Get your Tron fix on Ubuntu

Interested in Tron? Ubuntu has loads of Tron based games on offer. Simply search for them in the Ubuntu Software Center and install. Most of these games are really low sized ones, so downloading them wont take much of your time.

The best of the lot is of course, Armagetron Advanced, which is also listed in the featured section of Ubuntu Software Center. Here's a screenshot of the actual game:

The game is around 2.7MB, so you dont have to worry about downloading large files.

The gameplay is decent and is definitely worth a try. Its in the Ubuntu Software Center. Have a go!

A few tricks to maximize screen space

Here are a few short tricks for you to try out. These will help you maximize your screen space on Ubuntu.

Erm...what exactly do i mean? Well, how about you got rid of the bottom panel (if you're using some kind of dock you probably would have deleted it already but in case you havent then give it a try.

What else? You could try playing with the panel properties. Right click on the panel (top or bottom) and go to Properties. Select between Expand, Autohide and Show hide buttons (you can actually get the entire panel disappear, not deleted mind you, with that Show hide buttons option). Check out the following images to see the results:

Play around with these. The effects are breathtakingly cool!

Paid Softwares start to appear on Ubuntu Software Center

Its more of a taste of things to come. Paid softwares have started to appear on Ubuntu Software Center. The only one currently in the Ubuntu Software Center is World of Goo. This is one incredibly popular game and has quite taken the Linux world, which is mostly devoid of path breaking games, by storm.

Description:

The Wikipedia page of World of Goo reads:

World of Goo is a physics-based puzzle game by 2D Boy, an independent game developer consisting of Kyle Gabler and Ron Carmel, both former Electronic Arts employees, released for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and WiiWare. It was nominated for the Seumas McNally grand prize, Design Innovation Award, and Technical Excellence at the Independent Games Festival.

Installation:

The game costs $19.95 on the Ubuntu Software Center. Although this is not a free game, there is a demo of World of Goo which can be found here. The demo is, of course, free. So if want to make sure that you're spending money for the right game, do download the demo and try.

Upon clicking the "Buy" button (which has replaced the "Install" button for this game) on the Ubuntu Software Center, you'll led to your Ubuntu account page where after signing in, the payment gateway will be seen. Thereafter its pretty simple.

FocusWriter

Remember the much loved text editor WriteMonkey? Well if you've grown tired of running it using Wine, here's a Linux version which is more or less similar to WriteMonkey.

Its called FocusWriter and its got the same distraction free screen as WriteMonkey. The same typewriter sounds and the same flawless architecture.

Here's a screenshot:

How to install:

First you need to add the official repository. To do that add the following line to the Software Sources (if you need help adding repositories please check out this page: http://explore-ubuntu.blogspot.com/2010/04/adding-repositories.html)

ppa:gottcode/gcppa

Finally go to the Terminal and type the following:

sudo apt-get install focuswriter

Thats all. It should be available from the Office menu of the Ubuntu menu bar.

Ubuntu 10.04 Released

After a long long wait, Ubuntu 10.04 unveiled itself infront of us. This is the download link: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Personally though I would suggest and request that you download via a torrent. That way you would be downloading faster (as currently the seeds are exceptional), you wouldnt clog the servers and you would be helping other download Ubuntu.

ImageShack Uploader

ImageShack Uploader is a software which helps you upload images to www.imageshack.us. Only that now you can do so, from the comfort of your desktop without having to even open your browser.

Its really a cool app. Unfortunately there's no 64 bit version of the app for Linux. Fortunately though, there is getlibs (see - http://explore-ubuntu.blogspot.com/2010/04/getlibs.html) and that will help you install imageshack uploader on your 64 bit version of Ubuntu. (For 32 bit users, its a simple click and install process)

How to install ImageShack Uploader:

Download the .deb file from the imageshack site: http://toolbar.imageshack.us/windows-uploader/imageshack-uploader-2.2.0.deb

Install it.

If you're using a 32 version of Ubuntu you need not proceed any further. You can run ImageShack Uploader from Internet menu.

If however you're using a 64 bit version, install getlibs (http://explore-ubuntu.blogspot.com/2010/04/getlibs.html).

After than go to the Terminal (Accessories > Terminal) and type the following:

sudo getlibs /usr/bin/imageshack-uploader

Press "y" if you're asked to install packages. Thats it. You can now run ImageShack Uploader from the Internet menu.

