Category Archives: Linux & OpenSource

BitNami Stacks: a multiplatform opensource program to install your favourite applications and all the dependencies necessary to run them!

BitNami LogoThis week, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a short description about some features regarding BitNami when you decide to install CMS under Linux. Anyway, BitNami is a powerful application which allows you to easily install your favorite software and all the necessary dependencies to run it. BitNami Stacks is a multiplatform software and all its stacks are available for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. Using BitNami you will fastly able to install software for:

-Infrastructure (DjangoStack, JRubyStack, LAMPStack, MAMPStack, RubyStack, SAMPStack, WAMPStack)
-Blog (Roller, WordPress)
-Bug-Tracking (Mantis, Redmine, Trac)
-CMS (Alfresco, Drupal, Joomla, KnowledgeTree)
-ECM (Alfresco, KnowledgeTree)
-Forum (phpBB)
-Planning (Tracks)
-Poll Management (Opina)
-Portal Server (Liferay)
-Version Control (Subversion)
-Wiki (DokuWiki, MediaWiki)
-eLearning (Moodle)

Moreover, BitNami Stacks do not need any virtual machine to run and they do not interfere with programs already installed on your PC. Last but not least, all the software installed by BitNamiStacks are free to use under the terms of the Apache License 2.0, so… try BitNami and enjoy the freedom! AddThis mp3 link

XAMPP: how to easy install an Apache server with MySQL, PHP and Perl.

XAMPP LogoToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have added a brief review about XAMPP: an Apache distribution which allows you to configure and add all the necessary software on your server with just few clicks. Installation is very easy and well supported and a portable version of XAMPP can be installed also on a USB key. XAMPP, available in four different version (Windows, MAC OS X, Linux and Solaris), allows you to easily install MySQL, PHP and PERL on your server. Last month more than 535,000 people decided to download and use this free software which represents one of the most interesting solution in the market at the moment. Moreover, the XAMPP has a very simple and efficient user interface and with just few days of practise you will really be able to create and serve your website. Something to try! AddThis mp3 link

The best way to always have your favourite mind-mapping with you: FreeMind and WiseMapping!

FreeMind Logo WiseMapping LogoDuring the past two years I have tested some different solutions for mind-mapping (VYM, for example, is one of my favourite because it has a very enjoyable graphics) but the most efficient formula I have discovered is composed by the addition of FreeMind – a multiplatform (Windows -also portable -, Linux and MAC OS X)- mind mapping java software for desktop and WiseMapping -an online free service to create-store-share my mind-maps. For this reason, this week, in our Freeware Page we have posted a brief manual about FreeMind and WiseMapping. FreeMind is a very intuitive software which allows you to create complex mind -maps after just few clicks. Its side menu contains all the graphics elements you need to create your maps and all the main commands can be easily activated with the mouse right button. On the other hand,WiseMapping contains a very simple but efficient menu bar which allows its user also to import FreeMind Files and to export mind-maps to SVG, PDF, FreeMind or PNG formats. This last PNG option, for example, is very useful if you want to insert a mind-map into a website. Try them and you will be very satisfied with the results you get! AddThis mp3 link

Linux Distribution Chooser (LDC): a simple but effective tutor to choose the best Linux distribution for your needs!

Linux Distribution ChooserThis week in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we decided to add a short review about LCD (Linux Distribution Choose) a very basic but (we think) effective on-line test which allows people to better choose the most effective Linux distribution for they specific needs. The on-line test starts with few generic questions about your HD partition, Linux skills and if you want to install Linux on a desktop or a laptop. LDC continues asking you some more information about your favourite package management and the preferred desktop environment. The last key answer is about the hardware (you can choose between Mac or PC) and finally you will receive your personalized suggestion about the ideal Linux distribution for you. Simple, useful (for beginners) and fast test. Recommended! AddThismp3 link

Damn Small Linux 4.2.5: the new updated version!

