11.11.09
GIMP single window mode is now available.
GIMP can now be operated in a single window mode. All you need to do is enable the testing repository from Ubuntu Tweak.
Then hit the refresh button. When the update manager pops up just install the updated GIMP package.
Then open GIMP . go to Windows -> single windowed mode.
Thats it. enjoy !!
11.09.09
Karmic Koala Installation failure
There has been reports of installation failure at the fag end of a clean installation on Ubuntu 9.10. This generally happens when you have a Windows partition in your hard drive. The reason of failure is the Ubiquity Migration Assistant which is used to migrate the ‘My documents’ folder from Windows to Ubuntu. This,in previous releases, would ask for user’s permission to start. But in this edition, it somehow automatically kicks in and while migrating folders it crashes. I have found a workaround for this.
1. Select to boot into the live cd instead of directly installing .
2. Open a terminal after you reach the live desktop and type
$ ubiquity –no-migration-assistant
3. Follow the on screen instructions to do the normal installation
The installation will complete without the migration assistant running.
10.26.09
Daylight savings and fedora 11
All those who are using Fedora 11 as their operating system, you can enable the NTP server on your system to avoid manually setting the clock on your pc every time the clocks go forward or backward.
Go to
system -> administration -> time & date -> network time protocol and enable it.
Mine was not enabled!
Catalyst 9.10 brings back compiz in Fedora 11 & support for Ubuntu 9.10
When I upgraded to kernel 2.6.30 on Fedora 11 , catalyst 9.9 stopped working and I got blank screens. I had to be content with the opensource graphics drivers which did not provide 3D acceleration in fedora 11 systems (surprisingly!)
Now, after the release of catalyst 9.10 , I’m back using compiz and my favourite wobbly effects.
Also, it officially brings in support for the upcoming Ubuntu 9.10.
09.01.09
pidgin reinstated as primary IM client in ubuntu 9.10
I have been following the ubuntu 9.10 development since alpha 4. After the launch of pidgin voice/video services, there were talks of removing empathy from the default installation of ubuntu. After today’s update, i saw, that empathy has automatically been removed, and pidgin has been reinstated as the default IM client for Ubuntu 9.10.
Readers please d0 confirm with me .
Update: Empathy is the default IM client.
08.30.09
Pidgin voice & video calls from gmail actually working!!
I have been testing video calls from the newly launched pidgin voice/video service. The test was done with a windows user on the other end , on a dell studio 15 laptop running windows vista home premium.
On my end i have been using the latest ubuntu 9.10 alpha4 daily release 29th of august 2009. This was done as the required voice /video libraries are currently not available in ubuntu 9.04. Hence you wont see the media option even if you install the latest version of pidgin in Ubuntu 9.04.
The voice is very clear and video is of good quality . I did not run into any trouble with my ancient webcam . Moreover I did not have to configure anything for the voice or video. Everything is very simple and works out of the box. The interface is very simple and user friendly.
I am sure this video call service will again get pidgin back in the default ubuntu installtion.
I even checked out the empathy videocall service for google mail under ubuntu 9.10 alpha 4 with a windows vista user on the other end. It works much bett
er than in ubuntu 9.04. I guess the new kernel (better video quality) , updated gnome and empathy libraries are responsible for improved support. In ubuntu 9.04 the voice used to crack and audio was sometimes too shrill to make a normal conversation. But now it is a real treat to talk . By the time Ubuntu 9.10 is released in October, Linux users will have two fantastic clients Pidgin and Empathy to make video calls apart from skype.
08.28.09
Skype 2.1 beta for Linux fraternity
TIme to rejoice for Skype Linux users!!!! Skype developers yesterday released the much awaited beta of skype 2.1 . This new version is hoped to improve on all the pulseaudio related issues in Ubuntu distros and all the other distros using pulseaudio as the main sound server. Plus it is touted to provide better video/voice quality.
Ubuntu 8.10 packaged .deb files are available for download. Surprisingly ubuntu 9.04 support is not mentioned but it is definitely supported!!
Here’s the list of features mentioned in the skype blog.
What’s new in this release:
- Skype’s SILK codec for outstanding quality with negligible bandwidth usage,
- HQ video support,
- PulseAudio support,
- SMS send support (*Sending SMS requires available Skype Credit),
- Contact groups,
- Contact labels, or tags, for easier contact organization,
- Chat window improvements (typing notification, message editing, s/geeky text/replacement/, new emoticons),
- Nicer contact list with mood messages and video capability icons,
- Nicer tray icon.
Download the latest skype 2.1 beta from here now!
Update
The new skype2.1 beta works well with Ubuntu 9.10 alpha 4. I have tested a skype test call on it. But there are video issues which i encountered.
To solve this problem , i follow’d the post by andrew.
Here’s what that needs to be done.
open an empty file and name it something like skype_video.sh and paste the following in it
#!/bin/bash sleep 2 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype
save it and right click on it. go to properties
and select execute for all the users.
Now edit the the ubuntu menu.
Right click on the menu -> edit menu
select internet -> select skype -> click properties
in the command box click on browse and select the skype_video.sh
And thats it.
Now everytime you open skype, your video will be crystal clear
07.28.09
Finally,Skype runs without a glitch in Ubuntu 9.04!
All of us who are using Ubuntu 9.04 &/or its derivatives like super os or linux mint 7 or ultimate edition 2.2 must have had the a few issues with skype.
1. Call drops after approx 4 mins
2. Call muting after approx 4 mins
3. High CPU usage .
4. Crashing of Skype.
Searching through the launchpad bugs on skype i stumbled upon this bug report https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/pulseaudio/+bug/362203
where a few users have given their opinions how to reduce issues on skype. I can confirm that using a few of these steps together, I have managed to run skype without any issues and have made consecutive long calls for more than 30 mins.
Step 1: Install the latest linux kernel from jaunty repos ie: 2.6.30-10
Step 2: Install skype static from medibuntu repository
Step 3: Set the audio settings (System->Preferences->Sound->Detault mixer tracks) to HDA Intel (Alsa mixer).
Step 4: Then in Skype change all three sound device options (sound in, sound out, ring) to HDA Intel.
Step 5: click apply.
PS: the new linux kernel has issues with seep and hibernate on my comp. but the 2.6.30-10 kernel has improved graphics, improved sound and improved webcam support. The webcam picture quality has drastically improved in this kernel.
U can see the screenshots below.
07.11.09
Google Video Chat In Linux , Long wait to end soon!
“Lastly, thanks to everyone who has written in asking about support for Linux. We’ve had to rewrite a key piece of technology, so this has taken some time. However, the results will be worth the wait.“
This is what Justin Uberti (Tech Lead, Google) wrote on his blog on 30th of June. Looks like google is finally listening to linux enthusiasts.
07.07.09
Google Gears in Firefox 3.5
For those who have been eagerly waiting for a new updated release for google gears to work with firefox 3.5 in windows , linux and macs, i have a good news for u guys.
Geza Kovacs , developer, has developed some custom versions of google gears to work with firefox 3.5. Go here for downloads
For me, the new gears works very well with gmail offline and wordpress. I am using ubuntu 9.04 with ff3.5. See the screenshots below.
