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Content Tagged with and + linux
KDE: Right Click, Extract Here
I've been hunting for a post on how to have KDE "extract here" like Foresight Gnome edition does (it's really handy to one click extract archives). Post after post found via Google did nothing at all to help me out. Most tried to have you read how to do this manually by creating your own service menu and they would use xterm to extract. I wanted to use ark...mainly because it's there and it's a gui.
Then I decided to search KDE-Apps.org and viola! I found it. A handy little tool that allows you to right click on any archive and "extract here" with Ark. Here's how to install it.
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4 Little Known Thunderbird Extensions
I recently searched through the mozilla thunderbird extensions website and found 4 extensions that I didn't know about that actually prove to be quite useful. I use Thunderbird 2.0.0.12 on Foresight Linux and have tested all of these extensions and verified that they work on that environment. Hopefully, they'll help someone craft a more enjoyable email experience 
If you're like me, you like to group like items together in your inbox. With this extension, you can group emails from the same sender as quickly as a right click. Really, it's just a shortcut that places the sender email up into the search box and searches for you. The nice part is, with this extension, you don't have to type it. Quick, easy, and simple. This has quickly become an extension that I cannot live without.
SyncMab is an extension similar to foxmarks for Firefox. With foxmarks, you keep all your bookmarks on a central server of your choosing so that your bookmarks are the same across all computers you use that have Firefox installed. This is perfect for me since I have a set of work bookmarks and home bookmarks and like to be able to switch back and forth between them. But what about thunderbird? It doesn't have bookmarks right? Exactly, but it does have contacts in your addressbook! So, you'll be able to save your contacts to a server of your choosing and then on another computer with thunderbird you can synchronize your contacts by downloading that file using SyncMab. It's brilliant and allows you to always have the same contacts across operating systems, across computers, and even to maintain multiple addressbooks
This extension will display a small graphic in Thunderbird that tells you how much space you have left in your IMAP mail account and can warn you when you get close to filling up. This might not be too useful for those of you that use IMAP with huge quotas (gmail) but for others, it may be. I have heard that some users do not like the popup that displays for warning on this extension. For those users, Thunderbird has a built in function you can enable:
Open your configuration editor in Thunderbird and find the following keys:
- mail.quota.mainwindow_threshold.show - % when quota should show up
- mail.quota.mainwindow_threshold.warning - % when quota becomes yellow
- mail.quota.mainwindow_threshold.critical - % when quota becomes red
Thanks to goddess-gate.com for information on how to do this.
Continue reading "4 Little Known Thunderbird Extensions"
Microblogging, Status, and Blogging 2.0
In my previous post, I asked readers how they plugged their blog and/or microblogged, web 2.0 style. Some microblogging readers recommended that I check out Ping.fm. It was exactly the service that I needed; the ability to simultaneously post status updates on twitter, pownce, facebook. I specifically look for services that don't require that I install anything on my desktop (I like IM much more).
The only problem with this is that ping.fm is in beta stage...and a closed beta at that. So, I began to read various different blogs to try and find any other service that might do the same thing as ping.fm.
During my search, I cam across profilactic.com, which is a central aggregate place similar to friendfeed.com. The interesting part about profilactic is that it plugs into ping.fm and every single user can be part of the closed beta for ping.fm!
This means that you can microblog/status message bebo, blogger, brightkite, facebook, hi5, Jaiku, LinkedIn, LiveJournal, Mashable, Myspace, Plaxo Pulse, Plurk, Pownce, Tumblr, Twitter, and Xanga through one single interface OR through Instant message (there is a ping.fm bot).
Here's the kicker...profilactic.com supports 186 sites as well as the ability to create a custom site. There are too many to list. Check out their supported sites.
So, you can utilize ping.fm to instant message status updates or microblog and instantaneously have it sent out to close to 200 different sites all at once. This is handy for me since I like to use pownce a bit more than twitter but my coworkers use twitter more. My status updates are still broadcast (on 60 second delay) on twitter through my instant message to the ping.fm bot. Ping.fm also supports the iPhone and has the ability to have custom triggers.
To take advantage of these great services, head over to profilactic and signup. When you're setting up your sites, you'll be able to plug into ping.fm (it will require that you signup using the profilactic beta password that profilactic will provide for you during setup). Don't forget to visit my lifestream and add me as a friend Happy micro/status/blogging!
