IBM XIV Storage System: Architecture, Implementation and Usage

IBM has just release a brand new redbook for IBM Storage XIV Storage system.

Link : http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedpieceAbstracts/sg247659.html?Open

Project Renaissance (as of July 2009)

Mission Statement of the OpenOffice project team :

“Create a User Interface so that OpenOffice.org becomes the users' choice not only out of need but also out of desire”

The new UI for OpenOffice is coming. It will be enhanced in many areas, but I don't have the details yet. I will post soon when got more information.

See the prototype screenshots below :

Full article : http://is.gd/2gkPy

Once again, Safari 4.0.3 is faster than Firefox 3.5.2.

Since my last post about Safari and Chrome browser on Mac OS X (http://ponkpeerapong.blogspot.com/2009/07/browser-google-chrome-301920-is-faster_09.html), Chrome has the fastest java script engine, then Safari, and the last is Firefox. I didn't mention about IE because for me it is just too slow to use.

You may notice that recently Safari and Google Chrome has improve its Java script engine a lot in teams of performance in many aspects such as bit, date, crypto operations, but seems like Firefox was left behind, the performance of few recently-released Firefox are still slower, although it improved from the previous version 3.0. See the result for yourself.

In this test for Safari 4.0.3 and Firefox 3.5.3, once again Safari won.

Full picture : http://twitpic.com/eon7k/full

12 Really useful and FREE OpenOffice, StarOffice and NeoOffice extensions

I'm the OpenOffice fan, I use it to replace M$ Office, It really works for me. Recently, I found its extension that could dramatically help on my day to day documents and presentations. It's all FREE from the repository (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org)

Here the list the most usable to me :

(1) PDF Import Extension (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/pdfimport)

The PDF Import Extension allows you to import and modify PDF documents. Best results with 100% layout accuracy can be achieved with the "PDF/ODF hybrid file" format, which this extension also enables. A hybrid PDF/ODF file is a PDF file that contains an embedded ODF source file. Hybrid PDF/ODF files will be opened in OpenOffice.org as an ODF file without any layout changes. Users without this extension can open the PDF part of the hybrid file with their PDF viewer.

(2) Sun Report Builder (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/reportdesign)

Create with the Sun Report Builder stylish, smart-looking database reports. The flexible report editor can define group and page headers as well as group and page footers and even calculation fields are available to accomplish complex database reports.

(3) Sun Presenter Console (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/presenter-screen)

The Presenter Console Extension provides more control over your slide show presentation, such as the ability to see the upcoming slide, the slide notes, and a presentation timer whereas the audience see only the current slide.
To avoid confusions by displaying a large number of presentation elements, the Presenter Console displays the elements on three different easily changeable views.

• The first view displays the current slide, including the effects and the upcoming slide
• The second view the speaker's notes in large, clear and scalable type plus the current and upcoming slide.
• and a slide sorter view with the slide thumbnails on the third view.

You will easily love this Extension it helps you to drive your presentation smoothly, especially the notes view which keeps you away from paper notes.

(4) Sun Presentation Minimizer (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/PresentationMinimizer)

The Sun Presentation Minimizer is used to reduce the file size of the current presentation. Images will be compressed, and data that is no longer needed will be removed.
The Sun Presentation Minimizer can optimize the image quality size. Presentations designed for screen or projector do not require the same high quality as presentations designed for print.
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) objects are useful during the presentation design phase but they are up to twice the size of a regular image.
The Sun Presentation Minimizer can replace these OLE objects with images without any quality loss. In addition to reducing the file size, the Sun Presentation Minimizer can remove speaker notes and hidden slides so that you do not publish confidential information by mistake.
The wizard summarizes of all of the changes that will be made to your presentation, and gives you an estimate of the file size reduction.
Note ! The Sun Presentation Minimizer also works on Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

(5) Sun Wiki Publisher (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/wikipublisher)

The Sun Wiki Publisher enables you to create Wiki articles on MediaWiki servers without having to know the syntax of the MediaWiki markup language. Publish your new and existing documents transparently with the Writer to a wiki page.

All important text attributes such as headings, hyperlinks, lists and simple tables are supported. Even images are supported as long as they have already been uploaded to the wiki site. An automatic upload of images is currently not supported.

