vRaMi

Open Source Initiative in Jordan

Rami — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:41:06 +0000

I thought many times before writing this article because I feel that it will open lots of mouths on me. Before 7 years I was very excited about Open Source initiative and how to help spreading the word and educate people about Open Source. Now I guess the picture is little different than before and people at least know what’s open source and there is something exist called open free source software, but I don’t want to be pessimistic, I see all these initiatives are just a shy trial to promote open source and educate people about it. I guess people should be educated about the Open source but with different way, not by using Linux or Open office but by the concept itself. I am a IT person who love Linux and I guess Ubuntu is a step forward to make Linux a user friendly and much easier, but I still think it is still not ready for the end user and not ready also for all IT people. I am now blogging from my Asus netbook that has Windows 7 pre-installed, if I want to install let us say Ubuntu remix to replace Windows 7, I will spend 1 hour to configure my Wifi, I will lose the mutlitouch mouse pad (I guess it is very important for the netbook) also I will lose the mic and the cam. For regular people, what does that mean? Waste of time and they lost some of the functionalities that came with the netbook. If the user tried it once and had a bad experience with it, it will lose interest with open source and will have bad impression about the open source. Students at schools start their 1^st steps in Computer world by using windows and MS office changing this culture needs time and efforts. Changing this culture does not mean, to start making fun of others and pretend that company like MS is evil, all commercial companies are evils and they care about money, we have to educate people about open source philosophy and why should I care before start teaching people how to use Linux or open office. People must start their 1^st steps in open source world with simpler approach, like browsers. Imagine if Mozilla Firefox has a market share with 60%, this mean all developer will start use open standard and not commercial closed standard. Developer will use or try to use open source technology or force the commercial company to use open standard or support open source standard.

I guess this kind of start will help to promote the open source more than telling people to use Linux or open office. May be the open source browser will influence people to use other open source products like Linux or open office or php, etc.. and make people think for alternatives other than closed or commercial software.

How to make a dynamic PDF File (Flowed Layout)

Rami — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:21:23 +0000

I’m a big fan of Adobe Acrobat Forms, I faced different cases in my work, other departments asked me to design a PDF form but a dynamic, the content in the boxes can be expended or shrink depends on the data. In Adobe Acrobat these kind of forms called Flowed layout. I thought it will be a tough task to do such thing, but after playing around with Adobe LiveCycle, it was easy and almost straight forward.

The most important part to decide which pages are flowed layout and which are positioned, and then everything will be in few clicks. All you have to do is to make the Page layout Flowed and wrap all your fields within a subform with a flowed layout, and for each field in the layout tab, select expand to fit property so the field are expandable.

Find this test PDF, it will explain everything also I added how to add more Table rows dynamically into a PDF form.

Note: You have to save your PDF file as Dynamic PDF in order to make it expandable.

Amazon Kindle 2 in Jordan – My Impression

Rami — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:44:39 +0000

The internet is full of Amazon Kindle 2 review, tips and tricks and hacks. I will not talk here about these things because Kindle 2 is almost one year out and it is too late to talk about these things. What I am gonna talk about is my first impression and my experience of Kindle in Jordan.

I got a chance to bought the international kindle during my visit to Canada after reducing its price, what’s amazing that the package was delivered before the schedule time to my hotel room, and Amazon calculate all import and tax services for me, I didn’t have to pay anything for the customs and delivery company.

The 3G service work great on the Kindle, I tried to purchase different books from Amazon website and on less than 1 min it was downloaded on my Kindle.

On Heathrow airport, I have to pay for the internet connection, but what I did is using my Kindle browser to check emails and do some tweets all free using the free 3G connection. Don’t expect too much from the kindle browser it remind me with the earliest version of the browsers but it will do the job if you don’t have internet connection.

The problem of the Amazon Kindle in Jordan, the whisper service is working in Jordan as GPRS/EDGE I tried to purchase sample book and also less than 60 sec it was on my Kindle.

I tried to use different PDF files to see how it is practical to read on kindle; of course I used PDF with Arabic font. You can see how Kindle handle the Quran and how amazing and clear view you can have.

I am very satisfied with my kindle, Kindle definitely will change your reading experience and you will enjoy reading without eye strains.

Adding Arabic support to Nexus One

Rami — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:23:40 +0000

After my return from Canada and getting my Nexus One Mobile, I decided last Saturday to add the Arabic support to Android 2.2, after 10 mins of hard work and scary moments , I restored all my apps and data to my N1 with Arabic.

I don’t take any credits for this quick guide, all information were gathered from here and their and I’m not responsible for any bricked devices or data lost and this procedures will void your warranty.. I am warning you

Please note this article is just for Nexus One (Google Phone) with Froyo (Android 2.2) Version.

Ingredients:

Android SDK R06
Amon_RA’s Recovery Image
Nexus 0.1 add-ons
Froyo Stock ROM with Arabic Support
Mybackup installed in your mobile (from the market) to backup your data
USB Cable
Your Nexus One Mobile

Procedures:

Unzip the Android SDK in whatever folder you like
Go to your Mobile, from Settings –>Applications –>Development –> Enable USB Debugging
Connect your mobile to the USB then to your PC
Wait until Windows recognized your mobile if not (the normal case ) go to My computer, right click properties then to device manager, look for the N1 mobile, right click –> properties, update drivers and choose the android SDK folder, then USB Driver for your windows version. This should make your windows recognize your mobile.
Go to Run and type cmd and hit enter
Go to the Android SDK folder then to Tools
Type this command: adb devices and then hit enter
Wait for a second the system should return to you a number like HT123P143456 this is your mobile serial number, and if it didn’t work check if your windows recognized your mobile, if not.. Kill yourself or Google it for a solution
Go back to your mobile and do a backup if you care about your data like call history, sms, etc.. don’t backup your Google calendar and contacts because Google already do that for you
Now turn off your Nexus one
Hold the track ball and press the power point for few seconds and release it
You should end up with a white screen with three green android at the bottom of the screen
Go to Run and open the command again (by typing cmd)
Go to your Android SDK then to Tools
Type: fastboot devices and hit enter
It Should give you the same serial number as before if yes then you are on the right track
Now to the scary part type: fastboot oem unlock , read the screen carefully if you don’t agree the rules you can choose that and return back to your Froyo without Arabic support, if you want to have a little risk choose unlock the bootloader and press the power button
Now you should have unlock sign at the bottom of the screen , restart your mobile in recovery mode (same as before track ball and power button)
Move Amon_RA’s recovery image to your Android SDK folder\Tools
Open your command (Run –>cmd) and hit enter
Type the following command: fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-nexus-v1.7.0.img
It should take few seconds and give you writing Recovery
Now you can boot directory from the menu to recovery image
From the recovery image choose to Connect to USB and copy both files the Nexus add-ons 0.1 and the Froyo with Arabic support
Return to the Recovery image and choose flash zip from sd card
Choose the nexus one add-ons and flash it
Once the process is finished (congratulation your mobile is rooted ) Flash the 2nd zip file with same steps
After all is done, disconnect your mobile from USB and restart it
Wait until it open, sign in with your Google account, restore your backup and install your apps
Voila…you have Arabic support with your Nexus One (go and check it what you are waiting for )

Celine Dion is returning to Vegas

Rami — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:28:52 +0000

This time I will make sure to be their…

Small changes that can make a big difference

Rami — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:17:09 +0000

Before one week I started writing on my twitter about these small things that can make a big differences in the long run, actually I start like the idea and became on of the activity that I do before leaving to the work… Here are the list of these until now

Small changes that can make a big difference: A smile on your face every time, everywhere
Small changes that can make a big difference: Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
Small changes that can make a big difference: Feel with others…
Small changes that can make a big difference: Appreciate yourself…
Small changes that can make a big difference: Love yourself….
Small changes that can make a big difference: Live the moment….
Small changes that can make a big difference: Excuse the others…
Small changes that can make a big difference: Think before acting…

For more follow me on my twitter

وسط الازدحام

Rami — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:50:07 +0000

بدأ نهاره عابسا كعادته، دخل مكتبه وطلب قهوته، ثم انهمك في مراجعة بعض الأوراق أمامه، وقّع على بعضها، وأزاح بعضها الآخر جانبا ليقف فجأة ويتجه نحو النافذة، سماء رمادية شاحبة بعثت في نفسه انقباضا، زاد من حدته شكل الأشجار في الشارع بأغصانها العارية المتشابكة في توتر… هكذا أحسّ بها هو! وقفزت إلى ذاكرته، فهزّ رأسه في حركة لا شعورية كأنه يطردها من أفكاره . . كانت تردد دائما أن هناك موسيقى ما في تشابك واتجاهات أغصان الأشجار في فصل الشتاء، وردّد في نفسه : «قال موسيقى قال . . كم احتملت فلسفتها»!.
تنهّد بضجر، وعاد نحو مكتبه وأشعل سيجارة، وألقى رأسه إلى الخلف ليطالعه الضوء الباهت البارد المنعكس في المكان، فسرت في جسده قشعريرة غريبة وأحس بطيور السأم تحط على قلبه ببلادة…
تناول الأوراق لمراجعتها، وهو يحاول أن يجد سببا لهذا الإجهاد الذي يشعر به ساعة الصباح على غير العادة، ثم حاول أن يتذكر فكرة واحدة تشعره بشيء من البهجة، فلم يجد! بعد قليل سينتهي الدوام، وعليه أن يمر بسيارته على الميكانيكي، ثم يمضي إلى أحد المستشفيات لزيارة زميل، لا وقت للغداء، ومن قال إنه يشعر بالجوع، «تبّاً لهذا اليوم، كل شيء فيه يبدو في منتهى السخف!» هذا ما قاله لنفسه وهو يشعل سيجارته الثانية.
«أنت تنفث الدخان بطريقة مضحكة أحيانا!» هكذا كان رأيها في طريقة تدخينه كما عبرت عنه ذات مرة، ووجد نفسه يقوم من مقعده فجأة ليقول لنفسه: «هذه التافهة! وكيف تراني يجب أن أنفث الدخان لأبدو في نظرها مثيراً للإعجاب؟ لا أعلم! كم احتملت تفاهاتها!».
وأضاف: «في النهايات راحة، هذا واضح، وبقدر ما لبدايات قصص الحب من جاذبية، إلا أن في نهاية كهذه سعادة! نعم، يجب أن أكون سعيداً بإنهاء علاقة أتعبتني! هذه المرأة لا تناسبني ويبدو أني لا أناسبها، فهي حساسة جدا وأنا سريع الغضب . . أو مهلاً، فربما أنني أنا الحسّاس . . وهي سريعة الغضب، كل هذا لا يهم، المهم هو أنها لم تستطع استيعابي واحتوائي هكذا كما أنا . . لقد قالت خلال شجارنا الأخير أنها لا ترغب برؤيتي ثانية!».
هزّ كتفيه كطفل مدلّل ليقول: «ومن هو الغبي ابن الغبي الذي قال إني أفكر في رؤيتها؟ يجب أن أرسم لنفسي خطة جديدة في الحياة، بل واستغل طاقتي النفسية التي استنزفتها بالتفكير والقلق عليها في أمور أخرى أكثر أهمية، يجب أن أزيد ساعات المطالعة مثلا، أو أعود لأتابع النشاطات الثقافية من ندوات ومعارض كتب وغيره، وأعود إلى مخالطة الأصدقاء الذين ابتعدت عنهم بشكل أو بآخر».
وأضاف وهو يلملم أوراقه مغادراً المكتب: «الحياة أوسع وأرحب من أن تتوقف عند الأشخاص، والحب قد يكون لعنة أحياناً أو ورماً خبيثاً لا سبيل للتخلص منه إلا بالبتر . . وسأعمل على بتر ذلك الجزء من قلبي الذي حسبت أنه انشغل بها، نعم، فالحب في الأرض بعض من تخيلنا . . لو لم نجده عليها لاخترعناه!».
وفيما كان يهم بفتح باب سيارته، رنَّ هاتفه النقَّال معلناً وصول رسالة… فتحها بيدٍ مرتجفة، فقرأ كلمة منها تقول: «أحبُّك…»
وشعر أن قلبه عصفور يكاد يفرّ من بين ضلوعه، وشعر أنه يرغب في الغناء مرة، وفي الركض في منتصف الشارع مرة أخرى، وفي ضمّ الدنيا كلها إلى صدره في كل المرات، وسار بسيارته وسط الازدحام ليسرح في شكل الأغصان المتشابكة… وفرقة موسيقية كاملة تعزف في قلبه!
وبدأ يفكر، ويحاسب نفسه عما يمكن أن يكون قد بدر منه خلال شجارهما الأخير، ثم في وسيلة للاعتذار… فيما لم ينتبه وسط شروده لبعض المارة يبتسمون وهم يرون رجلاً بالغاً يحادث نفسه داخل سيارته وسط الازدحام!.

من جريدة الرأي 24/1/2010

د.لانا مامكغ

Finally, Arabic support to Android arrived

Rami — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:55:15 +0000

The Arabic support to Android arrived unofficially thanks to Ayman Al-Sanad who added the support to the OS. I tried to add the Arabic support to my HTC myTouch 3G (Magic 32B) and now I have my mobile read Arabic in most of the applications.

What you have to do is to root your mobile, flash the latest custom Cyanogen 4.2.13 that support Arabic restart your mobile and that is it.. Your HTC Magic/myTouch 3G support Arabic.

To flash your mobile with the custom room check this website…

UPDATE: (Cyanogen 4.2.15.1 with Arabic support)

Cyanogen 4.2.15.1 is the latest custom ROM for Android now also support Arabic, flash first Cyanogen 4.2.15.1 then flash the Arabic support from here… Also to support them you can either donate or but the RTL support from Android Market

UPDATE: (Cyanogen 5.07 with Arabic support)

If you already want to upgrade your mobile to the latest Android 2.1 aka eclair and get benefits from the the new features and scared to lose Arabic support?! Think again because our friend Ayman did it again and add the Arabic support to the Android 2.1 and I confirm that it is working… after flashing 5.0.7 go to this website and flash the Arabic support to your mobile..

Free Scanning tool for Alfresco

Rami — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:14:30 +0000

Are you looking for a free scanning tool for Aflresco, you should try the new Capturesco version 2.0, open source built based on open source projects, no need to any licenses. Built with .Net framework 3.5 using C#. Can capture documents from any scanner with a TWAIN driver using ADF or flatbed by using the Native TWAIN User Interface or direct scanning. All documents can be saved as jpg, gif or Tiff also support single or multipage documents. The tool is still in development stages and testing. Feel free to add your comments and if you have any troubles just contact me and I will try to reply to you soon. Capturesco is a good start point for the developers who’s looking to develop their own customized scanning utility.

You can download Alfresco Scanning tool (Capturesco) from here.

Thank you for your interest and your support.

Happy 2010

Rami — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:32:25 +0000

As if it was end of 2008, but blogging from different place with different news and different weather. So what is the difference between 2009 and 2010… No one can tell everybody is wishing 2010 will be better than the previous years from every side.. But is the wishing is really enough… I guess all keys for having a better new year than the previous are in our hands. We can change our lives on a way that make 2010 is better. Change is one of the powerful universe law. Start your 2010 with new changes on your life break the chain confuse your mind and change the rhythm of your life. Don’t wait for the opportunities come to you, go and look for it.. Sit targets for this coming year and start to make a list right now and say I want to have all these list done at the end of 2010, put a short and long plan… don’t let anything ruin your mood… always start your day with smile and end it on your pillow with a smile too. Appreciate every moment and enjoy it, enjoy the NOW don’t think about past and don’t get worried about the future everything has its own time… Don’t wish for better New year.. Make it a better new year.

Happy New Year for all