Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How do I change hostname in Ubuntu Linux?

You can see or change hostname of your computer with hostname command.

You need privileged access to use this command.

In terminal, typing hostname gives you the hostname of the computer.

hostname xyz changes the name of your computer to xyz.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Unable to remove old X config backup file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup.

Many people complains me that they get error "Unable to remove old X config backup file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup'." after pressing "Save to X configuration file" in nvidia-settings. The reason is very simple, launching nvidia-settings doesn't give you enough permission to write inside /etc/. So run nvidia-settings in the following way:
Press Alt+F2
type gksu nvidia-settings

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Protect Your Cars Paintwork

Today's car finishes are very delicate and require special care. Avoid washing your car at automated car washes as this is a sure way of damaging your cars paint work. The best method to clean a car is still doing it by hand. You will need two buckets filled with clean hot or cold water and a wash mitt.


Only use the best car wash products on the market. Do not use any household cleaners as it will damage your cars paint. Park your car in the shade, use a hosepipe to remove and soften the dirt on your cars paintwork. Open the tap just a little as you want a slow flow of water, don't use a strong jet of water because the high pressure will blast dirt particles into the clear cote that protects the base coat. Start with the roof and work your way down.

When you have hosed the car down, open the tap for a stronger jet of water and remove the dirt under the wheel arches, reduce the flow and hose the tires and rims. Follow the directions of the car wash liquid and mix the required quantity into one of the buckets with water. Place both buckets next to the car; dunk the wash mitt into the bucket with the car wash liquid and start washing the roof working your way down. Rinse the mitt frequently in the bucket with clean water. When you have finished washing the car, take the hosepipe and rinse the car to remove the soap suds from the cars paint. Most people don't dry the car, but for the best results dry the car preferably with a microfiber towel or a chamois leather. Use a separate towel or chamois leather for the mags. For the best protection of your cars paintwork polish your car at least once every three months. Always follow the instructions on the polish container. If your car has mags use a good brand of mag cleaner and polish to put the shine back on them. Clean the windows with window cleaner and use tire polish to polish your cars tires. Never use dirty water, cloths or abrasive polishes. When you are finished you can step back and admire your bright and shiny car, knowing that the paintwork on your car will stay in a superb condition for years to come.

Protect Your Cars Paintwork

Today's car finishes are very delicate and require special care. Avoid washing your car at automated car washes as this is a sure way of damaging your cars paint work. The best method to clean a car is still doing it by hand. You will need two buckets filled with clean hot or cold water and a wash mitt.


Only use the best car wash products on the market. Do not use any household cleaners as it will damage your cars paint. Park your car in the shade, use a hosepipe to remove and soften the dirt on your cars paintwork. Open the tap just a little as you want a slow flow of water, don't use a strong jet of water because the high pressure will blast dirt particles into the clear cote that protects the base coat. Start with the roof and work your way down.

When you have hosed the car down, open the tap for a stronger jet of water and remove the dirt under the wheel arches, reduce the flow and hose the tires and rims. Follow the directions of the car wash liquid and mix the required quantity into one of the buckets with water. Place both buckets next to the car; dunk the wash mitt into the bucket with the car wash liquid and start washing the roof working your way down. Rinse the mitt frequently in the bucket with clean water. When you have finished washing the car, take the hosepipe and rinse the car to remove the soap suds from the cars paint. Most people don't dry the car, but for the best results dry the car preferably with a microfiber towel or a chamois leather. Use a separate towel or chamois leather for the mags. For the best protection of your cars paintwork polish your car at least once every three months. Always follow the instructions on the polish container. If your car has mags use a good brand of mag cleaner and polish to put the shine back on them. Clean the windows with window cleaner and use tire polish to polish your cars tires. Never use dirty water, cloths or abrasive polishes. When you are finished you can step back and admire your bright and shiny car, knowing that the paintwork on your car will stay in a superb condition for years to come.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

sudo echo

Many people complain that they cant use sudo with echo.
For example people try to do
sudo echo 1 > /etc/file
To know why this fails, lets break the command in two parts.

sudo echo 1
You are just echoing "1".

> /etc/file
You are trying to write something to file inside /etc for which you need root access. But there is no root access as sudo was needlessly used with echo command.

So to use sudo and echo we need help from one command called tee. With tee you can accomplish the above work.
echo 1 | sudo tee /etc/file
echo 1 | sudo tee -a /etc/file

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Ubuntu 9.04 to be called Jaunty Jackalope

Jaunty Jackalope is known for its fastness, so will the next version of Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope.

The main goal on this release is to make boot up time or resume time very short and integrating desktop applications and web applications.

Hear from Mark Shuttleworth himself, link

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Tank Presidency



Later on 20 January, the president elect Barack Obama will formally appointed as president of the United States. All preparations have been made, including making a "tank" a new presidency.



Tank? Yes, the car is more feasible presidency called tank. Not only because it is designed bulletproof, antimissile, but also because of, according to the designer of the car, there is no "elegant" at all.

"Oh my god ... why Obama is not all just wearing Abrams," so that their comments had to see photos of the car. Abrams tank is a series of powerful United States used in the war in Iraq.

Cars presidency is a Cadillac limousine. Designed for comfort food at a time, because the door is only as thick as 8 inch (20 cm). "With such strength, shooting just will not enjoy break through," said a news agency.

The General Motors, the manufacturer of the Cadillac, ensuring that the model Limo Obama is the original model, not a development model that has been there before. "Cars are made with special specifications, the test has been through various extreme conditions, but in accordance with the principle beauty Cadillac cars," said Joanne Krell K, spokesperson for General Motors.

Of course not opened to the public what is distinctive car, for the security aspects. "What is certain, if the president is in, all the commotion of the world will vanish. He will be in total isolation in the box is a very protected," said Joe Funk, a retired Secret Agency experienced oversee President Bill Clinton.

