Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala better than ever

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for  desktop and server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases(6 month cycle), a  selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the community, and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd. and hundreds of other companies around the world.

Distrowatch.com Rank : 1

Lets enjoy my test drive to Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala :

My Test Machine:
AMD64 3000+ Processor
MSI Motherboard
512 DDR II Ram
ESPON C 58 Printer
Samsung Monitor.

Media used: Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala 64 bit.

Installation:
I greatly impressed by its installation, it was smooth, quicker than previous version and use default use ext4. Graphic is change for the first time.
You feels good na.Its simply awesome.

Whats New in Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala:
Linux Kernel – 2.6.31-14-generic
Default Desktop – Gnome 2.28.1
New blue tooth  configuration tool: now you can easy surf net with your blue tooth modem(GPRS/EDGE/3G)..
To know more  about Gnome 2.28 read this.

Multimedia :
You can't play MP3 and other audio/video format as it doesn't come with out of box. so, I simply downloaded the codecs and it gave me sound multimedia experience.I also download flash and some firefox plugins like adblock plus.

Desktop:
Fast booting, fast desktop experience, it also enhanced my UPS buttery life from 13minute in XP to 18 minute.Its rocks for me because it is rock solid enough and virus free environment.

Internet Experience:
today Laptops are manufactured keeping in mind that it should provide rich internet experience. I must say Ubuntu 9.10 64 bit provides rich net experience with Firefox 3.5.

Office:
there is openoffice.org 3.1 . I know it can't compare with ms office as it is little bit slow but for Linux user it is the only option available . But it can beat ms office in terms of feature and stability.
My advice: Use abiword for word processing and Gnumeric for spreadsheet, these are faster than ms office application.

Final words:
I don't think windows any version can compete Ubuntu now, only Mandriva 2010 and openSuse 11.2 can do this job , but future will tell which one is better among these three.

Related articles
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Release Schedule :Linux 2u
Mandriva 2010 Final Perfect Window Killer
LinuxConsole 1.0.2009 rocking
Best low cost 3G Phone

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Mandriva 2010 Final Perfect Window Killer

Release Date: November 3rd, 2009

About Mandriva :
Mandriva is quite popular Distro and always remains within top ten list of distrowatch.com's list of top 100 Linux Distro.


What's New in Mandriva 2010
· Linux kernel 2.6.31;
· GNOME 2.28.0 desktop environment;
· KDE 4.3.2 desktop environment;
· EXT4 filesystem;Better installer.
· X.Org 7.5;
· X.Org server 1.6.5;
· Moblin support;
· New artwork & my favorite Nepomuk .
>Amazing new boot splash
>Mozilla Firefox 3.5,OpenOffice.org 3.1.1, Elisa Media Center (now called Moovida),Wine 1.1.32,New network monitor tool.
and lots more so please comment because it is not possible to cover all features for me.

Installation Media :
 I used DVD while Live KDE and GNOME CDsis also avialable.


Time taken to Download From Internet : Almost 12 hours so you can guess my Internet Speed while I uses BSNL broadband connection.

Screen shots:

Installation :
Fastest and smooth , Its much better than 2009 spring edition, as it took a better installer. EXT4 is quite mature and as we know its is more faster than EXT3.


Multimedia:
Exceptional, there is VLC, Mplayer which can play any media and if you want to play all media in default player like Dragon and totem follow the Fabrice's  advice


By adding PLF repositories, you will be able to install additionnal codecs without paying the ones from fluendo.

http://easyurpmi.zarb.org

Now  with Moovida You can experience better multimedia then windows vista deafult media center.

Conclusion:
For beginner to expert it is the excellent distro, a perfect window killer and better then Windows any version whether its XP,Vista or 7. So what you are looking for try once and forget everything. 




If you have any suggestion to improve this site then please send it to sanjay@snjay.co.cc.

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LinuxConsole 1.0.2009 rocking

LinuxConsole is a new Linux distro but right now its rocking everywhere.

“LinuxConsole 1.0.2009 Multimedia

• 200Mb
• To old computer, or systems with few disk space (You need only 256Mb for programs, system and data)
• Kernel 2.6.30.5
• Window manager Icewm + idesk + rox filer
• Firefox 3.5.3 + flash 10 + plugin mplayer
• Mplayer SVN
• Xorg 7.4

LinuxConsole 1.0.2009 CD

• Modules from multimedia ISO
• Gnome
• Cups
• Gimp
• gcompris, foobillard, frozen bubble

LinuxConsole 1.0.2009 DVD

• Modules from CD ISO
• ATICatalyst 9.9
• Nvidia  185.18.36
• 3D Games (openarena, warsow, torcs, ...)
• VirtualBox 3.0.6
• PlayOnLinux
• Qjackctl + ardour 2
• ...

LinuxConsole Jukebox

With the le jukebox, you can build your own isos. for example,to play openarena on a receent ATI card, just select modules openarena and aticatalist, then clic on the button de to build ISO (ISO can be transfered on USB key with unetbootin).”