It is the perfect extension for all users who want to make existing documentations and specifications available on MediaWiki servers. Just load the document and call the Extension with 'Send – MediaWiki Server'. A dialog will guide you to publish your document.

Requires StarOffice 9 (or OpenOffice.org 3.0) or higher

(6) Sun Professional Template Pack 1 (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/SunTemplatepack_1)

Use the OpenOffice.org template package to save time and professional "look and feel" of templates ensure output is noticed and read. Each template makes creating personalised and individual OpenOffice.org documents a breeze with built-in images and text styles. All you need to do is to add your own content.
More than 80 templates for OpenOffice.org Writer, Calc, Draw and Impress

• Business (formal) correspondence templates
• Cover pages, tournament and league brackets, and certificates templates
• Presentation and presentation background templates
• School and University relevant templates
• Keep an overview over your personal and mortgage expenses with the spreadsheet templates

This is the English version of the Professional Template Pack. All templates are in English
These templates are also available in four other languages :

Requires StarOffice 8 (Update 4 or higher) or OpenOffice.org (2.0.4 or higher).

(7) Sun Professional Template Pack 2 (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/TemplatePack_II)

Do you want to enhance the quality of your created documents or want to create professional and stunning looking presentations?

With these professionally designed document templates and presentations it is a simple task.

More than 120 templates for OpenOffice.org Writer, Calc, and Impress

Template Pack II includes

• Business correspondence templates in six different layouts
• Budget and project plan templates
• Event posters in six different layouts
• Invoices, notes, minutes, press release templates in six different layouts
• Presentation templates
• A dozen formal and personal letter templates
• Business card templates

A German version of the Template Pack II is also available.

(8) Sun Connector for MySQL (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/mysql_connector)

The Sun Connector for MySQL installs a native MySQL database driver. It is faster, seamless integrated, easier to administrate and there is no need to install and setup a JDBC or ODBC driver separately. It was never easier to use MySQL databases in OpenOffice.org Base. Create new database tables or use the powerful SQL query editor of OpenOffice.org to visually build MySQL database queries without learning SQL commands. Not to forget the database forms, that allow you to display and manipulate data.

You might also want to check out the Sun Report Builder to create stylish, smart-looking database reports. The flexible report editor can define group and page headers as well as group and page footers and even calculation fields are available to accomplish complex database reports.

Please note that this extension requires an OpenOffice.org 3.1 and a MySQL Server 5.1 or newer.

(9) eFax for StarOffice and OpenOffice (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/efax)

Send and receive faxes from within the StarOffice or OpenOffice.org office suite. eFax is an online fax service that eliminates the need for a fax machine, an extra fax line and all the associated expenses (paper, ink cartridges etc.). You can continue to use your existing fax number or obtain a new number for free. When someone faxes to your number, the fax is displayed in the eFax Messenger solution if it's installed on your computer or the fax is converted to a file and is emailed to you as an attachment. The extension integrates eFax into StarOffice or OpenOffice.org and gives you a free 30-day trial.

If you already have an eFax account you can continue to use your current eFax number, or you can sign-up today to get a new local or toll-free eFax number for a FREE 30-day trial.

eFax is a service of J2global, for more information see the eFax web page

Requires StarOffice 8 (Update 5 or higher) or OpenOffice.org (2.1 or higher)

(10) Sun Connector for Alfresco CMS (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/alfrescoconnector)

The Sun Connector integrates OpenOffice.org and StarOffice perfectly with the Alfresco Document management server. The user has full access to all documents stored on the Alfresco server. An easy to use and clear front end makes it easy to create, load, edit and save documents including checking in and checking out. Move over to the fully supported Alfresco Workflow for auditing documents. Not to forget the support of the Alfresco Spaces and the ability to search within the documents hosted on the Alfresco server.

Alfresco is the Open Source alternative for Enterprise Content Management systems.

The Sun Connector for Alfresco CMS is free of charge.

(11) Sun Connector for SharePoint Server (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/sharepoint_connector)

Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services provides a single workspace for teams to organize documents and participate in discussions. The Sun Connector for SharePoint Server makes StarOffice or OpenOffice.org the perfect SharePoint client and adds the support for the ODF (OpenDocument) file format in Microsoft SharePoint Services.

