Perl::Critic is an excellent way to not only validate your Perl source code, but to learn some tips from the Perl monks who have contributed to the Perl::Critic documentation.

I uploaded one of my latest CGI scripts written in Perl to see how good my Perl chops are…turns out I picked up a few tips that I was unsure about in my previous Perl scripts.

A few simple techniques can be used to make your code more standardized in the event that your are not the only person reading it.

The Perl Critic web site has a nice usable web interface for uploading source code and checking its validity — although for obvious reasons if you’re working on enterprise code you should probably download an install the Perl::Critic CPAN module on your own server.

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I had wiped out my Win32 XP install after ordering Win x64 SP2 from newegg. My hardware is the ASUS A8V Deluxe motherboard and Western Digital WD Raptor 74gb SATA drive.

I’ve been working on this problem for 2 days, so here is a re-cap in hopes of saving your some time and avoiding the “instant BSOD” after completing x64 install and rebooting with the ASUS supplied Promise drivers from their web site (warning: do not use these - at least for the A8V Deluxe mb as you will be wasting your time).

The only choice for my configuration (1 SATA RAID) and Win x64 is to use the Promise x64 raid drivers, which you will have to download from this zip file.

Here are the short-steps:

1. Configure BIOS for Promise Raid support (see a8v deluxe manual). If using 1 disk, RAID 1+0 (which is 1 disk and 0 = striping for performance).
2. Configure RAID 1+0 as described in A8V Deluxe manual
3. Create Promise Raid x64 driver diskette for “F6″ Windows x64 installation.

   This was the tricky part, as I did not have a windows box with a floppy for extracting the zip file and creating a dos floppy….Linux saves the day again with mtools I was able to create a usable floppy for the “F6″ + “S” Windows x64 installation procedure.

4. When first starting x64 installation make sure you hit F6 immediately when it notifies you, otherwise you will have missed it, and will need to restart. Note: You will be asked to type S to load the latest Promise x64 drivers from the floppy created.
5. No need for any other drivers (64bit LAN, etc. - worked fine with my zip file (not asus’s))

Up until now, I’ve always had to rely on a working windows machine in order to do all my computing - it now seems that with a working linux installation and a floppy drive I am now “free from windows” as they say.

Warnings:

• If you have a KVM switch with two systems hooked up to it, do not switch back and forth during x64 install.

  I think I botched mine the first few times because it did not recognize the monitor, keyboard, etc. Just sit back, and watch the install - it’s worth the 20 minutes in order to ensure you do not have errors.

• My CD-ROM /DVD-Rom froze up on me at one point asking for “D:\amd64″ files - I don’t know why this is, but again I blame it on the switching to other computer and leaving the install in a state of “limbo” until I returned to it.
• Update: it’s come to my attention that latest drivers should be downloaded directly from the chipset manufacturer (ie: Promise, VIA), instead of the motherboard manufacturer (ie: ASUS) - this may have allowed me to use SATA instead of RAID 1+0 (although RAID should be faster for “striping” method in the event I add a 2nd drive).

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1-year

Time to downsize and go back to the garage.

I’ve had 2 HP printers fail on me in the last year, and now they are not covering the warranty and wanted me to purchase a new one. The Linux support for HP says the 2840 has good support with HPLIP drivers accessible on sourceforge.

But for $900 I expect a 5-year warranty. The last I need is to buy $900 once a year, although I’m sure HP doesn’t mind at all.

After several bouncing around via phone and online tech support chat I finally declined the offer because of the lack of Linux tech support from HP and because a $900 printer should have a 5-year warranty standard.

Chat Transcript Begins Here
————————————————————–

Orlando
Hello Anthony.

Orlando
Welcome to HP Total Care for HP Deskjet Products.

Anthony Ettinger
hello

Orlando
Hi..

Orlando
My name is Orlando. How may I assist you today?

Anthony Ettinger
my printer is not printing.

Anthony Ettinger
hello?

Orlando
I am with you, Anthony.

Anthony Ettinger
i go “PRINT” and nothing happens…says printer is timed out, will retry in 30 seconds.

Orlando
I will try my level best to resolve the issue.

Orlando
Okay.

Orlando
Please confirm the printer model is Deskjet 6122.

Anthony Ettinger
yes

Orlando
Pleaser let me know when the issue begin.

Anthony Ettinger
i haven’t tried to use my printer in awhile…but it did work a few months ago.
< br>
Orlando
I understand that this printer is not used for some time. Right?

Anthony Ettinger
correct

Orlando
Okay.

Anthony Ettinger
it’s hooked up and recognized, but when I print it just sits in the queue.

Orlando
Okay.

Orlando
Let us check the printer hardware functionality first.

Orlando
Let us try to print a standalone test page which will help us to check printer hardware functionality.

Anthony Ettinger
ok

Anthony Ettinger
how do i do that?

Orlando
I will provide steps to print standalone test page.

Orlando
Is the Printer power light on and steady?

