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In the course of our work, we sometimes need to produce
items of software, etc., that might be of more general
interest, and can be shared with the community. Such items
are available for download from this webpage.
Python libraries/modules
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Linux-only: Fdcred - passing file descriptors down sockets, etc.
Latest downloads: fdcred_1.tgz and
README
This Python module (implemented in C), allows a Python program
to send its open file descriptors and/or its credentials
(user ID, etc) to another program running on the same machine, and
connected by a Unix domain socket. The second program does not have
to be related to the first in any way (i.e. they do not need a common
ancestor, etc).
The module also provides the ability
to receive file descriptors and credentials, so that the second
program can also be written in Python.
Since the modules are just an interface to the basic Linux mechanism,
either program can be written in any language that provides the
necessary access. See the module source code, for how to do it in C.
See also the other implementation notes in the README.
To build: Un-tar the gzip'ed tar file ("tar xvfz fredcrd_VER.tgz")
- everything will be unpacked to a
new directory called "fdcred". Read the README (in "fdcred/README")
for further information, and build/installation instructions.
Tested with Python 2.2.1 on Debian Linux (with a 2.4.24 kernel)
- please let me know if there are problems with other versions
of Python, the Linux kernel, or other distributions -
I expect it to "just work"(tm)! Ports to other operating systems
which provide a similar mechanism are welcome!
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Driver for Pocketop folding keyboard
Homepage: here
Our driver allows the Pocketop folding keyboard
to be used with the Zaurus. If you would like
support for another Linux-based PDA, please contact us.
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Mkipk
Download: mkipk.sh
Mkipk creates package files in the .ipk format for the
Zaurus, and (probably!) other small Linux-based machines.
We wrote it because the mkipks program, that
comes with the Embeddix/Qtopia developer kit, seems to
require root access to create packages, and a permanent
palmtop-like file tree. Mkipk is particularly
convenient for python (etc?) developers, who might not
want to install the developer kit, just to be able to
create packages.
We also think it's simpler to use, and being a
shell script, it can run on the Zaurus too! (but check
the comment about dirname before running it)
Run mkipk with no parameters, to get
help.
Misc Unix Utilities
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Lc
Source download: lc.c
This handy file lister is more convenient for
interactive use than ls, and it's file
categorization options are also useful in scripts.
The original version was developed at the University
of Waterloo, Math Faculty Computing Facility, and their
current version can be found here. This version adds an
option for controlling the suppression of filenames
starting with "." (since we can't get rid of all those
pesky .files in our home directories), an option controlling
columniation (so that it works more like a previous version
we were used to), and adds a usage message.
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