VLMC - VideoLAN Movie Creator

VLMC or VideoLAN Movie Creator comes from the same good folks who gave us the awesome VLC Media Player. VideoLAN Movie Creator is basically a video editor and creator running on Windows and Linux. Without a doubt this is one project which has caught the attention of many users of VLC softwares. Personally, I'm pretty excited as well. I know Ubuntu has loads of video editors in its repositories but when VLC makes one, well, it definitely catches the attention.

However, the project is very much in its infancy and VLMC is in testing phase as of now. They havent announced any specific installation guides/instructions for Ubuntu users. But fret not my friends, for you can use VLMC via Wine (yes, the all purpose Windows emulator). So, for Ubuntu users, download the Windows version and run it under Wine. It works perfectly.

Screenshot:



How to Download:

To download VLMC (testing) you need to go to their official site (and download the Windows version of the software): www.trac.videolan.org/vlmc/wiki/Downloads

Equalizer for Pulse Audio

There's a really cool equalizer for Pulse Audio which can be installed by adding a repository. Its a system wide equalizer hence no matter what media player you use, you will be able to utilise this setting.

The image below is a screenshot of the same:



How to install:

Open the Terminal (Accessories > Terminal) and type in the following:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:psyke83/ppa

Next type the following in the Terminal:

sudo apt-get update

Finally, type the following (in the Terminal of course)

sudo apt-get install pulseaudio-equalizer

Thats it. You can access the Pulse Audio Equalizer from the Sounds & Video menu.

Update: The creator of this Equalizer has added a new .deb file for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Ubuntu 10.10, simply click on the following link and install: Download Link

CD/DVD Burning Software

This is one topic which I should have discussed long back, but hey better late than never.

Okay, so when it comes to CD/DVD burning softwares, there are loads and loads of GNOME softwares out there, most notably, GNOME Baker and Brasero (which is installed by default on Ubuntu). However none of these softwares support verification of burned discs. That for me is a bit of a let down as I prefer to verify my discs after every burning process.

I have also tried quite a few other lesser known apps as well. But none of these softwares could rival the ultimate big daddy of all disc burning apps, Nero. Although Nero is generally considered to be a Windows software, there is actually a Linux counterpart. From what I have gathered, the Linux version is quite functional and useful. However, Nero is a closed source software and its not free. You can download the demo version but as you would expect, the swankier features of Nero Linux are reserved for people who actually buy the full version. (Link to the official Nero Linux site: www.nero.com/enu/linux4.html)

When I converted from Windows to Linux this absence of a proper burning tool for GNOME was a big problem for me. But fortunately, as with everything Linux, there is always a way out.

Are you averse to using KDE softwares on GNOME? Well, if you are I think its time you let go of that apprehension. K3B is a KDE burning tool which is at par with any burning software be it on Windows or Linux. Its free (of course!) and its open source. Hence, you have absolutely no reason not to give it a try. And fortunately, it works perfectly on GNOME. So, if you're using Ubuntu, you can definitely give K3B a go.

The interface isnt that great, but whats great is the innumerable options which you get. You can configure every aspect of the software and yes, it does support that verification of CD/DVDs. In my opinion, if you're on Linux, K3B should be your preferred burning tool.

Here's a screenshot of K3B (Version: 1.68.0)



How to install:

K3B can be installed from the Ubuntu Software Center.

OR

From the terminal you can type : sudo apt-get install k3b

Use K3B and I'm sure you'll have a new sense of respect for KDE softwares.

Ubuntu One Music Store is now open

The much anticipated Ubuntu One Music Store has now been released for beta testing to the public. You can now test the Ubuntu One Music Store if you're using the latest beta release of Ubuntu. (To download the latest build check a previous post: http://exploreubuntu.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/lucid-lynx-beta-released/)

Mind you though that this is a beta release, so things might break.

How to provide feedback:

* Search Launchpad for your issue (https://bugs.launchpad.net/rhythmbox-ubuntuone-music-store)

* Report new bugs against the Rhythmbox Ubuntu One Music Store project (In order for the team to capture the most information about your issue, please file a bug by opening a terminal and typing: ubuntu-bug rhythmbox-ubuntuone-music-store)

* Chat with all beta testers on IRC: #u1msbeta on freenode

Mind you though that this is a beta release and is only for testing purposes right now.


