Ubuntu Linux Help

I recently spoke with a lady who operates a Forensic Accounting consultancy. During the course of our conversation, she indicated that from time-to-time she receives requests for computer data related assistance. Namely, obtaining deleted information off hard drives or data off failed drives. Her business operates on Windows based platforms and she was wondering how productive I had found Linux. (I’m an Ubuntu Linux user). And if I could use Linux to garner “lost” data (sending drives to professional labs is very expensive for her clients). While I’m not a data “reclamation” or computer data forensic expert (by any stretch of the imagination), nevertheless I’ve delved into this aspect on occasion. (Mostly when a hard drive fails).

It left me wondering as to the status of some of the software I have used in the past. Now that I’ve garnered much more experience, I was intrigued as to how (if possible) I could provide this business limited services. If not, could I at least access the data on the failed drive?

Here’s the scenario. I have an older 10GB hard drive that had failed and Read the full post…

Just received this picture in my email. People know you love Ubuntu when that is your license plate!

Funny!

Update: After responding, I found the original is on Flicker under a free to share CC license from graysky.

I received a couple email messages over the weekend, that in essence, suggested Linux is a terrible platform for gaming because Linux does not support gamers. Additionally, hardware support issues were also raised. While I’m sure there are a myriad of opinions, I couldn’t help but pause on a couple of them. Particularly as I often get phone calls from friends for advice. (These are friends who recently switched to Ubuntu). I am not a hard core gamer, but here are some thoughts on this issue, which I hope might help:

Linux does not support gaming.
In my opinion, this is a “canned” response, perhaps encouraged by game vendors? Quite the contrary, it is game vendors/developers who do not support Linux!
Additionally, I’ve read that Ubuntu linux has full OpenGL support.

I can’t use Linux because my windows games won’t work.
There are some good solutions that currently facilitate the use of windows based software on Linux platforms.

My father (who is in his 80’s) uses Cedega to play windows based games.
I use Wine on occasion (Installing IE on Ubuntu Linux).

To properly use any new Operating System, it’s important to become familiar with the system. When you’ve gained familiarity, it becomes easier to implement solutions.

The are no good games for linux.
Really!? Are you serious!!??? Here are twelve of the best ones I’ve found so far, starting with #1: Top 12 Best Games for Ubuntu Linux - #1 Tremulous.

Don’t be afraid to look around for more, the following link took 5 minutes to Google: Play Ubuntu and includes a list of about 1970 games! If you’re a hardcore gamer, perhaps you’re better to get a console for gaming.

Linux has too many video and hardware support problems.
I’d have to disagree, but with some explanation: “Hardly Any Hardware Works on Ubuntu Linux!”

If you’re in the market for a “Budget Gaming” system, try something like:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz
Motherboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3P
RAM: 2 x 1GB Kingston DDR2-800
HDD: Seagate/Western Digital/Samsung 320GB SATAII
GPU: eVGA GeForce 256MB 8600GT Superclocked
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Matrix with 430W PSU
Optical Drive: ASUS BLT-1814 Lightscribe x18 SATA

…and to read the complete version, head on over to: Ubuntu Gaming PC Suggested Builds

As to specific video issues: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=690760

Additionally linuX-gamers has some good resources to help.

Hopefully some of these resources and perceptions will help those of you who have asked me.
Happy gaming!

For those not familiar, “Launchpad is a free software hosting and development website. We make it easy to collaborate across multiple projects.” More information about Launchpad is here: Collaboration, project management and code hosting for free software https://launchpad.net/+about

One thing I like about services such as these, is that I often find interesting (and usable) projects. Let’s see what Ubuntu based projects are hosted on Launchpad: https://launchpad.net/projects/?text=ubuntu

The following are just some of the ones that were more interesting to follow-up later:

Ubuntu Video
Ubuntu Video is a service provided by a member of the Ubuntu community. It is not managed by, or directly affiliated with, Canonical Ltd.

