Filed under: Linux

Filed under: Internet, Video, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Beta

Boxee media center to hit beta next month

by Brad Linder Nov 6th 2009

Media center application Boxee has grabbed a lot of headlines over the past year or two, and for good reason: Boxee provides Mac, Linux, and Windows users with an excellent solution for watching internet video on a TV. While web browsers were generally designed for viewing text and images with video thrown in as an afterthought, Boxee was designed to look and feel more like a consumer electronics application that you can navigate from the couch with a remote control.

Boxee can access online video from services including Hulu, Joost, and BBC's iPlayer. You can use it to enjoy audio and video podcasts. And you can access local media stored on your hard drive.

But despite all of its features, Boxee is still alpha software. That's going to change next month. Boxee is set to launch the first beta version of its software at an event in New York on December 7th. I suppose the day will continue to live in Infamy, although I doubt that decades from now we'll still be talking about it as the date that Boxee went beta.

The new version will have a new user interface, improved navigation, a user-controlled queue, and a new TV and movie search function among other changes.

Tags: boxee, boxee-beta, media-center

Filed under: Games, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Open Source

Egoboo is a fun 3D Rogue-like game for Windows, Mac, and Linux

by Sebastian Anthony Nov 4th 2009

I have no idea if Egoboo's original creator named this thing, or if the name came later on after the mantle had been handed down a few times -- and I had absolutely no idea what that word meant... until I punched it into Google! Check out the definition, if you feel the need to know. If not, read on!

Egoboo is a (90 megabyte!!) 3D Rogue-like game. Rogue is a very, very old game -- the original adventure game, really -- and Egoboo builds on its legacy, throws in a little hack-and-slash... and it's even a bit of a RPG! There is loot, there are gribbly monsters that are out to eat your face, and there are plenty of pretty zones to explore (plus there's a map editor!)

To top it all off, it's fully cross-platform (Windows, Mac AND Linux) and has a thriving forum community. It's free of course. Oh, and It's quite brutal. I died several times very quickly, so I'd recommend reading the guide before you jump in.

Download Egoboo (yes, their site is so old it even uses frames! OK, iframes, but still...)

Tags: adventure, free, games, open source, OpenSource

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Productivity

Focus Booster helps you stay focused

by Jason Clarke Nov 2nd 2009

Focus Booster Distraction is the enemy of focus. If you work at a computer all day, the possibilities for distraction are limitless. One way to stay focused is to use the technique of a firmly regimented working period followed by a short break period that I first came across at Merlin Mann's 43 Folders site. His technique suggested using 10 minutes of work followed by 2 minutes of rest, but the recently popular Pomodoro Technique suggests using 25 and 5. Whatever periods you use, the cross-platform Adobe Air based Focus Booster application is just the timer you need to keep you on task.

Focus Booster is a tiny timer that allows you to set a work and rest period, then away you go. You can focus entirely upon your work knowing that a rest period is coming soon, and you can check out your Facebook / Twitter / blog comments / whatever it is you fancy when the time comes.

Tags: adobe, distraction, facebook, rest period, rest-period, RestPeriod, s, short-break

Filed under: Linux, Open Source, VoIP

Skype for Linux to go open source... eventually

by Brad Linder Nov 2nd 2009

Skype has been providing cheap and free VoIP, chat, and video conferencing features for Windows, Mac, and Linux for years. But just because a program works on Linux doesn't mean it's open source, and the Linux client for Skype has been just as closed a platform as the Mac and Windows versions. That's not to say that developers haven't been able to build third party add-ons and tweaks for Skype. But the source code hasn't been available, which limits the ability of the open source community to really contribute to Skype for Linux.

But it looks like that's going to change. This weekend Olivier Faurax contact Skype customer support about the availability of an RPM package for installing Skype on Mandriva Linux, and he received a reply that indicated that the Linux client for Skype would be made open source in the near future.

I was a bit skeptical, since customer service folks don't always know what's going on in the minds of management, so I sent a request for more information to Skype's corporate communications office, and it turns out that yes, Skype does plan to make its Linux client open source in the future.

It's not entirely clear when the shift will take place. But it should make it much easier for third party Linux developers to ensure that there are up to date packages for Skype for a variety of popular Linux distributions including Mandriva, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Fedora, and others. It also means that we could start seeing third party applications built around Skype code or more powerful third party plugins for Skype that enhance the application's functionality.

You can read the official statement from Skype after the break.

