The name suitably describes the function. However ensure before you even start enabling this mode that you have an excellent firewall which is configured correctly. Still you might face some security problems.

First step you need to do is to install a VNC client on your system. Download and install TightVNC for Linux from here. After completing the installation, launch the TightVNC Viewer and  enter the IP address (or host name) of the remote system in the resulting Connection details dialog and press OK.

If a password is required then enter the same. The screen should load and display the remote desktop. Click on the System and then Preferences and then Remote Desktop on the Gnome top menu. This window will be displayed.

To enable the remote desktop mode you need to check the first two boxes under the sharing section.

Under the security section if you select the “Ask you for confirmation” code, then your presence in front of the computer is compulsory in order to allow another person to access your desktop.

If that is not what you want then un-check the box. This is usually done when one is trying to remotely access one of his own computers. For security reasons the second check box should always be checked, and ensure that you enter a secure password. Each time you try to log on you will be prompted for this password.

The following steps help to connect from an Ubuntu Machine:-

• Open your terminal. To do so navigate through Applications—>Accessories—>Terminal and then enter the following command: vncviewer full-screen 192.168.2.23:0.
• The following message will be displayed prompting for the password. Enter the password. When you see the VNC authentication succeeded message below, you know that everything has gone right.

VNC Viewer version 3.3.7 – built Jul 4 2006 10:04:48 Copyright (C) 2002-2003 RealVNC Ltd. Copyright (C) 1994-2000 AT&T Laboratories Cambridge. See http://www.realvnc.com for information on VNC. VNC server supports protocol version 3.7 (viewer 3.3) Password: VNC authentication succeeded.

If you want to quit VNC Viewer, press ‘F8′ and select Quit viewer.

I hope the steps were easy to understand and follow. Ubuntu is not the tough is it!!

Website

http://kde.org/

Description

KDE or the K Desktop Environment, is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE seeks to fulfill the need for an easy to use desktop for UNIX workstations, similar to desktop environments found on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Now that you have some idea we are going to see how to install KDE 4.2 beta on Ubuntu. I have tested and installed it on Ubuntu 8.10 or Intrepid Ibex, but I am sure it won’t be rocket science for installing it on previous versions of Ubuntu.

Note: This version of KDE is still in beta and can be buggy. It’s advised to only use it for testing purposes. The final release is expected in January next year.

Installation

Before you can install KDE 4.2 beta you’ll have to add the repository to the software sources.

1. Go to System->Administration->Software Sources

2. Go to the tab Third-Party Software and click Add. Add the following line

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/project-neon/ubuntu intrepid main

3. Next open a terminal window and type the following command

Today we are going to see how you can get the famous 3D cube running on your Ubuntu. Not just that we are going to see a complete configuration guide which will blow your mind away. Also, we’ll see how the 3D cube has come a long way and now you can also use 3D cylinder and 3D sphere. The end result will look something like this.

Because, this going to be a really long post as we have to configure it a lot, we have planned to launch this post as a series so that we don’t make this post really long and also allow our readers some time to breath before they have all the features running. In order to get all the famous effects on Ubuntu, you’ll need to install something called as compiz fusion. Also, this post and posts in this series is almost useless for people who do not have a graphic card in their computer.

We’ll divide this post into 3 post series. The first post will talk about how to install compiz fusion and before installing how to set up your computer to take full advantage of compiz fusion. We are now going to see how to setup your computer for unleashing compiz fusion. Ubuntu by default doesn’t support proprietary drivers. However, we’ll have to install them in order to take the complete advantage of the graphic card and hence compiz.

I have tested this guide on HP dv6910tx with nVidia 8400M GS running Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)

Check if you already have graphic drivers running and activated

To check whether you computer has third party restricted drivers, you’ll have to add some third party repositories to your software sources. But before that it’s a good idea to check if you already have the required drivers. To do so, go to System->Administration->Hardware Drivers. A window will pop up and will show if you have drivers running already.

In case you already have the drivers, you’ll see them activated, if not then you’ll have to activate them. However, if you do not see any drivers and you are sure that you have a graphic card which has restricted drivers then you’ll have to follow the steps below.

Installing Restricted Drivers

To install third part restricted drivers, you’ll have to add third part repositories to your software sources. To do so, go to System->Administration->Software Sources.

In the Ubuntu Software tab make sure that the check box Proprietary Drivers for devices (restricted) is selected. Now you’ll be able to see if there are any restricted drivers available for your graphic card. If there are, then you should install it and activate it. After installing the drivers make sure to restart the computer.

Installing Compiz Fusion

We are now all set to install compiz fusion in Ubuntu. We want to ensure that this guide is as user friendly as possible and hence I will try to avoid terminal as much as possible. You can install it by clicking the link below:

apt:compizconfig-settings-manager

You will be prompted with a window like this

Click on Install to be begin the installation. After the installation is done, you’ll see a window like the one below confirming the successful installation.