Said Joe again, although "isolated in the box," but Obama will still be connected with the outside world because all the communication equipment available. How the Internet? There ..! Phone? Do not also asked ... surely available. "Only in a flash, he was able to contact any of the world," said Joe.


Although the car was quite large and heavy, but the engines are made so that the form of energy. The goal clearly is not simply a car that is environmentally friendly. Made energy efficient, because the Secret Department considers the situation worst. For example, should the president was far from the threat, the car still has enough fuel. Not funny, is not it, when the time to secure the president, the car must first drop in gasoline to pom, or Mr. Obama should come out of the car broke down a taxi ago?

Tank Presidency



Later on 20 January, the president elect Barack Obama will formally appointed as president of the United States. All preparations have been made, including making a "tank" a new presidency.



Tank? Yes, the car is more feasible presidency called tank. Not only because it is designed bulletproof, antimissile, but also because of, according to the designer of the car, there is no "elegant" at all.

"Oh my god ... why Obama is not all just wearing Abrams," so that their comments had to see photos of the car. Abrams tank is a series of powerful United States used in the war in Iraq.

Cars presidency is a Cadillac limousine. Designed for comfort food at a time, because the door is only as thick as 8 inch (20 cm). "With such strength, shooting just will not enjoy break through," said a news agency.

The General Motors, the manufacturer of the Cadillac, ensuring that the model Limo Obama is the original model, not a development model that has been there before. "Cars are made with special specifications, the test has been through various extreme conditions, but in accordance with the principle beauty Cadillac cars," said Joanne Krell K, spokesperson for General Motors.

Of course not opened to the public what is distinctive car, for the security aspects. "What is certain, if the president is in, all the commotion of the world will vanish. He will be in total isolation in the box is a very protected," said Joe Funk, a retired Secret Agency experienced oversee President Bill Clinton.

Said Joe again, although "isolated in the box," but Obama will still be connected with the outside world because all the communication equipment available. How the Internet? There ..! Phone? Do not also asked ... surely available. "Only in a flash, he was able to contact any of the world," said Joe.


Although the car was quite large and heavy, but the engines are made so that the form of energy. The goal clearly is not simply a car that is environmentally friendly. Made energy efficient, because the Secret Department considers the situation worst. For example, should the president was far from the threat, the car still has enough fuel. Not funny, is not it, when the time to secure the president, the car must first drop in gasoline to pom, or Mr. Obama should come out of the car broke down a taxi ago?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Raptor this new plan will be launched in 2010.





The company's legendary motorcycle United States of America, Harley-Davidson, the agrersif. After the ownership be acquired MV Agusta (which also have the brand Cagiva) Claudio Castiglioni's hands early this year, Harley-Davidson want to restore the glory of motor sport Cagiva.



Newspaper circulating, they are now preparing for the new motor under the Cagiva brand. In fact, the motor is not really "new", because they will develop the Raptor has been previously sold by Cagiva.

Raptor this new plan will be launched in 2010. Blade Anyar they will be equipped with a machine equipped with a 140 dk with a 1125 cc V-Twin. The same engine used in the Buell 1125R and 1125CR.

Raptor In addition, they also prepare the other big motor. version of the 650 cc and 850 cc.

However, the two manufacturers that collaboration does not use the machine itself. They are wanted to join the Piaggio and BMW. Not only a great motor they intend outsourcing, 125 cc version will also be issued from one of the manufacturer.

The plan this big, in the end you want to make a Cagiva foremost manufacturer of motor sport. In three to four years, they will also make a motor with a 1200 cc engine plant Rotax v-twin which can give off energy to 180hp.

Raptor this new plan will be launched in 2010.





The company's legendary motorcycle United States of America, Harley-Davidson, the agrersif. After the ownership be acquired MV Agusta (which also have the brand Cagiva) Claudio Castiglioni's hands early this year, Harley-Davidson want to restore the glory of motor sport Cagiva.



Newspaper circulating, they are now preparing for the new motor under the Cagiva brand. In fact, the motor is not really "new", because they will develop the Raptor has been previously sold by Cagiva.

Raptor this new plan will be launched in 2010. Blade Anyar they will be equipped with a machine equipped with a 140 dk with a 1125 cc V-Twin. The same engine used in the Buell 1125R and 1125CR.

Raptor In addition, they also prepare the other big motor. version of the 650 cc and 850 cc.

However, the two manufacturers that collaboration does not use the machine itself. They are wanted to join the Piaggio and BMW. Not only a great motor they intend outsourcing, 125 cc version will also be issued from one of the manufacturer.

The plan this big, in the end you want to make a Cagiva foremost manufacturer of motor sport. In three to four years, they will also make a motor with a 1200 cc engine plant Rotax v-twin which can give off energy to 180hp.

simple way to write to files from bash script

Here is two of the simplest method from where you can write to files from a bash script.

Method One

Within the bash script write
echo "what you want to write" > filePath/fileName

echo "What you want to append" >> filePath/fileName



Method Two

Within the bash script write
cat << EOF > filePath/fileName
Lines of the text that you want to write.
You can write any number of lines.
EOF

cat << EOF > filePath/fileName
Lines of the text that you want to append.
You can write any number of lines.
EOF

Monday, January 5, 2009

How to Drive on Snow to Avoid Having a Car Accident



When it is snowing, more care than usual is required to avoid having an accident. Driving in winter should be avoided when the weather conditions are bad. However, if there is something that cannot be postponed and you have to make the trip, you should be prepared for what might confront you on the road.



