How to: install latest songbird 'blessed' build on linux

Here are some commands to get and run the latest songbird release candidate:

edit: post edited to contain same info as 'how to install songbird release candidate'

sudo su
cd /etc/
mkdir Songbird
cd Songbird
wget http://developer.songbirdnest.com/nightly/builds/linux/i686/Songbird_0_3_pre_20071027_linux-i686.tar.gz
tar xvfz Songbird_0_3_pre_20071027_linux-i686.tar.gz
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/songbird
sudo cp songbird /usr/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/songbird

now you can run songbird from the terminal or alt+f2 with

songbird

Firefox 3: Gran Paradiso

This isn't breaking news, but a beta version of Firefox 3 has been released. It is in the Ubuntu Gutsy repositories, available via apt-get:

sudo apt-get install firefox-granparadiso-gnome-support firefox-granparadiso

basic things I've noticed:

• Prettier Looking - improved integrated buttons (widgets) look great from the start, no need to patch like in firefox 2
• Add On Support - since its still beta, my add ons don't work
• Some Weird Inexplicable Things - typing and editing this post is a little weird, will not let me create links or quotes

Improved: Pretty Firefox buttons in gnome / kde

I put together some simple commands to install improved firefox buttons in ubuntu. I take no credit for creating the icons or the script, just making it uber-easy to install by feeding you the exact commands. Originally from this thread.

There is a much improved version out, and I am updating the commands to match. Here are the new commands:

wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/firefox_widgets_2.7.tar.bz2
sudo tar -xf firefox_widgets_2.7.tar.bz2
cd firefox_widgets_2.7
./install

and change the install location to '/opt/swiftfox' for swiftfox.

Awesome Ubuntu Wallpapers!

Check out the proposed and concept wallpapers for gutsy! This page has been around awhile, but now its got loads to browse through.. a must-see!

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Gutsy

Can I get an amen? Bible application!

Want to study the bible on your desktop? check out this application

sudo apt-get install gnomesword sword-language-pack-en

Ubuntu Gutsy Tribe 6

I've been using Gutsy since tribe 4, and its been a constantly improving experience. I recently went through several major updates in Tribe 5, which are supposedly ubuntu tribe 6. Noticed improvements include:

• new wallpapers
• 'leave message' option on lock screen
• speed, reliability

happy linux'n! here's my current up to date desktop:

Poll Results: Preferred Desktop Environment

I can't make up my mind...

I've switched back to gnome today... kde just kept on crashing :(

mindmapping tools: freemind and kdissert on Ubuntu (or any debian-based OS)

lets do it! (i believe this only works in feisty, not gutsy)

download em

wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/freemind-plugins-help_0.8.001-4_all.deb
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/freemind-plugins-svg_0.8.001-4_all.deb
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/freemind-plugins-time_0.8.001-4_all.deb
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/freemind_0.8.001-4_all.deb
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/libforms-java_1.0.5-3_all.deb
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/libjcalendar-java_1.2.2-7_all.deb

then become super user

sudo su

then install em

sudo dpkg -i libforms-java_1.0.5-3_all.deb libjcalendar-java_1.2.2-7_all.deb freemind_0.8.001-4_all.deb freemind-plugins-time_0.8.001-4_all.deb freemind-plugins-svg_0.8.001-4_all.deb freemind-plugins-help_0.8.001-4_all.deb

Alternatively, you can install kdissert (mind mapping for kde)

sudo apt-get install kdissert

Kdissert:

Freemind:

Not ubuntu related... but hilarious

one of the funniest things I've heard on the internet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40wv7q8X2I&mode=related&search=

Kde quick review

After a few days of getting used to kde, I find I prefer it to gnome. I found it was not that different, and thus an easy switch to make. The toolbars are way more customizable... that was the clincher for me.

Happy Linux'n

Packages Update

Don't forget to upgrade your packages from time to time.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -y

:)

Compiz Fusion Fix

I managed to get compiz fusion working in kde now... here's the thread:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=553369

KDE

As hinted by my current poll, you may be able to tell I have been thinking about switching/adding another desktop environment. I did. I chose kde.

At first I just did this

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

which worked, but gave me ugliness and unpredictable behavior.
I decided to install fresh. I downloaded myself a copy of the latest gutsy tribe 5 kubuntu iso and install it on my computer. I also installed a copy of Mandriva since I was starting over, but I'll talk about that in another post.

Glorious! the pretty kde desktop came to my screen. Although there was a fair learning curve, I think I've got the hang of it now.

I have yet to get compiz-fusion running, due to difficulties with the window manager.

Here is my new desktop!!!!

I will still use gnome to some extent, I installed it with

sudo aptitude install ubuntu-desktop

But again, just like before, gnome is acting and looking a little strange a the moment..

