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Mar 07 2007
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computers, linux, open source, software, technology, ubuntu, web 2.0

My Escapades into Linux…

kubuntu-header.png

So a few days ago, I broke out my many Linux CDs & DVDs. I have downloaded 4 or 5 distros recently and I wanted to test a few of them out on an extra 40GB hard drive I have on my old Dell computer. It’s a P4 2.4GHz with 768MB Ram and a 64 Meg graphics card – nice little machine – works very well with no problems.

I did my research and decided on the Ubuntu Edgy Eft release. It installed perfectly. Then I read something Linus Torvalds said that he hates Gnome and loves KDE. So I figured if the creator of Linux’s kernel loves KDE, I should probably try it out… and since I don’t use Macs and Gnome is more emulated for Mac style I should probably just try KDE. So I installed Kubuntu 6.10 from the DVD distribution I downloaded. It installed great.

I tried to install a nVidia third party graphics driver so I could get Beryl XGL working but that failed horribly due to lack of experience on my part and some bad instructions online. I had to reformat my installation again…

Round 2

After installing Kubuntu again, I found some better instructions on how to get a third party graphics accelerator installed here. Then I found a great wiki on how to install XGL & Beryl so I can get cool desktop effects. VERY FUN!

I couldn’t believe I actually got Beryl working on my Kubuntu installation… I was SO excited! Still am. It’s so great to have a free OS with free software, free tools, free help, free EVERYTHING and it works so well and is secure and safe and fast and fun. It’s a challenge to learn the Konsole (command line) and how to install stuff but once you get the hang of it and if you don’t mind researching on the internet how to do stuff it’s not that bad.

The Future

I’ll be posting more about my escapades into the Linux world as I discover more cool stuff. I’ll be sure to let you all know what I find. I don’t think Linux is ready for the mainstream world yet. If Linux can be as powerful as it is today and change to become an OS that my dad can use….. then it will be ready to CRUSH Microsoft. That’s what I think :)

Mar 02 2007
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computers, email, mozilla, open source, software, technology, thunderbird, web 2.0

Thunderbird 1.5.0.10 Released; 2.0 on the way…

Well it looks like you can get your security update for Thunderbird now to v1.5.0.10.  Highly recommended to update to it.

As far as Thunderbird 2.0 goes, my research shows that March 6th is the final code freeze which means they’ll be getting into RC builds soon and then we’ll have a sparkling new Thunderbird to play with in March or April.  :)

Thunderbird 3.0 is due sometime in 2008.

Feb 27 2007
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browsers, firefox, firefox 3, mozilla, open source, software, technology, web 2.0

The Future of Firefox 3.0

Mozilla is currently developing Firefox 3.0 and is claiming it will be released by the end of 2007. The new browser will include a host of new features that will likely delight the Mozilla fan base. The major updates to the browser are also considered the most important and will be speed enhancements and full web standards compliance.

A few other features likely to be included in the release:

  • A new database based history and bookmarking system called “Places”
  • A new graphics rendering engine called “Cairo” based on Gecko 1.9
  • Innovative offline support
  • Improved interaction with add-ons
  • Better printing support
  • Enhanced security and stability
  • A better crash reporting tool

I think these features along with any others Mozilla ends up incorporating into the new browser will continue to make Firefox a better browser than IE 7. I like IE 7 but it just doesn’t compare to how powerful and innovative Firefox is.

“Places” and the underlying database for cache and bookmarks should be really exciting. It’s supposed to give bookmarks a more dynamic nature. Bookmarks could be sorted based on popularity or frequency of access.

[Sources: PCWorld; MozillaLinks]

Feb 25 2007
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browsers, computers, firefox, mozilla, open source, software, technology, tips, web 2.0

My Favorite Firefox Add-Ons

1.) Del.icio.us Extension – this is an extension you can install to give you easy access to your online bookmarks via del.icio.us. Very cool and it makes it so simple to tag a page (control+shift+/) and view your bookmarks with the del.icio.us icon button. Check it out.

2.) Firefox Showcase – this extension lets your add the functionality of IE 7′s awesome “Quick Tabs” feature. Showcase allows you to view all of your open tabs in a single window and allows you to then choose the tab you’d like to focus on. Very cool feature from IE 7 now easily available for Firefox (which is why extensions rock!).

3.) FireFTP – this allows you to connect to various FTP sites with an awesome and simple interface within Firefox. Check it out!

4.) Greasemonkey – this allows you to customize the web in ways you might not be able to imagine, highly recommended.

