obex://[00:1c:35:65:7c:3a]" is not a valid location.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

Hi.
I'm trying to connect my Ubuntu 7.10 to other Laptop and moble phone via Bluetooth, I got:
"obex://[00:1c:35:65:7c:3a]" is not a valid location.
Searching the web, I got those:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=640343
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=687516&highlight=OBEX
The problem is that every thread suggests a solution and to be honest I don't want to mess with my lovely Ubuntu.
Your help please.
Thanks.

[Jesper de Jong]

Just try what is suggested in those threads, for example:

sudo apt-get install gnome-vfs-obexftp

Note that Ubuntu, just like most Linux distributions, has a very good software package management system. You can install and also completely remove software packages very easily. For example, if you installed gnome-vfs-obexftp with the command above and you want to remove it again, just do:

sudo apt-get remove gnome-vfs-obexftp

Don't be afraid to tinker with your Ubuntu system, you'll need to do that from time to time.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

gnome-vfs-obexftp
Why there is ftp (FTP)?
I'm just curious...

[Tim Holloway]

OBEX is the Object Exchange protocol standard. obexftp is an application that gives you an FTP-like user interface to transfer files (objects) between systems using Bluetooth or infrared or other such mechanisms.

An alternative method is to use a product like recent versions of Nautilus where you can simply beam the file using the file browser in a "Send To..." operation. For receiving, there's a desktop listener app that can be used.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

I installed gnome-vfs-obexftp
Why it prompts me to enter an access code (or password) when I try to send something from my mobile phone to the laptop (and vice versa)?

[Tim Holloway]

Originally posted by John Todd:
I installed gnome-vfs-obexftp
Why it prompts me to enter an access code (or password) when I try to send something from my mobile phone to the laptop (and vice versa)?

There's a process called "Bluejacking". A mobile device is a computer, and computers need to be projected against attacks. A mobile computer is especially at risk, since if you have wireless connections turned on, simply walking through a room containing a malign computer could cause your phone to get "owned".

You can streamline the transfer process by pairing and by turning off security guards, but personally, I don't even trust the environment in my own home to be totally secured. Someone next door would be close enough to abuse the system.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

If my laptop prompts me to enter the access code, I have to provide my account password?
I tried to transfer a file to the mobile phone, the phone also prompts me to provide an access code.
What I have to enter in this case?

[Tim Holloway]

The "access code" is commonly called a PIN Number, and it's often preset to something like "1234" or "0000". For specific devices you'll have to check their documentation. For smart devices, you often provide your own - all that's required is that both sides of the transfer agree, since that's what lets them know they're talking (securely) to each other and not some other device.

In Linux, there's a place to put your computer's PIN number in one of the /etc Blurtooth config files. I haven't needed to, but it's easy to find docs on how to set it up if I ever do.

[Hussein Baghdadi]

When my laptop and mobile phone asked me for access code, I entered "111".
Every thing is OK.
On Ubuntu, I set my mobile phone as a trusted device and on the mobile phone I added my laptop to "My Devices".
After trying to connect from the laptop to the mobile phone and allowing the the access to the mobile phone, Ubuntu launches GNOME for browsing the phone (Phone memory and Stick memory).
With copy & past on this GNOME window, I'm able to transfer files to the mobile phone.
Later, I disconnected the devices and tries to connect from the mobile phone to the laptop, the connection failed.
On Ubuntu, I set it to connectable and discoverable from other devices.
Any ideas?