Do you want to make a Recycle Bin | Trash Can shortcut in your Ubuntu desktop? I know there's a shortcut in panel, but what if I want it in my desktop?
This is how :

• on the desktop, right click and choose Create Launcher
• fill the blank :
  Name        : name it as you wish : Trash Can, Recycle Bin
  Command : nautilus trash:///
  Comment  : your choice
• you can click the icon on the left to change it,
• click close

Update :
There's an alternative way :

Use gconf-editor then go to /apps/nautilus/desktop and checkmark trash_icon_visible.

While you're there you can rename by open the trash_icon_name, change value type to string then type its name.

keyword : trash, recycle bin, shortcut, on desktop, command line

My first Ubuntu, or to be precise Xubuntu, problem, somehow my panel managed not to show up after a reboot. And since I am almost blind to command line I couldn't started network manager to connect to the Internet and find help at ubuntuforum.
Thankfully XFCE has a helpful Help files, remember Alt-F1 is your XFCE help shortcut.
So next time your XFCE panel lost, don't freak out, I almost did, you can do this :

• Alt-F2 to bring run program dialog,
• type "xfce4-panel" (without the quotes)

And it comes back.

Tell you the truth I am not the biggest fan of Nautilus. I don't know it's habitual or what but I like how Windows Explorer (WE) handles things. But no, I'm not going back and I don't have to.
If you are like me then you'll find this app interesting and worth of download. It's called XFE, simply a WE-like file manager/explorer/browser for Linux. I tried it in Ubuntu and Xubuntu, and it does its work nicely and lightly.
XFE already listed in Ubuntu repository, so it's easy, very easy to install one. This is how :

• Application -> Add/Remove Programs -> look for XFE (in Ubuntu) - or - Application -> System -> Add/Remove (in Xubuntu),
  
• Checkmark it and apply, there you go.

To make easier to launch XFE you can create launcher on your desktop or panel, and type the command :  xfe .

Unfortunately XFE that available at Ubuntu repository is not the newest version. To get the newest version download these two files.

• XFE
• libfox-1.6-0_1.6.33-1_i386.deb

The next steps is what I did in my PC, I'm not responsible if it works/or not with your PC. In this order :

1. go to application -> system -> synaptic package manager and install libcupsys2
2. install libfox-1.6-0_1.6.33-1_i386.deb you just downloaded earlier (double click it)
3. then install XFE (double click it)

If you already installed XFE from the repository, I think you must uninstall it first to avoid conflict. And do steps above.

The next thing I want to do is to make XFE as the default file manager,
but I don't know how, yet. Anyone can help? Or I'll update this post as
soon I get the solution.

X File Explorer (Xfe) is an MS-Explorer or Commander like file
manager for X. It is based on the popular, but discontinued, X Win
Commander, originally developed by Maxim Baranov.

Xfe is developed since 2002 by Roland Baudin, a french Linux enthusiast.

keyword : ubuntu, file explorer, windows like

Ah finally, XFCE is installed in my Ubuntu. Let's call it Ubuntu Xubuntu-ed.
It does faster and more responsive in this old PC of mine.


This is how to Install XFCE in Ubuntu :

• Go to Application - System - Administration - Synaptic Package Manager
• find and check Xubuntu Desktop
• Ubuntu will download all the needed files
• after download and installation process finished, log off.
• Click Option at Login Screen to choose XFCE session. You can make it as your default Desktop Environment (DE), or just for one session. You can always revert back to Gnome, if you don't like it.
  

I haven't finished downloading XFCE files. Not that my Internet was that slow. I had to pause because something else was coming up. And now I'm continuing the download process, which will take quite some time, about one hour take or give, if everything runs normal.
Yeah, my Internet Connection is not the fastest out there, but 11 USD / month for unlimited access at 256 kbps is quite a bargain. It's enough for browsing and lite up/downloading, for big download I can leave it overnight, just like when I downloaded Ubuntu iso files.


So while I wait, allow me to do Ubuntu Musing.
Yesterday I experienced strange OS phenomenon :) I have a back up data on DVD burned with Win application that for some reasons couldn't read by Win but when I popped the DVD on Ubuntu, the files magically reappears, wow, thanks to Ubuntu I can re-back up my valuable data. I did some re-confirmations, I popped the DVD on Win and Ubuntu alternatively and all the times Ubuntu read it but not Win. I wonder why. And that was that one DVD alone. One strange DVD.

And when will my download finish?