That’s all now we have compiz fusion installed on Ubuntu. In the next series we’ll see how to configure compiz fusion and get the desktop cube and other funky effects. In case you don’t want to miss the rest of the series feel free to subscribe to our RSS.

So let’s see what are the ways in which we can remove/uninstall KDE from Ubuntu. I am not a big advocate of removing KDE from Ubuntu, so we’ll also see how to get back on GNome and set it as default desktop manager for every logged in session. So let’s begin by seeing how to revert to Gnome as the default desktop manager while still keeping KDE

I am sure by now most of you must have upgraded to Ubunutu 8.10. One very important thing that I love about Ubuntu us the gnome desktop manager (GDM). However, if you did not knew, you can have different desktop managers. One of the most popular one is KDE.

KDE which stands for K Desktop Environment is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE seeks to fulfill the need for an easy to use desktop for UNIX workstations, similar to desktop environments found on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Some people swear by KDE and use it as their default desktop environment and then there are others who love their Gnome Desktop Manager. KDE probably is better eye candy compared to GDM and is a good replacement. Today, we’ll see how to install KDE 4.1 on Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex). We’ll try to make things as simple as possible.

Adding KDE 4.1 repositories to software sources

Go to System->Administration->Software Sources

After entering your admin password you’ll be presented with a window like the one below add click on the Third-Party Software tab and click the Add button.

Add the following repositories in the Apt line and click Add Source:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-members-kde4/ubuntu intrepid main

Click the button close and you’ll be prompted to reload the software sources. Make sure you are connected to Internet. It’ll take a few minutes depending on your Internet connection speed. The next step is to install KDE 4.1.

Installing KDE 4.1

I tried to use apt URL to install by seems like it’s not working so we’ll play safe and install it using a terminal window. In the terminal window type:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-kde4-desktop

The package is around 400 MB and will take time depending on your internet connection speed. After a while you’ll be prompt with a configuration window like the one below.

Hit Enter to reach the screen like the one below

Select your default Display Manager. The first one GDM will keep your Gnome Desktop and the second one KDM will make KDE as your default desktop manager and click enter.

That’s it after a few more seconds you’d have finished installing KDE 4.1.

Optional: Restoring default Ubuntu boot splash screen

Once you have installed KDE your bootsplash screen would change to show KDE bootsplash. To change this you’ll need Startup-manager. You can install it using Synaptic Package Manager.

Once you have installed this application you can start it by going to

System->Administration->Startup-Manager

Go to the Appearance tab in Startup-Manager window and under Usplash theme, select usplash-theme-ubuntu.

That’s it! Now just logout and select KDE 4 in “Select Session” and you should be logged in KDE. This is how the KDE desktop looks like:

Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

I have been using Ubuntu 8.10 RC for sometime now and haven’t faced any problems. The hardware support is just exceptional. However, you might wannt check the release note of Ubuntu 8.10 before upgrading or installing.

System Requirements
Bare Minimum System Requirements

• 300 MHz x86 processor
• 64 MB of system memory (RAM)
• At least 4 GB of disk space (for full installation and swap space)
• VGA graphics card capable of 640×480 resolution
• CD-ROM drive or network card

Recommended minimum requirements

• 700 MHz x86 processor
• 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
• 8 GB of disk space
• Graphics card capable of 1024×768 resolution
• Sound card
• A network or Internet connection

For other requirements you might want to check the System Requirements.

Download Ubuntu 8.10
In order to download the latest version of Ubuntu which is Intrepid Ibex, please visit the download page.

Upgrading to Ubuntu 8.10
You can upgrade to the latest release in very simple steps. The complete upgradation guide can be found here. You can also request for free CDs of Ubuntu 8.10 here.

Have fun with the latest release. It’s a good idea to back up your computer and if possible create an image of existing system before upgrading.

Did I get your attention? Alright, so the nerdy looking thing on the right hand side of the snapshot is called as conky and is only available for Linux. The fact is that it only looks geeky, getting it and setting it up on your favorite Linux distro (mine is Ubuntu) is a walk in the park. Let’s get started right away on how to get conky and how to set it up. But before that let’s see what Conky is;

Conky is a free, light-weight system monitor for X, that displays any information on your desktop. Conky is licensed under the GPL and runs on Linux and BSD.

I have tried to make this guide as easily as possible and have tested it on Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepeid Ibex), and there should not be any problem with other distros.

First step is of course you’ll have to get the conky. Make sure you are connected to Internet. All you have to do is:

1. Go to your Synaptic Package Manager and search for conky.

2. Click on conky and mark it for installation.

3. Hit apply and you are good to go.

And if you are addicted to Terminal, just type the following command.

sudo apt-get install conky

Now that you have conky, you can hit ALT+F2 and type conky to run it. But you’ll see a very boring conky interface. Sadly, the default conky configuration is not great looking. So now that leaves us with pimping up conky to look really geeky. Here’s what you have to do.