Damn Small LinuxToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a review about the new version (4.2.5) of Damn Small Linux. Damn Small Linux is one of our favourite distribution due to its capability to run on very old PC as 386/486/Pentium with very few hardware resources. This version has updated some features as Monkey Webserver 0.9.2 and is incredibly stable (as the previous ones, I must say). According to distrowatch.com, in the last 12 months Damn Small Linux has been the 10th most downloaded (and consequently used) Linux version also because, with no costs, many people are converting old Windows based machines to new up-to-date computers. Anyway, Damn Small Linux is based on Knoppix but is smaller and contains many improvements. Last but not least, I would like to focus your attention on the five different subversions available:

– dsl.iso is the standard isolinux version

– slinux.iso uses syslinux instead of isolinux (for very old PC’s)

– vmx.zip can be run in VMware Player

– embedded.zip contains QUEMU for running inside Windows

– frugal_lite.sh is the network install script and requires tomsrtbt linux: http://www.toms.net/rb/. AddThis mp3 link

How to create free tutorials and presentations: the multiplatform Wink

WinkThis week in our Freeware Page we have posted a brief but complete tutorial about Wink: the best free “tutorial and Presentation creation software” for Windows. We installed Wink with just few clicks and after a reboot (recommended) we were ready to try its features. Wink is easy to use, includes audio features and it is possible to add notes directly to every single frame. Anyway Winks has many output formats as Macromedia Flash, EXE, PDF, PostScript and HTML so you can decide if you prefer to create a video, a standalone .exe for pc users, a printable manual or a webpage. Moreover, Wink allows you to choose your best ratio between performance and video quality. Unfortunately its Linux version runs only with x86 computers and we have to wait next release to completely enjoy Wink’s features. Recommended! AddThis mp3 link

Ubuntu iES: a terrific -Spanish- Ubuntu on a pendrive!

Ubuntu iESToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief review about Ubuntu iES, an interesting Live Ubuntu which can be loaded on a small (1GB) pendrive. This particular Live version has been built for Spanish speaking users. Ubuntu iES is completely automatic, in fact its software completely manages the installation. Actually, when the pendrive loads the Ubuntu iES you can easily choose between Gnome, xfce4, Enlightenment; moreover, it is also possible to decide the right graphic card and the appropriate drivers for WIFI. Last but not least, Ubuntu iES website contains simple and clear instructions about saving all your settings and data for the next live session. Personally we recommend this live version of Ubuntu to all Spanish speaking users because it is not simple to find (around the web) a better Linux distribution on a pendrive. As usual, please, inform us if you know something better! AddThis mp3 link

Open Source Living and Iconlet: two multiplatform open source “mines”!

Open Source LivingToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief review about two interesting websites: OpenSourceLiving.com and Iconlet.com. In particular, OpenSourceLiving contains a library of 130 multiplatform (Windows, Linux, OS X) open source software. The main menu is very intuitive and all the different sections are very simple to explore. Moreover you have the possibility to suggest open source projects which are not included in the website yet. On the otherIconlet hand, Iconlet is a search engine dedicated to icons released under the Gnu, Creative or Eclipse licenses. The “advanced search” option allows you to organize your search preselecting the image resolution, the graphic format and the license. This particular website also offers a useful plug-in for a Iconlet dedicated search field in Firefox. Last but not least, for each icon found, Iconlet provides full information about author, image resolution, graphics format and license type. AddThis mp3 link

Neo1973 will work with Openmoko and Qtopia

Neo1973Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted some updated news about Neo1973: the new opensource mobile based on openmoko which will be on sale during this month or at the beginning of December. Neo1973 is also able to run the Qtopia platform (used for the Greenphone project) and it will cost ca. 500 Euros. During the last months some few feature have been improved or added: “802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, SMedia 3362 graphics accelerator, two 3D accelerometers, Samsung 2442 SoC, and 256MB Flash”. AddThis mp3 link

NimbleX: a customizable Linux (Slackware based) Live CD

NimbleXIn our Linux Page we have posted a brief review about NimbleX: a customizable Live CD based on Slackware. To build your own distro you have only to connect to NimbleX site and follow the simple instructions on the screen. The number of available programs is not huge but with a couple of tests you can built a very good personalized Live CD without knowing anything about programming (unfortunately, it is possible to create only one Live CD every day). You can also customize the background and the boot audio greeting using your favorite images and messages. NimbleX is so easy and fast to use that it’s a pleasure to use it. Recommended! AddThis