Making Ubuntu Samba Shares Group Writable

Terry Howard — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:46:12 +0000

I have been working on setting up a Samba file server in Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) for a couple weeks now and have been plagued with the problem of getting user files that are uploaded and directories that are created to be editable (read, write and execute) by a specific group that all users are a member of. That way ownership data is retained and everyone can truly share the files. Samba is great for this as both Macs and PCs in the office will be able to access it.

I tried everything from editing the Samba.conf file to the Nautilus servershares files and no amount of create mask and directory mask settings would work for me. I finally got my problem figured out from this forum post on Ubuntu Forums.

I wanted to post this up in the hopes that another tortured soul who has been grappling with this issue without any working solutions to be found online no matter what the search for would find it. This post was the needle in the haystack for me that solved my problem, so I’m hoping this serves as a guidepost to that needle for you.

Using Video for Mac OS X Screensaver

Terry Howard — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:08:38 +0000

Ever wanted to use your own videos, or any video for that matter, as your screensaver in Mac OS X? Photo slideshows with the “Ken Burns” effect are all fine and good but sometimes you just want that funny video you shot of your kid greeting you when you return from lunch. After trying my hand a bit at making my own with Quartz Composer using this tutorial, I was unsatisfied with the results and lack of options. I did a little more searching and came across SaveHollywood. This awesome little bit of freeware installs just like any screensaver (that is just drop it in the screensavers folder of your Library) and let’s you build a playlist of videos to work with. Several options let you customize the experience, check them out:

Just add the videos you want to the playlist from anywhere on your computer and that’s it! It couldn’t have been any easier. Here’s a sample video for you to try it on. It’s a fairly clean loop Quicktime MOV (right click to download) I took at SeaWorld of the pools out front of Shark Encounter. If you look carefully you might see a nice big redfish swim by.

I also found this tutorial on how to use Opera to use this screensaver with videos from services like YouTube and other flash based systems.

Terry Howard » Mac

Making Ubuntu Samba Shares Group Writable

Using Video for Mac OS X Screensaver