Full Circle

Full Circle
THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UBUNTU LINUX COMMUNITY
ISSUE #56 - December 2011 COMPETITION:

WIN 100GB OF
SPIDEROAK SPACE!
BIGGER ISSUE WITH MORE GAMES!

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full circle magazine #56 1 nor endorsed by, Canonical Ltd. contents ^
full circle magazine is neither affiliated with,
Full Circle
HowTo Opinions
THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UBUNTU LINUX COMMUNITY

Make 11.10 Look 'Classic' p.08 My Story p.34
Linux News p.04 My Desktop p.53

LibreOffice Pt10 p.13 My Opinion p.37
Columns
Backup Strategy Pt4 p.15 Command & Conquer p.05 Ubuntu Games p.50 I Think... p.38
Persistent USB Stick p.18 Linux Labs p.27 Q&A p.47 Review p.41
BACK NEXT MONTH
Connect To IRC p.21 Ubuntu Women p.54 Closing Windows p.30 Letters p.43
The articles contained in this magazine are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
This means you can adapt, copy, distribute and transmit the articles but only under the following conditions: You must attribute
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Full Circle magazine is entirely independent of Canonical, the sponsor of the Ubuntu projects, and the views and opinions in the
magazine should in no way be assumed to fullhave
circle magazineendorsement.
Canonical #56 2 contents ^
EDITORIAL
This magazine was created using :
Welcome to the last issue of Full Circle.
T
he last of 2011 that is. It's another bumper issue this month with a little bit of
everything: make a persistent USB stick, create a backup with SpiderOak, LibreOffice
Calc, making 11.10 look 'classic', and how to connect to IRC. Not only that but Ubuntu
Games has grown to two articles each month, so please welcome Riku and Jennifer as
our regular gamers. Charles has taken over the Linux Labs column and, this month, shows you
how to install XBMC (Xbox Media Centre). I've also added a few other new bits to this issue, but
I'll let you find them yourself.
Robin 'Mr. Podcast' Catling makes an appearance with his review of Puppy Linux. Now based Full Circle Podcast
on Lucid Lynx, Puppy is even more relevant to us than in previous incarnations, and if you Released monthly, each episode
haven't tried it yet on your old hardware I definitely recommend it. It's small, lightning fast, and covers all the latest Ubuntu news,
opinions, reviews, interviews and
fully equipped for that aging hardware you have lying around gathering dust.
listener feedback. The Side-Pod is
a new addition, it's an extra
The majority of people voted that they would attend, or would be interested in attending, (irregular) short-form podcast
an FCM IRC meeting each month. I'll try and set something up for January/February 2012 if which is intended to be a branch
of the main podcast. It's
possible. I'll announce a date either in FCM#57 or online via our website mailing list, Facebook,
somewhere to put all the general
and Google+, so stay tuned! technology and non-Ubuntu stuff
that doesn’t fit in the main
Don't forget to check out the questionnaire for next month. Fill it in and you could be in podcast.
with a chance to win 100GB of cloud space courtesy of SpiderOak. We'll also pick winners from
Hosts:
Twitter and Facebook. See the 'I Think' results pages for more info. Robin Catling
Ed Hewitt
All the best, keep in touch, and I'll see you all in 2012! Dave Wilkins
Ronnie http://fullcirclemagazine.org
ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org
full circle magazine #56 3 contents ^

LINUX NEWS
Ubuntu 11.10 To Power Gnome 3 Shell Forked Android Drivers To Be Ubuntu Kills Java
New PC Line As Cinnamon Included In Linux 3.3
Oracle’s Sun Java JDK packages are
Kernel to be removed from the Ubuntu
partner repositories and disabled on
Android drivers are users systems after Larry Ellison
returning to the ruled that the retiring the
Linux kernel. Kernel ‘Operating System Distributor License
maintainer Greg for Java, means Canonical no longer
Kroah-Hartman has have permission to use it.
retrieved the
Android drivers removed from the The change will affect Ubuntu
staging area of Linux 2.6.33 in the 10.04, 10.10 and 11.04 users only.
spring of 2010 and put them back Those who have ‘sun-java-6' package
US PC maker CTL [has] announced a So why has Gnome 3 been forked
into his development branch for installed on their system will see it
new line of Ubuntu-powered [...] ? [It] comes with a completely
version 3.3 of the Linux kernel. removed via a future software
computers, beginning with a new way of using the desktop that
notebook called the MB40U. not everyone will be comfortable update.
The plan is for a Linux 3.3 kernel to
with.
be able to boot on an Android Source: fudzilla.com
A Dramatic Increase in Speed device without further patches –
With the release of Linux Mint 12,
although not all Android patches
Equipped with up to 8GB of the Linux Mint developers created
memory, a second-generation Intel extensions for Gnome 3 that
are being automatically carried FC Notifier Update
over to the main development
Core i3, i5, or i7 processor, DDR3 brought back a lot of the Gnome 2-
branch. For example, the WakeLock The Full Circle Notifier is still at
memory, Bluetooth, and style UIs however, there is a limit
code, which helps Android devices' 1.0.2, but the PPA has been
multimedia buttons, the 14.1-inch to how far one can go with just
batteries last longer but is not updated for Oneric. FCN is a small
MB40U weighs just 4.85 pounds extensions. So the Gnome 3 has
necessary for booting, is not application that sits in your
and offers a battery life of up to six been forked, with the intention of included.
system tray and will announce
hours. Expanded storage space is creating a new desktop similar to
issue/podcast releases, and can
available through the use of E- Gnome 2 but built on top of the
Source: h-online.com be set to download them too!For
SATA. technically superior Gnome 3.
more info, see the FCN Google
Group: http://goo.gl/4Ob4
Source: pcworld.com Source: devworks.thinkdigit.com
COMMAND & CONQUER
Written by Lucas Westermann
VIM : Advanced Editing
D
ue to the large interest are abundant, and which are not. let char=getline('.')[0]
The function is part of my solution if char == "#"
presented in this topic <ctrl>+[v]; [j];
s/^#//g
by a reader, I've decided to an Euler Project problem. <shift>+[i], [#]; [Esc]
else
to write another one or s/^/#/g
In order to follow the article, I'd The first step enters Visual
two articles on Vim (including this endif
highly recommend opening a copy Block mode, the j key acts as a endfunction
one). This month I'll be focusing on
of the file from Pastebin in Vim (or down arrow key, and <shift>+[i] vmap <silent> # :call
a tangible example (file can be AddDelBashComment()<CR>
GVim) so you can work along. enters insert mode for all selected
found here:
lines. After these steps, you then This script has to be added to
http://pastebin.com/EqrfBFhF). I'll
hit the key for the comment
cover using visual block mode, Area 1 (Commenting) symbol (in Python's case it's the
your .vimrc. Once it has been
some tricks for commenting large added, you can call it in the
numbers of lines, a couple of tricks octothorpe, a.k.a. hash symbol). For following way (same process for
For those of you who are uncommenting, check Area 2 for
for using the mouse, and programmers, you'll be familiar commenting and uncommenting):
Deleting in Visual Block Mode.
copying/pasting to/from external with the concept of commenting
programs from/to Vim. If you're out all code besides a small
<ctrl>+[v]//[v]//[V]; [j];
The reader who contacted me [#]
familiar with all of these topics, you segment you want to test, when offered the following script to do
can safely skip this article. things aren't working. My approach the same: As you can see, the only thing
to doing this is to use Visual Block you save by doing this is entering
Before we begin, I will briefly Mode. The steps are as follows " COMMENTING OUT A # and exiting insert mode (and
explain what an abundant number (from the beginning of the first line CHARACTER IN BASH SCRIPTS possibly having to press the control
is, so that everyone can roughly you want to comment): function! AddDelBashComment()
follow the script. An abundant
number is a number for which the
sum of all factors (a factor is a
number which divides a value
without a remainder) is greater
than the number itself. Example:
The factors of 12 are: 1,2,3,4,6; the
sum of the factors: 1+2+3+4+6=16;
16>12. What the script does is
simply calculate which numbers
(from a supplied range of numbers)
“
COMMAND & CONQUER
key). I've included this script for the Block mode: You may have noticed that the
sake of those for whom every yank and paste methods work only To copy text from
keystroke counts. You will need to Section of a line: within Vim. To copy text from Vim Vim to another
adjust the substitute lines for each [v]; [h]//[j]//[k]//[l]; [y];
[h]//[j]//[k]//[l];
to another program (firefox, for program [...] select
comment character you frequently <ctrl>+[v];
example), you can select the text the text with the
use. For SQL you would replace if [h]//[j]//[k]//[l]; with the mouse and use the mouse and use the
char == “#” with if char == “-” and <shift>+[i]//<shift>+[a]; middle-mouse button paste. If, middle-mouse button
s/^#//g with s/^--//g (same for the <ctrl>+[r]+[“]; [Esc] however, you are at another paste.
other substitution command). You computer that runs a different
must also replace the octothorpe <shift>+[i] inserts at the start of operating system (or lacks that
in the vmap line, otherwise you'll the line/selection, and <shift>+[a] function), you can copy text to the
be using the same key for multiple appends to the end of the system clipboard with:
functions. line/selection. You can also set the clipboard
[v]//[V]; [y]; to autoselect, which should
Copying and pasting an entire [h]//[j]//[k]//[l]; [“][+][y] automatically copy to the system
Area 2 (Visual Block line in multiple lines doesn't work clipboard when you highlight
Mode) with this method (at least not for A quick explanation: you select something, and automatically
me). As such, we won't cover it. As the text you want (first two steps) paste from the clipboard when you
Since we covered inserting in a side-note: <ctrl>+[r]+[“] works in and then you hit the quotation press the middle-mouse button.
Visual Block Mode in Area 1, I will any insert mode and pastes the marks key (on German keyboards
it's <shift>+[2]), and then the plus
not repeat it in this area. contents of the Vim register (the Area 5 (Extra tips)
local clipboard). key, and then the y key. Do this one
Deleting in Visual Block Mode: after the other, not all at once.
Syntax Highlighting:
Then to paste in the external
<ctrl>+[v]; Area 3 (Mouse usage) program, just use <ctrl>+[v], as per
You can enable syntax
highlighting in Vim by using:
[j]//[h]//[l]//[k]; usual.
[d]//[x]//[X] Just a brief tip: If you want to
highlight something in Vim using :set syntax=on (in Vim
Pasting: itself)
Which key you use in the second Visual Block Mode, hold
step is entirely dependent upon <shift>+<alt> as you select. [“][+][p] or
which direction you want to go
(down, left, right, up, respectively). Area 4 (Copying and That's it. Press those 3 keys and syntax enable (in your
The key in the last step is entirely it will paste the clipboard onto the .vimrc)
up to you, they all do the same. Pasting to/from line you have selected (so you may
external programs) need to start a new line if that's Hide Vim in the terminal:
Yanking (copying) text in Visual what you want). <ctrl>+[z] will suspend a task

COMMAND & CONQUER
into the background (tested in Zsh enough to keep everyone busy
and Bash). Once you've suspended This will save the file with sudo until next month. If you have any
a task, you can re-open it using the rights (in case you open a system questions, comments, or requests,
command fg in the terminal. file and made changes before feel free to email me at
realizing you had no rights to save lswest34@gmail.com. If you do
In keypresses: the file). Vim will ask you email me, please be sure to include The Ubuntu Podcast covers all the
afterwards if it ought to re-load “C&C” or “FCM” in the subject, so latest news and issues facing
<ctrl>+[z]; [f][g][Enter] the file, which you'll want to do. that I don't overlook it. Ubuntu Linux users and Free
Software fans in general. The
Encrypt files with Vim: Vimdiff: My .vimrc file: show appeals to the newest user
Vimdiff is an extended version http://pastebin.com/wv260CJk and the oldest coder. Our
vim x <file name>
of Vim where you can open discussions cover the
multiple files to compare them. I hope you've found this article development of Ubuntu but aren’t
This command will prompt you to be interesting. I plan to continue overly technical. We are lucky
for an encryption key before you along this path next month. If you enough to have some great guests
Usage:
view the file (if the file is have any questions, comments, or on the show, telling us first hand
empty/new, it will then store the vimdiff file1 file2 suggestions, feel free to email me about the latest exciting
password you enter). at lswest34@gmail.com. If you do developments they are working
For horizontal split: email me, please include “FCM” or on, in a way that we can all
Viewing History: “C&C” (or, as a regular expression: understand! We also talk about
vimdiff o file1 file2 [fFcC][cC&][mMcC]) in the subject the Ubuntu community and what it
[q][:]
header. gets up to.
For more information:
This will pull up a list of past http://vimdoc.sourceforge.net/htm The show is presented by
commands. You can enter the ldoc/diff.html members of the UK’s Ubuntu Linux
number from the list in order to
community. Because it is covered
pull up the command, or enter [:][q] Specify that a Tab is 4 spaces by the Ubuntu Code of Conduct it
to quit the list. (useful for Python users): is suitable for all.
Execute system commands from set tabstop=4
The show is broadcast live every
within Vim:
fortnight on a Tuesday evening
Write this into your .vimrc, and Lucas has learned all he knows from
[!](command) (British time) and is available for
any time you press the tab key, it repeatedly breaking his system, then
download the following day.
will actually insert up to 4 spaces. having no other option but to
An example: discover how to fix it. You can email
Lucas at: lswest34@gmail.com. podcast.ubuntu-uk.org
:w !sudo tee % This should be more than

