the manual online. The manual is shared between about a dozen monitors. Back to Linux... pick a similar model to mine.

OK! Here we go... no sync with my monitor. :x :x :x

And that, my friends, is my version of why Linux hasn't taken over Windows yet. I feel like I'm dealing with Windows 95 here!

Now on to my plea for help:
I’ve installed SUSE 10 on my PC. The monitor driver is incorrect. I have a Samsung SyncMaster 912N. I told SuSE it was the 910N (or something like that). If I boot up with my monitor connected to the machine, I can’t see anything.

However, I can use VNC from my Mac and get in. Yes! I go into YaST and click the monitor icon… nothing. Double-click… nothing. Again… nothing. :x Other icons pull up windows but not the monitor. I look around some more… ah, “resolutions”, excellent! I can’t change the resolution because I am VNC’d in and doing so is not supported! ARGH!

HELP HELP HELP… I just want the freaken machine to work… :cry: :cry: :cry:

Can anyone give me some solutions?

Mozilla and FireFox Security Hole For Windows

Well, you Windoze users knew that it was too good to be true. Sure enough, Mozilla and Firefox for Windows has a security flaw. Once again, Linux and Macintosh users are not affected. If you run one of Billy Gates’ operating systems, you should go and download either Mozilla 1.7.1 or FireFox 0.9.2.