I’ve just upgraded to Vue 6 Esprit from version 5 and have been trying out the new features. The spectral atmospheres and improved rendering speeds and quality are top notch. Maybe I should have upgraded all the way to Vue 6 Infinite, but I’ll see how the Esprit version goes.

The thing I’m happy about the most, is that this is the first time I have successfully used Vue within linux. I’m running the latest Ubuntu Linux 8.04 and Wine v1 RC 2.

It works almost perfectly with exception that some of the right click menus don’t open spontaneously. You have to keep the right mouse button depressed while depressing and releasing the left mouse button.

A small price to pay for the greater speed and stability that linux provides.

You can view a full version of my new image “At The Water’s Edge” here.

With the imminent release of Ubuntu 8.4 (Hardy Heron), I’ve found myself using the current version on my notebook more and more. I have a reliable Canon Pixma iP1600 printer and in order to install the printer, a few steps are needed.

This is a slightly modified version of the How-To for Ubuntu 6.06.

1. Connect your printer, and start Ubuntu.

2. Install the needed packages: alien, libxml1, libpng12-0, libpng12-dev, libgtk1.2 and libgtk1.2-common with Synaptic or type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install alien libxml1 libpng12-0 libpng12-dev libgtk1.2 libgtk1.2-common

3. Download the drivers for your printer from Canon. For the purposes of this howto, we will assume that the files are saved to the directory /home/yourname/canon.

The iP2200 drivers are here: http://software.canon-europe.com/software/0024301.asp or type in a terminal

mkdir canon
cd canon
wget http://software.canon-europe.com/files/soft24301/software/iP2200_Linux_260.tar.gz

4. Extract the files with archive manager or type

tar -xvzf iP2200_Linux_260.tar.gz

5. Convert the RPM packages to Debian packages:

sudo alien cnijfilter-common-2.60-1.i386.rpm cnijfilter-ip2200-2.60-1.i386.rpm

6. Install the packages:

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

7. Make sure the library links are correct. /usr/lib/libtiff.so.3 should point to /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 (or to the same thing as /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 points to) If not, type:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libtiff.so.4 /usr/lib/libtiff.so.3

This is the important part! The iP2200 driver wants to use libtiff.so.3, but that is an old version. We fix this by making libtiff.so.3 a link to libtiff.so.4.

Also, /usr/lib/libpng.so.3 should point to /usr/lib/libpng.so If not, type:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libpng.so /usr/lib/libpng.so.3

and /usr/lib/libxml2.so.2 should point to /usr/lib/libxml.so.1 If not, type:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libxml2.so.2 /usr/lib/libxml.so.1

And finally make the loader aware of the changes:

sudo ldconfig

8. Restart cups:

sudo /etc/init.d/cupsys restart

9. Add a new printer. Under GNOME, this is accessed in System|Administration|Printing. Select New Printer and then choose Canon iP1600 USB#1 (or 2 depending on which port the printer in plugged into).

10. Choose Canon Driver and then scroll down to iP2200 Ver.2.60. Type in iP1600 as a name for your printer and you’re set !

Unfortunately, the installed PPD file doesn’t allow you to select the printing quality. To fix this, back up your ppd file, then open it as root: gksudo gedit /etc/cups/ppd/iP1600.ppd

Insert these lines in the file after the “Resolution” section:

*OpenUI *CNQuality/Quality: PickOne
*DefaultCNQuality: 3
*CNQuality 2/High: “2″
*CNQuality 3/Normal: “3″
*CNQuality 4/Standard: “4″
*CNQuality 5/Economy: “5″
*CloseUI: *CNQuality

The following gives a greater choice of print resolution if added to the “Resolution” section, but I am not clear whether the Quality setting impinges upon this. Note that the ip1600 only offers 600dpi in black and white.

*Resolution 1200/1200 dpi: “<</HWResolution[1200 1200]>>setpagedevice”
*Resolution 2400/2400 dpi: “<</HWResolution[2400 2400]>>setpagedevice”
*Resolution 4800/4800 dpi: “<</HWResolution[4800 4800]>>setpagedevice”

Finally,

After this, restarting cups should enable the changes sudo /etc/init.d/cupsys restart

To perform maintenance on the printer, such as head cleaning, type in a terminal: cngpij -P iP1600

You may want to add this to your menu, since it is a real pain to remember. In the window that pops up, select “Maintenance”.

By Francine Rivers

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. With her hallmark touches of brilliant prose and gripping characterizations, Francine Rivers tells the stories of men who faithfully sought after God in the shadows of God’s chosen leaders. In The Prince, the life of Jonathan is illuminated. These men answered Gods call to serve Him faithfully without recognition or fame. They gave everything, knowing that their reward might not come until the next life. Be challenged by these faithful men whose stories we must never forget.

Francine Rivers is an accomplished and popular author, and one can see why. This is an outstanding characterization of Jonathan, the son of Saul and friend of David. The story is fairly accurate, biblically, and the created dialog and thoughts gives an insight into what they might have thought and felt. The gradual and steady fall of Saul and the faithfulness of Jonathan and David are well portrayed.

The key to biblical fiction is two-fold. One, to encourage you to read the bible and secondly to draw you closer to God. Mission accomplished as far as this novel is concerned. There’s even a bible study for individual or group study at the end. I eagerly look forward to more of Francine Rivers’ work.

by Bruce Alexander

The first of the series set in 18th-century England introduces Sir John Fielding–blind, brilliant, compassionate magistrate of London’s Bow Street Court–and Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, a penniless, intelligent 13-year-old orphan whom Sir John has taken into his household. Exercising the broad magisterial powers of the era, the judge investigates the death of wealthy Lord Richard Goodhope, who was discovered shot through the head, gun at his feet, behind the locked door of his library.

If there is one type of book I enjoy, it’s a mystery in a historical setting. This book does not disappoint with well developed characters and an outstanding plot. The solution will keep you guessing till the end of the book. The author does a good job of painting a vivid picture of the era and the concept of a blind protagonist with the story being narrated by a 13 year old is handled expertly.

This is a strong start to the series and I hope the other books are nearly as good.

A definite historical mystery recommendation.

For those of you who are literary-inclined, there are a number of free podcasts (audio shows) that are book-related that you might enjoy.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but should get you started.

01. The Writer’s Almanac from American Public Media.

02. Meet The Writers Podcast from Barnes & Noble

03. The Book Review from New York Times (There are other NY Times podcasts on this page as well)

04. CBC Radio Book Related Podcasts - There are a few shows from the Canadian Broadcasting Network, including Words at Large, Writers & Company and Canada Reads.

05. Meet The Author from iTunes . From their New York SOHO district store.

06. Books from The Guardian Unlimited

07. Author.Artist from Lifeway Christian Store

08. Book Podcast from Times Online

09. World Book Club from the BBC

10. Books from NPR (National Public Radio)

11. After Words from C-Span

12. Amazon Wire . Interviews with authors and artists from everyone’s favorite online bookstore.

Anyone know of any other good podcasts I’ve missed ?