Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish), we have added a brief review about MixTurtle an on-line music portal we have recently discovered surfing the web. MixTurtle is very easy to use: you have only to type your favourite artists (or songs) in the search tab and in less than a second it will bring interesting results to you. During our tests we were also able to find some “rare” (for our experience) mp3 files. Moreover, with a simple registration (email, username and password) you will 100% enjoy all the feature offered by MixTurtle. In fact, after the registration you can “virtually” capture all the music files you want linking them to your account. in this way, when you prefer you can listen to your favourite music with just few clicks. Something to try!

Category Archives: Linux Tips
How to install OpenDNS on Ubuntu (or XP, Vista and Leopard) for your peace of mind!
I strongly believe that all you know OpenDNS yet. But for the few who still do not know this powerful free online tool we have posted a brief review in our Freeware Page. OpenDNS is very easy to configure and could be very useful to bypass all the restrictions that some ISP apply in certain countries. In Ubuntu 8.04, for example you have just to substitute your ISP default DNS with OpenDNS servers (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) in System – Administration – Network or to read the instruction contained on the proper OpenDNS page if you prefer to use the Terminal. For Windows and Apple users, we recommend to follow the official guide for XP, Vista and OSX. Moreover, if you decide to open a free account with OpenDNS, you will able to deeply examine or better manage all your network web traffic in just few clicks. Recommended!

Cleepr: the web portal to rapidly find music videos in You Tube!
Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have added a short post about Cleepr, an interesting web portal which allows you to easily find, in YouTube, all the music videos you are looking for. Cleepr is very simple to use and, graphically, very clean. During our tests we occasionally found some delay (one or two seconds) when we decide to download other files while we were watching the videos. Using Cleepr we were able to find immediately all the music videos we were looking for, without wasting time to select them between other amatorial videos contained in YouTube. Funny and enjoyable!

PyTube: the best YouTube manager, downloader and video converter for Linux!
This week, in our Linux Page (in Spanish), we have posted a short review about PyTube, an opensource software which allows you to easier search, manage and convert your YouTube videos. Installing PyTube is very simple; for example, on Ubuntu you can directly add this software using the Synaptic Package Manager and marking it for installation from the menu (as usual, using the Search field you will reduce your searching time). The graphical interface is very simple and all the features can be intuitively understood. Using the search bar you are able to find all the related videos very rapidly, and you can select just the videos you desire to download. PyTube has also many interesting “minor” features like merge-rotate-resize video or -generate a ringtone- contained in the “Multimedia Tool” menu. Moreover PyTube is able to convert them to avi, in just a click. I found this software very useful to improve my Ubuntu knowledge and I recommend to all the people who need a flexible software to deeply navigate YouTube. Recommended!

Just a simple Flock icon with the transparent background.
Some days ago, after the update from Firefox 3.0 to the 3.0.1 version I completely lost my favorite browser. I have not already solved the problem so I installed Flock but I was not able to find a Flock icon with a transparent background to insert on the AWN dock. So I decided to create a 48×48 icon using a common Flock icon with a white background. For this purpose I used KIconEdit (version 3.5.9 – Ubuntu version) and in just five minutes I solved my problem. The result is not perfect but acceptable so I would like to share it with all you. I hope it would be useful to someone. Enjoy it!

Ex Falso: the best audio file metadata editor for Linux!
Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we posted some brief notes about Ex Falso: a very useful software which allows you to manage your mp3 collections with just few clicks. When saving my CDs on my hard disk, I convert them into mp3 files and then I change their metadata order (or simply I add some more information) using Ex Falso. This software is very simple to install (in Ubuntu, for example, you can add it directly from the “Add/Remove” function contained in the Application menu) and very easy to use. Ex Falso is graphically divided in three main areas: Folders, Songs and a menu area where you directly decide what and how to change your metadatas. After few tests you will able to rapidly use Ex Falso and (we hope) enjoy all its features. Strongly recommended for all that people who have big mp3 collections!

XBMC: the best multiplatform, open source media-player on the web.
Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we added a brief post about XBMC, the best open source (GPL), free entertainment hub you can find on internet. XBMC is really easy to install (for Linux users, especially in Ubuntu) and its features are very intuitive and simple to configure. Moreover the graphics themes are very attractive and it is able to manage many multimedia formats, “playlists, audio visualizations, slideshow and weather forecast functions”. It is also possible to add many interesting third-party plugins that you can find through a simple google query (XBMC plugin). Last, but not least, XBMC is a multiplatform software, in fact the download page contains four different versions for Windows, XBox, Linux and MAC OSX. When we compared XBMC to the Windows Media Center we did not notice any loss in this open-source media center and, honestly, we were positively impressed by all the XBMC featured we tested. Recommended!

Project Neon: the fastest way to install Amarok 2.0 on your Kubuntu!
This week, in our Linux Page (in Spanish), Frank has added an interesting post about Project Neon which is the best solution for people who desire to have the new nightly builds service for Amarok. Following the simple instructions contained in Project Neon you will able to enjoy the last developing packages for Amarok 2.0 without waiting the release of the stable version. Project Neon also provides simple instructions to install Amarok 2.0 on your Ubuntu in just five minutes. Last but not least, it is necessary to remember that Amarok 2.0 is not in its final version yet and it could potentially create some serious problems on your PC. To install it just add:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/project-neon/ubuntu hardy main
in your sources (/etc/apt/sources.list) and the install it using the following command lines:
$ sudo apt-get uptdate
$ sudo apt-get install amarok-nightly
How to fix the number of kernels during the Ubuntu boot up!
We are sorry for the delay in uploading this new post but we had some technical problems. It happens! This week, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a couple of simple but effective tips to choose how many Kernels you want you see when starting up your Ubuntu 8.04. Using Add/Remove Programs it is possible to install the “StartUp Manager” program which allows you to easily choose the number of kernels you prefer. Moreover we have suggested an alternative command line “delete” and “save” solution for the people who prefer to solve this inconvenience without installing new software. Good work!

How to test a new OS without installing it: VirtualBox
This week in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have tested VirtualBox: a multiplatform virtual machine for x86 machines which allows you to test an OS from a simple .iso image. VirtualBox is easy to install and, just following the instructions contained in its interactive menus, you can setup your virtual OS in few minutes. We strongly recommend to be careful when you decide the quantity of RAM for your virtual OS. It is better to well balance it with the total RAM of your PC. When configuring the virtual HD for your OS it is better to select the “Dynamically Expanding Image” option. By doing this, your virtual OS will use all the hard disk it needs when in use. Last but not least, VirtualBox has a specific virtual USB controller which allows you to connect any USB devices to your virtual machines without installing specific drivers. Strongly recommended for all that people who like to test new OS without formatting their HD each time!

