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...Ubuntu One...Google Chrome OS? Won't work, for me at least :(
Look at this : Download Rate 224 B/s - 13 days 8 hours 39 minutes 14 seconds remaining!
For some reason my ISP is going from bad to worst, on the good time I get 20 kbps download rate but it has been downhill this week.
So for those with fast Internet, be thankful :)

keyword : cloud computing fail

This is the kind of news that will make PS3 Fanboys and Linux Fanboys giggle in unison.  No picture here, I'll let your imagination do its job :) Either to imagine the giggle or how fast you can run Gimp in this Supercomputer, or both, are up to you.

source : Air Force To Expand PlayStation-Based Supercomputer




keyword : PS3, Linux, Super Computer

I already installed Karmic Koala on my test partition but not on my main machine, until now. I finally mustered my courage to upgrade my Jaunty Jackalope to Karmic Koala and to  make sure I have enough time troubleshooting I did it in this weekend, which is a long weekend.
I took the safest path possible (safest doesn't mean 100% safe and trouble-free, mind you) and that is  to upgrade from CD, from ubuntu-9.10-alternate-i386.iso to be precise. By upgrading from a CD, there's no risk of  network problem in the middle of upgrading process. Read the detail on how to upgrade using alternate CD here.
The upgrade process took about 1 hour, which was went very smoothly.

Like I said it's not a trouble free process, here are problems encountered after upgrading to Karmic Koala :

• the most common problem is that Karmic is unable to load Linux Drive, so I anticipate it by editing the grub first after the upgrading process finished and before restarting. By upgrading from 9.04 it means I won't have the new Grub2 and still use Grub legacy, no problem I like old Grub more.
• shift key is not working,
  solution : open Start Menu -> System Tools -> Configuration Editor, and then go to apps -> metacity - > global_keybindings -> run_command_1. Change the value from Shift+F19 to disabled.
  

So far so good :)


keyword : upgrade, 9.04, 9.10, jaunty jackalope, karmic koala, shift key not working

I personally think it is better to accompany and show people how to install Ubuntu step by step rather than installing it for them, not only this will make them know a bit more about their computer but also enable them to do the same for others or at least for themselves should the need arise. Better but not easier task.
Thanks to good people at makeuseof, now we have a great Ubuntu e-guide that will help us explain better or when we really don't have the time we can send this book over.

This pdf covers almost everything you should know about Ubuntu, from partitioning to tweaking Ubuntu. A must have for every Ubuntu users.


keyword : how to install ubuntu, karmic koala guide, free, pdf

This question was asked in Yahoo!Answers.
I see it as a good sign that Ubuntu now (or 5 months ago) has reach those who don't even knew how to use it.
The fact that this user went to Yahoo!Answers gives me idea that Ubuntu forum as a place to look for/give help should be introduced on installation process and make
it as default homepage on live CD. After all Ubuntu is not just an OS
there's a live and helpful community behind it.
IMO, an option to sign up to Ubuntu forum in installation process when there's Internet connection available would be nice. And Ubuntu Forum shortcut in Start Menu won't do any harm.
  

...because we only have each other when trouble comes right?



from Yahoo! Answers.
keyword : ubuntu, basic question, ubuntu forum, homepage

Working in front of computer may sounds as the most risk-less job in the world, unfortunately it's not. Your back, neck and wrist is the potential victim of RSI (repetitive strain injury or in other words : injury from staying on a same (stressfull) position for a long period. You most probably are already aware of this, but do you know that there are applications in Ubuntu repository to avoid this problem?
There are two applications to avoid RSI, they are :

• workrave : an utility for both KDE and Gnome that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit. And not just limited to one machine, it has network capability to monitor your activity across different computers.
  
• rsibreak : an utility for KDE4 to remind you to take a break, a short and long one. Simpler than workrave.
  

