Category Archives: Linux Tips

How to easily add a cool “MAC OS X” dock in your Linux: Cairo-Dock!

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cairo-dockToday, 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). AddThis mp3 link

How to add a cool “MAC OS X” dock in your Ubuntu: Avant Window Navigator (AWN)!

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AWN LogoLinux 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. AddThis mp3 link

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

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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

Clonezilla-SysRescCD 1.3.0: the best free rescue and backup/restore system for ext2, ext3, reiserfs, xfs, jfs, fat and ntfs!

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Clonezilla-SysRescCDClonezilla-SysRescCD is something we have been looking for since months. In our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief (full of links) review about this rescue Cd in its 1.3.0 version. Clonezilla-SysRescCD is a very interesting merge (multi boot CD) between Clonezilla and SystemRescueCD which allows you to solve many (better quite all, for what we read) “disasters”; that can be made by everyday pc users like us. Just to sum up the features contained in Clonezilla-SysRescCD we add some brief notes about the two different “parts”; contained in it. Clonezilla is a fast and reliable OpenSource clone system (OCS) which supports ext2, ext3, reiserfs, xfs, jfs, fat and ntfs partitions. On the other hand SystemRescueCD, based on a bootable Linux OS, allows you to repair your system and/or recover your data after a crash. We simulated some “disasters”; on an old Pentium4 (running Windows XP) and the results we obtained were substantially very positive. AddThis mp3 link

Skype 2.0 and Google Earth 4.2: two new (finally) updated versions for Linux!

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Google Earth SkypeIn our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief but complete review (with all the links for the downloads) about the new Linux version of Skype and Google Earth. Finally, in Skype 2.0, not only we could use the audio and chat features but also the video option using our favorite webcam also in the Linux version. The new Google Earth 4.2 has been implemented with new options as Clouds, Radar, Conditions & Forecast and Information. This new Google Earth version seem to be very complete and the 50,000 (not bad !) cities now covered will be more during the next months. I personally think that this new versions of Skype and Google Earth cancel the gap between Windows and Linux we all have stood till now. Well done! AddThis mp3 link

How to install Ubuntu 7.10 on a USB Key!

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Ubuntu 7.10After only few days from the release of Ubuntu 7.10, the pendrivelinux.com has released the new manual to install this new version of the famous Linux distro on a USB key and we have posted a short but effective review about this new manual on our Linux Page (in Spanish). As usual the instruction contained on the site are very clear and simple to follow. We have been able to create our Ubuntu 7.10 Key in less than 40 minutes and without any particular problem. Unfortunately, we were not able to save the changes we had made to personalize our USB key but we really enjoy the possibilities offered by a so powerful OS as Ubuntu (if someone knows how to save the changes, please, post a comment – Thanks). Strongly recommended! AddThis mp3 link

NimbleX: a customizable Linux (Slackware based) Live CD

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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

HTTrack: a very useful multiplatform (Windows, Linux and OS X) website copier!

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HTTrackThis week we have reviewed a useful multiplatform (Windows, Linux and OS X) software dedicated to all the people who desire read their favorite web-sites also when disconnected from the web. HTTrack is a very powerful program which contains easy (not always unfortunately) features to download complete websites and navigate them when outline. In our Freeware Page you can find a brief but incisive review about this program. Moreover for the Linux geeks, we inserted some tips (how to install and useful links) about HTTrack in our Linux Page. Sometimes the use of HTTrack could be a little difficult but after some experiments you will be able to manage it without problems. Enjoy it! AddThis

Qtpfsgui: a terrific multiplatform (Linux, Windows, MAC OS X) HDR imaging program.

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TuxToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have post a review about Qtpfsgui: a very powerful program to create HDR images. Qtpfsgui supports the following HDR formats: OpenEXR, Radiance RGBE, Tiff (16bit, 32bit and LogLuvand), Raw image and PFS native. Obviously also LDR extensions are well managed: JPEG, PNG, PPM, PBM, and TIFF(8 bit). Using this program you can easily create terrific looking HDR files from a set of images (formats: JPEG, TIFF 8bit and 16bit, RAW) of the same scene taken at different exposure setting. The program is very easy to use and after just few minutes you learn how to use it properly. Last but not least, the Qtpfsgui website has a link to useful documentation in French and a (unfortunately missing) link for Ubuntu users. AddThis

Hardinfo: simple, efficient hardware and system profiler for Linux.

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Linux PageToday, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief but effective review about Hardinfo: the best system and OS profiler we have never found for Linux. Hardinfo is a very useful program specifically created to deeply scan your hardware and create reports in HTML or in plain text formats. We suggest to use this software before upgrading your pc or when you suspect something is wrong with your hardware. Moreover, Hardinfo let you to easily benchmark your pc performance with just a click. Last but not least, you can download the source code or, if you prefer the autopackage file (suggested) which will automatically install the program in your computer. AddThis