HOW-TO
Written by Erick Lance Brunzell
Make 11.10 Look 'Classic'
NOTE: Don’t kernel panic, problem with that, I just prefer the First, take a look below at what I
programmers, Greg will be back Another safe way to try this CLI. ended up with, and then I'll explain
with more Python next month. would be to create a new user how I got there.
B
account with administrative rights, Also, if I didn't include "sudo" in
efore beginning, please that way the configuration files you the command, then it's not needed, You'll notice that I prefer only
understand that I'm no change will affect only that new and in rare instances may result in one panel at the bottom. I realize
genius, far from it. My account. Then, if you decide to changed permissions, so please just some may want two panels, or one
focus has been on Classic apply the changes to your original copy and paste! at the top only, it's purely a matter
(with no effects) only because I've user account, the needed PPA's and of preference.
never cared for Compiz anyway, packages will already be installed, Note: If a "step" can be
and, from what I've read, it seems so you'll need to complete only performed using Ubuntu Tweak You also need to know that you
to be difficult to get it to run in a those steps needed to obtain the and/or 'gnome-tweak-tool', I will must now hold down either Alt key
classic Oneiric DE. So, if you want desired configuration. And then mention it briefly at the end of that while right-clicking on a panel or
Compiz this is NOT for you, sorry. the new user account could be individual step. applet to be able to edit panel
However I do hope someone else deleted. preferences or to
will be able to expand on this.
This guide is almost totally
I've tested this quite a bit, but reliant on copy and pasting
only with fresh, fully updated commands into gnome-terminal.
Ubuntu Oneiric installs. Your Why? Quite simply, not all of this
mileage may vary with installations can be completed using GUI tools
that have other underlying like Ubuntu Tweak or 'gnome-
problems. tweak-tool', and installing 'gnome-
tweak-tool' results in installing a
Important warning: Many of the large number of unneeded
changes made here can and will packages including 'gnome-shell',
break Unity, so I highly recommend and my only concern is getting a
first testing this either in a virtual "classic w/o effects" desktop
machine or a multi-boot. I environment (DE) running
personally prefer an actual multi- efficiently. Should someone care to
boot but that's just a matter of use either Ubuntu Tweak or
choice. 'gnome-tweak-tool', I have no

HOWTO - MAKE 11.10 LOOK 'CLASSIC'
add/edit/move/remove more > Color name #3F3E39 / Style > Now it's time to move on to how
applets. That was an intentional Opaque results in vastly improved I got there, one step at a time. sudo aptget install
indicatorapplet indicator
move by the Gnome devs to appearance of the Workspace appletcomplete indicator
prevent people from Switcher, a picture's worth a Step #1 appletsession
unintentionally breaking things. thousand words:
And you also can't just add We simply need to install When that is complete, it's time
application applets by right-clicking 'gnome-session-fallback' - which is to take your first look at the new
them and selecting "add to panel" already in the Ubuntu repos: "classic" DE by simply logging out,
anymore. You must now open the then clicking on the "gear" to the
"add-to-panel" window and select sudo aptget install gnome right of your user name on the
Application Launcher > Forward, sessionfallback login screen, selecting Classic (No
then the window changes and you effects), entering your password,
can click on the "bullet" to the left Step #2 and logging back in. You'll
of each category to display and add hopefully see this:
any app in the menu to the panel: You'd quickly find that
'indicator-applet', 'indicator-applet-
complete', and 'indicator-applet-
session' are lacking in "Add to
panel". You'll really need either
'indicator-applet' or 'indicator-
To be perfectly honest, I now applet-complete' to display some
forget I'm even using Gnome 3 of the notifications such as mail,
most of the time other than the hardware sensors and/or
learning the new keyboard system monitor indicators, and the
shortcuts which still confuse me. I update-notifier. (I personally only
do know that Ctrl + Alt + T launches use 'indicator-applet', but we all
gnome-terminal, but even it can be have individual preferences). So we
fiddly. I suspect that the new need to install Jason Conti's PPA
keybindings are truly designed for (https://launchpad.net/~jconti/+arc
Gnome Shell, not the "fallback" DE, hive/gnome3), and our first Now, before continuing, please
which I expect to see disappear additional packages: understand that all of these
But let’s also look at Panel altogether eventually (hopefully additional steps are optional. No
Properties settings. Note here that not before the release of Precise sudo addaptrepository two people want the exact same
in Panel Properties > Background Pangolin, though). ppa:jconti/gnome3 look, feel, or function out of a DE!
I've found that 'Solid color' > Color This is just what I wanted. Pick and
sudo aptget update

choose to suit your own desires. screen-"blanker" activate while Should you choose to install it
trying to watch videos or such. In you can set up Caffeine by going to
Gnome 2, I used to be able to use Other > Caffeine preferences.
Step #7
Step #3
'gnome-inhibit-applet', but it's not Installation is easy:
I really liked using either
I quickly realized that the purple available in Gnome 3. No worries, I
'gnome-sensors-applet' or
background of the terminal was found a very good replacement, sudo addaptrepository
ppa:caffeinedevelopers/ppa 'computertemp' to display system
killing my eyes, so, in terminal, I Caffeine:
temps in the panel, but again
clicked Edit > Profile Preferences > sudo aptget update they're not available with Gnome 3.
Colors, and unticked the "Use https://launchpad.net/~caffeine-
Again no worries, Hardware
colors from system theme" box. developers/+archive/ppa sudo aptget install caffeine Sensors Indicator comes to the
Then, in the same window, I clicked rescue:
on the color block next to In my original screenshot, the Note: This works equally well in
"Background color", and used the caffeine applet shows up next to Unity. https://launchpad.net/~alexmurray
eyedropper to set the background the indicator-applet. I find it to be a
/+archive/indicator-sensors
sweet replacement for the old
to white. Ahhhh, much easier on
'gnome-inhibit-applet'. Once
Step #6
the eyes. More about that here:
installed and set up, it allows you
In Unity, the update- http://ubuntuforums.org/showpos
to "inhibit" the screen-"blanking", I
Step #4 think a picture is worth a thousand
notifications now show up in the t.php?p=11492701&postcount=4.
Launcher, but, without the
words - so here:
I found the screen lock thing Launcher, we now get no To install, just run these three
very annoying, I live alone and persistent update notifications. commands:
don't like having to enter my Still, no worries, I got it to show up
password every time the screen- in either 'indicator-applet' or sudo addaptrepository
ppa:alexmurray/indicator
"blanker" activates. So you can just 'indicator-applet-complete' in sensors
go to System Tools > System gnome-panel by running the
Settings > Screen, and select Lock = command: sudo aptget update
Off. (I call it a screen-"blanker", sudo aptget install
mostly as a joke, because it hardly gsettings set
com.ubuntu.updatenotifier indicatorsensors
resembles a screensaver any more). autolaunch false
It then shows up in System
Step #5 You can revert that by running: Tools > Hardware Sensors
Indicator. After launching it the
Even after setting Lock to Off, I gsettings set first time, you must click on the
com.ubuntu.updatenotifier new "applet" which just says "No
found it annoying to have the autolaunch true
active sensors", and click on
Preferences. From there you can I found the overlay-scrollbars to Note: This step (#10) can also blue, and I like the "retro" look of
select which sensors to display, and be inconsistent and annoying in the be performed using Ubuntu Tweak. the window management buttons),
other options. classic DE, so I removed them, but but if you should decide to revert
that was totally a matter of to the default Ambiance themes
preference, and this is one of those Step #11 just run:
Step #8
steps that really seems to
somewhat break Unity! Should you At this point, I'm fairly happy, gconftool2 s type string
It's also sometimes nice to but the scrollbar color is hard on /apps/metacity/general/theme
display CPU and memory usage in want to remove them, run:
my eyes. It's like trying to Ambiance
the panel, so here's System differentiate between two shades
sudo aptget purge gsettings set
Monitor Indicator: liboverlayscrollbar0.20 of white. I'd really prefer having org.gnome.desktop.interface
https://launchpad.net/indicator- liboverlayscrollbar30.20 the scrollbars match the dark gray gtktheme Ambiance
sysmonitor overlayscrollbar
panel or window title-bar with a
white background, but I haven't Note: Both Ubuntu Tweak and
More about it here: Note: You'll likely have to reboot
been able to figure that out yet. 'gnome-tweak-tool' can be used for
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost for that change to fully take effect. The best alternative I've found so applying themes, but NOT
.php?p=11473552&postcount=208. far is changing the metacity and installing themes.
Step #10 gtk themes this way:
To install just run these three I'm very open to suggestions
commands: At this point I decided the sudo addaptrepository about theming - this is simply the
window-management buttons ppa:webupd8team/themes best combo I've come up with so
sudo addaptrepository
really needed to be back on the sudo aptget update far.
ppa:alexeftimie/ppa
right so I ran:
sudo aptget update
gconftool2 set
sudo aptget install shiki
colorsmetacitytheme Step #12
sudo aptget install "/apps/metacity/general/butto zukitwodarkgtktheme
indicatorsysmonitor n_layout" type string I also dislike the missing menu
":minimize,maximize,close" gconftool2 s type string and button icons, so I run:
/apps/metacity/general/theme
It then shows up in Accessories ShikiColorsMetacity
> System monitor indicator. Do not Note: to restore the defaults gsettings set
confuse it with System Monitor in run: gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface
menushaveicons true
System Tools. I think setting it up is org.gnome.desktop.interface
gconftool2 set gtktheme ZukitwoDark
almost self explanatory. gsettings set
"/apps/metacity/general/butto
org.gnome.desktop.interface
n_layout" type string I found that fairly pleasing to buttonshaveicons true
Step #9 "close,minimize,maximize:"
my eyes (it also replaced the
drastic orange with a nice grayish- Note: This step (#12) can also
be performed using Ubuntu Tweak. either reboot, or log out and log You may or may not find that
back in. When you get back to a To hide the Trash icon run: you need to disable the Firefox
blank DE background, decide what gsettings set and/or Thunderbird global menu
Step #13 org.gnome.nautilus.desktop
you want displayed. (Hint, the trashiconvisible false add-ons. It seems to depend on the
This one is the hardest for me to "true" or "false" at the end of these panel configuration, but I'm not
explain. By default the Oneiric commands is the key): To show Mounted Volumes run: quite sure. To do so in Firefox, just
desktop is set to NOT display any
gsettings set go to Tools > Add-ons > Global
To show the Computer icon run: org.gnome.nautilus.desktop Menu Bar integration, and select
icons, but it's possible for the volumesvisible true
desktop to display any combination
gsettings set Disable. You'll then be prompted
org.gnome.nautilus.desktop
of these icons/"actors": To hide Mounted Volumes run: to restart Firefox. I don't use
computericonvisible true
gsettings set Thunderbird, so I can't be sure of
Computer To hide the Computer icon run: org.gnome.nautilus.desktop the specific procedure with it, but
(computericonvisible) gsettings set volumesvisible false I'd think it's similar.
Home computericonvisible false Note: This step can also be
That's it! I hope others will
(homeiconvisible) performed using either Ubuntu
share their favorite Oneiric classic
To show the Home icon run: Tweak or 'gnome-tweak-tool'.
Network gsettings set tips and tricks. Maybe someone
(networkiconvisible) org.gnome.nautilus.desktop can even share how they got classic
Trash
homeiconvisible true Step #14 to run with Compiz since that's not
(trashiconvisible) my thing.
To hide the Home icon run:
Mounted volumes gsettings set
(volumesvisible) org.gnome.nautilus.desktop
homeiconvisible false
But, to do so, you must first set To show the Network icon run:
the "stage" by running: gsettings set
gsettings set networkiconvisible true
org.gnome.desktop.background
showdesktopicons true To hide the Network icon run:
gsettings set
But that only sets the stage for org.gnome.nautilus.desktop
networkiconvisible false
the actors, now you must decide
which actors you want on the To show the Trash icon run:
stage. You're now the director. gsettings set
After running that command, trashiconvisible true

