Why isn’t the blog updated very much?
I will only update the blog when someone needs help with an Ubuntu or Linux related problem on Warez-BB.org
I don’t plan on updating the blog unless someone specifically needs help with anything 
So PM me on WBB – username – LinuxTrance
or email me at darktanis@gmx.us
Changed my desktop around a bit
I liked how it was before, but WOW I like this ALOT better!!
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Desktop
What my desktop looks like
Someone sent me an email
darktanis@gmx.us
and asked me what my Ubuntu desktop looked like, well here’s a screenie, I’m quite happy with it
To see a larger picture simply click the image and it will expand
So, any ideas about what lessons I should be putting together? I was thinking the next one would be how to modify your desktop.
Installing applications in Ubuntu
Ubuntu Tutorial: Installing Applications
Installing new applications is extremely simple in Ubuntu, therefore I will not spend too much time explaining it as it is somewhat self explanatory.
Simply click
Applications > Add/Remove
Now make sure the “All Available Applications” marker is checked, and you are set to download. The Add/Remove section is separated in a few subsections making it easy to browse through programs and find what you are looking for.
Accessories – Applications such as: Calculator, Archive Managers, etc etc
Education – Math, Graph, and other educational programs
Games – Easily download simple games such as Tron, Soccer, etc etc, or larger games such as Sauerbraten which takes a considerable amount of space and a fast computer to run
Graphics - Image editing programs and the like
Internet – Messengers, browsers, etc
Office – Word Processors, xml editors, ebook readers, etc
Other - Anything that does not have a set, defined, category
Programming – CSS and Web Development tools and editors
Sound and Video – Programs for watching videos, listening to music, podcasts, etc
System Tools: File managers, partition editors, etc
Universal Access – Disregard this one
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Using the Add/Remove programs manager is the easiest way to install programs, however, sometimes you will have to download a program that is not on the list, so you need to follow these steps closely so that you can install the software properly.
A good example of a program you might want, and that is not on the list, would be the Opera Web Browser.
To download the Opera Web Browser simply go to their download page
http://www.opera.com/download/
*this will detect you are running Ubuntu and will offer you the file you need to download*
Make sure you are downloading the installer for YOUR version of Ubuntu! *should be 8.04 Hardy Heron*
*note* I already have Opera installed so it has the “reinstall package” button as opposed to the “Install Package” it would have if I was installing the program for the first time * *
Now your download will begin, and once it completes simply open the “deb” file…
*deb means Debian package*
Deb packages are simple to install. Simply double click the file and it will bring up an installer. The installer will have a brief description of the package you are installing, read it through and make sure it is what you want, then click the “install package” button. A screen will pop up asking you to fill in your password (use the password you use to login) and will then install your chosen application. Once it has finished, click out of the installer and click the applications tab and find your installed application.
For instance: If you installed Opera you would click
Applications > Internet
as Opera is an Internet application as it is a browser.
If you installed AbiWord Processor through a deb file you would go to
Applications > Office
Installing applications on Ubuntu is as easy as that. You can also install packages and applications through the “synaptic package manager” BUT if you are new to Ubuntu or are unsure as what to do in the SPM, please do not edit or install programs from there as you can do permanent damage to your Linux OS.
Installing Windows Programs In Ubuntu
Installing Windows programs in Ubuntu (i.e. Office, Windows Media Player, Windows based games, etc)
Ubuntu does not offer native support for Windows based applications out of the box, however, it takes only a few, minor, modifications for your new Ubuntu install to play your favorite Windows based games or applications. Please note…not ALL programs OR games will work on Ubuntu, and some may work but only partially.
***Games that require Gameguard (some MMORPG’s use this) will NOT run on Ubuntu. As of the date of this post there is no bypass or modification that will work for Gameguard games, and you would be foolish to try***
Now, let’s get down to business! There are two applications you can use to run windows programs. The most widely used Windows “emulator” is WINE, however, Crossover Linux is very popular as well, and both programs will satisfy most of your Windows application needs on Ubuntu.
Wine Homepage:
www.winehq.org/
Database of Applications Supported by Wine:
http://appdb.winehq.org/
Crossover Linux HomePage
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/
Crossover Linux Applications Database:
http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/toplists
My favorite out of these two is Crossover as I find it MUCH easier to use. It’s much quicker, has content available at the click of a button, and requires relatively no effort to use. The drawback to Crossover is that it is not free.
Wine is free, supported by the Ubuntu community, and easy to use as well. You can download wine by simply clicking
applications > Add/Remove
then search for “Wine”.
Ok, so whether you decided to purchase Crossover Linux or download WINE for free, you are set to run your favorite Windows applications.
I simply love the Foobar music player, so let’s try to download and install that program on Ubuntu and I’ll take some screenshots to show you the progress.
1. Ok, lets try to install foobar using Crossover Linux…
***This is one of those moments where you will get really mad! Crossover doesn’t want to install this program, odd, right? Well let’s try it in Wine***
2. Installing it using wine (just right click the .exe file and click “open with Wine”
3. Ok cool, looks like it’s working!!
4. Notice how wine has created a “C” drive on your Ubuntu disk…all your “Wine Installed” programs will be installed into this section!
5. Here we have the fully installed application ready for use!
Set up Ubuntu to play Video and Audio Files
Ubuntu Tutorial for New Users:
Written by LinuxTrance for Warez-BB users
If you would like to download Ubuntu please use the following, official, link
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Lesson One:
Set up Ubuntu to play Video and Audio Files
*Make sure you are using the latest Ubuntu release which is the Hardy Heron 8.04 release*
Playing movies and audio files in Ubuntu is easy and only requires a small amount of tweaking of your OS. The reason that they are not supported out of the box is that they are classified as “restricted” codecs and files, so they will NOT be officially supported anytime soon.
The easiest way to install the “restricted extras” package is to use the sudo apt-get command in terminal. To open terminal click Applications > Accessories > Terminal
Then type the following command into the terminal window.
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
*it will ask you for your password* This password will be your login password for the system.
- You can also install the restricted Ubuntu package by accessing the Add/Remove section OR the Synaptic Package Manager -
Synaptic Package Manager Method
System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager
Once in the SPM search the word “restricted” and then find the Ubuntu Restricted Package
*you will see that I have the Kubuntu package installed, even tho I am running Ubuntu….I run on both, I can choose upon login, I’ll show you how to do that in later lessons*
or
Add/Remove Method:
Applications > Add/Remove
*Make sure the -all available applications- button is checked*
Once you have the package installed *includes Java and other goodies* you are pretty much set to go! Keep in mind that some players will work better than others. I will recommend my favorites to you so that you can decide what you would like to do.
Movie Players:
All of these programs can be found in the Add/Remove section! Any problems just send me a pm and I’ll help you ASAP
Mplayer- My favorite movie player! Very light weight, has the best subtitle pickup, and is easy to use.
VLC – A good player, seems a bit out of place in the Ubuntu environment, but many people will like this as it is popular in the Windows environment as well.
Music Players
Exaile – Nice interface, lyric feature, visualizations, playlist editor, etc. Takes a moderate amount of processor usage, may slow down older machines.
Amarok – Sleek design, great lyric feature, many addons, and community support. One of the most popular music players in the Gnome Environment. Runs heavy on system resources however.
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Next Tutorial will be – Optimizing and Tweaking Ubuntu