How to Fix Ubuntu 8.04 Casper script for Persistence
Sharing Files Between Windows and Linux
Installing and Using RealPlayer on Foresight Linux
Last night, I decided to install RealPlayer onto my fresh Foresight Linux 1.4.X install. I've replaced my main workstation with Foresight due to convenience (I use it at work) and I use RealPlayer from time to time for videos and music.
No package exists for RealPlayer in the repositories, so head over to Real.com and download the .bin file. After the .bin file has been downloaded, use the following commands to install:
chmod 755 RealPlayer10GOLD.bin && sudo ./RealPlayer10Gold.bin
In the terminal, it will ask you what directory you'd like to install RealPlayer into. I chose /opt/RealPlayer (you'll have to type it in) because I'd rather have the files installed there than in my home directory, which is where I downloaded the file to. After this, you'll have a shiny, new shortcut inside Applications >> Sound and Video >> RealPlayer. Click on this to launch the program and follow the wizard.
The wizard will setup the Mozilla (firefox) plugins for you but they still won't work solidly. This is because mplayer is overtaking the player duties for real media formats. To change this, gedit ~/.mplayer/mplayerplug-in.conf and change these entries as shown below:
enable-rm=0
enable-smil=0
enable-helix=0
Save and close that document. You're set Restart Firefox and go to real.com and test out the player capabilities.
Make your own portable Mandriva Flash
Installing Openbox on Foresight Linux
My friend Og Maciel
originally introduced me to Openbox a while back and I've been using it ever since. I love the lightweight feel, the ability to customize and the center around having NO icons on my desktop. I don't feel cluttered when I work! I published a version of this tutorial/how-to on my previous blog that I've retired. It was originally for Openbox 3.4.2 but I've now updated it for Openbox 3.4.6.1. This tutorial is tailored for Foresight Linux 1.4.X but the guide may very well serve other distros as well.
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Make your own portable Mandriva Flash
The following tutorial covers the process of creating or making your own Mandriva Flash drive. If you already have a USB flash drive, why not put it to use? The MCNLive team has done some outstanding work with their latest Mandriva based MCNLive CD releases. The persistent loop features and USB installer are nearly flawless. The persist boot option allows a user to save "ALL" system changes and settings back to the loop image file. This remastering process is fairly simple, so let's get started.
Tags: mandriva, mandriva flash, MCNLive, persistence, portable, remastering, usb flash driveRelated posts
Mediawiki: Remove External Arrow from Links
My main job here at rPath, Inc. is to document our technologies via the rPath Documentation Wiki. For this wiki, we use a Mediawiki Appliance. For those that don't know, the "appliance" I refer to here is a software appliance...something rPath technologies make easy to maintain and create. For more information see the definition of a software appliance here.
Moving on, I was ANNOYED by the fact that you have a small arrow "
" that appears beside any image that references an external URL or any link that does the same. This is fine to let people know that links will take them to a different page...but what I was trying to do was to make a PDF Icon have the same link as the URL it was sitting beside:
So in the above image, if one clicked on the PDF icon or the "Application to Appliance: A Hands-on Guide (PDF)" the PDF would download.
Mediawiki doesn't provide a fantastic way for you to do this. However, after some snooping around via google, I found a fairly easy way to make things happen.
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A New User Guide to Linux Communities
Are you a new Linux user? Fantastic! Welcome to the world of freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of expression, freedom from vendor lockin. You've made an excellent choice. Now that you've chosen, installed, and are using Linux there are a few things you should keep in mind as you learn the ropes of your new system.
1. Not all Communities are the Same
Each Linux distribution has its own distinct community with their own ideas. Think of owning a vehicle or a certain brand of appliance...along with the ownership of this comes the lifestyle that is reflected by users/owners of the product. The same is true with Linux. Each community will have a different idea on what is important. What is important to you may not be even on the radar of those users and developers of that community. Find one that suits you.
Keeping this in mind, be patient. Ask questions the smart way. Be explicit and tactful. Be precise and direct. Provide more information than you think is necessary...no one will become upset if you provide too much information but they may not answer your question if you have too little.
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How to set up your own Debian Linux Mirror
Looking to build your own Debian Linux Mirror? Use your local hard drive or a network drive and share your mirror over a network or even on the internet. Having your our own Debian/Ubuntu Linux Mirror enables you to drastically speed up the process of installing packages or complete netbuilds on your single or networked Linux PC (s).