You should take all the preliminary steps and make your car fit for the winter. You should not get on the road until the snow ploughs have had a chance to clear the snow from the road. When you do get out, you should have the necessary tools like scraper, shovel, flashlight, rope, etc with you so that you can deal with any emergency situations if they arise.Be sure to use fog lights or headlights while driving so that your own visibility can improve a little, and the other drivers are able to see you. Both the brakes and the accelerator should be pressed gently. The distance of your car from that ahead of you should be considerable and almost double than what it should be in normal conditions.When you're driving and you are not able to see the edge of the road or the snow pole, then you should preferably stop because this indicates that the visibility is not favourable enough for you to be driving.
It is not wise to overtake vehicles while it is snowing. It should not be done especially when you are on a hill or at an intersection. In poor snow conditions, you should use snow chains in order to improve the grip of the tyres on the road. This would increase your control over the car. It is always good to practice how to fix the chains yourself. This can help you a lot as you can fix the chains when needed and don't have to wait for someone to arrive and do it for you. It is always wise to carry the snow chains with you in the winter season. You can either hire snow chains or buy your own, but you should make sure that the chains are in accordance to the diameter of the tyres. You should put on the chains when you feel it is really important. However, they should be removed as soon as the conditions improve and you can drive without them.
While parking the car, the handbrake should not be applied; instead the wheels should be chocked. In addition, you should not use rocks when you park the car as this may damage the snow clearing machines. If you feel that the snow is getting worse and you are losing focus on the road, you should give yourself a break and pull the car over and wait for the weather conditions to get a little better. When you are calm again you can get back on the road.
If you get into some kind of trouble and are not capable of resolving it on your own, then you should call for help and stay where you are until help arrives.

How to Drive on Snow to Avoid Having a Car Accident



When it is snowing, more care than usual is required to avoid having an accident. Driving in winter should be avoided when the weather conditions are bad. However, if there is something that cannot be postponed and you have to make the trip, you should be prepared for what might confront you on the road.



You should take all the preliminary steps and make your car fit for the winter. You should not get on the road until the snow ploughs have had a chance to clear the snow from the road. When you do get out, you should have the necessary tools like scraper, shovel, flashlight, rope, etc with you so that you can deal with any emergency situations if they arise.Be sure to use fog lights or headlights while driving so that your own visibility can improve a little, and the other drivers are able to see you. Both the brakes and the accelerator should be pressed gently. The distance of your car from that ahead of you should be considerable and almost double than what it should be in normal conditions.When you're driving and you are not able to see the edge of the road or the snow pole, then you should preferably stop because this indicates that the visibility is not favourable enough for you to be driving.
It is not wise to overtake vehicles while it is snowing. It should not be done especially when you are on a hill or at an intersection. In poor snow conditions, you should use snow chains in order to improve the grip of the tyres on the road. This would increase your control over the car. It is always good to practice how to fix the chains yourself. This can help you a lot as you can fix the chains when needed and don't have to wait for someone to arrive and do it for you. It is always wise to carry the snow chains with you in the winter season. You can either hire snow chains or buy your own, but you should make sure that the chains are in accordance to the diameter of the tyres. You should put on the chains when you feel it is really important. However, they should be removed as soon as the conditions improve and you can drive without them.
While parking the car, the handbrake should not be applied; instead the wheels should be chocked. In addition, you should not use rocks when you park the car as this may damage the snow clearing machines. If you feel that the snow is getting worse and you are losing focus on the road, you should give yourself a break and pull the car over and wait for the weather conditions to get a little better. When you are calm again you can get back on the road.
If you get into some kind of trouble and are not capable of resolving it on your own, then you should call for help and stay where you are until help arrives.

How to Drive When it Starts to Snow


Driving in the winter season is relatively more difficult than normal, and requires skill and practice. In the absence of these important factors, accidents can occur. It might be best to stay at home in bad weather but it cannot always be done as some tasks cannot be postponed.



For people who are not accustomed to driving in snow, the task can be challenging. In order to avoid any kind of unpleasant experiences during the winter season, you should have your car thoroughly checked before the season so that you car is well maintained. You should keep yourself up to date with the weather forecasts so that you know what to expect on the road.
Before leaving home, make sure that your car's battery, cooling system, electric connections, tyres, windscreen and all other things are in the right order. For emergencies keep materials like a rope, flashlight, first aid kit, blanket and wheel chocks in the car. You should keep in mind that the first fall of snow can be very dangerous if the roads are not gritted, as the tyres don't have a grip on the road and this can cause the car to slip.
Your windshield should be clean so that when it starts to snow, it doesn't affect your already reduced visibility. In the snow season you should try to get snow tyres so that it is easier to control the vehicle when it snows. When you see the first signs of snow, you should make sure you cut the speed to half and not try to drive fast as this can have serious consequences.
You should keep calm the whole time and try not to get stressed or nervous as this is likely to affect your judgment, which is very important while driving in bad weather. In case of a spin out, you should let go of the accelerator and you should steer only when the tyres have gained a grip on the road again. Otherwise the car is likely to spin even more. However, during the whole time you have to be really quick and alert because the wheels take only several seconds to get a grip, and in that moment you have to take action.
You should make it a point to check that the headlights and taillights don't have snow on them. You should keep the headlights so that others are able to see you. During snow, the car should be accelerated slowly and gently. When you stop the car somewhere, instead of pulling the handbrake, chock the wheels and leave the car in gear with the wheels steered away from the slope.
In order to avoid accidents during snow, you should use snow chains, which would make the tyre's grip on the road better. Make sure that the chains you get suit the diameter of your car's tyre. It is always better to get some practice in fixing the snow chains so that you can do it in bad conditions and not have to depend on someone to do it for you.

How to Drive When it Starts to Snow


Driving in the winter season is relatively more difficult than normal, and requires skill and practice. In the absence of these important factors, accidents can occur. It might be best to stay at home in bad weather but it cannot always be done as some tasks cannot be postponed.



