Category Archives: Tips And Tricks

7 Free User Guides & Manuals For Ubuntu Distributions

Posted on by
2

Ubuntu community where you always find help for your problem with the distribution, and they are very helpful on the Ubuntu Forums, it’s even better with Ubuntu documentation you will find a user guide for each release comes from ubuntu to find a solution for your problem. but here we will list other books available to download and read it online.

1. Ubuntu Manual Project

One of the best manual released this year for ubuntu 10.04 LTS, they released first version before ubuntu 10.04 LTS released, they was still working on it released the final version of this book with final version of ubuntu 10.04 LTS.

This book really worth to read become really handy with beginners and advanced users, fully covering a lot of things on ubuntu 10.04 LTS.

Download PDF version from Here

2. Ubuntu Desktop Essentials

Covering many section for customizing and configuring Gnome Desktop ” gdesklets “, best application available for customizations your Ubuntu Desktop with many ways, controlling visual effects using compiz. configuring file manager for nautilus file manager, and even more.

check the Table of content

3. Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference

complete guide for Ubuntu installation process, configuration for ubuntu distribution, customizing desktop, getting access to users and files, how to control users administration privileges, understanding command lines and how to use it, software manager and how to secure your operating system.

You can Read it online at Google books From Here. Or download

4. Ubuntu Linux Essentials

Another good guide for installing ubuntu, how to configure it, controlling user privileges, taking administration role on ubuntu. Installing steps using wubi installer, configuring gnome desktop, control wireless network connections, controlling users and groups,  ways to remotely access for your ubuntu distribution from another machine. formating and adding new partitions for ubuntu using disk partition.

check the Table of content

5. Ubuntu Guide 10.04 (Lucid Lynx)

A Full guide form A to Z really helpful for beginners and advanced users. covering everything for installation, packages recommended to install on ubuntu distribution and configuration for different window manager.

Check The full Guide Here

6. Documentation for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Basic guide for what’s new on ubuntu 10.04 LTS and quick guide for how to use it, also including advanced topics for administration privileges and servers.

Check The Table of Content

7. Ubuntu Server Guide For 10.04 LTS

Fully configuring Ubuntu 10.04 LTS server, installation for important packages for ubuntu 10.04 LTS server, virtualization, and configuring virtual private network VPN, mail customization and filtering. Configuring DNS and fully customize ubuntu 10.04 LTS server.

Check the Table of content , And Downlod Ubuntu server guide in PDF file

With these resources and Books you will find a lot of help and information will really help you to easily use Ubuntu distributions.

That’s it for Now.

12 Linux System administration : Guides , PDF , Documents and Cheats

Posted on by
2

Linux System administrators always check back for references , guides and Cheat sheets , as they are very powerful helpers and quick shortcut references  especially when then the work in progress , but also the system administration students needs to get to know those resources as important source for their education  , so in this post i collected many resources for system administrators , and linux system administration students as  quick post reference .

Guides :

1-SAG : System Admin Guide :
Its a guide for system admins and a part of LDP ( Linux Documentation Project – link -)  by Lars Wirzenius , Joanna Oja , Stephen Stafford and Alex Weeks , you can browse , read itonline or download a PDF version . Its very well classified and short in the point guide for biggners . I also recommend you to visit   Linux Documentation Project Guides ( link )  . and check out for more .

2-Linux System Administration : – PDF -
is a course module by Gbdirect.co.uk , which is very simple , with easy sections and in the point tips and guide . it also with excersises at the ending of every chapter . its very useful for startup .

3-LINUX Admin Quick Reference – PDF -:
Is a very handy reference in 5 pages PDF file , contains that kind of information you print and put it in your wall . as its title suggest : Quick reference  its very useful to keep a reference especially at the startup and first stage in your self learning progress . beginners will need it in their study process . ( Chea tsheet )

4-Debian Reference – link -:
an outstanding reference if you are going through Debian and Debian based distros , its free for use and download , available in many formats ( HTML , PDF ,TXT and PS ) .its Multi-lingual as well translated to many languages other than English : French , Italian , German , Spanish , Portuguese , Polish , Chinese ( Traditional ) , Chinese ( Simplified ) , Japanese , Russian and Finnish  .

Debian reference comes in 2 modules : full length document and short document .

5-linux system Linux Cheat Sheet  – link -:
Its by EZ Linux admin , its kinda short post but its very useful . you may check their other cheat sheets .

6-Top 10 Best Cheat Sheets and Tutorials for Linux / UNIX Commands – link – :
It is an outstanding blog post to enlist and compare between Linux/Unix Commands Cheat Sheets .

7-Linux-Unix cheat sheets – The ultimate collection – link –
Its an outstanding collection to cheat sheets regarding distros , operations as package management , commands , networking ……

8-System Administrator Interview Cheat Sheet – link – :
This is kinda a guide or a map for collection of tutorials , articles , tips , tricks and how to . its by Mj12net.org , there is also part II , you can find in here . Its good job regarding the effort and organization . ( i hope there is PDF version , cause its hard to keep on black background site ) .

