“Les boucles de Lasne”

28 May 2007 General 2 comments

Today we went biking in the region of Lasne, a friend and I. The club “Bikers de l’Alleu” organised a superb run of various distances: 15, 25, 30, 40 or 50km. At first, we went for 40… But my friend fell and hurt his leg, so we stopped at 30 (and I have to admit, I was quite happy…)).

The run was very well designed, going trough small way surrounded by barbed wire, vertiginous slopes, woods, …and the right amount of climbs that kill your legs!

Being very happy with the organisation of the event (bike wash and douches at disposal, barbecue and bar, … ) we decided to participate to such events more regularly. An nice agenda is available here for Belgium, The Netherlands and France.

New GSM – practical review

30 April 2007 General Comments Off on New GSM – practical review

samsung_x160.jpg I recently bought a new mobile phone, my old one (a Nokia 3410) getting tired of living (especially the battery). All I want from a phone is to be able to phone… So I didn’t look after a 3Mpixels camera able to play mp3’s while getting oriented by GPS…and oh yes, secondarily equiped with a phone functionnality. No, I looked after a simple GSM! That conducted me to hesitate between the Nokia 6060 and the Samsung X160. You’re right, the mobile on the picture is a Samsung, so that is one I chose! At first I was decided to go for a Nokia, as I’m used to their simple interface. I’ve ever tried a Sony Ericsson and I was really disappointed. But on the other side, that nokia is rather big and heavy and has an external antenna. And from what I know about Samsung, they made good phones too… So after not so much hesitation, I bought that little and light Samsung phone.

After using it for two weeks, here are my impressions: regarding the design and the usability, it’s a nice light phone that fits good in the hand while calling. Once closed it doesn’t take any place in the pocket. The screen is quite big and bright, displaying nice colors. The interface is really user friendly, with the possibility to configure shortcuts (SMS, Vocal Memo, calendar, to do list, … ). The vocal memo function and the to do list are really a pratical add-on for my short memory.

There are some drawbacks though. The available ring tones make you wish that no one will call you while in public: the choice is rather limited, and I’m really thinking about buying an acceptable one online. I also regret the “vibration+melody” ring type: the melody is active only after the third ring…I already missed some calls! Regarding the alarm functionnality, you have to leave the mobile on if you don’t want to miss your train!!! The alarm is deactivated when the mobile is off, what is really stupid if you want my opinion. Finally, if you are a game addict, don’t buy that phone: there is only one bowling game available. I guess you’ll have to download some if you want to spend your time playing…

In summary, I’m quite happy with that phone, and I will see in the long run if I’ll go for a Samsung again when this one is dead, or if I’ll turn back to Nokia.

OpenGL within Xgl???

29 April 2007 General, Linux Comments Off on OpenGL within Xgl???

Xgl is the layer between your X-Server and your Compositing Window Manager (Beryl or Compiz) that allows you to enjoy fancy 3D and true transparency effects. The whole is processed by your Graphic card (instead of your CPU when using xcompmgr for example).

That all sounds good, until you try to start an OpenGL game within Xgl. Personnaly, I’m using Compiz in Ubuntu, and when I start for example Enemy Territory, it will never go full screen, whatever the options or the resolution you define. Moreover, OpenGL applications will only run via Indirect Rendering where they normally use DRI (Direct Rendering Interface) to bypass slow X commands. Because the desktop is already using DRI for himself, he is blocking it for other applications, meaning slower performance.

A simple workaround is to start another X-Server (:1 for example), and start your OpenGL applications directly within that X-Server (it will then be able to use that DRI stuff). The following script will do that for you:

#!/bin/bash

# Name: Xgames
# What: this script starts an additional Xserver within
#	which the command in argument will be started
#	The goal is to play full screen OpenGL games
#	when using Beryl or Compiz
# Author: harck - jerome.harckmans.be
# Date: 29 Apr 2007

# Check arguments
if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
	echo "USAGE: $0 <command to start> ( <arguments to command> )"
	echo "Exiting..."
	exit 1
else
	echo "Starting. Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE after exiting the game"
	sleep 2
fi

# Start additional Xserver
# An alternate config file is used to load
# game dependent settings
sudo X :1 -ac -br -config /etc/X11/xorg_games.conf &
# Give some time to the user to enter password...
while [ ! -f "/tmp/.X1-lock" ]; do
	sleep 1
done

# Set the new started Xserver as default display
export DISPLAY=localhost:1
sleep 1

# Start the commands given in arguments
# We go until $5 because some games need arguments too
$1 $2 $3 $4 $5
sleep 1

# Exiting
exit 0
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