For people who are not accustomed to driving in snow, the task can be challenging. In order to avoid any kind of unpleasant experiences during the winter season, you should have your car thoroughly checked before the season so that you car is well maintained. You should keep yourself up to date with the weather forecasts so that you know what to expect on the road.
Before leaving home, make sure that your car's battery, cooling system, electric connections, tyres, windscreen and all other things are in the right order. For emergencies keep materials like a rope, flashlight, first aid kit, blanket and wheel chocks in the car. You should keep in mind that the first fall of snow can be very dangerous if the roads are not gritted, as the tyres don't have a grip on the road and this can cause the car to slip.
Your windshield should be clean so that when it starts to snow, it doesn't affect your already reduced visibility. In the snow season you should try to get snow tyres so that it is easier to control the vehicle when it snows. When you see the first signs of snow, you should make sure you cut the speed to half and not try to drive fast as this can have serious consequences.
You should keep calm the whole time and try not to get stressed or nervous as this is likely to affect your judgment, which is very important while driving in bad weather. In case of a spin out, you should let go of the accelerator and you should steer only when the tyres have gained a grip on the road again. Otherwise the car is likely to spin even more. However, during the whole time you have to be really quick and alert because the wheels take only several seconds to get a grip, and in that moment you have to take action.
You should make it a point to check that the headlights and taillights don't have snow on them. You should keep the headlights so that others are able to see you. During snow, the car should be accelerated slowly and gently. When you stop the car somewhere, instead of pulling the handbrake, chock the wheels and leave the car in gear with the wheels steered away from the slope.
In order to avoid accidents during snow, you should use snow chains, which would make the tyre's grip on the road better. Make sure that the chains you get suit the diameter of your car's tyre. It is always better to get some practice in fixing the snow chains so that you can do it in bad conditions and not have to depend on someone to do it for you.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Control brightness from command line

Screen brightness can be viewed and controlled from /proc directory.

/proc/acpi/video/VGA/LCDD/brightness is the file.

First cat the content of the file with cat /proc/acpi/video/VGA/LCDD/brightness

It will show all the supported levels and current level. The current level is the current brightness of your screen.

To change the screen brightness just put any number on that file.
For eg:
echo 10 > /proc/acpi/video/VGA/LCDD/brightness
echo 5 > /proc/acpi/video/VGA/LCDD/brightness
echo 1 > /proc/acpi/video/VGA/LCDD/brightness

Truck Value - Don't Get Taken For a Ride



You've seen the ads with huge miles per gallon numbers in great big type. You've seen plenty of others with little tiny monthly payment figures also in big bold type. Switch on the TV and there are plenty of ads there too that feature little trucks pulling huge semis full of half-naked women up impossibly steep hills.
How do you sort through all the hype and hoopla about price, performance, fuel economy and style to find a real truck value? One way is to make sure you don't set foot in a dealer's showroom until you know exactly what truck value means to you. To figure that out all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil.Truck value can mean many things. One person may measure it by payload and off-road driving limits while another measures it by current price and resale price averages. Understanding what you need your truck to do for you now and at the end of its life can mean the difference between getting a good deal or getting taken for a ride.
If an immediate answer doesn't come to mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help figure out what you need.

Where will the truck be driven most -- on the highway, in the city, off road?
What will you normally haul in the truck - tools in a more or less permanent case, heavy items occasionally, bulky but lighter weight items, etc?
Who will be driving it usually and are there any special accommodations you need to make for multiple drivers (cab height, tilt wheel etc.)?How important are fuel economy and/or environmental concerns?Do you have a preference for fuel type (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, etc.)?How long do you plan to own the vehicle - will you resell it or drive it until it dies?Do you use/need additional engine or braking performance beyond standards?



Some of these questions may seem redundant. Others may seem unnecessarily picky, but this is just the first step in doing your research. Once you've gotten all your answers written down, you'll want to go over your list and put a star by those areas that are more important than the others. You should quickly see a pattern emerge that will help you determine your major and minor value points.
For example, let's say you starred where the truck will be driven, have a preference for one fuel type and that environmental concerns are important to you. Fuel economy is clearly an important value for you but you'll need to research your different fuel options further. If you decide that you might want the option to make your own biodiesel in the future if prices of regular diesel rise, you clearly won't find a sale on gasoline powered trucks a good value.
Any new truck you buy represents a huge investment. You owe it to yourself to take the time and go through every decision making step you can to make sure that you get the very best truck value for you before you make that investment.

Truck Value - Don't Get Taken For a Ride



You've seen the ads with huge miles per gallon numbers in great big type. You've seen plenty of others with little tiny monthly payment figures also in big bold type. Switch on the TV and there are plenty of ads there too that feature little trucks pulling huge semis full of half-naked women up impossibly steep hills.
How do you sort through all the hype and hoopla about price, performance, fuel economy and style to find a real truck value? One way is to make sure you don't set foot in a dealer's showroom until you know exactly what truck value means to you. To figure that out all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil.Truck value can mean many things. One person may measure it by payload and off-road driving limits while another measures it by current price and resale price averages. Understanding what you need your truck to do for you now and at the end of its life can mean the difference between getting a good deal or getting taken for a ride.
If an immediate answer doesn't come to mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help figure out what you need.

Where will the truck be driven most -- on the highway, in the city, off road?
What will you normally haul in the truck - tools in a more or less permanent case, heavy items occasionally, bulky but lighter weight items, etc?
Who will be driving it usually and are there any special accommodations you need to make for multiple drivers (cab height, tilt wheel etc.)?How important are fuel economy and/or environmental concerns?Do you have a preference for fuel type (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, etc.)?How long do you plan to own the vehicle - will you resell it or drive it until it dies?Do you use/need additional engine or braking performance beyond standards?



