dropbear ssh server

i prefer dropbear, because it is much smaller and more efficient than openssh.

install dropbear in debian, with
# apt-get install dropbear

this package contains an ssh server called dropbear and an ssh client called dbclient.

ssh keys

(re)generate your keys

# dropbearkey -t dss -s 1024 -f /etc/dropbear/dropbear_dss_host_key
# dropbearkey -t rsa -s 4096 -f /etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host_key
# /etc/init.d/dropbear restart

remember to save both the private keys and the public keys.

dropbear can be configured in /etc/default/dropbear.

nook pin lock

you might want to secure your nook, if you have personal data on it. you can set a screen lock with a 4-digit pin.

NetworkManager

i don't prefer/recommend gnome, as it tries to be everything and do everything. bloatwares usually become #TBTF :( and NetworkManager (pulling in gnome libs) seems to be in that bandwagon..

for now, i'm keeping NetworkManager in #!. wireless auto-connect seems intermittent (more often than not). nm does remember all the settings though. and i can manually connect, when tired of waiting.

nm also has some cmdline tools. i used nmcli in openbox/autostart to force connect wireless. if you use another window manager or log in to console, you could use it in your relevant startup/login scripts.

sleep 1m && \
while [ "$(nmcli -t -f WIFI,STATE nm)" = 'enabled:disconnected' ]
do
nmcli con up id {wireless-ssid}
sleep 5
done &

ref: http://blog.nixpanic.net/2011/01/connect-automatically-and-immediately.html

[Addendum] this laptop has an atheros wireless card, with working drivers in kernel. i also found a driver listed in the debian repository. after installing firmware-atheros, auto-connect issues have become very rare. i have no idea why!

nook backup with noogie

nobody need be reminded of the significance of backups. usually never needed, but when they are, you're in a do or die situation!

my backup strategy is to backup every new device, soon as i get my hands on it. and then, before every significant change. sometimes, i might just take two backups and compare them.

nook simple touch

this device has been makes waves among the developer community, since barnes & noble reduced the list price to £29. since i'm not an early adopter, i waited a while, till the first lot did some testing for me and produced relatively positive feedback.