The Extension allows users to search, browse, edit or check-in/out documents that are stored in the Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. It also extends the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server front end to load documents with OpenOffice.org and enables Microsoft SharePoint Services to search within ODF documents.

Note: This first release of the SharePoint Connector will support the Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and later this year, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 will be supported.

(12) Ichitaro document filter (http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/ichitaro)

Researcher Warns Of 'Critical Bug' In Windows 7 RTM

A Critical 'ShowStopper' bug found in Windows 7 RTM that causes the crash.

Source : http://www.crn.com/software/219000173;jsessionid=JVJ211TMNCVJLQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN

iPhone Cool Codes

iPhone Codes: Network & Phone Information

*3001#12345#*- Opens up the “Field Test” settings on your iPhone, which allows you to see many, many advanced network settings on your phone including cell site information and more.
*#06# – Displays your iPhone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number (this code also works on many other phones).


*#21# – Displays any call forwarding settings enabled on your iPhone.
*#43# – Shows you if call waiting for various parts of your phone are either enabled or disabled.
*#30# – Shows you if you have the call presentation (to see who is calling you) setting enabled or disabled.
*#33# – Displays call barring settings for your iPhone, and weather they are enabled or disabled.


iPhone Codes: Carrier & Billing Information

*646# -View available minutes on your AT&T plan (*min#).
*777#- View available minutes on your AT&T pre-paid plan (if you get the “Account Not Found” error, you do not have a pre-paid account and you should try the code just above this one for postpaid accounts).
*3282# - View wireless data usage statistics (also *data#).
*225# – Check the bill balance on your AT&T account (also *bll#).
*729 – Makes a call to AT&T to pay your wireless bill.

Source : http://www.xsellize.com/

IF your PGP WDE 9.x boot disk does /NOT/ boot.

This is the step-by-step guide to recover your PGP WDE encrypted boot disk, in case it refused to boot. The article from PGP Support Forum.

Bottom line - I have my disk back. I post the steps I took below for others to read. Please comment / change anything which I may have not explained correctly. I wanted to be a little more verbose in case others had a similar issue so I have had to post this in two separate postings. Many thanks to you and the folks at PGP for your assistance.

1) After your previous post I put the laptop in Target Disk mode and connected it via firewire to the other Laptop with PGP installed.

2) Upon opening a Terminal session it was clear that the disk was not repaired as the hexdump -C -n 128 /dev/rdisk1 and hexdump -C -n 128 /dev/disk1 commands did NOT show PGPGUARD as shown here:

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil list

/dev/disk0

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *111.8 Gi disk0

1: EFI 200.0 Mi disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS Taiko 111.5 Gi disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Boot OSX 128.0 Mi disk0s3

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *298.1 Gi disk1

1: EFI 200.0 Mi disk1s1

2: Apple_HFS some-unreadable-characters-here

297.8 Gi disk1s2

3: Apple_Boot Boot OSX 128.0 Mi disk1s3

/dev/disk2

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: CD_partition_scheme *234.7 Mi disk2

1: CD_ROM_Mode_1 SLAX 204.4 Mi disk2s0

/dev/disk3

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: Apple_partition_scheme *222.9 Gi disk3

1: Apple_partition_map 31.5 Ki disk3s1

2: Apple_HFS go 222.9 Gi disk3s2

Musashi:~ go$ hexdump -C -n 128 /dev/rdisk1

00000000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|

3) I then ran the following commands you provided in a previous post:

Musashi:~ go$ pgpwde --disk 1 --recover --passphrase

Searching disk for PGP WDE signature

112304128 sectors searched, 512838320 sectors to go

Found Primary BGFS record on sector 112304544

Recovery successful!

No bootable volumes found. Checks complete.

