Distributions
[Reviews]: Linux Mint 9 Isadora Review
Linux Mint 9 Isadora is one of the best Ubuntu based distributions, a really cool distribution if you used Ubuntu 10.04 LTS you find out it has many things on common with Linux Mint Isadora with extra packages installed on it. before we go any further will list the release announcement and download options for it here
release announcement and download options so far it’s available to download with Gnome desktop on CD, DVD for different CPUs AMD, intel, 32 bit or 64 bit
Using Isadora on virtual machine ” virtual box ” with this hardware specifications:
- single core processor 2.1
- 384 MB or RAM
- 12 MB of Video memory
Same great look for linux Mint with green color, and many new wallpaper we mentioned it on this post
Featured improvements in this release: 30,000 applications catalogued and reviewable both online and in the new software manager, brand new incremental backup tool for both data and software selection, menu transparency and editable items, USB and Windows installers, 3 years support, look & feel improvements.
A lot of new features and software packages integrated with linux mint 9 isadora check this release announcement for more information.
Using live session on the virtual machine, so it’s not expected to know exactly if this good booting time or not. but overall working good.
a really cool backup tool for linux mint some kind like apttocd application, to backup specific packages installed on the machine and you can restore it later.
also improves linux mint main menu with extra look for transparent, and same other features usually see for 3d and cube and fading…
Awesome software manager a really cool organized way to pick your applications you would like to install, and optimized with different categories and subcategories. also you can add your own review on the listed applications there and make a vote for it.
Overall it’s a great distribution working great, and still waiting for FluxBox window manager version that will come from Linux Mint community soon.
That’s it for now :)
[Reviews]: Puppy Linux 5.0 Review
Puppy Linux 5.0 or called Lucid Puppy it a minimal distribution based Ubuntu 10.04 LTS release, built on binary packages on Lucid Lynx. comes with a lot of installed packages even you can get more using “Puppy package manager”, using JWM desktop really cool window manger ” Joe’s window manger ” to get more information about JWM desktop follow this link
Using it as a live session on SUN VirtualBox with this hardware specification
- Single core processor 2.1 Ghz
- 384 MB memory RAM
- 12 MB Video memory
First Impression
Really quick release with a really small size distribution just 128 MB it’s not the smallest distribution released but it comes with a lot of installed great packages and internet applications,
Graphics packages ” light inkscape application “, Network manager, Multimedia applications “burn ISO to cd/dvd, Pburn for cd/dvd/blue-ray, ISO master to modify ISO files. and a lot of multimedia application ” Asunder audio CD ripper, Gxine media player, Pmusic player, Pcdripper CD songs ripper, Zmixer audio mixer, mhwave edit audio recorder/editor ” default writing application abiword, Gnumeric spreadsheet application.
First run configuration window comes up with first time boot up that help you out to modify you keyboard layout, languages, Location, time and date, and resolution setting.
when first used it felt it’s messy a little bit with all these icons on the desktop and after using it for a while and getting used to JWM desktop you will find out that distribution is really cool.
Chthemes GTK themes chooser with GTK+ 2.0
Installing extra packages using Puppy packages manager. you will find a lot of recommended applications listed under many categories and Repo s ” Ubuntu lucid-main, Ubuntu-Lucid- multiverse, puppy-woof, puppy-5″
before turn off the live session it will ask you to save your files and settings you already done on the live session.
Who should use this distribution
This distribution is really light weight distribution, if you have an old laptop or any machine with really low hardware specification this will be a really good choice for you, cause it’s totally awesome and quick. that’s not mean decent computers can’t use it. working great on all.
More information, release Notes and Download Options Follow this link
Direct Download link for Linux Puppy 5.0
6 Multimedia Applications for Maemo 5
Maemo 5 is open source operating system, this platform working on many devices such as Nokia 770 internet Tablet, N800, N810 internet tablet, and Nokia N900. Maemo platform developed by Nokia depending on my linux Kernel, Gnome, Denbian, …..