Using the following tutorial, the same method can be used for building a Ubuntu Mirror if desired.
Tags: debian linux, linux mirror, local mirror, mirror, ubuntu linuxRelated posts
How to install deb packages
This tutorial is for those who use Ubuntu, Debian or a derivative of Debian Linux and have downloaded a .deb package that they want to install. Typically you can use synaptic, apt-get or aptitude. However, if the package is not available via the repositories you may need to download and install them yourself.
Tags: deb packagedeb packagesdebian linuxRelated posts
Ubuntu Remote Desktop Sharing
Ubuntu Remote Desktop Sharing
The following tutorial covers the process of remotely accessing and controlling a Ubuntu installation from another PC that is using Windows or Ubuntu. This process should also work for other Debian based operating systems (with minimal changes) running either from a local hard disk, CD or portable USB device as long as the system is connected to a network and or has an internet connection established and has Remote Desktop (vino vncviewer) installed.
One major advantage of using Remote Desktop sharing is that once the system is up and running, you do not need a monitor, keyboard or mouse connected to the machine. The box running Ubuntu or a Debian based OS can be controlled directly from another machine that already has these hardware components in place. Another great advantage is that you can remotely access and control or administer your system from another location. Possibly outside of your local network, ie: work, school, friends house etc.
Tags: desktop sharing, internet connection, linux, pendrive linux, remote desktop, ubuntuRelated posts
install rockbox and extras on your ipod in linux
nstall rockbox and extras on your ipod in linux
Upgrading NVIDIA Drivers in Debian Lenny
One of the drawbacks to installing NVIDIA Proprietary drivers in Linux is that when the kernel is updated, you have to reinstall (recompile) the software to match the new kernel. This tutorial explains how to upgrade Proprietary NVIDIA video card drivers after your Debian Lenny Linux system has been upgraded to a new kernel version. The process is pretty much the same as installing Proprietary video card drivers from scratch with the exception that we assume your already at the shell, unable to boot into X windows due to a kernel upgrade.
Tags: kernel version, linux system, nvidia drivers, nvidia video card, nvidia video card drivers, proprietary drivers, video card driversRelated posts
How to install deb packages
This tutorial is for those who use Ubuntu, Debian or a derivative of Debian Linux and have downloaded a .deb package that they want to install. Typically you can use synaptic, apt-get or aptitude. However, if the package is not available via the repositories you may need to download and install them yourself.
Tags: deb package, deb packages, debian linuxRelated posts
PCLinuxOS & What Sets it Apart: Part I
I originally intended this post to be a review of 2007 Final for PCLinuxOS. However, after finishing it up, I realized that posting a review wouldn’t have the desired effect of truly showing off PCLinuxOS to everyone. It would just be a “business as usual” type of post. So, I decided to do a analysis on what I feel sets PCLinuxOS apart from many Linux distributions.
I often see people steer new Linux users to other distros such as OpenSuse,
Ubuntu, and SimplyMEPIS...even Sabayon in a few instances. This is fine...they’re good, solid distros. However, out
of those distros, I’d recommend only one...OpenSuse. Why? Because of YAST. A New user needs to feel comfortable with
system configuration tasks. Not everyone is ready to drop to the shell when coming in from that other operating system.
Not every 65 year old grandmother is ready to crack a Konsole and vi their way to .conf bliss. Ubuntu’s control panel
is continually getting better but YAST still leads the pack in putting new users or even seasoned ones at ease with
system configuration.
I regularly used SimplyMEPIS from 2003 until 2005 and continue to recommend it for new users despite it not having a YAST Like tool. It now has inherited many things from Ubuntu so it has a greatly improved way of doing things. The added tools also make common tasks easier like emptying out logs, installing graphics drivers, and setting up your monitor/resolution. It’s getting there quickly.
That brings me to OpenSuse. YAST is a fantastic and powerful tool. Still, when I use OpenSuse, I often find that I’m not up to date with applications and I find the repositories move much slower than I’d like. I have to rely on third party repos which isn’t a bad thing but often gets me into trouble with dependencies. So I was on a search for a cutting edge distro that was solid, up to date with the latest packages, and had a YAST-like utility for it. Of course, Mandriva (Mandrake at the time) was a good fit but I found PCLinuxOS even better.
So, today I’ll talk about what I feel sets PCLinuxOS apart from other freely available distros.
