Old rope : VNC Over SSH

Always forget how to do this and have to research it again. This time the scenario is getting an X session on a db server to install oracle software, but the sys admin has locked down the ports so that only the conventional ones (ssh) are open to the outside (well inside the intranet) world (found out using /sbin/iptables --list) . At least vnc is still installed. Of course the box is open for ssh - so using the very handy tool plink we first set off a vncserver process on the remote box noting down the port being used Then run the following from the command line on my local windows workstation plink.exe -ssh -L 5900:localhost:5903 REMOTE_USER@REMOTE_SERVER -pw PASSWORD This tunnels from the local 5900 port to the remote 5903 port on REMOTE_SERVER by opening a remote session for REMOTE_USER with PASSWORD Then by opening a vnc viewer locally looking at localhost:5900 we get the desired vnc session. Fini

Shuttle KPC

Also see koolu

What is BlogThis! ?

Clicking BlogThis! creates a mini-interface to Blogger prepopulated with a link to the web page you are visiting, as well as any text you have highlighted on that page. Add additional text if you wish and then publish or post from within BlogThis!

BlackBerry: Receiving messages auto-filed in subfolders

I wasn't receiving messages that were being filed by a rule I had set up in outlook - looks like by default the BlackBerry only replicates Inbox and Sent Items - but found a fix here - summary below How To - Enable Folder Redirection with Inbox sub-folders From the Home screen, go to Messages. Click the trackwheel and select Options - Email Settings. Click the trackwheel and select Folder Redirection. In the Folder Redirection menu, expand the Mailbox by highlighting it, clicking trackwheel and selecting Expand. Under the Mailbox, expand the Inbox by highlighting it, clicking the trackwheel and selecting Expand. Highlight the folder on which you want to enable redirection. Click the trackwheel and select Change Option. Note: If you are unable to select Expand for any of the folders, or if the Change Option menu option is unavailable, try turning Wireless Reconcile on the handheld off and then on again. You can find Wireless Reconcile in Messages - Options - Email Reconciliation. Click the trackwheel and select Save to save your changes. Fini

Excel: Dynamic drop downs using Names

Part A: Set up the NAME Set up a DropDown xsheet Add some values into the DropDown xsheet to form a list - say in column A and using the first row for headings Start defining a NAME (Insert->Name->Define) Enter a name for the NAME (e.g. ListOfXXXX) Enter the magic formula =OFFSET(DropDown!$A$2,0,0,COUNTA(DropDown!$A:$A)-1,1) This defines the NAME as everything from row 2 to the first empty cell in column A. To add extra values, just add to the first blank cell at the bottom of the list Notice the hardcoded sheetname and the references to the column, also that the list starts at row 2; any changes to these will mean the name needs to be redefined. Part B: Use the NAME to create a drop down via cell validation Go to a data sheet and highlight the whole target column - then define a data validation (Data->Validation) with Allow of "List", Source of "=ListOfXXXX" (ie. the defined NAME) Don't forget the "=" sign in the source Press OK - job done. Tidy up by Edit->Clear->All on the top heading rows Part C : Extras You can define a static name using hardcoded references in the NAME instead of the black magic formula, but adding additional values will mean re-editing the NAME A NAME can be used in multiple validations The DropDown sheet can be hidden (Format->Sheet->Hide) and protected To allow blanks remove the -1 (minus one) from the end of the black magic formula to allow the range to include the first blank cell

Firefox Screen Real-Estate

Save screen space by auto-hiding the Bookmark toolbar in Firefox - thanks Lifehacker.

WooHoo Dell XPS 710

Looky what the postman bringeth - course I did order it and I still have to pay for it sometime. I got home to find the usual enormous Dell box, but was rather shocked to find that there was very little packing and it was mostly full of an truly enormous aluminum XPS case. When it comes time to de-commission maybe I'll convert it to a kennel for Fido. As usual I trawled Dell Outlet and yes - this is the 710 model that has very recently been superseded by the 720. But its Quad Core and 4Gb and when it boots it growls and then quietens down to a slight purr. The dual drives have been striped with an Nvidia Raid card - not sure if I want stripes (or how I'll roll it back if I decide I don't). After sitting through the Vista set up it was too late to play with it much - but I had to boot it as the badge said Core Duo and I wanted to check the CPU spec. I can see the Vista learning curve is going to be frustrating. In other pictures it is often shown with a garish red fascia - this is the effect of four LEDs mounted under the front cowling which thankfully can be turned off (or colour changed) from the Bios. A bit bling but it will impress the neighbours should they stroll round, or the kids friends. It even has a light at the back to illume the connectors.