Penguin Inside

10 Mistakes Linux learners should avoid

2010-01-11T08:16:00.003+05:30

If you are a Linux learner, this is definitely for you.
I’m not talking about non-geeks, People who don’t care or don’t want to know how their computer works. Today, Linux distributions are getting more and more popular, specially Ubuntu. Many ‘technical users’ of Microsoft Windows are showing interest in using or trying out Linux, but they repeat some common mistakes.

Which are,

Ignoring the official help documentation provided by distribution.

e.g. Ubuntu fresh install will have a blue question mark icon in panel, after Firefox icon. Ubuntu help center is not useless, Its there to help you. honestly how many people have used the official help documentation.

Rushing to forums or IRC for spoon feed or quick solution.

Don’t just don’t do that without searching on Google or any other Search Engine. Google is your friend. specially try http://www.google/linux for custom Linux searches. Don’t ignore Wiki documentation its contributed by community members and its easy to understand.

Ignoring the messages or errors thrown by system.

In GNU/Linux every error does not tell about crash or panic, If you read the error carefully you can find out what is wrong. for example… If apt-get finds packages with broken dependencies it will tell you that “There are ‘n’ broken packages” but it will also tell you use “apt-get install -f” to fix that.

Avoiding the use of "root".

You can't learn or get friendly with Linux until you don't know how to use root privileges. Play with the system, mess it up. Its the best way to learn. If you are too conscious, you can install GNU/Linux on Virtual Machine and keep a working snapshot as backup.

Over expecting.

Don’t over expect, GNU/Linux can’t perform like 3000% faster than Microsoft Windows, but still its a lot better. Its very stable that does NOT mean that, It will be completely error free.

Relying on Wine too much.

Wine is good way to run Windows applications on Linux, but you can’t run every application on Wine. Wine isn’t perfect. Instead of that find the native alternatives to Windows applications. So if your application is not working don’t shout, find a work-a-round.

Finding for a perfect distribution match.

You’ll never find one! DistroWatch isn’t a matrimony service. Choose a distribution which is a closest match. and start to customization, there is no particular distribution which will provide “everything” out of the box you need. No one is preventing you from spinning off your distribution, So make a good one and share it with others!

Start from CLI.

Many people may have disagreement on this, but I think its really not needed. To use GNU/Linux you don’t have to be a CLI geek. You only need to know the basic idea of CLI and its syntax. Learn the basics only if you are using Linux on your Desktop. There are a lot reference material available for Linux and BASH commands you can refer to it when its necessary. If you are learning Linux for server implementations you have no option to CLI.

Blaming it on Linux.

If you are a IT expert, and you are having troubles with Linux, then note this – “You should not think you are an expert”. I really don’t care if you are student on Microsoft IT Academy, but there is already too much anti-Linux stuff on Internet. I have seen many ‘expert’ bloggers blaming Linux for their mistakes. By the way Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, so the blame-game isn’t fair.
These are just 9?
Well here is the 10th.

Giving up on Linux.

Were you a Mac OS or Windows pro when you born? absolutely not. There is nothing you can perfect in just one day. even the simplest tasks in our life, like walking needs practice. So does Linux. Learning Linux is not a challenge or critical mission in your life, its just an OS.
Its just a misunderstanding that Linux is hard to learn, think its easy, so its easy for you.

e-Book Collection Management on Linux

2010-01-09T12:10:00.003+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

Having trouble sorting out hundreds of e-Books? No troubles for me, because I don't have much e-Books. But some people do have huge collection of books. If the collection is too big, its really not friendlier to find a book by file name. We need something like Book Shelf to keep them in order, that is what e-Book Collection Managers are, but they are a lot flexible than our real life Book Shelves.

I have already lied to you, I do have a e-Book collection, and the e-Book manager I use is eKitaab. There are not too many applications available in this category, few available applications are.

Calibre

Calibre is quite popular tool for e-Book management. Its not just a manager, It can be used as.

News Reader
e-Book format converter
Sychronization client for e-book reader devices.
and e-book organizer, Calibre can detect and fetch e-book information tags using it’s ISBN number.

eKitaab

eKitaab (“Kitaab” = book), is a simplified one, The only thing it can do is to maintain a catalog of all the books, and download their information from Amazaon using thier ISBN number. Its lightweight, Its small, and Its clean. The only thing that bothers me is the ugly (very ugly) Java GUI.

Mendeley

This software is basically for research papers, but you can still manage documents with it, especially PDF books. Mendely is quite powerful application, I use regularly to organize information and documents.

Zotero

Similar to Mendeley, Zotero is also a resource manager, It's a firefox extension. It's very good for those who don't want rich featured application like Mendeley or Calibre

Bibshelf

This thing, doesn’t do anything, but its still there, I guess this software is still in development (not actually current version is 1.6.0). Bibshelf does not deal with any e-book, in-fact it just shows a table or catalog of the books we have. (We have to enter the information manually, Bibshelf won’t detect the books automatically.) But lets just give this application time to evolve. :)

Screen Sharing with Linux

2010-01-05T09:16:00.006+05:30

Teamviewer

Most popular screen share tool out there, TeamViewer, has released a beta Linux client. Though it doesn't support all the features of Windows client. but still its quite close.

More Tools >>

Yuuguu

Yuuguu is a screen-sharing software which uses Instant Messenger like interface, Yuuguu allows clients to view host's screen in a browser, that means no download. with Yuuguu you can login into IM services like MSN, GTalk, Yahoo, ICQ, which allows your clients to view the shared screen without registering to Yuuguu. However host will need to download a client and register.

Yugma

Yugma is another screen-sharing software which is cross-platform, However the Linux client is still beta.

Vyew

Vyew is quite different than all of these services. It is completely browser based, developed as a Java applet. Vyew provides some good presentation features. The performance wasn't so impressive, still not too bad!

Gitso

Gitso is a classic VNC solution, but reversed. Its not a service, Its a software. that means you may require proper routing, If you are behind a router or firewall.

How to build .deb package from tar.gz

2009-12-26T08:08:00.007+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

Often newbies (not so new) complain after installing a package from source. It's actually easy to install a package from source, but you may face some troubles while un-installing those. especially when you delete compiled directory from where you execute make install command.

Method 1

The common method is to use dh_make and dpkg-buildpackage to create a .deb package and install it. This is how we do it.

Install required packages.

sudo apt-get install dh-make fakeroot build-essential autotools-dev

Step 1.

Extract the contents of Tarball

tar -xvzf source.tar.gz

Step 2.

Change directory to source folder

cd /path/to/source/folder

Step 3.

Create control files, selecting the attributes of package.

dh_make

Step 4.

Finally compile the package.

sudo dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot

Step 5.

Install all the packages, created by

dpkg-buildpackage

Method 2

Another method is to use

checkinstall

, which is quite easier.Some packages may use different build tools, or you may want to build application with qmake, cmake or something else instead of make. Or just wanted to be able to remove package without troubles. Use

checkinstall

Step 1. Install required packages.

sudo apt-get install checkinstall

Step 2.

There are no harder steps. Build your package first, your build method may differ.

./configure && make

Step 3.

At the end, replace the

sudo make install

command with following.

sudo checkinstall -D make install

Check install will also allow you to create package with custom meta-data, It will also create a deb package which you can keep for later use.

10 Ridiculous Reasons Not To Use Linux!

2009-12-08T20:30:00.004+05:30

Here are top 10 reasons, which are often used by people to avoid use of Linux on their desktops.

I often ask people why they don't like to use Linux on their desktop, some people actually gave me these reasons. Now, before you start beating me with ugly stick, I must tell you that these reasons are seriously ridiculous.

10. Linux, You mean that CLI thing?

9. My hardware doesn't meet the requirements.

8. My dog ate the root password.

7. Whenever I'm settled on a particular distribution, a new one appears.

6. Its incomplete. It lacks the Disk De-fragment Utility.

5. My files were infected by Virus.

4. Does not turn off automatically. Always need to do that manually.

3. Security is too tight, Sometimes even I can't access my files.

2. Updates and Patches(Evolution of software) speed is faster than my broadband speed.

1. I couldn't find a CD-Key or Crack.

Last but not least,

0. Linux is obsolete. - Andrew Tanenbaum

Image via Wikipedia

15 Power tools for Linux that you cant afford to miss.

2009-11-24T07:55:00.004+05:30

I'm talking about some tools, which comes in very handy while you are in trouble or save you from future trouble or even help you to do things fast. Note that I'm not listing all the tools, neither I'm ranking those.. I have just picked few tools which I use regularly, and have good experience with them.

Because this list is quite big, so I'm not going to add screen-shots and make the post bloated.

FSlint

FSlint is a very good utility to find duplicate files, bad names, empty folders, all that trash that you don't want to be on you file system. Install using -

sudo apt-get install fslint

TestDisk

TestDisk is a powerful undelete or data recovery tool. However it does not support ext4 yet. but still many distributions are using ext3, If you have any important data on your disk, then you should have this installed. Install using -

sudo apt-get install testdisk

TrueCrypt

Everyone have important or valuable data, even if it is not too valuable for you. TrueCrypt is an extra bit to your basic file security. Download and Install the available package.

BleachBit

Linux system is nothing but a huge file system, where most of your things are files, and some are useless. BleachBit, the more I use it the more I love it. BleachBit is probably a lifesaver for Linux installations having small storage spaces. Download and Install (because Ubuntu repositories may have old versions)

PalimpSet Disk Utility

Now you can see this utility as default for Disk Management in Fedora, now also in Ubuntu. Its a really nice utility, not as partition editor, but as a front-end to S.M.A.R.T. Now you can simply monitor disk health very easily. This utility is developed by Redhat and don't any homepage. but you can install it using your debian package manager / apt-get

sudo apt-get install gnome-disk-utility

Gconf-Editor

You won't have this installed on most of your distributions using Gnome, gconf-editor is nothing but a front-end to gconftool-2 command line utility. which is a gnome configuration tool. Using this tool on command line is a bit of a drag for newbies, because you can't remember all key paths. Gconf-Editor will give you a feel of Windows Registry editor, If you are a gnome user you will be able to make some big changes by changing a simple boolean or string values.

sudo apt-get install gconf-editor

Eiciel

Extra file permissions, always a problem for newbies on Linux system. ACLs are life savers when you need file permissions for files that are exceptions. However I'm very comfortable with setfacl and getfacl, but Eiciel is a very good ACL front-end for newbies who are not very good on CLI, or don't want to use CLI.

sudo apt-get install eiciel

Guake

This just a normal terminal, with different look and behavior, It adds a Quake or Unreal Tournament like console ( which you get after pressing ~ and where you type god ) to your linux desktop. But on Linux you can spawn it by pressing F12 not the ~. Guake is very nice tool if you are a frequent console user, It saves you from opening and closing and handling those gnome-terminal windows.

sudo apt-get install guake

Meld

If you are dealing with any kind of configuration files or program code, You always need a difference viewer and patcher. Meld is a visual diff and merge tool. You can compare two or three files and edit them in place. A powerful tool for CVS, SVN or Bazaar users.

sudo apt-get install meld

Wine

May be I don't need to tell about Wine, its already so famous.. However its one of the programs I never forget to install on a Linux system. Download and follow install instruction (default repositories don't keep latest version)

Glipper

You will always need a clipboard - Read Why

sudo apt-get install glipper

AutoKey

Program your own system wide shortcuts or abbreviations to any kind of content like address, name or something that you need to type many times. Or assign shortcuts to operations or applications.

sudo apt-get install autokey

Conduit Synchronizer

Conduit Synchronizer is still in development, Its a part of gnome project. but its really useful. Conduit is a synchronization application for GNOME. It allows you to synchronize your files, photos, emails, contacts, notes, calendar data and any other type of personal information and synchronize that data with another computer, an online service, or even another electronic device.

sudo apt-get install conduit

BackInTime

If you are a regular Linux desktop user, Your configurations and stuff won't break the boundaries of your home folder. Back In Time is a back up and restore utility for those who love their data.

sudo apt-get install backintime-gnomeOrsudo apt-get install backintime-kde

ClamTK

Its tough to get your Linux infected by Virus, really tough. But its really not good to keep inactive windows viruses on Linux machine, however they do anything but you may spread the infection. Clam-Tk is a very good front-end to ClamAV. some people may like KlamAV, but Clam-TK is bit more simple and up-to common expectations. Download and Install (Ubuntu repositories hold old versions.)

