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UBUNTU Power!

artical by: daengbo (you can follow him on twitter too....)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Extra Repositories for Ubuntu 8.10 You Might Want

Image via Wikipedia

The repository system is a great strength of open-source operating systems, but some people want the latest-and-greatest of a particular application while keeping the core system unchanged. There is also the situation where non-free applications aren't available from within the standard repositories. In these two cases, adding outside repos can help you get the functionality you want. I've done some homework for you and here are the "Extra Repositories for Ubuntu 8.10 You Might Want." Simply open up
System > Administration > Software Sources 
and add the repository lines listed below as a third-party repository.

Here are your repositories!

Medibuntu

Medibuntu is the best way to get some video and audio playback capability that isn't included in Ubuntu 8.10 for patent reasons. If you live in a regioon which doesn't support these patents, you can go ahead and get them. Popular packages include:

• Acrobat Reader
• Firmware for the ALSA sound system
• Google Earth
• DVD decryption
• MPlayer / MEncoder
• Non-free codecs and
  
• Skype
  

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ intrepid free non-free

When you are finished, install the medibuntu-keyring and app-install-data-medibuntu packages.

Wine

Ubuntu 8.10 ships with Wine 1.0, but the development version is able to run many more Windows programs. You can get the latest version from the Wine repository.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt intrepid main

When you are finished, install the wine package.

OO.o3

OpenOffice.org 3.0 just missed the cut-off for Intrepid. If you want the additional functionality of 3.0, you'll need to add the PPA for the OO.o team.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, upgrade and everything should be fine.

Opera

While Firefox is a great browser, some people just prefer Opera. Opera makes it easy for Debian-based OSes.

Add this line to Software Sources:
deb http://deb.opera.com/opera/ stable non-freeWhen you are finished, install the opera package.

Banshee

Banshee is an audio and video manager which is seeinging extremely rapid development. New features are added every month.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, install the banshee package.

VideoLAN Client (VLC)

While I prefer Totem, many people, especially those recently from Windows, prefer the media player they've known and loved for years. VLC is in the repositories, but keeping up with recent versions means adding this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/c-korn/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, just install the vlc package. You can also get apt-cache-ng from this repo.

Boxee

Boxee is an amazing media center (derived from XMBC) that runs on OS X and Linux, and it does just about everything you could imagine. Right now, it's alpha, and you'll have to sign up on the Boxee registration page in order to use the software.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://apt.boxee.tv intrepid main

When you are finished, just install the boxee package.

Elisa

If you don't need all the craziness of Boxee and just want a simple media center, take a look at Fluendo's Elisa. It uses GStreamer, already the default A/V decoder on Ubuntu, so it won't add a lot of weight to your installation.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/elisa-developers/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, install the elisa package and update your computer.

Netbook Remix

One of the most innovative things to come out of the Ubuntu camp is the neetbook remix interface. Want to try it out?

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-team/ubuntu intrepid main

Then follow the detailed instructions on how to get it running.

Gnome Do

This launcher amazes everyone who tries it. These days, it even comes with an optional dock. Although I don't use it daily, I think everyone should give it a shot.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/do-core/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, install the gnome-do package.

Deluge

Intrepid comes with the Transmission BitTorrent client installed, and Tranmission is fine, but Deluge is a full-featured client which rivals and may now beat the Azureus cum Vuze client that so many people swore by for years. As a bonus, Deluge is a GTK2 application, so it doesn't use up 50% of your CPU while running several torrents.
Deluge has a wide-array of features, including:

• Web UI
• BitTorrent Protocol Encryption
• Mainline DHT
• Local Peer Discovery (aka LSD)
• FAST protocol extension
• µTorrent Peer Exchange
• UPnP and NAT-PMP
• Proxy support
• Private Torrents
• Global and per-torrent speed limits
• Password protection

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/deluge-team/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, install the deluge package.

Google Gadget

Google used to host a repo itself, but that went away and we are just left with a PPA for Google Gadgets. It's for Hardy (8.04), but there doesn't appear to be a problem with running it on Intrepid. Caveat emptor.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/googlegadgets/ppa/ubuntu hardy main

When you are finished, install the google-gadgets package.

