1. First, from the Desktop, go to System->Preference. Click on Desktop Effect
2. Select Enable Desktop Effect, Click OK
3. Watch your Windows Wobbles as it being moved!

Note 1 : Some people reported this feature causes serious desktop bug when both ‘Wobble’ and ‘Workspace on a cube’ feature are enabled at the same time.

Note 2: This is not beryl, please refer to HowtoForge’s article :Installing Beryl On An Ubuntu Feisty Fawn Desktop With An ATI Radeon Graphic Card for that.

Tags: ubuntu, feisty, feisty fawn, compiz, xgl, linux

• Feisty Performance: “Fly Like A Butterfly”
• Hacking Ubuntu to Improve Performance: Tuning Kernel Parameters

Note : Your mileage may vary depending on your computer setup, system usage and other factors.

Tags: ubuntu, feisty, feisty fawn, performance, tweaking

The Installation was a breeze, the Ubuntu team managed to do a pretty good job here. The LiveCD let me do a lot of stuff during the installation process, such as getting online for IRC, surfing the web and reading my emails.

The LiveCD was able to detect my Windows XP Professional partition, and launched Windows Migration Tool for me to migrate my Windows documents and User account. The Installation itself was a breeze, and I’ve a Linux operating system ready to to use within minutes!

Most importantly, my desktop pc hardware (printer, scanner, bluetooth dongle, card reader, graphic card) are supported out from the box, with no restricted drivers needed.

Installation Screenshot

Enhanced Desktop Effect
Ubuntu Feisty Fawn comes with built-in Desktop Effects, so I don’t have to go to great length to enable the spiffy wobbly effect and ‘workplace on cube’ effect.

Note that you have to use a graphic card that supports 3D hardware acceleration with Ubuntu to use this feature.

Ubuntu Software Repositories
The multiverse, universe and restricted software repositories are enabled by default, which means that new users won’t have to figure out how to configure synaptic to install restricted software by themselves anymore.

The ‘completely free’ operating system solution will be addressed by the new (yet unamed) official Ubuntu-derivative project that would be ready by the time Gutsy Gibbon released.

Conclusion
Overall, I’m impressed with the improvements brought in the latest Ubuntu release. I use to criticize unfriendly Ubuntu installer interface (during the days of 5.04, 5.10) which scared some of the new GNU/Linux users but Feisty Fawn’s installation dialog was straight-forward and easy to use, it even easier than Windows Vista installation screen.

I completely agree with Ubuntu decision to include Universe and Multiverse repositories by default as it is more user-friendly to average desktop users. The addition of Desktop Effects is another attraction for potential users to try Ubuntu as their first GNU/Linux operating system.

Five stars for Feisty Fawn, keep up the good work!

Tags: feisty fawn, feisty, ubuntu, livecd, beryl, vista

Wordpress 2.2 spot major improvement over the previous Wordpress architecture among it :

• It includes the new ATOM API support for managing post (like blogger.com)
• Uses phpmailer to handle mail related code
  (reduce burden to wordpress developer to spot bugs/vulnerability)
• Support multiple comment feed format (RSS, ATOM)
• Uses the lighter jQuery for JS core library which is lighter (thus faster)
• Includes Widgetized default themes (Kubrick and Classics)
• Plugin sandboxing for testing new plugins

The addition of ATOM API and ATOM 1.0 feeds is a much awaited feature for blogging geeks since both of it has been supported in blogger.com, and considered superior to XML-RPC interface and RSS syndication feeds.

p/s : I’ve been using the Wordpress 2.0.x branch for compatibility reason with most of my plugins. Since, most of my plugins has been ported to 2.1, may be this is a good time for me to upgrade to the latest Wordpress 2.2.x branch after this.

Alternative post : Wordpress by Examples

Tags: wordpress, blog, blogger, blogger.com, xml-rpc, wordpress.com

Suprisingly, his dad found out that the new “Windows Vista” is better than OS X and unaware that he’s currently using Ubuntu in his pc.

From the website :

Later, when he came home from work, I showed him his new “Vista” install, complete with the latest Office and Solitaire.

Well, it’s been a few days since that and now he says Bill Gates is better than Steve Jobs and brags about how OS X on my iMac is obsolete compared to Vista on his PC.

Original website : degredo.net
Screenshot: Ubuntu Vista

Tags: ubuntu, vista, microsoft, windows vista, funny, humor, humour

It seems everybody want a piece of Feisty Fawn right now, the mirrors are dead slow, one can only guess how many terabytes are being transfered this night alone. I would suggest to use the p2p bittorrent solution to download the iso file.

But the speed doesn’t bother me that much compared to the Ubuntu official website which seems ‘weird’ to me after the release.

