Sizzls

OS X El Capitan bootable ISO tested in Virtual Box

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 06:35:35 +0000

Using Virtual Box to test software in different flavor of OS X has been a time saver for me. The main Mac OS has been updated to El Capitan, with our further ado, I tested installed El Capitan in Virtual Box.

Step 1, Get the latest Virtual Box
Download from this link. https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Double click the dmg file and follow the instruction. This step is pretty easy.

Step 2, download Mac OS app

In App store, find Mac OS software. Hold down Options, click Purchase icon at the top of the page.

If it starts downloading, great. Go get a cup of coffee and come back.

When done, open a console, and go to /Applications and find “Install OS X El Capitan”.

Go into “Contents/ShareSupport” folder, find this file “InstallESD.dmg”. This is the most important file in installing.

Step 3, Convert InstallESD.dmg into an ISO image file

I copied InstallESD.dmg into my desktop. Open a terminal and cd into Desktop.
# Mount the installer image hdiutil attach InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app


# create the sparse bundle

hdiutil create -o /tmp/ElCapitan -size 8G -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J -type SPARSE
# Mount the sparse bundle for package addition

hdiutil attach /tmp/ElCapitan.sparseimage -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
# Restore the base system into future DVD image

asr restore -source /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -target /Volumes/install_build -noprompt -noverify -erase
# Remount the sparse bundle, more comfortable working with simple name

cd /Volumes/

ln -s OS\ X\ Base\ System/ install_build
# Remove Package link and replace with actual files

rm /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/Packages

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/
# Added some more files to prevent "Undefined Error 0"

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.* /Volumes/install_build/

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/AppleDiagnostics.* /Volumes/install_build/
# Unmount the installer image

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
# Unmount the sparse bundle

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build

rm /Volumes/install_build
# Resize the partition to remove any free space

hdiutil resize -size `hdiutil resize -limits /tmp/ElCapitan.sparseimage | tail -n 1 | awk '{ print $1 }'`b /tmp/ElCapitan.sparseimage
# Convert the sparse bundle to ISO DVD CD

hdiutil convert /tmp/# Resize the partition in the sparse bundle to remove any free space -format UDTO -o /tmp/ElCapitan
# Rename the ISO and move it to Desktop

mv /tmp/ElCapitan.cdr ~/Desktop/ElCapitan.iso

Step 4, create the VM in virtual box, then install with ISO

In Virtual Box, create a new instance of Mac Os X

The Chipset type have to be changed to PIIX3, maybe my machine only.

Mount the iso as DVD drive. All other settings use default.

Use Disk Utilities to create a Mac disk from box file.

When the instance is started, you should see this screen shot.

Yosemite in Yosemite with Virtual Box — how to make a bootable Yosemite iso

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 05:55:56 +0000

The original “Mac OS in Mac OS with Virtual Box” was from Mavericks era. I also tried installing Yosemite in a Yosemite environment. Most in the original post still applies, just there are two more files needs to be copied. They are BaseSystem.checklist and BaseSystem.dmg. Without further ado. This is updated step 3.
# Mount the installer image hdiutil attach InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app


# Convert the boot image to a sparse bundle

hdiutil convert /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -format UDSP -o /tmp/Yosemite
# Increase the sparse bundle capacity to accommodate the packages

hdiutil resize -size 8g /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage
# Mount the sparse bundle for package addition

hdiutil attach /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
# Remove Package link and replace with actual files

rm /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/Packages

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.* /Volumes/install_build/
# Unmount the installer image

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
# Unmount the sparse bundle

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build
# Resize the partition in the sparse bundle to remove any free space

hdiutil resize -size `hdiutil resize -limits /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage | tail -n 1 | awk '{ print $1 }'`b /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage
# Convert the sparse bundle to ISO/CD master

hdiutil convert /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage -format UDTO -o /tmp/Yosemite
# Remove the sparse bundle

rm /tmp/Yosemite.sparseimage

# Rename the ISO and move it to the desktop mv /tmp/Yosemite.cdr ~/Desktop/Yosemite.iso

Mac OS (Maverick) in Mac OS X with Virtual Box

admin — Mon, 05 May 2014 05:02:40 +0000

I recently installed a virtual Mac OS in my Mac OS using Virtual Box. The reason being I want to keep my main Mac OS clean, at the same time, I am testing two versions of Qt (4 and 5). The whole installing process is not straight forward. I wrote it down, hoped can be useful.

Step 1, install Virtual Box in Mac OS
Download from this link. https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Double click the dmg file and follow the instruction. This step is pretty easy.

Step 2, download Mac OS app

In App store, find Mac OS software. Hold down Options, click Purchase icon at the top of the page.

If it starts downloading, great. Wait about 3 to 5 hours.

When done, open a console, and go to /Applications and find “Install OS X Mavericks”.

Go into “Contents/ShareSupport” folder, find this file “InstallESD.dmg”. This is the most important file in installing. However, it is still missing some pieces.

Step 3, Convert InstallESD.dmg into an ISO image file
The following script is taken from this link. I made a directory in my desktop, then copy InstallESD.dmg into this directory. In this directory, executed the following script.
# Mount the installer image hdiutil attach InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app


# Convert the boot image to a sparse bundle

hdiutil convert /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -format UDSP -o /tmp/Mavericks
# Increase the sparse bundle capacity to accommodate the packages

hdiutil resize -size 8g /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage
# Mount the sparse bundle for package addition

hdiutil attach /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
# Remove Package link and replace with actual files

rm /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/Packages

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/
# Unmount the installer image

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
# Unmount the sparse bundle

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build
# Resize the partition in the sparse bundle to remove any free space

hdiutil resize -size `hdiutil resize -limits /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage | tail -n 1 | awk '{ print $1 }'`b /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage
# Convert the sparse bundle to ISO/CD master

hdiutil convert /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -format UDTO -o /tmp/Mavericks
# Remove the sparse bundle

rm /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage

# Rename the ISO and move it to the desktop mv /tmp/Mavericks.cdr ~/Desktop/Mavericks.iso

Step 4, create the VM in virtual box, then install with ISO

In Virtual Box, create a new instance of Mac Os X, mount the iso as DVD drive. All other settings use default.