Maemo platform developed really quickly, with maemo 3 release webcam and VOIP using Wireless LAN supported, then with Meamo 4 developed the Mozilla technology based on internet web browser, finger touch-UI, full QWERTY keypad, google talk supported, and GPS on board. And finally with the last release Meamo 5 supporting redesigned finger-touch UI, cellular phones. and supporting live multitasking on the dashboard. such installing full Debian operating system on the Nokia N900 working in the same time with Maemo 5 by multitasking.
anyway guys, Here is the list of multimedia applications tested on Maemo 5:
Jamaendo Player V0.2.5-2
This application is a streaming media player that plays music from jamendo.com
Jamendo is a community of free, legal and unlimited music published under Creative Commons licenses.
MediaBox Media Center V2010.01.05
Media Center for Nokia Internet Tablets
MediaBox Media Center was built to handle large collections of media and lets you browse and play your music and videos and show your photos either from your memory cards, or remotely over the network via UPnP/DLNA.
Recorder V0.3.4
Voice Recorder, A simple graphical utility for recording audio from microphone.
Vagalume V0.8.3-1fremantle2
Client for Libre.fm-compatible radio services
Vagalume is a Last.fm/Libre.fm client designed for the GNOME desktop environment. It’s small and provides the basic Last.fm features, such as scrobbling, tags, recommendations, etc.
Note that the Last.fm terms of use don’t allow streaming music to mobile phones, so you are not allowed to use Last.fm in a Nokia N900
Knots 2 V0.2.8-5
Stream media from your desktop computer
Access your media collection automatically from anywhere. Stream high quality video through wlan or lower quality video through 3G. Requires additional software for your desktop computer. Please see http://wiki.maemo.org/Knots2 for instructions. Supported operating systems: – Windows XP/Vista/7 – OS X 10.5 Leopard or newer – Linux – FreeBSD
Extra Decoders Support V0.3.4-1
Support for additional video and audio decoders in the Media Player
Uses GStreamer decoders and tracker mimetype registering tool * AC-3 audio in video files support * Vorbis OGG and FLAC support (via ogg-support) * Musepack support * Flash video support * RealMedia formats support * Matroska container support (most video formats used for Matroska unsupported!) * MPEG2 Transport Stream support
Video resolution over 848×480 pixels is still unsupported!
7 Distributions based on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Released
Ubuntu fans every where, now you can choose your flavor for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS distributions, with more new distributions releases based on ubuntu 10.04 LTS for your Desktop, Netbook, light wight distribution with simple desktop interface like Xfce, Gnome, or with extra options for glassy windows and fading wobbly for that you will need a decent machine. Studio release, educational release.
With the main Distribution: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
it’s a Debian based distribution with Gnome Desktop, you can download the “desktop, laptop” version, Netbook version, server version.
check the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS tour here
7 Distribution based on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS released so far. so here we go
1. Xubuntu
really good distribution with Xfce desktop, light wight distribution work great on laptop, desktop, also check the Xubuntu tour here
Is really good choice for children, kids, teacher, school, comes with a lot of installed educational applications.
Edubuntu is an educational operating system that is a part of the Ubuntu family. It aims to make Ubuntu, the popular Linux-based operating system, a great choice for the computing needs of children, students, parents, teachers, and schools.
3. Mythbuntu
Using Xfce desktop, and myth open source software digital video recorder (DVR)
Mythbuntu is a community supported add-on for Ubuntu focused upon setting up a standalone MythTV based PVR system. It can be used to prepare a standalone system or for integration with an existing MythTV network. Unlike similar projects, Mythbuntu keeps close ties with Ubuntu and all development is given back to Ubuntu. This architecture allows simple conversions from a standard desktop to a Mythbuntu machine and vice versa. The development cycle of Mythbuntu closely follows that of Ubuntu, releasing every six months along side Ubuntu releases.
4. kubuntu
One of the most popular distribution based on ubuntu with KDE 4.4.2 desktop, also comes with two version for desktop and netbook
Version 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) of the very best Free-Libre Open-Source data recovery software toolkit based on Ubuntu is out.
This release of Ubuntu-Rescue-Remix features a full command-line environment with up-to-date versions of the most powerful free/libre open-source data recovery software including GNU ddrescue, Photorec, The Sleuth Kit and Gnu-fdisk. Packages new to the Rescue Remix include aoetools, array-info, ext3-grep, gptsync, kpartx, and scrounge-ntfs.
