Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
Android
I am writing this in response to Gord's comment, “… Android developers decided a phone shouldn't look like a flash drive when it's plugged into a computer” (FCM#80, page 40).
Although newer Androids don't use the standard external flash method, they do offer a choice between PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) and MTP (Media Transfer Protocol). Of course, older Androids still use the older method.
PTP allows the computer USB access to the photo folders, DCIM and Pictures. However, MTP allows you full access to the internal storage excluding the system area.
If you are using Ubuntu 12.10 or earlier, you need to install the MTP drivers. Add repository ppa:langdalepl/gvfs-mtp and install libmtp-runtime via Synaptic, or via the terminal as follows:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:langdalepl/gvfs-mtp
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
I don't recall if you have to restart your computer, so restart just in case.
Again, this installation is only for 12.04 and 12.10; 13.04 and above already have the MTP drivers.
Plug your Android into your computer's USB port. Go either to your Android USB options > MTP or to Settings > Storage > menu > USB computer connection > MTP. (Your Android's menu system may differ slightly; this is for stock Android.) Open Nautilus or whatever file manager you use and browse!
Remember to dismount your Android phone before disconnecting, especially if you have made changes.
Paddy Landau
Gnome 3
Much has been said over the last few years about Gnome 3, Unity and anything that tried to change the Status Quo. Much of it has been negative unfortunately, unfair in my opinion.
Recently I have found myself increasingly using Gnome 3. It's excellent with a few additions of course, but then that's the beauty of Linux – is it not?
I use Ubuntu, override Unity with Gnome 3, and add Cairo Dock. I also run Windows 8 and it is a pale imitation of Linux to say the least. Additionally I run Ubuntu Server in VirtualBox both in Ubuntu and Windows 8. I run some extensions - auto move extensions, drop down terminal and workspace indicator.
I think it comes down to what works. Gnome 3 and Ubuntu tick all my boxes, as does Open Source Software in general, I run Thunderbird and Geany in Windows for example.
Richard Austin