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.

Linux Mint...a revolution in the making

Its the 'green' season and everything's going green! And now even OSes have joined the green bandwagon (at least as far as naming of OSes is concerned).

Say hello to Linux Mint, the new Linux OS which has created quite a stir. Linux Mint uses the same repositories as Ubuntu, so it looks and feels much like it. But what Linux Mint promises is something quite extraordinary. It has virtually gotten rid of every 'techy' bits Ubuntu has and managed to create an OS which is well and truly 'universal' in appeal. Even Windows users will find this OS very very user friendly (I doubt what the KDE users will say now though, coz Ubuntu already has a tag of being too simple). There's another reason for this meteoric rise in Linux Mint's popularity. This OS is community driven. And for once, thats exactly what it is! Development takes place virtually every minute and updates are very frequent. Basically, the Mint community implements anything they find useful. Now thats something really cool!

Anyway, I downloaded the .iso file from the Linux Mint site. As 32 bit OSes are quoted to be more stable than their 64 bit counterpart, I tested the 32 bit version of the OS. Below is a list of images which will explain to you the installation process and give you a taste of the look and feel of Linux Mint.

Once you insert the CD of Linux Mint, this is what you get (the images are in sequence):



[Press any key preferably the 'Esc' key to select options, or else the CD will boot as a Live CD]
Next you'll have to select your type of installation, for a complete installation select as is shown in the image below. For live cd type installation, select the first option.

























And the quite cute shutdown screen, check it out:



Press enter and your PC should restart. This is how the booting process unfolds:







And here's the really really cool Linux Mint menu. Much much more exhaustive and useful than the default Ubuntu menu.



That was the installation process of Linux Mint. Stay tuned for more info and guides. I have a feeling this is the beginning of something huge.

Install Kubuntu alongwith Ubuntu

Here's a bit of a suggestion for those who have Ubuntu installed and want to try out KDE and dont want to format their hard drives or run it from the Live CD.

First up go to Synaptic. How do you do that? System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager

In the synaptic package manager search bar, type "kubuntu-desktop" and the following search results will be produced:

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So, click on the first result, i.e. kubuntu-desktop and mark it for installation. Once you mark it, it'll show you the names of dependent packages which need to be installed but click on the option "Mark":

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After that its pretty much simple. Restart your Ubuntu (recommended) or simply log out.

In the next login screen you'll see the following at the bottom:
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Click on the menu where its written "GNOME" and from the drop down menu select "KDE". Next log in with your username and password just as you would with Ubuntu. (By the way, this step requires that you disable auto login. To do that, go to System>Administration>Login Screen and then click "unlock". Enter your keyring password and select the first option "Show the screen for choosing who will log in") Mind you can always log in to your default Ubuntu by selecting GNOME from the login screen and then logging in with your username and password.

Thats it, you'll be taken to the really cool looking Kubuntu KDE interface!

However if you dont like the Kubuntu installation and want to remove it, here's a really cool trick.
Just open your terminal and copy paste the following (yeah, thats the command, no kidding!) :