Some of these questions may seem redundant. Others may seem unnecessarily picky, but this is just the first step in doing your research. Once you've gotten all your answers written down, you'll want to go over your list and put a star by those areas that are more important than the others. You should quickly see a pattern emerge that will help you determine your major and minor value points.
For example, let's say you starred where the truck will be driven, have a preference for one fuel type and that environmental concerns are important to you. Fuel economy is clearly an important value for you but you'll need to research your different fuel options further. If you decide that you might want the option to make your own biodiesel in the future if prices of regular diesel rise, you clearly won't find a sale on gasoline powered trucks a good value.
Any new truck you buy represents a huge investment. You owe it to yourself to take the time and go through every decision making step you can to make sure that you get the very best truck value for you before you make that investment.

Selling a Used Car Versus Trading It In - Which is Best?

You've decided to buy a new car. The natural question is what to do with your current car. You've got a couple options, so you need to understand the relative value of selling a used car versus trading it in when you buy.
The good news is that understanding the trade-in math can help put a nice chunk of change in your pocket. The bad news is that the math is not quite as straightforward as you might think.


Let's say you have a car that you can sell for privately for $5,000. And let's say you're in the market for a $25,000 new car. Should you sell your car yourself, or should you trade it in when you buy the new one?
You might put more cash in your pocket by selling it yourself, but your net gain on the sale might be lower than if you traded it in. That might sound strange, but it's really not. The missing piece of the puzzle is the impact of sales tax.
When you buy a new car, you have to pay sales tax only on the difference between the purchase price of the car and the trade-in amount.
So if you can find a dealer who will give you $10,000 for your trade-in (and he very well might in order to move a car off of his lot), you'll owe tax on $15,000. If the tax rate is six percent, that's $900. Consider that savings when you're deciding whether to sell your used car on your own.
If you sold your car on your own, you'd have to sell it for $10,000 plus $900 (your tax savings) to equal what your dealer was going to give you. That's a pretty high hurdle.but that's really only one consideration.
The other big thing to consider is the hassle of selling on your own, or to look at the other side of the coin, the convenience of letting your dealer handle the entire transaction.
If you sell on your own, you have to advertise the vehicle and try to market it in your area. Do you know the right price to charge? What sells where you are, and what does not? You'll also have to show it to interested parties, wait while people let their mechanic look at it, and so on. You'll have to handle all of the paperwork yourself, transfer the title appropriately and meet any requirements your state has for people who sell vehicles.
If you trade in your car, you're pretty much selling your car to the dealer. He does all the paperwork, and he's very likely to offer you more for the car than you'd get from a private buyer. You could have the entire transaction done the day you buy your new car, and never have to deal with another headache.
Selling your own used car and trading it in are both good strategies, and you can make out pretty well with either. But before jump into the seller pool, consider very carefully whether it's worth the bother, or whether trading will net you more money.

Selling a Used Car Versus Trading It In - Which is Best?

You've decided to buy a new car. The natural question is what to do with your current car. You've got a couple options, so you need to understand the relative value of selling a used car versus trading it in when you buy.
The good news is that understanding the trade-in math can help put a nice chunk of change in your pocket. The bad news is that the math is not quite as straightforward as you might think.


Let's say you have a car that you can sell for privately for $5,000. And let's say you're in the market for a $25,000 new car. Should you sell your car yourself, or should you trade it in when you buy the new one?
You might put more cash in your pocket by selling it yourself, but your net gain on the sale might be lower than if you traded it in. That might sound strange, but it's really not. The missing piece of the puzzle is the impact of sales tax.
When you buy a new car, you have to pay sales tax only on the difference between the purchase price of the car and the trade-in amount.
So if you can find a dealer who will give you $10,000 for your trade-in (and he very well might in order to move a car off of his lot), you'll owe tax on $15,000. If the tax rate is six percent, that's $900. Consider that savings when you're deciding whether to sell your used car on your own.
If you sold your car on your own, you'd have to sell it for $10,000 plus $900 (your tax savings) to equal what your dealer was going to give you. That's a pretty high hurdle.but that's really only one consideration.
The other big thing to consider is the hassle of selling on your own, or to look at the other side of the coin, the convenience of letting your dealer handle the entire transaction.
If you sell on your own, you have to advertise the vehicle and try to market it in your area. Do you know the right price to charge? What sells where you are, and what does not? You'll also have to show it to interested parties, wait while people let their mechanic look at it, and so on. You'll have to handle all of the paperwork yourself, transfer the title appropriately and meet any requirements your state has for people who sell vehicles.
If you trade in your car, you're pretty much selling your car to the dealer. He does all the paperwork, and he's very likely to offer you more for the car than you'd get from a private buyer. You could have the entire transaction done the day you buy your new car, and never have to deal with another headache.
Selling your own used car and trading it in are both good strategies, and you can make out pretty well with either. But before jump into the seller pool, consider very carefully whether it's worth the bother, or whether trading will net you more money.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Lenovo Y510 surround sound in Ubuntu

Lenovo Y510 has go 4.1 sound system with a sub-woofer (Dolby Home Theater)


Default installation of Ubuntu doesn't recognises all four speaker. There are few fix going on the Internet. There is one problem with those fixes, i.e. headphone doesn't mute the speakers. So you have to manually mute and un-mute the speaker while using the headphone.

However I have found one fix, that recognises all four speaker and one sub-woofer, mutes and un-mutes them while using headphone, and produces 5.1 surround sound.

Open /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base for editing. (you need root access)
Open /etc/modprobe.d/alsa.conf if you are using Fedora (Thanks to the Anonymous user)
add the following line at the end
options snd_hda_intel model=6stack-dell

save and reboot.

Now, go to Audio Preferences and select "6ch" under the options tab.

You are all done, test it with the command "speaker-test -Dplug:surround51 -c6 -twav"

Note: If you have updated your system to Maverick Meerkat, you have to repeat this process again.

Truck Wheel

When it comes to selecting wheels for your vehicles, then you need to go by some specifications, otherwise you will end up with tires that are incompatible to your type of vehicle. Trucks especially come in many types, for example, SUVs, vans and pick ups. More often than not, they are used for ferrying heavy weights although this culture is slowly but surely changing.