Gnome-Do

Gnome do is powerful launcher tool, aspired from Mac OS X quick silver. gnome do can be used as dock or panel too. It can be used to launch almost anything with a few keystrokes. If you really don't like mouse or pointers. You should try gnome-do. Download and install (Ubuntu repositories hold old versions.)

Measuring performance of GTK theme

2009-10-30T09:17:00.002+05:30

Does GTK theme make any noticeable change in performance? Yes. as I have mentioned in previous post - Top 10 Gnome Performance Tweaks, Here is a way to figure out how much does it matter. If you are interested in creating GTK themes you should know how to check performance of theme..

I’m going to check performance of three completely different themes.

Mira, Mist, and Wasp

You will need GTK-Perf utility.

To install it on Ubuntu, use following command.

sudo apt-get install gtkperf

Run the utility and see the results, Lower is better.

1. Mira

Result: 10.96 Seconds

GtkEntry - time:  0.14
GtkComboBox - time:  3.28
GtkComboBoxEntry - time:  2.72
GtkSpinButton - time:  0.53
GtkProgressBar - time:  0.21
GtkToggleButton - time:  0.56
GtkCheckButton - time:  0.26
GtkRadioButton - time:  0.36
GtkTextView - Add text - time:  0.77
GtkTextView - Scroll - time:  0.29
GtkDrawingArea - Lines - time:  0.48
GtkDrawingArea - Circles - time:  0.65
GtkDrawingArea - Text - time:  0.60
GtkDrawingArea - Pixbufs - time:  0.09
---
Total time: 10.96

2. Wasp

Result: 7.72 Seconds

GtkEntry - time:  0.21
GtkComboBox - time:  2.07
GtkComboBoxEntry - time:  1.45
GtkSpinButton - time:  0.23
GtkProgressBar - time:  0.09
GtkToggleButton - time:  0.34
GtkCheckButton - time:  0.27
GtkRadioButton - time:  0.38
GtkTextView - Add text - time:  0.63
GtkTextView - Scroll - time:  0.26
GtkDrawingArea - Lines - time:  0.39
GtkDrawingArea - Circles - time:  0.64
GtkDrawingArea - Text - time:  0.65
GtkDrawingArea - Pixbufs - time:  0.09
---
Total time:  7.72

3. Mist

Result: 6.17 Seconds

GtkEntry - time:  0.13
GtkComboBox - time:  1.42
GtkComboBoxEntry - time:  1.13
GtkSpinButton - time:  0.08
GtkProgressBar - time:  0.06
GtkToggleButton - time:  0.28
GtkCheckButton - time:  0.19
GtkRadioButton - time:  0.41
GtkTextView - Add text - time:  0.64
GtkTextView - Scroll - time:  0.12
GtkDrawingArea - Lines - time:  0.36
GtkDrawingArea - Circles - time:  0.67
GtkDrawingArea - Text - time:  0.57
GtkDrawingArea - Pixbufs - time:  0.09
---
Total time:  6.17

-- “Ultimately you will find that simple themes are twice faster than high detailed themes.. This wont matter much if you got a healthy machine, But if you are running on older machine with poor or onboard graphics card, that too with bigger resolutions. GTK themes will make a big difference.”

Linux firewalls for newbies

2009-10-23T08:52:00.005+05:30

Firewall is a very important aspect of security, You will not need firewall when you are behind router in your personal network. because router conceal your private network from public network. But, You will always need a good firewall configuration when you are in big private or Wireless public networks.. Not everyone can use iptables because its huge, and very confusing for newbies. Here are some easy to use firewalls for Linux..

1. Firestarter

This is a rich featured and user friendly firewall application, Firestarter provides many advance features like ICMP filtering, Service filtering, Internet connection sharing, local DHCP server.. making it a must have application for any Linux desktop installation Screenshots / Download

2. Gufw

A popular front-end for ufw (Which is a front-end for iptables) firewall, You will find this installed by default on Linux Mint, Configuring a firewall is now easy as pie.. Gufw is the most easiest configuration tool for firewall you will ever see, However it serves very limited amount of functionality. Screenshots / Download

3. Guarddog

I like this configuration utility since I used it for first time. Guarddog allows to configure advance firewall with few clicks, besides that It also supports configuring firewall through presets for different services and protocols.. If you don't know about networks too much, you can think about Guarddog Screenshots / Download

4. KMyFirewall

KMyFirewall is a front-end for iptables, However its not completely user friendly. because you need to write the iptables rules using GUI, then apply them. You can use KMyFirewall for creating complex firewall rules. but until you don't have enough knowledge of iptables. it can difficult to use KMyFirewall for you. Screenshots / Download

5. Firewall Builder

This is the most popular firewall graphical front-end, fwbuilder supports multiple types of Firewall ( iptables (netfilter), ipfilter, pf, ipfw.Cisco PIX and more ) and Platforms ( Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Windows, Mac OS X ). Firewall builder is awesome, but its a professional more than a desktop utility. Screenshots / Download

6. Other IPTable frontends

There are many other Iptables front-ends around which can help you to build firewalls. e.g. UIF, KIptablesGenerator, Simple IPtable Script generator, Easy firewall generator

Quickest way for audio editing

2009-10-18T15:45:00.004+05:30

Ardour or Audacity are very good options for audio editing on Linux, but It adds some unnecessary complexity to audio editing and production, for example creating small audio snippets, applying simple effects, or even recording audio from multiple sources and mixing etc, can be done very easily on Jokosher.

Jokosher is currently in development, The latest release is 0.11.x, but It can save your big time.

Some of my friends use Audacity for audio production for screen casts, no wonder because its very good. but Audacity adds unnecessary complexity to their unprofessional work.

Jokosher on the other hand have an magnificent UI, specially its lot more cleaner and friendlier..

Jokosher is extensible and Cross-Platform. You can easily create extensions for Jokosher, If you are a Python programmer.

Download

Screenshots

Changing the Metacity button order

2009-10-13T07:52:00.004+05:30

Do you ever wish that title bar buttons should be in another order? Mac OS users definitely prefer reverse order buttons over standard order buttons.

Here is a way to change the Title bar button order…

Your default Metacity title bar looks like this…

Simply execute following command..

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout "close,maximize,minimize:menu"

Now you will have a Mac a like button order…

You can also try something else like…

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout "menu,maximize:close,minimize"

In this sequence “ : ” serves as a separator between right hand side and left hand side…

If you want to switch back to standard layout, “menu:minimize,maximize,close” is the default layout..

Configuring custom actions in Thunar and Nautilus

2009-10-10T11:06:00.004+05:30

Still relying on Nautilus scripts too much? Most of the Nautilus Scripts are nothing but normal scripts, and you don’t have to use those as Script, because you can directly integrate them with Nautilus or Thunar very easily.

Integrating Commands and Scripts in Nautilus -

To add custom actions to Nautilus, You will need nautilus-actions package installed. To install nautilus-actions simply execute following command.

Ubuntu / Debian Users -

sudoapt-get install nautilus-actions

Fedora users -

su –c “yum install nautilus-actions”

Once the package installed, Execute the nautilus-actions command, Or launch it from preferences menu.

Lets create a simple Nautilus Action, ‘Enqueue in Totem’

Click ‘Add’, Fill up the ‘Label’/’Tooltip’ Then Select Icon.

Then simply select ‘Main’ profile and edit. Add path “/usr/bin/totem --enqueue” and parameters %M

Add the file types you want to make option visible on.

Done.

Thunar Custom Actions -

Lets add the upload to ImageShack nautilus script in Thunar.

Task is quite similar, Open Thunar > Edit > Configure Custom Actions

Add a New Action, Fill Name, Description and the Command

/path/to/script/sendToImageshack.py %f

Select the image file type or make your selection as per your script.

Then save the configuration, and Try it out.

Best 5 PDF Readers for Linux

2009-10-07T13:37:00.005+05:30

Some heavy, some light PDF Readers for Linux...

1. Adobe Reader

Original closed-source PDF reader from Adobe. Adobe Reader provides large number of unique features, which makes it a must have application.. Speed of rendering PDF is slower but perfect. Allows to view PDF with embedded Flash Supports 3D and Interactive PDF and Forms. Precise Rendering

2. Evince

Open Source PDF viewer, uses Gnome libraries and used as default document viewer for Gnome. Renders PDF very fast after recent updates. Evince provides all the necessary features you need for reading. Evince does not support 3D PDFs, but works very well with forms. Evince also supports other formats like Postscript, DjVu, Tiff, Dvi

3. Okular

Another Open Source PDF viewer, Default document viewer for K Desktop Environment. Okular provides more features than Evince. but renders slower with larger PDFs. Okular is not able to view 3D rendering, forms are bit buggy with Okular. Okular is also able to view Postscript, CHM, DjVu documents.

4. ePDFView

A very basic PDF viewer, my best choice for lightweight distros, ePDFView have the least features, but PDF is viewed quite prs precisely

5. Foxit Reader

A closed-source PDF reader from Foxit Software, It's lightweight faster, supports handful of features. Rendering quality is compromised. Does not support 3D and PDF forms..

6. Gloobus

Gloobus is a universal file previewer for Linux, It is able to view files very quickly. Gloobus supports few formats like

Source: C++, JAVA, PHP, SH, PYTHON, Images: JPG, PSD, XCF, PNG, GIF, SVG Documents: PDF, CBR, CBZ, DOC, ODF, XLS, ODS, PPT, ODP Music: MP3, OGG, MP4, MIDI, WAV Video: MPG, AVI, OGG, FLV, WVM Other: Folders, Plain text files

It does not do anything else than previewing a file. Its good and the fastest way to view small PDF files. though gloobus is not for reading.

Wikitize your Desktop – Zim

2009-10-03T12:39:00.006+05:30

Zim- Desktop Wiki, where name confuse the most. Zim is Wiki like but not just a Wiki, It’s a lot more than just a Wiki like editor. This application exists for more than 2 years now and It’s not too popular.

In this post I’m going to talk about different possibilities of Zim’s use.

Zim brings the concepts on Wiki to your desktop. Actually It’s a WYSIWYG editor which allows to link quickly to other page or any file on your drive.

Features -

You can simply link to a non-existing page and It will be created automatically.
You can create automatically linked pages according to calendar, like Year – Month – Day format.
Inserting mathematical equations using LaTex.
Inserting Screenshot and Images
Exporting all data in HTML
Basic markup
Cross platform
Quickly attaching files.

If these are the features, What exactly I can do with this?

Using Zim as alternative to sticky note / TODO softwares

If you are using Tomboy or something like Gnote, You should give Zim a try. Zim’s ability to link quickly to files and other pages makes it easily manageable. Unlike sticky notes, You don’t have to keep searching the old entries because of back-links.

Writing Personal Diaries on Zim

Sounds funny but true. Just create pages using the calendar plug-in.

Writing documentation
- Writing manuals
- Writing reference material

Linking tons of pages to each other is no joke on static HTML, try doing that with Zim. You don’t have to create about links anymore.

Quickly creating small websites & presentations

Though creating dynamic web content using PHP MySQL is the best option, but if you do not have a PHP/MySQL server at hand. HTML is still the most lightweight way to create websites.

Launching another GUI login Session using GDM

2009-10-02T09:42:00.005+05:30

Launch another GUI session in your current one. Sounds stupid, why anyone would do that? I have no idea.. but I know how to do that. Its quite simple, (Yeah and its quite useful too, so you must at least try it once.)

You can use this feature, if you want to try out multiple desktop environments simultaneously, or login another user account which you have access, because everybody can not have root / administrator access.

Simply run following command...

gdmflexiserver --xnest

This will open a new login window

now login...

