Compiz magic

                                  The Compiz Fusion project tries to bring us all the latest 3D technologies, such as Cube reflection, paint fire on your desktop and a lot of new eye candy animations. Compiz Fusion aims to provide an easy and fun-to-use windowed environment, allowing use of the graphics hardware to render each individual window and the entire screen, to provide some impressive effects, speed and usefulness. Compiz Fusion is an open-source software project, meaning anyone can use it freely and contribute.


Compiz Gallore

                                                                                                  

Installing Compiz

Take the terminal and type in as follows

sudo apt-get -y install compiz compiz-gnome compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-extra libcompizconfig-backend-gconf



Preliminaries

Before going on to the compiz settings, first change the Visual Effects to normal or extra. Right click on the desktop and select the change desktop background option. Click on the visual effects tab to change the visual effects.

Click on the Applications --> System tools --> Compiz Fusion Icon

Then the compiz fusion icon will appear on the right of the top panel. Right click on the icon and slelect the Settings Manager.

If you can not change the visual effects click on the Relooad Window manager to change the visual effects from basic to normal or extra.

Read more compiz features on the upcoming posts

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How to add Network Monitor applet to your taskbar in Ubuntu

                        Netspeed applet is a network monitor applet that describes your network traffic by showing the uplink and downlink rate graphically... Its simply helps you to identify weather there is network traffic or not instead of refereshing your browser frequently..

The figure below shows the Netspeed applet

Adding Netspeed applet to your panel

Right click on the panel on the top of your desktop.  Select the Add to panel option. Look out for the Netwok monitor entry in the list and click on the  add button as shown in the figure below. Now if you are connected to a network or internet the applet will start showing the downlink/uplink rate.

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How to find the open ports when you get connected

This post is all about the open ports created in your system. This ports are mainly tcp or udp ports. 

Ports below 1024 are reserved for common services, and only root can use them. Standard port numbers can be found in /etc/services. 

Take your terminal and type  in as follows to see them

$sudo gedit /etc/services

The maximum number of ports is 65k, so you have more than enough Internet ports for all your services. Here are some useful utilities. Netstat is a command that will list both the open ports and who is connected to your system. You should run it like this:

$netstat -an | more

This way you can find out who is connected to which service. Another interesting command is the fuser program. This program can tell you which user and  process owns a port. For example, the following command will tell you who owns port 0

$fuser -v -n tcp 0

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Quick tips : Ubuntu / Linux

The simplest way to install the packages

 If you feels the package installation as a head ache in Ubuntu Linux, just try http://www.appnr.com . It has a wide categorized collection of packages with short description, what you need is only a mouse to begin installation.

Separate /home partition when you install Linux

 

Try to make separate partition for the /home when you install linux, and show this partion as the home for any linux that you install later in your system. It has the advantage that if you have more linux with same home then you can share files easily in spite of difference in operating system. Also you can avoid losing your data during an OS crash.

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Quick tips : Internet

Tip1 : Use firefox / chrome to surf the web

Firefox and chrome are the fastest browsers to surf the web. A little amount of coniguration can further increase the speed of firefox. 

Click on the link to see how http://1024bitez.blogspot.com/2009/06/fire-fox.html

Tip 2 : Search in webpages of other languages

If you can't find out the right page or your search keyword, Use the google's language translator tool to widen your search over diffrent languages. Google will show you the result in english, whatever may be the source language.

Tip 3 : Blog search

If you dont find enough data after googling, try searching over the blogs also. Click on the more link on the top of the google's simple home page to get the blog option. You may feel it a powerful source for data

Tip 4 : Blogger or wordpress ?

Are you planning to start a new blog? Which service will you choose? blogger or wordpress? If you are planning to make some money through some advertisements  then move on with Blogger. Wordpress does not support advertisements, but it will give you a professional blog with a wide variety of elegent themes. Also if you aim at readers from google, it's better to go on with blogger since google will index pages on blogger frequently than wordpress..

www.blogger.com                           www.wordpress.com

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Quick tip : Laptops

Tip 1: wifi/bluetooth switches in laptops

If you have partiular switch for wifi bluetooth in you laptop then put it always in the ON state physically. They are not so sturdy and are easily prone to complaint. So frequently using these switches will decrease its lifespan.