I use Ubuntu 8.10 with its default desktop environment, Gnome with avant window navigator+compiz fuzion+emerald, it runs very well on my first PC (Intel E4300+2GB RAM+GF7300LE). But not on my 7 years old PC (Athlon 2200 XP+512MB RAM+GF 5200). Things go slow motion :) not that worse, but it's pain to endure especially during my multi windows-multi tasking session.
So, I think I'll use XFCE on this old machine. From what I read XFCE is resources-friendlier than KDE and Gnome.
Before I come to this decision I have a slight hesitation onto what my desktop going to look like. To make things clear I jump to xfce.org and they have these nice screenshots of XFCE, not bad me thinks. So decision made, XFCE it is.

Yes I know I can disable awn and compiz to speed things up, but hey where's the adventure in that?

I am writing this post while downloading the needed files for XFCE installation. So wait for updates on this. Stay tune.

So far I haven't meet good desktop blogging tool in Linux , I compare it to Windows Live Writer (WLW). There are two most recommended from what I read in my googling session and blog walking, they are BloGTK and Drivel. But that's not good enough for me, for now.
I even try to install Windows Live Writer in Linux via Wine but to no avail as it need .net 2.0. There's is one method to install it with winetricks though, that I haven't try yet.
Then I remember once I tried one Firefox addon : Scribefire, back in Windows XP, it is a good blogging tool but I didn't use it often as WLW was  around. And now WLW is no more, Scribefire is the next best thing, and its recent version is getting better over time. I write the last three posts with it.
If you're looking for good desktop blogging tool in Linux then Scribefire + Firefox is your dynamic duo, IMHO.

Happy Blogging!

ps:

• Why did't I use online posting tool?
  I hate long login process and all those clicks just to write a post, so long my idea was long vaporized.
• it's kind of ironic isn't it, the best desktop blogging tool in Linux (IMHO) doesn't run on one, it runs on the multi platform Firefox.
• to all code-masters out there : please, please, make WLW-killer in Linux.
• if you know good desktop blogging in Linux (that I miss) please let me know.

My Ubuntu 8.10 running latest Openoffice.org version i.e: 3.0.1 How?

Basically all you have to do is add 3rd Party Software repository. Here's how :

1. System -> Administration -> Software Sources
2. Click Third-Party Software tab, then "Add" and type (or paste) this :
   deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ubuntu intrepid main
   
   
3. copy and paste following text in text editor and save it :
   

   -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
   Version: SKS 1.0.10
   
   mI0ESXanRwEEAOTPu1sTcJChTjkA9LkIh6WqiBgPzxNY2p8w18Qt/cE3ev4VyjiIadZtr+fh
   C+kuRRQuRinLV+MzeD7Od3uqyR1plc90lqUeLeKJMgXfCoGMmKwng0qD2gpevIvEEpdlmsRo
   1hutsyRxAL3o/NfFpovg6dWC27Y1Vwwma8UIL5wXABEBAAG0K0xhdW5jaHBhZCBQUEEgZm9y
   IE9wZW5PZmZpY2Uub3JnIFNjcmliYmxlcnOItgQTAQIAIAUCSXanRwIbAwYLCQgHAwIEFQII
   AwQWAgMBAh4BAheAAAoJEGDREhckfRz/4QoEAOJ429PsO5oi1xsnX/lraHACYpHNvk4KVghu
   cY2p6J8M0WTTlfls96jRYGlDBDuyZcfW0W+VJlaiu28u2Y9zEnXTWHMlIk6PiOmLPxXofgDf
   lKRqvBFYdRD8+33TBeD6u6qajNOLYTL08dnqCfVqmJTGZxqXTmYIOF1NdIs0KlF/
   =1y5I
   -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
   

   
   click Authentication Tab, import the file you created in step 3,
   
4. Close and Reload, wait until it finished
5. Go to your update manager, OpenOffice will be listed as an upgradeable application, install it.
   
6. Now you have latest Openoffice.org on your Ubuntu 8.10
   

And this is my screenshot :

I have two PCs both running Ubuntu 8.10, at home and at shop, both use Mozilla Thunderbird as email client. I want to have those two PC's email clients to have same address book, looks and setting and most importantly same content. And I have, how?

This is what you need :

• A synchronization application
• A portable USB Harddisk/Thumbdrive/Flashdisk
  

Remember to back up your files before doing this, I won't take any responsibility if anything bad happens to your files.

This is what you do on your first PC (the one that contains your latest email) :

1. install Unison, via Application → Add/Remove → search for Unison, after installed you can find it in Application → accessories.

2. Make a new profile e.g. email,

3. Look for Thunderbird profile, by default it's located in /home/username-pc1/.mozilla-thunderbird/xxxxxxx.default/ , in Nautilus (file explorer) you need to press CTRL+H to show hidden files.