SchoolKid - Color Scheme for NetBeans and Gedit

2009-09-30T19:06:00.004+05:30

Your IDE or Text Editor color scheme is quite important, if you are going to stick in front on monitors for hours, Schemes with white background, providing extremely high or low contrast will eventually pop your eyes out.

Here is the color scheme for Gedit and Netbeans,

Tested with PHP, Python and HTML

I use Comic Sans MS font, Though its not fixed width / Sans Mono family font, but its cleanly readable if Anti-Aliasing is applied. and Yeah it looks funny too. Specially if you are using full hinting, fonts will become too thinner, in such case Comic Sans bold saves the day.

Still, You can use any font you want to use..

Remember to enable anti-aliasing the fonts in NetBeans, Just execute the NetBeans using the following option.

-J-Dawt.useSystemAAFontSettings=on

Installation Instruction Included

Download -

Clipboard management with Linux

2009-09-26T21:38:00.005+05:30

Why do you even need it? Clipboard management is not just for content editors. In fact you will always need one on your Linux box. You may find that your Clipboard is not persistent, this depends on what desktop environment you use, the lightweight desktop environments have such problems. Clipboard manager is not used only to remember the text you copy or cut. They simply make your life a bit more easier.

So, Here are some clipboard management applications for Linux desktop.

Glipper - GNOME

The best Clipboard Manager for Linux is Glipper for GNOME, which works as a Gnome Panel Applet. Unfortunately you can not make it run anywhere else than Gnome Panel. Glipper is very flexible and configurable and got some extra ordinary features (via Plugins)...like

Snippets - Just WOW
Actions - Do something when text matches a specific syntax for example launching a URL
Share the clipboard data between multiple Glippers over Network!
Nopaste integration.
Growing the existing small entries in clipboard

Now thats serious!

Klipper - KDE

Klipper is the default clipboard manager for KDE, but You can use it on any other desktop environment if you have a system tray. Though Klipper may not offer all the functionality like Glipper but it can be used outside of KDE. Klipper have all the flexible configuration you need.

Clipman - XFCE

If GNOME and KDE have it, than why not XFCE. unfortunately its nothing but a Clipboard Manager, the only thing it offers is saving your clipboard content, but hey! that is the main purpose of clipboard manager..and a good news for minimalistic people.

Parcellite

Parcellite manges your clipboard, and offers Actions and Shortcut features, but the one thing that makes its special is, It can be used on all desktop managers (with system tray). So if you are *box/WM user then say yes to Parcellite.

DDM

Screenshots Desktop Data Manager, is not just a Clipboard management tool but also a Screenshot and Download manager tool. Lets just talk about the Clipboard manager, DDM provides the more integration with your system than any other in above list. but it also conflicts the many gnome utilities too. That is why I didn't installed it. DDM provides you some unique feature that other Clipboard manger won't provide.

Tint 2 and Visibility Configuration Generator

2009-09-21T16:17:00.003+05:30

Some people does not like configuring their applications by editing text files manually. Actually its not the quickest way to do it.

Here is a easy way to configure your Tint 2 or Visibility.

Tint-Wizard

An application programmed in Python, Tint-Wizard is able to generate very detailed Tint 2 Configurations.

Tint Wizard will hardly miss any configuration. It is very easy to use, so I don't need to tell you any more. If your Tint2 configuration file is ~/.config/tint/tintrc and not ~/.config/tint2/tint2rc, You need to rename all the "tint2" & "tint2rc" terms to "tint" & "tintrc" ( You can simply use Gedit - Find and Replace to achieve this, CLI geeks can go for 'sed' )

Quick Configuration Generators -

Tint Configuration Generator
Visibility Configuration Generator
( Credit for this scripts goes to dbboltan from Ubuntu Forums, Post )

Technorati Tags: Tint2,Configuration,Window Managers,Linux,Open Source

10 Panel / Dock applications for your Window Managers.

2009-09-19T08:02:00.004+05:30

I often get complains from some people, about Openbox or Fluxbox because they lack decent panel / pager applications [ Which is NOT true ], not all the people are satisfied with Openbox's confusing right-click menus
Here is the listing ( not ranking ) of some of these applications, which can be used on Window managers.

[ If you need composite manager, have a look at Compositor for Window Managers ]

1. Gnome Do

So far the the best dock and launcher application I would say. Gnome Do offers wide range on plug-ins allowing you to do even more on each key you press, Gnome Do is surely the fastest way to beat the Window Manager menus. You can also use Gnome-Do as your dock-bar ( which will need screen compositor Look here ).

2. Cairo-Dock

Cairo-Dock, one of the most famous dock-bar applications on Linux, Cairo-Dock is the highly customizable application where you can customize most of the things you want, the Linux style!, You will also find various themes and plug-ins for your Cairo-Dock. People usually don't use Cairo-Dock on oepnbox or fluxbox, but actually its works flawlessly. ( You don't need a screen compositor to run cairo-dock but it is recommended to use on for better results )

3. Avant Window Navigator

Avant Window Navigator, again a very popular dock-bar application, loaded with many useful docklets, but Avant is comparatively less configurable than its closest match Cairo-Dock, but also less confusing. If you want bring up the power to your window manager, Avant is the easiest way, somehow you can rely on it for most of the work. ( Avant Window navigator can not run without a Composite manager)

4. fbpanel

fbpanel is rich featured but also a lightweight, Desktop panel application, and of course highly customizable. fbpanel is not fully configurable via GUI yet, but you can always mess up with the configuration files. If you want a very simple panel which can do most of the things for you, fbpanel is the best choice for you.
This fbpanel configuration looks a lot different than the default configuration, You can get this Mac like configuration Here.

5. Perl-Panel

A full featured desktop panel programmed in Perl, Its quite heavy on resources, but very easy to handle, configuration is as easy as pie.

6. BMPanel & BMPanel 2

Very nice theme-able, customizable panel application, though you have to mess with the configuration files. but by default BMpanel 1 & 2 offers almost everything you need. It is also one of the most beautiful applications for Linux. You can simply look the theme gallery Here

7. BarPanel

A bit strange panel application with interesting menu structure, however its not way too good neither bad.

8. Tint 2

A lightweight panel, offering essential features. Tint became famous after its implementation in Crunch Bang, If you configure it properly, Its a real eye-candy

9. PyPanel

This is an minimalistic Panel, does not offer too much, but also won't disappoint you too much.

10. Can I use something else?

Of course why not? Your GNOME-Panel, XFCE4 Panel and Kicker ( KDE Panel ) will work with Openbox ( except desktop environment specific features like Restart / Power off ), But the panels I listed above are so good that you don't need these ones.

Technorati Tags: Linux,Desktop Environment,Panels,Dock Bar,Applications,Openbox,Window Managers

SpiceBird 0.7 – Strong bird to your fleet

2009-09-14T22:35:00.003+05:30

Still using Thunderbird? Mozilla Thunderbird is very good for sure. but If you haven’t used Spicebird yet, You are missing too much. However its still a beta.
Like Thunderbird, Spicebird is also based on Mozilla and Open Source, but its more innovative. Its developed by an Indian company called Synovel ( at least someone doing something creative here )

Synovel has also an open source collaboration suite called as CollabSuite, which reminds me of Zimbra ( Which also provides a collaboration suite and desktop client, though I really don’t like it a lot ).

Here are my likes and dislikes in Spicebird PIM Client.

Spicebird makes a very good impression when you start it. It utilizes the the common tabbed interface, which is very easy to use. Spicebird makes it handy to maintain all its different aspects like Mail Client, Chat Window, Calendar, Feed Reader etc.

Spicebird 0.7 adds these following features.

Chat with friends on services like Yahoo, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ and Jabber

Add iGoogle Gadgets to Spicebird

Disable the applications that are unused

Access Google calendar

Experimental support for managing blogs

Available in more than 10 languages

Basic set of add-ons

Import data from Thunderbird, Outlook and Outlook Express

You can view the full release note here

The Good -

The features I like most are Ability to disable the applications, the Customizable home interface with Google Gadgets, and the Blog posting support, and of-course the Instant Messenger Client, ( However I’m going to stick with my Pidgin. )
Good thing is Spicebird is a decent application suite, Its very similar to Thunderbird, so its make very good email client and calendar software. but Its still not a good IM or an Aggregator.

The Bad -

Spicebird isn’t good while managing large number of IM contacts and flexible chatting interface that Pidgin provides, or the Aggregator features that RSSOwl provides. or the calendar application like Mozilla Sunbird, Spicebird is good, but not the best.

Is it the final conclusion for Spicebird? – NO It’s still in development, and I’m considering large number of mind-blowing improvements.
Many people posted things like, “Is it the end for thunderbird+lightning?” on their blogs.
Answer to this question is definitely NO, until users have freedom to select their applications.

Technorati Tags: Spicebird,Email,Mozilla,Applications,Cross Platform

Screen Compositing without Compiz, Metacity or KWin

2009-09-12T19:43:00.003+05:30

Screen compositing is quite easy on Gnome or KDE, because both the Metacity and KWin / Compiz allows screen compositing.
Compositing is a feature of your Window Manager and WMs like Openbox, Fluxbox, IceWM does not support compositing it self. and because of this disadvantage you are unable to gain pure transparency or to use softwares like Avant Window Manager, Gnome Do and many more.

So here is the most lightweight way to composite your screen, We are going to use Xcompmgr.
Xcompmgr, is more universal, It can work with most of the Desktop Environments.
Installing xcompmgr -
You will find xcompmgr in ubuntu and fedora repositories. To install use following commands.
On Debian / Ubuntu based distros.

sudo apt-get install xcompmgr

On Fedora

su –c “yum install xcompmgr”

Launching xcompmgr -
Launching xcompmgr is quite easy, all you have to do is to execute the command which is

xcompmgr

If you want to set options for Window drop shadows, blur amount, shadow offset etc, read the xcompmgr man page, which is very easy to understand.

man xcompmgr

Once you launch the xcompmgr, You will be able to use applications which requires composited screen.

Auto-starting xcompmgr on start up.
If you are using Gnome or KDE its very simple to add your command in start up applications. Gnome start-up application configuration utility is located at Menu > Preferences > Startup Applications

If you are using KDE, you will find start-up application configuration in advance tab of KControl.
Auto starting Xcompmgr with Openbox – Edit your ~/.config/openbox/autostart.sh file

# Run the system-wide support stuff
. $GLOBALAUTOSTART
# Programs to launch at startup
hsetroot ~/wallpaper.png &
#MAKE SURE YOU PUT THIS FOLLOWING ENTRY
xcompmgr -c -t-5 -l-5 -r4.2 -o.55 &
# SCIM support (for typing non-english characters)
export LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.utf8
export XMODIFIERS=@im=SCIM
export GTK_IM_MODULE=scim
export QT_IM_MODULE=scim
scim -d &
# Programs that will run after Openbox has started
(sleep 2 && avant-window-navigator) &

That’s all everything is done!

Technorati Tags: Linux,Openg Source,Compositor,Desktop Environment

Best way to create perfect chromium launcher on Linux.

2009-09-08T09:25:00.004+05:30

As some people ( Readers from My Chromium Guide ) asked me that how can they create a Launcher that will work every where Gnome/KDE/Openbox or anywhere, a universal launcher for chromium browser that will save them from editing all the launchers, and putting options after the command every time. (I’m not talking about custom script ).

Those common problems are…

You always have to put the command options when ever you create a new launcher.

You also have to edit the command in Gnome/KDE preferred applications.

Your launcher may not work with another file manager or window manager menus, so you have edit those again.

Creating a script is a good way, but its not flexible, and you may not be able to use extra options after your script.

So here is a classic Linux solution ( I’m sorry that I didn’t mentioned earlier), This will solve all your problem, and you do not have to edit any launcher.
Your command will be flexible, as original command.
Just execute following commands. on any Linux distro, any Desktop environment.. this will work just fine.

Chromium users -

alias chromium-browser="chromium-browser --enable-extensions --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts"

Google Chrome users -

alias google-chrome="google-chrome --enable-extensions --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts"

These are the aliases, but work isn’t finished yet. These fresh aliases are unsaved. so lets just save them.
Again

Chromium users -

echo "alias chromium-browser="chromium-browser --enable-extensions --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts"" >> ~/.bashrc

Google Chrome users -

echo "alias google-chrome="google-chrome --enable-extensions --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts"" >> ~/.bashrc

Now everything is done, and you have don’t have to worry about these options now.

