Jul
21
Speed Up Your Internet Connection in Ubuntu Linux – Part 1
July 21, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 15 Comments
Posted in How To
After you've installed Ubuntu, you may want to tweak your system further, such as improving how Ubuntu connects to the Internet, and therefore speed up your web surfing.
To accomplish this, we're going to configure IPv6 and the TCP Window Size. Please remember to back up any critical files or data you may need as well as keep records of the settings you change. Doing so will help you recover in the event of a disaster. Keep in mind that you perform these configuration “tweaks” at your own risk.
These configuration tweaks are completed by entering commands into your “Terminal”. We will use Gedit although you can use Vi, nano, etc.
As a side note, if you do not want to enter “sudo” for each command, just begining your terminal session with this command:
sudo su
IPV6 is an Internet protocol. Currently most applications use IPV4 and this can cause conflicts which slow down your system.
Complete the following to disable it.
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/bad_list
and type this in:
alias net-pf-10 off
Then save the file.
Speed up Broadband Internet by editing the appropriate configuration file and adding the following information. - Or, you can use a tool called PowerTweak from here: sourceforge.net/projects/powertweak
sudo gedit /etc/sysctl.conf
The first four line deal with window size and you need to enter numbers that are best for you (because these ones may be too high). Here is what I mean by this:
Computers communicate by sending packets of data back and forth. When they connect with each other to send these packets they use the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).
Your computer could begin the connection with a small package size, then the other computer might respond with a larger one. In turn your computer will reduce (scale down) the size of the package (to a bit more that your original package size). The other computer again responds with a larger packet size. This cycle continues until your computer or the responding computer meets their maximum package size.
If you choose a windows packet size that is too big, you will notice slower broadband performance (524288 works for me). If you notice a slow down, then reduce your window size.
The largest size you can use is 65536, however these are the three settings that seem to work best:
524288
262144
131072
Which are all multiples of 1024 (or 1K).
Now add the following to the end of the file:
net.core.rmem_default = 524288
net.core.rmem_max = 524288
net.core.wmem_default = 524288
net.core.wmem_max = 524288
net.ipv4.tcp_wmem = 4096 87380 524288
net.ipv4.tcp_rmem = 4096 87380 524288
net.ipv4.tcp_mem = 524288 524288 524288
net.ipv4.tcp_rfc1337 = 1
net.ipv4.ip_no_pmtu_disc = 0
net.ipv4.tcp_sack = 1
net.ipv4.tcp_fack = 1
net.ipv4.tcp_window_scaling = 1
net.ipv4.tcp_timestamps = 1
net.ipv4.tcp_ecn = 0
net.ipv4.route.flush = 1
After adding these line you do not need to reboot, instead just reset the file by issuing this command:
sudo sysctl -p
After completing this, you should notice improved web surfing speed. If not, remember to go back and adjust your TCP window size and try again.
Part 2 of this article, which contains more technical information, can be found here: ubuntulinuxhelp.com/speed-up-your-internet-connection-in-ubuntu-linux-part-2/
Jul
19
Using Your Windows Key Just Like the Start Menu in Ubuntu.
July 19, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 1 Comment
Posted in How To
Now that you've installed Ubuntu, what can you do with your old Windows Start Menu key? Use it for the same thing of course!
Here's a cool trick!
As you can see, Ubuntu has a drop down menu starting from the toolbar at the top of the screen, so... if your desktop used Gnome (which it probably does) let's put that Windows Start key back to work.
To configure it do the following:
Go to System --> Preferences --> Keyboard Shortcuts
In the window that pops-up look for the entry that says "Show the panel menu" (See the image below where it is currently set to the default of "Alt+F1". Click in that shortcut area ("Alt +F1" and the words will change to "New accelerator". Now just press the Windows key on your keyboard and click the close button.
Voilà! You're done. Now whenever you press your Windows key, your application menu will pop-up the same way in Ubuntu as it did in Windows.
This work by James House is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Jul
18
8 Things I Learned When Switching to Ubuntu Linux
July 18, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 2 Comments
Posted in Editorials
After switching to a Linux based system (Ubuntu in this case), I thought there were a lot of options (applications like Amarok or commands like apt-get) unavailable to Windows users. In many respects it was an eye opener and I wanted my friends to at least try switching. Here's what people contemplating a switch need to know.
Some people will think you and Linux are too technical and difficult. Some people might thing it a funny. But, keep in mind that many people are resistant to change. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's that much of a change, really. It's just that people often have preconceptions and many are easily swayed by the much of the media into believing that anything other that purchased proprietary software is either too difficult to use, install or configure. To be rather blunt, that is totally false and misleading.
Realistically, do expect a learning curve (but it's not too difficult) in terms of where to click or where to look on your desktop. There will also be many new things you can enjoy and do with your computer. And you are still able to use your Windows based applications if you wish. (I'll blog about how to use your Windows application software (on Ubuntu) in another post).