Mount iso image to virtual box

When the instance is started, you should see this screen shot..

Buy designer item cheap price myHabit.com

admin — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 04:19:03 +0000

I bought this lamp from myHabit.com. It is designed by Jason Scott.

beautiful

Their website is very hip. I really like it. If you have Amazon account, you don’t even have to register. It works already.

Complaints against Coinbase

admin — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:00:37 +0000

After using coinbase bought a few bitcoins. I do have some complain against Coinbase.

Price is not transparent enough. I mean, Coinbase is not an exchange and not disclosing where they buy bitcoins on behalf of the customers.

Coinbase is charging a hefty fee (1%). Most exchange charges half of that. Many folks suspect Coinbase is marking up the price, on top of the fee.

It is very slow. From placing your order, to bitcoin actually showing up in your account, it may take 4 to 5 business days.

This happened to some folks, but not me. When you buy bitcoin at a temporary price spike to low. Coinbase may can your order. For example, if you buy at $160, next few days price rocket to $300. You may receive an email from Coinbase, order did not go through because they think you are high risk.

But anyway, Coinbase save you from wiring money. If you still like Coinbase, feel free use my referral link.

howto: coinbase with Google Authenticator

admin — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 05:01:16 +0000

This is a quick guide how to turn on Google Authenticor in Coinbase account.

In a computer, login and click “Account Setting” and come to Phone Numbers section.

You can choose between SMS message or a phone call, either way, you will received a number.

In the number is correctly entered, you will see a bar code.

Open Google Authenticator in your phone, click “+”, Choose “scan barcode”, then point your phone against the computer screen. Your phone will pick up the code.

Now in your phone, try to login to Coinbase account with new code. If you get a screen shot like below, then you open Authenticator app, and copy the code over and paste into the blank. Now you successfully did it.

coinbase

coinbase review

admin — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:55:25 +0000

This is honest description of my experience with Coinbase. I do agree that Coinbase is the Paypal of bitcoin. Very easy to use, very user friendly.

I signed up on coinbase.com, enter my email address and password. I received an email asking to click a link in the email. I did just that and back into their web site. I proceeded to enter my personal stuff, including my Bank of America information. In about two days, two small amounts showing up in my bank, then I came back to their site, entered the amounts. This is all standard practice, nothing strange and takes about 2 to 4 days.

I was able to place a new order after getting verified. I got the current price (maybe coming from bitstamp, this is completely my guess), no limit order. I have wait a few days before bitcoins showing up in my account.

In Qt, how to display button or spinbox in combobox?

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:16:35 +0000

Qt is undoubtedly very flexible. Someone asked me can we display a button in combo box. I said yes. Since there is listview inside Combo box. I quickly create the demo project. Checked out following code snippet and its screen shot:

//delegating this combobox QAbstractItemView * v = ui.comboBox->view(); QAbstractItemModel * m = ui.comboBox->model(); comboDelegate * d = new comboDelegate(this);

Now the delegate is created/drawn like this,
QWidget *comboDelegate::createEditor(QWidget *parent) const { switch(index.row()) { case 0: { //return a button QPushButton* editor = new QPushButton(parent); editor->setText("Push push ..."); connect(editor, SIGNAL(clicked(bool)), this, SIGNAL(btnPushed())); return editor; } case 1: { //return a spinbox QSpinBox * editor = new QSpinBox(parent); return editor; } default: { //use another combobox QComboBox* editor = new QComboBox(parent); editor->insertItems(0, QStringList() << "choice A" << "choice B" << "choice C"); return editor; } } return nullptr; }

Not very useful, but shows the idea.

Bitcoin in layman’s terms

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:23:40 +0000

The interest on bitcoin has been picked up laterly, we at sizzls.com, also wrote a series of articles about bitcoin.

Bitcoin is one kind of virtual currency, another way of saying it, it is a number. Bitcoins are stored in bitcoin wallet, which is another number. Bitcoins is a P2P system, meaning this number is stored in many many people’s computer. Very important, there is no central point of failure, no centralized server keep it. When bitcoin are used by any person who owns it, it flow from one wallet to another wallet, every movement is logged digitally on a transaction log that tracks the time of movement and wallet coming from and into. This log is served as a audit trail, it proves that payer paid and the receiver received the payment. This log is called ‘blockchain’. In Bitcoin world, the longest blockchain wins. The blockchain is a very important concept in bitcoin world. There was instance someone fake a blockchain, but later determined to be shorter.

Bitcoin and wallet are numbers, but they are not random numbers. They must fit in some patterns. The folks who use computing power to find such numbers are called ‘miners’. They also confirm transactions and blockchain are valid.

Our intern recommend eCampus.com

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:43:51 +0000

It has been a few years since I graduated college. We all remember each semester we spent over a g on text book. At the end of semester, when we sold the book back, we just enough beer money. The new scene in the area, according to one of our interns, instead of buying a new book, you can save money by 1. buy a used book, 2. buy an ebook, 3.RENT text book.

ECampus is a company support all of these methods. This got to be great. Since we are buying some of classical books in our field, I gave eCampus a try. Wow, they beat Amazon by 15 bucks one the tile I want to buy. Unfortunately, I can’t make the title public here.

A few more links for you if you want to try eCampus as well.