What’s your first impression of Ubuntu?

For those of us who are new to Ubuntu/Linux, please describe your first impression of Ubuntu. Tell us about your experience!

Please write by adding a comment.

A Photoshop Alternative for FREE. GIMP 2.4 is out!

GIMP, most of you might have known this program.  The popular and powerful open source graphics editor is now in version 2.4!  It is one of the best graphics application available for free.  Supports over 100 plug-ins and has many advanced features found in Photoshop such as layer support, channel support & many many more.   GIMP can be installed on Windows, Linux and Mac.  Click here for screenshots

For complete feature list and details, visit the GIMP official web site.

Completely wipe out your harddrive!

This program called Darik’s Boot and Nuke will completely wipe out your hard drive making all files unrecoverable using all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis.  This program will become useful when you’re planning to sell or donate your old computer.  BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS PROGRAM, FILES ARE NOT RECOVERABLE AFTER YOU WIPE OUT YOUR HARD DRIVE WITH THIS SOFTWARE.

Did you know that when you delete a file from Recycle Bin or Trash, the file is still on the hard drive?  What’s got deleted is only the reference to that file and with appropriate software, it can be recovered.

I’m trying to find a good file shredder in Linux that will completely remove a file.  I will will updating on that.

Do you believe in Aliens? You can help finding them!

Introducing SETI@HOME, a scientific research program that uses computers connected to the internet in the search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.  This program will run when your computer is in idle mode(which means when you’re not doing anything).  With so many stars and planets, do you think we’re human beings are the only life in the universe? or maybe not?

Program your own Ubuntu programs.

Do you want to become a programmer and don’t know where to start? The program that I’m going to talk about today is FreeBASIC which is a free, open source, 32 bit BASIC Compiler which allows you create graphical use interface programs as well as console applications.. The language is similar to Microsoft’s QuickBasic. As a programmer myself, it’s good to start with a BASIC language and then move on to the new Object-Oriented language. Once you learn BASIC, it will make your life easier when you’re learning C++, C# or Java. Official Web Site

I started learning Microsoft Visual Basic and then I moved on to do a little Java and then I’m learning C# in college right now.  I will be returning to Java next year.  Personally, I think it takes alot of practices and hard work to be a good programmers.

Linux Computer Under $200 From Walmart.

Did you know that you can buy a computer under $200 with VIA C7-D Processor at 1.5Ghz, 80GB of storage, 512MB of memory, DVD-ROM/CD-RW, Eithernet Card & More.  I was just looking around Walmart.com & found Everex TC2502 and it costs $199.00.  This computer comes preinstalled with gOS Operating System(Linux)  and OpenOffice for all your productivity needs  This computer will definitly satisfy most normal computer users.  With those specs, it should be able to run Windows XP(I don’t have a machine to test out, but I think it should run).  Monitors are sold separately.  I heard that Dell will also be selling desktop with Linux, not sure about that yet but will update soon.

Open Source. OpenSolaris

Sun Microsystem has just released a open source version of its Solaris Operating System.  Sun has released Project Indiana for download and it’s called OpenSolaris Developer Preview.  Continue reading (Cnet)

Microsoft offering Office Ultimate for just $59.95

This is a little off topic but it’s a great offer from Microsoft, it’s for students who posses a valid email address or be enrolled at an educational institution supported by the promotion (A complete list of education institution supported can be found at the official web site).  So that’s all the college and university students in the U.S, Canada, UK & more!   For complete details & eligibilitym, please visit the offer site from Microsoft.    So what do you get with the Microsoft Office Ultimate? A whole lot of programs:

Access 2007, Accounting Express 2007, Excel 2007, InfoPath 2007, Groove 2007, OneNote 2007, Outlook 2007, Powerpoint 2007, Publisher 2007 & Word 2007

Offer ends April 30, 2008!

I would only buy it if you need it for educational learning purpose, otherwise get OpenOffice, it’s the best!

For Linux user, OpenOffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Office.  Personally I use OpenOffice alot and it’s recomended to everyone.  It’s the best office suite available for free.  OpenOffice is also available in Windows!  Support Open Source Softwares All THE WAY!!

Make your Ubuntu look like a Mac.

Ever want to make your Ubuntu look like a Mac.  There’s a project called Mac4Lin which offers complete tutorial to make your Ubuntu look like a Mac.  Click here to access Mac4Lin project web site.  Click on the “Download Mac4Lin” button and all the necessary files are there including a complete visual instruction in PDF file format.

The result:

Get a Dock like a Mac!

Do you want to make your Ubuntu like a Mac with a really nice animated Dock. The one I have installed is called Avant Dock, it’s really good and I haven’t had any problems with it. This dock also supports many applets to be displayed on the dock, such as (Weather Applet, Trash Applet,Clock, Battery Applet) and many more. You can also add launcher to it, simply by just dragging & dropping. This dock can be installed using the Synaptic Package Manager.

This is a screenshot of my dock in Ubuntu