Take a look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ screenshot I took :

Before (on 18 April 2007)

After (on 19 April 2007)

Seems like somebody is in a hurry to update Ubuntu.com website or was it a work by a professional cracker?

Anyway, enjoy your Feisty Fawn download :)

Updates : As of 0200 UTC (20 April 2007), the Ubuntu website is back to using the default layout again :)

Tags: ubuntu, linux, feisty, feisty fawn, open source, distro

The article covers important SVN operation (checkout,diff,update,import, check in) necessary for managing a software project.

Here’s the link to the article :

• SVN command line tutorial for beginners 1
• SVN command line tutorial for beginners 2

What is SVN (Subversion)
SVN or subversion is an open source tool used for revision control system similar to CVS. It is widely use by popular open source project such as Apache, KDE, Gnome, Python and Samba as their version control program.

Open Source repository site like SourceForge and Google Code Project Hosting provides SVN hosting for free and open source project.

Visit SVN (Subversion) Official website for more information about the system.

Tags: svn, subversion, cvs, version control, opensource, open source

This intention has be made known by Mark Shuttleworth himself in the Ubuntu mailing list few days ago (12 April 2007).

However the unnamed release is not intended to be a ‘variant’ of the main Ubuntu release, putting it inline with the Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu project.

The new variant of the distro will only feature software which only come with source code and that have full rights of modification and redistribution. Mark Shuttleworth also notes that works on the new variant will involve the folks from gNewsense team, an unofficial distro based on Ubuntu, which puts a possibility that the gNewsense distro will be completely integrated into the Official Ubuntu project.

The variant is estimated to be ready on the next cycle of Ubuntu release (Gutsy Gibbon) due on
October 2007. It unclear if the new Ubuntu variant will support playing mp3 or mpeg4 files as codecs for both for format are licensed under a GNU GPL compatible free software license despite their patented status.

p/s: If this plan works, I think you might be seeing FSF (or even Stallman) himself use Ubuntu on their computers anytime soon.

Tags: ubuntu, gnewsense, debian, linux, gutsy gibbon, gutsy, linux, opensource, open source

The release was unofficially available since November last year but some technicalities prevented the project from making an official release announcement until all architectures it supported is of release quality.

Among softwares included in Debian Etch are :

• GNOME 2.14
• OpenOffice.org 2.0.4
• GIMP 2.2.13
• Iceweasel (Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3)
• Icedove (Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5)
• PostgreSQL 8.1.8
• MySQL 5.0.32
• GCC 4.1.1
• Linux kernel 2.6.18
• Apache 2.2.3
• Samba 3.0.24
• Python 2.4.4 and 2.5

Debian is one of the oldest GNU/Linux distribution project which is still active until today. Many of the newer Linux distribution (eg Ubuntu, mepis,knoppix) based their project on Debian codebase.

Debian has the largest collection of softwares and the widest machine architecture support compared to other distro.

Please visit the official Debian GNU/Linux project website to get more information about it.

Tags: debian, linux, distro, opensource, open source

The main reason codename is used because it is easier for humans to memorize names compared to release number (hence the motto Linux for human beings). he same codename is also used as development name during initial buildup stage. Using the same codename has the advantage of reducing potential confusion that might arise from the different development/release name pairs.

Though the Ubuntu Wiki Page explains how codenames are formed, it doesn’t reveal the technique of naming the release is known as Alliteration.

The use of Alliteration
Alliteration is a form of mnemonics that uses the same alphabet (consonant) in two consecutive words, like Peter Parker and Lex Luthor. Phrases that use alliteration is easier to remember than those that do not.

Alliteration isn’t solely used by Ubuntu alone, other brand names or products that use alliteration includes :

• Playboy Playmates
• Spongebob Squarepants
• Coca-cola
• French Fries
• Kit Kat
• Pontiac Pursuit
• Super Sonic
• Take Two
• Peter Pan
• King Kong
• Mickey Mouse
• Paypal
• Plater of Paris
• Tic-tac
• Ding Dang
• Marilyn Manson
• Kuda Kepang

Alliteration can make a phrase more memorable which explains why Ubuntu release name is more widely known than its release number (ie. How many people remembers Ubuntu Hoary release number?).

p/s: Now I know why I have no trouble recalling Paypal as a credit card processor service or French Fries when ordering chips at any fast food restaurant and Coca Cola as my favorite soft drink (yeah, carbonated drinks are not good, but at least they are not as pretentious as Ribena)

Tags: breezy badger, ubuntu, feisty, feisty fawn, linux, distro

I’ve a sad news to share with everybody here, my D-Link G604T ADSL modem had gone up in smoke today. I don’t know what caused it, but I suspected long duration of use (24/7) might contribute to its demise.