(Source: http://linuxconsole.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/21-linuxconsole-102009-is-ready )

Installation:

There is four way to install LinuxConsole.

For installation Guide visit http://linuxconsole.org/index.php/en/installation/2-recommended

 

Download

 

Screen Shots :

http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/LinuxConsole-1-0-2009-Is-Out-2.jpg/

 

 

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Best low cost 3G Phone

India’s Best low cost 3G Phone:

Today each and every mobile website or mobile magazine starts reviewing 3G mobile handset as soon 3G services will lunch in India within 2 to 3 months. But these websites only reviews Costly Handset that will be out of range of common people. Government said 3G service will be cheap that every segment of people can enjoy it. So, in this blog I am going to review India’s best affordable handset that anyone can enjoy it.

 

Samsung L700:

This good looking phone already available in Indian Market.

 

Technical Specification:

Size: 2.1 inches

         109 x 46 x 12.8 mm

Weight: 107 g

Resolution: 176 x 220 pixels, 262K

Battery: 960 mAh

Camera: 2MP, LED flash     

Secondary Camera for Video Calling: Yes

Memory: 40 MB

Memory Card: Up to 8GB, 1GB included

3.5 Audio Jack: Yes

FM: Yes

Java: Yes

GPRS: Class 10 (up to 48kbps)

EDGE: Class 10 (up to 236.8 kbps)

3G: 384kbps

Internet Apps: Have all the apps necessary for Internet.

Price: 5625 INR.

 

Conclusion: Nice phone and have all the necessary apps for internet and also have secondary camera that is not available even in Samsung Star 3G and Nokia 2730 Classic.

There is no memory restriction 8GB I thing more than enough. Multimedia experience is good.

 

Ranking: 1^st.

 

 

Nokia 2730 Classic: 

This good looking phone and will lunch in November in India.

 

Technical Specification:

Size: 2.00 inch

        109.6 x 46.9 x 14.4 mm

Weight: 87 grams

Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels, 262K

Battery: 1020 mAh

Camera: 2MP, LED flash 

Secondary Camera for Video Calling: No.

Memory: 30 MB

Memory Card: Up to 2GB, 1GB included

3.5 Audio Jack: Yes

FM: Yes

Java: Yes

GPRS: Class 32 (up to 117kbps)

EDGE: Class 32 (up to 296 kbps)

3G: 384kbps

Internet Apps: Have all the apps necessary for Internet.

Price: Around 5300 INR.

 

Conclusion: Nice phone and have all the necessary apps for internet but lacks secondary camera so there is no video calling. Memory Restriction to 2GB I think Nokia should thing up to 4GB. I think the only 2 things lack of secondary camera and memory leaves it behind Samsung L700. Multimedia experience is good.

 

Ranking: 2^nd.

 

 

Samsung Star 3G:

This good looking touch screen phone already available in Indian Market.

 

Technical Specification:

Size:  NA

Weight: NA

Resolution: 320*240

Battery: 1000 mAh

Camera: 3.15MP, LED flash    

Secondary Camera for Video Calling: No

Memory: 40 MB

Memory Card: Up to 8GB, 1GB included

3.5 Audio Jack: Yes

FM: Yes

Java: Yes

GPRS: Class 10 (up to 48kbps)

EDGE: Class 10 (up to 236.8 kbps)

3G: 7.2mbps (using

Internet Apps: Have all the apps necessary for Internet.

Price: Around 10000 INR.

 

Conclusion: Good phone and have all the necessary apps for internet but lacks secondary camera so there is no video calling like Nokia 2730 classic. Touch Experience is good. But it is expensive in our list

Ranking: 3rd

 

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Mandriva 2010 RC2 : Linux2u

Release Date: October 10th, 2009

Final Release Date: 3rd November,2009 ahead of openSuse 11.2.

Mandriva is quite popular Distro and always remains within top ten list of distrowatch.com's list of top 100 Linux Distro.

Whats New

(Source: http://blog.mandriva.com/)

"This RC2 version is all focused on bug fixing but you will find also

• Moblin: enjoy new environment for mobile Linux desktops. Easy and ergonomic, Mandriva Linux is the first distribution to integrate it in free distribution. Installing it is easy: install task-moblin package in rpmdrake and choose Moblin in connection manager.
• kde 4.3.2: this is the latest stable version of KDE4 environment. Enjoy innovation and stability!
• GNOME 2.28: use your favorite environment in its latest version.
• Poulsbo: One isos include now Poulsbo drivers. Using it is so easy: just let Mandriva detection tools do the job!
• guest account: allow somebody else to use safely your environment. It’s as easy as a click!
• Nepomuk: integration is still improved. Help us to promote this innovation for desktop. "

> RC2 comes also with Guest account enabled by default. You can use it to allow somebody to use safely your system.

> RC2 release integrates Amarok 2.2 final

> GNOME 2.28 finally lands in RC2 release of Mandriva Linux 2010. To read review of Gnome 2.28 Click here 

> urpmi and URPM come with many improvements to help resolving complex dependencies. Example: upgrade from an old version of the distribution to a newer one.

> