Set up a Raspian (debian for Raspberry pi) local repo

It has been suggested that it is difficult to capture a copy of the raspberry pi debian software.

While the actual starter SD image is pretty much whatever you get from the raspberrypi.org site(s) you might want to have your own local mirror and maintain it. 

this will allow you to diverge from the main rpi raspian by replacing packages, or just have a backup for the possiblity you need a stable copy of what you are operating on, or to debug on fixed images.

Two things need to be done.  one you need to get a list of mirrors for the repo(s) for raspberry pi raspbian.

here is a link to that:

http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianMirrors

here are the debian instructions for setting up a repo

http://wiki.debian.org/HowToSetupADebianRepository

More notes to follow as to how to set up the debian repo and copy a mirror.

qr link

Fun with QR links.  not sure where this came from, but was laying around as a draft

http://jwstephens.com/

Removing packages from debian / Ubuntu

Never use dpkg to remove a package you have installed using synaptic / apt-get.   There is a database which tracks what is installed, and also is used to figure out what packages use what, as well as solving dependencies, so that much be updated.  dpkg does not do that.


apt-get --purge remove <package>

will remove the package and update that database

raspberry pi sound (raspian) as well as device list

here is a site on elinux which has a list of tested peripherals for the rpi


http://elinux.org/RPi_VerifiedPeripherals

Also a site with notes on how to install and get sound going on raspian.  you need to install alsa and a driver to do so.

http://learn.adafruit.com/playing-sounds-and-using-buttons-with-raspberry-pi/install-audio

copied below for reference:

With the Pi connected to the Internet and SSH'ed in (see our previous tutorial) install the alsa audio drivers and MP3 Player

Copy Code

$ sudo apt-get install alsa-utils
$ sudo apt-get install mpg321

Reboot the Pi (% reboot) and when it comes back up, load Sound Drivers and Setup for 3.5mm Jack Output

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$ sudo modprobe snd-bcm2835
$ sudo amixer cset numid=3 1

eliminate serial mouse detection in windows if using serial dongle in debugging

(quotes)

NOTE:  If you boot Windows with your ThunderBolt connected to the Com
port, Windows will think it is a serial mouse and grab the port.  It
can lead to some interesting Windows behavior as the T-Bolt outputs
data.

Easy fix. Add the following to your "Boot.ini" file. Obviously, the "x" stands for the COM port you are using.

NoSerialMice:COMx

(end quotes)

I'm not sure who typed the above text, the quote style was hard to
understand... Might've been some combination of Joe Gray, John Lofgren,
and/or someone who signs as mike?

Anyway... Here's my $0.02:

Windows Vista / 7 doesn't use

"boot.ini"

... do this instead:

Click on start --> In the search box, type in regedit
Registry editor windows opens... Navigate to the location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
--> SYSTEM
--> CurrentControlSet
--> Services
--> sermouse
In the right hand, you'll see stuff like:

(default)
DisplayName
etc. etc. etc.

There should be a "dword (32bit) value" titled:

"start"

Set the value of this to: 00000004

If you do not see "start" use the following steps:

Right click on the (white) blank space
(below the default, displayname, etc.)

After right click to get context menu, click "New"
... a sub-menu will expand:
Select the option for:
"dword 32-bit value"

Now, give this value the name "start"

Right click to select "modify"

It should have the value: 00000004

Restart the computer

You're done 

The mouse will no longer freak out, and your GPS (timing mode, TSIP,
NMEA, or otherwise) or other RS-232 device will now work normally and
not be detected as mouse, make cursor jump strangely, etc.

Hope someone finds this useful,
Sarah

rpm and other tricks for SUSE / Redhat

This came up in the course of looking @ a meego posting.  Looks like a handy trick to remember.

cpio create / extract is also handy, but this is a list from the output of an RPM

rpm2cpio umms-plugins-tv.rpm | cpio -idmv

smali format

disassembly format for android DEX files

http://code.google.com/p/smali/