ISSUE 24: From out of the deep
After over a year of intensive development and refactoring, Inkscape 0.47 is out. This version of the SVG-based vector graphics editor brings improved performance and tons of new features, some of which are as follows: timed autosave, Spiro splines, auto-smooth nodes, Eraser tool, new modes in Tweak tool, snapping options toolbar & greater snapping abilities, new live path effects (including Envelope), over 200 preset SVG filters, new Cairo-based PS and EPS export, spell checker, many new extensions, optimized SVG code options, and much more.
Additionally, it would be wrong to not mention the hundreds of bug fixes. Check out the full release notes for more information about what has changed, enjoy the screenshots, or just jump right to downloading your package for Windows, Linux or Mac OS X.
Here is a theme package of windows 7 for the people that like to change the look of their ubuntu looks like Windows7, for me is not usefull because i like how looks ubuntu .
This Package contains:
GDM theme*
Icons Theme*
GTK Theme
Wallpapers
Sounds
Gnomenu theme*
Panel Backgrounds*
Cursor theme
DockBar
For sound will not be installed , you will have to copy them to /usr/share/sounds ,this will replace the sounds of ubuntu.
I was not using Conky at Ubuntu Jaunty until now, because i am too lazy to even edit pre defined conky configs : ).Today i found a couple of simple and cool conky configs so i want write a blog post at the same time i am installing and editing my conky.
Yep we are going to use the conky config at the screenshot you see(it is not taken from my desktop, i am installing it same time i am writing this blog post 
).Also i will give the ultimate conky source which is located at the ubuntuforums.You can find different configs with screenshots, you can solve your issues at that thread also.
Let’s add the repository first :
For Ubuntu Jaunty :
$sudo wget -q http://www.kaivalagi.com/ubuntu/ppa/m-buck-conky-jaunty.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/m-buck-conky-jaunty.list
For Ubuntu Intrepid :
$sudo wget -q http://www.kaivalagi.com/ubuntu/ppa/m-buck-conky-intrepid.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/m-buck-conky-intrepid.list
For Ubuntu Hardy :
$sudo wget -q http://www.kaivalagi.com/ubuntu/ppa/m-buck-conky-hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/m-buck-conky-hardy.list
Add the repository public key :
$wget -q http://www.kaivalagi.com/ubuntu/ppa/m-buck-conky-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
Now update your repository list and install packages we need :
$sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install conky
Download this config file to your home directory :
$cd && wget -c http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/83257/.conkyrc
Create “scripts” directory under your home directory and download the scripts (extract, copy there) under scripts directory :
PS : Before entering that damn long commands,you should know that i did not zip those files, sorry for the long commands : ) I am just configuring/installing it same time i am blogging
$cd && mkdir scripts && cd scripts && wget -c http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/83257/conkyscripts.zip && unzip conkyscripts.zip && rm conkyscripts.zip && mv conkyscripts/*.* ~/scripts/ && rm -rf conkyscripts
Now download the fonts and move them to ~/.fonts directory :
$cd && wget -c http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/83257/conkyfonts.zip && unzip conkyfonts.zip && cp ~/conkyfonts/*.* ~/.fonts/ && rm -rf ~/conkyfonts && rm conkyfonts.zip
Now open your .conkyrc file (you will re-open it a lot ) :
$gedit ~/.conkyrc
And look for this line :
${execpi 300 python ~/scripts/gmail_parser.py yourgmailusername yourgmailpassword 3}
Change yourgmailusername and yourgmailpassword with your Gmail username and password.(be sure nobody is using your computer with your username because the password and the username is not encrypted as you can see!Be warned, it is not secure to write your username and password to a plain file.However you can remove that line, so you can disable the gmail feature at the config.)
If you want to use the Gmail feature, you also need to install this package :
$sudo apt-get install python-feedparser
Let’s continue…If you want to use HDD temperature and Cpu temperature feature, you also are going to install hddtemp and lm-sensors packages :
$sudo apt-get install hddtemp lm-sensors
When installing hddtemp, a couple of questions will be asked.Start the daemon at boot, and hit enter when it asks for IP and Port.Also configure your lm-sensors with $sudo sensors-detect command.(If you do not understand anything at configuration screen, just enter YES to everything.)
