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Full Circle I must admit that, when Unity and gnome 3 came out, I wasn't really enthused about either OS. I “cut my teeth” on Ubuntu (circa 2005) and had used it until about 1 1/2 years ago - when I switched to Mint. Just liked their presentation and ease-of-use. When Unity came out, I just couldn't like it. I tried the new Mint, which was nice, but didn't give me the control or visual confirmation, I.E. when just glancing down at the menu bar I knew what apps were running even if I was running 4 desktops. In December with all the changes, I have come back almost “Full Circle” (pardon the pun) to Kubuntu. It is fast, I can customise it as I am used to, and it is reliable. Can't wait for the LTS version to come out. Then I am set once again with the *buntu family. I have been reading FCM since its inception, and like the way it is presented. I have DVD's with almost all FCM editions. Just the last few haven't been burned yet. Don't get discouraged. We're still out here, some may wander once in a while, but will probably come back to one of the many *buntus. Tom L
Full Circle,
Je dois admettre que lorsque Unity et Gnome 3 sont sortis, aucun des deux ne m'a vraiment plu. Je me suis « fais les dents » sur Ubuntu (circa 2005), et je l'ai utilisé pendant environ 1 an et demi - avant de changer pour Mint. J'aime sa manière de présenter les choses et sa facilité d'utilisation.
Lorsque Unity est sorti, il m'était impossible de l'aimer. J'ai essayé le nouveau Mint, qui était pas trop mal, mais ne me donnait pas de contrôle ou de confirmation visuelle. Par exemple, lorsque je jetais un œil à ma barre de menu du bas, je savais quelles applications étaient en cours d’exécution, même si mes quatre bureaux étaient lancés.
En Décembre et avec tout ces changements, j'ai « bouclé la boucle » (désolé pour le jeu de mot) (NDT : “Full Circle”) en revenant vers Kubuntu.
C'est efficace, je peux le personnaliser comme j'en ai l'habitude, et c'est fiable. J'ai vraiment hâte que la version LTS sorte. Et c'est ainsi que j'ai renoué avec la famille *buntu.
Je lis FCM depuis sa création, et j'aime la manière dont tout est présenté. J'ai les DVD avec presque toutes les éditions de FCM, il n'y a que les derniers que je n'ai pas pu graver. Ne vous découragez pas. Nous sommes encore là, certains peuvent s'éloigner de temps en temps, mais finiront bien par revenir sur l'une des nombreuses distributions *buntus.
Tom L
Windows 7 I have been using Ubuntu as my main computer's OS for some years now, but still find it necessary to run Windows 7 in a virtual machine, which I hate doing. Admittedly, I use Windows for far fewer things as time goes by, but I can't just get rid of the final few! All the big stuff is now covered more than adequately by Linux - it's now the small items which are used alongside hardware peripherals which cause the problem. For instance, I have a Garmin satnav which I use extensively for travelling. I have a lifetime map upgrade subscription, but - guess what - I can update the Garmin device only through Windows (or a Mac). I use Evernote extensively - I have it on my phone and tablet (both Android), but I have to use Nixnote on my main PC - the Nixnote team are doing a great job, but the program just isn't as slick or nice looking as the Windows version. I have used it with Wine, and it works, but is so slow that it's relatively unusable. Evernote responded to my queries by saying that they weren't a big enough company to make versions for all the minor OSs. I have an excellent Android tablet - the Asus Transformer. But I can't get it to talk to my PC. Why? Because Asus supplies connection software only for Windows PCs or Macs. I can, of course, get around that, but it's still annoying. I have a DLNA TV and Bluray player. I don't actually know how easily they will interface with Windows, but I do know that it's not easy to get them to do it consistently and with much functionality with Ubuntu. The DLNA servers I have tried with Ubuntu are flaky and difficult to use at best, and just don't work at all at worst. Perhaps a good article about successfully setting this up would be good? I remain solidly committed to using Linux - I do prefer it for many things, and each version is better than the previous one. I have a Home Server also with music and photos on it which also runs Ubuntu, having originally run Windows Home Server, and I would never go back to that. Mike Anderson
An Old Hand I am an old hand at operating systems, over 50 years in the field. But forget the past! A new year and some very worthwhile work has been given to you. Core Linux, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and so many other distros of Linux. Of all those that I have tried or worked with, Ubuntu and Linux Mint stand out. I have tried to convince many other computer users to get off the Microsoft bandwagon and enjoy a far superior system. I have 7 systems loaded with different Linux distros (many multiple boot and some Virtualbox). Now we hit a bump in the road. The versions from Ubuntu 10.04 and the similar Mint Linux have ventured into new concepts that I think should only be optional. Cloud connection and processing is a great idea, but what about the many users who need the system only for emails, some writing and spreadsheets, some games, and for pictures and videos. What about the open door to social engineering (facebook, twitter, etc) which most do not want. If they want it, install what they need. Security needs to be seriously reviewed. It is amazing what I can learn about any person by Internet sleuthing. The old bank security question of your mother’s maiden name is now a joke - don't even need ancestry.com for that… Jim Mechtel
Google Currents I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard work which has gone into creating the Google Currents and Kindle versions of Full Circle Magazine. I think this is definitely the way forward, as so many people now either have smart phones or tablets of some sort, and probably, like myself, find themselves using their actual computers less and less. Google Currents, as far as I'm aware, isn't yet available in the UK, however, a quick Google search for 'Google Current APK' brings up how and where to download it from. Be sure to have 'Unknown Sources - Allow installation of non-Market applications' ticked. Currents will then download and happily install itself. While the Currents version of FCM is very good, and nicely laid out, might I be so bold as to suggest that the odd picture here and there may not be such a bad thing [done! - Ed]. Totally understand why they were left out, however, the majority of readers probably have a decent broadband speed, so would be able to download the latest version over WiFi at home, and then have FCM to hand wherever they go. Bryan