Large Collection of Ubuntu Wallpapers

Here is a large collection of ubuntu themed wallpapers I came across. enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/defconoii/UbuntuWallpapers/

Ubuntu Setup Script

Here is a nice little script I found:

This script will install audio and video codecs, full DVD support, flash, java, unrar, and the Microsoft core fonts (Andale, Arial, ComicSans, CourierNew, Georgia, Impact, TimesNewRoman, Trebuchet, Verdana and Webdings)

It only uses things in the repos, so it will not break your system like automatix.

just slap this into the terminal:

sudo -k && clear && gksudo -D "setup script" echo && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ubuntu-restricted-extras gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse libdvdread3 unrar totem-gstreamer vlc audacious nfs-kernel-server samba gparted && gconftool-2 --type boolean --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/always_use_browser false && sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type boolean --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/always_use_browser false && gconftool-2 --type string --set /desktop/gnome/volume_manager/autoplay_dvd_command "vlc %m" && sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /desktop/gnome/volume_manager/autoplay_dvd_command "vlc %m" && sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh && echo -e \\n\\nBxnl, nyy qbar. Lbh pna pybfr guvf jvaqbj abj. \\n | tr '[a-m][n-z][A-M][N-Z]' '[n-z][a-m][N-Z][A-M]'

How to: set up MySQL Database in Amarok

I found myself complaining about the slow speed of Amarok. Everything would lag, from playing a song to adding a song to the playlist. Then i remembered when I was setting up Amarok that it let me chose a database, and said the faster ones required extra set up. Of course, I chose the no set up required but slow speed option (SQLlite).

Now, I wanted to switch. And boy am i glad. Everything works as fast as it should.

sudo apt-get install mysql-server mysql-client

now this (replace PASSWORD with your password)

mysqladmin -u root password PASSWORD

then this

mysql -p -u root
CREATE DATABASE amarok;
USE mysql;
GRANT ALL ON amarok.* TO amarok@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'PASSWORD_CHANGE_ME';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
quit

In Amarok, go to settings> configure Amarok
Click Collection

Select MySQL.

Use the following settings:

Hostname: 127.0.0.1
Database: amarok
Port: 3306
Username: amarok
Password: Your Password

You're done! Enjoy the speediness!

Problems? check out the official wiki:
http://amarok.kde.org/wiki/MySQL_HowTo

Open Source Torrent Programs

What Better way to introduce something than with a quote from good 'ol wikipedia:

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) communications protocol. BitTorrent is a method of distributing large amounts of data widely without the original distributor incurring the entire costs of hardware, hosting and bandwidth resources. Instead, when data is distributed using the BitTorrent protocol, each recipient supplies pieces of the data to newer recipients, reducing the cost and burden on any given individual source, providing redundancy against system problems, and reducing dependence on the original distributor.

Essentially, its limewire on steroids. Free, often illegal or copyrighted material, available thanks to internet users like you and me. The BitTorrent protocol can be used for legal purposes, and unlike limewire in general... it actually is. Its a nice way to take stress off of servers. So How do i get these torrent files, and what do I do with them? Good question. You can get them from the site of what you want to download (for example, Ubuntu) or from a torrent search site. My favorite search site is torrents.to because you can browse through popular torrent search sites, via tabs. Now for the programs.

Azureus

sudo apt-get install azureus

Azureus is a great torrent manager. It allows multiple downloads and uploads in one window, And has the fastest download speed I have used. In windows, it is fairly stables, But In Ubuntu... I've had stability Problems. Linux, Mac, and Windows.




KTorrent

sudo apt-get install ktorrent

KTorrent is a kde torrent manager. It is stable, has solid features, and I have had no problems with it. This is my torrent manager of choice. Linux Only.




Bit Torrent

sudo apt-get install bittorrent

Thee Official Bit Torrent Client is the lightest and simplest torrent manager. Manages each torrent file in own window, so not good for downloading and seeding many torrents. I'm glad its the default for Ubuntu because its the simplest and easiest to use, but it is not great for my needs. Linux, Windows, and Mac.




Deluge

sudo apt-get install deluge-torrent






















Deluge is a great torrent manager build for gnome, and is a very close second place. Its got a good feature selection, but some freezing and crashing on occasion. Overall very good. Linux Only.



There are more, but I feel these are the best and easiest for Ubuntu. If you would like to add one, feel free to comment or pm me on ubuntuforums at m6arate. Happy torrent-downloading!

Ubuntu Font

Ever wanted to type with the font that Ubuntu uses for its logo? Its simple. Just slap this into the terminal.

sudo apt-get install ttf-ubuntu-title

You can then open up GIMP and type it up! Example:

Dell and Ubuntu

I was beginning to feel left out, being the only blog im sure not to mention the new deal between Canonical and Dell. Now, you can order a dell computer with Ubuntu Feisty pre-installed. The prices are good, you get good support, and the OS of choice. You can also order a dell designed for FreeDos, and load Ubuntu onto that, if Windows is that undesirable for you.

dell.com/open

How to: install ipodlinux on your ipod

here is a how to install ipodlinux on your ipod. Winpod only. All models except 1G, 2G and nano 2G. I made this based off of this guide. Make sure your ipod is plugged in for all this:

mkdir ipodlinux
cd ipodlinux
wget http://de.dataghost.com/ipl/dg-installer/dg-linux-installer-20070311.tar.bz2
tar -jxf dg-linux-installer-20070311.tar.bz2
sudo ./installer.sh

Follow the on screen instructions. To restore if something goes wrong, run

./installer.sh restore

I had a problem installing on my machine, one that I have never gotten before. Here are details and my solution, in case you run into the same

When running the installer as instructed above, I got an error similar to 'error in line ? could not find directory ./usr'
I just went into the ipodlinux folder we created in the home folder, and copied all the folders plus loader.bin to the root of my ipod, safely disconnected, and loaded ipodlinux successfully.