Tags: open-source, skype, skype-for-linux, voip

Filed under: Features, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Google, Browsers, Lists

15+ great Google Chrome extensions

by Lee Mathews Nov 2nd 2009

We've already mentioned other ways to power up Google Chrome. Before extensions arrived on the developer channel, Userscripts and bookmarklets were your only options. Both are still great ways to add some kick-ass functionality to Chrome. If you're running the stable or beta builds, you may want to stick to them for now.

10 handy Userscripts for Google Chrome users
15+ handy bookmarklets for Google Chrome (and other browsers, too!)

Now, onto the extensions!

If you have a favorite that I left off, feel free to share it in the comments!
Share

Tags: add-ons, bookmarklets, browser, browsers, chrome-4, chromium, developer-channel, extensions, features, google chrome, google-chrome, GoogleChrome, lists, productivity, UserScripts, utilities

Filed under: Linux, Mozilla, Browsers

Mozilla release mockups for upcoming Firefox Linux releases

by Brad Linder Oct 31st 2009

The folks at Mozilla have released the first mockup showing what Firefox 4.0 may look like on Linux... and it looks an awful lot like the Windows version.

Firefox 4.0 isn't due out for another year or so, but the developers have already stated a few goals for the project. One idea is to move the browser tabs above the location bar. Another is to consolidate the menus into a few tabs that will hang out next to the location bar. Both movies will free up space, allowing more of the browser to be dedicated to displaying web pages.

If the end result looks familiar, that's because it looks an awful lot like the default layout in the Google Chrome web browser.

Mozilla has also released some mockups of Firefox 3.7 for Linux. One of the most notable changes is that the interface will be more consistent across platforms. Firefox 3.7 for Linux will use the same Forward/Back buttons as the Mac and Windows versions, for example. The edges of the browser, tabs, and other elements will also be curved rather than angled, which will make the browser look more like the mac and Windows versions.

At this point, both the Firefox 3.7 and 4.0 mockups represent proposed changes and not finished products, so things may change by the time these browsers are actually released.

[via OMG! Ubuntu]

Tags: firefox, firefox-3.7, firefox-4.0, linux, mockups, web-browsers

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux, Canonical

Millions of Karmic Koalas descend on the 'net as Ubuntu 9.10 downloads go live

by Lee Mathews Oct 29th 2009

We've been looking at Ubuntu 9.10 for a while now in anticipation of the big day. It's finally here, and the full release of Karmic Koala is now available for download.

As usual, there are plenty of ways to get your hands on the new OS. Unlike Windows 7, that includes certified, honest to goodness torrents straight from Canonical. They're already fairly well seeded, so P2P downloads should be nice and speedy.

To save you sifting through the massive list of links, here are the three big ones:

Desktop, 32-bit [torrent] [direct download]
Desktop, 64-bit [torrent] [direct download]
Netbook Remix 32-bit [torrent] [direct download]

There's also a new release of WUBI [direct download] for those of you who want to do a hands-free Ubuntu 9.10 install from the comfort of your current Windows desktop.

Tags: karmic, karmic koala, karmic-koala, KarmicKoala, ubuntu, ubuntu-9.10

Filed under: Linux, Open Source

How good is WINE at running Windows software on Linux? Good enough to get infected

by Lee Mathews Oct 27th 2009

WINE. It's not an emulator, but it is a pretty decent way to run many Windows programs under Linux.

What's that you say? Why yes, malware and scareware do count as programs. So, do they run under WINE, too?

The answer is a resounding yes!

Linux user Filip Sufitchi was killing time on Facebook when he stumbled across a malicious link on someone's wall. The link used a series of redirects to dump users at a site that pushes rogue antivirus software. Ignoring Firefox's repeated warnings (in the name of science, of course), Filip clicked onward until he wound up on the nefarious site.

Filip was rewarded with an incredibly annoying bogus app that didn't care what platform it was installed on. Win Police Pro set up shop and began "scanning" his WINE C: drive for "viruses," and WINE neatly transformed the Windows system tray alerts to Gnome notifications. The infection was also able to attach itself to the WINE registry.

While it's not the most positive endorsement of WINE around, it's still pretty impressive that an app like this was able to function without missing a beat (apart from a single error message).

