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!

Category Archives: Linux
How to freely annotate, typewrite and draw your pdf files: Foxit Reader 2.3!
More or less two years ago, at the very beginning stage of this blog, we wrote a post about Foxit Reader, a freeware software which allows you to read pdf files without using Acrobat reader or other proprietary programs. Today, in our Freeware Page, we have written a simple but effective post about the new features contained in Foxit Reader 2.3, the new updated version of this wonderful software. First of all it is necessary to focus on the new features contained in the Tools menu which allow you to typewrite, draw or commenting your pdf files even if they are locked by their authors. Using Foxit Reader you can actually personalize your pdf documents adding notes and -de facto- improving their value for your own goals. Please, do not forgive to save an extra copy of your original pdf files if you do not want to delete all the comments/drawings you have added. Moreover, the new version of Foxit Reader includes also a player to watch or listen the multimedia elements coming with pdf files. Last but not least, in my experience Foxit Reader 2.3 contains more features and it is simpler to use than its Ubuntu competitor PDF Editor. A freeware to try!

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!

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

LinTube.com: a video mine for Linux videos and tutorials!
LinTube is a new website whose purpose is to find and collect videos about Linux and all its distributions. LinTube webpage is very essential and full of Google Ads but it is very well structured and with just few clicks is possible to find the topics you are looking for and the related videos. At the moment, the main categories are: Commercials,Compiz, Distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Mandriva, Slackware), Fun Stuff, GNOME, HowTo, KDE, Linux Events, Linux Gadgets, Mediacenter, Misc, Security. LinTube is always updated and on the video linked are very well selected, the majority of them are very interesting and you will discover yourself spending much time on this website. For more, brief information, please, feel free to visit our Linux Page (in Spanish).

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

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

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

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

APTonCD: the best solution to save your Debian and Ubuntu software configuration!
Today, in our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have added a post about APTonCD: a useful and time efficient software solution for Debian and Ubuntu. APTonCD is very simple to install and allows you to save copies of all the packages you have installed on your Debian or on your Ubuntu. Anyway, it could be very useful to create “clones” when you want to install the same programs on different computers and you do not want to create your own portable distribution. The menus are very intuitive and well structured, moreover, the graphical interface is clean and enjoyable. Last but not least APTonCD could be worthless in case of PC crash: with just few click you can restore your full OS. Recommended!