Poll Results: Best Element of Ubuntu

According to my blog viewers the best element of Ubuntu is....

1. Free Software - 27% - 24 Votes - Ubuntu and ever app you will ever need for it are all free software!
2. Configurability - 26% - 23 Votes - Ubuntu can be easily configured to your favorite look and settings
3. Stability - 20% - 18 Votes - Ubuntu is much more stable than windows, and runs very smoothly
4. Other - 12% - 11 Votes - Ubuntu is better according to the voter (feel free to comment)
5. Desktop Effects - 11% - 10 Votes - Ubuntu looks beautiful and behaves awesomely with compiz-fusion or another desktop effects app. Whats the first thing you show your friends when they ask about your ubuntu system? The 3d cube of course!
   

Ubuntu Printer Support via Windows network

I had problems getting my printer to work, when plugged directly into Ubuntu. I have an HP PSC 500, still working fine after all these years. The printer is shared on my windows network, which I assumed would not work with Ubuntu. Boy was I wrong. It was as easy as picking the name of the computer the printer was plugged into, and then it worked! Here is what I did step by step:

1. System > Administration > Printing
2. New Printer
3. Select Windows Server
4. Browse to select the computer it is shared on
5. Pick the type of printer
6. Complete!

Wine Doors

I use Automatix when I have to. Nice little app the automatically installs some things that can be complicated to install. I recently found an app that automatically installs certain programs for wine automatically in a similar way. It is called Wine-Doors.

Download debian package here or getdeb.

Apps include:

1. Firefox 2 and 1.5
2. IE 6
3. Opera 9
4. Quicktime 7
5. Winamp 5
6. WMP 6
7. 7zip 4
8. DVD decrypter 3
9. Dreamweaver 8
10. Flash 8
11. Total Commander 7
12. Eudora 7
13. CDex 1
14. Games
15. Fonts
16. Behind the scenes stuff
    

Opera and Epiphany Web Browsers

I love my firefox with all my add-ons and bookmarks, but sometimes i need to just open a fresh browser, without remembering my tabs or passwords. I have two browsers for this. One is Epiphany and the other is opera.




















Epiphany web browser is light, fast, and simple. It does all your basic tasks fast and well. Official browser for the gnome desktop, so it also looks great. Only for linux. I design and edit my blog from epiphany.

sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser

Opera Web Browser is another light, simple browser I like to have on hand. It is available for linux, windows, and mac.

Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install opera

Windows/Mac/Other Linux Distribution:

Download from here

Guitar Hero for Linux: Frets On Fire

Frets on fire is essentially an open source version of guitar hero. It runs on windows, mac, and linux. Here is a quick how to for this nice game. Make sure you disable compiz before running; I had performance problems running both at once. My only suggestion for a solution to this is making a new user with no startup scripts and running Frets On Fire from there. Enjoy :)

First Try:
In Gutsy: sudo apt-get install fretsonfire
In Feisty try downloading the gutsy package (untested)

or, try:

wget http://superb-west.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/fretsonfire/FretsOnFire-1.2.451-linux.tar.gz
tar xvfz FretsOnFire-1.2.451-linux.tar.gz
wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/fretsonfire.sh
cp fretsonfire.sh Desktop/
chmod +x Desktop/fretsonfire.sh
Desktop/fretsonfire.sh

Free Ubuntu Stickers

System 76 is giving away ubuntu stickers! Follow This link to get some. All you do is send a self addressed stamped envelope to system 76, and they will send it back with your stickers. I tried this, and in a little over a week got my pack of 4 stickers.

How To Backup and Restore Ubuntu

This is a simple to way to back up your ubuntu installation. Copy and paste this code to backup all your files:

sudo su
cd /
tar cvpzf backup.tgz --exclude=/proc --exclude=/lost+found --exclude=/backup.tgz --exclude=/mnt --exclude=/sys --exclude=/media /

Copy and Paste this into the terminal to restore to that backup:

sudo tar xvpfz backup.tgz -C /

It is best to backup or restore when you are not using the computer. I run it when I got to sleep.

Make Firefox Buttons Pretty in Gnome

I put together some simple commands to install improved firefox buttons in ubuntu. I take no credit for creating the icons or the script, just making it uber-easy to install by feeding you the exact commands. Originally from this thread.

There is a much improved version out, and I am updating the commands to match. Here are the new commands:

wget http://mikesubuntu.googlepages.com/firefox_widgets_2.7.tar.bz2
sudo tar -xf firefox_widgets_2.7.tar.bz2
cd firefox_widgets_2.7
./install

and change the install location to '/opt/swiftfox' for swiftfox.