6. Lubuntu
This is still beta version last release so far 10.04 beta 3, using LXDE desktop, you can use this distribution on old machines, with really low hardware specifications.
The Lubuntu Lucid Beta 3 is now available released by Julien Lavergne. We are now close to the final release, this beta should be the last one before final release. The status of this final release is not determined yet (“beta stable”, “rc final” …), that’s why its a beta and not a rc like other *buntu. However, final release is still planned for the end of this month, or in very early May.
Gnome desktop with a lot of really good applications for editing and modifying multimedia files.
Ubuntu Studio. A multimedia creation flavor of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu Studio is aimed at the GNU/Linux audio, video and graphic enthusiast as well as professional.
We provide a suite of the best open-source applications available for multimedia creation. Completely free to use, modify and redistribute. Your only limitation is your imagination.
That’s it for now. will keep you up to date 
Distribution Release: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS released
Great news, finally ubuntu 10.04 LTS version released, with other based relased for ubuntu such as Kubuntu, Xbuntu, check this release notes and download options for ubuntu.
Ubuntu main new features , release announcement, you can download for server edition, desktop edition, and netbook editon “Download”
[Download] : 30 Default Backgrounds for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
A really cool collection of 30 backgrounds comes with the new release of ubuntu 10.04 LTS .
Dark background I liked the most, awesome collection of dark wallpaper. also comes with many bright wallpaper.
These wallpaper for who aren’t using ubuntu 10.04 LTS
you can download the whole pack in .zip file.
enjoy it
Review : xPUD 0.9.2 Review light distribution
xPUD 0.9.2 Review
xPUD distribution light wight distribution using simple web interface called plate user interface. this is a really good choice distribution to use if you want to get a quick access to internet or directories, multimedia files, document files, …..
You can install it in your USB, laptop, Notebook, Desktop, … the good thing is the boot time really good booting time even in this review i was using it in my virtual machine “sun virtualbox”.
- screenshots
main installed application mozilla firefox, mplayer, document reader, also you can get extra application using opt-get software center, it’s like synaptic package manager we using on ubuntu or mint distributions. you can find openoffice, skype, extra codecs for playing multimedia files, …. all this application located on opt-get software center.
- System requirement for this distribution
256MB RAM and 64MB free disk required.
also check the full video review “screencast” play in HD for better quality
To download xPUD 0.9.2 here
enjoy it, Thumb up if you like it :)
Review : Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta 2
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta 2 released, before we begin this review check the release announcement and “release notes, Downloaad“.
we already reviewed ubuntu 10.04 LTS Alpha 3 and Beta 1 , check the release notes for both older versions to know the improvement accomplished on last release.
so here we go,
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta 2 review
Installed on virtual machine “sun virtualbox” application with this Hardware specifications:
- single core processor 2.1 GHz
- 512 MB of ram
- 12 MB of video memory
# Installation Process
boot it first time as live session it was working good, after the installation it was working super fast really good.
after the installation it boot super fast, really impressed with booting time about 9 second booting time at first time booting, usually any operating system after the installation it boot really quick but after the installing any extra application you their will be some lagging time to boot up.
Their is not a big difference between Beta 1 and Beta 2 themes, both of them looks the same but at bug report their a lot of reported bugs on radiance theme fixed on ubuntu 10.04 beta2
same main installed packages for applications.
Yahoo still the default search engine on firefox instead of Google search engine. with firefox version 3.6.3, it’s up to you can change the search engine later firefox options.
using last version of Gnome so far ” Gnome 2.30″ , Linux kernel v 2.6.32
security issues fixed, improvement on ubuntu one, ubuntu enterprise cloud, new default open source driver for nvidia hardware
I really like the new version of nautilus comes with Gnome 2.30 if you are not familiar with nautilus and gnome 2.30 visit this link
really like the splitting view on windows, split view come really handy on to open to directory side by side with difference icon view really good.
To activate split mode on opened windows press F3 or go to view menu and select it.
also you can drag and drop folders and files split view.
same new features included with ubuntu 10.04 beta 2 with menus and right click menu for copying files to and moving to.
Pros :
Awesome booting time
Gnome 2.30 desktop really good with a lot of new features.