5.) FavLoc – allows you to set favorite download folders so you can easily download files into different directories!

6.) DownThemAll! – installs a much needed download manager.

All of the Firefox Recommended Add-ons are awesome as well and I suggest you check them out to add much needed functionality to Firefox. I don’t go overboard, for example right now I only have Del.icio.us and Showcase installed because I like to keep a few, stable extensions installed for stability and simplicity. I also just keep the classic Firefox 2 theme because most other themes are not good enough for me :)

Feb 24 2007
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browsers, computers, firefox, mozilla, open source, software, technology, thunderbird, vista, web 2.0

Firefox Security Update and Plugins Fix

Mozilla has surprisingly updated both Firefox 2 & 1.5 with their new security updates. Firefox is updated to 2.0.0.2 & 1.5.0.10 with various security, stability, and Windows Vista enhancements. All users are encouraged to update in order to benefit from these. You can get Firefox here.

Another cool fix I found today was enabling Windows Media plugins in Firefox 2. I have had issues with WMP plugins and Firefox and now I’ve found the fix!

You basically have to copy three DLL’s into your plugins folder for Firefox (instructions below). Which is typically: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins

Windows Media Player – MozillaZine Plugin Instructions

DllDump – Download Free Plugin Files

Feb 19 2007
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browsers, computers, firefox, mozilla, open source, software, technology, web 2.0

Mozilla Links gets an Update!

The Mozilla Links site has received a facelift and now sports a new visual theme and some better features. Check it out! :)

Also, Firefox 2.0.0.2 should be out by Feb. 27th now.  This according to the wiki here.

Feb 14 2007
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computers, email, google, technology, web 2.0

Google Gmail Open to Everyone!

Okay, there has been much speculation as to when this was finally going to happen and now it looks like it has. For real this time. I only say that because there have been some rumors a few times that Gmail was open to the public, but they proved false until now. If you go here:

Welcome to Gmail

Sign up for Gmail

You can click the link “Sign Up for Gmail” and register for an account. A couple things to note. If you already have a Google account for something like Calendar or another service, you already have Gmail. And vise-versa, once you sign up for Gmail you have access to all of Google’s services like: Calendar, Photos, Docs & Spreadsheets, and Groups.

I guess Google still considers Gmail in Beta since they continue to have the tag on their logo. They add features periodically and sometimes, although very rarely, Gmail will not respond. So once it’s considered out of beta it will be nice :)

Well there you go, sign up for Gmail!

Here’s the features: About Gmail

(I also recommend Google Talk to serve as your new mail notifier.)

You’ll get integrated search, almost 3GB of space, chat, mobile access and a free email account where you don’t have to delete! Enjoy.

Feb 12 2007
2 Comments
browsers, computers, firefox, mozilla, open source, software, technology, thunderbird, web 2.0

Firefox 2.0.0.2 & Thunderbird 1.5.0.10

It looks like the tentative date for these two security updates will be Wednesday February 21st.  Both releases will address various bugs and security issues.  Firefox’s update will include more stability for Windows Vista.  Their smoke-tests passed so that’s good news as well.

Source: Mozilla Wiki

Downloads: Mozilla FTP

Feb 12 2007
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browsers, computers, firefox 3, mozilla, open source, software, technology, web 2.0

Firefox 3 (Gran Paradiso) Alpha 2 Available

Mozilla has released its second Alpha iteration of Firefox 3 or “Gran Paradiso” for testing.  Mozilla plans on having Firefox 3 released by the end of 2007 with a highly advanced graphics rendering engine called Cairo.  The Gecko 1.9 engine is in place and this provides full web standards compatibility by passing the Acid2 test by the Web Standards Project.

So basically if you want to download it and mess around with web standards you can, but you won’t find anything terribly interesting about it.  It’s safe to say that once Mozilla gets their base code updated for Acid2 and integration of all of their new features, they’ll begin testing beta builds.

You can check out the download here:

Firefox 3 Alpha 2

Feb 03 2007
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apple, computers, mozilla, open source, software, technology, vista, web 2.0

iTunes and Firefox for Vista

Apple is working on making iTunes 7 compatible and stable for Windows Vista in the next few weeks so watch out for that.  I also have issues with Quicktime so hopefully they fix that too…

Also, Firefox 2.0.0.2 should be more compatible and stable for Vista as well.  I’ve never had an issue with Fx and Vista and I’ve been running both for quite sometime.  Either way I’m glad they’re working on it.

[Sources: Internet Nexus & FFEx Guru]

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