Even if you use command like chromium-browser --app=http://penguininside.blogspot.com The web application will execute with all options enabled, and you don’t have to mention it again.

Technorati Tags: Linux,Open Source,Browsers,Chromium,Google Chrome

Parallels Desktop 4 Linux – Virtualization Walkthrough

2009-09-05T16:49:00.004+05:30

If you are a regular Mac user then you might know what Parallels Desktop is.. Parallels Desktop for Linux is a virtualization software developed by Parallels Inc. Now Parallels Desktop for Linux is ready to join the battleground with VMware Workstation / Player and Virtual Box.
I’m going to find out, is Parallels worth 80$? It’s about 100$ cheaper than VMware Workstation but lot costlier in front of Virtual Box and VMware Player.

Requirements
Features
Product Link
Screenshots
Here are some things that you will find different in Parallels Desktop.

First Impression -

Installation Process of Parallels Desktop is completely based on TUI, All you need to do is to execute the binary file with root privileges “parallels-desktop-4.0.6576.434360.run”

sudo ./parallels-desktop-4.0.6576.434360.run

Once you execute the installer, A text based installation wizard will appear..There is nothing special in installation. Its as easy as pie.

The GUI and Management -

The GUI is good enough, but the best it does not go with my GTK theme ( well that is not important :P )..

At the first look, You will feel something is different, but in short time you will notice, most of the dialogs, wizards are identical to VMware Workstation..

Here you have a feature that any other virtualization software don’t have and that is configurable GUI and Toolbars. You can change the feel of your GUI..but this does not make any big difference.

You can bring your VM’s from other softwares, using Migration tool.

You can start parallels in safe mode.

Virtualization -

Your VM speed and CPU performance is going to be very close your VMware WS / VirtualBox as Parallels is completely dependant on your hardware’s virtualization ability.

Adaptive hypervisor allows you to smoothen the performance.

DKMS – Dynamic Kernel Module Support

You can prioritize the resource to Virtual Machine of Host OS

Other features -

You can get some additional benefits like.

Easy and reliable shared folder support

Migration tool to migrate VMs and Create VMs from physical machines.

A good Image tool, that allows to convert disk image types. and resize the images.

Virtual machine auto-start

GPU -

Parallel Desktop does not support native Direct 3D support on Linux/Windows host (unlike Mac OS X), but still you can get Direct 3D support using WineD3D, You can follow THIS guide which is applicable to Parallels too, as Parallels GPU give you OpenGL 1.1 support.

The one thing about GPU that impressed me was 256 Video memory, twice as Vmware WS / VirtualBox

Problems occurred -

Parallels Desktop gave me some extra pain..like

Keyboard function and control keys lockout.

Parallels Desktop GUI crashed many times

Keyboard lockout occurred in both Fedora and Ubuntu test, and was the most annoying part of Parallels Desktop.
Parallels GUI keeps crashing time to time ( Tested on Ubuntu, Crash frequency was less on Fedora ). In this care Virtual Machine never crashed, Just GUI that means, If you launch Parallels again you will find VM working fine.

Conclusion -

Despite few bugs, I think Parallels Desktop is worth on its price. Parallels Desktop 4 is new to Linux, and I would like to give it some time to fix the bugs. The Parallel’s Virtual machine works smooth.
But for now I’m staying with Virtual Box 3 and VMware Player.

Technorati Tags: Linux,Open Source,Virtualization,Parallels Desktop

Ultimate Download Management guide for Linux

2009-09-02T12:46:00.003+05:30

When I got started with Linux, The one thing I couldn’t find was good download managers. but today we have plenty of them, in fact what we have on Linux is simply better than Adware/Shareware download managers on Windows.
Downloading in Linux is not limited to using Wget, KDE KGet or Gwget or cURL now..

In this guide, I’m going to tell you the various ways for good and reliable download management on Linux, for every type of download you can ever do.

Downloading from Direct HTTP / FTP links
Bit-Torrent Downloading
Video / Audio Downloading
Rapidshare / FileFactory / MegaUpload and Downloading from Other sites.

Note that there are many small download managers around, but I will be listing only rich featured ones.

Downloading from Direct HTTP / FTP Links

In this category, I was able to list 3 downloaders which proved they are best.

[Click on image to enlarge]

All these downloaders, support some common features like.
Multiple Thread / Multiple File Downloads

FTP/HTTP Downloads

Download by category

Download Scheduling

Speed Limiting

Custom site settings

And huge list of other mumbo-jumbo that you don’t want to know

MultiGet -

If you look at MultiGet, fist thing you will notice, that its quite similar to Flashget. But this is not an adware,
Though Multiget have less features than D4X, still I rated it first for its ease of use and more universal design on GUI. and this is cross-platform too. so if you want to kick Flashget out of your windows, feel free to do that. Download MultiGet - HERE

D4X -

D4X, This is a popular download manager, most of the people are using this on Linux. D4X have the lot more management features compared to other download managers, but its GUI design is quite different ( actually strange ). Finding and editing some settings, is like a solving maze. but once you get familiar with it, There is not problem

[ Website of this software is down, But its available in Ubuntu repositories. You can use following command to install ]

sudo apt-get install d4x

Uget -

Uget, You will find this quite simpler in first sight. compared to others. Currently I'm not using it for downloading large files. but for small files, and regular downloading. because I found it bit lightweight.

[ Home page for Uget is under construction, You can get Uget HERE ]

Downloading from Bit-Torrent

Bit-Torrent clients are not big deal for Linux, there are tons of bit-torrent clients for Linux.. But only fewer with good GUI and all the features that a Bit-Torrent client need today. for example DHT / PEX or Web UI etc.

Deluge -

Deluge is the ultra featured bit-torrent client for Linux, but its quite heavy on resources compared to others. Deluge is the Bt client I always prefer to use, due to its extensibility and good plug-ins, and awesome features.
Deluge – Download - Screenshots

Transmission -

On most of the Linux distributions you will find Transmission installed, Transmission is a lightweight bit-torrent client with essential features. Its also extensible, many add-ons are being written.
Transmission – Download – Screenshots

Monsoon -

Monsoon is another good bit torrent client, Its simple to use, loaded with essential features..Most of the people know Monsoon as default bit torrent client of OpenSUSE.
Monsoon – Download – Screenshots

Video / Audio Downloading, and Also downloading from *Tubes

Miro

Miro is multimedia bit-torrent client and player, and also a Video RSS aggregator full of free videos, I’m using Miro since its first release. If there is anything you should not miss on your desktop, then its Miro.

Vuze

Vuze is a multi-platform, powerful multimedia bit-torrent client you can ever use. You can browse through tons of videos and download or play them. Vuze is very easy to use and one of my must have apps for desktops. However I don’t know all the videos are legal or not.

Firefox Extensions for Downloading Online Multimedia

There is one extension, which is solution for downloading online multimedia content for you. That is Video Download Helper, There are many add-ons for this purpose, but I’ll simply suggest you the best. Get it here.

Downloading from RS, FF, MU and Others

I tried some downloaders like, but only one was able to work flawlessly

Tucan

Want to download tons on files from file host like RS, MU, FF or mostly used ones? Tucan is what you need to get, one software to sort most of annoying waiting and crappy downloads. Tucan is cross platform, extensible , and open source, That is why its one of my favorite apps.

Now only one task is remaining, That is adding Uget or Multiget into Firefox Flashgot Extension.

Flashget allows to pass the link directly to download manager, D4X is already supported, But you need to add Uget-GTK and MultiGet manually.

To do so, Open Flashgot options, Click ADD, Enter name Uget, and locate the binary.

/usr/bin/uget-gtk

Save the options, Now you will be able to send download directly to Uget. :)

Technorati Tags: Linux,Open Source,Download Management,Download Management.

10 Unique Tips to get Elegant Gnome Desktop

2009-08-31T15:54:00.006+05:30

You can see many pretty Linux desktops every where on the internet.
but having a really cool desktop like shown in screenshot is not possible for everybody. Most of the time customizing the look and feel ends with a bulky desktop that you never thought of!

So I'm going to give you 10 tips to establish a elegant desktop.
That means, your desktop should be beautiful but also powerful.

Elegance is not achieved by adding Vista like Sidebar, Mac like DockBar, Heavy Compiz effects or anything even more stupid, like a system monitor to show off your system configuration X_X.

1. Say no to Desktop Icons.

Turn off the Nautilus Desktop. (If you don't know how to do it, look HERE). Tons of icons or files on your desktop spoils the whole look.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts or Panel Icons is a faster way.
For those people who can not live without icons/launchers on desktop, Can use nautilus or any other desktop manager. but don't put more than 3-4 launchers on desktop.

You can also make use of launcher applications like Gnome-DO. Gnome-DO is the one of the most powerful tool, you can use on Gnome Desktop.

2. Use Compiz more for features, less for effects.

The Compiz window manager have a greater number features than Metacity. Try not using Compiz for desktop effects like, wobbly windows, desktop cube/cylinder, fire effect, water effect etc.

Instead of that implement Compiz window management features like Grouping and Tabbing, Application Switching, Window Rules, Tile, Shelf or Edges.

By doing this you not just achieve the Eye-Candy effects but also very good Window Management features.

3. Using Avant/Cairo docks Or Gnome-Panel.

Gnome Panel provides the maximum functionality among all the dock programs for Gnome. Using Avant or CairoDock will add very good eye-candy effects, However these docks are not lightweight and also needs a screen compositor running for proper transparency.

If you decide to use these Avant or Cairo, then try to use it as your primary dock application, Add a Menu, System Tray and Custom launchers to it. Window list is available in those by default. If both of the panels have window list or menu..Its just waste of space. Try using only one panel for all your work.
If you are using Gnome-Panel don’t forget to theme it, if there is no panel background by default.
If your GTK theme does not have a default panel background, then you must get one!, leaving Gnome-Panels with defaults look hurts. You can change the panel background simply from panel properties, And from Gnome Color Chooser too.
You can get panel backgrounds on Gnome-Look.org

4. Do not make extra use of widget softwares like Screenlets or Google Desklets.

Only use those widgets which are necessary and really really 'useful' to you.

Filling the screen with Weather applets, Huge analog clocks, Flashy CPU/Memory meters, is childish and immature, Instead of that try to use Conky, a lightweight and highly configurable system monitor.
Sometimes its better not to use these software, as they are not resource friendly.. and they make your Linux desktop more like Windows Vista.

5. Keep open space

The more visible desktop is more elegant desktop. the corners and edges of your desktop should be cleanly visible.

Don't fill the desktop with junk.

Don’t put widgets or panels on every edge or corner.

Don't make use widgets that cover a big part of your desktop, specially on small monitors.

Utilize the features like ‘Hide/Close to Tray’ or ‘Auto hide’

6. Customize the Color Scheme

Try to use GTK themes using solid colors, for example GTK Themes which allows customizing the colors, because they provide the most clean lines and visibility, than a fanatic desktop.

Color scheme is the most important in every aspect. Make sure the colors you choose a decent amount of contrast, not to high or not to low.
Some basic color selection can be done using gnome-appearance-properties. but not in detail. so You can use Gnome Color Chooser to achieve this.

Selecting colors is easy task, but selecting good colors is not!..To get dirty with tons of good color schemes Visit Adobe Kuler This is your resource to thousands of eye catchy color schemes.

Also you can use Contrast-A, which requires Adobe AIR Runtime. Similarly you can get Adobe Kuler Desktop

7. Choose a proper Desktop Wallpaper.

Wallpaper is one of the most important aspect of your desktop.
Your wallpaper will be more visible when you will follow "Point 5". by this method, You can fully utilize the beauty of the wallpaper, when you are not running applications beauty of your desktop is completely dependant on the wallpaper.

