How to read, calculate and set MTU in Windows, Linux and OSX

After I released the MTU Optimizer, a small tool for determining the optimal MTU, some days ago, let’s look at how to determine the optimal MTU by hand, how to read the currently set MTU and how to set new MTU value now. Of course we will discuss the whole thing for the three major operating systems: Windows, OSX and Linux.
Before we look at the implementation within the individual operating systems, we first briefly clarify what the MTU is and how its optimal value can be calculated.
Theory – Identify ideal MTU
The MTU (Maximum Transfer Unit) describes the maximum packet size of a protocol. It therefore indicates the maximum size of a data packet, so that it can be transmitted via a protocol. If a data packet is larger, it becomes fragmented – i.e. divided into several packages.
For example, let’s assume that we (=PC) would have a factory for sugar packets and our packet […]

Windows: How to increase the maximum screen resolution

Recently, I bought a netbook for my workshop to control a laser engraver (the DK-8 from Neje). Unfortunately, I had overlooked a small detail. The display of the netbook has only a native resolution of 1,024 x 600 pixels. However, the window of the control software requires at least 800 pixels in height, so that some of the software is not visible and thus can not be operated.
But remedy could be created by a small adjustment to the operating system. (In my case Windows 7 Starter.) By changing a key in the registry, the resolution can be increased beyond the native resolution. That’s how it works…
Increase maximum resolution in Windows
In order to support higher resolutions than the display’s native resolution, a registry key must be adjusted. Therefore open the Registry. (Either via the search in the start menu with the term “regedit” […]

How to set up a PERL development environment on Windows with Eclipse

perl_article_logoAs I shall deal, due to the university, the next six months with Perl, a appropriate IDE was needed. And because there were not given any installation instructions at my university, I have written down in the following, how you can set up a viable development environment for Perl scripts on Windows.
After reading this article you should be able to write Perl code using the IDE “Eclipse”. This has the advantage that in eclipse (by help of plugins) syntax errors are detected, etc.. If you know Eclipse and think it’s too “heavy weight” then you need to be patient for a little bit. In the following days I’ll post a further article in which I’ll describe how you can set up Notepad++ to use it as Perl development environment.
Preparation
Firstly you will need a Perl distribution – I’ve decided on […]

Workaround: Canon EOS 300D Windows 7 drivers

Canon EOS 300DRecently I put my hands on a Canon EOS 300D and should copy a few photos from the camera to the PC. Easier said than done. The camera has a few years under his belt and Windows 7 was seemingly not able to find suitable drivers. Also the Windows driver search did not help.
Now comes the part where I want to apologize for the misleading headline. In fact I have no Windows 7 driver for you. However, I have a solution on how to get the Canon EOS 300D running under Windows 7 without additional drivers. Therefore just a setting in the camera menu must be changed.
Connect Canon EOS 300D with Windows 7 – how it works
Step 1:
Turn on the camera and click on the “Menu” button on the left edge of the display.

How to synchronize Google Drive with Dropbox

Synchronize Dropbox and Google DriveToday I want to show you how you keep the two services Dropbox and Google Drive in sync. The whole thing is easier than perhaps previously thought.
Both, Dropbox and Google Drive, create a local folder on your computer. The files in this folder are then known to be synchronized with the cloud and all connected devices.  If you want to protect yourself from data loss, for example, and therefore want to use two systems in parallel, you would have to copy files (after creating or changing them) in both folders (the Dropbox and the Google drives) every time.
You can remedy yourself, by pointing the Dropbox folder into a subfolder of your Google Drive. This is very easy.