(Source: http://voices.canonical.com/ubuntuone/?p=263)

NOTE - For more info on the Ubuntu One Music Store: http://exploreubuntu.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/ubuntu-one-music-store

Rename Them All

Rename Them All is a batch renamer, in lay man's terms that means it allows you to rename the file names of multiple files at once. The app was part of The Grand App Writing Challenge.

Although I dont usually try beta/untested softwares, I couldnt resist giving this app a try. After all, it does promise to make life really really easy. Imagine having the pleasure of renaming hundreds of files at one go with the click of a button!

Given below is a screenshot of the app where I am renaming files named 1, 2, 3, 4... to Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4...



How to Install for Ubuntu 9.10 (Recommended)


Go to the Terminal (Accessories > Terminal) and type the following:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:loneowais/ppa

Next update your repositories by typing the following in the Terminal:

sudo apt-get update

Now install the software by typing the following in the Terminal:

sudo apt-get install renamethemall

Installing the app by this method allows you to constantly stay updated to the latest version of the app.

Alternate method of installation: (Not Recommended)

You can download the .deb file from the launchpad page here. Direct link to the .deb file is here.

Thereafter just double click on the file and install the software. Do note that although this method of installation is easier, it wont allow you to stay up to date with latest versions of the software which might include bug fixes, added features etc.

Ubuntu Tweak 0.5.2 released

The latest version of Ubuntu Tweak, 0.5.2 has been released. It doesnt include any new features but apparently fixes a lot of bugs. There's a new highlight support for the new items in Application Center and Source Center.



After synching one may find new apps marked as unread/new. You can download Ubuntu Tweak from the official site.




Also take a look at a previous post on Ubuntu Tweak:
www.exploreubuntu.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/ubuntu-tweak/

Explore Ubuntu is now on twitter

Just wanted to let you know that Explore Ubuntu is now on Twitter as well.

Twitter.com/ExploreUbuntu

It will have all the updates whenever a new post is made here. Also, as an added bonus, it will have links to anything interesting on the web about Ubuntu (something which is not exactly possible to do here on this blog).

If you have any suggestions, constructive criticism, tips and tricks you would like to share, kindly let me know. The best way of doing that is to leave a comment.

Ubuntu Pocket Guide And Reference

Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference is a book written by Keir Thomas. Its available for free download on this page: www.ubuntupocketguide.com
(Alternatively you can also buy the book from Amazon.com)

Its written in a very lucid way, clarifies everything a beginner needs to know about Unix, GNU and Ubuntu, and there's absolutely no technical jargon which is beyond the grasp of a beginner. And best of all, its a fun read! Although it is primarily aimed at beginners, I would highly recommend it to everyone using Ubuntu. There's something for everyone in this book. And the best part is the author has (and let me put it this way, out of pure goodwill) decided to release the book as a free downloadable one.

The size of the download is around 2MB, so it really wont take long to download. I am currently going through the book and I love it! Hence I would highly recommend it to everyone using Ubuntu (or any other version of Linux for that matter), beginner or not.

Add random colours to burn effect of Compiz

The default burn effect of Compiz can get a bit boring after sometime. So, here's something to 'lighten' things up.

First up, go to GNOME Menu > System > Preferences > Compiz Config Settings Manager

You will now have to go to the Animations Add-on option:



Next, select the Random Colored Fire option:



Thats it! Now close the window and watch the magic unfold!

If you havent activated Compiz or configured it, please go through this post.

Transparency (contd.)

This is actually a continuation of the Transparency post (already covered in another post) which can be found here.

The type of transparency which I'm going to mention today will change the transparency of the panels without changing the transparency of the docks (which you might be using). So basically this is transparency in the truest sense.

First up you need Compiz installed. For that check out this post.

Open Compiz (GNOME Menu > Preferences >CompizConfig Settings Manager). This is what you’ll see:



Now do you notice that small tab which says “Opacity, Brightness and Saturation”? Click on that tab and it will open with this:



Notice carefully, you can see a “New” button on this window under ‘Window specific settings’. This image will help you out:



After you click on “New”, type the following exactly as is:

(class=Gnome-panel) & !(type=Menu | PopupMenu | Dialog | DropdownMenu)

Set the value to around 70, I have found best results with 67. But do check which value suits you best.

