Dropbox - a free solution for syncing files across computers

Dropbox is a program for syncing directories and files across your computers. When you add or remove something on one computer, the changes are updated to all your other computers. This way you always have the latest version of your files both a work and at home. 

Moreover, a web interface allows you to access your Dropbox directory on any computer with internet access. Thus, if you sit down at some random internet cafe while on vacation, you can still access, upload, and modify your files! This is very useful for keeping a backup copy of your passport, tickets, or other valuable files. 

The free version of Dropbox gives you 2 GB of storage, however, by using the link below both you and I get an extra 250 MB :)

https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTEyMTMzNTQ5

Get Spotify without an invite

Spotify requires an invite to install on your computer. However, there is a workaround:

1. Go to http://lazyfoo.co.uk/
2. In the URL field, enter https://www.spotify.com/en/get-started/
   
3. Enter your registration details to create a Spotify account and download the software.

Apparently this works because UK citizens are allowed to register, but the rest of us are not. The workaround routes your traffic via a proxy so that you appear to be a UK citizen. Once registered, you need not worry about this.

Good luck!

Exporting Simulink models to eps or other formats

To export Simulink models/block diagrams to eps or other image formats is easy. First, open your model. Next, use the print function to export to other formats (note the letter 's' that must precede the model name, which is entered without the '.mdl' postfix):

print -s<modelname> -d<xxx> -r<resolution> <filename.xxx>

For example, to export simmodel.mdl to eps with a resolution of 300 dpi, type

print -ssimmodel -deps -r300 simmodel.eps

The file simmodel.eps will be created in the directory where the command is entered.

For more information about image formats and print options, type

help print

Enjoy!

Adding difficult code snippets to your blog

It is sometimes difficult to add code snippets your blog, for example using Blogger/Blogspot. Code involving xml or html tags might get parsed if you simply try to use the <pre> tag. A simple solution is to copy and paste your code snippet into this website, which transforms it to "readable" code. You may then enclose the resulting code in <pre> tags as usual.

For example, when I needed to write <pre> in the previous paragraph, I went to the above website, entered <pre>, and got &lt;pre&gt; back in return, which I simply copy and pasted back into the Blogger editor.

Touchpad not working after upgrading to Ubuntu Intrepid

If you find that your laptop touchpad is not working after upgrading to Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid, it may be that your SHMConfig is not enabled.  The official instructions are to open a terminal and enter the following command:

gksudo gedit /etc/hal/fdi/policy/shmconfig.fdi

Then put this into the file (which was empty in my case):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<deviceinfo version="0.2">
 <device>
  <match key="input.x11_driver" string="synaptics">
   <merge key="input.x11_options.SHMConfig" type="string">True</merge>
  </match>
 </device>
</deviceinfo>

After a reboot, your touchpad is hopefully working again. Also, you should have a Touchpad entry in the System menu: System -> Preferences -> Touchpad