HOW-TO
Written by Elmer Perry
LibreOffice - Part 10
I
n part 8 of this series, we Center Cells). In cell D2, enter If your Income section contains Enter amounts for the Savings
began our work in Calc, and “Type”. Merge and center this cell more or less income items, adjust Balance and Retirement Balance in
created and formatted an with E2. Enter “Beginning” and the cell reference given to the cells F7 and F8. Select cell F9, and
income section for a budget “Ending” in cells F2 and G2 SUM() function. If you pull out a click the sum button in the formula
worksheet. Last month we began respectively. In cell D3, enter calculator and add up the numbers, toolbar. Notice that, once again,
our discussion of functions and “Period Income Total,” and merge it you will find you get the same Calc has selected the two numbers
formulas. In this part, we will with cell E3 (Format > Merge Cells number as the total calculated by above it, but for an accurate total
continue working on our budget > Merge Cells). In rows D4-D9, LibreOffice Calc. of the Gross Assets, we need to
worksheet, and use formulas and enter the following text in order: include the Total Expendable
functions to do calculations in it. Checking Balance, Savings Transfer, In cells F4 and F5, enter amount. Left click and drag to
Total Expendable, Savings Balance, amounts for the Checking Balance select the three cells. You should
Retirement Balance, Gross Assets. and Savings Transfer. In cell F6, we now see the corrected range in the
Setting Up the Assets After entering the text in the cells, will need to sum the three amounts SUM() function. Press Enter to
Section go back and merge these cells with above for the Total Expendable accept.
their adjacent cell in column E (i.e. item, but this time, we will use a
merge D4 with E4, D5 with E5...). different method. Select cell F6
and click on the sum button
Initial Calculations for (shown left) in the formula
toolbar. You will notice that
Asset Section LibreOffice automatically finds the
three amounts above and creates a
In cell F1, we will place our first SUM() function formula with the
calculation using the SUM() range inside. Press Enter to accept
function. For this cell we need to the range.
If you recall, we had set up a total the numbers of column B in
section that contained all of our our Income section. Enter this Setting Up the
income items in columns A and B. formula in cell F3: Expenses Section
We will begin our Assets section in
cell D1. Move to that cell and enter =SUM(B3:B6) We will come back to the Assets
“Assets” in it. Select cells D1-G1, section to do some more
and merge and center the cells This formula uses the SUM() calculations once we get the
(Format > Merge Cells > Merge and function to total the numbers Expenses section set up. In cell
entered in cells B3, B4, B5, and B6. A11, enter “Expenses”. Merge and
HOWTO - LIBREOFFICE PART 9
center the cells A11-G11. In cell toolbar. Calc should select all the savings account, we need to take we need. Press Enter.
A12-E12, enter the following text amounts in the Amt Due column. the beginning total, add the
in the cells: Type, Due, Amt Due, Press Enter. In the D column of the deposit, and subtract the transfer. Our budget spreadsheet is now
Amt Pay, and Notes. Merge and same row, type “Total Payments” If you put the Savings as your first complete, but it doesn't look very
center the cells E12-G12. This and merge it with column E on the item in the Expenses section, the pretty. Next time, we will format
becomes our header row for this same row. Select column F of the formula will look like this: our spreadsheet using styles.
section. same row and click the sum button
=F7+D13F5
on the formula toolbar. This time
In cell A13, enter “Savings”, and Calc jumps all the way up to the
For the Retirement ending
in cell A14 enter “Retirement”. last amount in our Assets section,
balance, we just need to add the
These two expenses will represent but this is not what we want. This
deposit. If you added Retirement
deposits into these two accounts, happens because this is the first Elmer Perry's history of working, and
as the second item in the Expenses
and we will use them in our final number Calc found in the column. programming, computers involves an
section, the formula will be:
calculations in the Assets section. Select the numbers in the Amt Pay Apple IIE, adding some Amiga, a
Beginning with cell A15, and going column of the section to change generous helping of DOS and
=F8+D14 Windows, a dash of Unix, and blend
down the A column, enter other the range. Press Enter. well with Linux and Ubuntu.
expenses like Food, Fuel, Finally, we will make the final
Mortgage, Phone, etc. In columns B Final Calculations for adjustment to the Gross Assets by
and C, enter due dates and due
the Asset Section summing
amounts for all the items you the three
entered in the Expenses section.
Going back to the Assets numbers
Select a few of the items and put
section, we will use some of the in the G
payment amounts in the D column.
Merge the E, F, and G rows for each numbers in the Expenses section to column.
do a few more calculations. Select Select G9,
of the items.
cell G6. This is the total for our and click
expendable income after all the sum
Formulas in the payments have been made. Enter button in
Expenses Section the formula: the
formula
In the cell below the last item =F6F## toolbar.
(column A), enter “Total Calc
where ## is the row number where should
Expenses:”, and merge it with
the total payments is calculated. select the
column B on that row. Select the
cell in column C for that row. Click three
For the ending balance on our numbers
the sum button in the formula
HOW-TO
Written by Allan J. Smithie
Backup Strategy - Part 4 : SpiderOak
I
n previous installments, we've - built around a particular security client on as many
talked about the features we and cross-platform model. You computers as you
want in a Cloud Back-up don't get a choice of storage like and you can be
service; this time we're going locations or hosts. completely cross-
to try SpiderOak to see how it platform. Setting
measures up. According to the You can try SpiderOak yourself the password for
marketing puff on on the SpiderOak 2GB Free plan, encryption is built
www.spideroak.com: which offers 2GB of on-line storage into the installer,
free for life. This is probably which is a rapid,
"SpiderOak provides an easy, secure, enough to trial the service, and guided process.
andconsolidatedfree online backup, maybe store some essentials such
sync, sharing, access andstorage as your unfinished novel and In- SpiderOak
solution for Windows, Mac OS X, and box. The next step is a SpiderOak takes data security
Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora & Plus Account that goes from 100GB very seriously;
openSUSE)" up to whatever you can afford. The data is encrypted
price is $10 per month per 100GB and transmitted
increment, or pay yearly and get over a secure
the 100GB increment for $100. Be connection, a consider one SpiderOak account
aware that tipping over 100.1GB is layered approach using a for your personal files, with
still the whole $20 a month. I won't combination of 2048-byte RSA and another account for your family
address performance other than to 256-bit AES which encrypts the file computers, thus avoiding any
say that SpiderOak software and and folder names, so even embarrassment.
remote storage runs respectably SpiderOak employees can't tell
up and down a domestic what you have backed up. Of Decide for yourself whether the
broadband connection for both course, if you forget your SpiderOak software looks
backup and restore. That said, I am password, nobody can access your fashionably 'retro' or just a bit
not using it to backup an entire data. A quirk of SpiderOak's clunky. There is a lot going on -
hard drive, only selected folders. security is that any files you backup with tabs and, in effect, sub-tabs
on one machine are visible on any grouping functions together.
Software other machine that uses the same
Remember this is a hosted account (with the same SpiderOak The Status tab provides plenty
service with its own client software You can install the SpiderOak account password). Perhaps of information regarding
HOWTO - BACKUP STRATEGY - PART 4
connection, backups, sync and Sync and Share - either to a even after months or years. your SpiderOak network. You
shares, and your current queue. frequency or to a specific day and However, don't confuse backup choose the source folders,
The Back Up tab is just a place for hour. with file-sharing. SpiderOak is like followed by a destination folder
you to specify what files you would most of the syncing services in that into which the software should
like to include in a backup. Each changes are synchronized instantly merge them. SpiderOak will work
category on the selection list and in real-time, so that any out what's the most recent data of
corresponds to a folder on your accidental change you make while the two sources, and output a list
computer - even 'Desktop'. The on-line will automatically sync to for your review before it carries
bottom bar gauges how much of the server. out the merge. This is nothing
your cloud storage allocation your radically original so much as an
selection will occupy, color-coded effective packaging of what we
by folder, so you can see what used to call diff-scripts with Cloud
takes most space. communications, all wrapped in an
effective user interface.
The View tab is the heart of
defining what is selected for back-
up down to the file level, along
with the version history.
Version Master
SpiderOak understands version
control. Your first backup set is a
full set; for subsequent backups of
the same defined set, only the Merge and
incremental changes of the backup Sync
set are transmitted, so it won't
massively compromise your The merge function
storage limit to hold several is where SpiderOak
versions of files. If you do breach scores for ease of use
your limit, you can manually delete and utility.
old versions. SpiderOak provides
version history with no time limit, Merge does a one-
The Schedule tab provides a so if you alter or delete a file you
simple one-stop control for Backup time merge of all the
can 'roll back' to an earlier version, files in any folders on
HOWTO - BACKUP STRATEGY - PART 4
• by entering your ShareID and an effective service, with a feature-
unique RoomKey on the SpiderOak rich client, from a small company -
Share homepage using the 'Share Login', just the thing that bigger
or companies buy up. Balancing
It's a much-abused word, these
• by emailing out the Shareroom features against simplicity, it does
days; 'share'. Not only does
link to guests. cater for most things you need in a
SpiderOak run across multiple
Cloud back-up.
computers, its public sharing
SpiderOak creates an on-line
service is implemented though
photo album when sharing photos.
"Share Rooms". These are virtual
Like Dropbox's public links, it works Have a look at the questionaire
folders which are password-
fine for posting a few selected for next month's 'I Think' for a
protected, and through which you
images, but it's no substitute for chance to win one of five 100GB
can share your data with anyone
the full range of gallery tools in SpiderOak storage packs!
you like. A change made to a
services like Picasa and
defined synchronization set on any
The Sync page is where you set Photobucket.
computer running SpiderOak
which folders remain synced automatically triggers those
between your computers, where As well as the dedicated clients
changes to be published to the
any number of tools across PC, for Linux, Mac, Windows, and
share room. Access to the
Mac, and mobile carry out this kind Android, there's a browser-based
ShareRoom is in one of two ways:
of operation reliably these days; it SpiderOak web-application. You
just happens that SpiderOak is that can't upload files from the browser,
bit prettier but you can download any file or
whole folder as a zip file, which is
saved in your Downloads folder,
with a date-time stamp appended
to the file-name, giving you much-
needed version control
information.
Conclusion
Allan J. Smithie is a journalist and
Place your bets on whether
commentator based in Dubai. His
SpiderOak will be around as an blog, 'No Expert,' is at:
independent service under its http://allanjsmithie.wordpress.com
current name in a few months. It's

HOW-TO
Written by Art Shreckengost
Create a Persistent USB Stick
B
ootable flash drives documents. Anything changed look like much until you tick the Feather Linux, Fedora, Finnix,
(often produced by during a session is saved back to box to open what reads like a Linux FreeDOS, Gentoo, gOS, GParted,
UNetbootin) offer users the flash drive - unless you indicate family tree. Best as I can figure, Jolicloud (now JoliOS), Hiren’s
the option of having a otherwise (an option to ignore roughly 70 versions are listed here Boot CD, Kaperksy Rescue Disk,
portable operating system (OS). changes is offered). - ranging from sub-200MB guppies Knoppix, Linux for Kids, Macbuntu,
However, session changes cannot to 4GB monsters. Mandriva, MCNLive, Panda Safe,
be saved, nor can the OS ever be Installer is unique in that it Parted Magic, PCLinuxOS,
updated. This has proved doesn’t need installation but Ubuntu is heavily recognized Peppermint Linux OS, Ping, Pinguy,
problematic, especially in light of instead works off the desktop icon with 9.x to 11.10 versions - along PloP, Puppy Linux (4 versions),
recent Ubuntu updates for security (it’s just 900KB), but it has one flaw with similar offerings for Xubuntu, Redo Backup, Rin, RIP Linux, Runt,
patches. in being a Windows-only program. Lubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Sabayon, Simply Mepis, SLAX,
Remix, Rescue Remix, and Server. SLiTaz, T(A)ils, TinyCore, Ultimate
An option is to use a persistent The real curiosity is that it does Rounding out these mainly Boot CD, Ultimate Edition Lite,
flash drive, i.e. a drive designed to load and work via Wine, but Canonical choices you’ll also see Linux XP Lite, Wifiway, xPUD,
accept changes that are saved for Installer cannot recognize flash Mythbuntu, Linux Mint (4 varieties), XBMC, YlmF, and Zenwalk.
future use. Unfortunately, drives unless they are listed by the BackTrack (3 choices), or Debian (4
UNetbootin does not offer Windows letter system, something editions). Forgive me if I missed a couple
persistence yet. Ubuntu (and Linux in general) does or misspelled others, but it’s
not use. Take my word and don’t Installer goes beyond Ubuntu, apparent nearly every Linux and
Pendrivelinux.com bother using Installer with Wine - though, and offers choices range desktop variation has a
(www.pendrivelinux.com/universal- since the end result is nothing but from operating systems to representative in this group
usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/) offers disappointment. recovery discs, penetration testers, somewhere.
Universal USB Installer (hereafter and anti-virus programs (some for
referred to as Installer), and it’s Bummer. Guess I can’t complain Windows, too). Can’t find your favorite? An
designed to create persistent Linux since it’s a free program, but, option at the bottom allows for
drives that not only boot to live unless you have XP or 7 running in In the drop down list, you’ll also those not listed, and I understand
mode but also save updates and a VM or dual boot, you’d better find Acronis Rescue, ArchBang, some techies have managed to use
other changes to a flash drive. plan on borrowing time off a ArchLinux, ArtistX, AVG Antivirus, Installer to create bootable
friend’s PC. Avira, BitDefender, Blackbuntu, Windows XP versions, although I’m
This includes drivers, codecs, CentOS, Clonezilla Maverick, sure Microsoft’s attorneys are
updates, security patches, Fire up the program and you’ll CrunchBang, Dbau, DSL, DrWeb, really interested in that
programs, music files, and get a dialog pop-up that doesn’t Dynebolic, EasyPeasy, EEEbuntu, development.

HOWTO - CREATE A PERSISTENT USB STICK
new version of Installer was issued
Since this is an Ubuntu-based in early April, 2011, so much of the
publication, I’ll stick with those information online from before
variations. that month is now outdated.
Lesson number one – don’t For example, some of these

even think of using that 1GB flash sources state CD/DVD or flashcard-
drive you’ve had hanging around in based .iso images can be used by
the desk. If base Ubuntu is pushing Installer as the source code;
800MB, that leaves no more than however, I could never get these to
200MB for storage - and that’s not work. Don’t know if it’s a program
much. And if you plan on using one tick, or something changed with
of the big boys like ArtistX or the newest version, but Installer
Ultimate Edition, you can plan on would not recognize anything for
using a much larger flash drive me unless it was downloaded by completed successfully. destination) selection. It defaults
since they start at 3GB. the program. to the inserted flash drive. FAT32 is
You will see: used, and, if you don’t know how
Consider 2GB the minimum for That isn’t necessarily bad at all. your drive is set, count on using
base Ubuntu, but don’t go over Installer reaches out to the OS of Step 1: Linux distribution “Check this box if you want to
8GB. Installer limits persistence choice website and drags the .iso selection. Pick the version desired format the Drive”.
space to 4GB, so even the largest image back for you. Let’s be from the massive listing I
OS plus persistence won’t exceed realistic and admit not all websites mentioned earlier. Installer will Make sure Installer picks your
8GB. are created equal, and some access the Internet if the “Locale intended drive letter! Having the
developers put more flash in their ISO Selected” box is not ticked. wrong selection can and will delete
Size is not the only sites than they do their OS. It may Opting for an OS not listed means everything on that drive!
consideration, though. Users that take a little while but it beats you’ll have to point Installer to the
computer hop are best served by playing hide-and-go-seek with a URL, but, in any case, expect a wait Step 4: Persistence allocation.
i386 32-bit versions. 64-bit buried OS. as the OS is downloaded. This doesn’t appear until step 3 is
varieties limit you to that completed. The newest Installer
processor, while a 32-bit OS will Now that you’ve seen what Step 2: Here Installer locates version from April 2011 picks the
work on just about any computer Installer looks like, it’s time to go the .iso image. By default, it points remaining flash drive space, up to
out there. close up and personal with what it to what it just downloaded. If not, 4GB.
can do. There are 4 progressive there is a browse button to help it
Lesson number two – some steps, i.e. each step cannot be along. Earlier versions require users to
online tutorials are out-of-date. A accessed until the previous one is pick persistence space, and this
Step 3: Flash drive (final caused confusion since persistence
HOWTO - CREATE A PERSISTENT USB STICK
is independent of OS size. Users all goes well, the Ubuntu menu and you don’t want to find out too example, wireless codes are not
had to know OS size along with should appear with the first option late that all your effort cannot be the same, but I did discover that
drive size to determine being “Run Ubuntu from this USB”. saved because insufficient space Installer can save multiple codecs,
persistence, and choosing the exists. If you lack that program, drivers, and even wifi passwords,
wrong figure could create a fatal Some reviewers have right click the desktop icon or file, for various computers, and will
error. complained that boot times are and get remaining space adjust itself as it recognizes them.
sluggish but this isn’t totally true. information.
The only problem with this The first boot requires users to Ah, but there is another
system is that it lacks feedback. input keyboard style, language, Once the command to shut question some have asked. Can
You have to assume how much of time zone, etc, but once that down is given, users are asked to Installer create a multi-boot
the flash drive is reserved for information is saved, future boot save or ignore changes made, and persistent flash drive?
persistence, and there is no way of times are within standard live- the computer shuts down just like a
telling until after the first boot. I mode parameters (base Ubuntu live mode CD/DVD would. No, it’s a one-OS program, but
used an 8GB flash drive that never 10.10 came up within 1 minute). its cousin, Yumi (Your Universal
presented a problem since Installer Now for the question that I’m Multiboot Installer) will. It’s
always took 4GB irrespective of OS Keep in mind you are operating sure a few are itching to ask. Is full offered on the same website, but I
size. from a flash drive, so lag time is installation still an option, and will can’t comment on it yet – that’s my
inevitable as programs are changes made to the original drive next experiment (although my
Lesson number three – no accessed, but flash drives are still transfer? initial peek shows it to be Installer
current Ubuntu based OS exceeds quicker than comparable DVD with the added capability of
4GB, far as I know. That means an versions. The “Install Ubuntu x.xx” icon is creating multiple partitions on one
8GB flash drive is safe for any OS in on the desktop, and everything flash drive).
this category since the fattest Another thing to remember is you’ve added, deleted. or
version plus 4GB persistence will that changes will result in garbage otherwise changed in past Using a 5-diamond rating
not exceed flash drive capacity. file accumulation. Dead kernels and sessions, will still be there just as system, I’d give Installer 4 - based
update files will still hang around, you left it earlier. Full installation is upon its ease of use, extensive OS
Once everything is set, click so plan on using Computer Janitor the same as using a live-mode listing, program design, and end
Create, and take a break. You won’t or Ubuntu Tweak to get rid of CD/DVD. results. I dropped it a point for
have to wait more than 5 to 15 those - or your drive will fill up being a Windows only program,
minutes before seeing the quicker than you realize. No program is faultless, but and for having a flash drive
successful completion notification. computer hoppers will have to recognition system that, although
This is where Disk Usage realize that no two computers are better than originally designed,
Testing is merely a matter of Analyzer comes into play. Be sure the same. Using the drive on still doesn’t tell users how much
resetting the BIOS on a computer to check it often since there is no various units means parameters storage space they have until after
to boot from the persistent drive. If feedback on remaining drive space, have to be changed for each. For the initial boot.