9-Linux System Administration Tutorial :
Those tutorials by Developerworks to prepare you for the Linux Professional Institute’s 102 exam. , you will learn how to compile programs from sources, how to manage shared libraries, and how to use the Red Hat and Debian package management systems. You can also build your skills in fundamental Linux tasks through advanced admin .
1-Linux fundamentals, 2-Basic administration ,3-Intermediate administration ,  4-Advanced administration .

10-Linux Administration Made Easy  – link – PDF – :
Small guide by tldp .

11-Introduction to Basic Unix System Administration – link – :
I believe linux admins should keep in mind that UNIX is UNIX . so This introduction is needed , and its very helpful .

Linux Network Administration :

1-The Linux Network Administrator’s Guide – link – :
Its also by tldp ( The linux Documentation Project ) , and a quite member of their guides family . Its also in PDF format and tarred version .

Extra :

  • Ubuntu System Admin – link -: at Ubuntu`s Community Wiki
  • Debian System Admin Portal : Tips and resources – link – .
  • Megalinux.net : System Admin news , tips , tutorials – link .
  • Ugu.com : Unix system admin portal – link .
  • Librenix.com : Linux Admin information provider – link .
  • Debianhelp.co.uk : providing support for debian users – link .
  • Cyberciti.biz : Tutorials , Tips , How to , News , Resources – link .
  • Linuxsysadminblog.com : Tips , Tutorials and Resources – link .
  • Linuxadmin.org – link .

Well there is always space for more , but this is what i mean for people who want to start-up on their own , if you found more guides , cheat sheets , or tutorials for system administration  drop it in here as a comment .

Top 10 Avant Window Navigator Themes ” AWN “

Posted on by
11

My favorite Dock Avant Window Navigator, one of the best Docks available so far, it’s fully customizable with themes, extra plugins, extra applets, also working on many window managers, and many distributions such as Ubuntu , Gentoo, Fedora, …

check the installation guide for Avant Window Navigator AWN Here. ” Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Fedora, Gentoo ”

So, lets check Top 10 AWN Dock Themes:

1. Oblique  1.0

Download Oblique  1.0

2. Shiki-Colors AWN Theme 1.2

Download Shiki-Colors AWN Theme 1.2

3. AWN Transparent-white

Download AWN Transparent-white

4. Wood AWN Theme

Download Wood AWN Theme

5. Just Glass  AWN theme

Download Just Glass  AWN theme

6. Mac4lin AWN Theme 1.0 RC2

Download Mac4lin AWN Theme 1.0 RC2

7. avant-window-navigator themes 1.0 Wood style

Download avant-window-navigator themes 1.0 Wood style

8. PABLO-AWN 1.0

Download PABLO-AWN 1.0

9. awn shiki brave 0.1

Download awn shiki brave 0.1

10. Blue Fire with no Back 0.1

Download Blue Fire with no Back 0.1

That’s it for now.

PCMan Lightweight File Manager In Gnome Desktop

Posted on by
2

Getting used to PCMan file manager when i was using LXDE Desktop, really quick file manager, with many features check the features list for last stable release 0,5 Here.

Installing PCMan file manager on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Download the deb package from here for Ubuntu, also you will find more download options for other distributions Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, Suse.

Or, download the source code from here and compile it with these steps.

./configure

make

sudo make install

That’s it for now.

Background For Google Home Page Make your own schedule

Posted on by
1

I Just noticed that google added small option to add background for Google search engine home page. it’s a cool way to change the look to the regular look to google home page.

you will find change background image down on the left.

select image from the public gallery, editor picks, your own picase album, or you can upload it directly from your machine.

Something To Do :

I tried to make a quick daily schedule for your stuff to do. it might help to remember what to do. cause most users using Google as homepage, so every time you open your web browser you will see it. give it a try guys, make your own background.

That’s it for now.

[How To]: Edit Icon Captions on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Posted on by
1

another quick how to for editing icon captions, become handy for easier navigations for files and knowing more informations about this file.

You have many options to show beneath icons such as size, type, date accessed, date modified, owner, group, permission, octal permission, MIME type, selinux context, and Location.

For any opening window go to edit then preferences then select display tab.

modify it as you wish, every time you zoom in to increase icon size it will show more caption details.

That’s it for now.

[How To]: Add Background to Windows On Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Posted on by
1

A quick how to.It’s quite good to get your own customization for windows on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, Now you can add a background to Ubuntu’s windows using Backgrounds and Emblems.

That’s is the final look

Quick steps to do it.

go to Edit then go to Backgrounds and Emblems

Drag and drop the pattern you want to be the background or you can add your own pattern.

You can make background simple using colors.

also you can assign emblems to each file from there.

That’s it for now.