Better check out your Oparting systen services to enable/disable this services instead of always looking for the switches

Tip 2 :When you buy a laptop

When you are going to buy a laptop give the irst preference to Processor, Motherboard and display instead of looking for the features like good speakers, vibrant color pattern etc...This is because the first three constitutes the important and pricest component in the machine...

Tip 3 : Avoid drinking coffe (conditions apply !!!) 

Try to avoid using moist content near your laptop. It's always a problem to many of the electronic devices...(No restrictions for bear...)

Tip 4 : Using laptop

Avoid using laptop over smooth surfaces like bed cloth etc... This can close the air vents under the laptop preventing the hot air  to flow outside. The system will get heated up, then the fans increase their speed to compensate this speed by increasing the heat further more. Don't make your laptop angry ! ! !

Tip 5 : Use your brain mouse

Use a mouse instead of using a touchpad in your laptop. Coz, mouse is cheaper than a touchpad when you have to replace

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Make your keyboard blinking to represent network traffic using tleds in Ubuntu

tleds is debian based appliation that is used to indicate the netwotk traffic using your keyboard LEDs. As you know the led lights in the keyboard for indicating scroll lock, numlock have no other purpose other than just glowing to indicate this features are active. These remain off during most of the time.

So let's use these LED's to indicate the network traffic of your system. You can make them blinking when you send/recieve packets into network or internet.
This can be done by just downloading a small package called tleds.

Installing tleds

Take the terminal and type in as follows

    sudo apt-get install tleds

configuring

You have to show,  for which connection these LEDs should blink. You will issue the command ifconfig in the terminal to see the name of active connection. The commandline is
   
        sudo tleds wlan0   -- represents the wireless connection

        sudo tleds ppp0     -- represents the point to point connection (eth0,    

                                                                                 mobile broadband )

also you can issue command below for further control

        sudo tleds ppp0 -d 100
100 represents the delay between the blinking in microseconds. This delay represents the blinking speed. You can also issue command like this.  Here the default delay 200ms will be used.

That's all. Take your browser and search for something... See the lights in your keyboard blinking..
   
       

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Internet access and package installation behind a proxy server in Ubuntu

When there is a proxy server in between your system and server you have to specify the proxy address in all the applications that is intended to access internet such as firefox, bittorrent... Proxy servers are mainly deployed for subnets, for example a network inside a college is connected to internet using a proxy server (not technically, since there are gateways,routers...) to sensor and restrict the students internet activities, protect from unauthorized access... 

If you have to run any application behind a proxy server, you have to specify the proxy server address and the port number to the application that need access the internet. This is because the default port numbers used by the transport  layer protocols are changed by the proxy server. Squid is one among the important proxy programs that is prefered by network administrators. In the following cases please replace the proxy address and port number with the corresponding feilds applicable to you.

Setting Proxy address in Mozilla  firefox

Click on edit --> Preferences.

Select the Network tab under the advanced tab. Click on the Settings button. In the Network settings window select the manual configuration. Then enter the HTTP proxy and port on the current window. Save the settings...When you start browsing the firefox will automatically ask for authentication. Then you have to specify the username and password in the proxy server. 

Setting Proxy in Synaptic package manager

If you are using synaptic package manager as the package installer, You have to do some configuration before using apt package manager.

Click on the Settings --> Preferences

Choose the network tab and select manual proxy configuration. Set HTTP proxy and FTP proxy. Then enter their port numbers also. Click on the authentication button to set username and password.

Setting proxy for APT package manager
APT is a command line utility for installing packages. Probably many people are addicted to terminal do the following . . .

