If you are a fan of the design proposed by Apple for most of its operating systems, particularly Mac OS X, then there are a couple of things that you should take into consideration and some simple steps to follow. Therefore, you are advised to read the following information carefully in order to achieve the expected outcome in the shortest time.
There are two free pieces of software that can transform your Ubuntu desktop into one that looks identical to the one of Mac OS in no time. The Ubuntu version is called Macbuntu. First of all, you will need to install this program onto your local hard drive. Here is what you need to do for this step:
– If you are using Ubuntu 10.4 Lucid Lynx, you will need to open a new terminal and type the following lines into it:
$wget https://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/macbuntu/macbuntu-10.04/v2.2/Macbuntu-10.04.tar.gz -O /tmp/Macbuntu-10.04.tar.gz
$tar xzvf /tmp/Macbuntu-10.04.tar.gz -C /tmp
$cd /tmp/Macbuntu-10.04/
$./install.sh
– On the other hand, if Ubuntu 10.10 Maverik Meerkat or a similar version is installed in your system, you will need to use a different version of Macbuntu, which can be accessed by typing the following:
$wget https://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/macbuntu/macbuntu-10.10/v2.3/Macbuntu-10.10.tar.gz -O /tmp/Macbuntu-10.10.tar.gz
$tar xzvf /tmp/Macbuntu-10.10.tar.gz -C /tmp
$cd /tmp/Macbuntu-10.10/
$./install.sh
During the install process, you will be provided with the chance of choosing between different options. These are usually dependent on the different ways you wish your desktop to look like. Most of the choices will be based on your visual tastes, so make sure you choose according to them.
Finally, whenever you need to uninstall this special package for some reason you can follow the same procedure described above, with just an exception. Instead ./install.sh you will need to use the ./uninstall.sh command.
This week, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) , we posted a brief post to focus your attention on Cooliris in its, not well known, Linux version. In fact on Linux, you are not always allowed to install directly Cooliris as Firefox add-on and the same happens when you try to install Cooliris using the Firefox Add-on official webpage In this case, the only solution we have, is represented by surfing on the Cooliris homepage and click on the Linux version in the Downloads Page. The xpi file will be immediately opened and in just few clicks it is installed. Cooliris allows you to search videos, images and photographs in many sites (Google Image Search, YouTube, Flickr, Hulu, online retailers, and other sites), watch them on a 3D wallpaper or on a full-screen slideshow using the toggle button. This program contains also an interesting bunch of channels as News, Sport, Photos of the day, Music Videos, Comedy, etc.. UsingCooliris you can also share your multimedia stuff with friends or keep them in your Favorites. At the moment this Linux version of Cooliris runs on Firefox 3.1+ using Ubuntu 8.04+, Fedora 10.0+ or OpenSuse 11+. Recommended!
Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have had a complete review about Cairo-Dock: a nice dock for Linux. Cairo-Doc is very easy to install and it has sophisticated graphic effects and it runs without installing compiz. The new Cairo-Dock version (1.5.5.4) has been released few weeks ago and it seems to have more features of the original MAC OS X dock. Personally I recommend the installation of Cairo-Dock to all that people who want to integrate a MAC OS X stylish dock in Linux without spending much time; in fact the .deb package allow you to install it in few minutes. I like this dock but, in my opinion, Cairo-Dock represents the best “second choice” after AWN (for more information about AWN, please, feel free to read our dedicated previous post).
Linux is Linux but the MAC OS X dock has always fascinated us. For this reason, in our Linux Page, we posted few notes explaining how to insert a “MAC OS X” dock in the Linux desktops. Last May we posted a previous review about KSmoothDock, KoolDock, Superkaramba (and its nice Tuxbar) but now we think that the best -state of the art- dock is represented by AWN. This program can be installed very quickly ant it is fast to configure. To use AWN is necessary to go to System – Preferences – Appearance and select the Normal or the Extra options. Then, following our simple notes, you can start using AWN with just few lines in the Terminal. For AWN customization you can add some themes from http://www.gnome-look.org/. Beware: before installing AWN, read very carefully the information contained in AWN installation notes because, if something goes wrong, it is not simple to reverse to your original dock configuration! AWN is not for everyone but, we are sure, it is worth the risk for many.
Today, in our Freeware Page we have posted a short but (effective) review about WinFlip: a tiny program which allows you to have the same Vista graphical interface for active windows. Personally I do not believe thatWinFlip will change your way of working with XP but it could represent a good graphical solution for all that people who want to upgrade just some XP functions without changing their OS at the moment. Last but not least, since last December, WinFlip has been included into the Vista Transformation Pack the famous compilation of programs which allows to full enjoy the main Vista graphical effects on your XP. Anyway, I believe that the installation of the complete Vista Transformation Pack could be negative (in terms of slower performances) for many computer using XP.
Today in our Freeware Page, we posted a review (in Spanish) about SpaceTime: a brand new 3D tabbed “browser” which runs using the Internet Explorer 7 engine. SpaceTime has a powerful graphics and is very attractive to use but, unfortunately it needs a good hardware to run without problems: 512MB RAM, 128MD graphics adapter (3D capable), Pentium 4 2.4GHz or AMD 2400xp+, a minimum screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 and an ADSL connection to Internet. SpaceTime is in its beta version but during the tests we didn’t find any bugs. Moreover we were fascinated by its multiple features; in fact it is also possible to search (Google, Google Images, Yahoo!, Yahoo! Images, Flickr) and shop (ebay) in an delightful 3D environment. At the moment SpaceTime is available for Windows 2000, XP and Vista but “the Mac version is coming soon”. In our opinion SpaceTime is an interesting free consumer PC software application which represents the state of the art for contemporary 3D technology.
Perfect Fantasy is a nice, well shaped collection of blue and/or pink icon. This collection is very attractive and contains 62 icons in three different formats (PNG, ICO and ICNS). From the website it is possible to download also two wallpapers (blue and pink) for a perfect customization of your desktop. Last but not least, today, in our hi tech news and tips Page, we posted new links about two very interesting websites.
Linux is Linux but the MAC OS X dock has always fascinated us. For this reason, in our Linux Page, we posted few notes explaining how to insert a “MAC OS X” dock in the Linux desktops. In the recent past there were some bugs in using these docks but now these two solutions – KSmoothDock and KoolDock – seem to be more stable and fast also in Linux. In particular we tested the three docks and we didn’t find any problem. Last but not least, between the best docks for Linux, we cannot forget to mention an “evergreen” like Superkaramba and its nice Tuxbar.
In our Linux page Frank posted a detailed review about DreamLinux 2.2 MME (multimedia edition). This distribution, available in Portuguese and English has a very clean graphical interface and is built to facilitate Linux beginners. In fact, not only DreamLinux is very updated for office pourposes but it contains many useful application for multimedia, programming, science and graphics. Moreover, DreamLinux has an “easy install” resource which easily help you to install new compatible Linux applications. The tutorials page (written in English) contains many useful tips for DreamLinux beginners. We like DreamLinux especially because the packages are updated and because it offers good graphic interfaces.
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