Next if you want to change the transparency of the windows, this is how you do it:

First up, install Ubuntu Tweak. If you havent installed it already, the guide for the installation is here.

Now coming to the panel window transparency. Open Ubuntu Tweak from GNOME Menu > System Tools > Ubuntu Tweak. Go to the Desktop >Windows option and select the settings as given here (change the values to suit your needs):



I have set active and inactive windows transparency to 1.00 and 0.75 respectively. Try it out and check what suits you best.

Thats it! This will give you transparency in the truest sense.

Remove programs from WINE

Now uninstalling programs installed under WINE is pretty easy isnt it? But sometimes, even though you have uninstalled a program, the menus of it might persist in the GNOME Menu > WINE > Programs

This is quite a common problem with an easy solution. The next time you see list of programs in the menu which you have already uninstalled, do this:

Go to /home/username/.local/share/applications/wine/Programs folder (the username being your username) and delete the files which have the names of that already removed program.

Thats it! Close the folder and check the GNOME menu now, your WINE menu will be exactly as it should be.




(For tips on how you should install WINE and modify it to benefit you, check out another blog post of mine here)

The Ultimate Flash Fix For Ubuntu

We all know how crappy the Linux version of flash is. And the worst part is, sometimes it becomes impossible to click on flash enabled menus and options.

Anyway, here's the working fix for this bug.

1. Open the terminal.

2. Type:

gksudo gedit /usr/lib/nspluginwrapper/i386/linux/npviewer

3. Add the following line before the line of the last text:

export GDK_NATIVE_WINDOWS=1

4. Save the file and restart your browser or flash app.

Thats it! Say goodbye to Flash woes!

(Also consult these posts on Explore Ubuntu: Flash for 64 bit, Solution to the Flash problem in Flock browser)



Source: Ubuntuforums

Plethora of Ubuntu games and softwares

If you're tired of the default Ubuntu packages/softwares/games etc. (well they're pretty extensive though, it should probably take you months to try out each and every software in the repos), here's a really cool way to install external apps without worring about tar.gz or extracting files etc.

For Ubuntu apps:

Its called GetDeb. It has loads of really good and useful softwares, and the best part is its just a one click install. But before you can download these, you need to install a small package (dont worry, it is small, just a few hundred KBs). The instructions for installation is here. The rest is self explanatory. Browse through the extensive list of softwares here and just click on 'Install' for the program you like. And bingo, it will be installed. No fuss, nothing.

For Ubuntu games:

The site is called PlayDeb, its a sister site of GetDeb but this one's dedicated to games. So before you start installing go through the installation instructions (basically install a package, this one's again in KBs) here. Then just browse through the huge list of games here and click on 'Install' for the game you like.

Enjoy!

Transparency

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the 'look' of Ubuntu and its panels. And especially since Windows 7 has taken transparency to a whole new level now! :P What if you could make the GNOME panels and the title bars of the windows transparent?

I'm not exactly sure if there's any comprehensive tutorial on transparency yet. That way, you are in luck!

First things first, you'll need Compiz and Ubuntu Tweak to do this. If you have been following my blog, you might have come across the two guided tutorials on the installation of both of them. If, however, you have missed those posts, here's a link to those tutorials (do go through both the posts as you'll need both the softwares installed):

Click here for a complete guide to Compiz installation and setup
and,
Click here for a complete guide to Ubuntu Tweak installation and setup

So, this is how you make your GNOME panel transparent:

Open Compiz (GNOME Menu > Preferences >CompizConfig Settings Manager). This is what you'll see:



Now do you notice that small tab which says "Opacity, Brightness and Saturation"? Click on that tab and it will open with this:



Notice carefully, you can see a "New" button on this window under 'Window specific settings'. This image will help you out:



After you click on "New", type the following exactly as is:

type=dock

and set the Window Value to 70 (change this to suit your needs). This pic will make the scenario clear:



Now coming to the panel window transparency. Open Ubuntu Tweak from GNOME Menu > System Tools > Ubuntu Tweak. Go to the Desktop >Windows option and select the settings as given here (change the values to suit your needs):



Thats it! Say hello to transparency! :)

(For another take on a different type of transparency check out another post on this blog here)