Ambiance and Radiance looks really good themes
Cons :
none, with me so far working really good I don’t have any problems, also thinking to install it as default distribution.
and we waiting for ubuntu 10.04 LTS final version April 29th 2010 :)
Give it a try, as usual please report any bugs you got,
here to know how to report any bugs you got to ubuntu community and Bugsquad
peace out :)
Element 1.1 Review
Element 1.1 just released today march 28, 2010
Element is an Ubuntu-based distribution for home theatre or media-centre personal computers featuring a ten-foot user interface and designed to be connected to a HDTV for a digital media and Internet experience within the comforts of a living room or entertainment area. Element comes pre-loaded with dozens of applications that will allow listening to, viewing, and managing music, videos, photos, and Internet media.
Check the release notes and announcement
LinuxNov Review for Element 1.1
Used it on virtual machine “virtual box” as a live session with this hardware specifications
- single core processor 2.1 Ghz
- 1 GB of Ram
- 12 MB of video memory
- with extended hard driver space in case installed it
Booting time was really good, I didn’t expect a quick booting time for live session, I believe it will be much better if you installed on machine not on virtual machine.
A lot of people are really big fans with media centers applications, this one it awesome it’s using xbmc my favorite media center application, it’s really customizable with a lot of themes and extra plugin follow these links for plugins and scripts for xbmc 1 2 .
xbmc website Follow this link
xbmc skins Follow this link
Versions of most important packages:
linux 2.6.31, glibc 2.10.1, gcc 4.4.1, python 2.6.4, pidgin 2.6.5, gtk+ 2.18.3, xfce 4.6.1, xbmc 9.11, firefox 3.5.8, transmission 1.83, decibel-audio-player 1.01, vlc 1.0.2, brasero 2.28.2, element-app-finder 1.0
Using Desktop environment Xfce 4.6.1 awesome modifications for the desktop. for easy access for main applications on the distribution itself such as ” firefox, Home directory, VLC, Xbmc, …”
Pros :
It’s Awesome distributions specially for multimedia files, watching many movies with different extensions using xbmc and vlc, and for sure it’s customizable to download extra packages or multimedia applications, “maybe you will need to install extra codecs”
Really liked the Xfce desktop environment with this customizations “ middle dock for main applications”
Awesome booting Time
Cons :
Many windows don’t fit on the screen, maybe cause I am using it on virtual machine with 800X600 resolution
Not all applications are up to date.
Screenshots time :
Please leave your feedback, and enjoy it.
Ubuntu 10.04 beta 1 Review
Hello guys,
Already reviewed ubuntu 10.04 alpha 3 here, as you will see in this post a big difference between ubuntu 10.04 alpha 3 and beta 1 version, New default theme that mentioned on ubuntu fresh look post ….
Release notes & Download Release announcement
Hardware specification:
this is the hardware specification used to run this version of ubuntu 10.04
- 1 core processor 2.1 Ghz
- 1 GB of ram
- 12 Mb of video memory
with this hardware spec it was working great guys, so i believe if you have a decent machine it will work better.
Installation process :
Installed on Virtual machine “sun virtualbox”
First Boot after completing the installation
“Close, minimize, maximize” button in the left side of the title bar
More option added to right click menu for sharing to ubuntu one, moving to and copy to even it’s a file or folder
Pitivi default video editor
New look for Ubuntu software center
Yahoo is the default search engine for firefox 3.6, but it’s up to you can change it later to any other search engine
Terminal background color looks really good specially with this theme, also it’s up to you can change it later.
New menu to control your chat account what ever it’s ” pidgin or empathy” , controlling Gwibber, and ubuntu one
Gwibber works really good here , I faced many problem with using it on ubuntu 10.04 alpha 3 version. but it’s working great now even it’s a development version till now.
Sound preference with better control access menu.
Overall after the installation:
It was working really good, much better than the older version “alpha 3″
Ubuntu 10.04 beta 2 will release at 8th of April, and the final version will release 29th of April.
with first installation on virtualbox with 16 mb of video memory it was working a little bit slower.
Please guys leave your feedback, try to install it in your machine and report any bugs you faced so the development community able to fix many bugs for next release.
Thanks guys,
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