Flowing Fix: Controlling multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse

 Barrier

A virtual KVM switch, allowing for local network control of multiple computers (running either MS Windows, macOS, or Linux) using a single keyboard and mouse. Barrier is a fork of  the Synergy 1.9 codebase (more info on Barrier: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier)

Download link: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/tags

Note: a common issue is not creating an SSL cert on Windows (via  https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/issues/231)

First, install openssl (either with Git https://git-scm.com/  or standalone https://www.openssl.org/ ), then:

cd %LOCALAPPDATA%\Barrier\SSL

mkdir Fingerprints

openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 365 -subj /CN=Barrier -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout Barrier.pem -out Barrier.pem

openssl x509 -fingerprint -sha1 -noout -in Barrier.pem > Fingerprints\Local.txt

If you use WSL, I recommend you to do it from there, replacing %LOCALAPPDATA% with your Windows path.

If you use WSL, I recommend you to do it from there, replacing %LOCALAPPDATA% with your Windows path.

Flowing Fix: Including Computations in LaTeX

Below are two options for embedding coding into LaTeX files that can be executed and update values in the LaTeX file.

• PythonTeX (Python code inside of LaTeX files)journal paper: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1749-4699/8/1/014010

• MATSweave (using Octave or MATLAB code inside of LaTeX files) webpage: http://staffwww.dcs.shef.ac.uk/people/N.Lawrence/matweave.html

KMLCSV Converter

Useful application to convert CSV to KML files and KML to CSV files:

The KMLCSV Converter is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux
https://choonchernlim.com/kmlcsv/

Flowing Fix: Create Application Shortcut in Chrome

1) Select the "Customize and control Chrome Chrome" button at the upper-right of the Chrome window (denoted by three vertical dots).

2) Select "More Tools"

3) Select "Create shortcut"

Figure denoting the first 3 steps to Create Shortcut in Chrome

4) Edit the "Shortcut name"

5) Check "Open as window"

6) Press "Create" button (a new window should open and an associated icon should appear in either the MS Windows taskbar or the Dock on the macOS)

7) Right-click on that icon (on the Taskbar or Dock) and
     - on MS Windows, select "Pin to taskbar"
     - on macOS, select "Options" >> "Keep in Dock"




Reference:
https://www.sorendam.com/create-application-shortcut-chrome-mac/

Flowing Fix: Use Spotlight to locate file location

To use Spotlight to locate the location of a file on the Mac, do the following:

1) Open Spotlight, either by one of the following:

     - press CMD+Spacebar 

        or 

      - click the "magnifying glass" in the upper right of the screen

2) Type in the file name (or part of the name) that you are looking for

3) Click on the item in the spotlight list 

4) Press CMD   (at this point you should see a path box appear)

5) If you press CMD+Enter when an item is selected, a new Finder window will open showing the selected file in the folder location.

Flowing Fix: Quickly share a large file via your browser

At some point in time, you might find you need to transfer a large file. There are numerous file-sharing services (Dropbox, Google Drive, Box.com, Amazon Drive, etc.) however if you need to quickly send a file without uploading it to a central server first, File Pizza delivers.

File Pizza is a peer-to-peer file transfer via browser (nothing needs to be installed and it just works), the only caveat is since the transfer is directly between sender and receiver (no middle server for the file to be uploaded to), both sender and receiver need to be online at the same time. It is very convenient for one-off file shares, not for a persistent link that people can download at any time.

File Pizza (your files delivered)
https://file.pizza/



More details via the https://github.com/kern/filepizza website:
"Using WebRTC, FilePizza eliminates the initial upload step required by other web-based file sharing services. When senders initialize a transfer, they receive a "tempalink" they can distribute to recipients. Upon visiting this link, recipients' browsers connect directly to the sender’s browser and may begin downloading the selected file. Because data is never stored in an intermediary server, the transfer is fast, private, and secure."

Flowing Fix: How do I get those data points off an image? [revisited]

A while back, we posted how to get data off an image by running digitizing software on your local system (see the link to the prior post below). However, if you have limited admin access to install/run the software (or don't want to install software), WebPlotDigitizer is a web-based tool that runs directly your web browser https://automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer/ that allows you to extract data from plots, images, and maps

Link to prior post:
https://digitalspigot.blogspot.com/2011/10/flowing-fix-how-do-i-get-those-data.html

Flowing Fix: Mathpix Snipping Tool

There are times when you need to replicate an equation or block of text from a PDF file. If the PDF file was converted from a typed file, chances are that the text in the PDF can be selected. However, for equations (and if the PDF is image-based), you were out of luck, until now. Mathpix Snipping Tool is perfect for capturing a screenshot of the equation or text and automatically converts it to LaTeX. It is almost magical, capable of converting typed and handwritten information to LaTeX.
Download Mathpix Snipping Tool for MS Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu from https://mathpix.com/

