Dec
7
Font Management for Ubuntu Linux
December 7, 2009 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 6 Comments
Posted in Applications
As someone whose business also provides web development and graphic design, among other services, it was a real treat to bump into this font management gem (a few hours ago) "Fonty Python".
As the name implies, it's a python based application used to manage fonts - Great if you have a lot of fonts that you'd like to manage and preview. The first thing that grabbed my attention was that users can create what the developer calls "pogs", as the developer indicates, the name comes from "tyPOGraphy". In general, I can create a pog which filters a listing for just the fonts used on that site (I think Mac does something similar with font management?).
Best of all (for me at least), I found it's really easy to install and use.
Installing is as simple as Read more
Dec
6
How to Wipe a Hard Drive – Reader Questions
December 6, 2009 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 2 Comments
Posted in Q & A
Becky asked:
"...I am running Ubuntu Linux. I want to wipe my hard drive. How do i do that?..."
I'm assuming that you don't have another computer you can plug that hard drive in? Additionally, you cannot wipe a hard drive if you have no OS to run the software. And finally, I assume by wiping, that you are referring to writing 0's and 1's via several passes over the hard drive.
I have come across an Open Source solution that does this, it's called Darik's Boot And Nuke.
In general, you download the image from Read more
Dec
6
How to Check MD5SUM of Downloads – Reader Questions
December 6, 2009 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 5 Comments
Posted in Q & A
Steve emailed asking:
"...because all the DVDs I was burning were useless. Thanks for helping with that, only thing, how do I check the md5sum stuff? Should there be a separate file showing what it is? Where do I find what it's supposed to be? Thanks for..."
This is a common occurrence, we download a CD or DVD, only to find that it's not working properly. I learned the hard way, ALWAYS check the md5sum BEFORE burning the iso!
1) The MD5SUM of any downloads (from Ubuntu) can be seen in the directory you download from: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/
Using Steve's example (he was downloading Ubuntu 9.04 AMD64 Bit version), he'd surf to: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/9.04/release/ On that page will be a link to a file that says "MD5SUMS". Clicking on that file (link) will display the following:
87babeda6724c3ea583534b53a9255c5 *ubuntu-9.04-dvd-amd64.iso
cca45d814048b5b322773561ad7c75d8 *ubuntu-9.04-dvd-i386.iso
60136ddda63d9e4c342013d5a71f4c9c *ubuntu-9.04-mid-lpia.img
So, the correct md5sum for the AMD64 iso is 87babeda6724c3ea583534b53a9255c5
That's the first step.
2) To check the md5sum of the iso you just downloaded, open a Read more
Dec
4
Adding a Terminal Hot Key Shortcut – Reader Questions
December 4, 2009 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 2 Comments
Posted in How To
Janice emailed asking:
"...and lots of your posts show us how to do things in a terminal. Each time I have to go to Applications / Accessories / Terminal, isn't there a faster way, like some key combination or something?..."
In Ubuntu (for that matter pretty much all Linux distros), you can set up "hot keys" to execute functions. In your case we're going to set up a hot key for opening the Terminal in Ubuntu 8.04LTS. This way, you can access Terminal much faster!
Ubuntu already has a "Keyboard Shortcuts" tool. You can find it via Read more
Dec
3
What About Linux?
December 3, 2009 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 4 Comments
Posted in Editorials
It's been a while since I "seriously" posted on this blog, as I've been super busy. One of the things I do in my work is custom build desktop computers and servers for clients. There's been a sudden demand for new desktop systems. While talking to clients, they've all danced around the issue of having Windows 7 installed on their systems, suffice it to say, every Windows user (I built systems for) opted to have WinXP Pro installed (no Vista and no Win7). Personally I found this an interesting trend. I know I'm supposed to be writing about Linux (primarily Ubuntu) in this blog, but please bear with me.
Side note: Given the recent FUD in the news about Win7 black screening and Apple's "Trust me" marketing, among other things, it's no wonder the average consumer feels unsure.
A couple of things prompted me to write a post about Linux adoption experiences; for the average consumer, as in many ways, this really is a sociopolitical issue.
First, I was talking to an old business partner the other day. Given the issues with Windows operating systems (he preferred to avoid) and the costs of Mac systems (he thought were to high), I suggested he give Ubuntu Linux a try. The response was somewhat dubious. As best I can recall here's how the conversation played out (I have changed his name for the purposes of his post, let's call him "Jake"):
Roger: "Why don't you try Ubuntu?" If you don't like it after a while, we can always move to another OS.
Jake: "No, Linux is difficult, I want a system that will just work"
Roger: "Well, Ubuntu has come a long way, it should be able to do what you need"
Jake: "I want to plug my camera in and have the photos copy to my system, I want to use Word. Linux is for geeks with technical knowledge, it's not user friendly"
Roger: "It's user friendly, I plug my camera in and Linux just uses it, and there's all kinds of software, for free, that manages pictures. I use Open Office, my system just works! Besides, Linux adoption is increasing worldwide, we just don't hear as much about that in the North American market"
Jake: "Not really, what about the kids in India for example? The schools all use Windows. Windows will always be the dominant system"
Roger: "Jake, the schools in India are encouraged to use Linux, and many of them do".
Side note: (Indian schools to use homebrew Debian distro, Linux for 30,000 PCs at Schools in India, India's largest Linux rollout forges ahead despite tremendous odds)
Jake: "Well, I don't have time to learn something new. Linux is tricky and difficult, I prefer a system that just works".
Roger: "Have you actually tried using Linux?"
Jake: (Tone of voice seems very unsure) "Well... yes, I tried it".
The conversation drew to a close. Personally I know he's never tried it as I've been taking care of his PC technical issues for years. Every single system he's had (and used at work) is Windows based. Don't misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with Read more
