56k warning. Linux, features that you may have not known about. - PSP Hacks

dracule · #1 06-20-2008, 09:43 PM

I was thinking the other day that some people havent used linux in well over a year. I was also thinking about how horrible it is they may have not experienced it fully and found all the perks. Then there are some people that may have seen linux but dont know the many many things which it is able to do.

I am using Compiz, and ubuntu 8.04. AWN window navigator. Everything can be installed easily in about 10min of first installing ubuntu.

***A note:
in the videos you may see graphical glitches. You will (probably) never see these glitches ever when you use Compiz. The video capturer puts them in. It is because of my integrated gfx card. In windows i can only screen capture at about 2 frames a second. With linux that is not the case, however it does put in some glitchs. so when you see a glitch disregard it.

Index:

Quote:

Section 1: Ease of Use
Section 2: Window Management
Section 3: AWN
Section 4: Wubi
Section 5: How to install everything which you see

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 1: Ease of Use

lets start small, with integrated list filtering...

Almost all programs in linux that have a text list can easily be navigated via simply typing on the keyboard. This works for A LOT of applications and can save you TONS of time. I love it because it even works for old applications. It can be a very quick and effective way to sort through what you have.

Installing software
Most everybody knows about this, but software installation is quite honestly the bees-knees in linux. No longer do you have to compile from source or do odd commands. With Synaptic Package manager, it is a very simple process. It is actually incredibly easier than windows.

With the list filtering above it is even simpler. If you know the package (of software) name, simply start typing it and it will filter it out for you.

However, if you dont know the pacakge name, simply search for it.

Your software will quickly be installed and you can be on your way!

Wireless connectivity
Another thing which really simplifies things, is connecting to wireless networks. It takes exactly 2 clicks to connect to a new network in Linux. This may not sound like a big deal, but it does simplify things a lot.

Preview Music media
An extra is if you hold your cursor over a music file, the sound will automatically play. very useful because there is no need to open up a program to sample a song (however freaked me out the first time it happened)

change transparency on the fly

If you hold ALT and use the vertical scroll wheel, you can change the entire window transparency

Move Windows
Hold Alt and click anywhere in a window to move it. Kinda nifty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 2: Window Management

The power of compiz is remarkable.

First a little history.
Compiz is linux's compositing window manager. What that means is that before the contents of windows are drawn to the screen, they are buffered on the video card. This allows for a wide array of effects to be performed on the windows. Mac OSX had it first, and Windows has added it in Vista.

This is a short jaunt around its many features...

Video 1

Most people know about the wobbly windows. I for one find it hard to transition back to OSX or Windows after I use linux, becuase with the wobbly windows everything flows naturally and is not "chunky". Also included in there were the classic 3d Desktop cube and the unfolded cube. The unfolded cube is handy when you have several desktops active and you quickly need to locate a window.

Video 2

This is something entirely unique to linux (well most stuff is anyways lol): Window tabbing.
Window tabbing lets you pick any number of windows from any application and group them together. You can then go through what you need (either up at the top, or Super+left or right) and voila, you can hide windows incredibly effectivly this way incase you have something you dont want someone to see. It removes the inactive tabbed window from the window navigator. The glitches during the coverflow window selector do not appear when you normally use it, and is very smooth. Even when i was screen capturing there was no stutters or anything, and they are unique to the recording. In Window's similar feature (Windows key+tab) it is horribly choppy if i have over 3 windows open. However, this is smooth.

Video 3

Now to something a little more interesting. In mac this isnt a problem, but in windows getting to your desktop can be a hassle...
Mapping these actions to your F# keys is a very good idea. (a how-to is further down the page)

The compiz settings manager has TONS of options to help you customize your desktop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 3:AWN

awn is awesome.

It is a dock, but it is pretty cool. The benifits of a dock vs the standard ubuntu bottom bar are minimal. However, it comes down to user preference. It provides large icons so you can find stuff easily, and it looks more atractive (to some).

Through this you can have all your apps "full screen"

and then when you need stuff:

boop. up pops that.

it also has a nice menu of its own...

Comes in handy, can store away until you need it. This allows for a full screen view of what ever you do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 4: Wubi

***Install linux without repartitioning all from windows.

Wubi is a life saver when it comes to converting people to linux. It allows for you to install linux entirely in Windows. You do not have to mess with partitions or anything.