Mythbuntu

If you installed Mythbuntu and want to keep up with the latest release of MythTV, including all kinds of extra plug-ins:

• mytharchive create and burn DVD's from MythTV - binary file

• mytharchive-data create and burn DVD's from MythTV - data files

• mythcontrols External controls for MythTV

• mythflix netflix module for MythTV

• mythgallery Image gallery/slideshow add-on module for MythTV

• mythgame Emulator & PC Game frontend module for MythTV

• mythmovies Find nearby movies and cinema listings

• mythmusic Music add-on module for MythTV

• mythnews An RSS feed news reader module for MythTV

• mythphone a phone and videophone module for MythTV

• mythplugins Metapackage for MythTV plugins

• mythvideo A generic video player frontend module for MythTV

• mythweather Weather add-on module for MythTV

• mythweb Web interface add-on module for MythTV

• mythzoneminder view status and display footage recorded with zoneminder 

 Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/mythbuntu/ubuntu hardy main

When you are finished, update your installation.

Compiz

Compiz Fusion comes standard on Ubuntu, but you might want to keep up with the mosst current version to have all that extra BLING.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/compiz/ubuntu intrepid main

When you are finished, update your installation.

Miro

"Miro is a free HD video player." Somehow, the website's description falls so short that I don't know how Miro is as successful as it is. They must be going understated. It aggregates a browser, an RSS reader, a bittorent client, and a video player. Want TV on your computer? Get miro.

Add this line to Software Sources:

deb http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/pculture.org/miro/linux/repositories/ubuntu intrepid/

When you are finished, install the miro package.

Shutter

Vadi recommends Shutter (recently renamed from GScrot), an extremely capable screenshot tool. Features include:

• take a screenshot of your complete desktop, a rectangular area or capture a website
• take screenshot directly or with a specified delay time
• save the screenshots to a specified directory and name them in a convenient way
  (using special wild-cards)
• Shutter is fully integrated into the Gnome Desktop (TrayIcon etc.)
• generate thumbnails directly when you are taking a screenshot and set a size level in %
• Shutter session collection
  
  • keep track of all screenshots during session
  • copy screeners to clipboard
  • print screenshots
  • delete screenshots
  • rename your file
• upload your files directly to Image-Hosters (e.g. http://ubuntu-pics.de), retrieve all the needed links and share them with others
• edit your screenshots directly using the embedded drawing tool.

Add this line to Software Sources:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/shutter/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
When you are finished, install the shutter package.

Other Possibilities

Commenters recommend AppSpot and the Ubuntu PPA search to find repositories for applications you may need. AppSpot even has a grouping of recent searches to spur your imagination.

Keys

You'll have some package manager complaints about keys if you're not careful. Import these keys to get rid of the warnings. Allaun recommends using the NO_PUBKEY value (e.g. C5E6A5ED249AD24C) to add the key with the following command.

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com C5E6A5ED249AD24C

OpenOffice - http://keyserver.ubuntu.com:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x60D11217247D1CFF

Gnome-DO - http://keyserver.ubuntu.com:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x28A8205077558DD0

Deluge - http://keyserver.ubuntu.com:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xC5E6A5ED249AD24C

Google - https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub

WineHQ - http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt/Scott%20Ritchie.gpg

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Comment (3) »

The US Capitol

hope you enjoy this series of desktop background wallpapers.
 
these images are created for a 1.6:1 aspect ratio. the image resolution is 2560x1600, use a setting such as center or fit if you are using a different resolution. this series is comprised of images i like and personally use as my desktop backgrounds.
 
if you didn't go to the 2009 presidential inauguration of barrack obama; this gives you a good idea of the view from the "cheap seats". in other words, if you didn't have a ticket/reserved seat - this is what it might have looked like, sans the backs of tens of thousands of spectators standing in front of you...

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When Bill Gates chooses between Heaven and Hell

"Well, Bill" said God, "I'm really confused on this one. I'm not sure whether to send you to Heaven or Hell! After all, you helped society enormously by putting a computer in almost every home in the world and yet you created that ghastly Windows.

I'm going to do something I've never done before. I'm going to let you decide where you want to go!"

Mr. Gates replied, "Well, thanks, Lord. What's the difference between the two?"