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sudo apt-get remove akonadi-server akregator amarok amarok-common amarok-utils apport-kde apturl-kde ark cdrdao dolphin dragonplayer exiv2 foomatic-db-gutenprint gdebi-kde gnupg-agent gtk2-engines-qtcurve gwenview hpijs-ppds ibus-qt4 ijsgutenprint imagemagick install-package jockey-kde k3b k3b-data kaddressbook kamera kate kcm-gtk kde-icons-oxygen kde-style-qtcurve kde-window-manager kde-zeroconf kdebase-bin kdebase-data kdebase-plasma kdebase-runtime kdebase-runtime-bin-kde4 kdebase-runtime-data kdebase-runtime-data-common kdebase-workspace-bin kdebase-workspace-data kdebase-workspace-kgreet-plugins kdebase-workspace-libs4+5 kdebluetooth kdegraphics-strigi-plugins kdelibs-bin kdelibs5 kdelibs5-data kdemultimedia-kio-plugins kdepasswd kdepim-groupware kdepim-kresources kdepim-runtime kdepim-runtime-data kdepim-runtime-libs4 kdepim-strigi-plugins kdepim-wizards kdepimlibs-data kdepimlibs5 kdesudo kdm kfind khelpcenter4 kipi-plugins klipper kmag kmail kmix kmousetool knotes konq-plugins konq-plugins-l10n konqueror konqueror-nsplugins konqueror-plugin-searchbar konqueror-plugins konsole kontact kopete korganizer kpackagekit kppp krdc krfb ksnapshot ksysguard ksysguardd ksystemlog ktimetracker ktorrent ktorrent-data kubuntu-artwork-usplash kubuntu-default-settings kubuntu-desktop kubuntu-docs kubuntu-firefox-installer kubuntu-konqueror-shortcuts kvkbd kwalletmanager kwin-style-qtcurve language-selector-qt libakonadiprivate1 libao2 libaudio2 libboost-program-options1.38.0 libclucene0ldbl libepub0 libexiv2-5 libfftw3-3 libflac++6 libindicate-qt0 libjpeg-progs libk3b6 libkabcommon4 libkcddb4 libkdcraw7 libkdecorations4 libkdepim4 libkexiv2-7 libkipi6 libkleo4 libknotificationitem1 libkonq5 libkonq5-templates libkonqsidebarplugin4 libkontactinterfaces4 libkopete4 libkorundum4-ruby1.8 libkpgp4 libksane0 libksieve4 libkwineffects1 liblancelot0 liblastfm0 liblzma0 libmimelib4 libmodplug0c2 libmpcdec3 libmsn0.1 libokularcore1 libotr2 libpackagekit-glib11 libpackagekit-qt11 libplasma3 libpolkit-dbus2 libpolkit-grant2 libpolkit-qt0 libpolkit2 libpoppler-qt4-3 libqca2 libqca2-plugin-ossl libqimageblitz4 libqscintilla2-5 libqt4-assistant libqt4-dbus libqt4-designer libqt4-help libqt4-network libqt4-opengl libqt4-phonon libqt4-qt3support libqt4-ruby1.8 libqt4-script libqt4-scripttools libqt4-sql libqt4-sql-mysql libqt4-sql-sqlite libqt4-svg libqt4-test libqt4-webkit libqt4-xml libqt4-xmlpatterns libqtcore4 libqtgui4 libqtscript4-core libqtscript4-gui libqtscript4-network libqtscript4-sql libqtscript4-uitools libqtscript4-xml libruby1.8 libscim8c2a libsmokekde4-2 libsmokeqt4-2 libsoprano4 libstreamanalyzer0 libstreams0 libstrigiqtdbusclient0 libtag-extras1 libtidy-0.99-0 libvncserver0 libxcb-shape0 libxcb-shm0 libxcb-xv0 libxine1 libxine1-bin libxine1-console libxine1-misc-plugins libxine1-x libzip1 mysql-server-core-5.1 okular okular-extra-backends openoffice.org-kde openoffice.org-style-oxygen oxygen-cursor-theme packagekit packagekit-backend-apt phonon-backend-xine pinentry-gtk2 pinentry-qt4 plasma-dataengines-addons plasma-dataengines-workspace plasma-scriptengine-python plasma-widget-facebook plasma-widget-folderview plasma-widget-googlecalendar plasma-widget-indicatordisplay plasma-widget-kimpanel plasma-widget-kubuntu-qa-feedback plasma-widget-lancelot plasma-widget-networkmanagement plasma-widget-quickaccess plasma-widgets-addons plasma-widgets-workspace policykit printer-applet python-kde4 python-packagekit python-qt4 python-qt4-dbus python-sip4 quassel quassel-data ruby ruby1.8 software-properties-kde soprano-daemon speedcrunch system-config-printer-kde systemsettings ttf-arphic-uming ttf-dejavu ttf-dejavu-extra update-manager-kde update-notifier-kde usb-creator-kde userconfig && sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

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(Reference: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/puregnome)

And hit enter. Enter your administrator/sudo password and all the KDE dependent apps will be uninstalled and you will be returned to your native Ubuntu installation. Hope this helps.

Kubuntu...the "other" OS

Image via Wikipedia

The hype around Ubuntu is so enormous, its sometimes easy to neglect its KDE counterpart Kubuntu.

I gave Kubuntu a try today, and was pleasantly surprised, shocked to some extent by its features. Not only did I find Kubuntu more user friendly, I also found its looks more "professional" than Ubuntu. Its customisation and configuration options are immense, much much more than what Ubuntu offers now.

The interface looks awesome, and the sheer "feel" of it is simply brilliant! Overall, Kubuntu feels like a more user friendly OS than Ubuntu. If Ubuntu and Kubuntu are coming from the same company, I wonder why the latter is being meted out such step brotherly treatment.

I think Kubuntu has a far greater chance of becoming the more realistic alternative than Ubuntu.