HOW-TO
Written by Chris Rheinherren Connect To IRC
I
RC stands for Internet Relay When you run your IRC client for a few. Sometimes, due to certain long it is kept reserved varies from
Chat. It's the oldest, largest, the first time, the first thing to do conditions on the Internet, you get network to network, however.
and most well-established is tell it what nickname you want to disconnected from the server,
text-based chat system on the use. How you do it will depend on reconnect, and find that your nick If you forget to identify for your
Internet. It’s also quite popular, what client you choose. is still in use. In other words, you nick, NickServ may change your
and used world-wide. Only web In general, on IRC, you are got disconnected, but the server nick. However, there is usually a
browsing and email are used more allowed to use any nick you'd like - hasn't found out yet and thinks time delay that prevents rapid nick
than IRC. At any given time, there as long as no one else is using it at your old connection is still active. If changes - just wait a few seconds
are nearly 800,000 users accessing the same time. However, on you haven't registered the nick, to change your nick again.
the various IRC networks. Freenode (and many other you'll have to wait for the old Remember that you will still have
networks), it is possible to register connection to die (which could take to identify once you've changed
In order to connect to IRC, you your nick so that you are the only a while), but if you've registered the nick, otherwise NickServ will
need an IRC client. Just like you user allowed to use it. To do this, your nick, you can take the give you the boot again. To change
need a web browser to surf the type: initiative and have it killed. To kill your nick, use the /nick command.
web, it serves the same purpose: a off a "ghost" like that, use the
program that allows you to access /msg nickserv register ghost-kill command: Now you can connect to IRC.
<password> <email address>
the service. There are a number of There are several different IRC
different options available, there /msg nickserv ghost <nick> networks, each with their quirks.
For example: /msg nickserv <password>
are GUI based clients such as X- The one I spend most of my time
register foo foo@bar.net
Chat, Konversation, and an IRC on, and the one I have the most
with the ghost's nick and your
plug-in for Pidgin. Also there are experience with, is the
Then, every time you log in with password in the appropriate
terminal clients such as IRSSI and OtherWorlders network.
that nick, the first thing you should places. This will cause NickServ to
others. X-Chat and Pidgin are OtherWorlders is a small network
do is type: force that connection to terminate,
primarily used on GNOME and primarily aimed at the paper-and-
allowing you to change your nick
Unity, while Konversation is part of pencil gamer community, so if you
/msg nickserv identify back (with /nick) and go about your
the KDE desktop environment. But <password> play D&D and other RPGs, then it
business.
feel free to use whichever you feel may be something you should
more comfortable with. I use the For example: /msg nickserv check out. Its connection address is
Also the network where your
terminal IRSSI myself, and, from identify foo. irc.otherworlders.org
nick is registered will keep the
time to time, use the IRC function
name reserved just for you or
built into Pidgin. There are also Registering your nickname is Additionally, there are the BIG 4
anyone who has the password. How networks of Undernet
web-based clients. useful for several reasons, here are
HOWTO - CONNECT TO IRC
(irc.undernet.org), Quakenet in the channel is sent once you hit be away from the computer for a after the channel name, which will
(irc.quakenet.org), Dalnet Enter, unless it is prefixed with the while, I'd type: show up as a "parting message".
(irc.dal.net), and IRCNet forward slash to indicate it is a This doesn’t make you leave IRC or
(irc.ircnet.org). There is also command being sent to the server. /nick Bynwafk disconnect from the server or
Freenode (irc.freenode.org) which network, however, only the specific
is the home to many open source If you start your message with to change my nick to Bynw-afk channel. You can be in multiple
projects and related chats. All of the word /me, it will broadcast your (AFK stands for "Away From channels at the same time.
the official Ubuntu chats are message in the third person (this is Keyboard").
located on Freenode, including the used for emotes and actions): for If you want to log off, you use
chat for Full Circle Magazine. example, if I (nick = Bynw) type: If you want to join another /quit. You don't have to type
channel, use /join. Put the channel anything after /quit, but like /part
On IRC, chatrooms are called /me does jumping jacks name after /join, like this: you can add a message if you like.
Channels, and generally begin with
the # sign, such as it will show up in the channel as: /join #fullcirclemagazine
Finally, /help is implemented in
#fullcirclemagazine. Since IRC is most clients as a way to access help
* Bynw does jumping jacks If the channel doesn't exist yet,
based solely on text, all commands pages. It also allows you to specify
it will be created and you will be its
are entered via the keyboard. The what you want help on by adding
...and sometimes in a different operator.
first important command is join, parameters to /help. For example,
color depending on the client.
this allows you to join a channel, or to get help on the /ignore
(Note: be sure you write your If somebody is bothering you,
create a new one if it doesn’t command, you'd type:
actions in the third person, instead most clients have an /ignore
already exist. In order for the
of falling back on the first person, command. To prevent any
server to know that you have /help ignore
since it's supposed to be describing messages from a specific user from
issued a command instead of
something you're doing as if the showing up in your client, type In the list of users on the
wanting to send text to the current
other people in the channel are /ignore followed by the nick of the channel, some are prefixed with an
window, all commands are prefixed
seeing it. It's a common mistake to offending party. @, ~ or & and usually show up at
with a forward slash: /
write something like "/me goes out the top of the list. In other clients,
to get myself a drink", which would If you ever want to leave a these may show as different types
So to join our
show up in-channel in my case as "* channel, you use /part. Put the of icons. These are the channel
#fullcirclemagazine chat on
Bynw goes out to get myself a name of the channel after /part: to operators, commonly called
Freenode after we connect, the
drink", which sounds awkward) leave #fullcirclemagazine, you'd chanops or just ops. The ops run
command is:
type: the channel - they can kick people
/join #fullcirclemagazine To change your nickname, you out, ban people from entering,
use the /nick command. The next /part #fullcirclemagazine
change the channel's modes (how
Once in the channel, you can go word after /nick becomes your new it behaves), and more. They're
nick: e.g., if I want to show that I'll If you want, you add a message
ahead and talk! Anything you type there to keep the channel running
smoothly. Those that have the ~ in else is muted. they are in the channel, prevents
front of their names are higher Other user modes exist, but +n - no outsider messages. Only them from speaking).
ranking channel ops, usually the some are reserved for admins and users in the channel can speak on
channel owners, while those with IRC operators (called IRCops, or it. Almost all channels have this ChanServ, along with its partner
the @ sign are channel hosts. opers, these folks help run the mode set. Setting this mode is one NickServ (and others - depending
network, but unlike the admins of the first things most people do on the network) is a program that
On some channels, you'll see they don't have physical access to when they form a channel. runs on the network with special
some users with a + sign in front of the servers). You won't be able to +p - private. The channel does privileges. Its job is to maintain
their nicks. This is called "voice", set these on yourself, and they're show up in a list of channels (the channels that have been registered
and it's really only meaningful on really not that interesting to /list command) but the topic with it. It automatically gives ops to
moderated channels (channels with anyone who isn't running the show cannot be viewed from the list. the channel founder and to other
the mode "m" set), where it means anyway. +r - registered. The channel has users designated by the founder.
that they are allowed to speak. On been registered with ChanServ.
unmoderated channels, it's usually When you're in a channel, your (This can be set only by ChanServ, To get more info on the
just there for show, or to designate client shows a bunch of characters not normal users) services, type:
some special status about the user. like "+nrtu" in the title bar along +s - secret. The channel doesn’t
with the name of the channel and show up in a list of channels (the /msg nickserv help
/msg chanserv help
Both users and channels have the topic. These are channel /list command) or in the /WHOIS /msg <otherservname> help
different modes available. These modes, which give the channel <nick> info, which lists the
are designated by different flags special characteristics. They can channels a given user is in. As well as chatting on channels,
given to a channel or nick. Most IRC only be set by the ops +t - Topics set by ops. When this it's possible to chat privately with
networks now automatically set all +i - invite-only. To enter this is set, only ops can set the individual users. Most GUI based
users on connect to +i which is the channel, an op has to have invited channeltopic. If it's not set, then clients do allow you to double-click
“invisible” mode. This prevents you you in with the /invite command. any user in the channel can set the on a user's nick in the list of names
from showing up in lists of all users +k - key. To enter this channel, topic with the /topic command. on a channel to open a new
on the network. So, to talk to you, you need to add a special password Like +n, almost all channels have window for chatting with that
somebody either has to join a after the channel name when using this. person. You can also type:
channel you happen to be on or the /join command.
already know your nick. If you have +l - limit. No more than a certain As well as these general modes, /msg <nick> <message>
this mode set, you are much less number of users are allowed into there are a few that affect specific
likely to get random messages the channel at a time. The number users. These don't show up in the on any client. On most clients,
from people you don't know asking itself appears after the list of list of modes: each private chat usually gets its
you if you want to chat. You can modes. +o gives a user op status, own window.
turn it on by typing "/mode +i" and +m - moderated channel. Only + v gives a user voice,
off with "/mode -i". It's nice to ops and voices can speak, everyone +b bans a user (prevents them Sometimes a bunch of users will
have. from entering the channel or, if
seem to all quit at once with the helper and IRC more at the very You can also use DCC to chat.
same quit message. What least. For Pidgin, go to Accounts > A few other features of IRC are: The main difference between
happened is that their server has Add and choose IRC. On the Basic CTCP (client to client protocol) regular private chat and DCC chat
lost contact with your server. This tab, choose your username, that is isn’t used much. But it’s good to is that DCC chat, once started, is
is called a "netsplit", since it splits your Nick on IRC. For server, put in test for lag on a connection using independent of the IRC network
the IRC network into two pieces. irc.freenode.org (to get to /ctcp ping nick or #channel and itself - even if the entire IRC
The strange quit message is Freenode, or whatever network there are a few other commands network crashes, or one or both of
actually the addresses of the two you want to connect to is fine). that may be available depending the people chatting disconnect
servers that lost contact. There are other options on the on the client you use. Check out from the server, the chat will be
Advanced tab, but we can look at your client’s help file for those. unaffected.
If someone suddenly looses those another time. And go ahead
their connection to the server, then and click Add. You will It's possible to trade files over DCC works by trading IP
they may quit with the message of automatically be connected to IRC using a feature called DCC addresses, then creating a direct
“connection reset by peer” … or Freenode, but will be outside of a (which stands for Direct Client connection between the two
system generated quit messages channel at this point. If you get any Connection). Most GUI based computers that bypasses IRC
such as “ping timeout”, this kind of a message about NickServ clients have menus and other completely.
happens, again, if your connection asking for your password and you options to make this task easier.
dies and the server issues a ping to haven't registered yet, then you DCC is fairly convenient and I hope to start monthly IRC chats
your connection to see if it is still will need to choose another nick trustworthy for moderately-sized sometime in early 2012. I’ll send
active and doesn’t get a reply back. with the /nick command. files like text, graphics, or short a message to those of you who’ve
sounds. For longer files like movies, subscribed via the FCM site, and
Installing the various You can use the Join a Chat you'll want to use another means via Facebook and Google+. Feel
option under Buddies in Pidgin to of transmission. Remember this is free to experiment with your IRC
chat clients for IRC. join the #fullcirclemagazine IRC … Internet Relay Chat - not file client using the FCM chat room. I
channel. From here you can chat transfer. hope to see you there! - Ed
All of them are available in away with all of us.
Ubuntu's repositories. Just use the
Ubuntu Software Center, terminal For IRSSI, it’s a bit more
apt-get, or other package complicated, since there is no GUI
management software of your and everything is done via the
choice, in order to install X-Chat, terminal. But still, you start the
Konversation, IRSSI, or Pidgin and application, connect to a server of
its IRC addons. your choice, then join a channel so
you can chat away. There are more
With Pidgin, it also best to complexities and you should read
install the IRC extras plugins - IRC its documentation for them.
HOW-TO
Written by Ronnie Tucker
Write For Full Circle Magazine
Guidelines If you are writing a review, REVIEWS
T
please follow the guidelines shown
he single rule for an here.
Games/Applications
article is that it must When reviewing games/applications please state clearly:
somehow be linked to For a more detailed list of the
Ubuntu or one of the style rules and common pitfalls
• title of the game
many derivatives of Ubuntu please refer to:
• who makes the game
(Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, etc). https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuMa
• is it free, or a paid download?
gazine/Style - in short: US spelling,
• where to get it from (give download/homepage URL)
Write your article in whichever no l33t speak and no smilies.
• is it Linux native, or did you use Wine?
software you choose. I would • your marks out of five
recommend OpenOffice, but When you are ready to submit
• a summary with positive and negative points
PLEASE SPELL AND GRAMMAR your article please email it to:
CHECK IT! articles@fullcirclemagazine.org
Hardware
If you can't write articles, but When reviewing hardware please state clearly:
Writing hang out in Ubuntu Forums, send
us interesting forum threads that • make and model of the hardware
In your article, please indicate we could print. • what category would you put this hardware into?
where you would like a particular • any glitches that you may have had while using the hardware?
image to be placed. Please do not • easy to get the hardware working in Linux?
embed images into your Open Non-English Writers
• did you have to use Windows drivers?
Office document. • marks out of five
If your native language is not
• a summary with positive and negative points
English, don't worry. Write your
Images article, and one of the
proofreaders will read it for you
Images should be JPG with low and correct any grammatical or
compression. spelling errors. Not only are you
You don't need to be an expert to write an
helping the magazine and the article - write about the games, applications
Regarding image sizes: if in
doubt, send a full size screengrab
community, but we'll help you with and hardware that you use every day.
your English!
and we will crop the image.
https://spideroak.com