Now for weather part, you have to follow this link and enter your zip code OR your city.You will be forwarded to an URL like (This is for Ankara, Turkey and i am not living there.I just entered a random city from Turkey )
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/TUXX0003.html
Copy the location ID (in this example : TUXX0003 ) end edit pogodynka.sh :
gedit ~/scripts/pogodynka.sh
Search for kod=USID0025 at that file and replace the ID with yours.(I do not know who wrote this script either it’s language.Do not blame me, at screenshot it looks simple and cool )
Before saving the file.If you want to use Celsius instead of Farenheit :
Find this line :
w3m -dump http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/"$kod".html | grep -A21 "Current" | sed 's/DEG/°/g' > $plik
And replace it with :
w3m -dump http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/"$kod"_c.html | grep -A21 “Current” | sed ’s/DEG/°/g’ > $plik
Save it.Now create an empty file at your home directory called weather :
$cd && touch weather
PS : I also gave chmod 777 to weather file, since i did not see any images near weather.
Now, you can customize your .conkyrc file for your needs.Default conkyrc file monitors eth1 as network.I changed it to eth0.You can also make another line for wlan0 or so
${font PizzaDude Bullets:size=16}v${font} Up: ${upspeed eth0} Kb/s
${font PizzaDude Bullets:size=16}r${font} Down: ${downspeed eth0} Kb/s
${font PizzaDude Bullets:size=16}M${font} Upload: ${totalup eth0}
${font PizzaDude Bullets:size=16}S${font} Download: ${totaldown eth0}
We need to add conky to start up now.Instead of just adding conky command to your start up, i advise you to make a script with sleep (look below) since i had problems with compiz at Ubuntu Intrepid :
I am creating a conky_start.sh file under home directory and add it to start up
$cd && touch conky_start.sh && chmod +x conky_start.sh && gedit conky_start.sh
And add these lines to that file and save it :
#!/bin/bash
sleep 30 &&
exec conky -d -c ~/.conkyrc &
exit
Now go to System > Preferences > Start Up Applications (Start Up Applications is renamed at Ubuntu Jaunty, older Ubuntu versions like Intrepid uses different name, if i remember correctly, it is sessions.)
Click Add.Name it Conky Start Up or what ever you want.For command browse the conky_start_sh.
Reboot your box and have fun!
You can always visit this thread to get some help, new configs etc.
I used dozens of docks on Linux and Windows, and as you know there are really good docks like AWN, Gnome-Do with docky interface, cairo dock, kiba-dock and so on linux.Today i tried DockbarX and fall in love . It is like Windows 7’s taskbar except windows’ previews, and you can use it with AWN (i did not try this but i will write the installation guide).Since i am using one gnome panel, it is better for me to delete all the docks i have and add it to my top panel (I am using 12″ notebook with Ubuntu Karmic Koala so i gain more visual space with this task bar 
).You can read the features and changelog from here.You can use experimental or stable build, you can install it from Scott Barnes’s Launchpad repository, or you can compile latest branch.Since it is actively developed, the package at Launchpad repository is a little old and at this howto we will compile(we won’t even compile, just a couple of cp commands ) it from branch.
For the ones who want to install ubuntu package or from repository, here is Scott’s repository :
https://launchpad.net/~dockbar-main/+archive/ppa
For the others who want to install from the branch, let’s start :
We are going to create a SVN/DockbarX directory on your home, and install required packages :
$mkdir -p ~/SVN/DockbarX
$sudo apt-get install bzr python-gnome2-desktop python-numpy
Now navigate to ~/SVN/DockbarX and download the branch :
$cd ~/SVN/DockbarX && bzr branch https://code.launchpad.net/~dockbar-main/dockbar/experimental && cd experimental
Instead of compiling we will move a couple of files, and create some directories etc :
$sudo cp dockbarx.py /usr/bin/
$sudo cp GNOME_DockBarXApplet.server /usr/lib/bonobo/servers/
Now we will create a folder (~/.dockbar) and copy launcher_icon.png to this folder.For sistem wide installation you can copy it to /usr/share/pixmaps/dockbar (create if it does not exist : $sudo mkdir -p /usr/share/pixmaps/dockbar ) :
$mkdir ~/.dockbar && cp launcher_icon.png ~/.dockbar
After this, right click to a gnome panel, and select “Add to Panel”.Then select Dockbar Applet and click “Add”.You can move it to anywhere you want and you can find its preferences menu via right clicking the applet.
