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Filed under: Linux

Filed under: Internet, Features, Linux, Google, Beta, Browsers

Chromium on Linux progressing, screenshots inside

Linuxby Lee Mathews Mar 17th 2009

Ubuntu users (or users of a Ubuntu-based distro) who have been waiting patiently for the chance to play with Google Chrome, there's now a dead simple way for you to do it. Thanks to the PPA (personal package archive) for Chromium daily builds team, getting the pre-alpha Chromium browser running on your system is about as painless as it can be at this stage.

You'll need to add repositories, of course. They are (substitute jaunty or hardy if needed):
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Once they've been added, running sudo apt-get install chromium-browser in a terminal window will take care of the rest. After the package has finished installing, just type chromium-browser [enter] to fire it up.

While it's still in its early stages, Chromium on Linux runs as it does on Windows - fast and smooth. Some important features aren't working yet, like the tab and bookmarks bars and options menu, but nearly everything else is. Incognito, history, download manager, and the new tab view are all functional, and every web page I tested rendered beautifully - and fast.

Check the gallery after the break for screenshots from my CrunchBang install.

Read more →

Tags: alpha, chromium, google-chrome, linux, web-browser

Filed under: Text, Windows, Macintosh, Linux

Calibre looks like the essential app for eBook fans

WindowsMacLinuxby Jay Hathaway Mar 16th 2009

If you're starting to amass a large collection of eBooks, formatted for all kinds of different readers, Calibre might be just what you need to help organize them. It's a cross-platform app that can read and tag eBooks from Kindle 1 and 2, iPhone, and readers from Sony and Cybook. It can also convert text from all kinds of sources into eBook format, and function as its own server of sorts, so you can access your library online.

Calibre also looks great, with a display mode similar to the Cover Flow in iTunes -- can someone explain what's up with Cover Flow being so hot right now? -- and a more practical list mode that just shows cover images on the side. You can also edit or fill in information about your books from Calibre, to make sure your library is accurate and organized. Oh, and if you're a fan of the Stanza reader on the iPhone, Calibre's hosting feature makes your books accessible through that, too.

Tags: books, calibre, ebookreader, ebooks, kindle, reader

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Freeware, Social Software, Beta, web 2.0, Windows x64

Seesmic releases Facebook client, Twhirl integration coming

WindowsMacLinuxby Lee Mathews Mar 16th 2009

Seesmic's Twhirl is one of the most widely-used desktop clients for Twitter, and now it's got a sibling. Loic Le Meur announced on Saturday that the company has released the first version of a similar application for Facebook.

The app requires Adobe Air, and does seem a bit intense on memory use for what it's doing (currently using about 65Mb on my Windows 7 x64 system). Once it's installed, you'll just have to click through the usual Facebook authorizations to get it running.

It's a lot like taking a slice out of the middle of your Facebook home page, minus the handy threading. At this stage of development, most users will likely opt to stick with the web interface.

Remember, this is a preview release. More important than how Seesmic's Facebook app functions right now is Le Meur's statement that they " will soon have a client with both Facebook and Twitter integrated into one." Combined with Twhirl's support for Twitter, Identi.ca, and Friendfeed, that would make for a very intriguing desktop app - especially for users needing to manage multiple Twitter accounts.

Tags: facebook, seesmic

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux, Canonical

Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 6 out today, final build due next month

Linuxby Brad Linder Mar 13th 2009

Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Alpha 6
Microsoft isn't the only company that's busy pumping out operating system updates like there's no tomorrow. Canonical is busy putting the finishing touches on Ubuntu 9.04. The next version of the popular Linux distribution is due out in April (the 9.04 stands for April, 2009). Today the team released Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Alpha 6.

So what's new in the latest build? There's a new version of X.Org, an updated Linux kernel, and support for the Ext4 file system. There's also a new style for notifications, and a whole slew of updated packages including the latest versions of Firefox, Pidgin, and The GIMP.