God said, "You can take a peek at both places briefly if it will help you decide. Shall we look at Hell first?"

"Sure!" said Bill. "Let's go!"

Bill was amazed! He saw a clean, white sandy beach with clear waters. There were thousands of beautiful women running around, playing in the water, laughing and frolicking about.

The sun was shining and the temperature was just perfect!

Bill said, "This is great! If this is Hell, I can't wait to see Heaven!"

To which God replied, "Let's go!" and off they went.

Bill saw puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky with angels drifting about playing harps and singing.

It was nice, but surely not as enticing as Hell.

Mr. Gates thought for only a brief moment and rendered his decision.

"God, I do believe I would like to go to Hell."

"As you desire," said God.

Two weeks later, God decided to check up on the late billionaire to see how things were going. He found Bill shackled to a wall, screaming among the hot flames in a dark cave. He was being burned and tortured by demons.

"How ya doin', Bill?" asked God. Bill responded with anguish and despair.

"This is awful! This is not what I expected at all! What happened to the beach and the beautiful women playing in the water?"

"Oh, THAT!" said God.
"That was the screen saver!"

iSimplyBlog

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Understanding Engineers

Take 1:

Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said,
"Where did you get such a great bike?"

The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday
minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike.
She took one look at me, threw the bike to the ground, took off all
her clothes and said to me, 'Take what you want' , so I did."

The second engineer nodded approvingly.

"Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fit."


Take 2

To the optimist, the glass is half full.

To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty.

To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.


Take 3

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?

Mechanical Engineers build weapons and Civil Engineers build targets.

Take 4

Three engineering students were gathered together discussing the
possible designers of the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical
engineer. Just look at all the joints."

Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system
has many thousands of electrical connections."

The last one said, "Actually it must have been a civil engineer. Who
else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

Take 5

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

Take 6

An architect, an artist and an engineer were discussing whether it was
better to spend time with the wife or a mistress. The architect said
he enjoyed time with his wife, building a solid foundation for an
enduring relationship. The artist said he enjoyed time with his
mistress, because the passion and mystery he found there. The engineer
said, "I like both."

"Both?"

Engineer: "Yeah. If you have a wife and a mistress, they will each
assume you are spending time with the other woman, and you can go to
the lab and get some work done."

Take 7

An engineer was crossing a road one-day when a frog called out to him
and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He
bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back
into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The
engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it
to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a
princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the
engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his
pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a
beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for a week and do
anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look,
I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girl friend, but a talking
frog, now that's cool."

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Why bad taste rules in business endeavors, and why that's a problem for creative industries.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball spoke at MacWorld recently and gave a brilliant talk called "The Auteur Theory of Design" -- about lessons we as creators of tech products can learn from the film making world.

The quality of any collaborative creative endeavor tends to approach the level of taste of whoever is in charge... whoever has final cut.

John Gruber

Final cut is the last say as to whether or not to ship. And this cuts to the core of how good design and great experience gets delivered in tech. THE FINAL CUT. Someone has final say for when a project is done and ready to go. At Apple, final cut is owned by Steve Jobs, and much has been made of the tyrannical brilliance and attention he pays to the details of the products they create. Final cut is what matters, because the person who makes the final cut can either ensure brilliance or ensure failure.

The leader with bad taste / poor design sensibility will absolutely salt out the great work of brilliant teams. They'll add random crap to something that might already be quite good. Or will allow bad stuff to ship. Or, most likely, force a product out to market when it's not ready. A blind adherence to meeting release dates, for instance, can essentially assure the death of quality in a product. That's why adding product managers or project managers to an already failing project often is like a bucket of gasoline for a man on fire.

In an ideal world, product managers and technology execs should be great designers who can identify and create amazing user experiences. They need to be user experience auteurs, because PMs and execs are de facto in charge when it comes to making final call on when to ship the product. They're the last line of defense against bad taste and bad design. Unfortunately, like Plato's mythical philosopher/kings, auteur studio exec is a rare breed, and the UX designer / tech exec is rarer still.

Gruber closes his talk with an exhortation to the auteur within. Sometimes on teams, final cut isn't something someone will give you. But when you know you're right, sometimes you have to take it.

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