Linux for Keysers | Adventures in Open Source

The internal microphone does not work after a default install. Append the line "options snd-hda-intel model=dell-s14" to file /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf, reboot and adjust the mixer levels.

Here is the fairly well done test results for a Dell E6410 Laptop running Ubuntu 10.04 LTS. I've seen all of the issues reported so far on my laptop and can confirm that the workarounds do actually work.

On my newly purchased work laptop (Dell E6410 with nVidia GPU), the system would boot to a blank screen when attempting to install, run from CD, or after installation. Here's the workaround .

Many channels provide near-instant downloads of their content, but it isn't quite the same as having a fully-functioning live version of the programming. Enter P2PTV. While somewhat shady in legal terms (try at your own risk), it might prove useful for some wishing to experiment in this area. Here are the steps for installing SopCast (one of the more popular versions) on Ubuntu 10.04: echo "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/jason-scheunemann/ppa/ubuntu `lsb_release -cs` main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list && sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys CD30EE56 Now install SopCast with sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install sopcast-player sp-auth Run with Alt+F2 -> sopcast-player or get it at Applications -> Sound & Video -> SopCast Player. For more US based channels, try Justin.TV instead. It even has the option of pausing a show and coming back to it later. Credit

While still in active development with many features not yet ready for everyday use, Gnome-Shell is showing a lot of potential. I recently installed the current version available through the Ubuntu 10.04 repositories to give it a test drive. It's not ready for primetime, that's for sure, but it does have some features that I find compelling. Overview Mode I use Compiz' multiple desktops using the rotating desktop on all my machines that support 3D acceleration. I typically mentally map where all my apps are in relation to each other so that I can quickly switch to the workspace I need to perform a task. However, I sometimes find myself wondering where I left Firefox open, for instance. Having the option to blow up the whole cube on the desktop is nice, but I found the Overview display of Gnome-Shell to be even better. Simpler Navigation For me, anything that reduces clicks is a good thing. The overall interaction with Gnome-Shell as compared to Gnome is just that; simp...

I posted awhile ago about my recommendation for an IDE (Wingware's IDE). I'd like to retract that recommendation in favor of one I've been experimenting with lately: Eclipse + pyDev. First off, the IDE is open source and is one of the most popular IDEs on the market today. I wasn't aware of how Aptana had fully integrated Python as a plugin until yesterday. I can only say that I am extremely pleased with the result. They did it right, no doubt about it. Check it out on your favorite OS today. For Ubuntu 10.04 users, simply add Eclipse to your system through the Software Center and then follow the instructions on pydev.org to add it as a plugin. Make sure you follow the instructions for adding it as a plugin.

Well, not really gone, just not installed by default. You can get it again by installing the package "compiz-fusion-plugins-extra". See more information on this here . Also, to enable rotating the desktop cube with the mouse wheel, set rotate left to button 4 and rotate right to button 5 in the bindings for the mouse.