Recently got tired of having bookmarks on my my laptop and not on my desktop, podcasts on my desktop but not on my laptop and so on and so forth. So, I decided to use rsync to sync the two. I use my laptop most, so I started with that. I didn’t want to rsync my entire /home/user/ directory, so I just chose to sync the apps that I wanted to be the same on both computers. So, I just wrote a simple bash script to sync the two. First, I got rid of the passwords when I rsync or ssh to the desktop. I used the command below.

ssh-keygen -t rsa

Do not enter password when prompted. from there,

cd ~/.ssh/ && cp id_rsa.pub laptop.key

Then put that key into authorized_key file on the remote computer. I had an nfs share of my home computer, so I just did it that way. You could use FTP, Thumbdrive, etc.

cat laptop.key >> authorized_keys

Once that is complete, repeat for both machines. You should then have 2 way passwordless communication via rsync & ssh.

here’s the script I wrote.

#-------------------------------
# Laptop / Desktop sync script
#
# gi_james@strickstuff.com
#-------------------------------

# Declare Variables
amark="/home/james/.kde3.5/share/apps/amarok/"
kopet="/home/james/.kde3.5/share/apps/kopete/"
firefx="/home/james/.mozilla/"
thunder="/home/james/.thunderbird/"
school="/home/james/school/"

# Begin sync ops
echo "Syncing Amarok"
rsync -arvuz $amark compaq:$amark
echo "Syncing Firefox"
rsync -arvuz $firefx compaq:$firefx
echo "Syncing Thunderbird"
rsync -arvuz $thunder compaq:$thunder
echo "Syncing Kopete"
rsync -arvuz $kopet compaq:$kopet
echo "Syncing School Folder"
rsync -arvuz $school compaq:$school

echo " "
echo " "
echo " "
echo "DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

This script will sync the directories in the #delare variables section. Change those around accordingly. I know there are other methods, but this method is good enough for what I want to do. Please feel free to email me with a better method. I’m certainly not the most proficient bash scripter.

Oh, one more thing, before I started, I edited /etc/hosts and added the hostname of all computers on my network. That way, all I have to do is type ssh computername instead of ssh ipaddy and no password is needed.

I think the majority of the world uses Microsoft Products. Whether it’s Windows XP/Vista or Microsoft Office. Like a Southern Baptist Preacher, I feel it my responsibility to let the world know that there are free alternatives out there that not only does the same thing that Microsoft Products do, they do even more. The type of software I’m talking about is called Open Source Software. Open Source Software is software that is available for all to change, copy, distribute, etc.

Windows XP/Vista

Most households are familiar with Windows. Whether it’s XP or Vista, “Windows” is in nearly every home in America and probably across the world. Most businesses use Windows. Most schools use Windows. Most people don’t know that there are other Operating Systems (OS’s) out there. In the past few years, since Malware, Virii, and Spam is up, I’ve noticed that Apple have increased their sales of Macintosh computers. Apple/Mac computers do not use “Windows,” they use a Linux based OS called “OS X.” Since MAC OS X isn’t a Windows based OS, Viruses, Spyware and Malware are all incompatible. Now, don’t get confused, OS X isn’t Open Source Software. I just mentioned it because it’s an alternative to Windows. OS X, still costs you money. Now, what I use is called Linux. Linux is a Unix based OS that is yet another of the many Alternatives to Windows. Check this page out: DISTRO WATCH to learn more about the different Distro’s or Versions of Linux that’s available. Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS is probably the best to start off with. By getting rid of Windows and getting Linux, you’re saying goodbye to Spyware, Malware, and Viruses. You’re also saying goodbye to the famous “Blue Screen of Death” (BSoD).

OFFICE SOFTWARE

Another Microsoft product that people think they can’t live without is MS Office. You know Word, Excel, Power Point, etc. There are several alternatives to Microsoft Office products as well. The most known (I think) and the one I use is an Office Suite by Sun Microsystems called Open Office. You can check it out at OpenOffice.org. Open Office does everything that MS Office does and looks just as good. MS Office was required for my classes, but Open Office works just fine. And most importantly, it’s 100% Microsoft Office Compatible. So there’s no excuse for not switching NOW. Also, it’s available for Windows, Mac, & Linux.

Open Source Software is a great FREE alternative to Commercial software. For everything you do in Windows or Mac, there’s an alternative in Linux that’s just as good or better. If you have any questions on Free Alternative Software, feel free to contact me and I’ll see what I can do to help!

In a relentless attempt to make a better life for my Family, I continue my pursuit toward a degree. My next two classes start Monday. I decided to go ahead and get math and science out of the way, so Algebra and Geology are my choices this semester. Last semester I took Business Communication and a rediculous general studies class. I must admit, I’m a bit nervous about this Algebra class. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a math class. I’m sure I’ll do ok… I’ll have the power of the internet at my hands… so help is just a click away.