4. Copy all files in it to your portable hard disk, example /your-usb-name/Thunderbird/

5. Start Unison, it will ask for your two folder/files location that you want to be synchronized, in this case it would be :

   1. home/username-pc1/.mozilla-thunderbird/xxxxxxx.default/

   2. /your-usbflashdisk-name/Thunderbird

6. since it is your first time synchronizing, Unison will ask what to do :

• Action → Resolve all Conflict in Favor of First Root

• Go, that will synchronize from location 1 to 2.

Now in your second computer ;

1. Install Unison

2. Start Unison, it will ask for your two folder/files location that you want to be synchronized, in this case it would be :

   1. home/username-pc2/.mozilla-thunderbird/yyyyyyy.default/

   2. /your-usbflashdisk-name/Thunderbird

3. since it is your first time synchronizing, Unison will ask what to do :

• Action → Resolve all Conflict in Favor of Second Root

• Go, that will synchronize from location 2 to 1.

Now you got two exactly identical Mozilla Thunderbird-s on your PCs.

That's it. After that Unison will compare and recognize which files are newest every time you run it.

This method can be applied to synchronize any files you may have : document files, Firefox profile, etc.

Happy Synchronizing!

One statement that often pops out from migrant users (including me, at first)in Linux forum is “ Linux doesn't support my hardware, bla...bla...”

The truth is : It's not Linux who doesn't support your hardware. It is your hardware manufacturer that doesn't support it in Linux, it is not Linux fault.

If you want to compare hardware supporting capability, use Linux and Windows in fresh and newly installed state. And compare that.

I have one example, from my own experience. I have Motorola RAZR V3XX that I want to use as modem.

• In Windows XP :

• I have to install an application : Motorola Phone Tools, which install modem driver, to use it properly as modem (FYI : I have to enter APN in order to make a successful Internet connection),

• In Linux Ubuntu 8.10 :

  • I don't have to install driver and special application,Ubuntu recognizes my phone and its built-in Network Manager provides needed setting form.

Of course this is just one particular case, but when you think about it clean and fresh newly installed Windows vs. newly installed Linux (Ubuntu in my Case) which one support better?

I can’t stop my hand from making another two wallpaper for Ubuntu. Now we got animal theme : a spider and fly, marching baby grasshoppers.

I took the photographs myself, and uploaded them in my Nikon Coolpix Gallery. But that’s another story. Here’s a little description :

1. Ubuntu : You Can't Escape, feature a spider and captured fly on its jaw. Here Ubuntu logo used as a targeting mark, and once you are marked there’s no way you can escape.
2. Ubuntu : we’re strong together, feature 4 baby grasshoppers marching on a blade of grass. As community based OS, Linux is definitely stronger together.

keyword : ubuntu wallpaper animal theme

Here are two Ubuntu wallpapers I just made. Ubuntu : My Way and Ubuntu : WDIUIS.

Enjoy the wallpapers. Just like Ubuntu you can use these wallpapers freely as long it is not for commercial use.

Click the picture to get the full size (1024 x 768).

The title got you? Good.

It’s a never-ending fanboys war of OSes. You’ll find it in every comment box in every “spicy” article that tend to favor particular OS.

It’s quite stupid, “this war of OSes”, I think. People come from many different reasons and backgrounds that end up in OS of their choice. Even users of same OS. So one can not justify his reason to another people to do the same decision. Although their lengthy argument can be educating and mind opening, sometimes.

Every OS has its strength and weakness. There’s no such thing as perfect OS. Period.

And now we talk about why I chose such title…

In a sense of war of OSes, a good user will be those who able to convert other to his/her OS of choice. And this is the scenario:

1. A good Linux user can freely and legally says “Here try my OS, take my copy and install it”,
2. can non-Linux user say the same thing without being a pirate?

:)

No, I’m not saying Linux is the perfect OS, just one advantage it has. It has weaknesses of course. It can’t play .mkv movies and no native desktop blogging tool as good as Windows Live Writer, for two.

Finally Ubuntu!

Just a short introduction about this blog, this blog as declared on the title is about my experience with Ubuntu, as it’s becoming my primary OS.

I’m just a regular PC user, with no prior command-line experience before except back in MS-DOS era and the only thing I remember is dir command. So what you’ll find here is less command-line thingy unless absolutely necessary. Typing in Terminal is not my reason to migrate to Ubuntu. So a GUI-driven Linux is my kind of thing.

But who knows what happens next as I swim too deep with the Penguin?

I got two PCs at home one 100% Ubuntu and the other is dual-booting with you know what.

PC 1 : AMD Athlon XP 2200 + 512 MB RAM + Nvidia GF5200

PC 2 : Intel C2D E4300 + 2 GB RAM + Nvidia GF7300 LE

So let’s this blog started…

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