For this reason, you need to ensure that your truck wheels are the appropriate ones. These days, there are those customized tires that will fit without a problem.The custom tires will serve many purposes at a go because, besides bearing the heavy weight of the vehicle, they also give better performance and enhance the appearance of the vehicle. Think of the vehicles you have seen with over sized tires, raised to over 8 inches and fitted with fog lights for no specific functional reason but for glamour.Truck wheels should be reliable, otherwise you will need to replace them every so often and this will cost you a fortune. For the best results, it is good if you are sure if you need them for light or heavy vehicles. Light vehicles consist of pickups, mini vans, full-size vans and sports utility vehicles. All the other big vehicles fall in the heavy weight category.
For long-lasting tires, you may want to consider going for the alloy ones because for one thing, they are non-corrosive and they are also lighter than the ones made from single metals. Others available one are those made of stainless steel, aluminum brushed and chrome. Their diameters range from 15 inches upwards. The choice is yours.

Truck Wheel

When it comes to selecting wheels for your vehicles, then you need to go by some specifications, otherwise you will end up with tires that are incompatible to your type of vehicle. Trucks especially come in many types, for example, SUVs, vans and pick ups. More often than not, they are used for ferrying heavy weights although this culture is slowly but surely changing.


For this reason, you need to ensure that your truck wheels are the appropriate ones. These days, there are those customized tires that will fit without a problem.The custom tires will serve many purposes at a go because, besides bearing the heavy weight of the vehicle, they also give better performance and enhance the appearance of the vehicle. Think of the vehicles you have seen with over sized tires, raised to over 8 inches and fitted with fog lights for no specific functional reason but for glamour.Truck wheels should be reliable, otherwise you will need to replace them every so often and this will cost you a fortune. For the best results, it is good if you are sure if you need them for light or heavy vehicles. Light vehicles consist of pickups, mini vans, full-size vans and sports utility vehicles. All the other big vehicles fall in the heavy weight category.
For long-lasting tires, you may want to consider going for the alloy ones because for one thing, they are non-corrosive and they are also lighter than the ones made from single metals. Others available one are those made of stainless steel, aluminum brushed and chrome. Their diameters range from 15 inches upwards. The choice is yours.

Used Car Warranties - 5 Key Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used Car

If you are in the market for a used car, you need to be in another market at the same time-the market for a used car warranty. You need to shop for both. And if you're not careful, you can end up costing yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars on a bad extended warranty.


When you are shopping, remember what an extended warranty is. It is essentially a service contract that covers things after the new car warranty (the factory warranty) ends. You will not get all of the new car coverage, even in a great extended warranty, so don't let that bother you. But be smart about what you do get. Here are some questions to ask.
Do you really need an extended warranty? You might not if there is a big portion of the original warranty left. If the warranty transfers to a new buyer, you might be covered as much as you need or want. Saving the money you would have spent on an extended warranty might be a smart option.
What is covered by an extended warranty you're considering? This is an extremely important question to answer. Many people shop for an extended warranty like they shop for gas-they buy the cheapest they can find. That is often a big mistake. In the world of extended warranties, you often get what you pay for.
What you want is a warranty that covers mechanical breakdown and "wear and tear." Wear and tear refers to items that tend to wear out and degrade the performance of your car. That means things like worn rings, shot pistons, overheating damage, leaks, etc. Stuff in your car tends to wear out, not fail, so do not settle for a warranty that does not cover wear and tear.Is the warranty company reputable? If you can not get information about the company from the Better Business Bureau or Web Assured, avoid them like the plague.You will find that many companies offering cheap extended warranties with low teaser rates reject most (or even all) claims. That's the way they make money on such a cheap product. They might not answer their phones. They might not send you a contract to review before you agree to the warranty. These are all bad signs.
Will the warranty pay the repair shop directly? If they make you pay first, they can quibble about reimbursing you. This is one of the biggest scam tactics out there. You should pick a warranty that will pay the repair shop directly and not force you to shell out your own money and hope for reimbursement.
Can you get repairs at any ASE certified shop? You don't want a warranty that forces you get service where you bought the warranty, or that restricts you to a few repair shops in the greater Newark area (although that might be convenient if you live in New Jersey). You want a warranty that will let you get your service at any shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). That gives you the flexibility to have 400,000 professionals to choose from.Used car warranties can be a great way to protect your purchase, if you know what to look for. If you answer these five key questions, you will be able to protect yourself as much as you are trying to protect your car.

Used Car Warranties - 5 Key Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used Car

If you are in the market for a used car, you need to be in another market at the same time-the market for a used car warranty. You need to shop for both. And if you're not careful, you can end up costing yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars on a bad extended warranty.


When you are shopping, remember what an extended warranty is. It is essentially a service contract that covers things after the new car warranty (the factory warranty) ends. You will not get all of the new car coverage, even in a great extended warranty, so don't let that bother you. But be smart about what you do get. Here are some questions to ask.
Do you really need an extended warranty? You might not if there is a big portion of the original warranty left. If the warranty transfers to a new buyer, you might be covered as much as you need or want. Saving the money you would have spent on an extended warranty might be a smart option.
What is covered by an extended warranty you're considering? This is an extremely important question to answer. Many people shop for an extended warranty like they shop for gas-they buy the cheapest they can find. That is often a big mistake. In the world of extended warranties, you often get what you pay for.
What you want is a warranty that covers mechanical breakdown and "wear and tear." Wear and tear refers to items that tend to wear out and degrade the performance of your car. That means things like worn rings, shot pistons, overheating damage, leaks, etc. Stuff in your car tends to wear out, not fail, so do not settle for a warranty that does not cover wear and tear.Is the warranty company reputable? If you can not get information about the company from the Better Business Bureau or Web Assured, avoid them like the plague.You will find that many companies offering cheap extended warranties with low teaser rates reject most (or even all) claims. That's the way they make money on such a cheap product. They might not answer their phones. They might not send you a contract to review before you agree to the warranty. These are all bad signs.
Will the warranty pay the repair shop directly? If they make you pay first, they can quibble about reimbursing you. This is one of the biggest scam tactics out there. You should pick a warranty that will pay the repair shop directly and not force you to shell out your own money and hope for reimbursement.
Can you get repairs at any ASE certified shop? You don't want a warranty that forces you get service where you bought the warranty, or that restricts you to a few repair shops in the greater Newark area (although that might be convenient if you live in New Jersey). You want a warranty that will let you get your service at any shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). That gives you the flexibility to have 400,000 professionals to choose from.Used car warranties can be a great way to protect your purchase, if you know what to look for. If you answer these five key questions, you will be able to protect yourself as much as you are trying to protect your car.