The first thing I noticed was how helpful the Open Source community is. When I did not know how to do something or had a question, all I had to do was Google it and get quality answers. Some of my bookmarked resources are:
Ubuntu Forums - ubuntuforums.org
Answers to just about anything. If you need help, chances are someone has already found a solution. Lots of step-by-step solutions and help.
Linux Forums - linuxforums.org/forum/ubuntu-help
The posts can get a little technical for some of us, so I'd suggest a little more experience in the “lingo” first.
Ubuntu Guide - ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Feisty
Literally a “How to” for just about anything!
My productivity improved greatly. I found that linux made more efficient use of my hardware and the system seemed to run faster. You will also find out that there are a slew of great software packages that are easy to install and use. You may find that the transition to your new system is a lot easier that you had imagined – At least that's what I realized.
I found I spent less money, than when I was using Windows. Ubuntu is free to obtain and install (See how to get a copy here: How to Install the Perfect Ubuntu Based Computer – Introduction).
I never have to reboot! Well, more accurately, reboots are rare. After updating, upgrading or installing software I can keep working right away without a reboot. Also (because of the increased stability) I can better use suspend and hibernate features. This is great when working on a project and you want to continue were you left off at a later time. (Unfortunately with Windows, I did have trouble with this).
Drivers might be a problem. Sometimes a vendor won't ship a driver for their hardware, a current common issue I read about ATI video cards not working as expected. Currently however Ubuntu has better hardware support out of the box than the other two mainstream Os's (Windows and OSx), primarily because of incredible community support! (And the ATI video card driver issues are being solved as I write).
For those of you who are experiencing ATI driver issues, here's a good resource: “Ubuntu ATI proprietary display driver installation through APT”
Don't spend hours searching for a solution, fix or tweak. I found it's much faster and effective to log into a forum and ask. I wish I had realized this from the start, it would have saved me a lot of time. I think that's one of the most important things I learned. How to find information and when to ask.
This work by James House is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Jul
17
How to Install the Perfect Ubuntu Based Computer – Introduction.
July 17, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 3 Comments
Posted in How To
Some time ago I found myself looking at my PC monitor. The desktop had become bland, the applications had since become vague tools. It felt like my computer had become one of those old fixtures that everybody walks by, day in and day out, but nobody notices.
Quite frankly, I had become bored and the productivity of my PC had declined. For those who may be familiar, it may be an old story. Common Blue Screens, inconvenient reboots every time I needed to install something. Changing the desktop wallpaper (often), listening to audio, watching video had become weary.
It was time for a change. I'll not go into detail about the motivations of switching to Ubuntu and Open Source software, however one pertinent point is costing. Why should I be paying for software when many other operating systems (including Ubuntu) are free? And I found is many cases the software is better quality and productivity.
This week, I'll begin a guide "How to Install the Perfect Ubuntu Based Computer".
For those who intend to follow the guide, Ubuntu can be obtained via download from the links below (They will open in separate windows/tabs).
Desktop Edition of Ubuntu 7.04 Standard CD (Live CD) - www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Desktop Edition of Ubuntu 7.04 Alternate CD (Does not include Live CD) - help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation
If you are unable to download the CD, you can order it here - shipit.ubuntu.com/login
For the installation, I will be using the Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn), x86 CD. (x86 just means it's for most standard computers like PentiumTM, CeleronTM, AthlonTM, SempronTM.)
The recommended minimum install requirements (for the standard CD) are:
500 MHz x86 processor, 192 MB RAM, At least 8 GB of disk space (for full installation and swap space), VGA graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution, CDROM drive, Sound Card, Network Card/Connection.
One point of note is if your hardware does not meet the requirements, I've found it better to use the alternate (no live CD) version for the install - The software is the same, you just bypass the loading of the live CD.
This work by James House is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Jul
16
A New Launch!
July 16, 2007 | By: UbuntuLinuxHelp | 1 Comment
Posted in Editorials
Thanks for visiting Ubuntu Linux Help!
This site is for new Ubuntu Linux users who recently stopped using expensive proprietary software and operating systems, in favour of free and stable Open Source Software.
This site is intended for new users, looking for solutions, fixes, tweaks to get things working just they way they should. User experiences are all here along with other helpful information for the new Ubuntu Linux user.
As we've just launched, we're still in the final stages of getting all our initial information posted. Want to learn a little more and how you can get involved? Head over to the "About" page.
**** Update: July 28, 2007 ****
I'd like to thank visitors and friends who have indicated that it would be more accurate to say "All Ubuntu" users instead of "New", in terms of the quality content of this web site. Again, any visitor is free to contribute. If you are interested in posting your own articles (with back links to your web site), please feel free to contact us - Thanks!
