Finding the version number of your Ubuntu

$ cat /etc/lsb-release

OR

$ lsb_release -a

Creating playlists for mplayer

$ find music_folder_name -name "*.mp3" -print > output_playlistname

NOTE: mp3 or any other media extension which mplayer can play should be specified.

$ mplayer -playlist output_playlistname

Enjoy


gtkpod for Podcasts

I found this weird thing with gtkpod (gtkpod-aac as well), that it cannot properly transfer the podcasts in (mp4 format) to my iPod. It shows it transfered but I cannot see it in my iPod. I also tried to get hpodder to work, but it didn't. Why are certain things in Linux so complicated while they should be simpler. I know we keep blaming the h/w vendors for not releasing the specs so that we can build software to work with it, but it seems there are a lot of apps which support iPod connectivity including podcasts. I may have to go the Rockbox way, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I am not comfortable keep switching my iPod software to make things work.

Deleting services from Windows XP

# sc delete

Help page:

DESCRIPTION:
SC is a command line program used for communicating with the
NT Service Controller and services.
USAGE:
sc [command] [service name] ...

The option has the form "\\ServerName"
Further help on commands can be obtained by typing: "sc [command]"
Commands:
query-----------Queries the status for a service, or
enumerates the status for types of services.
queryex---------Queries the extended status for a service, or
enumerates the status for types of services.
start-----------Starts a service.
pause-----------Sends a PAUSE control request to a service.
interrogate-----Sends an INTERROGATE control request to a service.
continue--------Sends a CONTINUE control request to a service.
stop------------Sends a STOP request to a service.
config----------Changes the configuration of a service (persistant).
description-----Changes the description of a service.
failure---------Changes the actions taken by a service upon failure.
qc--------------Queries the configuration information for a service.
qdescription----Queries the description for a service.
qfailure--------Queries the actions taken by a service upon failure.
delete----------Deletes a service (from the registry).
create----------Creates a service. (adds it to the registry).
control---------Sends a control to a service.
sdshow----------Displays a service's security descriptor.
sdset-----------Sets a service's security descriptor.
GetDisplayName--Gets the DisplayName for a service.
GetKeyName------Gets the ServiceKeyName for a service.
EnumDepend------Enumerates Service Dependencies.

The following commands don't require a service name:
sc
boot------------(ok | bad) Indicates whether the last boot should
be saved as the last-known-good boot configuration
Lock------------Locks the Service Database
QueryLock-------Queries the LockStatus for the SCManager Database
EXAMPLE:
sc start MyService

Would you like to see help for the QUERY and QUERYEX commands? [ y | n ]: s

Uninstalling Cygwin from Windows

ref: http://cygwin.com/ml/cygwin/2004-06/msg00964.html

To uninstall Cygwin you have to:

rmdir /s /q C:\cygwin
regedit -s rmcygwin.reg

[rmcygwin.reg]
REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cygnus Solutions]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Cygnus Solutions]

Disabling AutoPlay in Windows XP Professional

ref: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1005112800135

Start > Run > gpedit.msc
(Left Pane) Computerer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
(Right Pane) Set "Turn off autoplay" to "Enabled"