Friday, January 2, 2009

How to Pass the Driving Test - Learn All the Secrets For Passing!

If you want to officially have your driver's license, you'll first have to learn how to pass the driving test. Even if you think you know how to drive, you still may not have what it takes to pass the test. The written test may have hard questions that you don't know the answers to. The road test may be much harder than what you might expect.

Let's face it, the DMV handbook doesn't provide nearly enough information on how you can pass the driving test. You can read it every day for a month and you still may end up failing your test. It's all too common. It's so common, in fact, that over half of the American population fail their very first driving test.

If state handbooks are really all that great, then why do half the people who "read" them end up failing? It's simple: they weren't prepared enough. Those failing their first driving test didn't show up to the DMV with all the knowledge and skills they needed for passing.

It could also be that they were nervous. However, if they walked into the DMV knowing that they were well prepared, their anxiety could have been lessened. Mistakes are bound to happen, and that's fine, but those who prepare themselves well enough ahead of time are less likely to make them.

Thankfully, there is hope. There are wonderful resource guides on the Internet that will give you all the knowledge you'll need to succeed. If you want to know how to pass the driving test, you will need to read a good guide that help you understand the rules of the road better. You don't have to read your boring DMV handbook over and over again. You don't have to spend a fortune on driving lessons. You can find all the information you need for passing the driving test online!

How to Pass the Driving Test - Learn All the Secrets For Passing!

If you want to officially have your driver's license, you'll first have to learn how to pass the driving test. Even if you think you know how to drive, you still may not have what it takes to pass the test. The written test may have hard questions that you don't know the answers to. The road test may be much harder than what you might expect.

Let's face it, the DMV handbook doesn't provide nearly enough information on how you can pass the driving test. You can read it every day for a month and you still may end up failing your test. It's all too common. It's so common, in fact, that over half of the American population fail their very first driving test.

If state handbooks are really all that great, then why do half the people who "read" them end up failing? It's simple: they weren't prepared enough. Those failing their first driving test didn't show up to the DMV with all the knowledge and skills they needed for passing.

It could also be that they were nervous. However, if they walked into the DMV knowing that they were well prepared, their anxiety could have been lessened. Mistakes are bound to happen, and that's fine, but those who prepare themselves well enough ahead of time are less likely to make them.

Thankfully, there is hope. There are wonderful resource guides on the Internet that will give you all the knowledge you'll need to succeed. If you want to know how to pass the driving test, you will need to read a good guide that help you understand the rules of the road better. You don't have to read your boring DMV handbook over and over again. You don't have to spend a fortune on driving lessons. You can find all the information you need for passing the driving test online!

How to Get the Best Deal on a Used Mercedes Benz Car

So you want to buy a used Mercedes Benz car. There is nothing wrong with that, and you can save a bundle. But be smart when you buy. You are going to have to make some important decisions as you consider your purchase.

The most important decision you will make is where to buy.

You can obviously buy a Mercedes car from an individual owner. You might get a great deal that way, and if there has only been one previous owner, you will have a better chance of getting a car that was taken good care of.

But there are serious advantages to buying a certified, pre-owned Mercedes Benz car from a dealer.

Mercedes Benz prides itself on the quality of its certified, pre-owned cars. They intentionally make the certification process rigorous. The put each vehicle through nine different inspections, with a total of 162 different checks. That includes a complete check of the engine components and compartment (28 points), a road test (14 points) and a check of the electrical system (33 points).

Mercedes wants a certified, pre-owned car to be as close to new quality as it can be, and the results prove it. The reliability of these vehicles is superb. But they don't ask you to trust them on that.

Every certified, pre-owned Mercedes car comes with a comprehensive limited warranty. Any remaining part of the four-year/50,000 mile new vehicle warranty still applies, of course. Beyond that, the certified pre-owned warranty extends the coverage another 12 months, or up to 100,000 total miles. That warranty takes effect at the time of vehicle delivery for any car no longer covered by the new car warranty.

They also offer a Mercedes Extended Warranty that covers just about everything imaginable, including the steering, brakes, engine and powertrain, transmission, and so on. The warranty guarantees the work at over 300 authorized dealers nationwide in the U.S., and you will get all genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. There is no deductible for the extended warranty, and you can transfer it to a new owner if you sell your Mercedes car.

So the cars are exhaustively evaluated, and Mercedes stands behind their reliability with one of the best warranty programs in the business (right up there with BMW-maybe it's a German thing). But Mercedes goes above and beyond with their certified, pre-owned vehicles.

You will get 24-hour roadside assistance, just like new Mercedes owners do. You'll also get what they call Sign and Drive services, which gives you a free jump-start, flat tire change, or gas if your tank is empty and you are stranded.

And when you buy a certified, pre-owned Mercedes Benz car, you will get the seven-day/500 mile exchange privilege. That means you can return the car within that time and swap it for another pre-owned Mercedes of equal value (or greater value, if you want to pay the difference).