Continue reading "PCLinuxOS & What Sets it Apart: Part I"
Install extra Themes and Icons in PCLinuxOS
Are you a PCLinuxOS 2007 user?
Are you one of the many that love the default theme and think it’s eye catching but wish you could change it and make it your own? Do you wish there were more themes, icon sets, and bling for your desktop that would be easy to add? I did too. Here’s how I was able to customize PCLinuxOS 2007:
 PCLOS Default |  PCLOS Custom |
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Autostart Apps in PCLinuxOS 2007 (KDE)
There’s a question that is often asked via IRC on freenode #pclinuxos-support. Many people want to know how to get programs to startup immediately upon login.
Now there are two ways to do this...kind of. Actually, there is only one way to get programs to autostart but there is another way you can have programs startup when you login...let’s look at both of them.
The First Way
First, go to the PC Menu (or kmenu) >> Run Command >> konqueror --profile filemanagement
When Konqueror opens, navigate to /home/user/.kde/autostart (replace user with your login name). Now minimize
that window...we’ll come back to it later. Next up, click on the My Computer icon on your desktop (or for other users,
open up Konqueror and put the following in the addressbar: system:/). When that opens, click on applications and
minimize the window and place it side by side with the previously opened window.
Hieronymus has posted a helpful tip that simplifies the process above. After opening up Konqueror, use the Go Menu and click the entry for “autostart” which will take you directly to the correct folder for the current logged in user. Thanks Hieronymus for the tip! Visit their homepage here.
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Convert Audio with Ease in KDE
I ripped a couple of CD’s for my son this evening. In the process, I decided to setup Kalarm and Korganizer on his computer so that he could set alarms to remind him to do various chores around the house. While doing all of this, I needed a .wav file so that he could use a song for his alarm. Of course, he wanted one of the songs I had just ripped from his CD. Since I had ripped his songs to .ogg format, I had to investigate which program could convert from .ogg to .wav this the easiest in KDE.
I’ve not used many of the whiz bang functions of KDE and desktop Linux...I’ve been more of a browser, mail, and RSS type of guy for many years. Now that I’ve been using Linux at work and at home, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to figure out how to do things that I’ve never done before. In this case, convert audio to .wav, .ogg, or .mp3 with ease. There is a tool called audiokonverter available in PCLinuxOS 2007 repositories that makes this a snap.
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How-To: PCLinuxOS 2007 and MythTV
For those of you who always thought PCLinuxOS and MythTV would go together...you’re quite right, they do fit well together...though there are a few bumps on the road. Hopefully, this how-to will help you along the way.
First, let’s mention what this guide will not cover:
- Remote Controls
- IR Blasters
- Picture Quality Settings
Why won’t I cover those? Because there are infinite possibilities for each one...and it would be impossible for me to investigate them all...hardware not in my possession besides. So, this will cover installing mythtv and omit the items above. Mythtv has those items covered quite well in their documentation.
Hardware Specifications:
- HP a1520n
- ATI x300 PCIe VPU
- PVR150 and PVR350
- Sharp Aquos 37" LCD TV
- USR MaxG PCI Card
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Zimbra or Google Calendar with Thunderbird and Lightning
The title sounds a bit Mythological eh? I originally published this entry on my work blog but felt that some people might be able to get some use out of this tip. To use it, you’ll need Zimbra or Google Calendar. I’ll cover Zimbra mostly and then give a link on how to setup Google Calendar at the end. For those interested, my work blog is here.
If you don’t have Zimbra, they have a free Open Source Community Edition available. It’s feature rich and quite configurable for your email. It can even be used to retrieve multiple email sources and bring them all into one place...it also has identity management so you can send from multiple accounts. Very nice stuff.
"I use Thunderbird for my email client. It’s quite speedy and nice.
Coming from various places of employment that used Outlook and
Exchange, I miss being able to schedule appointments via my email
client (of course, with Zimbra, I’m able to do this via the web
interface..but I like using Thunderbird for its ability to sort and
handle my email).
Enter Lightning, the sunbird-like extension for
Thunderbird. So how does one integratelightning with say, Zimbra? It
was rather simple and easy to do so. I’m posting what I did to get this
up and running so that others won’t fumble through the Zimbra forums
trying to piece various posts together finally arriving at a solution
after banging heads against the wall repeatedly. Note that I’m assuming
you use Zimbra/Thunderbird with IMAP.
Continue reading "Zimbra or Google Calendar with Thunderbird and Lightning"