Directory Opus I currently use Directory Opus on Windows 7 to manage my daily documents such as read my pdf's, odt, doc, powerpoint, view HTML docs, display photos in Raw, Jpeg, Png, Tif, Gif. The Dolphin and Nautilus file managers leave me wanting because they are so limited in their ability to do all the file management duties needed daily. Directory Opus allows Zip/Unzip, slide shows from your photos, plays music (mp3), shows videos and Flv Flash, allows setting the number of windows to display photo images/dual data display, changes the size of Icons for your photos to your taste, converts file format for photos. Does anyone know of a more powerful file manager than either one of the Ubuntu utilities that are packaged with Ubuntu & Kubuntu. I have tried Directory Opus and Power Desk a while ago with Wine, and found some incompatibilities in the way they drew the interface so I don't really want to go that route, I would rather use a utility native to the Ubuntu/Kubuntu OS. Ubuntu needs a file management utility like this to make daily work easier since it does not require a person to keep opening separate programs just to view or play something. You may just want to look rather than modify something and a utility like this is very helpful. Brian Hartnell Ronnie says: I can’t help you out with a file manager, but I think the last time I used Directory Opus was on my Amiga A500. Ah, the memories! Gord adds: To a large extent, the whole philosophy of Linux is to have small programs which do one thing well, and can link to other programs which do something else well. So, for example, pressing Enter will get you to Eye Of Gnome, which can do full-screen slideshows of images.
Two Cents On Unity I am a 45-year-old career software developer, on a sabbatical for a while, with around 3 years under my belt as an Ubuntu user. Total Linux/FOSS convert and a vocal local advocate. My experience of Linux has been one of freedom and all the possibilities it presents. We are free to use pretty much whatever device we want, any way we want to use it, with whatever distribution and/or software packages that suit, and contribute back in whatever capacity we can. After working for years in technical silos, this freedom shines very bright. Many of the contributions to the Unity debate do not seem to appreciate one important factor: each person's own unique way of working with Ubuntu. I currently use a classic 11.04 desktop as my setup has evolved, due in no small part to the contributions in FCM, into a system that very nicely fits how I use my PC/laptop. In all my years, no other setup has come anywhere near it in terms of usability. I have tried Unity a few times, and found it doesn't suit me. That does not make me right or Unity wrong. It just does not work for me. This is where the beauty of the freedom of Linux kicks in. Unity is just another idea in the world of Linux, and, if it does not suit, then you are free to chose another way. So, either when push comes to shove, or I find the inclination and time, I will go looking for a distribution that performs at least as well as my current setup. Whilst the exploration of new software and distributions can be an enjoyable aspect of Linux, when you find a setup that works for you - and, just as importantly, your hardware - you become reluctant to make big changes. After all, it is what we do with the technology that counts, not how we do it. Gerard Nash
Software Center Sync The latest version of the Ubuntu Software Center, found in Ubuntu 11.10, has an interesting new feature, synchronizing between computers. This can be used in many ways, but, primarily to compare two Ubuntu installations, note which software is installed or missing from the other installation, and then the ability to install the various missing packages onto the current Ubuntu installation. Here's the problem. Whether you're synchronizing, or just singly manually selecting and installing software from the Ubuntu Software Center, there's no “queue” to stack up desired packages to install. It starts installing the first package immediately, and, as other packages are selected for installation, they are prepared for their turn to be installed. With each package selected to install, the whole system gets slower and slower. And, if performing this using the sync feature, after every package selection, it repaints the entire screen showing the list of missing packages, but positioned at the top of the list, not where you left off. This requires the user to manually scroll all the way down to the prior position to continue reviewing other packages. What needs to be done is to: 1.) allow the user to stop the queue, and select any/all of the packages they desire to install. That selection would get added to the stopped queue, and, when the user has finished selecting all of their desired packages to be installed, they can start the queue, and go get some coffee while the Ubuntu Software Center performs all of the installations, without delay, or further user intervention. 2.) when reviewing and selecting software to install, the list of software should return to the position that the user left it in, after selecting a package to install. 3.) the user should be able to print a list from the sync function, that displays software added/missing from one Ubuntu installation vs another. 4.) there should be a user pref that allows the Ubuntu Software Center to be the default installation device, or the original gdebi installer to be used as the default. Al Heynneman
Well Rounded While I am not a super user in the Linux world, I am well rounded. All puns intended. I have used PCs, and Macs since Macs had a handle on top. Both platforms make local folder sharing pretty darn easy, and my home has many computers in it. Why is it always a crapshoot getting a Ubuntu machine to share and/or connect with other machines in the house. I can see all the other platforms shares but cannot connect. And I manage to mess up Samba every time. Sharing a folder on a MAC is super easy. PCs and other Macs have no problem accessing the folders. My movie Linux machine (hooked up to the TV), and an old Netbook (linux) - no go. Frustrating to say the least. Can someone give me a simple file sharing option? The easiest thing would be for the Desktop Linux Movie player box to be available to Windows PCs, Macs, and the Netbook. Both Linux machines have the latest Ubuntu Installed and updated. Mike Todd