If you are considering buying a used Mercedes Benz car, it is certainly worth your time to investigate buying a certified, pre-owned vehicle from an authorized Mercedes dealer. You might get a steal if you buy from some other source, but you might be surprised to find that Mercedes itself is the best deal around.

How to Get the Best Deal on a Used Mercedes Benz Car

So you want to buy a used Mercedes Benz car. There is nothing wrong with that, and you can save a bundle. But be smart when you buy. You are going to have to make some important decisions as you consider your purchase.

The most important decision you will make is where to buy.

You can obviously buy a Mercedes car from an individual owner. You might get a great deal that way, and if there has only been one previous owner, you will have a better chance of getting a car that was taken good care of.

But there are serious advantages to buying a certified, pre-owned Mercedes Benz car from a dealer.

Mercedes Benz prides itself on the quality of its certified, pre-owned cars. They intentionally make the certification process rigorous. The put each vehicle through nine different inspections, with a total of 162 different checks. That includes a complete check of the engine components and compartment (28 points), a road test (14 points) and a check of the electrical system (33 points).

Mercedes wants a certified, pre-owned car to be as close to new quality as it can be, and the results prove it. The reliability of these vehicles is superb. But they don't ask you to trust them on that.

Every certified, pre-owned Mercedes car comes with a comprehensive limited warranty. Any remaining part of the four-year/50,000 mile new vehicle warranty still applies, of course. Beyond that, the certified pre-owned warranty extends the coverage another 12 months, or up to 100,000 total miles. That warranty takes effect at the time of vehicle delivery for any car no longer covered by the new car warranty.

They also offer a Mercedes Extended Warranty that covers just about everything imaginable, including the steering, brakes, engine and powertrain, transmission, and so on. The warranty guarantees the work at over 300 authorized dealers nationwide in the U.S., and you will get all genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. There is no deductible for the extended warranty, and you can transfer it to a new owner if you sell your Mercedes car.

So the cars are exhaustively evaluated, and Mercedes stands behind their reliability with one of the best warranty programs in the business (right up there with BMW-maybe it's a German thing). But Mercedes goes above and beyond with their certified, pre-owned vehicles.

You will get 24-hour roadside assistance, just like new Mercedes owners do. You'll also get what they call Sign and Drive services, which gives you a free jump-start, flat tire change, or gas if your tank is empty and you are stranded.

And when you buy a certified, pre-owned Mercedes Benz car, you will get the seven-day/500 mile exchange privilege. That means you can return the car within that time and swap it for another pre-owned Mercedes of equal value (or greater value, if you want to pay the difference).

If you are considering buying a used Mercedes Benz car, it is certainly worth your time to investigate buying a certified, pre-owned vehicle from an authorized Mercedes dealer. You might get a steal if you buy from some other source, but you might be surprised to find that Mercedes itself is the best deal around.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Free Classified Auto Ads

Are you ready to sell your car? When selling anything, it's very important to get the best possible price. Forget the trade in money that dealerships are offering towards your next car. You'll be paying for that trade in value through higher monthly payments or a lower discount on the car you're buying.

The best way to sell your car is through free classified auto ads.

By selling online, you have way more people who can see your car listing and make an offer. Traditional ads limit your exposure because they target local buyers only, but with free online auto listings, anyone with internet access is a potential car buyer. The more people who see your ad, the more potential buyers you have. There may be thousands of persons searching for a car like your one but not living in your area, or not reading that specific newspaper where you purchased a classified ad, they'll never see your listing; this won't happen with classified ads as they offer the same visibility to your car ad for your neighbor as for someone in a different state.

Not only can free classified auto ads blast your ad in front of more potential car buyers, but they are completely free. What does this mean? Unlike traditional newspaper classified ads, free automotive classified ads stay up until your car is sold.

There are no extra fees to keep the ad active and each and every day potential buyers see your listing. You don't have to settle for a lower offer just because your newspaper ad ran out.

It's very easy and quick to put up free classified auto ads. All you need to have is the information about the car you are selling, but you can also put up pictures of your car. Adding photos of the car is strongly recommended, both inside and outside of the vehicle should be well visible in the images.

The more information you put in your ad, the better chance you will have of finding a buyer quickly.

Your car is one of your biggest personal investments so it pays to make it easy by more and more people. Free auto listings help you do just this. If you are serious about selling your car and getting the best possible price, then putting up a free classified auto ad is the way to go.

Free Classified Auto Ads

Are you ready to sell your car? When selling anything, it's very important to get the best possible price. Forget the trade in money that dealerships are offering towards your next car. You'll be paying for that trade in value through higher monthly payments or a lower discount on the car you're buying.

The best way to sell your car is through free classified auto ads.

By selling online, you have way more people who can see your car listing and make an offer. Traditional ads limit your exposure because they target local buyers only, but with free online auto listings, anyone with internet access is a potential car buyer. The more people who see your ad, the more potential buyers you have. There may be thousands of persons searching for a car like your one but not living in your area, or not reading that specific newspaper where you purchased a classified ad, they'll never see your listing; this won't happen with classified ads as they offer the same visibility to your car ad for your neighbor as for someone in a different state.

Not only can free classified auto ads blast your ad in front of more potential car buyers, but they are completely free. What does this mean? Unlike traditional newspaper classified ads, free automotive classified ads stay up until your car is sold.

There are no extra fees to keep the ad active and each and every day potential buyers see your listing. You don't have to settle for a lower offer just because your newspaper ad ran out.

It's very easy and quick to put up free classified auto ads. All you need to have is the information about the car you are selling, but you can also put up pictures of your car. Adding photos of the car is strongly recommended, both inside and outside of the vehicle should be well visible in the images.

The more information you put in your ad, the better chance you will have of finding a buyer quickly.

Your car is one of your biggest personal investments so it pays to make it easy by more and more people. Free auto listings help you do just this. If you are serious about selling your car and getting the best possible price, then putting up a free classified auto ad is the way to go.