Tags: malware, virus, wine

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux, Canonical

Canonical to limit free Ubuntu CD distribution program

by Brad Linder Oct 26th 2009

On Thursday the folks at Canonical will release Ubuntu 9.10, the latest version of the popular Linux distribution. But as the operating system grows more and more popular, there's one service that Canonical has been offering for years that gets more and more expensive. Up until now, if you wanted to install Ubuntu, you could either download a disc image and burn it to a CD or DVD or sign up to have Canonical send you a free CD.

But the thing about free CDs is that somebody has to pay for them. And in this case, it's Canonical that's footing the bill. And the more people request the free CDs, the higher that bill gets. So Canonical has decided to place a few limits on the ShipIt program for distributing those CDs.

The discs will still be made available to Local Community team members and Ubuntu contributors. And new Ubuntu users will be able to request a CD. But you need to create an account and sign in to request that CD. In other words, Canonical will be tracking you and will only send you a free CD the first time you ask for one. After that, you'll be expected to either upgrade to the next version of Ubuntu by downloading software updates or by purchasing a disc from the Ubuntu Store.

[via PC Pro]

Tags: shipit, ubuntu

Filed under: Fun, Games, Windows, Linux, Open Source

Off the clock: Unknown Horizons is a free, open-source RTS for Settlers fans

by Sebastian Anthony Oct 25th 2009

It's Sunday, and we're off the clock. Time for a little open-source RTS fun with Unknown Horizons! Though it claims to be a clone of the Anno series by Sunflowers/Ubisoft, you will probably associate this game more with the Settlers games -- a very popular, age-old series of 2D real-time simulation games.

The premise from their own website: 'The player starts with a ship somewhere amid an archipelago. The goal of the game is to found some cities on the islands and to earn money.' Such a simple concept. But as we all know -- the simple games are often the best and last the test of time.

And, believe it or not, defying most open-source expectations, Unknown Horizons actually plays rather well. If you don't mind hammering away at a very, very nascent user interface, this is a great game to have running in the background while you browse your favorite after-hours websites.

Tags: free, games, open gl, open source, OpenGl, OpenSource, python, sdl, settlers

Filed under: Kids, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Office, Productivity, Open Source

Open Office 4 Kids is good for adults, too

by Jay Hathaway Oct 22nd 2009

The open source movement isn't just for grown-ups: Open Office 4 Kids is a slimmed-down version of the open source Microsoft Office alternative OpenOffice.org.

The target age group for Open Office 4 Kids is 7-12, but after trying it out, I think there are a lot of adults who would prefer it over MS Office or the full version of OpenOffice. It's available on whichever OS you've set your kid up with: Mac, Windows and (of course) Linux.

Less UI clutter helps make OO4K super-fast. Load times for the app and for creating a new document blew away Office 2008 on my Mac, and I didn't experience any of the annoying lag in loading font menus that I sometimes get in Office.

OO4Kids also has large, very obvious buttons for all of the most common functions of each Office app. The "4Kids" branding is almost a shame, because this could also be Open Office 4 Your Mom Who Always Asks You How To Do Stuff in Office.

On the other hand, I'm glad that any 7-to-12-year-olds who use this app will grow up understanding that Microsoft Word isn't the only way to write a paper.

[via Ghacks]

Tags: kids, OOo, open office, open office 4 kids, OpenOffice, OpenOffice4Kids

Filed under: Linux, Open Source

Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - Linux!

by Paul O'Brien Oct 16th 2009

It's time for the third installment of our 'Tell DLS' feature and today i'm sharing my top 10 must-have apps for Linux with you, our lovely readers.

I confess to not really being a Linux expert, generally using OS X for the majority of my working day and using Windows and Linux only when the need arises. With that said, I think I have some great applications in my list!

Of course, being a 'Tell DLS' feature, we want this to be all about sharing your experience too - so please post your chosen top 10 in the comments.

Read on after the jump for my top 10 (how many can you identify from the icons above?).

Tags: linux, Tell DLS, tell-dls, TellDls

Filed under: Developer, Fun, Games, Linux

Firefly is the game you control with a candle. Wait, what?

by Lee Mathews Oct 16th 2009

I've read about using candles as a replacement for your Wii's sensor bar before, but what about the other end of the gaming input equation?

Say what? The controller. How about using the candle as a controller?

Who gives a crap if there's a slight risk of spilling a little hot wax on your hand during game play? No real man cares, that's for sure. In fact, the possibility of sustaining minor burns should make you want to play all the more.

Here's the gist of the game: a firefly has lost his luminescence. Since the little bug is attracted to light, you guide him through a series of caverns using a candle - which is tracked by your webcam. The game features awesome low-fi, pixelated graphics and original ambient music - also created by the developer.