If you have no authentication for the proxy server then use the following command line. 

export http_proxy=http://192.168.0.2:3128
export ftp_proxy=http://192.168.0.2:3128

If you have username and password the use

export http_proxy=http://username:password@192.168.0.2:3128/
export ftp_proxy=http://username:password@192.168.0.2:3128/

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Changing the entries in boot loader of Ubuntu

This post will show you how you can change the order, color, text etc that
are shown in the boot loader (grub) of your Ubuntu linux. The configuration
files that are needed to boot your Ubuntu linux are residing in the  menu.lst
file in boot folder
Let use the terminal to edit those entries easily

1.  Take the gnome terminal and type in the followin command to back
up the menu.lst file

$sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst  /etc/grub/menu.lst.bak

2.  Open the file in  gedit text editor with all permissions as follows

$ sudo gedit  /boot/grub/menu.lst

3.  Go to the end of the file and there you will see the list of entries that
are shown by the grub as shown in the figure…

4.  Rearrange the entries as if you wish in that list by just cutting-pasting.
U can change the name of the entry also…Look how I changed the first
entry as “myUbuntu”

Changing the timeout for automatic booting

Lookout for the entry like ” timeout      10 “  in the menu.lst file. Change
its value to some other value, the value is expressed in seconds…

Changing the color pattern

Lookout for the entry “Pretty colors”..
 

Remove the # symbol infront of the line   “#color cyan/blue white/blue”

5. After making the required changes save and close the file to make thechanges available to the system… If the menu.lst file had corrupted accidently in some ways, just relax and copy back the menu.lst.bak file to menu.lst file as follows

$ sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst.bak /boot/grub/menu.lst

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Configuring the new GRUB 2

As you know GRUB is the software used by debian operating systems like Ubuntu… for loading and transferring control to the operating system kernel during the initial boot. The new version grub2 has many differences from the previous versions of grub in many aspects of configuring and tweaking. GRUB 2 will be installed by default on new installations of Ubuntu (Karmic).While the main grub boot loader file continues to reside in the /boot/grub folder, it is no longer called as menu.lst in GRUB 2. The main Grub 2 instruction file is now grub.cfg. This file is produced by various scripts. The files responsible for the content of grub.cfg are /etc/default/grub and individual script files located in /etc/grub.d/. The changes made to this scripts are taken  into effect when “update-grub” command is issued on the terminal.

Configuring the GRUB 2To make changes to the new GRUB 2 we have to make changes to the script files… So let us discuss about the important configuration files…


grub.cfg (/boot/grub/grub.cfg)

Please don’t make any changes to this file. This is the main configuration file, and it is the sum total  of all the scripts that affects the GRUB 2. grub.cfg is the configuration file and it is not the script, you have to change the scripts to modify the grub and not the configuration file.  You have to run the “update-grub” command to make the changes into effect (to rebuild the grub.cfg)

grub (/etc/default/grub)

1. Type  $ sudo gedit /etc/default/grub to open this file

This file contains information similar to /boot/grub/menu.lst. It contains settings primarily affecting Grub’s menu display. This file can be edited by root to make changes to these settings. These changes will be imported into grub.cfg when “update-grub” is executed.let us discuss about some of the entries in this file
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
This is the number of seconds before the default entry is automatically booted. Setting a value of -1 will display the menu until the user makes a selection (no timeout).
GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_RECOVERY=true

Add or uncomment this line to prevent “Recovery” mode kernel options showing in the menu.

2. Save and close the file.
3. Issue the following command in the  terminal

$ sudo update-grub

/etc/grub.d/ (folder) 

1. Type in     $cd /etc/grub.d/  to enter into this folder. Issue a ls command to see all the configuration files in this folder

2. We have to modify the 05_debian_theme script file to change the appearance of boot loader. So open that file using the terminal as follows
$ sudo gedit 05_debian_theme (file opened in gedit text editor)

3.Changing colors
look at the 8th & 9th row (first set up color of text, second selected row):
set menu_color_normal=magenta/black
set menu_color_highlight=cyan/blue
(change the colors as per your wish)

4. Setting  background image for grub 2

1. Check for the line in the script file as shown in the figure below

2. Here i set my grub background as a picture file, boot.png

What you have to do is just copy a picture file to /usr/share/images/desktop-base directory. I am just assuming that picture file is now in your desktop.