The folks at SoftPedia have put together a screenshot tour showing some of the changes. To be honest, Alpha 6 doesn't look much different from Alpha 5. But as with each release, there have been a bunch of bug fixes, and at least a few new bugs have probably been introduced as well. If you're more comfortable with stable, well-tested software, you'll probably want to wait until next month to try Jaunty Jackalope. But if you want to help test the pre-release version of Ubuntu 9.04, it's available for download today.

Tags: jaunty-jackalope, ubuntu, ubuntu-9.04, ubuntu-9.04-jaunty-jackalope-alpha-6

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux

Knoppix 6.0 Linux LiveCD replaces KDE with LXDE

Linuxby Brad Linder Mar 10th 2009

Knoppix 6.0
Knoppix is a Linux distribution that's been popular for years among folks looking for a full featured operating system that can be booted from a LiveCD (meaning you can run the operating system without installing it to your hard drive - you just can't save any changes). You can also install Knoppix to your hard drive, but it's strength has always lied in the speed with which it boots and runs from an optical disc drive or USB flash drive.

Lat month Knoppix 6.0 was released, and it's even faster and prettier than earlier versions. But it's still designed to run well on older and slower computers. Among the changes in version 6.0 is the switch from the KDE desktop environment to the LXDE graphical environment. LXDE is light weight and loads quickly, but it's capable of offering all sorts of visual candy including Compiz desktop effects.

Knoppix 6.0 also boots twice as fast as Knoppix 5, and comes with fewer applications preloaded, which helps keep the size down. While the main disk image weighs in at 645MB, it can be remastered to use 256MB or less.

You can also now save your settings after shutting down the system by creatng a persisent boot image.

[via Linux Magazine]

Tags: knoppix, knoppix-6.0, livecd, lxde

Filed under: Photo, Utilities, Linux, Open Source

Linux screenshot app GScrot reborn as Shutter

Linuxby Lee Mathews Mar 6th 2009


With my triple-boot setup finally somewhat set in stone (or very firm clay, at any rate) I've finally been able to start installing Linux apps that I need to use it as an everyday operating system. Due in no small part to my duties here at DS, the first item on my list was a good screenshot application.

Serendipitously, we just received a tip that GScrot (which should have appeared on my list of badly-named applications) has been re-launched with new features and a less anatomical-sounding name: Shutter.

Shutter supports a good array of features including basic editing and annotation and it's extensible through the use of plugins, a number of which come pre-installed to add effects to your images. There's also a censor tool to quickly obscure private information like email addresses from your images. Captures can be full screen, windows, regions, and full web pages, and can be directly saved in multiple format or uploaded to a number of image hosts with minimal fuss.

Thanks, Vadim!

Tags: linux, screen-capture, screenshot

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Mozilla, Beta, Browsers

Firefox 3.1 renamed Firefox 3.5

WindowsMacLinuxby Brad Linder Mar 5th 2009

Firefox 3.0.7Mozilla has already delayed the release of Firefox 3.1 several times in order to work out all the kinks in the latest build of the popular web browser. Now the development team has decided that "3.1" doesn't adequately describe the significance of this the upcoming release, so the next major version of Firefox will be called Firefox 3.5.

Firefox 3.5 will include an improved JavaScript engine, new privacy features, changes to the way browser tabs are handled, and enhanced web standards compatibility.

The team plans to release at least one or two more beta versions before pushing out Firefox 3.5. And just to keep things interesting, the next beta will be called Firefox 3.1 Beta 3.

In related news, Mozilla pushed out a minor update to Firefox 3 this week. Version 3.0.7 includes several security and stability fixes. If you're running Firefox 3.0.6, you should be prompted to update automatically.