It also keeps your current windows boot loader (no need for Grub).

It is excellent for those wanting to install linux w/ full speeds but dont want to mess around with partitions. And if you ever want to get rid of linux (if you do i will be sad :( ) then all you do is run the uninstall and your bootloader and everything will be back to normal.

Everything is kept in 1 *.hdd file on your current C:/ drive, so it does not modify your drives or partitions in any way.

It is already on the Ubuntu 8.04 CD, but more information can be found here: http://wubi-installer.org/

If you do decide to just download the installer from that website, a step by step guid will guide you through and download an ISO for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 5: Installing everything you need

This section only deals with Ubuntu 8.04

Well, if you do not have linux currently on your computer, I highly recomend you check out Wubi. It is A LOT safer than messing with your partitions if you do not know what you are doing.
There really is no need for a tutorial on that, because it is so basic.

Quote:

Apply your Compiz settings (to make things purty)
First make sure you are connected to the internet!

1. go to Sytem->administration->Hardware Drivers
2. Type in your password
3. If your graphics card is listed, click the box to enable it. (you will be prompted with a dialog which you need to accept. It will then download the driver and you will need to restart your computer.)
4. Go to System->Prefrences->Appearance
5. go to the Visual Effects tab
6. select the Extra (if you computer is too slow then go back to normal

that is it!

Quote:

To install AWN.

First, we need to add a repository. A repository is basically a server or a group of servers on which developers put their software for easy downloading.

Make sure you have internet :)

1.) Go to System->Administration->Software Sources
2.) navigate to the "Third Party Software Tab"
3.) Click the add button
3.a) enter

Code:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/awn-testing/ubuntu hardy main

and click "add source"
3.b) Click the add button again.
3.c) enter

Code:

deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/awn-testing/ubuntu hardy main

and click "add source"
4.) press the close button, and then select the "reload" option when prompted.
5.) Now to the Terminal! Dont worry, you can just copy and paste :) go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal to open it.
6.) Now just copy and paste

Code:

sudo apt-get install awn-manager-trunk awn-extras-applets-trunk

7.) you should have to enter your password, and when it asks if you want to install them just enter "y"

** you can replace 5-7 by going into synaptic (System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager). and installing the packages "awn-manager-trunk" and "awn-extras-applets-trunk"

8.) Add it as a start up program. go to System -> Preferences -> Sessions
8.a.) click the add button and for name put "AWN" and for command put "avant-window-navigator" and click OK

You dont have to do this, but it is recomended.

Delete the bottom gnome panel (right click)

on the top gnome panel. right click and bring up its options dialog. make the opacity 0, and have it autohide (if you want it to)

now you can go into System->Prefrences->AWN manager and add what ever you want :)

Quote:

Configuring
go to synaptic, or terminal and install "compizconfig-settings-manager"

then go to preferences, open up the manager and you have a plethora of options.

To map certain functions to keys. First find the plugin you want (eg "scale") and then open up the preferences for it. Then navigate to the key bindings tab. There you can map any function you want. (the defaults are kind of screwy)

My recommendation is this:
first, have F9 as the button you press to select that window for tabbing.
then have f10 group those windows.

next have f11 as your scale button.

then have ctrl+alt+DOWN link to the expose plugin.

Quote:

to record your desktop (what i used)

there is a really great desktop recorder for linux. it is called simply, recordmydesktop.
a simple, "sudo apt-get install recordmydesktop" in the terminal will install it, or you can install it from synaptic.
however, that is command line application, so to install a GUI for it, simply install "gtk-recordmydesktop" (sudo apt-get install gtk-recordmydesktop)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonus

Here are some more plugins... very cool

The first is the Dodge plugin. this should be already installed.
The next was the stackswitch plugin you have to compile from source (rather painlessly though) to get it.
also if you compile from source you can get this:

a spherical "cube" (you dont need to do anything special for the 3d windows, just enable the plugin.
also

a curved Expo plugin option

Quote:

TO GET ADDITIONAL PLUGINS....

WARNING these are in developement. I have not had any problems running thems, but installing them can be troublesome if you do not follow the directions carefully.

FIRST make sure you REMOVE all previous compiz-fusion versions..

Code:

sudo apt-get remove compiz compizconfig-backend-gconf compizconfig-backend-kconfig libdecoration0 compizconfig-settings-manager python-compizconfig emerald

that should do the trick. now restart your computer.

simply then copy and paste these lines 1 at a time.