LINUX LAB
Written by Charles McColm
XBMC (Xbox Media Centre)
E
very year, around this system. complete with HP media center sudo aptget update
time, my wife and I are infrared remote controls and USB
sudo aptget install xbmc
normally invited to a few XBMC will run on most infrared receivers. In the past, xbmcstandalone
parties. This year we hardware that runs Ubuntu 10.04 we've connected a wireless
decided we wanted to stay home - or later. If you want to decode high keyboard to our media systems, sudo aptget update
and host a few parties. We wanted definition video, a dual-core but a remote control is much
processor is strongly friendlier and takes up a lot less The second command adds the
an all-in-one entertainment
recommended. Since we're space. PPA (repository) for XBMC on most
solution that we could quickly
decoding video, a good video card versions of Ubuntu. Unfortunately,
switch between music, movies for
the children (or children in us), and is also recommended. Those things We ran XBMC for some time on it seems the team has yet to make
said, my wife and I opted for the Ubuntu 11.04, but arrived at a an Oneiric branch, so, if you're
pictures. A number of pre-
portability and elegance of a Dell point where it was crashing daily. using Ubuntu 11.10, try adding the
packaged multimedia solutions
exist out there, but we wanted the Inspiron Mini 1012 netbook over a This may have been due to the Intel following repository:
flexibility of open-source. We high-powered but clunky looking video chip inside our Mini, which
sudo aptaddrepository
decided to create our own XBMC - PC sitting beside our television. I'd has been causing grief for a lot of ppa:nathan
XBMC Media Center (formerly mentioned the project to a friend people lately. One solution is to renniewaldock/xbmcstable
known as XBox Media Center) whose company just bought a use VESA drivers, but it's not really
bunch of HP computers that came a solution for a media center, so we Again, we find XBMC on 11.10
backed up and installed Ubuntu unstable, but that doesn't mean
10.04 LTS and haven't had a you'll have the same experience if
problem since. you're using an NVidia or ATI video
card. Nvidia card owners should
Installing XBMC is relatively add VDPAU hardware acceleration:
easy on Ubuntu 10.04 or later. In a
terminal, type the following 5 sudo aptget install
commands: libvdpau1 nvidia185libvdpau
sudo aptget install python The last step is adding support

softwareproperties pkg for remote controls. While XBMC
config worked out of box with our HP
sudo addaptrepository remote control, I found some of
ppa:teamxbmc the buttons were not working

LINUX LAB - XBMC
correctly, so I installed lirc support: this by changing the weather
source in the System > Weather
sudo aptget install lirc menu to Weather Plus (which we
found by clicking the Get More
On the remote selection screen, button at the bottom of the source
I chose the Windows Media Center screen). Not exactly party material,
Transceivers/Remotes (all). This but useful to know for those
selection was all we needed to do having problems getting weather
to get most of the other buttons working.
on the remote working perfectly.
What is cool for a party is the
Now, it's time to run XBMC for ability to play music and run a slide
the first time, and add your media. show of photos from all those
The XBMC main menu is divided crazy office parties – and it's easy
into 6 menu options: weather, to do. First, cue up music by
pictures, music, videos, programs, selecting the music folder you
XBMC can also automatically fetch
and system. Adding media to XBMC want to play. Incidentally, if you
Once you have all your media cover art by System > Video >
is just a matter of adding the media press the right arrow on the
imported, the party can really Library > Update library on startup.
to the right area. For each of remote while in the music folder,
begin. XBMC, like a lot of other XBMC can also autofetch cover art
pictures, music, and videos, you can set music to repeat or play
great open-source software, for music much the same way by
navigate to the appropriate menu randomly. Next, press the Pictures
supports a myriad of options, skins, selecting System > Music > Library
option and press ok/select on your button on the remote control,
and plug-ins. One of the options I and Update library on startup.
remote. Without any media added navigate to the pictures source you
you'll see a couple of options - Add- like most is the ability to view
want, and hit Play. A photo slide
content in a variety of ways. One of the more confounding
ons and Add source. Select Add show starts with a small rectangle
Pressing the left arrow button on problems we ran into was getting
source, then browse to the area in the bottom left corner
the remote control brings up a side the weather correct. We set our
where your media is stored, give it displaying information about the
panel that lets you choose the view location to Waterloo, Ontario
a name, and click OK to accept the song currently playing.
and sort method. The misc options (Canada), but kept getting
choice. You can have multiple
lets you hide watched content, Fahrenheit. To make the switch to
sources for the same media. To The same technique works if
filter content, and hide fanart - Celsius, we needed to set the
differentiate sources, simply give you want to check the weather or
among other things. But these Region under System > Appearance
the source a different name. For check out your video collection.
views don't look so great without > International to Canada. We also
example, you might have pictures XBMC is smart enough not to play
cover art. To add cover art to new ran into a problem where the
from last Christmas and an office music and movies at the same
party (a good mix with the right content, select the content and hit weather.com default seemed to
time. It's either music or movies,
the info button on the remote. stop working. We managed to fix
music).
LINUX LAB - XBMC
you can't play both the same way
you can play music and pictures at
the same time.
XBMC is great at recognizing

movies, but XBMC also recognizes
television programs. When naming
television series include the season
and episode. For example: The IT
Crowd s02e03 (The IT Crowd
Season 2, Episode 3, way better
than The Office if you ask me). If
XBMC doesn't recognize a movie or
television show, try variations on
the name. If you're really stuck, try
to find the program on
thetvdb.com or themoviedb.org ons include streaming from
(sources XBMC draws on). sources like Grooveshark, TWiT, Important Links:
NPR, ListenLiveEU (which has over http://www.xbmc.org/
We've covered only a tiny set of 600 stations listed), and http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?titl
XBMC's capabilities. Video add-ons SoundCloud. Also be sure to check e=HOW-
let you stream television and out the add-ons under the TO:Install_XBMC_on_Ubuntu/
movies from different sources like Programs main menu to check your http://www.themoviedb.org/
Youtube, Yahoo video, the Cartoon Gmail account, post your video http://www.thetvdb.com/
Network, CNet, Jupiter watching habits to Gomiso, or
Broadcasting, and the Internet download extra fan generated
Archive - to name a few. Music add- artwork from thetvdb.com and
themoviedb.org. Combine XBMC
with the Transmission bittorrent
client and Flexget, and you can
script the download of a lot of Charles......
content.
The only thing left is to put out

the food, crank up the volume, and
party.
CLOSING WINDOWS Control Panel / Device Manager
Written by: somewhere, you navigate to the
Ronnie Tucker (KDE) location using the “Move Items” or
Jan Mussche (Gnome) “Copy Items” window, and click the
Elizabeth Krumbach (XFCE) ‘Move’ or ‘Copy’ button, respectively.
Mark Boyajian (LXDE) Kubuntu does this in a similar way.
David Tigue (Unity)
Kubuntu
T
his month, we’ll discuss Right-clicking a file(s) or folder(s)
the moving, copying, and reveals a pop-up menu with all file-
renaming of files. We’ll Kubuntu Ubuntu (Classic)
handling options.
also take a quick look at
how to delete a file, and (should a You can also move/copy a file by
mistake occur) undeleting (or dragging and dropping it from
restoring) a deleted file. window to window. Windows XP
requires you to hold down the
Moving / Copying A File Control-key while you release the
left button to move a file/folder.
First, a quick distinction: moving Simply dragging a file/folder to
a file will physically shift that another location will copy the file.
file/folder to another place. Lubuntu Ubuntu (Unity) Kubuntu does this too, but it also
Copying will place a copy of the has a unique feature in that, when
file/folder in another place, but you drop the file with no keys
keep the original where it is. pressed, a menu will pop up asking
you if you want to move/copy the
Windows file.
You can move/copy a file in

several different ways. The first is
by selecting (left-clicking) on the
file/folder and choosing ‘Move To...’
Xubuntu Windows XP
or ‘Copy To...’ from the Edit menu in
the main menu bar. To put the file
CLOSING WINDOWS
Gnome-Shell right-click in the white-space of the File Manager window, it will move Deleting A File
folder and select ‘Paste’. To copy a the file, and holding down “Shift”
In Gnome, things are more or file, use the same method as when you click and drag the file will A file that is deleted is not gone
less the same as in Windows and before, but, instead, click ‘Copy’ on do the same. If you wish to copy forever—it’s sitting in a special
Kubuntu. The Nautilus file manager the original file. You can also use the file, you can right click on the place where the file can be
uses a menu, available with the the drag/drop method. As in filename and select “Copy”, and in restored. The only time a deleted
right mouse-click, with items like Gnome Shell, you should remember the new directory you’ll right click, file can not be restored is when the
cut and copy. It’s also possible to that if the file/folder is located on and select “Paste” to paste the Waste-bin (or equivalent) is
just drag and drop files/folders to the same partition, the file will be copied file. emptied. After the Waste-bin is
their new locations. Whether the moved by default, and, if it is on emptied the file is gone forever.
file/folder is moved or copied different partitions, it will be Renaming A File
depends on the use of the Shift or copied. Windows
Control-key, or on the source and In all variants, this is done by
destination locations: Lubuntu right-clicking the file you want to Deleting a file is, like renaming,
• If the source and destination is on rename, and choosing ‘Rename’. done using the right-click menu
the same disk-partition, then Lubuntu is similar, but with mentioned earlier. Or, you can drag
dragging and dropping a file/folder some minor differences. When you Gnome, KDE, and LXDE all have a file/folder to the ‘Trash Can’ icon
will move it, the original file/folder select a file(s) or folder(s) and then
a nice renaming feature, which is, that’s on your XP desktop.
is no longer in its original location. right-click, a context menu is that after right-clicking the file and
• If they are on two different revealed with the “usual” file choosing ‘Rename’, only the file- Kubuntu
partitions, or disks, then a copy will handling options, though there is name is selected, you’ll see that
be made. This is visible by means of no “Move” option in this menu. the file-extension (if present) is not Kubuntu has no desktop icon
a little plus sign on the hand that selected. So, when you want to for its ‘Waste-bin.’ However, there
drags the file/folder. To “Move” a file/folder using rename a picture from your camera is a Trash Can directory that is
this menu, you first have to “Cut” (IMG_0001.JPG) into House-on-the- displayed by default in the File
Unity the file, then navigate to the beach.JPG, you can just start Manager, and any file(s)/folder(s)
destination and “Paste” it; however, typing without worrying about can be dragged to it for “disposal”.
Ubuntu has based Unity on the File Manager Edit menu does accidentally changing the file- Likewise, any files/folders that are
Gnome Shell—Gnome 3.x is the provide “Move To...” and “Copy extension as it will not be deleted deleted (either from the menu or
base system—so things are done in To...” options which function as or renamed: a JPG will still be a by pressing the Delete key on the
much the same manner. Unity, like described above for MS Windows. JPG. This is different from keyboard) are placed in the Trash
Gnome Shell, uses Nautilus as the Windows where you have to be Can by default, but you can still
file manager, so, to move a file, you Xubuntu careful not to erase the file right-click a file to choose Delete,
can right-click on the file and select extension. or use the ‘Add Widget’ item (by
‘Cut’. Now navigate to the location In Xubuntu, when you click on a right-clicking on the
you want to place the file, and file and drag it to another Thunar
CLOSING WINDOWS
desktop/taskbar) to add a Waste- Preferences, and, under the the
bin icon. ‘Behavior’ tab at the very bottom is
a check-mark to add a ‘Delete’
Gnome-Shell option to the right click menu that
will remove the file completely -
Gnome-Shell has a Waste-bin, bypassing the Trash. You will not be
called Trash, on the right side of the able to recover this file by restoring
lower panel. All the normal ways of it from the Trash, so be very careful
deleting a file work here: Del on if using this option.
keyboard, right-click and select
Move to Trash, dragging the file to Lubuntu
Kubuntu Ubuntu (Classic) the Trash-bin.
Lubuntu also has no “Trash Can”
Another option (similar to the icon on the desktop; but has a Trash
Unity notes below re adding Delete folder that is always visible in the
to the right-click menu) is the key File Manager. Right-clicking the
combination Shift-Delete. This Trash folder opens one menu
bypasses the Trash, and, once option: “Empty Trash”. You can also
confirmed, the file will be gone for select specific files/folders in the
ever. So be very careful using this. Trash and permanently delete
them—by showing the pop-up
Unity menu (right-click) and selecting
Delete.
Lubuntu Ubuntu (Unity) In Unity, there is a Trash icon in
the bottom left-hand corner of the Xubuntu
dock. You can delete files in a
couple of different ways. In the file Xubuntu also has a Waste-bin
manager, there is a Trash folder on called Trash; it is located on the
the left-hand side. You can click a Desktop and also in the right-hand
file and drag it in to the Trash side of the bottom panel by
folder, or drag it to the ‘Trash’ icon default.
on the dock. Also, you can right-
click on it and select ‘Move to Restoring A File
Trash’. You may also want to look in
the preferences in the file manager Kubuntu
Xubuntu Windows XP (Nautilus), you can select Edit >
CLOSING WINDOWS
SUDOKU
Numbers 1 to 9 are to be filled into the 9x9
If the waste-bin has not been Next month we’ll look at network grid so that every row, every column, and every
emptied, you can click its and wifi controls. 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9.
icon/name and view the contents
EASY
Gnome-Shell
In Gnome you can do the same

as in KDE, or, after selecting the
file(s)/folder(s) you want to
restore, click the button “Restore
selected items” on top of the Kubuntu Ubuntu (Classic)
frame.
Unity
Unity works in the same way as