Anthony Ettinger
yes

Orlando
Please follow below steps to print a standalone test page.

Orlando
-Press and hold the POWER button. -Press the RESUME button four times. -Release the POWER button

Orlando
Performing above steps should print standalone test page.

Orlando
Let me know the result.

Anthony Ettinger
yes, it printed

Anthony Ettinger
says error code: FFFFFFF at the bottom

Orlando
Printing error code is normal functionality of the Printer.

Orlando
We can safely ignore this error code.

Orlando
This Printer hardware is working fine.

Anthony Ettinger
ok

Orlando
This shows that this is the issue with the Printer software or communication between Printer and Computer.

Orlando
Please check whether the cable is firmly attached on both the side of the Printer or not.

Anthony Ettinger
done

Orlando
Let me know the operating system installed in computer.

Anthony Ettinger
linux

Orlando
Please confirm the operating system installed in computer is Linux.< br>

Anthony Ettinger
yes

Orlando
Anthony, I am very sorry, I am not trained on Linux.

Orlando
My support boundaries are limited to Windows operating system.

Orlando
I am not trained on Linux.

Anthony Ettinger
so now what?

Anthony Ettinger
this is a replacement model you sent me about a year ago.

Anthony Ettinger
and it too is not working.

Orlando
Okay.

Orlando
Anthony, this printer is working fine, This is the issue with the Printer drivers or the communication.

Orlando
However, please try to print any document.

Orlando
Let me know the result.

Anthony Ettinger
yes. you are level 1. get me to level 2 please

Anthony Ettinger
i already told you in the begining what the problem was.

Orlando
I can understand your concern.

Orlando
Anthony, we are not trained on Linux.

Anthony Ettinger
i had this problem before and you sent me a new one. Will you do the same now or get me in touch with someone who can help me?

Orlando
As the Printer hardware is working fine, we are not authorized to replace the Printer.

Orlando
Anthony, as it very late, supervisor is not available on floor now.

Anthony Ettinger
what is the 800 number I can call in the morning?

Anthony Ettinger
i’d like to speak with someone local in Palo Alto

Orlando
Sure,

Orlando
PHONE SUPPORT : To contact phone support dial 1-800-4746836. They are 24/7. Note: products out of warrenty are charged.

Anthony Ettinger
so there are no level 2 or linux support people in your access?

Orlando
Yes, you are correct.

Orlando
I am very sorry for not being helpful.

Anthony Ettinger
it’s not your fault

Anthony Ettinger
they don’t pay you to do linux

Orlando
Actually, presently there is no support available for Linux operating system.

Anthony Ettinger
where are you located Orlando?

Orlando
Once again I am sorry; we are prevented from giving detailed information or state the location of our Support Centers

Anthony Ettinger
you can’t state your location.

Orlando
Yes, you are correct.

Orlando
I’ll share a web page with you.

Orlando
It will appear as popup on your Computer screen, behind your CHAT window.

Orlando
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Doc ument.jsp?objectID=bpd06898

Orlando
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpd06898

Orlando
I have shared the web page.

Orlando
Did you receive the web page?

Anthony Ettinger
yes

Anthony Ettinger
great thanks!

Orlando
Please follow the web links in that page.

Orlando
They will of some help to you.

Orlando
Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

Anthony Ettinger
do you know of a list of supported printers for linux.

Orlando
Please allow me a minute.

Orlando
Thank you for your time and patience.

Orlando
I will share another web page with you.

Orlando
http://hplip.sourceforge.net/supported_devices/inkjet.html

Orlando
http://hplip.sourceforge.net/supported_devices/inkjet.html

Orlando
I have shared another web page.

Orl ando
Did you receive the web page?

Anthony Ettinger
got it.

Anthony Ettinger
thanks.

Orlando
You’re welcome.

Anthony Ettinger
how much is the laserjet 2840?

Orlando
Cost of Laserjet 2840 All-in-One printer is $899.99 /-

Anthony Ettinger
how about a break for having 2 crappy inkjets?

Orlando
Could you be more specific?

Anthony Ettinger
i don’t see the 2840 on that list you sent me.

Anthony Ettinger
sorry…i was looking at the wrong page.

Orlando
I have provided Deskjet and ink jet printers that supports Linux.

Orlando
Please wait, I will provide list of Laserjet printers.

Orlando
I will share another web page.

Orlando
http://hplip.sourceforge.net/supported_devices/index.html

Orlando
http://hplip.sourceforge.net/supported_devices/index.html

Orlando
I have shared anot her web page. ‘

Orlando
Did you get it?

Orlando
Laserjet 2840 supports Linux.

Anthony Ettinger
yeah i see.

Orlando
Anthony, would like to purchase this printer?

Anthony Ettinger
not for $899

Orlando
Would you like to go for refurbished Printer?

Anthony Ettinger
same model?

Orlando
Yes, its price is $665.99 /-

Orlando
I can guarantee you that it works as good as new Printer.

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