Code:

wget http://www.xs4all.nl/~mgj1/downloads...-newest.tar.gz
tar xzf compiz-git-newest.tar.gz
cd compiz-git
./compiz-git install

when you are done, just restart your computer or X server and run "fusion-icon"
you will need to add this command to "sessions" under preferences so it will boot each time.

and voila, BUT enable these plugins:

Code:

move window
resize window
decorations

it is important as those dont come defaultly enabled.

These can be tricky to install, so just be careful as you may have to do some fandangling (although if you follow the instructions you should be safe)

If you want anything more in the install how-to just ask :)
This really doesnt do linux justice of its awesome power. But i hope that i sparked an interest in some people.

_vamp_ · #2 06-21-2008, 07:43 AM

true. Linux is awesome. been running on Ubuntu for a year and a half now and the power and potential that is in it, is incredible. Its impossible for me to go back to windows after the glory of Linux

Ion · #3 06-21-2008, 07:36 PM

Now I know why you like it so much, can you play games on it and install .exe files? :o

dracule · #4 06-21-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ion

Now I know why you like it so much, can you play games on it and install .exe files? :o

I installed a bunch of windows programs like rosetta stone

for games and software it is kind of hit and miss... but a lot of games can run.

However, Wine (what you use to run Windows applications) just went to 1.0 not to long ago. Seems they got Photoshop CS2 running and stuff.

you can go here: http://appdb.winehq.org/ and see what software is running.

HookBott · #5 06-21-2008, 08:22 PM

Convince a FreeBSD user to use linux, go!

dracule · #6 06-21-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HookBott

Convince a FreeBSD user to use linux, go!

idk... i like it.. but i would never install on my laptop.

Plus the community is liek <1% of the linux size. Like if you need an answer on linux it takes about 1 hour (if it isnt a noob question and they ignore you) or even far less on IRC. When i was using FreeBSD on my desktop (like i said it would never install on my laptop) it took several days.

There really isnt too much reason to go to BSD. Linux has more people behind it, making the experience less painful when you have a problem. Plus there is a shitload more of documentation.

The repositories are bigger and kept up better. you have to compile from source a lot less often. There are also a lot more drivers.. o yeah that was what was wrong. I had to uninstall it from my desktop because the wifi adapter wasnt compatible with BSD.

Ion · #7 06-21-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracule

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ion

Now I know why you like it so much, can you play games on it and install .exe files? :o

I installed a bunch of windows programs like rosetta stone

for games and software it is kind of hit and miss... but a lot of games can run.

However, Wine (what you use to run Windows applications) just went to 1.0 not to long ago. Seems they got Photoshop CS2 running and stuff.

you can go here: http://appdb.winehq.org/ and see what software is running.

Does this have dx9 atleast? Or like do you think Il be able to install a 9800GTX video card driver? Im interested now because it seems so light and fast. :o

Sweet supports steam. :mrgreen:

dracule · #8 06-21-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ion

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracule

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ion

Now I know why you like it so much, can you play games on it and install .exe files? :o

I installed a bunch of windows programs like rosetta stone

for games and software it is kind of hit and miss... but a lot of games can run.

However, Wine (what you use to run Windows applications) just went to 1.0 not to long ago. Seems they got Photoshop CS2 running and stuff.

you can go here: http://appdb.winehq.org/ and see what software is running.

Does this have dx9 atleast? Or like do you think Il be able to install a 9800GTX video card driver? Im interested now because it seems so light and fast. :o

it has official Nvidia drivers. but they are proprietary. However, when you install ubuntu a little helper dialog will install it for you.

I think you can install direct x 9 in wine,

Cedega is something that costs $5 a month but promises a gaming experience in Linux...

Nacos · #9 06-21-2008, 09:18 PM

you have convinced me to try it. is there a program at partitions your drive in to exactly what you need.. ill make a 40GB partition for ubuntu.

dracule · #10 06-21-2008, 09:25 PM

yeah, it is called gparted. When you put the Cd in to install it, it will be under administration

Also, you can try Wubi. That way you dont have to partition anything...

Quote:

Wubi is an officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows users that can bring you to the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application, in a simple and safe way. Are you curious about Linux and Ubuntu? Trying them out has never been easier!

http://wubi-installer.org/

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