Gnome Shell and KDE. Open the
Trash, right-click on the file, and
click ‘Restore’, or you can click the HARD
‘Restore Selected Items’ button.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu Ubuntu (Unity)
You can either drag and drop
the file back to somewhere, or
right-click it and choose to
‘Restore’ it.
Xubuntu
In Xubuntu, you do the same as

in Kubuntu, a “Restore” option is in
the right-click menu.
Xubuntu Windows XP Solutions are on the second last page.
MY STORY
Written by Maurice Knopp
A Penguin In The Office?
I
first got in touch with Ubuntu boxes, Windows infrastructure, and times. Compare this to browsing
out of curiosity (and lack of Windows people all around, with Once installed, in a couple in the web, downloading several
Windows licenses) in 2005 with zero Linux office usage. minutes, you can install most of the software (components) from
the 5.04 Hoary Hedgehog software you'll ever need from the several websites, and manually
release. I installed it on my In summer 2010, I started “Ubuntu Software Center” (used to installing several setup.exe's,
mother’s old Pentium III – 600 MHz. working for a large publishing be called “Synaptic”) which is based leading to several reboots.... Yeah, I
In the following weeks, Ubuntu house in Germany - heavily focused on the integrated package know you can script Windows
began to emerge as my primary on Java development around a management system. E-Mail installations as well, but, in my
operating system, and I finally content management system. To Client(s), Browser(s), and Instant opinion, you'll have to put in far
installed it on my own machine. my surprise, the whole dev team Messaging software is already more effort.
already used Ubuntu when I installed out of the box.
arrived. Why do you do that? Office work
Penguin in the Office – “Speed! We can't bear Vista....” Now, For the Pros: Just search all of
Why would one do that? I've been using Ubuntu since day the software you want to install,
one for development and office and save the package list to a text
Mail
In 2007, I worked for a large tasks, and I'm happy with it ever file. You can now install any
media company located in since. So, let’s get to integration of
amount of fresh machines and
Luxembourg to develop a software your fresh box into the Windows
issue the command “sudo apt-get
component which can process network. Like most companies, the
video signals and feed it to the
Setup of your box install <loooong list of packages,
ones I work(ed) for used the
space separated>”. This way, you
video encoder ffmpeg. The final famous MS Exchange Server - in
Back in 2007, I chose the 32-bit kind of “clone” your setup multiple
system should be run on a Linux
version (x86) for installation on the
server due to issues of stability,
desktop machine because, back
reliability, and cost savings. So, for
then, you encountered far less
development ease, I began to use
problems, especially with browser
the Linux machine I was developing
plugins such as Adobe flash. Today,
on for day-to-day office tasks as
these kinds of issues are mostly
well. It was the time of Feisty Fawn
solved, and I would recommend
(7.04) and Gutsy Gibbon (7.10). So, I
installing the 64-bit version
was keen enough to install a Linux
(x86_64) on any computer which is
desktop machine within a company
not older than three years and has
which had around 450 Windows XP
a 64-bit processor.
MY STORY - A PENGUIN IN THE OFFICE?
connection with the Outlook Client a LOT of mail per day, and can access this drive, and read or flavored box.
for mail exchange and scheduling otherwise I had to answer the create their own files. So, as one
tasks. I've read that Evolution, whole bunch over the Exchange can imagine, it was very important Also, most recent cloud storage
which is installed out of the box Web Interface known as “Outlook to me to get access to this drive companies like “Dropbox”, with
(only on Ubuntu versions prior to Web Access”. Though being able to and continue working on the clients for all major OSs, started
11.10, but it may be installed connect to my mail account, I didn't shared files. I tried to determine gaining ground and becoming
manually in later versions), also can quite figure out how to access the the IP of the file server machine more and more popular. We're
handle Exchange servers. This is address book. That’s sad, but I have and access it from nautilus by using Dropbox with clients for
exactly what I needed! So I the habit of just “replying” to pressing CTRL+L and entering Windows, mac, and Linux, without
searched the web and found a whoever wrote me. So, I can live smb://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx where problems.
German tutorial without the exchange address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP of the file-
(http://www.msexchangefaq.de/cli book and build up my own local machine. In the popup mask, just Office
ents/evolution.htm) which explains one, but it would be nice if I could enter your Windows-login
the necessary steps to configure figure out how to configure this credentials. You should see all Interoperability between MS
Evolution with Exchange Server. one day. shared folders on the machine, and Office and OpenOffice / NeoOffice
The Novell documentation for just have to right-click on the (OO / NO) has been very important
Evolution may also be a good One drawback occurred in the desired folder and choose “connect to me because I regularly get these
source for help on this topic course of the last Ubuntu update. to this server” from the context- kinds of documents. So, it is
(http://www.novell.com/document Before 11.10, Oneiric Ocelot, I was menu. DONE! The folder is added necessary for the Windows guys
ation/nld/index.html?page=/docum able to accept or decline meeting to your favorite bar on the left, that I stick to their format (*.doc or
entation/nld/evolution/data/front. requests from within Evolution, and, from all nautilus instances, *.xls). I guess, for all people who
html). I managed to successfully which then would automatically you can now access the shared want to do some collaborative
get Evolution running on my put the appointments into my folder as easy as your home or any work, the point of compatibility is
existing Exchange 2003 mail calendar. This feature seems to be other folder! Hey, that’s even one of the most important ones. As
account. broken with 11.10, so I have to log cooler than navigating to “My far as I can tell, there were no real
into the Outlook web interface to Computer” on the desktop and problems concerning reading and
However, I've done some web reply and to do scheduling. then chose your shared network writing files in the proprietary MS
research, and I was not able to get Shared Folders drive or searching the “Network document formats. I have to admit
Exchange 2007 and above working Neighborhood”. that the most complex documents
even with the most recent version Next thing, most companies that I tested contained a maximum
of Evolution. I now use the IMAP have a BIG shared network drive in When pushing or pulling files of thirty pages with a few images
support built into Exchange Server the office. Every file which is from Apple machines, I tend to use and some tables. So, compatibility
to send and receive mails, which related to a running project or is of the command line utilities. SSH to may become worse if you have to
works quite well. You might have to public interest, will just get connect to a remote machine create more complex documents.
ask your administrators to enable dumped on the network drive in (apple or linux), or SCP to push or
IMAP on Exchange Server. I receive some folder. All Windows machines pull files to or from a remote fruit
MY STORY - A PENGUIN IN THE OFFICE
The functions of OO / NO cover compatible. Anyway, you might not all of the major IM-networks. You of knowledge and getting to know
all the needs I had so far. Create see all available options and can even install Skype with one another software world. Running
documents with a table of capabilities of your printer within click in the Ubuntu software center. an entire office box based on Linux
contents, footmarks, (floating) the printing dialogue because of I tend to use Jabber. is possible.
images, ..... I did not miss any driver limitations. For me, this was
function in OO / NO that I knew not a real problem but I'd like also Back in 2007, I had to install the I would be very interested in
from MS Office. The only thing that to point out that I don't print out graphics driver by myself on my your thoughts, just drop me email
is lightyears ahead in MS Office is very much. workstation computers. In the at mak@maknesium.de You might
the spell checker, which is really latest version of Ubuntu you only also want to visit my site
helpful. Miscellaneous have to choose the proprietary www.maknesium.de (partly English
graphics driver for ATI or NVIDIA, / German).
Printer There might be some other do a reboot, and everything should
tasks you have to do today with be working fine.
This has been no real issue at your Windows box like updating
all. Once I had correctly software. This is just a breeze with I listen to music, burn DVDs /
determined the IP and the model Ubuntu's update mechanism, and a CDs, and use a dual monitor
of my office network printer, I had great time saver. configuration with no driver
no real problems in printing large problems. This was different when
documents. Professional office Instant messaging, like I said I started using Ubuntu back in
printers mostly support Postscript before, comes out of the box with 2005.
drivers and should therefore be ad-free versions capable of using
Conclusion
Ubuntu is mature enough to be
used in most office environments!
Unless you use Microsoft Outlook
extensively with all advanced
features, or you have to use “just
this” program which doesn't have a
Linux version, you can try to set up
a Linux office box. I recommend
using an old machine side by side
(if your company allows), and to do
more and more tasks on the Linux
machine. You will benefit in terms

MY OPINION
Written by David Bissett
I
have used Linux as my main most people than Windows. This and Unity, but undoubtedly works KDE, it isn't very easy or intuitive.
operating system for over a does not, however, mean there are better under KDE, and is the main Simply plugging the headset in
year now. I have tried various no problems. reason I have considered KDE as a doesn't work in my experience, the
flavours over the years - desktop. use of a USB headset is rather hit
OpenSuse and Mandriva, for Some of these problems centre or miss, but excellent in Gnome
example - before settling on around the thing that is often held Banshee is the app used for and Unity.
Ubuntu. The reason for this choice up as a virtue - choice. Perhaps one music and podcasts, a Gnome
was mainly based on the relative of the biggest choices is the application. This does everything It has to be admitted that KDE
stability (in my limited experience flavour of Linux to use - Debian- needed. Neither Amarok nor looks great, and would be
at the time of making the choice), based with deb installable Rhythmbox cover everything preferred if only Gnome
available support via many online packages, or Red Hat with rpm needed in the way Banshee does, applications would respond as well
forums, and ease of use for the packages. That isn't the end, so there is no real choice. in this environment as they do
average user. Unfortunately, I still though, as it is then necessary to under Gnome, and the couple of
have a need for some Windows choose the desktop to use. This is There are some other, more significant niggles above were
applications, so, though I do use more than simply choosing the subtle differences between KDE addressed. As it is, the only viable
one or two in Wine, I also have look - as many applications have and Gnome (when considering option for me is to go for Gnome
Windows XP in a virtual machine on been developed specifically for one these differences, many comments or Unity, and switch to KDE when I
my main desktop. Most desktop or the other. Usually, they made about Gnome also apply to think it might be preferable.
applications used on a daily basis will work in any Linux environment. Unity. It should also be noted that
are, however, native Linux. The this is referring to Gnome 3.x). Linux is a great platform, and
main desktop machine, a self-build, This leads on to the chosen Gnome remembers the state of the the various versions of Ubuntu are
runs Ubuntu; a second, lower spec, applications. I've been trying num lock key, which is really useful great implementations, but, if
machine operates with Xubuntu; Chrome, Chromium, and Opera. as I frequently use the number key greater take-up is to be
while the laptop used by my wife LibreOffice has taken the place of pad section of the keyboard. In my encouraged, there should be more
has the Ubuntu variant, Linux Mint. OpenOffice, and I have just started experience, KDE doesn't do this. consideration of the non-expert
using Tweetdeck in Google Using a USB headset is also user - remember, users aren’t
Linux installs easily, and it can Chrome. For photos, there is only extremely easy under Gnome as necessarily interested in tinkering
be argued that if the main use is one choice - Digikam. I have tried you can easily switch between the under the bonnet. It would also
going to be Internet, email, music, Shotwell, which is OK, but I won't speakers and headset with a couple benefit the cause if there was
with a bit of office-like work, then a use it until it is possible to order of clicks of the mouse (this isn't greater collaboration between the
machine loaded with a flavour of the photos the way Digikam does. even very easy in Windows, at least major desktops to ensure better
Linux would be a better choice for Digikam works OK under Gnome XP). While this may be possible in cross-compatibility.

Last month's question was:
I THINK... Would you join us (FCM) on IRC for
a meeting once a month?
Which day suits you best?
Monday 34%
Tuesday 30%
Wednesday 35%
Thursday 34%
Friday 32%
Would you join us (FCM) on IRC Saturday 52%
for a meeting once a month? Sunday 56%
Maybe... 32%
Yes, definitely! 36%
Nah, not my kinda thing 15%
Yes, but I'm not sure... 17%
And which times (in GMT)
suit you best?
6 - 7pm (GMT) 32%

7 - 8pm (GMT) 35%
9 - 10pm (GMT) 40%
10 - 11pm (GMT) 26%
11pm - 12 (GMT) 31%
And which week of the month

suits you?
first week 79%

second week 67%
third week 64%
fourth week 60%
I THINK...
“ What is IRC ? And how can I

join it ? [see this month’s
those from users.
A PLEA ON BEHALF OF THE

“
HowTo - Ed] Not sure what the purpose
would be, but it sounds cool. PODCAST PARTY
“ Well, why not? FCM might find
“
my writing skills impressive Don't know that I could As you often hear in the podcast, we're calling
and useful. contribute but I'd sure listen for opinion topics for that section of the show.
in, so to speak!
“ Would love to interact with the Instead of us having a rant about whatever
“
FCM Commune... Let me know what time is strikes us, why not prompt us with a topic and
decided upon. [read on - Ed] watch for the mushroom clouds over the
“
Will we be able to discuss horizon! It's highly unlikely that the three of us
Linux questions, or only What does an IRC chat allow
questions related to the
magazine? [anything! - Ed]
“ that can't be found in, say,
sending suggestions by email?
will agree.
Or, an even more radical thought, send us an

[real-time feedback - Ed] opinion by way of a contribution!
“ I hope it isn't just for experts. [I
“
hope not, I’m no expert! - Ed] Could the sessions be archived, You can post comments and opinions on the
especially for those in Western podcast page at fullcirclemagazine.org, in our
“ I like the idea... we all run diff

distro's, so better feedback on
USA & Canada? [I’ll get the chat
logs posted to our wiki page - Ed]
Ubuntu Forums section, or email
podcast@fullcirclemagazine.org. You can also
send us a comment by recording an audio clip of
This month we have a short questionnaire sponsored by no more than 30 seconds and sending it to the
SpiderOak. By entering you could win 100GB of space on same address. Comments and audio may be
SpiderOak. The questions are at: http://goo.gl/ewc1O. If you do edited for length. Please remember this is a
not wish to enter the competition simply leave the email box blank. family-friendly show.
Alternatively, post a message on Twitter with the hashtag It would be great to have contributors come on
#IwantSpiderOak, or you can reply to our SpiderOak post on our the show and express an
Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/fullcirclemagazine. opinion in person.
We’ll choose one winner from Twitter, one from Facebook, and
three from the questionnaire. Robin
Competition closes on Friday 20th January 2012, and the winners

will be announced in FCM#57. Good luck!

