Network-less Ubuntu Server Install…

Posted on by dk

So, I tried to install Ubuntu Server 16.04.1 LTS while the machine was not plugged into the network, and also did not bother to connect to the WiFi network during the installation from the CD either…

Rusty from last Linux use (circa 2008), I was totally stuck thereafter – no network and no way to add anything else (through the network, because, you know, no network)… Fortunately, SSHd was selected during the installation – so all I had to do was to get the network up, then I could try and do every other thing remotely (well, that is the theory)…

2016-10-18_23-32-16

Just in case you really do not have an Internet connection (say, the Ubuntu distribution does not have your NIC drivers), you can then try any of the “offline” methods described here.

Documented, as follows, is my journey to “get unstuck” and continue the set-up…

Continue reading →

Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro – Hits and Misses

Posted on by dk

As of today, I have, on hand, three Xiaomi Mi 5 Pros (two in white, one in black).

Edited Mi 5 Pro Phones (redacted)

Just a word of warning:

  • my first unit (white) first appeared to have serious battery drain issues
    • a simple work-around was found (and this supposed software issue is still not fixed as of writing this!)
  • my second unit (white) first appeared to have issues with GPS
    • flashing from scratch with China Stable/Developer, Global Stable/Developer ROMs did not help
    • finally did a one-for-one exchange with seller after one month
  • my third unit (black) first appeared to have no issues (tested GPS, WiFi, display, touchscreen, speaker, etc.)…
    • but… when I finally attempted to put SIM1 in, there was no network signal; finally did a one-for-one exchange with seller after two weeks of trying to fix it

In short: buying from an overseas seller has its risk (shipping back and forth and getting charged import taxes is no small issue), so try to buy one from a local reseller!

Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro – Global Stable ROM

Posted on by dk

For those looking for my review of the MIUI 7 Global Stable 7.3.5.0 ROM, I do not have the time just yet to try and muck around with this…

Just a quick reference on the expected differences between the China Stable and Global Stable:

One thing I definitely need to test is if the Global Stable ROM includes the Netcom 3.0 “feature”/software, which is supposedly the “secret sauce” in enabling simultaneous LTE/4G/3G connectivity on both SIMs (which appears to be targeted at the Chinese market and is probably the “thing” that enables me to use both SIM slots in some countries/operators with no 2G networks, and is the only real reason I bought multiple Mi 5 Pros over other choices in the first place).

2016/06/05 Update: Tested and confirmed that simultaneous 4G/LTE and 3G is working!

2016/07/31 Update: Latest ROM at this moment is Global Stable 7.5.2.0; all notes from my experience here has been updated while using Global Stable 7.5.1.0.

Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro in Full, Original, Chinese Glory…

Posted on by dk

From the prelude to the current predicament: I have, on one hand, a powerful device with notable capabilities, but, on the other hand, appears to be plagued by Chinese dictatorship and possible unwarranted data gathering…

Putting aside personal political views and paranoia, does the Mi 5 Pro, in full unadulterated “China Stable ROM” glory, work?

2016/06/05 Update: The Global Stable version 7.3.5.0 of the ROM was launched, although it should be noted that if your device is on the China Stable ROM, then you will still need to unlock your boot loader, literally reformat the /data partition (i.e. losing all your information because the stupid China Stable 7.3.4.0 ROM does not give you the option to decrypt the partition) before installing the Global ROM. Depending on what time and inclination I have, I may try to install it and review this Global version (maybe in comparison to China Stable and EU ROM).

2016/07/31 Update: Other numerous Global ROM updates have since been released (the latest being “Global Stable 7.5.2.0“), and although my experience grows with multiple handsets being used as “daily drivers” (one with ROM version “Global Stable 7.3.10.0”, the other “Global Stable 7.5.1.0”), the below points have been updated and all other points are still relevant up to “Global Stable 7.5.1.0”.

Continue reading →

Forward Unto Dawn… of the Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro

Posted on by dk

Back at the start of May, I jumped on the chance to start using the Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro, which is my first experience with Xiaomi phones. In fact, other than a few of their respectable power banks, and a “not-completely-hacked-yet-to-do-what-I-want” Box 3rd Generation (which is due its own separate review/post; read the article if you are asking “what the heck is that?”); this is my first Xiaomi product.

Nevertheless, I will prattle for quite a bit before diving into the actual usage experience thereof, ranting for a bit and providing background as well. If you wish to skip this, just jump directly to the actual article.

Continue reading →

Going to the Dumb Side – Using the iPhone 6S

Posted on by dk

I hear gasps from certain friends whom thought I was always “anti-Apple”…

Just to be clear: I am not “anti-Apple”, and neither am I an Android/Windows/Nokia “fanboi”… I am simply “anti-inefficiency”, “anti-idiot” and am totally against the “control-freak”, “I-know-better-than-you” typical Apple attitude/products… It took ages before Mac die-hard idiots/”fanboi”s learned to control more than one finger on a mouse… It took ages before iPhone die-hard idiots/fanbois found out that alternative input methods/keyboards existed… For what it is worth, iPhone die-hard idiots/”fanboi”s still haven’t discovered single-handed navigation (needing to rely on the “screen shrinking” double-tap) – that needing to reach diagonally across the screen at any size just to tap the “back” button is just retarded with all that unused real-estate around the oh-so-Apple-Pay-secure fingerprint scanner.

Continue reading →

ANTLR4 with C# in Visual Studio 2015…

Posted on by dk

So, some three years after the site launch, we have used plenty of products, but with kids, family and work, little time to write about it…

Nevertheless, I had been experimenting with ANTLR4 for about over half a year now. I had initial issues setting it up due to the somewhat out-dated instructions available then. When I was “forced” to upgrade to Windows 10 and re-installed everything from scratch, I realised I had totally forgotten what the steps were to get ANTLR4 working with Visual Studio 2015…

Hence, in an effort to help others and as a reference to self, please find a step-by-step guide to using ANTLR4 (version 4.3.0 stable) with Visual Studio 2015 (Community Edition) (although the instructions should work for other VS editions as well).

Continue reading →