$sudo cp /home/username/Desktop/filename.png  /usr/share/images/desktop-base/

3. Change the 16th line (shown in fig below ) by replacing the word filename with boot

for i in {/boot/grub,/usr/share/images/desktop-base}/filename.{png,tga} ; do

4. That’s enough for the time being. Now save and close the 05_debian_theme  script file

5. Run the command $ sudo update-grub to rebuild the grub.cfg file. Then you will see the output as follows…

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Things to care when you buy a laptop from Kerala

Probably laptop is a an avoidable tech think when you live in a todays professional technical life. The laptop market is making a noticable growth in a recent period.

The giants among the field are Sony, Apple etc.. Hp is also a good option at this range. U may get greatly appealing, light weight systems if you have enough money to pay  an amount for greater than 50k rupees.

Dell, Thoshiba makes the middle part of the laptop industry by providing computeras with reasonable configuration at nominal price range of 35k-45k. Lenovo was also there in this range till last year, but they are not a preferable option now if you are lookig to invest for a laptop in this range. U may get a professional system that compensates both multimedia experience as well as study purposes in this level.

But when it comes to the next layer you may get cheaper laptops  but with attractive configurations. But they try hard to compete with the quality of laptops that constitutes upper layers. Acer, Compaq falls in this category.

Let our discussion zoom into the middle layer. If you are looking to buy a laptop in kerala, contact as many shops as possible before messing up with head ache. Most of the brands have their own showrooms throughout Kerala. Please dont fall in illusions created  by the "offers" given by the shoppees. Probably they charge you for these offers.

In the middle level Dell is the favourite option for many of them. If you are going to buy a Dell, its better to avoid direct purchasing from some local shoppes here. You will get new dell at a price difference of 4,000 rupees if you select online purchase. Probably kerala people hesitate to perform an online money transfer becoz they are unware and unconvinced of the security of payement... 

So keep on with your manifestos... If you are not much courageous for a direct deal, make the deal with some direct vendors, they purchase the laptop online and transfer it to you. Visit the Dell's website for laptop models by clicking here. At the first they will give quotation for the model you have  specified, you can proceed by taking a DD payable to DELL INDIA (P) LTD at banglore. Transfer it to the online vendor along with your copy of DD and ID proof. They do the rest and you will get your brand new laptop at home (is it good enough???). The vendor will give warranty to you probably for one year with options of  extending it later.

Mozad Infoways is a good option if you are located near the Cochin city. (i have purchased). U get the system shipped (sorry!!!) from the dell factory at Sreeperumpathur. If you purchase the same from some local computer shoppees you may have to pay around 4k rupees additionally....

Similarly all the brands have direct dealors and vendors. Try to find out them to make the purchase without wasting money...

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How to connect Windows XP to Ubuntu over LAN cable

                 This post is all about connecting Ubuntu and Windows system using a LAN cable for sharing data between them . . . A LAN cable is a preferable mechanism for sharing files in a good speed in the range of Mbps.

Connection requirements :
        LAN cable
        Ubuntu linux with Samba (or any other file sharing application)
        Windows machine

Connect LAN cable to both of the systems. On connecting both the Windows and Ubuntu try to connect automatically between each other.

Now follow the steps below... 

Configuring the Linux system

1.  Right click on the Network manager icon on the top sidebar. Select 

     "Edit  connections".

2.  Under the "wired" tab on the pop up Network connections window choose the

     "add" button to add a new connection.

3.  Make changes in the opened window as in figure

        # specify the connection name as u like. I call it "Ubuntu XP network"

        # Check the connect automatically box enabled
        # Click on the IPv4 settings
            * Click on the methode field and choose "Manual"
            * Click below the address feild and enter an arbitray ip say, 

               192.100.100.1                   ....you can choose it your own
            * Add 255.255.255.0 in the Netmask (no options for you, enter it as if)
        # click on the apply button to make the changes available.