Disclaimers aside, Ubuntu Video is a video portal that takes the best Ubuntu-related videos on the Internet, from places like YouTube and Google Video, and centralizes them in one convenient spot. There are many goals - demystifying Linux, providing support to Ubuntu users, crushing Linux myths, even educating people about free and open source software: http://www.ubuntuvideo.com/

Ubuntu Tweak
Ubuntu Tweak is a tool for Ubuntu that makes it easy to configure your system and desktop settings. It provided many usefull desktop and system options that the default desktop environment isn’t provided. At present, It is only designed for Ubuntu GNOME Desktop, and often follows the newest Ubuntu distribution. more description and features of Ubuntu Tweak is available here: http://ubuntu-tweak.com/about

Sounds to spruce up the GNOME desktop environment. This download is designed to entertain, add ambiance, and amuse the GNOME desktop user: http://packages.ubuntu.com/feisty/gnome/ubuntu-sounds

Ubuntu-rescue-remix data recovery toolkit
Ubuntu-rescue-remix provides a Free-Libre Open-Source data recovery software toolkit based on UbuntuUbuntu Rescue Remix is a GNU/Linux live cd that provides the data recovery specialist with a command-line interface environment equipped with the best free-libre, open source data recovery and forensics tools available: http://ubuntu-rescue-remix.org/

Ubuntu Desktop Course
Just as the title implies… Training: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Training

Ubuntu Artwork Packagers
The default Wallpapers for Ubuntu: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-art-pkg/ubuntu-wallpapers/ubuntu

And finally… If you search for “opensource” (https://launchpad.net/projects/?text=opensource) you’ll find some of the packages I listed here: Top 100 of the Best (Useful) OpenSource Applications, are also on Launchpad!

Interesting! Enjoy your weekend…

Earlier this week we were discussing if Ubuntu Linux needed antivirus software. (If you missed the post, it is here: Does Ubuntu Linux Really Need Antivirus Software?) During the course of the discussion, one of our readers (from TechCollective) suggested we try out “Wubi”.

If you’ve never heard about it:

“Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer for Windows users that will bring you into the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other application. If you heard about Linux and Ubuntu, if you wanted to try them but you were afraid, this is for you.”

So I booted up my old Win 2000 box (which is pretty dusty now - forgot the password, good thing I wrote it somewhere), and downloaded the Wubi package from here: http://wubi-installer.org/index.php (Click the download button just under the site header).

Don’t forget to create your (Windows) Emergency Repair disk in case something goes wrong, and of course always backup any valuable data before installing Wubi.

I double clicked to install and followed along. Easy. The first thing I noticed is a choice as to which flavour: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubunto or UbuntuStudio; I’d like to install. I didn’t expect that, and I think it’s a great feature for you Windows fans who’d like to see what the different types of Ubuntu in operation.

After selecting Ubuntu, I noticed that the distribution being downloaded was ubuntu-7.04-alternative-i386.iso

The install is easy and pretty much automated… Download’s the package, creates the virtual disks. Just so you know, the “Creating Virtual Disks” section took so incredibly long that I thought the install had failed. I was just about to kill the process (I was just moving to click on “End Task” ) when the install completed and I had the option to reboot. So, remember to give the install extra time at this stage.

After the reboot, it installed hardware, performed some configurations, finished and the I was able to reboot into Ubuntu. It was simple, easy and automated. And I think, a great way for Windows users to get some exposure to Ubuntu, before diving into a fully loaded Ubuntu based PC.

One thing I noticed is that the system ran so painfully slow. After viewing the forum here: http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=234, I assumed it might be because I had a very fragmented Windows drive? Reboot to Windows……….. Yes. Extremely fragmented. So this is caused by my Windows system not Wubi/Ubuntu.

I wanted to see how the uninstall worked, so I could go through that process. The site said to uninstall (in Windows): d:\wubi\uninstaller.exe Nope! That gives an error message. If I surf to the directory, I see it’s really “d:\wubi\wubi-uninstall.exe” And… it completed in less time you can say “completed”.

A couple parting thoughts…

1) I thought it a very nice feature that NTFS support was enabled and I could see all the Windows based files.

2) I’ll certainly recommend this to my Windows friends who are interested in seeing Ubuntu before considering a full migration.

In my opinion, Wubi is a great idea and (even thought it’s still in Beta) is a great tool!