Just open your Synaptic Package Manager or KpackageKit, to install.
And while you're at it, why not install Gnaural, a programmable audio generator that works as an aural aid to meditation and relaxation, works best with headphones.
So while you are having a break, listen to Gnaural, and then get back to work fresher and calmer. For free.
And I keep this roller-massager handy, it's a back-massager but works well for shoulders and arms too, unfortunately it's not in repository :)

wooden roller-massager

keyword : RSI, stress, ubuntu

This morning I took a picture of a yellow flower with three petals that somehow reminds me of Ubuntu logo, and I thought why not make a desktop wallpaper with it, maybe there's someone who'll like it. Even if nobody likes it, I can use it myself or I'll force beg my wife to use it too :)
From what I know, this flower is called Ground Orchid (=anggrek tanah, in bahasa).

I am not a good photographer and so-so in photo manipulation software, in this case Gimp, with that in mind here I present Ubuntu Flower. Click for bigger resolution (1280 X 853).

Now, back to work ...



keyword : ubuntu flower wallpaper

A week ago I was updating my Karmic Koala, when suddenly the electricity went off. It was in the middle of installing updates. I use laptop but when wall socket is available I remove the battery, usually I use uninterruptible power supply (UPS),  but unfortunately not that day.
When electricity was back, I started the laptop, it booted just fine, but whenever I try to install I got this error :

subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2

Thanks to this super awesome article at Khattam.info, my Karmic Koala was back and climbing in no time :)
S/he offers 3 methods that's must be done step by step, but I found that the last step gets the job done and that is editing and removing description of problematic packages within /var/lib/dpkg/status. After that I reinstalled those once problematic packages.

Electric company in my country is well-known for sudden and frequent shut down, so UPS is a must.
Note to myself : UPS is your PC best friend.

best friend

keyword :  ubuntu | update error | error exit status 2

Windows logo on the Super key in Ubuntu system is annoying, the good news is you can change it to Ubuntu logo for free, for US residents that is.
You can change the logo by applying a Ubuntu key sticker over it. For long-lasting result you may have to coat it with transparent (fingernail?) paint or for temporary solution you could use transparent cello tape.
How to get Ubuntu key stickers for free? Not just a Ubuntu sticker, you'll get 4 of them and 4 "Powered by Ubuntu" stickers, all for free. For US residents just send a self addressed stamped envelope to:

System76, Inc. (Free Stickers)
1582 S. Parker Rd. Ste. 310
Denver, Colorado 80231

These free stickers are provided by System76, who provides and supports Ubuntu pre-installed laptops, desktops, and servers.

Not in US? The free "Powered by Ubuntu" stickers also available in these countries (but somehow not the key stickers) :

• Argentina
• Australia
• Belgium
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• India
• Italy
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Peru
• Serbia
• Switzerland
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• Venezuela

For complete address of each country go here.
Sadly my country is not in the list :(

pictures and logo taken from System76 site.
keyword : ubuntu key, ubuntu sticker, free, gratis

It's a habit from Windows days that die hard i.e: press Windows key (or Super key in Linux) to bring up menu. If you want to have this behavior back, be happy here the links to activate it for Ubuntu and Kubuntu.

• For Ubuntu : make the Super Key bring down the applications menu, it's on #9 of the list. This method works for Karmic Koala or Gnome 2.28, for previous Ubuntu try here.
• For Kubuntu : open the menu with windows key , although it's written for KDE 4.1 I've tried it with KDE 4.3.2 and it works.

Now, how to change the Windows logo into Ubuntu, I don't like to call it Super key while it still has Windows on it ....

the super key...it flies?

keyword : windows key, super key, launcher, menu, ubuntu, kubuntu

Using the new version of Remastersys for Karmic, I successfully cloned my Karmic Koala with all installed apps. Before make a USB Startup Disk out of it I tried it first with Virtualbox. Booted back to Jaunty and booted the iso file with Virtualbox, and here it is, Koala meets Jackalope.

head to head : koala- jackalope

Alright, all set, time to create USB Startup Disk.



desktop wallpaper : Extravaganza by Gin-n-Juice
keyword : remastersys, karmic koala