Choice of Wallpaper is very important, Make sure it goes with scheme.
Abstract or Minimalistic wallpapers are a good choice for a Linux desktop. Only thing that have to match with theme is the color, But if you are using a Landscape wallpaper or something else. make sure your theme goes with wallpaper. Sometimes even simple gradients will look good on your desktop.
Here are some sites where you can get Wallpapers – Deviant Art, Gnome Look, VladStudio, Graffiti Wallpapers, Wallpapers Stock

8. Make use of Gnome Art Manager.

Gnome Art manager is a software to help you quickly install Metacity / GTK / GDM / Icons Themes or Even Wallpapers, Splash Screens from art.gnome.org

However not all the themes are very good. :)

9. Window Decorations

Selection of Window decoration is quite easy, If there is Metacity theme provided with your GTK theme, You should use that. Otherwise use customizable Metacity themes, which will adapt the 'Selection Color' from GTK theme. e.g. Themes like Metabox, Clearbox, Human, Murrine etc.
When you don’t use such themes, either use the same color as your window color or use complete contrast color.
You can also use the Emerald Window Decorator. which provides advanced window decorations than Metacity. Emerald provides extra animations and eye-candy effects but make sure it goes with your GTK theme, or it looks worse.
You can get Metacity and Emerald themes at Gnome-Look.org

10. Always save and share your custom themes

Why?, Save every good combination or theme you create. If you don’t save and share it with others. It will never evolve or improve. Submit your ideas to brainstorm.

About Icons

There are no important specifications for Icon Themes, just make sure you are using a suitable one. :)

Additionally, Enable font Sub-Pixel smoothing and hinting.

This options is enabled by default on most Distros.

Technorati Tags: Gnome,Linux,Theme,Eye Candy,Tips

Access Virtual Box Shared Folder on Linux Guest – How TO

2009-08-26T21:07:00.006+05:30

You might have used shared folder on Windows client, which is quite easy.
The procedure is bit different in Linux, Lets see how -

Install Virtual Box Guest Additions, If you don’t know how see Here
Create a Shared Folder
Device > Shared Folder ( in Menu )
or Click Blue folder button in lower right corner of Vbox Window
[ I shared folder named “Shared” for example ]

Mount the Shared folder now.
Use following commands.
Ubuntu users

sudo mount.vboxsf Shared ~/Shared -o rw,exec,uid=1000,gid=1000,dev

Fedora users

su –c “mount.vboxsf Shared ~/Shared -o rw,exec,uid=1000,gid=1000,dev”

Your folder will get mounted.
Access the folder now.

To make folders mount after reboot.
Open /etc/fstab
You will need root access to edit the file

sudo gedit /etc/fstab

Once the file is opened, add this line in end.

foldername /folder/mount/path vboxsf rw,exec,uid=1000,gid=1000,dev 0 0

Change the foldername and /folder/mount/path to respective one.
foldername is Share name
/folder/mount/path is path to folder where you want to mount the folder
For example, I use

Shared /home/pratik/Shared vboxsf rw,exec,uid=1000,gid=1000,dev 0 0

Save the file and reboot the machine

Technorati Tags: Linux,VirtualBox 3,Virtualization,Guest,Additions,How To

Virtual Box 3 - 3D Acceleration on Linux guest

2009-08-26T15:01:00.005+05:30

How To – Install Virtual Box Guest Additions on Linux.
Virtual Box Guest Additions allows -
OpenGL 3D Acceleration
Mouse Integration
Shared Folders
etc.

Step 1.
Install Linux on Virtual Box 3 [ For example I’m using Ubuntu 9.04 ]

Step 2.
Click on Install Guest Additions in Devices menu

Step 3.
Install GNU C Compiler
Ubuntu users should install the package build-essential
Fedora users should Install gcc package [ named like gcc-4.4.1-6.arch.rpm ]
Step 4.
You will get a mounted CDROM, browse to it. [ Using your File Manager like Nautilus / Dolphin ]
In most distros, It will be mounted to /media/cdrom0
Open Terminal ---> cd /to/location

cd /media/cdrom0

Execute VboxLinuxAdditions-x86.run ( If your guest is using i386 platform )
Execute VboxLinuxAdditions-amd64.run ( If your guest is using x86_64 platform )
Ubuntu users execute following command..

sudo ./VboxLinuxAdditions-x86.run

Fedora users should execute

su –c “./VboxLinuxAdditions-x86.run”

Step 5.
Let the installer compile the kernel modules.

Step 6.
Once the modules are compiled and installed successfully

Reboot the machine.
Step 7.
Everything is done. Test the 3D Acceleration using compiz.

Technorati Tags: VirtualBox 3,OpenGL,3D,Acceleration,Linux,Guest,Additions

Not just Ubuntu, Go for Variants

2009-08-25T21:09:00.005+05:30

You may have used Ubuntu, Its quite famous... Actually damn famous, Ubuntu is the one of the most used Linux Distro.
Many newbies use Ubuntu as their first Distro, and they even like it. But there is no Perfect OS or Perfect Distro, so even Ubuntu isn't perfect for every role on your desktop.
That is why the Ubuntu variants are for!
Each variant have a small but specific objective, Variants are optimized to satisfy your needs in best way.

As you know what Ubuntu is, so I’m not going to list the Ubuntu, in this list.
1. Xubuntu
Xubuntu is official Ubuntu variant, which is based on XFCE Desktop Environment. This feature makes Xubuntu a good choice for Laptops, Notebooks or Low-End machines. Due to different Desktop environment Xubuntu features largely differs from Ubuntu.
Serves as – Lightweight and Rich Featured Desktop
Features
Screenshots
Download
2. Kubuntu
Kubuntu is a official variant of Ubuntu, which is based on K Desktop Environment, KDE is a major Desktop Environment for Linux mostly compared to Gnome. KDE is very easy to use, mostly for Windows users. Kubuntu is loaded with many amazing features making it a good choice for desktop Linux distribution
Serves as - A full-fledged desktop solution
Features
Screenshots
Download
3. CrunchBang
CrunchBang is a popular Ubuntu based distro, which uses Openbox window manager, Crunch Bang is lightweight, rich featured, highly customizable and probably a beautiful distribution. CrunchBang is one of my favorite distributions.
Serves as – A Lightweight Desktop without dropping Eye-Candy and Functionality
Features
Screenshots
Download
4. Linux Mint and Community Editions
Linux Mint one of my long time favorite, Linux Mint is also a one of the most popular Linux distros. Linux Mint and Its community editions like KDE Edition, XFCE Edition or Fluxbox Edition based editions are very similar to Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Fluxubuntu but not the same. Linux Mint offers lot more than Ubuntu or Its vanilla variants offer. Linux Mint includes many distro specific development like configuration front-ends.
Serves as – An Easy and Elegant desktop
Features
Screenshots
Download
5. gOS
gOS (Good OS not Google OS) is a beautiful Ubuntu based distribution which offers Gnome Desktop Environment with many pre-installed useful applications like Google Desktop Gadgets, Picasa, Skype, and proprietary plug-ins like Adobe Flash, etc.
Serves as – Handy and Easy desktop
Features
Screenshots
Download
6. Ubuntu Ultimate Edition
Ubuntu Ultimate Edition is a compilation of large numbers of softwares, themes and desktop environments. Ubuntu Ultimate Edition is definitely good option for those who don’t have internet connections or have slow internet connection, to download other required softwares regularly.
Serves as – Bulky OS containing most of things you need.
Features
Screenshots
Download
7. Ubuntu Studio
Ubuntu Studio is multi-media creation flavor of Ubuntu, Its is optimized and designed for editing and creating Audio, Video and Graphics with ease, Ubuntu Studio is loaded with many multimedia applications. and It runs on real time Linux kernel, which brings performance to Audio/Video editing
Serves as – A high quality Multimedia workstation
Features
Screenshots
Download
8. Mythbuntu
Mythbuntu is an community supported add-on for Ubuntu focused upon setting up a standalone Myth TV based PVR system. It can be used to prepare a standalone system or for integration with an existing Myth TV network
Serves as – Home entertainment box
Features
Screenshots
Download
9. Freespire
Freespire is a community-involved, Linux-based operating system that combines the best that free, open source software has to offer (community involved, freely distributed, open source code, etc.), but also provides users the choice of including proprietary codec's, drivers and applications as they see fit.
Serves as – Rich featured desktop
Features
Screenshots
Download
10. Fluxbuntu
Fluxbuntu is a Ubuntu based Distro, It is defaulted to Fluxbox window manager. Fluxbuntu is lightweight and fast, minimalistic distro. Though it doesn’t support large number of features, but it is one of best suited distros for old hardware.
Serves as – Extremely lightweight desktop.
Features
Screenshots
Download

Technorati Tags: Ubuntu,Linux,Variant,Distribution,Mint,ChrunchBang

Web Browser Comparison and Benchmarks - Linux

2009-08-23T09:28:00.004+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

Head to Head comparison of some commonly used Linux ‘Web Browsers’
Comparison includes – JavaScript and CSS Rendering Tests, Start-Up Time, Memory Usage and Key Features
Participants -
Firefox 3.5.2
Chromium 4 [Dev build]
Opera 10 Beta 3
Epiphany 2.26.1
Konqueror 4.2.2
Operating System -
Ubuntu 9.04 ( Jaunty Jackalope ) – i386

A. Start Up -
1. Cold Start -
Browser’s first startup after boot.
[ All browsers using their default settings, No extensions loaded ]

2. Warm Start -
Average startup time of browser’s 2nd 3rd and 4th launch.
[ All browsers using their default settings, No extensions loaded ]

B. CSS Rendering Time
Test carried out – CSS Benchmark Test by nontroppo
Time required to render a page consisting of almost 2500 positioned DIVs is calculated. Result is taken from average of 5 tests.

C. JavaScript Speed Tests.
Tests carried out – Acid 3, SunSpider Benchmark, Kane’s JavaScript Benchmark
1. Acid 3 -

2. SunSpider Benchmark -

3. Kane’s JavaScript Benchmark -

D. Memory Usage
Memory usage measured with 2 Tabs and 10 Tabs opened.

E. Feature Comparison..
Features without any addon is taken into consideration.

Feature	Firefox 3.5.2	Opera 10 beta 3	Chromium 4	Epiphany 2.26.1	Konqueror 4.2.2
Form Auto-Filling	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES
Privacy Mode	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Per-site security configuration	YES	YES	Limited	NO	NO
Pop-up blocking	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Full-text history search	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
Ad/Content filtering	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO (Plug-in)	NO (Plug-in)	YES
Mouse Gestures	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO (Plug-in)	NO (Plug-in)	NO
Text to Speech	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO	NO	NO
Voice Control	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Spatial Navigation	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES
Quick Search	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES
Mail Client	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO	NO	NO
IRC Client	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO	NO	NO
RSS/Feed Reader	YES	YES	NO	NO (Plug-in)	NO
Spell Checker	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Crash Recovery	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Auto Reload	NO (Plug-in)	YES	NO	NO (Plug-in)	NO
Extensible	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Themes	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO
User Scripts	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Java Plug-in	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES
PDF Plug-in	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO
Flash Plug-in	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Mplayer Plug-in	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES (KMPlayer)
Cross Platform	YES	YES	YES	YES (*nix only)	YES

Conclusion -
There is no perfect browser, but you need to select a browser that is best suited to you.
For me I would declare Opera 10 Beta 3 as a winner..
Opera 10 almost covers every feature which is needed, and that too with lowest memory usage.
On the other hand Chromium 4 which is still in heavy development, is the fastest but lacks on many important features and most unfriendly with system resources, but browser is still in development so I’m not going to rate it bad.
Firefox 3.5 offers a balanced deal, memory usage are quite high enough but browser speed is acceptable, however Firefox 3.5 has the best extensibility among all browsers.
Epiphany is like lower-end version of Firefox, limiting to fewer features. Epiphany is good for minimalistic people, or for those who like to use Gnome defaults.
Konqueror, which is default browser of KDE, is one of the slowest browsers, also lacks some third party plug-in support. but covers essential features. KDE fans can still stick to it, but Konqueror is not useful for desperate times.

