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

Tracker: Video Analysis and Modeling Tool

Tracker: Video Analysis and Modeling Tool is free Java-based software for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux
For more information: http://www.cabrillo.edu/~dbrown/tracker/

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: 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: 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

Linux Live CD for increased banking security

Many people don't realize how easy it is for criminals to siphon money from your bank account.  The basic procedure is 1) install a virus on a target computer, 2) virus grabs passwords and/or credit card numbers from the target computer, 3) send stolen information to criminal hacker, and 4) money is used to purchase items or to transfer out of the country via money mule.  The RSA security firm has discovered that criminal gangs are working in concert to attack U.S. banks.  Sophisticated techniques can be used to ensure that the criminals receive the money.  Many times it can be impossible to detect that you have one of these money-stealing viruses.

Enter Linux Live CDs.

In order to ensure that your banking information is safe, you can use a Linux Live CD to temporarily boot into Linux, use a web browser to perform online transactions, and then boot back into Windows.  If your Windows computer has password-stealing malware on it, that malware will have no knowledge of your banking transactions.

The U.S. Air Force has developed a Live CD directly for this purpose: Lightweight Portable Security (LPS) that can also be installed on a USB flash drive.  This particular Live CD has a GUI that looks similar to the Windows interface, making it familiar and easy to use.

If LPS doesn't work for you, try Puppy Linux or Ubuntu.  Many more are available to choose from, too; see http://www.livecdlist.com/.

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/

Picasa by Google

Picasa: (http://picasa.google.com/ )
Organize, edit, and share your photos.  Many powerful features like face detection, GPS tagging, Google Earth connectivity, and more.

Additional resource to learn how to use it

http://geeksontour.tv/learning-library/picasa/

GIMP: GNU Image Manipulation Program

Though GIMP is often well known; it is worth mentioning because despite its steep learning curve, its capabilities are impressive and extremely useful.
http://www.gimp.org/

Inkscape

Inkscape (Mac OS X, MS Windows, Linux): http://inkscape.org/
Free, ease to use, and powerful vector graphics editor.  Great for simple and complex figures.  Allows for exporting to various formats including .eps, .pdf, and .png which are perfect for LaTeX documents.

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

Every so often you need to read points (or entire curves) off a figure.  To expedite this process here are two freely available programs to digitize the points from an image.

Engauge (MS Windows, Linux [Mac OS X requires building])  http://digitizer.sourceforge.net/

Plot Digitizer (MS Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X ) http://plotdigitizer.sourceforge.net/