This baby may never hit store shelves, but that wasn't the goal anyway. From the description on the YouTube page, the aim was "to show that you can use quite a medieval tool to control a game, and one that you can get for 35636575 times cheaper than Wiimote."

I don't know about you, but I'd like to see this released just so I can phone EB and ask them if they have any candles in stock. Either that, or I'll start keeping bees so I can make my own controllers.

[via Geek.com]

Filed under: Developer, Linux, Canonical

Frustrated EEEUbuntu dev says "Ubuntu sucks."

by Lee Mathews Oct 16th 2009

Ubuntu certainly has its fans - perhaps more than any other Linux distro. One person you can rest assured isn't part of that group: EEEUbuntu developer Andrew Wyatt. In case you aren't familiar with the project, EEEUbuntu is a customized Linux distro tailored to Asus' line of netbooks.

It was a SourceForge community choice award winner this year - for best new project. Now, however, it looks as though the distribution's future may be in jeopardy. On his personal blog, Wyatt expresses his frustration at receiving blame for problems actually caused by things like wonky Intel video drivers and kernel bugs.

Things which he feels are the result of carelessness of Ubuntu developers. "...They missed something as stupid as the ntel tiling kernel bug which caused every Intel card out there to crawl during any OpenGL function. There is no excuse for their release of alpha grade drivers and less than alpha grade kernel code into their release distribution," Wyatt writes.

He also hits on an issue that has given me grief in the past on multiple laptops - knowing what to do when you shut the lid. "Who needs suspend anyway, not like its a useful feature and all on an ultraportable." If it bothers me, I can certainly see how it would vex someone who develops a Ubuntu-based OS.

In closing his post, Wyatt gets in one last parting shot: "Maybe I should buy a copy of Windows 7, I hear that it actually works. How can we expect non-techical users to use this pile of garbage that is 'Linux'?"

Ouch.

[via ITWire]

Tags: canonical, eee, eeeubuntu, linux, ubuntu

Filed under: Linux, Open Source, Canonical

CouchDB dev unwittingly gives Ubuntu users cloud-based nightmares

by Lee Mathews Oct 15th 2009

You've likely heard about Ubuntu One by now - we've mentioned it a couple times here on Download Squad, and it's now making regular appearances on Karmic Koala beta desktops everywhere.

Canonical made it clear from the get-go that Ubuntu 9.10 was going to pack plenty of cloud functionality for both desktops and servers. One piece of that puzzle is CouchDB, which developer Elliot Murphy was overjoyed to announce has slipped in under the wire to beat the Karmic code freeze.

In his exuberance, he made the following statement:

"...and by the time Ubuntu 9.10 is released on October 29th every single Ubuntu user will have an address book stored in CouchDB that replicates with one.ubuntu.com, and Tomboy notes that are replicated via a web API at the application but then stored in CouchDB and carried along in the CouchDB replication that we have set up."

What Elliot meant, unfortunately, was that every Ubuntu user can -- not will -- have their data replicate. That tiny slip-up touched off a bit of crapstorm, with users at LWN reacting strongly to the implication that their data would be piped to Ubuntu's servers. Murphy later added a revised comment to the thread at LWN apologizing for the confusion.

Moral of the story: be extra careful when talking about private user data and cloud storage -- seems like it might still be a bit of a touchy subject.

Tags: cloud, couchdb, karmic-koala, privacy, ubuntu-one, ubuntuone

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

View more Time Wasters

Featured Galleries

Defective by Design, London: Protest Pictures

Download Squad at the Crunchies After-Party

Android First-look: Amazon.com MP3 Store

Flickr Pool

www.flickr.com

Download Squad bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Jay Hathaway	111	5
2	Lee Mathews	77	34
3	Sebastian Anthony	49	159
4	Brad Linder	38	7
5	Jason Clarke	32	0
6	Grant Robertson	8	10
7	Victor Agreda, Jr.	7	1
8	Dolores Parker	7	2
9	Nik Fletcher	4	0
10	Matt Heerema	3	3
11	Paul O'Brien	2	0
12	John Burke	1	0
13	Download Squad Staff	1	0

More Tech Coverage

Control Shift It's all about the experience
Somewhat Frank Perspectives on tech as it fuses in everyday life
Switched Gadgets, web news and commentary
Urlesque Exposing bits of the web

Download Squad