Technorati Tags: Opera,Firefox,Chromium,Google Chrome,Epiphany,Konqueror,Browsers,Web,Comparison,Benchmarks

Best Gnome Performance Tweaks – Notebook Optimization

2009-08-19T15:02:00.007+05:30

Curse all those who say Gnome is slow and fat, actually I’m also the one who say that.

For some reasons Gnome can’t be used for low-end machines or notebook computers.

I’m going to write down some performance tweaks and tricks that will cut-off the least used features and some eye-candy from your gnome setup.

In this guide I’m not going to make any irreversible direct changes to configuration files which cannot be revert back automatically.

Tweak #1

Do not use SVG/Vector Icon themes. While using SVG icon theme, Icons are rendered every time the default icon size is changed.

The best way is to use PNG Icon theme or Convert SVG Scalable Icons to 128x128 PNG Icons.

Tweak #2

Improve Nautilus performance by disabling the File Previews / Thumb-nailing

Either use these commands

Disable Text Preview

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_icon_text never

Disable Folder Item Counter

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_directory_item_counts never

Disable Image Thumb-nailing

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_image_thumbnails never

Disable Audio Previews

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/preview_sound never

Or Edit these settings in Nautilus Menu [ Edit > Preferences ] >> Preview

Tweak #3

Once You have disabled Nautilus Desktop, You will not be able to see any Icons on Desktop or change the Wallpaper. To recover this functionality you can use alternate desktop manager. PCMan File Manager can also handle desktop.

Turn off Nautilus Desktop, Replace it with PCManFM

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false

Install PCManFM

sudo apt-get install pcmanfm

Launch PCMan File Manager >> Menu > Edit > Preferences >> Desktop and Allow PCManFM to Manager Desktop.

You can add the PCManFM to Gnome Startup Applications to make it run on login.

Tweak #4

Turn off menu icons. [ It may look sad, but It will make menus faster, However people who use OpenBox / Fluxbox are more familiar to this.

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /desktop/gnome/interface/menus_have_icons false

Tweak #5

Turn off Gnome-Panel animations. [ You actually don’t need those, there are very few small animations does not make noticeable difference in the user experience ]

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/panel/global/enable_animations false

Tweak #6

Use Simple Metacity themes.

Metacity themes containing images have more CPU usage than simple themes like MetaBox.

Less consumption of resources	More consumption of resources

Tweak #7

Use GTK themes and Wallpapers having Solid and Web Safe colors

Keep your theme as simple as you can. Xfce-GTK themes are also good choices.

[ Note: GTK themes which allows to edit its colors, are the simplest ]

Tweak #8

Turn off Metacity animations.

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/metacity/general/reduced_resources true

Then remove the wireframe

gconftool-2 --type bool --set /desktop/gnome/interface/accessibility true

Tweak #9

Remove unwanted Start-Up application from Gnome Session.

Many people don’t use RDP Server, Alarms or Visual Assistance on their desktop, these can be simply turned off.

Tweak #10

Avoid using Compiz as Screen Compositor, use Metacity or Xcompmgr instead.

See the Guide Here

And the Last but not Least…

Do no use Full hinting on Fonts ( Set hinting to slight, If you turn off hinting fonts may look fuzzy )

If you Implement all these, You will notice that Gnome behaving faster like XFCE/LXDE. and much more lighter [ Replacing Nautilus saves around 100MB memory load ]. Somehow the Eye-Candy effects of Gnome will be reduced but rest all the gnome features will be utilized.

Some references from Gnome Documentation

Technorati Tags: Linux,Gnome,Tweaks,Performance,Top

Linux,Gnome,Tweaks,Performance,Top

10 Things non-geeks should not do on Linux desktop

2009-08-14T17:53:00.011+05:30

Some common mistakes done by many people while trying out Linux desktop for first time …

[These tips are for those people who are not familiar to computers very well]

1. Do not try to operate Linux like Windows.

2. Do not install a server optimized Linux distribution.

3. Do not install multiple Desktop environment.

4. Don’t be a Distro Slut, stick with the one you like most.

5. Do not click ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ on every prompt, until you read it and understand it.

6. Do not try to install a software from source, get the alternative if binaries aren’t available for that software.

7. Do not try to edit file outside of your /home/user.

8. Do not login GUI as root. (Not applicable to Ubuntu)

9. Do not implement SELinux, or try to get extra security.

10. Do not read man pages. ( They will confuse you more ) [Does not applies to people from computer field]

Last but no least…

Do not search Linux softwares on warez sites.

Lol Just joking.. Last is 11. Do not Give up

Technorati Tags: Linux,Desktop,Things not to do,Mistakes

Linux, FUD and Misunderstanding

2009-08-13T12:30:00.002+05:30

Recently I read the Article on Linux Journal – Why Has Linux Struggled on the Desktop
and found it very stupid.
People who think, "I just bash the MS Windows with stick" must know that, I have used MS Windows for bloody 13 Years, a lot more compared to the time I have spend on Linux which is One and Half Year.

Linux is not struggling anywhere, at-least not in my knowledge or on my Desktop.

Linux is a Free, Rich featured, Fast, and Powerful Operating system.
That does not mean everyone should use it. Objective of Linux is not to get installed on every computer in world, but to provide a free Operating System to anyone who NEEDS it.

You CANNOT force people to use Linux.

It does not matter if its pre-installed on NetBooks or PCs or not.
People who need alternative, will always put a step forward…

After all a thirsty man knows how to dig a well..

All you can do is to help those who want to know about Linux or use Linux.

You can spoon feed a person forcefully but you cannot make him swallow

and never Give Up
People have some reasons of their own for so called ‘Failure of Linux’
Too Many GUI -
Its an advantage? Do you wear the same cloths every day? ( at least you have a choice here )
Command line crap -
Desktop users aren’t forced to use command line. Are they? – NO
[ If you think command lines are crap, shoot your self ]
Lack of ‘High End’ applications -
Linux is used by Scientists, Engineers, Animators, Governments, Defense Forces, Universities and Banks..all over the globe
Its used on Supercomputers and also in Hollywood movies only because Its not ‘HIGH END’ enough.
People should know what ‘High End’ means.
Marketing -
Marketing for Linux is done by RedHat, Canonical or Novell but for the Server use.
Its not possible for all the Distributions to launch a global marketing campaign, Its lot more expensive than you think.
When I’m asked question, Why Linux is getting popular on Desktop nowadays ?
I answer ‘because Microsoft is releasing useless crap’
Microsoft is a corporate giant, they will keep spreading FUDs
As long as they are keep developing Windows. They are making fun on themselves.
However Microsoft can forcefully install Windows on your computers but decision of using it always stays yours.
There is one thing that Linux users never forget.

Everything that jumps more higher and higher, falls down more harder ( or it escapes the gravity of earth and gets lost in outer space ) – Applies to Windows Vista

Whenever Linux evolves or steps up, It creates a solid foundation to stand upon. and ensures to never disappoint.

P.S. – I think I got extremely philosophical, LOL

Technorati Tags: Linux,Windows,Open Source,Microsoft,Nebook,Desktop

LAMP Home Web Server on Linux Without Commands - How TO

2009-08-12T18:00:00.006+05:30

Setting up a LAMP Server on Linux..

Without Touching the CLI.. as some people got allergy to Terminal

This Tutorial is separated in 3 Parts

1. Setting Up LAMP Server on Linux <-- You are here

2. Setting up a CMS on LAMP ( Joomla shown as example )

3. Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain

PART 1

In this tutorial I'm going to tell you how to setup a LAMP Server on Debian/Ubuntu based distribution

LAMP Setup in this Tutorial won't use any Pre-Made Script/Program like XAMMP.

Everything will be installed using distribution's package manager.

Also it will be easily removable and leave your system without any glitches or changes which may create conflict later.

For this tutorial I'll be using Ubuntu 9.04 to demonstrate, because Ubuntu is the commonly used distribution.

After going through this How-To you will have a fully functional LAMP Server, ready to setup Drupal/Wordpress/Joomla or any other CMS on it. Additionally if you want to host your server to Internet, You will need direct access to public domain or a broadband connection with ADSL2 device. It won't matter even if you have dynamic IP address.

Step 1.

Install Ubuntu 9.04

Step 2.

Download LAMP-Maks [ Right Click Link >> Save link as.. ]

Open Synaptic > Menu >> File >> Read Markings

Select the file on your disk. Apply changes..

You will be asked for MySQL root password while configuration ..

Set a good password and note it down.

Step 3.

Now we are going to get Apache Configuration front-end 'rapache'.

Download Extract rapache_0.6.tar.gz

Open the rapache_o.6.orig folder.

Double Click 'rapache' python executable script Click Run.

You will get this Window.

Click "New"

Enter your desired domain name ( You can change it afterwords )

Check the "Add appropriate entry to /etc/hosts"

Click Save

Switch to modules tab. make sure you have "php5" module enabled.

Now Open Menu > Tools >> Reload Apache

Open your Web browser and type in your domain name.

Now you have Apache configured.

Step 4.

Open Boot-Up Manager [ System >> Administration >> BootUp-Manager ]

Check and Confirm that MySQL and Apache 2 are enabled. [ By default these services should be enabled with boot up ]

You need to configure the MySQL as per requirement of your CMS or Web Site. To configure MySQL you can use MySQL Administrator

[ We will see How-To do this in Part2]

PART 2 - Setting up a CMS on LAMP ( Joomla shown as example )
PART 3 - Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain

Technorati : Apache, Home Server, How To, LAMP, Linux, MySQL, PHP

Setting up a CMS on LAMP - Joomla

2009-08-12T17:00:00.006+05:30

Continued from PART 1..
LAMP Home Web Server on Linux Without Commands - How TO

This Tutorial is separated in 3 Parts
1. Setting Up LAMP Server on Linux
2. Setting up a CMS on LAMP ( Joomla shown as example ) <-- You are here

3. Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain --> Continue

PART 2 -
Now we have a ready LAMP Server to install CMS like Joomla on it.
Installation process for most of the Content Management Systems is same.
Joomla is a rich featured and award winning CMS.

Step 1.
Visit Joomla.org
Download Joomla

Step 2.
Open Your document root.

Extract the Joomla archive in your document root.

[Make sure you have nautilus and file-roller running with root privileges]

Step 3. Now Click Open Site / Or manually access your domain from browser.

Your Joomla Web Installer should start.
[This is applicable to most of the commonly used CMSs]

Step 4.
Continue with Installation.

You may get a message about configuration.php as follows.

Still continue with the Installation.
[Or you can grant write permission to document root for a while ]

You will see MySQL setup.
Now we will have to configure MySQL before we go further.
Open Menu > Applications >> Programming >> MySQL Administrator

Login with password you set while installing MySQL-Server Create user.

Set Password for the new user.

Add host to user.

Create a Data-Base ( a.k.a. Schema )

Grant the database permissions to created user.

Now fill up your MySQL information in Joomla installation.

Step 5.
Joomla Set-up will ask for FTP Set-up now. FTP provides some additional functionality but it is not mandatory.
For now, we are skipping this part.
If you want to set-up FTP easily you can use ProFTP (Server) and Gadmin-Proftpd (Front-End)
[You can install these both from Synaptic]

Step 6.
Continue set-up by entering some basic information like password, email, and site name.

Step 7. Now you have Joomla ready to use.

1. Setting Up LAMP Server on Linux
2. Setting up a CMS on LAMP ( Joomla shown as example ) <--- You are here

3. Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain ---> Continue

Technorati : CMS, How To, Joomla, LAMP, Linux, Open Source, Server, Web

Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain

2009-08-12T15:00:00.007+05:30

Continued from PART 2..

Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain..

This Tutorial is separated in 3 Parts

1. Setting Up LAMP Server on Linux

2. Setting up a CMS on LAMP ( Joomla shown as example )

3. Making your LAMP Home Server available to Public domain <-- You are here

PART 3 -

If you have followed the Part 1 and 2, You should be having a running web server.

Now you have to make it available to public domain. even if you have a dynamic IP address.

Step 1.

Get yourself a DynDNS domain.