[via Mozilla Links]

Tags: firefox, firefox-3.5

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Video, Windows, Linux, Open Source

Open source Elisa Media Center goes cross-platform

WindowsLinuxby Brad Linder Mar 4th 2009

Elisa Media Center
Elisa is an open source media center application that looks and behaves an awful lot like Apple's Front Row software. The program was initially developed for Linux, but in January the Elisa team released the first version of the application that can also run on Windows.

The media center suite includes a full screen interface for interacting with your music, movie, and picture collections. Elisa also supports plugins, including tools that let you access online media from Shoutcast, Yes.fm, YouTube, and Flickr.

Tags: elisa, elisa-media-center, media-center

Filed under: Video, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, web 2.0

MyMediaPlayer 2 improves the desktop Hulu player experience

WindowsMacLinuxby Jay Hathaway Mar 3rd 2009

The last time Download Squad took a look at MyMediaPlayer, Christina praised the concept of an Adobe AIR-based Hulu viewer, and the ability to watch shows and search for new ones at the same time. She also knocked MyMediaPlayer because it only showed the embedded versions of Hulu videos, which meant a serious restriction on viewing quality.

MyMediaPlayer 2 fixes that issue, adds Linux support, and is visually more appealing than the previous version.

Some of the new features in MyMediaPlayer 2 include a guide page for quick browsing of shows and movies, a full-screen TV listing mode, and, most importantly, full-screen video.

Since MyMediaPlayer shows Hulu content uncut and with all the ads, the main incentive to use it over your browser is the addition of nice little UI touches like these. It also only shows only full-length movies and shows, so you don't have to browse Hulu's endless clips for full episodes they don't carry.

Tags: adobe-air, hulu, movies, mymediaplayer, tv, video

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux, Beta, Mobile

Xandros Presto promises yet another instant-on Linux experience

Linuxby Lee Mathews Mar 2nd 2009

Xandros isn't a new name in netbook oeprating systems. After all, it was their OS that first appeared on Asus' category-defining EeePC. What next? Why, instant-on, of course! Called Presto, the new OS will be joining other options like JoliCloud, Moblin, gOS Cloud, and Phoenix Hyperspace.

As is the case with competing products, the goal is to provide a fast-booting desktop experience that includes must-have applications like Firefox, Skype, and a media player. In addition to that core functionality, Presto will also include full access to files on Windows partitions. Xandros is also preparing an app store that will allow users some freedom to expand their instant-on capabilities.

It remains to be seen whether there's an appreciable market for Linux installed in tandem with Windows XP. Most users might just be willing to wait the extra 20 or 30 seconds required to boot their full (and more familiar) Windows desktop.

Presto will cost about $20 after its scheduled release this April, but until then the beta version is a free download. You can get it from the Presto site (as soon as it stops returning 500 errors).

[ via Webware ]

Tags: eee-pc, instant-on, laptop, linux, netbook, xandros

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Mozilla, Open Source, Browsers, Windows x64

Four addons to combine Firefox UI elements and save space

WindowsMacLinuxby Lee Mathews Feb 26th 2009

I like to keep things in my Firefox UI to a minimum, though for some reason I don't like to utilize the full-screen view. What can I do? Why, go find some addons and combine, compress, and tidy things up a bit. Here are four handy addons that help get the job done - if you've got some others, share them with us in the comments!

Personal Menu

Nix that needless file-edit-view menu with this addon. Personal Menu can take the whole mess and cram it into three (or fewer, if you like) tiny icons on Firefox's navigation toolbar. I wrote about it recently, and it's become one of my must-install addons.

Stop-or-Reload

Combines the two buttons so that stop is displayed while a page loads and reload once it's fully displayed. This addon is old - it hasn't been updated since November 2006. Nevertheless, it works as well as or better than other FF addons designed to do the same thing, it's not experimental, and it works just fine in new versions.

Back to Close

Suppose you've backed up as far as you can go in a particular tab's history. A grayed-out back button really isn't that useful anyway, so why not replace it with a close button? That's precisely what this addon does, and it also works with mouse gestures and the alt + left arrow hotkey.

