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Supporting multiple machines in GNOME using VNC

I was recently asked how to configure VNC for user support across a series of machines running GNOME. I'm in the process of trying out a few different platforms at the moment, and didn't have my GNOME machine to hand and working right, so I decided to work it out from what I've done in the past. Here's the bulk of the e-mail I sent him to try and help him out. Maybe this will help you at some point.

If you find any errors (especially around the option names in the actual dialogue boxes) please post a note so I can correct this!

Thanks!

On most GNOME based systems (which includes Fedora), you can active "Remote Desktop Sharing" for users.

Go to System -> Preferences -> Remote Desktop Sharing (or something similar). I'm afraid I've just recently moved my systems to KDE, so I don't know the exact options, but I believe it'll say something like "Enable remote connections" (tick that), and "User is prompted to permit connection" (this will be down to policy) and "Remote user needs to enter a password" (this will need some text to be entered).

Once you have these for one system, you can automatically set this for all the other computers.

From the command line, type
  gconftool-2 -R /desktop/gnome/remote_access

This will return all the settings you have made. Here's mine:

 view_only = false                                         
 alternative_port = 5900                                   
 prompt_enabled = false                                    
 icon_visibility = client                                  
 lock_screen_on_disconnect = false                         
 disable_xdamage = false                                   
 mailto =                                                  
 use_alternative_port = false                              
 enabled = true                                            
 disable_background = false                                
 network_interface =                                       
 require_encryption = false                                
 authentication_methods = [vnc]                            
 vnc_password = &&&&&&&&&&&&                               
 use_upnp = false

(I've removed the password for my box)

You can use this gconftool to set the same variables on your computers you've already deployed, either per-user, as a default policy for each machine, or as a mandatory policy for each machine.

This article from Sun's GNOME configuration guide explains how to set variables: http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/806-6878/6jfpqt2t5?a=view while this is an overview of all of the GNOME configuration tool (including that article): http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/806-6878/6jfpqt2sv?a=view and lastly, this is how "Vino" the VNC client for GNOME works: http://www.gnome.org/~markmc/remote-desktop.html

I hope this helps you!

font-manager

via code.google.com

A font management application for the GNOME desktop

Gnome Shell

One of the next best evolution of gnome 3 has a name:  Gnome Shell
It's a great change in the desktop concept. On the same screen, you are able to launch application, find last document, create, delete, select a virtual desktop in an all-in-on full integrated 3D interface.

Welcome in the next generation of the Linux Desktop.

     

Click here to download:

ubuntu-gnome-shell.zip (845 KB)

Untitled

Epiphany browser version 2.28 package in debian is webkit based. About f___ing time they made the switch! webkit epiphany browser gnome

GNOME 2.28 Released

Mein Aktueller Gnome Desktop

via dennislambert.de

 

Ubuntu & Me

Image by Diana Lili M via Flickr

Let me first point out that I am a recent convert to Linux. I, like many others, was a die-hard fan of Windows, which I believe is due to shear laziness (Linux requires a little love, now and then to get it to do some of the things you want it to). Anyway, last year I was having problems with my laptop -- mostly due to my ignorance of computer operating systems -- and I was getting tired of getting my computer fixed. Also, I did not want to switch from Windows XP over to Vista, because of all the negative reviews I had been hearing. So I decided to be daring and switch to Linux.

At the time, I was working in a book store so I had access to literally dozens of books on computers: operating systems, hardware configurations, databases, programming languages, et. al. Also, there were a plethora of computer nerds working there, and just about every one of them doted on Linux. So, after perusing several 10-pound books, I took a leap of faith and bought one on Fedora Core 6 (which, coincedently, had a disk with the operating system in the back).

Migrating to Fedora Core 6 6 was a challenge, to say the least (lots of configuration screens to go through). However, even though I knew not what I was doing, I managed it quite successfully. I enjoyed using the GNOME GUI for a while. Then, for reasons I don't recall, I reinstalled FC6 using KDE. I liked that GUI much better, because it had better games on it, and we all know that you can't have a computer without some kick ass games to play. And since I was to stupid to figure out how to install an application like Wine, I had to make do with whatever came with the chosen GUI. Also -- any of you readers who are familiar with Linux can testify to this -- both desktop environments have their own set of applications, most of which are native only to one interface. Therefore, being totally ignorant of my new OS, I again reinstalled the software in order to play ther other games -- see a pattern here?