Click on Services > Select "Add Host Services"

[This service is free]

Get yourself a suitable domain name.

Redirect it to your IP ( Whatever the IP is )

Save the preferences

Step 2.

Now you have to configure your router to divert connections on your Port 80 on your Public IP.

That is NATing.

[You must know the IP of your router]

[Most routers are configured from web ui or telnet]

All the router interfaces may vary.

You can look here for more information

[Remember you have to forward the port 80.]

Step 3.

Using DynDNS client

You can update your DynDNS domain using in-built feature of your ADSL2 router.

If your router doesn't have such feature

You can DynDNS Clients

Step 4.

Confirm the Configuration

Go to any proxy site and visit your Web Site from there

All Done!

Technorati : Internet, LAMP, Linux, NAT, Open Source, Router

Customizing and Enabling Metacity's extra features - Compositing Manager

2009-08-09T20:14:00.007+05:30

Are you tired of using Compiz? but still need Screen Compositing?
Don't worry you can use Metacity's compositing features.

You need screen compositor to enable real transparency on the desktop and for use of applications like Avant Window Manager.
Compiz is heavy on your system's resources, and you may not need always need the other compiz-fusion features.

Metacity offers Screen Composition while being friendly on resources.
To enable Compositing Manager of Metacity type in the following command.

gconftool-2 --toggle /apps/metacity/general/compositing_manager

Now you have compositing manager enabled. Reusing this command will disable the compositor.
With and Without Metacity Compositor...

Besides Composition manager you can also enable - Window Shading.
To enable Window Shading type in the following command.

gconftool-2 --type=string --set /apps/metacity/general/action_double_click_titlebar "toggle_shade"

This will shade the window on double click on title bar. (Compiz like behaviour)
To unset this change use following command.

gconftool-2 --unset /apps/metacity/general/action_double_click_titlebar

Shaded Windows -

To set a different key combination for toggle the Window shading use the following command.

gconftool-2 --type=string --set /apps/metacity/window_keybindings/toggle_shaded "<Ctrl>S"

This will shade the Window on pressing Ctrl+Alt+S
( You can also use another combination like "<Shift><Alt>S" just make sure it won't conflict with something else )

Technorati : Compositing manager, Linux, Metacity, Open Source, Window Decorator, Window Manager
Del.icio.us : Compositing manager, Linux, Metacity, Open Source, Window Decorator, Window Manager

How To Setup Chromium (Google Chrome) with Adblock, Greasemonkey, Themes and Plugins on Linux

2009-08-07T14:37:00.012+05:30

Introduction -I’ve seen people giving very bad review of Google Chrome..even I don’t like it, Google Chrome is a Chromium based (Open Source) browser coded in C+++ with some Google branding. however If you want to use it on Linux you have to use unbranded Chromium browser <--- Now this is what I like, a good Open Source browser for an Open Source Operating System.
Chromium is quite good and possibly can be the browser for future.

1. Installing Chromium on Ubuntu / Debian systems -

There are only deb repository available for Chromium, which is updated on daily revisions..So I’m not going to tell anyone to compile their browser everyday, but to use if on deb-based systems. (e.g. Debian/Ubuntu and Variations/Mint/Dream Linux)
The first thing you have to do is to add Ubuntu/Deb repository to apt.
Open /etc/apt/source.list -

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Add following line to the file, and save the file.

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main #chromium-browser

Now add the GPG key -

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 0xfbef0d696de1c72ba5a835fe5a9bf3bb4e5e17b5

Refresh the repository -

sudo apt-get update

Install Chromium -

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser

Now You have Chromium installed.

2. Enabling the Plugins/Extensions and User Scripts in Chromium -

All you have to do is start Chromium with some --flags.
Easy way to do this is.
Create a Launcher – Open Gedit, add following text to blank file.

#!/usr/bin/env xdg-open

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Chromium 3
Exec=/usr/bin/chromium-browser --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts --enable-extensions
Icon=/usr/share/pixmaps/chromium-browser.png
Categories=Network;Internet;Browser
Version=1.0
StartupNotify=true
Type=Application
Terminal=0

Save the file as chromium.desktop
Or Create file with following text and save it as chrome-launcher

#!/bin/bash
exec /usr/bin/chromium-browser --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts --enable-extensions
exit 0

Make it executable, and move it to /usr/local/bin

chmod a+x chrome-launcher && sudo mv chrome-launcher /usr/local/bin/

Now you can use chrome-launcher as regular command.

3. Flash Plugin -
Once you completed the 2nd step, you can install the extensions/themes and user scripts.for Plug-ins like Shockwave-Flash you do not need to copy or create links of libflashplayer.so or flashplugin-alternative.so to /usr/lib/chromium-browser/plugins/
Chromium will directly use all the plug-ins from the /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, To confirm that Plug-ins are in use correctly, type about:plugins in address bar and hit enter.

4. Extensions -
Once you have started Chromium with extensions enabled. your can install .crx plugins right away.
Download the .crx file from Chromium and save it..
Extension will be activated instantly you don’t need to restart the browser.
ype in chrome://extensions to see installed extensions.

You can get some Extensions Here

5. Themes -

Themes are also packaged with .crx entensions..and installed the same way as extensions.
Visit the Official Google Chrome Theme Gallery
and Install the theme you want, Or use your native GTK+ theme, So you can always be sure that your Chromium goes with your desktop theme.

6. Ad Blocking -
A very important thing for your browser, Advertises can be blocked using AdSweep user script
Or AdSweep.crx <-- (Click to Install) Chromium extension.

With Ads.. Without Ads..

7. Greasemonkey / User Scripts

As we have enabled user scripts using --enable-user-scripts, all we need to to is to put our .js scripts in

~/.config/chromium/Default/User Scripts

You can get userscipts at userscripts.org
However scripts do not run for me sometimes.

8. Web Applications -

You can also create standalone application like mozilla prism
To do so use --app=URL option.
e.g.

chromium-browser --enable-plugins --enable-user-scripts --enable-extensions --app=http://www.gmail.com/

Will create application like this..
And there you get uber Chromium ready for surfing.

Technorati Tags: Linux,Google Chrome,Chromium,Browser,Web,Open Source,Extensions,Flash,Plugin,Extension,Themes,How To

Using GIMP as Single Window – Tabs and Groups in Compiz

2009-08-05T09:13:00.013+05:30

Ever tried GIMP? GNU Image Manipulation Program – A excellent open source image editor you can ever get, but it got a annoying side too. GIMP doesn’t support MDI form, and your toolbox and extra windows are floating on screen like crazy. GIMP is intentionally based on SDI, to make it compatible with most Window Managers on Linux.
This problem can be solved by using Window Managers supporting Tabs or Grouping. e.g. Fluxbox, Compiz, or IceWM
While using tabs you should remember that only One Window will be visible and its not convenient to use GIMP with it, We will use Compiz – Tabs and Group plug-in for this purpose.

[Click Images to Enlarge]

1. Install Compiz and Enable it.
2. Open CompizConfig Settings Manager
3. Enable “Group and Tab Windows”

4. Set ‘Select Single Window’ – Default is Super-S [Super =Win Key]

5. Confirm some more settings.

6. Open desired applications (like GIMP)

7. Select Windows using “Super+S”

8. Create group of Windows, using Super+G, You should see the glow after successful creation of group

Now you can move/keep all windows as one…

Video Demonstration -

Technorati Tags: Linux,Open Source,Window Manager,Compiz,GIMP,Tabs and Groups

Top 10 Multi-Language IDEs for Linux

2009-08-01T22:23:00.006+05:30

Top 10 / Best Multi-Language IDEs for Linux
“Hardest thing about programming is typing” - I don’t know who said it, but True.
Therefore we always need something to help us, an IDE

IDE - Integrated Development Environment

There are many around. but not all of them support more than one or two languages. Keeping all of them is definitely not an option and you need to choose between the best ones available.

1. Komodo IDE

Komodo IDE is an excellent award winning IDE from ActiveState, based on famous Mozilla project, which makes it extensible. Komodo supports many languages which includes Perl, PHP, Python, C/C++ Ruby, Tcl, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and XML, RHTML, Template-Toolkit, HTML-Smarty, Django. and few more. Komodo has the all features you’ll ever need, that to with a very good interface and ease of use, also its Cross-Platform which will run on Windows, Mac or Linux. You can take a look at detailed features -> Here <-. However Komodo IDE is not free.. but you can always get a free/open-source version that is Komodo Edit or Open Komodo which is source code editor with the same features of Komodo IDE.
2. NetBeans

NetBeans is an Open-Source and free IDE from Sun Microsystems, which is based of Java, NetBeans is known to be very good with developing the applications in Java GUI applications, but IDE also supports other languages like C/C++, Python, PHP, Ruby, Groovy, JavaScript. NetBeans is extensible, and Cross-Platform and a very good editor like Komodo, however the Java interface is the only problem which is not heavily customizable. It has some trouble with single file programs, as you always have to create project. but NetBeans is the best option for free IDE. You can look for more features here.
3. Eclipse

Eclipse a famous IDE made for heavy Java development, with almost every feature that an advance IDE needs. Eclipse also supports languages like C/C++, Python, using plug-ins. Eclipse also maintains a plug-in central, but eclipse is not a must get multi-language IDE because of Heavy and Complicated interface. Its not good for the starters but professionals may like it.
4. MonoDevelop

MonoDevelop is an IDE primarily designed for C# and other .NET languages. MonoDevelop enables developers to quickly write desktop and ASP.NET Web applications on Linux. (It is Cross-Platform). MonoDevelop makes it easy for developers to port .NET applications created with Visual Studio to Linux and to maintain a single code base for all platforms, However this IDE is made for unique purpose so you can’t ignore it. Take a look at some new features
5. KDevelop

KDevelop, and old friend. a cross-platform, extensible and full-fledged IDE for C/C++, Ruby and PHP. It is mostly used for KDE/QT development, However the new version based on KDE 4 is still under development, and most of the GUI developers have switched to Qt-Creator, and not to forget there are many fans of this IDE out there…somewhere…
6. Geany

Geany – A very lightweight and useful IDE till date, which supports languages like C, Java, PHP, HTML, Python, Perl, Pascal and a lot of file types. It is also cross-platform and extensible. It does not have some super-duper feature that you may not even use. but it is surely one of the applications you would like to keep.
7. Code::Blocks IDE

Code::Blocks, a very good IDE for C/C++, can also be used for Python (via plug-in), It is cross-platform and extensible. It got all the features you will need for C/C++ like GTK/QT development or widget creation. It supports more than one compiler. It is the best option if you always want to stick with C/C++
8. Anjuta

Anjuta is a versatile Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for C and C++ on GNU/Linux. It has been written for GTK/GNOME and features a number of advanced programming facilities. It also have the glade/gnome GUI designer/code generator. It designed for a special purpose. It is extensible by plug-ins but will only run on Linux. Here are some more features
9. CodeLite

CodeLite is a powerful open-source, cross platform IDE for the C/C++ programming languages. It also support syntax highlighting for other languages. Somehow CodeLite is very similar to Code::Blocks but with less features. CodeLite is more like vanilla C/C++ IDE.
10. Gedit ( With Plugins )

Gedit – Not a born IDE, but the best editor you can find. It is a gnome application extensible by plug-ins, which adds a huge functionality to a normal editor turning it into IDE. You can find the list of useful plug-ins on this post. Gedit only works on Linux.

Technorati Tags: IDE,C/C++,Python,PHP,Java,Multi Language,Top 10

VirtualBox 3 vs Vmware Workstation 6.5.2

2009-07-22T20:43:00.007+05:30

A Head to Head comparison between VirtualBox 3 and Vmware Workstation / Player 6.5.2 Features and Benchmarks.