Flowing Fix: Getting file paths on macOS Mojave

Prerequisite:
The Path Bar needs to be enabled.
To enable, in the Finder menubar at the top left, click the following:

Finder >> View >> Show Path Bar

1) Once the Path Bar is enabled, right-click on a folder item in the Path Bar and select "copy xxxx as Pathname" where xxxx is the item selected in the Path Bar

Reference:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8578939

Flowing Fix: Embedding LaTeX equations inside Inkscape drawing

To embed a LaTeX equation inside Inkscape, there is built in support in Inkscape version 0.48 (and higher). On the menu bar: Extensions >> Render >> LaTeX Formula

via

http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/LaTeX
How to use LaTeX with Inkscape (MAC OS X) - TeX - LaTeX Stack Exchange:

Flowing Fix: Embedding math equations and symbols in Inkscape

You can embed equations and math symbols using LaTeX. In Inkscape versions 0.48(and above) this option was introduced through the top menu: Extensions  >> Render >> LaTeX

However, before you can see the LaTeX option in the Render menu on MS Windows machines, you have to have the following installed:

1.  Install LaTeX: MikTeX  http://miktex.org/ (for Windows)
2. Ghostscript: http://ghostscript.com/download
3. Install pstoedit (with the SVG plugin):  https://sourceforge.net/projects/pstoedit/
4. Then update "path environmental variables" to include the pstoedit folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\pstoedit) OR move the pstoedit folder to C:\Program Files\Inkscape

via
http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/LaTeX
http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/257147/how-to-use-latex-with-inkscape-mac-os-x


Another option to easily add Greek letters within Inkscape using Unicode
html version: http://www.physics.nmt.edu/~raymond/software/howtos/greekscape.xhtml
pdf version: http://www.physics.nmt.edu/~raymond/software/howtos/greekscape.pdf



------- More about Inkscape below------------

Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org) is a free and open source professional vector graphics editor for MS Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

For tutorials on Inkscape:
http://inkscape.org/en/learn/tutorials/
http://pigux.com/deviant/source/tutorials/InkscapeTutorial.pdf

Other learning resources:
 http://inkscape.org/en/learn/

Flowing Fix: Biber fails with error missing "recode_xdata.xml"

In short, the cache files are corrupted and need to be removed. Delete the cache folder with the files and compile the document again.

You can find the cache folder path by looking in .blg file or by using the command:  biber --cache

For more information see instructions at the following link:
http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/140814/biblatex-biber-fails-with-a-strange-error-about-missing-recode-data-xml-file

Flowing Fix: Show Hidden Files on your Computer

Some times you really need to access special data files which operating systems typical hide.  Here is how you go about unhiding those files.  Warning: this files are hidden for a reason, so please take care with manipulating the files.

Mac OSX
Option 1: via Terminal command line
To enable hidden files/folders in finder windows:
1) Open Finder
2) Open the Utilities folder
3) Open a terminal window
4) Copy and paste the following line in:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
5) Press return
6) Now hold ‘alt-option’ on the keyboard and right click on the Finder icon
7) Click on Relaunch
After Finder relaunches you should be able to see the any hidden files or
folders (which will appear as lighter icons compared to normal file icons).
8) After completing the you task with the hidden files, it is best to re-hide the files.  Follow the same steps (1-7) above but this time replace step 4 terminal command with the following:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO

Option 2: via free software
If you do not like the terminal method, you can use this free software: hideswitch, from http://www.creativecag.com/software



MS Windows 7
1) Control Panel
2) In search window type, Folder Options and select it
3) Click the View tab
4) Under advanced settings, click the Option button to "Show hidden files, folders, or drives"
5) [optional], it is recommended to UNCHECK the option to "Hide extensions for known file types"

Flowing Fix: Simple search to find the large attachments in Gmail

via: http://lifehacker.com/5958583/find-the-large-attachments-eating-up-your-gmail-space-with-a-simple-search

Is your gmail account getting full?  Easily search for large messages which are filling up your account.

To search for attachements greater than 25MB, in the Gmail search box enter:   size:25000000

other examples:

Search for attachments greater than 5MB (size:5000000)

Search for attachments greater than 25MB (size:25000000)

Search for attachments greater than 100MB (size:100000000)

Flowing Fix: How to quickly mirror your data to a second hard drive

Robust File Copy (or Robocopy)  is a command-line command to replicate directories. It is a standard feature in Windows since Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

To help us use  the "robocopy" command more readily we create simple batch files

1) In Windows, open Notepad and enter the following information into the new text file:


set log=C:\tmp\LogName.log
set opts=/NP /XJ /R:0 /COPY:DAT /E /LOG+:%log% /TEE
del /F /Q %log%
robocopy "C:\yourSourceFolder" "F:\yourDestinationFolder" %opts%

Note: "C:\yourSourceFolder"  and "F:\yourDestinationFolder" should be replaced with your source and destination folders. 