1. Open GEdit by hitting Alt+F2 and typing gedit.

Copy and paste the following code and save the file as .conkyrc in your home directory (notice the dot before the file name):

# UBUNTU-CONKY

# A comprehensive conky script, configured for use on

# Ubuntu / Debian Gnome, without the need for any external scripts.

#

# Based on conky-jc and the default .conkyrc.

# INCLUDES:

# - tail of /var/log/messages

# - netstat connections to your computer

#

# 


	Tags: conky, conky configuration guide, Free Open-Source System Monitor Utility

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			http://tnerd.com/2008/10/29/free-open-source-system-monitor-utility-linux-only-easiest-conky-configuration-guide/feed/
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		http://tnerd.com/2008/10/28/liferea-a-visual-guide-to-install-and-configure-linux-feed-reader-in-easy-steps/
		http://tnerd.com/2008/10/28/liferea-a-visual-guide-to-install-and-configure-linux-feed-reader-in-easy-steps/#comments
		Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:40:42 +0000
		Vivek
				
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		http://tnerd.com/?p=2118
		
			

If I were to boast something about me then it would be the fact that I am a voracious feed reader. And I am a big fan of feeddemon . But unfortunately this lovely feed reader is not available for Linux and I did not want to take the pain of using Firefox feed reader or for that matter any other alternative like thunderbird or Google reader. The reason is I wanted something that was totally a desktop application dedicated to only feed reading without any other strings attached.My search ended soon as I came across this lovely feed reader of Linux called as Liferea.


Liferea (Linux Feed Reader) is an aggregator for online news feeds. There are many other news readers available, but these others are not available for Linux or require many extra libraries to be installed. Liferea tries to fill this gap by creating a fast, easy to use, easy to install news aggregator for Gtk/Gnome. It is a reader for RSS/RDF feeds which also supports CDF channels, Atom/Echo/PIE feeds and OCS directories.


So how do you get this lovely feed reader. If you are on Ubuntu the easiest way to get Liferea is by getting a debian package. As we try our best to give you GUI means of installing stuff on Ubuntu, getting a deb package of Lifrea is the best option. You can get the package here.

All you have to do now is to install it by double clicking and entering your admin password. You ca access Lifereas from the Application menu.
Application->Internet->Liferea Feed Reader

You can also install Liferea in Ubunut by typing the following command in a terminal window.
sudo aptget install liferea
Once you open Liferea you can import your feeds into liferea very easily. All you have to do is have your favorite feeds exported from your other reader in OPML format.

I am sure Liferea will make you feed reading, aggregating and managing a much better experience.

	Tags: feed reader, installing feed reader Linux, Installing Liferea, Liferea, Linux feed reader, news aggregator, Ubuntu feed reader

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		http://tnerd.com/2008/10/28/ext2fsd-mount-ubuntu-or-any-linux-drive-on-windows-with-just-few-clicks/
		http://tnerd.com/2008/10/28/ext2fsd-mount-ubuntu-or-any-linux-drive-on-windows-with-just-few-clicks/#comments
		Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:40:13 +0000
		Vivek
				
		
		
		
		
		
		

		http://tnerd.com/?p=2109
		
			I love Linux and of all the Linux distros I love Ubuntu. However, the matter of fact remains that I cannot totally migrate to Ubuntu and hence have been using Ubuntu as dual boot. The reasons are many, but one of them is the fact that there are softwares for which I have to keep my Windows Vista. I know there’ll be a time I wont have to use Vista anymore and I know the time is almost there.


I dedicated around 12 GB of partition for Linux installation, but I don’t use all of it. In fact after installing most of the things I still have close to 5 GB of space. And not to mention that I keep running out of space on my Windows partition. So i thought why not use the free space on Ubuntu to store files. Windows Vista or for that matter any Windows version aren’t friendly to allow you to mount anythings else other than FAT and NTFS partition. So I started looking out for ways in which I can mount my Ubuntu partition.

Good news is I did not have to search a lot. Just searched on SourceForge and ended up finding this wonderful utility called ext2fsd. Just under 1 MB this utility helps you mount any of your ext partition on to Windows environment. The utility is open source and is written in c, c++ and is available under the GNU General Public License (GPL). You can download the ext2fsd here.
After starting the application just select the EXT drive and hit F3, you’ll see a screen like the one below.

Now select options that suits your need. The tweak however is to not select Mount Volume in readonly mode, because you’ll not be able to write copy or save file in that drive and hence the purpose will be defeated. However, please ensure that you don’t mess with files in the drive as it might cause issues with your Ubuntu Boot or other problems. Have fun with the extra space!

	Tags: ext2Fsd, linux drive, mount ext 3 on windows, mount linux drive on Windows, mount ubuntu drive on windows

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