VirtualBox Version – 3.0.2
Vmware Workstation Version – 6.5.2
Vmware Player Version – 2.5.2 (Vmware Workstation 6.5.2 Compatible)
Guest OS Specifications – ( Same for Both Installations )
CPU – 1 [1.86GHz]
RAM – 512 MB
Video Memory – 128 MB
Comparison – VirtualBox 3 vs VMware Workstation 6.5.2
Yes + Advance
Yes
No

	VirtualBox 3	Vmware Workstation 6.5.2
Cross-Platform	Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, FreeBSD, OpenSolaris	Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
64bit guest OS ( Using CPU Virtualization Support )	Yes	Yes
Intel VT-x and AMD-V Support	Yes	Yes
USB 2.0 support	Yes	Yes
Serial ports	Yes	Yes
Parallel ports	No	Yes
Support for other hard disk image format	Supports .vmdk	Does not support .vdi Convert physical into virtual machines and import virtual machine formats from Microsoft, Symantec, StorageCraft, and Acronis
Use of Physical / Actual Disk or Partition	Have to do it from CLI	Can be done using GUI
Network Management	Good	Better on Linux Hosts + Virtual Switches, Network Teams
Snapshots	Yes	Yes
Memory	2560 MB of 4GB Physical ( Depends on Physical Memory Available, Halts on allocating more than 50% of Physical Memory )	8GB Per Machine ( However I never tried this much )
Virtual CPUs	32 CPUs ( Performance decreases if allocated more than physical cores available )	2
Remote VM access	Integrated RDP	Integrated VNC Server and Web Appliance
Desktop Integration	Seamless – Not Perfect with Linux	Unity – Works perfect
API	Scriptable	Basic
Clipboard	Bidirectional	Bidirectional + File Drag n Drop Copy
Shared Folder	Yes	Yes
Audio	Better on Linux hosts ( Supports Pulse audio, can have multiple sound output )	May block your sound device on host OS
Paravirtual Kernel Support	No	Yes (VMI 3.0)
Software Emulation Speed ( 1MB Digit of PI calculated in )	Fast – 30 Seconds	Fast – 32 Seconds
Image Capture and Recording	No	Yes
Open Source	Yes	Only VMware Player (Modified)
Free	Yes	Only VMware Player
Size ( Wont matter that much )	Lightweight	Heavyweight
Video and 3D (OpenGL/Direct 3D) Acceleration	Compared Separately	Compared Separately

Video and 3D Acceleration Features Comparison -

	VirtualBox 3.0	Vmware Workstation 6.5.2
DirectX 9c ( Shader 2.0 )	Yes (Experimental)	Yes (Works Seamless)
OpenGL	2.0	1.1
Performance	( Faster but buggy )	( Slow but Perfect )
Video Memory	Flexible 6-128 MB	Fixed 128 MB

Conclusion -
So which one is the best?
Actually none or both …… Both have their own Advantages and Disadvantages.
VirtualBox 3 is quite Faster, Easy to get, Free, Easy to setup but lacks some mission critical features.
(Compiled/Modified versions can be buggy too, OSE Version lacks some features)
If you want to deal with Applications dealing with 3D rendering, make sure they have supported to run on OpenGL natively
( Google Earth can be run on OpenGL, or Even some games like Counter Strike: Source support OpenGL Rendering )
VirtualBox 3 supports PulseAudio which good for Linux hosts. allowing both Guest and Host to use it. (Vmware will block the host device)
On the other hand….
Vmware Player is free, You can get pre-configured machine from (Workstation trial) and run it under Vmware Player
Vmware is definitely reliable while using Direct 3D Acceleration. but not OpenGL. ( As you can see this in Results )
With Vmware Network configuration is quite easier and less complicated on Linux host. and also better with handling USB devices

Technorati Tags: Vmware, Workstation, Player, Linux, Windows, VirtualBox, Open Souce, Comparison, Closed Source, Benchmarks, Features, Verses

15 Splash Screens for GIMP

2009-07-19T20:19:00.010+05:30

Some Splash Screens for GIMP…
Contains – 15 Splash Screens.
Format – PNG
Resolution - 700x400 Pixel
Color Depth – 32 Bit

Preview -

How to Install -

Go to your personal GIMP directory. For UNIX users, this is usually in /home/username/.gimp-2.6/.

For Windows, this is usually in C:\Documents and Settings\username\.gimp-2.6\

Create a "splashes" directory if it does not exist.

Save your image in the "splashes" directory.

Put all the splashes you want in to “splashes” directory GIMP will automatically randomize Splash at each startup.

Download

Technorati Tags: Open Source, GIMP, Splash, Linux, Windows, Screen

Adobe like Splash screens for OpenOffice.org Office suite

2009-07-19T19:41:00.011+05:30

Some splash screens for OpenOffice.org
Contains - 7 Splash Screens
Resolution – 440x286
Color Depth – 24bit
Format – Windows Bitmap

Preview -

How to Install -
Go to Folder "/usr/lib/openoffice/program"
Rename old "openintro_ubuntu_sun.bmp" to "openintro_ubuntu_sun.bmp.bak"
Copy the desired splash in "/usr/lib/openoffice/program"
That's all..

Note: You must have root privileges to do this. (Open nautilus under gksu/kdesu/beesu warper)

Download

Technorati Tags: Open Source, OpenOffice, Splash, Adobe, Linux, Windows, Screens

Converting DAA, BIN, NRG, CCD/IMG, MDF/MDS, UIF to ISO in Linux

2009-07-13T14:16:00.007+05:30

Some tools which can help you dealing with different CD/DVD Image types in Linux.

daa2iso - Download

daa2iso input.daa output.iso

or
PowerISO - Download

poweriso convert input.daa -o output.iso -ot iso

Can be used for .cue/.bin too

bchunk - Download

bchunk -v input.bin input.cue output

nrg2iso - Download

nrg2iso input.nrg output.iso

ccd2iso - Download

ccd2iso input.img output.iso

ccd2iso input.ccd output.iso

mdf2iso - Download

mdf2iso input.mdf output.iso

uif2iso - Download

uif2iso input.uif output.iso

The output ISO,CUE/BIN,MDS/MDS,CCD,NRG extension is selected by this tool

Technorati Tags: Convert, Image, CCD, IMG, DAA, BIN, CUE, MDF, UIF, NRG, Linux, Open Source

Smooth Transparent - Gnome Panel Background

2009-07-13T14:07:00.007+05:30

Gnome Panel Background -
Smooth Transparent
Rounded Edges
Normal Panel

24 Pixel Panel
42 Pixel Panel
24/42 Pixel Vertical Panels

Rounded Corner Panels -
1024x24/1024x42
1280x24/1280x42
1440x24/1440x42
1600x24/1600x42

Screenshots -

[Click to Enlarge]

[Click to Enlarge]

[Click to Enlarge]

Download - v 1.0

Technorati Tags: Gnome, Panel, Background, Transparent, Linux

Direct 3D Acceleration using Native VirtualBox 3 Support

2009-07-07T15:25:00.006+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

HOW TO -

VirtualBox 3 includes better OpenGL 2.0 support and a experimental DirectX 8/9 – Direct 3D acceleration.
Though Its quite similar to WineD3D, In background OpenGL will be working on Direct3D calls. but this is less buggy.
However Direct X 7 support is not included.
You can enable this support in few easy steps.
You need to have OpenGL 2.0 acceleration on your Host OS

1. Install Windows on Guest OS
2. Enable 3D acceleration Option under Display tab in Configuration
3. Boot your Guest OS Windows in Safe mode by pressing F8

4. Select ‘Install Guest Additions’

5. Check ‘Direct 3D support (Experimental)’

[ This option will only work under Safe mode, because Windows file protection prevents the DLL replacement. ]
6. Now reboot to normal mode.
And check the Direct 3D acceleration
DirectX 7 Test Will fail but 8 and 9 Tests goes smooth and quite fast! :)

Video -

Technorati Tags: Linux,Windows,Virtualization,DirectX,Direct3D,3D Acceleration,VirtualBox 3

Getting 3D acceleration on VirtualBox, VMware, or Xen (Linux Host)

2009-06-21T17:23:00.008+05:30

As many of us know that, Virtual Box/ VMware provides the OpenGL acceleration to virtual graphics cards on VMs.
But that won't help you to get Direct3D acceleration from Direct X on Windows.

There are two options to achieve this.
Wine D3D - If you want Direct3D acceleration on your Microsoft Windows Guest OS. ( No matter what is the host OS )
VMGL (formerly Xen-GL) - vmgl will only work for Linux guest running on Linux guest. It works with Xen, VMware hosts, and it is also know to be working with Qemu, KVM and Virtual box.

Remember WineD3D and VMGL are completely different technologies.

WineD3D -

WineD3D is the component of Wine that implements a replacement for Microsoft Direct3D. WineD3D works as a wrapper for Direct3D calls, and relies on OpenGL for the actual rendering job.
Although primarily designed for use in Wine, WineD3D can also be used on native Windows. This has a number of advantages over using Microsoft Direct3D
( Like you can use DirectX 10 on Windows XP )
Since it relies on OpenGL, it can provide Direct3D without need for specific D3D drivers

All you have to do is -

Install VMware tools / VirtualBox guest additions

Download the WineD3D.exe

Boot your Windows VM in Safe Mode. (By pressing F8 while Windows boots)

Run wined3d.exe. and replace the components you want.

And that's all now you can find the Direct3D acceleration in dxdiag.exe tool

Download : - (FTP)

VMGL -

OpenGL apps running inside a Virtual Machine (VM) can use VMGL to take advantage of graphics hardware acceleration.
VMGL can be used on VMware guests, Xen HVM domains (depending on hardware virtualization extensions)
and Xen paravirtual domains, using XVnc or the virtual framebuffer.
Although we haven't tested it, VMGL should work for qemu, KVM, and
VIrtualBox.
VMGL is available for X11-based guest OS's: Linux, FreeBSD and
OpenSolaris. VMGL is GPU-independent: It supports ATI,
Nvidia and Intel GPUs.

Here is little info to get it working, from VMGL

How to Use:
There are two broad types of guests
Guest without a framebuffer using Xvnc: restart vncserver after installation.
Guest with a framebuffer using Xorg: modify Xorg configuration in the guest to include the vmglext module, i.e.
in /etc/X11/xorg.conf:
Section "Module"
...
Load "vmglext"
...
and restart Xorg.

Then, for all types of guests, connect from the host to the domain using a viewer:
Vncviewer for guest with Xvnc, Xen paravirtual guest with vncfb, or Xen HVM guest with vnc qemu-dm output.
We provide a patch to enable sdlfb for Xen paravirtual guests, and qemu-dm with sdl output for Xen HVM guests.
After authentication the viewer will output:
"Set GLSTUB var in the guest to point to port "
Usually is 7001. In the guest set the environment variable
GLSTUB = :
and things should work.

Screenshot - (from VMGL)

Download : -

Source - Tar.gz

Binary - RPM

Host Guest

Technorati Tags: OpenGL, DirectX, VirtualBox, VMware, Qemu, Xen, VMGL, 3D Acceleration, Linux, Windows, Wine, WineD3D

Smooth Milky Gnome Panel Background

2009-06-17T07:53:00.008+05:30

Gnome Panel Background -
Smooth Milky
Rounded Edges
Normal Panel

24 Pixel Panel
24 Pixel Rounded Corner Panel
42 Pixel Panel
42 Pixel Rounded Corner Panel
24/42 Pixel Vertical Panels

Added - v 1.5
Rounded Panels
1024x24/1024x42
1200x24/1200x42
1600x24/1600x42

Screenshots -

[Click to Enlarge]

[Click to Enlarge]

Download - v 1.5

Technorati Tags: Gnome, Panel, Background, Linux, Theme, Open Source

Smooth Black Gnome Panel Background

2009-06-14T19:41:00.008+05:30

Gnome Panel Background -
Smooth Black
Rounded Edges
Height 42 Pixel
Width 1440 Pixel

Added - v 1.2
24 Pixel Panel
24 Pixel Rounded Panel
42 Pixel Panel
24/42 Pixel Vertical Panels

Added - v 1.5
Rounded Panels
1024x24/1024x42
1200x24/1200x42
1600x24/1600x42

Screenshots -

[Click To Enlarge]

[Click To Enlarge]

[Click to Enlarge]

Download - v 1.5

Technorati Tags: Gnome, Panel, Background, Smooth, Rounded, Linux