Now I’m stuck with the spare Kasda ADSL modem, hard to dial out, a bit unreliable but it does its job of keeping me connected to the internet.

I think i need to save some money to buy myself a new modem after this, preferably one that can operate non-stop 24/7. I heard linksys and 3com modem are good but the latter is much harder to find at my place.

Any tips on buying a new ADSL router (preferably wifi capable) ?

Tags: router, modem, adsl, streamyx, broadband

As a result I complied, and created flvto3gp bash script for the job.

Usage
Using it is simple, just run this script inside a directory full of FLV (or any video files supported by ffmpeg) and execute it using this command :

sh flvto3gp.sh *


The script will convert all video files to 3gp file format one by one. The script requires
ffmpeg in order to run.

Ubuntu users might have to refer to this post before using this utility : Enable mp3 and amr support in ffmpeg ( Ubuntu )

Tags: ubuntu, flv, linux, ffmpeg, open source

The project has also moved to a new website to pidgin.im with the old gaim website served as a pointer to the new project site.

Apart from that, the project will migrate its current version control to monotone from CVS (hosted by Sourceforge). The newly rebranded Pidgin team hasn’t disclosed the reason behind the migration of revision control system or why they chosen to use monotone instead of the more popular SVN.

Here’s the latest screenshot of Pidgin IM (formerly known as Gaim) :

About Pidgin (formerly known as gaim)
For those who don’t know, Pidgin/Gaim is a multiprotocol instant messenger which support popular Instant messenger network including Yahoo, MSN Messenger, Jabber, Google talk, AIM, ICQ and IRC.

More information about Gaim rebranding can be found here : Pidgin.im and Gaim Sourceforge website

p/s: Hopefully after this we can have the latest Pidgin 2.0 release as soon as possible since the project won’t be dragged down with the legal issues anymore.

Tags: gaim, pidgin, open source, instant messenger, yahoo messenger, linux , opensource, ym

Codec Wizard
Now you can play mp3,DVD and mpeg4 videos of yours without much hassle. Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn includes a cool Codec Wizard which automatically install the required codec for you when you first played the file.

Improved Network Manager
Connecting to existing network has been made easier with the pre-installed Network Manager. You can now connect to wired and wireless network with relative ease.

Windows Migration Assistant
Provide easy migration from Windows operating system to Ubuntu. Supports Internet Explorer bookmarks, Yahoo IM, AOL IM, Desktop Wallpaper and documents during installation.

Desktop Effects
The latest release includes desktop effects, making it a definite reason to try Feisty Fawn for a desktop user.

Thin Client
An attractive functionality for those that runs a computer lab, thin client server allows you. Edubuntu Feisty Fawn includes Classroom Server edition consists of two CDs, a server image and a server add-on image with additional education applications and languages complete with tips and best practices for educators.

Other than that, Feisty Fawn also includes latest software like GNOME 2.18, OpenOffice.org 2.2.0, X.org 7.2, Firefox 2.0.0.2 and Linux kernel 2.6.20.

Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn is schedule to be released in 19 April 2007, please visit the official Ubuntu website for more information.

p/s: Most of this material of this post is taken from Feisty Fawn Beta page

Tags: linux, ubuntu, feisty fawn, feisty, debian

Schedule to be released on April 19, 2007. Free Ubuntu Feisty Fawn CDs is suspected to be back available from ShipIt!

Here’s the screenshot ShipIt interface.

What is Shipit?
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, ShipIt is a service maintained by the Ubuntu project for the purpose of shipping free Ubuntu CD through out the world.

To order free CDs, you need to have a launchpad account and the CDs will take around 1-6 weeks to arrive, depending on where you live (and customs delays).

PowerPC CD won’t be available ?
Also it is worth noting that Ubuntu has dropped PowerPC platform from its official release, so the usual PowerPC CD won’t be available from Shipit as with previous releases.

Tags: powerpc, ubuntu, feisty, feisty fawn, debian, linux, opensource, open source

I’m also working to improve this blog by changing the style of my writing to make it clearer to casual readers. The reason for doing this because I noticed that some of my article is hard to read because I usually write on-the-spot without much planning. So I decided it is best for me to plan my posts first before posting it in order to improve the readability and improve my writings.

Wordpress 2.1.3 and 2.0.10
In another separate news, Wordpress.org has released yet another security update for the Wordpress blogging platform which fixes XML-RPC interface issues and XSS vulnerabilities.

Wordpress users are suggested to upgrade their installation to the latest release to avoid from being compromised.

Tags: wordpress, april, personal, announcement