Now, going back to my educated decision on which operating system to choose, I neglected to pay attention to the fact that, being open source, all Linux distros are either continually being updated, or they are only being updated for a set period of time. (Do you see where I'm going here?) Well, a few weeks ago I tried numerous times -- in vain -- to run updates. Finally, remembering an old acquaintances suggestion -- which I had previously ignored -- I downloaded Ubuntu 8.04. The reason for going with 8.04 instead of 9.04 was because it is being maintained longer.

So. After about 30 minutes of jacking with my CD drive I finally downloaded and copied Ubuntu. After reading through everything on the website, to say I was thrilled would be an understatement. But, being Mr. Murphy's favorite plaything, luck was not on my side -- I couldn't validate or install my download. Never fear, though, because I was desperate I requested a "free" CD. Now the first thing I will brag on Ubuntu about is the fact that it took about a week to get my copy (the website says 6 to 8 weeks).

Being the impatient, ADD-afflicted freak I am, I immediately turned on my laptop and popped in the disk -- installation was as easy as one, two, three. Now I can check my Twitter account every ten seconds, email and my Facebook profile every ten minutes, and watch my FriendFeed updates constantly update in the lower right-hand corner of my screen continuously.

However, all this took some tweaking to accomplish, but being so user-friendly, Ubuntu makes it easy. If I have a question about how to install a new app, or a plug-in -- which I always do -- help is only a few keystrokes away. Also, I am easily able to update at any time.

• Why I chose GNU/Linux (internetling.com)
• Vista Sucks (sciencetext.com)
• Linux Newbie, You Have Options. (daniweb.com)
• The Perfect Desktop - Kubuntu 9.04 (slumpedoverkeyboarddead.com)
• Gnome Shell - Your Next Desktop Environment (maketecheasier.com)
• Gnome Vs KDE? That it? (lockergnome.com)
• The Great Software List for Linux (menson.wordpress.com)
• 5 Little Useful Sticky Notes For Linux (makeuseof.com)
• Do one thing, and do it well: 40 years of UNIX (crunchgear.com)
• Best way to change you GNOME Desktop look (techie-buzz.com)

Enable GNOME Support in Firefox 3.5 with Ubuntu 9.04

Ubuntu 9.04 ships with Firefox 2 as the default Web browser. You can install Firefox 3.5 (aka Shiretoko) through the Applications menu if you want. However, Firefox 3.5 breaks compatibility with the default Firefox 2 application handler. If you click on a package installation link and get a message that looks something like

Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (apt) isn't associated with any program.

Change GNOME Notification Balloon Position

Recently posted a ODOC on notify-send command. If you run the notify-send command, by default, the notification balloon will appear at the default position (right bottom) in the Desktop. Some of my friends don't like this position and they want to change this position right top of the desktop. So they asked me to post the option for this. In GNOME Desktop Manager, following steps will help you change this position:
 
Start Gnome Configuration editor (Application -> System Tools -> Configuration Editor OR just run "gconf-editor" command). Goto notification-daemon settings (/ -> apps -> notification-daemon -> popup_location) and change the popup_location to any of the following value "top_right" or "bottom_right" or "top_left" or "bottom_left".

 
From the next X session, the pop-up balloon will appear in the new location. If you want to see the effect, then you have to restart the notification-daemon process.

KDE - KDE 4.3.0 Caizen Release Announcement

via kde.org

I'm looking with renovated interest to the new releases of KDE project. I switched to Gnome when KDE arrived at the "famous" 4.0 release, also because I was not satisfied from the user experience of the new desktop. Gnome offered me a simple but more usable enviroment, I soon discovered.

Now, not that I'm not satisfied with Gnome, but I'm tempted to switch again in the other direction (or at least, at giving a try), since the recent improvements - as the so called "Social Desktopo" seems indeed quite intriguing... well, after all, the beauty of linux is the possibility to choose, don't you think ?