Category Archives: Tech

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!

4 Replies

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!

1 Reply

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!

17 Replies

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.

Sandboxie: the best sandbox for your Windows peace of mind!

2 Replies

There are almost two different good reasons to install a sandbox on you Windows OS: email/internet security and the possibility of trying new software without risking to damage your OS configuration. About the first point we can say that it is useful to read the attachments of your emails or freely browsing the web without risking to infect the PC. I know, we all do not usually open attachments from unknown email senders but at least, once a month (for example when we are under pressure at work) it happens and then we have to scan the PC with antiviruses and antispywares to check if we have involuntary open one or more backdoors. Moreover, when we decide to test a new software we could prefer not to take unnecessary risks running them. This week, in our Freeware Page, we have tested Sandboxie, a freeware which allows you to use one or all the programs installed on your computer with no risks. In fact all the data are stored in a temporary area (sandbox) and not written on the hard disk of your PC and they are deleted as soon as you decide to quit them. You can legally use Sandboxie free of charge for any length of time that you desire but, after 30 days, the software will occasionally remind you to consider paying the 30 USD registration fee. Last but not least, Sandboxie is simple to install and after not more than one hour you will be able to use it in a complete way. Very useful!

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

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

Security package (Rev. 1.2) for Ubuntu: antivirus, firewall and P2P stealth

2 Replies

Last May, in our Linux Page (in Spanish), we posted some suggestions about a basic security package for Linux. After less than one year we are back on this topic also because more than something has changed. As you know, Linux is the safer OS you can use today: specific Linux viruses are few and malware is rare but with the increasing of users some threads are becoming real. For this reason, I strongly believe that nowadays a firewall, like Firestarter, is not enough and we all need also a good antivirus and Moblock: the program which allows to use the Peer Guardian lists on Ubuntu protecting your privacy. Today, in our Linux package we’ve posted a short updated manual where we explain how to install a firewall (Firestarter), an antivirus (ClamAV) and a P2P stealth (Moblock). We have tested all this software on a Ubuntu 7.10 without relevant problems; the combined use of this triplet is strongly recommended for people who desire to preserve their data and privacy. Read us!

“Remember the milk”: the best on-line Task Manager for Calendar, Gmail, Iphone…

3 Replies

This week in our Freeware Page we have posted some short instructions about installing “Remember the milk” in Google Calendar. It is important to say that “Remember the Milk” can also be installed on Gmail, Iphone/Ipod Touch, Twitter and there is also a “Milk Sync” version for Windows Mobile. In my opinion, the best feature is represented by the integrated to-do list for Google Calendar. Anyway, “Remember the Milk”, is easy to manage and very simple to use and share with your team. Moreover, this particular task manager contains many interesting and useful features; just for example you can add an active link to a web-page directly in your to-do note. If you prefer, you can also organize your tasks in a -tag cloud- style. Last but not least, it is possible to receive reminders via email, SMS, and instant messenger (AIM, Gadu-Gadu, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, Skype and Yahoo! are supported). As you can imagine, “Remember the Milk” portability is very wide and it has 100% passed all our tests; in few words: we have not found any bugs! Recommended!