Fission

Firefox addon irony, thy name is Fission. Contrary to what the dictionary tells you about fission splitting things into smaller bits, this addon takes your Firefox status bar and merges it with the address bar. Fission also provides you with a few customization options like selectable color or background image. One downside: it may ugly up your theme a little bit by spilling outside the borders of the address bar.

Tags: firefox-addons, gui, minimalist

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Filed under: Linux, Mobile, Android

Installing Linux GUI's on Google Android phones

Linuxby Brad Linder Feb 25th 2009

LXDE G1Sure, Google has put a lot of time and effort into developing a graphical user interface for its Android operating system. It's designed for cellphones and provides quick and easy access to the features you need the most, like the phone dialer and web browser. But if you want some real geek cred, you might want to think about installing a desktop-style window manager on your Android-powered phone.

Ghostwalker at Android Fanatic has posted instructions for loading IceWM, LXDE, or other Linux desktop environments on Google Android. This requires installing a Debian Shell and a series of other utilities including an X server. It's not for the Linux newbies. Or for people who just want to use their phone the way Google intended.

In theory, you should be able to install GNOME or KDE following similar steps, but they'd probably be as slow as molasses on a phone like the T-Mobile G1. IceWM and LXDE have lower memory footprints and are designed to run on machines with slower processors.

Tags: desktop-environment, google-android, icewm, lxde

Filed under: Fun, Games, Internet, Windows, Linux, Web services, iPhone, Android, Windows x64

Hundreds of Game Jam '09 entries available for play

WindowsLinuxby Lee Mathews Feb 23rd 2009


In case you're not familiar with Global Game Jam, it's an incredibly cool concept. Over the course of three-day event developers in dozens of locations around the globe meet, pitch ideas, form teams, and then have 48 hours to produce a game from scratch.

The long and short of it is that once the Jam is done, there's a whole pile of new games that need some, er, testing.

The Game Entry Browser lets you search through entries to find games from your favorite genres that will run on your hardware platform. Many titles are downloadable, but there are also lots of great Flash/Java/Javascript games that you can play right in your browser - including My Mate's Drunk, which is pictured above.

Tags: game-jam, games, gaming

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala to focus on cloud computing, netbooks

Linuxby Brad Linder Feb 20th 2009

KoalaCanonical founder Mark Shuttleworth has announced the codename for Ubuntu 9.10, which is scheduled for release in October: Karmic Koala. Sure, the team still needs to put the finishing touches on Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope which will be out in a April. But it's never too early to start planning for your future, right?

Shuttleworth says one goal is to speed up the boot process in Ubuntu 9.10, while possibly using a new splashscreen. Canonical will also be refining the Ubuntu Netbook Remix interface for mini-laptops like the Dell Inspiron Mini.

The server edition of Karmic Koala will feature support for Amazon's EC2 APIs, and will also use the Eucalyptus project to allow you to host cloud based apps in your own data center.

Canonical will host an Ubuntu Developer Summit in Barcelona, Spain in May to determine other priorities for Karmic Koala.

[via OStatic]

Tags: karmic-koala, ubuntu, ubuntu-9.10

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, E-mail, Google

GeeMail desktop client for Gmail provides offline access

WindowsMacLinuxby Brad Linder Feb 19th 2009

GeeMail
GeeMail is a desktop client for Gmail based on Adobe AIR. In other words, it can run on Windows, Linux, or OS X as long as you have Adobe AIR installed. At its most basic level, GeeMail is a standalone application that you can use to check your email, send, or sort messages without opening a web browser.

But GeeMail also supports offline Gmail access. In other words, you can compose messages while you're away from an internet connection. When you go online again, GeeMail will send them. Google also provides limited offline support to users who install Google Gears.

GeeMail lacks a search box, which is a bit limiting. But what it does provide is super-fast access to your Gmail inxbox.

[via CNet]

Tags: adobe-air, geemail, gmail, google-gears

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