[How To]: Get Mac OS X Menu Look on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Posted on by
1

A lot of people interesting to make Ubuntu 10.04 LTS menu to looks like Mac OS x menu, looks really good to integrate every menu bar for each window or applications running to main Panel bar for ubuntu.

Using Gnome2-Globalmenu package using it gnome also working on other desktops.

you can download and install the package from any one of those

  • Google code select 10.04 Lucid packages you can download using repositories or DEB package
  • Launchpad packages Also you will find 10.04 Lucid packages

Maybe you will need to logout to activate global menu package.

after the installation you can add applet to main panel and select Global menu applet. it will be active directly.

you can customize it from global menu applet preferences

Enjoy it. That’s it for now.

[Tips And Tricks]: Gnome Screenshot Tool

Posted on by
3

Most popular tool to take screenshots on gnome desktop But there a lot of tips and tricks for taking screenshots for your desktop, windows, and your active running applications you might not familiar with it.

Usually when you open gnome screenshot tool you will find many options there to capture the whole window, a specific area to grab, or capture current window, and garbing window with delay time. also including two more options for include the pointer, and the border effect for adding shadows or not.

Here there more 9 more things to do even with GUI ” graphical user interface ” for gnome desktop or using Terminal

For terminal

gnome-screenshot --window

this to capture the active window

gnome-screenshot --delay=variable with seconds

This to capture with delay time as you wish

gnome-screenshot --include-border

This to keep the border for the active window

gnome-screenshot --remove-border

This to remove the border for the active window

gnome-screenshot --border-effect=shadow

To add shadow around the active window

gnome-screenshot --border-effect=border

To add border effect around active window

gnome-screenshot --interactive

To open capture window before capturing it

also you can use the print screen button on the keyboard to capture the whole window

To capture active window using the keyboard use the Alt+print screen button

check gnome screenshot documentation for more information.

That’s it for now.

[How To]: Convert Multimedia files using VLC

Posted on by
4

VLC  is free opensource applications for playing multimedia files and working as server for streaming. and there a really cool feature available on this application to convert multimedia files with different extensions. Before I go any further Download VLC from here if you don’t have check the compatible version for your operating system.

Open media then convert/save or press ctrl+R

1. select the multimedia file you want to convert

2. select convert or press Alt+c

select the output destination and and the file the extension you want to convert to.

If you want to convert with specific scale, different “video, audio” codecs, or adding subtitles to this videos press the small settings button beside the profile menu.

then it will take some time to convert the file.

That’s it for Now.

[How To]: Create ISO file from CD-DVD using Terminal

Posted on by
Reply

A quick How To For today create ISO file from CD or DVD using command line.

Usually I use this command to get an ISO image from Disk for operating system, for example I have Kubuntu 10.04 LTS on a Disk, and i want to use that image on my virtual machine, instead of keeping the CD inside my CD ROM all the time.

Also you can use it as a backup way to keep your files safe on ISO file. I am sure you will figure out many ways to use this command  for  :)

The process

Insert the disk

then open terminal,,, type

 dd if=/dev/dvd of=~/Kubuntu.iso

I am not sure what dd stand for ” destroy data “, ” delete ” according to wiki  :)

if : input file

of : output file for the image will be copied to

dvd : it’s a variable according to what’s the device name located on ” dev ” directory

to get more information about dd unix command follow this link

That’s it for now, If you have any questions please inform me.

dd

if=f/dev/cdrom of=~/cdrom_image.iso

Easier Navigation for Nautilus Gnome 2.30

Posted on by
Reply

It’s quite easier to use keyboard instead of the mouse sometimes, some changes comes up with the new release of Gnome GDM 2.30 for Nautilus. we already reviewed how to move “close, minimize, and maximize” button to right hand side of the title bar in this post. This tested on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, also it’s working on other platforms as long as the gnome GDM 2.30 installed.

So here you can find many shortcuts will help you to easily navigate and use your file browser.

F3 : Extra pane    ” This options is new with Gnome 2.30 ”

Ctrl+S : Select Pattern [enter pattern]

Alt+ENTER : File/Folder Properties

Shift+Ctrl+N : Create New Folder

Ctrl+1 : Toggle View As Icons

Ctrl+2 : Toggle View As List

Shift+Right Arrow : Open Directory (List View)

Shift+Left Arrow : Close Directory (List View)

F2 : Rename File

Ctrl+A : Select All

Ctrl+T : Delete (to Trash)

Ctrl+W : Close Window

Ctrl+Shift+W : Close All Nautilus Windows

Ctrl+R : Reload Nautilus Window

Alt+Up Arrow : Open Parent

Alt+Left Arrow : Back

Alt+Right Arrow : Forward

Alt+Home : Home Folder

Ctrl+L : Location Bar

F9 : Toggle Sidepane

Ctrl+H : Show Hidden Files

Ctrl++ : Zoom In

Ctrl+- : Zoom Out

Ctrl+0 : Normal Size