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Filed under: Linux, Analysis

3 Linux Apps That Make Me Hate Windows


I'm a Windows user, and it has served me well. That being said, I play with a lot of Linux distributions and there are some applications that are just so much better than anything Windows can offer that I find myself wondering how long it'll be until I make the switch.

For starters, there's the APT and the Synaptic Package Manager. Microsoft has been promising updates and installs without reboots for years, yet Windows Vista still can't seem to deliver the goods. The Linux Mint beta I installed on my laptop recently, however, located well over a hundred updates to various packages upon completion and quietly downloaded and installed them while I finished tweaking Firefox and tooled around on some websites.

And unlike Windows' Automatic Updates, APT actually handles all the software on your machine, not just updates to the OS. What I wouldn't give for a Windows app that did this - and I know there are various apps that try, like Sumo, but none of them really work all that well. Rebooting to complete updates is crap. Get that trash off my PC.

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Filed under: Features, Linux, Open Source, Unix

Flipping the Linux switch: Xfce, the hidden gem of desktop environments

Xfce DesktopIn the beginning, we talked a bit about the holy war that wages onward between KDE and GNOME. Some of you aptly pointed out that there is a third desktop environment out there. It was never our intention to slight this desktop (we actually use it regularly). Like a mouse dodging to avoid the crashing footsteps of the desktop environment giants, Xfce is often included in discussions as an afterthought.

So apologies if the fact our current discussion of Xfce supports the "afterthought" theory. It wasn't our intention, and hey, we offer the consolation that if it really is an afterthought, and least it's going to be detailed.

Xfce indeed, is the third major desktop environment. It's kind of like the fifth Beatle. People know it's there, but... What's it called again? What's it do?

That, friends, is totally unfair. Xfce is one of the fastest and easiest desktops out there. It balances pretty and functional without any extraneous annoyance getting in the way. It isn't most people's first Linux desktop environment. But it very well could be.

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Filed under: Design, Fun, Windows, Freeware

Napalm: Set your desktop on fire



File this under the "totally useless but very cool for a few seconds software" section. Napalm is a small program inspired by Linux's Compiz window manager (specifically the "Fire" effects plugin) that displays burning text on your desktop.

Burning text. Words that are on fire. On your desktop. That's what Napalm does. That's all it does.

The developer seems to be keenly aware of the lack of utility of such a program (he notes as much on his website). Those looking for some clue as to why the time was spent making such a program will note his moniker: Firestarter.

It seems then that Napalm is a way to safely express his (and your) pyromaniacal tendencies.

Napalm has a wealth of customizations, so you can tweak your fiery words to your heart's content.

Napalm is a free download, and requires XP or Vista.

Filed under: OS Updates, Video, Linux

Use Linux desktop effects without Compiz with KDE4


Sure Windows Vista and Mac OS X have some pretty desktop effects that let you see through transparent windows or preview all open windows at the same time. But while Linux was once known as a utilitarian operating system for people who like staring at terminal windows, we've seen some amazing developments in Linux desktop effects over the last few years with Compiz.

While some popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu have begun integrating Compiz effects, the newest version of the KDE desktop interface is going another route. KDE4 users will be able to implement many effects without installing Compiz at all. There are a few benefits to this approach. For example, Compiz might not run as well on older, slower systems (although you could probably say the same for KDE4), and more importantly, integrated effects means less tinkering beneath the hood for KDE4 users. You'll be able to adjust your effects settings from the same menus you use to make other system adjustments.

So what kind of effects are we talking about? Window transparency, transition effects (windows can zoom open or closed, or explode as you minimize them, etc), a robust application switcher with Exposé clone, and so on. Francis Giannaros put together a video demonstrating just a few of the effects you can play with.

Filed under: OS Updates, Linux

Compiz Fusion gets new filters and toys


Compiz Fusion, the merger of Beryl and Compiz 3d desktop managers for Linux, has added a few new toys for the adventurous Linux geek.

First, a colorize filter that frankly doesn't look very useful to us. Ok, so it might be fun to tint everything green, red, or blue for a few minutes but, beyond that it just seems like it would get annoying.

The second, "Shift Window Switcher" is actually pretty sharp. Shift adds Windows Vista style 3d tab switching to the already slick Compiz Fusion package. We're going to go ahead and ask (beg) that Ubuntu 7.10 include this plugin by default. Please? Pretty please?

Filed under: Design, OS Updates, Open Source

Compiz and Beryl rejoin as Compiz Fusion


Long, long ago on a Linux desktop far, far away a fork was driven between Compiz -- the three-dimensional composite desktop manager -- and Beryl -- the three-dimensional composite desktop manager with a desire for rapid change and development. Like star-crossed lovers, they knew that, one day, they'd be together again and, better for their time apart.

Ok, so it didn't happen exactly like that. Fortunately for all of us, they are getting back together and, with some stellar results. Several rewritten plugins, some sharp new features and a load of stability enhancements could make Compiz Fusion a strong contender against the commercially developed Vista and OS X 3D desktops which are rapidly gaining acceptance. Take a look at the screenshots of what could be headed to a modern Linux distro near you.

Filed under: Utilities, Productivity

3D virtual desktop manager for Windows

Yod'MYod'm 3D is a nifty virtual desktop application that gives Windows users some of the wow factor of Beryl and Compiz bring to Linux desktops.

The free program lets you create four virtual desktops, which is nothing too special. You can do the same thing with Microsoft's Virtual Desktop Manager. But Yod'm 3D lets you switch between desktops by flipping through the sides of a 3D cube.

There's no installation necessary. You just download the program, unzip it to a folder, and select your language. You can configure Yod'm 3D to automatically start up with Windows, or ou can just click the .exe file when you want to start.

Flipping through desktops is a 2-handed operation by default. You click Ctrl+Shift and then use the arrow keys or mouse to navigate. You can configure it to use different keys. For example, if you select Ctrl, you can press and hold your right Ctrl key for a second and then use the arrow keys to move between desktops all with one hand. Since you need to tap and hold to bring up the cube, you can use the Ctrl key normally under most circumstances.

Dragging windows from one desktop to another is a little tricky. You have to make sure the window isn't maximized. Then you left click and hold the title bar with your mouse and hit the activate key. Now you can drag your window to another desktop.

[via
lifehacker]

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So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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