Setting up the TC environment to debug remotely

Since it is quite inconvenient to use Eclipse in the VM, I use Eclipse from my host system. The code and needed libraries can be found in the projects folder of the SVN repository. You have to check it out, then create an Eclipse project from the existing sources.

I shared the project folder using SMB from Windows and mounted it in the Ubuntu image using the following commands:

sudo apt-get install smbfs
sudo mount -t cifs //(hostcomputer)/(share) /media/project-share  \
-o username=(username),password=(password),iocharset=utf8,file_mode=0777,dir_mode=0777

Fill in the words in brackets with the appropriate values.
Additionally, I made a softlink in order to access the share more easily. That's just for convenience.

At this point, you should have everything you need, provided that you have Eclipse installed on your host system. There is a nice page on how remote debugging works with Eclipse. I have adapted the jtt.sh script for remote debugging and called it debug-jtt.sh. It waits for connections on port 55555 and does not start until you have connected to the VM from within Eclipse.


The Eclipse configuration is not hard to accomplish. Once you have done this, set a breakpoint in the main method in

iaik.tc.apps.JTpmTools

, start the debug script (it will tell you that it listens to the remote port) and your remote debugging in Eclipse.
That's it. Have fun debugging remotely!

Pimp my explorer

The German c't magazine has some nice tools to enhance the Windows explorer in issue 12/2008. I tried some of these tools to enhance the usability of my Win Vista system (no discussion about platforms in here).
I made a system image right before that -- just in case, you know?

Tools I want to evaluate:

1. QTTabBar gives me tabs for the Windows explorer


2. QTAdressBar adds subdirectories to the breadcrumb navigation of Vista (also works on XP).
   


3. FolderGuide allows me to define folder shortcuts in the context menu


4. Switcher is an overview of my open windows as the Vista 3D task switcher is (the one you get with Win+Tab), similar to Exposé from OS X


5. Vista/XP virtual desktop manager (man, why do you have to enable JavaScript just to download the software) gives me virtual desktops and is supposed to be than the Microsoft version from Powertoys (never tried to use them, besides SyncToy, which I like).

I've tried the tools while doing some (though inextensive) work on my computer. Here's what I've found so far:

QTTabBar: Well, I think it's quite nice, but I still need time to get acquainted. I just reconfigured the keyboard short cuts to fit the short cuts I'm used from Firefox. Basically, I now open a new tab with Ctrl + T and a new explorer windows with Ctrl + N. I think I will start using it similar to the tabs in Firefox. I certainly always have way too many open tabs, but I prefer this to many different windows. If I get a hold of this tool, I think it will ease some work.

QTAdddressBar: Another tool which is part of my explorer now. Now I have a two bars with a slightly different way to handle, which annoys me to some extent. Besides that, I found the new breadcrumb navigation slightly better. However, the level of subdirectories is not that high on my file system, and I try to keep important folders near me (by using NTFS junctions, mainly). I'll keep that tool at least for some time.

FolderGuide: Man, that's definitely the tool one is watching for. It just gives me a new menu point in my explorer context menu. Well, my context menu usually gets too clutched, but this tool just eases my work. You can define menu point that can be reached in the FolderGuide sub menu. Simple as.
I have some folders that I have to reach quickly regularly, like special save locations for files or the project folders of my current work. Now, they are always just two mouse clicks away. Simple as, but really cool. If you often were annoyed about browsing through your file system and wishing it was laid out more flatly, here's your answer.

Switcher: I have not brought myself in using it regularly by now, even though it is a neat task switcher. I still think of replacing the windows Alt + Tab switcher with this one, currently I replace the 3D switcher from Vista (Win + Tab). But I think I'm gonna keep Switcher, since it gives a good overview when your system is full of open app windows again.

Vista/XP Virtual Desktop Manager: Speaking of open windows, I also installed this desktop manager to get multiple desktops into Windows. I know it from Linux, I also have used it there, but I found no use for it in the past days, perhaps also due to my monitor resolution which allows me to watch 2 to 3 windows simultaneously if I have to. Even though it's a good thing, this will eventually be the first of the tools thaht gets deinstalled from my system.


I plan to review these tools and perhaps add one or two new after I examined them in more detail. I'll post my results same place.