UN1X


UNIX - Desktop / Development ..

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 UNIX Desktop?

Who says UNIX isn't ready for the Desktop? I've been using UNIX since around 1990 with a short detour into Windows (3-4 Month for preparing a larger Paper) around 1992. Since then my Desktops and Servers run UNIX (Linux, Solaris several BSD's, OS X). A few years ago i switched again from Linux (Desktop) this time to OS X. Apple did a great Job on putting together a rock solid UNIX Core (Darwin) with a beautiful and highly functional GUI.
 

Tips & Tricks

Creating a custom boot disk (CD) for Firmware Updates (Linux)

I had some hard times with Firmware Updates since i don't use M$. Since all Boxes have a CAROM i decided to go for a bootable CD ROM (vs USB Stick) Solution.

The procedure is pretty simple :
  1. Install isomaster (Linux / BSD)
  2. get some sample Boot iso with DOS as starting point
  3. i used this one http://www.allbootdisks.com/Languages/de/cd_creation.html
  4. open the iso in iosmaster
  5. dump the boot record (floppy image)
  6. mount the floppy image
  7. mount -t msdos floppy.img /mnt/somedirectory/ -o loop  (Linux)
  8. make modifications (must fit in image space)
  9. umount the image
  10. delete the boot image from the original iso
  11. replace it with the modified one
  12. save (save as in isomaster) the modified iso
  13. burn the modified iso (K3b (Linux)  or Diskprog on OS X)
  14. Test the new iso

Cleaning the Mail Database (OS X)

Mail seems (*1 p. 197) to leave some junk which makes it slower and slower over time. This little script takes care of that problem:
 
cd ~/Library/Mail
sqlite3 ~/Library/Mail/Envelope\ Index vacuum

Cleaning the Favicon DB (OS X)

Safari stores Favicon Icons in a Database which will grow over time and slow down operations (*1 p. 112).  The database file is located at ~/Library/Safari/WebpageIcons.db. Deleting this file from time to time can speed up Safari in a big way. Another speedup worth a try is to deaktivate the 'topsites' feature. Its looks nice but comes with a price.

IPhoto Database Files

sqlite3 face.db vacuum
$ sqlite3 face_blob.db vacuum
$ sqlite3 iPhotoAux.db vacuum

Books

1  Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users - S. Granneman - APRESS 2010


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