Here are some screenshots from Karmic Koala with Windows 7 theme (default properties , i did not touch anything at preferences for now.If it looks ugly, please blame the author of the Windows Vista icon pack ) :
2. Copy everything from the AWN folder to ~/.config/awn/applets
3. Remove original taskbar/launcher applet from awn (optional, but recommended)
4. Set ‘Icon offset’ parameter to 0!
5. Restart AWN
6. Add DockBar applet
7. if you need wallpaper downlowd WallpaperPack click here
I do a lot of writing. I also create presentations on occasion. Naturally, being an open source/Linux advocate, I use OpenOffice for all of my needs. One area where OpenOffice might consider a little less than user-friendly is the adding new templates for your use. Once you understand how this is done you will think differently about this. But until you know the secret it might take a while to figure this one out.
With the upgrade to OpenOffice 3 a new feature was added – Extensions. Extension enable you to extend the functionality of OpenOffice. Fortunately it is possible to find plenty of templates that are rolled into an extension. Let’s take a look at how this is done.
Before you do anything with the Extension Manager you need to locate some templates. The official OpenOffice Template site doesn’t really have a large selection of templates. Your best bet is to do a search for the type of template you are looking for (Writer, Impress, Calc, etc). Once you find them if the extension is .oxt it is an extension file. If that’s the case, you’re in luck, you can install this with the Extension Manager. I found probably the best collection of Impress Templates, called Modern Impress Templates.
If you open up the main OpenOffice window (this is done by issuing the command openoffice.org or opening the OpenOffice.org menu entry from your desktop. When this window opens you will notice a Tools menu. Within the Tools menu there is an entry called Extension Manager. Click on that to open up this tool.
Figure 1From within the Extension Manager (see Figure 1) click on the Add button to open the Add Window. Navigate to where you saved the extension file, select the file, and click Open.
In some cases you might have to agree to a license. If that’s the case, read the EULA and then click Accept. Once you have done this the extension is installed. You will see the new extension listed in the Extension Manager.
You can also add templates by clicking the Templates button in the main OpenOffice window. When you click that a template chooser opens where you can click a “Get more templates online” link. Click that to open a new Firefox window on the official OpenOffice templates page. Here you can search and download specific templates. These templates will open up in their respective tool. Once that template is open click on the File menu where you will see a Templates submenu. From within the Templates submenu click on Save to open up the Tempates organizer. Give this template a name and click Save. Now when you want to use this template again go back to that Templates submenu, and click on the Organize entry. When the organizer opens double click on the My Templates folder to reveal the template you saved.
Using your templates
Figure 2After your templates are installed go back to the main OpenOffice window and click on the Impress button and the New wizard will start (see Figure 2). Now you should see far more templates to choose from than the default.
Final thoughts
Although OpenOffice 3 ships with a poor selection of templates to choose from, extending this selection is as simple as adding an extension. And don’t forget, you can also create your own templates in Openoffice.
If you are learning about the stars in school, an amateur sky watcher, or a meteorologist in the making you need to know your stars. To really see the stars you can visit a real planetarium, you can break out your serious telescope, or you can install and fire up a desktop application like Stellarium.
Stellarium is a free, open source planetarium for your desktop. It displays a 3D image of the sky – what you would see with the naked eye – but allows you to click on specific stars to see detailed information about that star. You can view the sky from any where in the world and works with Linux, Mac, and Windows. You can run a moving, 3D representation to serve as an educational tool through a projector, or you can sit back and watch from the comfort of your own desk.
Installing Stellarium
The installation of Stellarium is actually the easiest aspect of using this tool. With most modern Linux distributions Stellarium will be found in the repositories. All you have to do is the following:
Figure 1You are ready to go. You can start Stellarium by click on your main menu and going to the Educational sub menu. The Stellarium entry will either be called “Stellarium” or “Night Sky Rendering”. When Stellarium opens what you see will depend upon the location configured and the time/date. If you open up Stellarium during the day time you will not see many stars. That’s okay because you can adjust the time/date from the toolbox.
As you can see (in Figure 1) Stellarium is showing a night sky. This is the night sky of Louisville, KY at approximately 4:51 am June 24th 2009. In a 2D image you can not get the full effect of how useful this tool is. For one thing you can zoom in and out and move around in nearly 360 degrees of rotation. You can also slow down, speed up, or stop time.
Toolbars
Figure 2As you can see in Figure 1 there are no tool bars to use. In order to open up the tool bars you simply have to move your cursor to the bottom left of the window which will make the two toolbars appear. Figure 2 shows Stellarium with the toolbars open.
Each button on the toolbar will give a description upon a mouse over. So it should be very simple to figure out how to use each tool. What you don’t see is how to move around within the window. To move up, down, right, or left you push and hold the Ctrl button down and then push either the up, down, left, or right arrow.