4. That's all you need to do in Ubuntu machine.


Configuring the Windows system

1.  Open the Network Connections folder from Start ---> Network Connections

2.  Right click on the connection with the name "Local Area Connection" and 

     click on the properties

3.  Under the general tab select Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) and click 

     "properties"

4.  Choose 'Use the following IP address' and enter
        IP Address  :  192.100.100.3
        Subnet Mask :  255.255.255.0

5.  Press the OK button to complete the configuring.

            Thats all about configuration. Now restart the connection from the Ubuntu system using network manager (No need to pull out the cable physically)
Inorder to share a particular file from windows, right click on the file and select properties.In the properties window check the corresponding
feilds related to sharing under the "sharing" tab.

To access those files from Ubuntu system, goto Places ---> Network ---> Windows network

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How to connect Airtel GPRS in Ubuntu linux

The gprs internet is a good option when you are looking for an affordable internet connection and limited budget...

You dont need to think about the wires... (coz it probably makes you weired). Here check out how airtel's gprs can be accessed in your desktop or laptop

Follow the steps to connect.


1. Connect the phone using the data cable to the computer. Choose the COM port

    mode or phone mode in your phone. In Nokia it is called 'nokia mode'


2. On selecting the phone mode the 'New Mobile Broadband wizard begins 

    automatically. If the wizard does not pops up automatically, right click on the
    network manager icon on the top of the task bar. Then choose edit connection. 

    Click on the add button. The window will appear as follows..

       

3. Select the Airtel from the list.

4. Write click on the network manager icon on the top bar and slect the 'edit 

    connections'. Select the 'Mobile Internet' tab and click on the edit button
    after selecting the Airtel from the list.

5. On the IPv4 settings tab change the dns entry as follows...
  
        DNS : 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4


    These are public dns addresses by google and may give better performance in

    case of of speed.

6. Click on the network manager icon on the top panel and select Aircel to dial 

    the connection.

Repeat the step 6 whenever you need to connect using the same connection, after connecting the mobile phone/usb modem to the system....

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How to connect Aircel GPRS in Ubuntu Linux

Older versions of the Ubuntu linux has very less support for USB modems. This was the major problem that prevents you from connecting the mobile broadband internet facility provided by means of gprs.Linux versions were back in automatically detecting the USB modems in the mobile phones… But the new 9.04 version of Ubuntu linux (some previous versions also ) comes up with many facilities to overcome this problems…

Let me get into the matter… Here i am sharing my experiences when i tried to connect Aircel gprs using my Nokia 5200… the following procedures may be applicable to almost all java based phones.

Inorder to connect aircel gprs in your computer, first connect your phone to the computer through the data cable and select the nokia mode. Then the Network manager in Ubuntu will automatically detect the presence of phone. It will automatically starts a Mobile broadband configuration wizard…

Go through the pictures to get the step by step procedure..

One of the problems that I faced while the connection process is the list of mobile broadband ISPs provided did not contain Aircel. No problem!!! select the Airtel from the list, so that u can edit the connection later. Also the number that we have to dial in Aircel and Airtel are almost the same.

After the wizard completes right click on the network manager icon on the top panel and perform as shown in the pictures below..

Select the ‘edit connections'

Choose the Mobile broadband tab and select the ‘Airtel’ and click on the edit button

Change the following ….

Connection name : Aircel

Number : *99#

APN  : aircelgprs      (in lower case)

Leave the remaining spaces untouched and click ‘apply’…

Click on the IPv4 Settings tab and enter the value in the DNS field as in figure.

      8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4  

Each are primary and secondary dns addresses respectively seperated by the a comma. Please  remember we have started from configuration of airtel. So the dns addresses are also belonging to airtel. Here in this step we replace this with google's  public dns. Read more about dns on 

http://1024bitez.blogspot.com/2010/04/something-about-domain-name-servers.html

 

Click on the network manager icon on the top panel and select Aircel to dial the connection.

Then the icon of the Network manager will show that the connection is active soon. If you put your mouse over the icon u get a pop up  ” Mobile broadband connection ‘Aircel’ active”

That's all about the connecting Aircel in the Ubuntu linux, enjoy the power of mobile internet.

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