[PLUG] How to make my laptop look like a USB charger?

[John Hauser]

google "usb modeswitch"
this is the linux module that allows you to go from the mifi looking like a
cdrom drive to a wireless modem when attached via a usb cable. it get's rid
of the mifi looking like a cdrom to linux and get it looking like a modem.
if you're using a recent ubuntu 10.04 or > then a mobile broaband tab shows
up in network manager after you coonect the mifi via a usb cable

the mfg of the mifi2200 has produced a pkg that does this for you

see: Novatel explanation and "driver":
http://www.novatelwireless.com/stage/ndex.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83
http://www.novatelwireless.com/images/stories/support/linux/novatel_modem_drivers_config_1.1_6.deb

charging from laptop while being a usb hotspot via xml config file
before you go screwing around with cutting off lines of a  usb cable take a
look at this:
http://techtalk.hawkenterprising.com/Members/hawke/mifi-2200-charging-via-usb-while-still-running-in-wifi-access-point-mode

basically you save the mifi's settings to a config file, modify the xml file
and reload the modified file.
worked for me back in september.