techtrickz» Linux

Custom Launchers and Quicklists for Ubuntu Unity

Kannan — Sun, 08 May 2011 07:30:34 +0000

As you all know, the recently released Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) has a new interface called Unity, which brings a new, cool experience for both desktop and netbook users. One of the handy features in Unity launcher is adding Quicklists to application icons.

What is the benefit of adding Quicklists in Unity?

For instance, by just right clicking on the Firefox icon you can open your browser in Safe Mode or in a new Window or right clicking on the Thunderbird icon, you can compose a new mail and the like.

But, how to add Quicklists in Unity Launcher?

The steps involved in creating custom launcher are easy. The new Unity API allows anyone to create his or her own Quicklists with customer configuration file.

If you have interested, just visit at Askubuntu to get procedure and a list of custom Launchers and Quicklists for Unity.

Note: If you find any problem to your system after adding Quicklists, just delete it and restart Unity.

Keep Your Ubuntu Fast and Clean With BleachBit

Kannan — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:10:15 +0000

In order to keep your Ubuntu clean and fast, you need to wipe all unnecessary junk files, internet history, broken short cuts, cookies, temporary files, and cache periodically. To help you, here is a very simple to use tool called BleacBit, which can perform all job just with a click.

BleachBit is an open source tool that can delete unnecessary junk files to free valuable disk space and maintains your privacy by removing cache, cookies, and Internet history from your Ubuntu.

Moreover, the File Shredding option helps you permanently wipeout important files from your system, so one can recover it later. Also, the option for vacuuming Firefox makes it load faster.

BleachBit is very easy to use. Just download and install it via Ubuntu Software Center. Run and select option, the click Delete button. You’re done!

BleachBit can be downloaded (Linux and Windows) at here.

There is No Ubuntu Netbook Edition For Next Release

Kannan — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:07:42 +0000

As you all know, Ubuntu available in three flavors, a Desktop edition, Netbook edition, and a Server edition. Netbook edition has an innovative desktop called Unity, which was optimized for smaller screens. However, from Ubuntu 11.04 onwards there will not a separate Netbook edition or desktop edition.

According to Canonical, “The introduction of the new shell for Ubuntu means that we have a user interface that works equally well whatever the form factor of the PC. And the underlying technology works on a range of architectures including those common in netbook, notebooks, desktops or whatever you choose to run it on. Hence the need for a separate version for netbooks is removed”.

“From 11.04, the core product that you run on your PC will be simply, Ubuntu. Therefore the next release will be Ubuntu 11.04 and you can run that on anything you like from a netbook to a notebook to a desktop”.

However, Ubuntu Server edition will be maintained as a separate product and it named simply as Ubuntu Server 11.04. (via)

Create Bootable Ubuntu Live USB Without Boot Error

Kannan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:16:17 +0000

Many Linux enthusiasts want to try Ubuntu to learn about it, but don’t know how to install it safely on their Windows machine. Wait! Before installing Ubuntu on your machine you can taste its flavor by installing on a USB Pendrive. But main problems that many users facing are boot error and their motherboard doesn’t have USB boot support. But, don’t worry! Here is how to overcome these two situations.
To make a bootable live Ubuntu USB drive following things is required

ISO image of Ubuntu operating system (Download it. Tested with Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook edition)
Unetbootin (download it from here)
USB flash drive (tested with Sandisk 4Gb pendrive )

Now How to create bootable Ubuntu Live USB drive

Insert USB drive into your PC and format it in FAT 32.
Run UneBootin (no installation required). Select distribution (here is Ubuntu) and select version (10.10_live). These two things should be exact; otherwise you’ll get boot error.
Now select ISO and browse for the Ubuntu iso image you downloaded previously. Your USB drive will be selected automatically. Then click Ok. After completing the process, you’ll be asked to reboot your PC.

Next you need to make changes in the BIOS to boot your Ubuntu USB.

For that, while your system is rebooting press F2 or Delete button in the keyboard (depending on your motherboard it should be F1, F2, F12, ESC, Backspace, or Escape) to enter into Bios setup. Now change the startup order to boot USB by default. Save the changes and restart the system. Now you will have Ubuntu running from USB drive.

Now how to boot from a PC that has no USB boot support

Some old motherboard doesn’t support USB booting. But you can add USB boot support for such PCs with the help of a small program called Plop Boot Manager. Read here for how to do that.

Quickly Find Some Great Games For Your Linux System

Kannan — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:13:24 +0000

Finding good games is one of the hard parts in Linux operating system like Ubuntu. If you’re running Linux OS (e.g. Ubuntu) on your computer and looking for some good games for your system, just visit PenguSpy where you’ll definitely see some good games.

PenguSpy is a showcase for the best Linux games and provide an easy way to install all these games on your Linux computer.

Although the games lists are very small, Penguspy is constantly been updated with more games and extra functionality. (via)

Build a custom Linux system with the help of Linux From Scratch eBook

Kannan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:17:21 +0000

Would you like to build custom Linux system from scratches so that you can have more control over the system?

The e-book Linux From Scratch gives you a simple to understand, step-by-step instruction for creating Linux system from scratch from an already installed Linux distribution, using nothing but the source code of software that you need.

This e-book has 318 pages and “users can dictate all aspects of their system, including directory layout, script setup, and security. The resulting system will be compiled completely from the source code, and the user will be able to specify where, why, and how programs are installed.”

The main benefit of this eBook is that it helps you fully customize the Linux systems to your own needs and allows more control over their system. Download the free eBook Linux From Scratch.

Ubuntu 10.04 comprehensive guide for newbies

Kannan — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:00:23 +0000

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS is the most exciting Linux operating system in years. It features free apps for your day to day needs, safe and fast web browsing, a dedicated music store and much more.

Ok that, are you a beginner computer user or are you migrating from another operating system to Ubuntu for the first time? To help you, here is a comprehensive guide for the new Ubuntu 10.04.

It helps new users to get started with Ubuntu. Its goal is to cover the basics of Ubuntu (such as installation and working with the desktop) as well as guide you through some of the most popular applications.

This e-book is designed to be simple to follow with step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots, allowing you to discover the potential of your new Ubuntu system even if you are a novice.

You can download PDF edition of Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04 at here. If you don’t have Ubuntu, you can download here or request a free CD at source.