REVIEW
Written by Robin Catling Puppy Linux
P
uppy Linux was designed Woof, it can take binaries of other the spirit of the Puppy remains supported in Puppy, as the bug
as one of those small, popular distributions and independent. lists show.
light-weight, Linux incorporate them into new Puppy
distributions, intended releases, among them many Puppy is bootable from just Puppy's small size makes it a
primarily for lower specification components from Ubuntu such as about any media, including good candidate to install onto USB
hardware - whilst still providing a shared libraries and some LiveCDs, zip disks, USB drives, and memory sticks, with the ability to
full suite of applications and applications. This may have hard drives. It does a reasonable save any personalized settings and
utilities for a usable desktop something to do with Puppy rising job of automatically detecting installed software. At boot-time,
environment. Frugal with to number 9 in the Linux chart on most hardware. However, be wary Puppy loads into RAM, which frees
resources, it was blindingly quick. Distrowatch. Compatibility with of installing on Ext4 formatted up the boot device for other uses,
Ubuntu packages notwithstanding, partitions. Ext4 is not fully and makes for a very fast system.
Lucid Puppy 5.2.5 is not the On most systems, in fact, boot time
latest release, dating from April 2, is just 30 to 40 seconds, even on my
2011 (the latest, 5.2.8, may be a old Pentium-II clone.
little too bleeding edge for really
old kit). The download is a 126MB The pragmatic mish-mash of
.ISO image file - which I decided Puppy's interface and tools helps
was worth a road-test on an provide the high performance.
otherwise obsolete AMD chip-and- Puppy uses JWM and OpenBox
main-board combination from with FBPanel, all known for their
1999. minimal resource requirements.
Many of the tools are console-
Puppy Linux 5.2.5 is based based or have very simple 1990's
primarily on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS style low-res control decks. They
“Lucid Lynx,” but there's a mixture are easy to use, but it does feel like
of utilities provided using the a step back in time.
'Woof' build system, such as a later
version of the e2fsprogs file- Otherwise, Puppy ships with
system utilities from Ubuntu 11.04 lots of smaller but useful
“Natty Narwhal.” Puppy 5.2.5 uses applications for a light-weight but
version 2.6.33.2 of the Linux kernel, functional desktop. There's the
and, thanks to that build system, Gnumeric spreadsheet, Osmo
REVIEW: PUPPY LINUX
personal organizer, HomeBank available through the Puppy run at all on my two test-beds. Puppy remains a bit of a mixed
money management, Abiword, and Package Manager or using the bag. I could run it on current
a selection of applications for QuickPet alternative package The miracle of Puppy is that it hardware - but I'm not sure I'd
photo and image management, manager. resurrected an old Pentium-II era want to suggest it as an alternative
text editors, and media player. AMD-based machine with only to anyone but a bold tinkerer
Slypheed is the default mail client If you don't find what you want 256Mb of memory. Desktop familiar with Linux distributions; as
and Dillo the browser. See what I in the Lucid Puppy repository, the performance was good, when the a fall-back on old kit, you can do
mean? Step back in time. Ubuntu repositories can be used equivalent Ubuntu live CD's for worse than take the Puppy for a
with one tick-box. QuickPet 11.04, 10.10 and 10.04 failed to walk. Ouch. Sorry.
Using the JWM Windows provides a one-click alternative to run, owing to modern kernel
Manager, the desktop is a riot of install programs such as Firefox, constraints, much less install Puppy Linux official home page:
colorful, Fisher-Price style icons. Pidgin, and LibreOffice, although locally. The screen-shot is of that http://puppylinux.com/
The standard start-up sound is a the performance of these was machine happily running Puppy, Puppy Linux official wiki:
friendly bark. More themes are tardy to say the least. I haven't and much faster than it ran http://puppylinux.org/wikka/Home
available, and more programs are persuaded Open Office Writer to Windows XP. Page
Where it surprisingly failed is in

Virtualbox, where the Puppy Live
CD managed to run badly, and
install to a virtual disk a version
which still won't boot despite much
remedial work.

LETTERS
Every month we like to publish some of the emails we receive. If you would like to
submit a letter for publication, compliment or complaint, please email it to:
letters@fullcirclemagazine.org. PLEASE NOTE: some letters may be edited for space.
Correction Mint Menu Closing Windows Join us on:
I I R
n the HowTo article by Jesse find that some of the strange e: Ubuntu Control Center.
Aviles, “Ubuntu For Business & problems that I've complained goo.gl/FRTMl
Education – Pt. 3” (Full Circle about are related to oddities
issue 54, page19), the RPN with the Mint menu app. I sure facebook.com/fullcircle
expressions appear to me to be hope that they fix them with Mint “In Ubuntu (Gnome), it’s called magazine
incorrect, at least when I check 12! Control Center, andin Natty it is twitter.com/#!/fullcirclemag
them on my HP 12c. installed- but it does not show up in
That may well be the source of the menus. ” linkedin.com/company/full-
The operators used in the the problem that LeRoux (FCM#52) circle-magazine
expressions are binary operators, mentioned with Office on I can see it in 11.10; look on the ubuntuforums.org/forum
using two inputs (not three) from Wine/Mint 11. If that's the case, he top bar on the extreme right in the display.php?f=270
the stack. For the multiplication should be able to manually build a pull-down where you log off. It is
operations, they must be done shortcut by navigating to the .exe the first item.
twice to obtain the correct file (it should run from there), and Ubuntu Youth
T
answers: working backwards. I know that the Andrew Ampers Taylor
Wine shortcuts do work under he other day I came across
15 5 div 7 + 20 3 x x = 600 Xfce. Tux Math from Tux4kids.
15 5 div 20 3 x x 7 + = 187 It is an educational game
Oh, and the login app GDM(?) is which teaches the kids to
I checked the Wiki reference, hardwired to right handed mice - calculate. The various levels start
which confirms this binary nature the source of one of my with learning the numbers,
of the operators. complaints. I've requested a fix additions up to 10, 20 100, same
from the developer's list. with subtraction, multiplication,
Edward Owen and division. My 7-year-old son
David O. Rowell really enjoys the game, so I started
to look for more.
This brings me to the topic of

this email. It would be nice to have
a column for kids. Not only with

LETTERS
educational games, but also secure to grasp a new technology such as with 8gigs of RAM and three type of Database as well as
access to the Internet. I remember Unity. separate 1TB hard drives (two of spreadsheets or XML. Of course
an article about proxying the them external). MySQL and SQLite are among the
Internet access for kids. I will have Now I thought it was people of options. I am currently using the
to check this when the time comes. my age (in my seventies) who were Andrew Ampers Taylor tool in Ubuntu 11.10 and Windows
unable to adapt to change and to XP. Maybe at some point I could
I would greatly appreciate such adapt to new ideas with write a how-to article about ETL-
a column, perhaps spontaneously; technology, rather than young MySQL to SQLite ing.
I'm not looking for this kind of children who are supposed to work
software, but when I read about it I it out quicker than us old farts? I am not sure if this is the right Rolland J. Sovarszki
think it could interest my sons. place to write to you regarding a
I took to Unity as a duck takes to comment on one of the articles Thanks for the info Rolland, I've
Frank Bommeli water. And, I have had no problems from Full Circle Magazine, Issue55. passedit along to Greg. And, yes, do
with it. This is perhaps why I find it The article is called How-To feel free to write an article about
Thanks for the idea Frank. We so difficult to believe the younger Program in Pyton - Part 29, written ETL-ing. - Ed
usedto have an Ubuntu Youth amongst us cannot grasp it? by Greg Walters. He states there:
column a couple ofyears ago, but "A little while ago, I was askedto LTS
the writer vanished. Anyone out So what does an old geezer like convert a MySQL database to
I
there want to restart Ubuntu Youth, me use Linux for? Not just for SQLite. Looking aroundthe web for n FCM#54, you quoted PC
or start Ubuntu Kids? - Ed. browsing the web and writing a quick andeasy (andfree) solution, I World as saying, "Precise
occasional letters. I use it for foundnothing that workedwith the Pangolin ... will be Ubuntu's
running a newspaper in Norf current version ofMySQL for me. " fourth Long Term Support
Primary Age Lunnon. (LTS) release, with a full three years
Y
This is not true. I am a Business of support."
ou asked what we We use it for writing articles, for Intelligence developer and on a
thought was the average editing photographs, and for daily bases I use ETL tools. I am In fact, starting with 12.04,
age of Ubuntu users was. sorting out our website using the working with Pentaho Data desktop LTS releases will be
On reflection, reading new version of Drupal content Integration Tool (Kettle) CE supported for five years. There are
your letters, I would say possibly management software. (Community edition) some limitations, though;
late primary school age to early (http://kettle.pentaho.com/). It is a hardware updates will be for the
secondary school age. I use 11.10 in my Netbook full open source product and it is first two years only.
already, and will change to 11.10 very mature. It has the ability to
I derive this information from on my business desktop as soon as transport/transform data from any Paddy Landau
the churlish and petty complaints it rolls out. You just would not type of source to any other type of
from people who are totally unable believe the number of programs I source. The sources can be any
use on my 64-bit home desktop -
PUZZLES
If you would like to submit a puzzle for publication, please
email it to: letters@fullcirclemagazine.org . Solutions are on
the second last page of this issue. No peeking!
A Crossword Puzzle of Bash Commands
by Dave Mawdsley
The solution to all the puzzles is on the second

last page of this issue. No peeking!

PUZZLES
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD by Ilavenil Thirumavalavan Across

1 The center of the Linux OS (6)
3 Bootloader's food (4)
6 Precise scaly anteater which we'll get to see in
April (8)
7 It's not UNIX! (3)
8/8D Lively rabbit with horns widely seen a couple of
years back (6,9)
11/19 Intellectual Timon? (8,7)
16 Several universes? Just a repository (10)
17 Open source software is not free ____. (4)
19 See 11
20 A lightweight 3D design and animation tool (7)
Down
1 If you don't like Gnome, you just might like this (3)
2 Cat-like, sharp-eyed, lucid! (4)
4 A desktop with integrity (5)
5 OS initiator and kernel developer in violin user? (5)
7 It's free, but it gives Photoshop a run for its
money (4)
8 See 8 Across
9 Our own little penguin (3)
10 A Linux user isn't worried about it (5)
12 Repository of everything (8)
13 Garden ornament or desktop environment? (5)
14 The OS Ubuntu is based on (6)
15 Enhance multi-window management using this
Japanese folding screen (5)
18 Use LEXAR to flip this (3)
The solution to all the puzzles is on the second

last page of this issue. No peeking!

Q&A
Compiled by Gord Campbell
If you have Ubuntu-related questions, email them to:
questions@fullcirclemagazine.org, and Gord will answer them in a future
issue. Please include as much information as you can about your problem.
Q Q A
How can I customize I have a .mkv file I show up in unetbootin (I can mount Go to the top-right
Gnome Classic? needed to convert for an it and see it in fdisk). corner and click System
A
ipad. When I use default Settings. Select
values with ffmpeg, it From "Removable Media."
A
gives an error message. http://unetbootin.source Check the box, "Never prompt or
A
There's a lengthy how- forge.net/ "If your USB start programs on media
to here: (Thanks to andrew.46 in drive doesn't show up, insertion."
http://ubuntuforums.org the Ubuntu Forums) Try reformat it as FAT32." (see image)
/showthread.php?t=1886 this command:
Q
799
What are some of
the alternatives to
Q
ffmpeg i
/media/Warehouse/Movies/input Unity in Ubuntu
I have a system based on .mkv vcodec copy acodec
the AMD Athlon libfaac ar 44100 ab 128k 11.10?
A
Processor 2650e, and I ~/output.mp4
installed the Nvidia See this web page:
graphic driver. When I start a For this to succeed you will http://maketecheas
second application, performance is need to follow part C of ier.com/5-
terrible! FakeOutdoorsman's guide, to allow alternatives-to-
A
aac encoding with libfaac. This will unity-in-ubuntu-
Remove the Nvidia set up ffmpeg with the required oneiric/2011/10/27
graphic driver. Another codecs.
Q
user with a similar http://ubuntuforums.org/showthre
problem discovered that ad.php?t=1117283 I'm using 11.10 with
Ubuntu automagically installed the Unity. When I load a
older 173 nvidia drivers, and CD, its contents
Q
switching to a later driver caused I'm trying to make a open in the file
very poor performance with bootable USB with manager, and the CD also
multiple applications. unetbootin, the USB has appears in the launcher. I
been formatted with want it to appear only in the
NTFS as that is required. The launcher.
problem is that the USB doesn't
Q&A
A
the bios to allow a non-EFI boot, bedded
Q
In Oneiric, I close the lid This page describes a and install again.
Q
on my laptop, and it workaround:
Suspends. I open it, and it https://help.ubuntu.com I'm trying to learn how to
Q
asks for my password. I /community/SSH/OpenS Is there any english- use a utility like scandisc,
just want it to resume, without SH/Keys#Troubleshooting arabic and arabic-english is there one I can
asking for my password. dictionary? download from the
A
software center?
Q A A
Run this command: In Ubuntu 11.04 or 11.10,
the backlight doesn't (Thanks to yoramdavid The system will run this
come on, on my laptop. It in the Ubuntu Forums) automatically about
has a Mobile Intel 4 Series You can use GoldenDict every 30 boots.
Express Chipset Family graphics with babylon.bgl files.
gsettings set controller. An external monitor (all free). Goldendict is in the
org.gnome.desktop.lockdown
Q
disablelockscreen 'true'
works fine. repositories, and you can Google
A
babylon.bgl. I replaced my ATI Radeon
See this web page: HD 4770 video card with
Q
http://linux-on-acer- an Nvidia GTX 560 Ti.
Q
Any other suggestions
aspire- How can I create a When I boot Ubuntu
for tweaking Oneiric?
5732z.blogspot.com/201 custom login screen for 10.10 64-bit, it goes straight to a
1/06/backlight-workaround-for- Ubuntu 11.10? command line, with no GUI.
A
linux-mint-11.html
A A
(Thanks to papibe and
To change the emilywind in the Ubuntu
Q
http://www.webupd8.or
I installed Ubuntu 11.10 background: Forums) First, rename
g/2011/10/things-to-
in a dual-boot on a http://www.omgubuntu. the Xorg configuration
tweak-after-installing-
Thinkpad X120. The co.uk/2011/09/tool- file with this command:
ubuntu.html
install went smoothly, but change-lightdm-wallpaper-ubuntu-
when I reboot, the system boots 11-10/ sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Q
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.ATI
straight into Windows without a
I'm trying to connect to
Grub menu. For an amusing, extreme Then reboot, and you should
my headless server with
A
SSH using "authorized example of changing the login have a GUI. Since your video card is
(Thanks to screen: so new, you will need to get a video
keys," but it doesn't work,
substanceneil in the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= driver from an unusual repository.
because my home folder is
Ubuntu Forums) Change f8nm4NpaVXE&feature=player_em Run this command:
encrypted.

