Comments for Laney's blog

Comment on Now running Lenny (and a workaround for a Grub bug) by Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:44:33 +0000

In a Xen VM you don't need no stinkin' grub. Another way to solve this problem is to remove the local (unused) grub and kernel image. The kernel image that's used comes from Dom0.
# dpkg -P linux-image-2.6.26-2-amd64 linux-image-2.6-amd64 grub
The kernel modules, however, should match Dom0's kernel.

Comment on Nokia N96 lightning review by A Reader

A Reader — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:23:05 +0000

I've got a really slick, slim, Nokia that is a 'phone, plays music, has FM radio, even a cr*ppy little camera with a lens and sensor the size of pins – the sort that fit into mobile phones – fine for snappy happies but as good as a chocolate teapot for real photographers. (It doesn't matter who makes a lensa if it shines on to a sensor that's too small). Oh yes, and it has Sudoku.

It cost me £5 (after free £15 top-ups and cancelled (pointless)) 'bundled' insurance are taken into account), brand new, from a 'phone shop, a year ago. I anticipate a good ten years of use out of it. It is much *much* slimmer and less cumbersome than the i-This, or Nok-that rip-off fashion statements that pretend to be computers. Well, are computers, just of close to zero use for proper computing with their 'screens' and 'keyboards' designed for budgerigars, not humans.

The only thing a mobile 'phone is actually good for is making 'phone calls. It is passable for music and sudoku. Anything else is misplaced fluff, that would be better out of sight in a belly button. Of course, if the 'phone (and 'apps') companies can persuade mugs to pay several hundred pounds for £5 worth of functionality and a bunch of fluff, good luck to them.

'One born every minute'? Thousands, more likely. Still, you give us wiser folks something to laugh about, when the MPs are off the air.

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by cycling shorts

cycling shorts — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:55:04 +0000

Dont' bother with full-sus unless you're building your own bike. I'd stick to hardtail as they cover just about every terrain type unless you happen to have a delicate backside.

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by Lapierre

Lapierre — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:35:01 +0000

This is correct there is indeed a cycle scheme but it is dependant on your employer being part of this scheme. It involves some tax free benefits as well as the possibility of you employer contributing to your bike. I would check with then, if this is the case maybe you could get an even better bike, i know my dream bike would be a Lapierre bike.

Comment on Now running Lenny (and a workaround for a Grub bug) by alexdb

alexdb — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:02:58 +0000

I solved this issue like this:

In the DomU just edit:
/var/lib/dpkg/info/linux-image-2.6.26-2-xen-686.postinst

and put this line in comment:
#command -v update-grub > /dev/null && update-grub

so the postinstall script won't try to update grub too

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by strauss

strauss — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:18:57 +0000

don't understand a thing about bikes, but many people in my office used the mayor of london cycle scheme to have a 50% discount on their bikes. you are entitled to do it if you use it to commute (and your employee has to do a simple form filling procedure). just google cycle scheme.

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by Huygens

Huygens — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:47:48 +0000

For a 200£ bike, don't look too much at what shimano/SRAM/etc. devices you should get… You should better look for a bike that look discreet (so it won't get stolen), practical (I prefer for a city bike the "women frame", it is easier to get on and off the bike, which happen a lot in a city).
Then, for a cool look and comfortable frame, try to look for Dutch like framed bike. They are amazingly nice to ride, especially in cities because you are seating slightly higher than on other bikes, thus seeing better the traffic. And they are well equipped against the rain
Good brands with entry level bikes (around the 200£) you should be able to get Gazelle or Batavia (for Dutch style bikes), for hybrid frames I would advise German brands like Steven or Bulls, or the French one La Pierre.
But for the neck and comfort, try the Dutch frame style rather than the hybrid one.
End note: I have also an hybrid bike, but I use it for bicycle trekking (long distance bike).

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by Me Again

Me Again — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:11:10 +0000

I live in the Netherlands and I have a Gazelle (dutch brand) city bike. I use it to go to work every day (about 8 kilometers one way).

Things that are important for me:
* roller brakes: completely encased, they work in any weather
* gears in the rear hub: my current bike has a Shimano Nexus 7; low maintenance, not affected by weather, allows for a completely-encased chain
* city-bike type: mud guards; upright position (good visibility)
* dynamo-powered lights (my current bike has the dynamo in the front wheel hub)

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by Sense Hofstede

Sense Hofstede — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:57:20 +0000

The best bikes are from Gazelle, but I'm not sure if you can buy those in a regular English bike shop.

You could always try Union, they are sold at Halfords, if I'm correct.

In any case, I would advise against buying a mountainbike or hybrid. For work-home travel you should buy a proper bike, it is a lot more comfortable and easier when doing the shopping.

Comment on Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike by Donald Allwright

Donald Allwright — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:54:18 +0000

About 12 years ago I bought a Dawes City Vision 7 for around £250. My main criteria as a town bike were ruggedness, hub gears (lower maintenance), slow release wheels (to reduce the risk of theft), kevlar-protected tyres and an upright riding position. I've found it to be excellent for the flatness of Cambridge, and have just had to spend money on the first repair apart from normal wear and tear after 12 years. OK it's never going to be as fast as my road bikes on account of the upright riding position, but that wasn't in the requirements spec.. My only minor gripe is that the gears are aimed at a slower rider than myself, but I could easily change the chainring if I could be bothered.

A hybrid would probably be adequate, but is by definition a compromise so won't be excellent at anything, just OK at a range of things.