Searching
Figure 3You can search by City/State, Country, Planet, or Longitude/Latitude. To open the search window open up the tool bars and click the Location button. The new window that opens (shown in Figure 3) is where you find your location. Once you have finished your location simply click the X to close the search window.
When the search window closes you will see that Stellarium has updated to reflect your new location.
Time
Time is an interesting feature in Stellarium. To open up the Date/Time window click to open the toolbars and then click on the button second from the top on the vertical toolbar. In this window select the date and time you want to view. When the main Stellarium window changes to reflect this time you can then increase the speed (if you have chosen a date/time in the past) by clicking the far right button (right-pointing double arrow) in the horizontal tool bar. The more you click that button the faster time will go. To slow down time you click the left-pointing double arrow. To go back to real time click the right-pointing single arrow.
Final thoughts
Stellarium is an outstanding way to learn about the solar system. But don’t think it is only a learning tool, you can attach your machine to a projector and all of a sudden Stellarium projects the universe into the sky of your room. If you are looking for a free planetarium tool, Stellarium is what you need.
NOTE: How to install GDM Login Window Themes in Ubuntu
Pencil is an animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector graphics. Pencil is free and open source.
website = http://www.pencil-animation.org/
screenshots = click now
animation/drawing example = click now
for download = click now
Well I know alot of you have already downloaded the new Windows 7 Beta, I took the liberty of doing just the same as all of you already have, the only difference is I did with with entirely different motives. I had a good look at it, and I must be honest, its far better than Vista, possibly even better than XP, but thats not why I have made this post.
first : 1. Download Win7 Transformation Pack for Ubuntu
The reason I got on to this was to show the world what I have done with it, and lo behond, look in the images below to see:
Now that seems like not much, until I tell you that that is NOT Windows 7, infact, you will find that it is Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, so how did I do it? Thats what this is about.
The Window Theme
Firstly I installed emerald in the terminal: “sudo apt-get install emerald”. From there I went into the Control Centre, found the Sessions settings and added “emerald –replace” to it, so that it started with Ubuntu.
Then you will need to install a theme for it, now the theme I installed is custom created using images from TrueTransparency for XP.
I will upload the created theme when my webhost comes back online…
You install the emerald theme by opening the Emerald Theme Manager in your Control Centre and clicking on “Import” before finding the .emerald file.
The GTK Theme
Again, a custom created theme by me, using some of the images from the aero-clone theme (which will suffice for now if you cannot download my one). You install by placing the folder in the /home/USER/.themes/ .
The Icons
Again, the icons are also custom made (or taken from Windows 7 itself), however if you cannot download my icons then you should get the aero icons which I could not find the link for anywhere but I am sure are on Gnome-look.org somewhere.
The Desktop Wallpaper
The desktop wallpaper (also taken from Windows 7) can be found here:
The “StartBar”
The startbar at first is quite simple, it is a single 40pixel high Gnome-Panel, with the time, notification area and volume control on the right, thats where the basic stuff simplifies.
Firstly I am using QuickLounge for the quicklaunch icons, then I am using TaskDock for the Icon only window list. For the bar itself I am setting the background to be the following image: StartbarImage This should add a certain level of “transparency” to the bar. If you are not using my custom gtk theme, this is where you might notice a rather ugly difference.
Secondly. for the showdesktop button I use the following image: ShowDesktop
It is simply a launcher, which points to the file: /bin/bash /home/USERNAME/showdesk.sh
You will now create that file, with the following inside it:
#!/bin/bash cat showdesk.macro | xmacroplay “:0.0″
In the same folder, create “showdesk.macro”, with this in it:
KeyStrPress Control_L KeyStrPress Alt_L KeyStrPress d KeyStrRelease d KeyStrRelease Alt_L KeyStrRelease Control_L
You also need to install xmacro to get this to function, so “
apt-get install xmacro” in the terminal.
The Start Button
This part explains how I created my start button. First you will need to download GnoMenu from Gnome-Look.org. Then you will need my set of themes.
Congratulations, if I didnt miss anything out, you now have a fully working replica of Microsofts Windows 7 on your Ubuntu 8.10 machine.
A download link for all of the needed files in a 7zip archieve is on its way, look here for an edit with it.
EDIT: Very Kindly offered by David, the webmaster of http://www.tulinux.org/
We now have download links which should be a little more permenant:
Please use these download links only if the above fail: Download
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