Musashi:~ go$ sync

Musashi:~ go$ hexdump -C -n 128 /dev/rdisk1

00000000 eb 48 90 50 47 50 47 55 41 52 44 00 00 00 00 00 |?H.PGPGUARD.....|

00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|

*

00000030 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 02 |................|

00000040 ff 00 a0 a1 b1 06 00 00 00 00 fa ea 50 7c 00 00 |?.???.....??P|..|

00000050 31 c0 8e d8 8e d0 bc 00 20 fb a0 40 7c 3c ff 74 |1?.?.м. ??@|

00000060 02 88 c2 52 be 6c 7d e8 2f 01 f6 c2 80 74 48 b4 |..?R?l}?/.??.tH?|

00000070 41 bb aa 55 cd 13 5a 52 72 3d 81 fb 55 aa 75 37 |A??U?.ZRr=.?U?u7|

00000080

Musashi:~ go$ hexdump -C -n 128 /dev/disk1

00000000 eb 48 90 50 47 50 47 55 41 52 44 00 00 00 00 00 |?H.PGPGUARD.....|

00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|

*

00000030 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 02 |................|

00000040 ff 00 a0 a1 b1 06 00 00 00 00 fa ea 50 7c 00 00 |?.???.....??P|..|

00000050 31 c0 8e d8 8e d0 bc 00 20 fb a0 40 7c 3c ff 74 |1?.?.м. ??@|

00000060 02 88 c2 52 be 6c 7d e8 2f 01 f6 c2 80 74 48 b4 |..?R?l}?/.??.tH?|

00000070 41 bb aa 55 cd 13 5a 52 72 3d 81 fb 55 aa 75 37 |A??U?.ZRr=.?U?u7|

00000080

Musashi:~ go$ pgpwde --disk 1 --auth-disk --passphrase

4) If the --auth-disk command worked, the suggestion was to then use unmountdisk disk1 and then try and mount the disk using mountdisk disk1

5) The trouble was that, for whatever reason, each time the "unmountdisk" command was used - it worked - BUT it also erased / removed the PGPGUARD information located by the --recover command and synced using "sync".

6) Instead, after the successful --auth-disk command above, I started DISK WARRIOR (which was installed on the laptop where I was running the pgpwde commands) and it found the disk (previously it had been able to find the disk but could NOT optimize and rebuild the directory as it was unable to access a non-authenticated disk).

7) After running DISK WARRIOR it created a replacement directory which could NOT be compared to the original as the original was too severely damaged. I previewed the new directory and decided to use it to replace the damaged one.

8) After installing the new directory - voila - disk1 and all its volumes would mount and unmount (I had fun playing with this several times). As you can see below - disk1s2 no longer had a garbled name but showed "Macintosh HD" instead (which was the disk name).

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil list

/dev/disk0

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *111.8 Gi disk0

1: EFI 200.0 Mi disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS Taiko 111.5 Gi disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Boot OSX 128.0 Mi disk0s3

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *298.1 Gi disk1

1: EFI 200.0 Mi disk1s1

2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 297.8 Gi disk1s2

3: Apple_Boot Boot OSX 128.0 Mi disk1s3

/dev/disk2

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: CD_partition_scheme *234.7 Mi disk2

1: CD_ROM_ 204.4 Mi disk2s0

/dev/disk3

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: Apple_partition_scheme *222.9 Gi disk3

1: Apple_partition_map 31.5 Ki disk3s1

2: Apple_HFS go 222.9 Gi disk3s2

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil mountdisk disk1

Volume(s) mounted successfully

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil unmountdisk disk1

Unmount of all volumes on disk1 was successful

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil mountdisk disk1

Volume(s) mounted successfully

Musashi:~ go$ diskutil unmountdisk disk1

Unmount of all volumes on disk1 was successful

9) I then shut everything down, and tried to boot the laptop - no go - still got the spinning wheel then the "no go" icon.

10) I reconnected everything, put the laptop in Target mode again - and it popped up on the desktop and requested my PGP Passphrase. (A good sign). I entered the passphrase and disk1 mounted on the desktop (wow- two good signs).

11) After that I entered another Terminal session and - after checking to ensure the disk status showed disk1 as being instrumented by Bootguard, I started the --decrypt command. It took about 16 hours to decrypt.

12) I unmounted the disk, unplugged the firewire cable and tried to boot the laptop. Success! I chose to use Disk Warrior again to clean up the multitude of permission errors. I still have problems updating some minor programs but the data is all there.

I wrote all this out so others would know what I did. I can't thank you enough for all your efforts as it was your research that lead to the recovery of the disk. Many thanks for the great support from PGP!

AimPoint

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