Q&A
running a distro which was
sudo addaptrepository produced by one person.
ppa:ubuntuxswat/xupdates
Even though Freezy _looks_ like
Then this one:
older versions of Ubuntu, it's based
sudo aptget update What has lucazade produced? normal under Freezy. This got a on the latest Gnome. That means it
There's a single panel on the little better when I installed won't run those old applets, among
Then you can search for nvidia- bottom of the screen, with Fancontrol from the Ubuntu other things. Still, if you want to go
graphics-drivers. At the moment, hierarchical menus, just like Ubuntu repositories, but it was still hot. on a trip down memory lane, it's an
the latest driver is version had before Unity came into the The distro includes no games. I'm option you can consider.
285.05.09. picture. Windows have minimize, ever so slightly nervous about
maximize and close
buttons on the top-right.
The distro includes
Tips and Techniques
Chromium as its web
A Retro Distro
browser, Rhythmbox for
S
playing music, Synaptic
ome people don't like the
for installing programs,
way Ubuntu's user
Dropbox for cloud
interface has changed in
storage and GIMP for
recent versions, and a
editing images. Cheese
person from Rome, known as
webcam booth is
lucazade in the Ubuntu Forums,
included.
has done something about it.
Upon loading, Freezy
The Italian has produced a
takes 370 MB less
distro called FreezyLinux. It's
memory than Ubuntu
based on Ubuntu 11.10 and Gnome
11.10 on my laptop. I have
3.2. As I am writing this, it's still
only run it from a
classified as a beta. It's too big for a
persistent flash drive, but
CD, but might fit on a 1 GB flash
it seems to be pretty
drive. All those things may change
snappy.
by the time you read this. The
home page is:
The downsides? My
http://freezylinux.altervista.org/
laptop runs hotter than

UBUNTU GAMES
Written by Riku Järvinen Multiwinia
H
i everybody! The game
for review this month is
Multiwinia
(http://goo.gl/yaV0B), a
real-time strategy experience by
Introversion. Maybe you’ve heard
about Darwinia (an RTS published
back in 2005); this is the sequel,
introducing new gaming ideas.
Background Story &

Gameplay
The world of Darwinia is a
virtual theme park running inside a
computer network. It was created
by a computer genius called Dr.
Sepulveda, who combined decades
worth of genetic research to create
sentient, evolving life forms: the
Darwinians. In the original game,
these little two-dimensional
fellows are overrun by an evil
computer virus, taking over the over Darwinia, consuming many strategic battle modes such as
main systems and forcing independent and aggressive digital lives and creating fear... Capture The Statue and Rocket
Darwinians to face evident doom. beings. They form tribes and begin Riot, in which you need to focus
With some help from Sepulveda, to fight over the land’s resources. Still, Multiwinians cannot also on protecting your assets and
the viral infection is beaten and In this new era, they’re called manage by themselves, and they planning some sort of a strategy
status quo ultimately restored. Multiwinians, a far cry from the need someone to guide their for different phases of the game. I
peaceful, law-abiding entities they actions. In addition to simple find this appealing since too many
However, as time flies, once were. Great battles rage all annihilation, the game has of today’s RTS’s simply feature the
Darwinians evolve into more
UBUNTU GAMES - MULTIWINIA
armament phase and the all-out and reinforcement troops need to experienced a noticeable slow- repetitive nature. Participating in
attack, leaving little in between. be deployed at once when they are down on my Ubuntu 11.10 laptop fierce, lightning-fast battles of
Nevertheless, there could be some available. Battle efficiency can be (2.7 GHz Core i7, Radeon 6470 1 hundreds of troops is cool, but,
improvement, because many enhanced by creating formations GB, 4 GB DDR3, SSD), playing with after a few days of intensive
scenarios just end up in a huge of troops led by officers, building the highest settings on an external gaming, one likely loses interest. I
demolition match, no matter what gun turrets, using transportation 27” Full HD screen and 1080p had high hopes for the multiplayer,
the actual mission is. vehicles, and taking advantage of resolution. With lower settings but the servers are not very active.
powerful custom weaponry. there was no problem. Summing it up, Multiwinia is
I very much liked the fact that probably a good game when
Multiwinia is easy to dig into. Since Multiwinia was originally Conclusions played once in a while, hacking
Controls are standard, and there released in 2008, the minimum through a couple of scenarios in a
are two tutorials covering most of requirements are not too bad: a 2.0 While Multiwinia is certainly burst.
the essential feats. Anyways, the GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 32 noticeable among RTS games, and
real trick is to be fast: scenarios MB video card, and 60 MB of disk has a characteristic idea for Good:
usually last less than ten minutes, space. Yet, surprisingly, I gameplay, it loses much in its -easy to learn; challenging to
master; intuitive set of basic
controls
-nice background story
-decent gameplay - even on a low-
end machine
Bad:
-repetitive nature of things
regardless of the game mode
-inactive servers for multiplayer
-the tutorial is not as thorough as
in Darwinia
Points: 7 / 10
Riku Järvinen (rierjarv) is a CS major

student from Finland who delves into
the Linux and Open Source gaming
world once in a while.

UBUNTU GAMES
Written by Jennifer Roger Bobby
B
obby is a physics-based mechanics are simple, the real
space adventure challenge lies in the precision and
developed by Nooskewl timing. One over-zealous push of
Games. Your goal is to the space bar will send him flying
maneuver Bobby the Bullet into the portal, thus restarting the
throughout each level to knock the level if the green balls aren't
green balls into the red spiral. cleared yet!
Once you eliminate all of the balls,
the red portal turns green, inviting Aesthetically, Bobby is fun and
you to warp to the next zone. You vivid with plenty of arcade
are awarded stars after completing nostalgia. The graphics are clear
each level, and are graded on how and smooth, and there were no
quickly you complete them. noticeable glitches or frame rate
issues when tested on Oneiric
The controls are quite simple – 11.10. The music and sound effects
change directions with the arrow are also of good quality, and set
keys, and propel Bobby using the the mood for a nice session of Good:
space bar. Although the game classic gaming. The premise is simple – knock the green balls into
• fun and addictive
the portal to advance to the next
• soundtrack
stage. But the simplicity of the
game is what makes it so charming
Bad:
and addicting.
• can be frustrating
• some over-sensitive controls
You can download a free demo
from Nooskewl's website, or
purchase all 75 levels at Score: 9/10
https://www.nooskewl.com/buy_b
obby.html for only $0.99. Bobby is
also available for purchase in the
Ubuntu Software Center. Jeniffer Rogers ..........

MY DESKTOP Your chance to show the world your desktop or PC. Email your screenshots and
photos to: misc@fullcirclemagazine.org and include a brief paragraph about your
desktop, your PC's specs and any other interesting tidbits about your setup.
This is the desktop I currently have on the Linux Mint

installation on my laptop. It's the standard desktop
This is Ubuntu 11.10, 64-bit, running on my EeePC 1005PX with background, complete with several icons for the programs I
Intel Atom N450 @ 1.6GHz and 2GB RAM. I'm using Gnome- use most. At the bottom you see Cairo dock with Mint-style
Shell instead of Unity. The theme Ambiance Blue is installed, icons, sorted in launchers, applets, and running applications.
and the icon theme is Faenza. Gnome Shell Weather Extension
is installed as per the following guide, which is also the My system is a Samsung R730 17.3" laptop with a P6100 Core
configuration tool for all of this desktop; gnome-tweak-tools: 2 Duo CPU, 4GB RAM and 500GB hard disk. The monitor is
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/10/install-gnome-shell- 16:9 with 1600x900 pixels.
weather-extension.html#more. My wallpaper is a photo I took It's simple but nice, just like me.
from Gothenburg City on a summer night.
DeMus
Barbara Hohensee

MY DESKTOP
My computer is an Intel Core i7 2600 (4 Cores) @ 3.4 GHz, and 4

GB of RAM. I'm running Kubuntu 11.10. The plasma theme is
This is my desktop.
the default Air theme, and the colour scheme is "Penguin".
What makes my desktop attractive (to me) is the widget style,
I am a student and also a novice to Ubuntu. My desktop
Oxygen Transparent, configured with a hint of transparency.
looks so cool in a green and black combo. I am a Tamil. Our
region always looks so cool with green paddies, so I choose
Also of note is the fact that I've given all the folders in my
this paddy wallpaper for my desk. I added some screenlets,
Home directory custom icons. Most of them are from the Dark
and Cairo Dock increases the charm.
Glass Reworked Icon set. Despite being mostly for aesthetics, I
find it surprisingly productive. It's easy to find my usual folders.
My cpu is a dual core @1.6 GHz, 1 GB RAM.
And when I put something temporary in my Home Directory,
the plain blue stands out, and I'm more inclined to work
Manimaran G
through the file/folder and delete it, or relocate to its
permanent residence inside one of the other folders.
Stephan Goosen

MY DESKTOP - BONUS
I
nside this cheap Asus Vento which I use for
A2 chassis is where the Full backups. My main
gives me wireless
Circle magic happens. hard drive, which sits on my desk, is
Internet throughout the
1TB. It holds the entire archive of
house, handy for all my
FCM in both Scribus, and PDF,
other widgets and Feel free to send in photos of
Inside it beats an Intel Core 2 format. But, then again, so does
gadgets. your PC to
Quad CPU seated on an Abit IP35 the Ubuntu wiki.
Pro XE motherboard which has a misc@fullcirclemagazine.org.
And yes, I do have a hard drive
total of 4GB of RAM. I have two old Display is driven by an Nvidia
hanging out the side of my PC all Ronnie
hard drives, a 55GB one which I GeForce 9400 GT. Out of the
the time.
rarely use, and the other is 114GB picture is my Netgear router which

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
SUDOKU
HARD
EASY

Full Circle Team
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE Editor - Ronnie Tucker
ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org
Webmaster - Rob Kerfia
We are always looking for new articles to include in Full Circle. For article admin@fullcirclemagazine.org
guidelines, ideas, and for issue translation, please see our wiki: Comms Mgr - Robert Clipsham
http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuMagazine mrmonday@fullcirclemagazine.org
Please email your articles to: articles@fullcirclemagazine.org Podcast - Robin Catling
podcast@fullcirclemagazine.org
Editing & Proofreading

Mike Kennedy
If you would like to submit news , email it to: news@fullcirclemagazine.org
Lucas Westermann
Gord Campbell
Send your comments or Linux experiences to: letters@fullcirclemagazine.org
Hardware/software reviews should be sent to: reviews@fullcirclemagazine.org

Our thanks go out to Canonical, the
many translation teams around the
Questions for Q&A should go to: questions@fullcirclemagazine.org world and to Thorsten Wilms for the
current Full Circle logo.
Desktop screens should be emailed to: misc@fullcirclemagazine.org
... or you can visit our forum via: www.fullcirclemagazine.org
Deadline for Issue #57:
Sunday 08th Jan. 2012.
Release date for issue #57:

Friday 27th Jan. 2012.
FULL CIRCLE NEEDS YOU!
A magazine isn't a magazine without articles and Full Circle is no exception. We need
your Opinions, Desktops and Stories. We also need Reviews (games, apps &
hardware), How-To articles (on any K/X/Ubuntu subject) and any questions, or
suggestions, you may have.
Send them to: articles@fullcirclemagazine.org

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THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UBUNTU LINUX COMMUNITY

ISSUE #56 - December 2011 COMPETITION:

BIGGER ISSUE WITH MORE GAMES!

THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UBUNTU LINUX COMMUNITY

Linux News p.04 My Desktop p.53

BACK NEXT MONTH

Welcome to the last issue of Full Circle.

full circle magazine #56 3 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 6 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 7 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 8 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 9 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 12 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 17 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 18 contents ^

Lesson number one – don’t For example, some of these

full circle magazine #56 20 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 26 contents ^

sudo apt­get install python­ The last step is adding support

full circle magazine #56 27 contents ^

XBMC is great at recognizing

The only thing left is to put out

You can move/copy a file in

In Gnome you can do the same

Unity works in the same way as

In Xubuntu, you do the same as

full circle magazine #56 36 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 37 contents ^

Which day suits you best?

6 - 7pm (GMT) 32%

And which week of the month

first week 79%

“ What is IRC ? And how can I

A PLEA ON BEHALF OF THE

Or, an even more radical thought, send us an

“ I hope it isn't just for experts. [I

“ I like the idea... we all run diff

Competition closes on Friday 20th January 2012, and the winners

full circle magazine #56 39 contents ^

Where it surprisingly failed is in

full circle magazine #56 42 contents ^

Correction Mint Menu Closing Windows Join us on:

This brings me to the topic of

full circle magazine #56 43 contents ^

A Crossword Puzzle of Bash Commands

The solution to all the puzzles is on the second

full circle magazine #56 45 contents ^

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD by Ilavenil Thirumavalavan Across

The solution to all the puzzles is on the second

full circle magazine #56 46 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 48 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 49 contents ^

Background Story &

Riku Järvinen (rierjarv) is a CS major

full circle magazine #56 51 contents ^

full circle magazine #56 52 contents ^

This is the desktop I currently have on the Linux Mint

full circle magazine #56 53 contents ^

sudo aptget install python The last step is adding support