Chrome : Make omnibox search Google over https

- open chrome
- go to preferences
- manage search engines
- scroll to end
- add this

1st field : gs
2nd field : encrypted.google.com
3rd field : https://encrypted.google.com/search?&q=%s

- save it then hover the entry and click make default

From now on your omnibox searches should go through google https.

Ubuntu Unity can't see Pidgin buddy list

So you got your shiny new Ubuntu Unity going, maybe even on the newest 12.04 Ubuntu release.  Good stuff right?  But oh no what's this, sad face - you just closed the Pidgin buddy list and you can't find it / unminimize / unhide it.  Tragedy.  Well good news friend, the fix is easy.  Click the little envelope icon in the upper right corner and there should be an entry for Pidgin Instant Messenger.  All is well with the world.

Ubuntu Linux can't adjust Acer / brightness with function (FN) keys

So my Acer uses the "Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller" aka Intel GMA 4500m.  Alas I can not adjust the brightness via the cool ass function (Fn) keys on the keyboard.  A little meter pops up and tells me the brightness is adjusting, yet it is not.  There are a few fixes out there for this, modifying your grub, etc etc.  But the one I like the most goes something like this.

max bright :

sudo setpci -s "00:02.0" F4.B=00

mediumish bright :

sudo setpci -s "00:02.0" F4.B=C1

screen off :

sudo setpci -s "00:02.0" F4.B=FF

Changing the last two numbers/letters (hex) gently scales the brightness up and down.