Updates for my previous post about Remastersys that didn't work under Karmic Koala.
Now it does. Have not the chance to try it myself, but the author has made Remastersys repository for Karmic Koala. Here :

 deb http://www.geekconnection.org/remastersys/repository karmic/

This repository is only for Karmic and newer with grub2 - version 2.0.13-1 and up. For previous version, read here. Nice work and thanks a lot Tony Brijeski!
Now I'll boot to Karmic Koala and give it a try :)

keyword : karmic koala | remastersys | repository

I've fresh-installed Karmic Koala on one laptop (HP 540) and one desktop (Intel Core2Duo 1.8Ghz + Nvidia 7300 LE), installation process for both are smooth and now working flawlessly.
Now I am a happy man with two Koalas running (or climbing?) :) I expect two more Koalas, in my Dad's laptop and my wife's and maaaaaaaybe my brother's...
But not all well with the world, apparently. There is Karmic Koala Installation Polling in Ubuntu Forum and the current result are far from good. As of this writing there are about 37% participated users have unsolved problem, either upgrading or did fresh install. Now the percentage may be not representative for overall users, since users with problem-less installation most likely won't participate in the poll. They're busy showing it off :)
 

Percentage aside, Karmic Koala installation is not as smooth as it intended to be for some users., which I assume is not just an install-and-pray type of users, based on my assumption that not everyone who owns a PC just downloading a new Ubuntu and install it. So they must be (or most of them) know what they're doing.
It got me thinking, when even this type of users have unsolved problems, what would average users do? Ditch Ubuntu and buy you-know-what-seven?
So how's Koala been treating you? Please make this poll more representative by spending a few seconds and share your experience here.

keyword: ubuntu | karmic koala | installation problem | polling

Remastersys is a great application to back up/clone Ubuntu installation. It makes back up/clone process easier. All you have to do is install Ubuntu on one machine, update it and install applications you need and clone it with Remastersys as live cd/dvd and then install it on other machines, you can even choose will it carry your /home data or just plain installation cd (with updates and your applications pre-installed) to share with your friends.

It worked just fine with previous Ubuntu up to Jaunty Jackalope. But not with karmic koala, yet. I wrote some workaround to make it work at least as live usb (but not as installation cd) in Ubuntu forum, but that's not most of us need.
The developer is already know about this issue, I hope he can fix this soon, there are at least three machines waiting for my custom Karmic Koala.


keyword : remastersys, karmic koala

Something came up in my RSS reader - "Strong Leonid Meteor Shower Expected Nov. 17" woo hoo, and I have a plan to watch it with my wife, that is if we manage to stay awake, it will be around 2 in the morning. Not my favorite time of the day, I admit.
But, I am not an astronomer, not even an amateur one so I don't know which is which when I look up to the night sky.
I need a guide...
Fortunately, I have Kstars. Haven't installed one yet? It's easy since it's already available on Ubuntu repository. All you have to do is open Synaptic Package Manager or Ubuntu Software Center (if you already on Karmic Koala) search for Kstars and install it.
After installation, the most important thing to do is to set your location in Kstars.

• Settings -> Geographic or Ctrl-G,
  enter your location here. If your location is not listed and you don't know the longitude/latitude, open Google Earth and search for your city. There's a difference between Google Earth format and Kstars', so direct copy pasting won't do. Here's an example how to convert it :
  Latitude   : 7°39'57.89"S to -7 39 57.89
  Longitude : 110°13'33.30"E to 110 13 33.30
  Basically, strip the degree and quote signs, North and East is +, South and West is -

Now that you're where you suppose to be, set the Horizon line in Kstars and your heading, Kstars will show you all the heavenly bodies you can see from where and when you are.
If you don't know what to do and the night sky is clear, press Ctrl-U this will open a "What's Up Tonight" menu to see what you can see in the sky tonight, handy.

Back to Leonid Meteor Shower,

The Leonid radiant is within the so-called "Sickle" of Leo; a backwards question-mark pattern of stars that outlines the head and mane of the constellation Leo, the Lion.  Hence the meteors are known as "Leonids."

According to Kstars, this is how the night sky will look on the dawn of November 17 from my home. The Leo will be around north eastern sky. Yes, not only show present time celestial map, Kstars also can show map from any time you like.

Give it a try, and enjoy a guided tour of the night sky for free :) thanks to these great contributors.


keyword : meteor shower, stars map, constellation, ubuntu, kstars