2) Then, save this text file and change the extension to ".bat" to create a DOS batch file.

3) To run, just double click on the .bat file

About the batch file you just created:

First line: defines the name and location to store the log file.

Second line: sets the options required to mirror the data 

     /NP -  turns off the progress of copying of the copying operation

     /XJ  -  excludes junction points (important for user folders on Windows 7, etc.)

     /R:0  -  sets the retries for failed copies to zero

     /COPY:DAT  -  Specifies the file properties to be copied, DAT is Data, Attributes, and Time stamps

     /E  -  Copies subdirectories (including empty directories)

     /LOG+:  -  Writes the status output to the log file (appends the output to the existing log file)

     /TEE  -  Writes the status output to the console window, as well as to the log file.

Third line: deletes the log file before running.

Fourth line: executes "robocopy" to copy the data from "C:\yourSourceFolder" to "F:\yourDestinationFolder" using the options provide on line two of the batch file.

For more information about robocopy and list of options refer to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733145(v=ws.10).aspx

Flowing Fix: Clear your printer queue on Mac OS X

via: http://forums.techguy.org/apple-mac/1062988-solved-canon-ip6700d-printer-wont.html#

If you are having trouble deleted a file from your printer queue, you might have to resort to a terminal line command.

1) Open up "terminal" by searching for it with Spotlight or going to "/Applications/Utilities/Terminal"
2) then, at the prompt type the following:
    lprm -
3) This should remove it from the queue.  If not, you can reset the print system.

If step 2 above did not work: To reset the print system, go to the printer system preference dialog, right click your printer and choose reset print system. After which you will have to re-add your printer.

Flowing Fix: Creating Animated GIFs

Sometimes you might need to have an animation in a PowerPoint presentation and the standard animation controls are not quite what you need. Consider creating you our custom animated GIF.

Multiplatform:

http://www.onyxbits.de/giftedmotion

Photoscape (portable on Windows)

http://photoscape-portable.en.softonic.com/

Flowing Fix: Capture your signature using OS X Lion's Preview app

via Mac 101: Capture your signature using OS X Lion's Preview app:

OS X Lion has made signing PDFs easier than ever before. It's been possible to scan in your handwritten signature and sign documents in earlier versions of Mac OS X, but it was a complex process and one most people probably never trifled with. More often than not, I found it easier to simply print out the document, sign it the normal way, and scan the whole document back into Preview using my flatbed scanner.


Lion's version of Preview comes with a built-in signature scanner that makes signing documents far simpler. In the Annotations toolbar you now have an option to create a signature from your Mac's built-in iSight camera. All you need to do is use black ink to sign a piece of white paper, align your signature toward the camera using the onscreen guides, and take a snapshot of the signature. (I haven't used my real signature here, obviously.)

Preview can store multiple signatures, so if you need to both sign and initial documents, you're able to do so easily using Preview's annotation functions. It's a great feature, and one that ensures my printer will be gathering even more dust than it already has.


[Just to be clear, this process only applies a graphical representation of your signature; it does not cryptographically 'sign' the PDF document to ensure that it has remained unmodified. Adobe's Acrobat application can sign PDFs with both a graphic and a digital signature; NitroPDF also has this feature, as does the DocQ web service. The DocuSign web service provides 'electronic signatures,' which are not exactly the same thing either. -Ed.]

One step closer to a truly paperless office

Mac 101: Capture your signature using OS X Lion's Preview app originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flowing Fix: How to create custom animations for PPT presentations

Powerpoint can handle gif images which allows for the image to animate without using the action settings within Powerpoint. Animate your logo or other graphic to make an aesthetic impact on your audience. 

Applications to create gifs:
Photoscape (MS Windows): http://www.photoscape.org/
GIFfun (Mac OS X): http://www.stone.com/GIFfun/

Note: Use Gimp and/or Inkscape to help edit images prior to sequencing with the above applications

Flowing Fix: Force a visitor's browser to always load a fresh version of your website

"HELP!  I just updated my website and when I visit the site I don't see the changes."  This is a common problem that occurs when updating a website in which can be easily be resolved by clearing your browser cache; however,  your site's visitors have no way of knowing this and they might not be able to see the updated site.  A quick solution is to include the following right before the close of the header section of the HTML code:

<META HTTP-EQUIV="CACHE-CONTROL" CONTENT="NO-CACHE">

<META HTTP-EQUIV="PRAGMA" CONTENT="NO-CACHE">

<META HTTP-EQUIV="EXPIRES" CONTENT="0">

If you are using Apple's iWeb, you cannot directly edit the header code in iWeb; however after you publish it you can edit the html files to include the above META code in the header section.  This can be tedious, but luckily there is a FREE program iWeb SEO tool (http://www.ragesw.com/products/iweb-seo-tool.html)  which helps easily add this meta code and other tweaks as well as help publish the updated website.


(for other  HTML tags see http://www.i18nguy.com/markup/metatags.html )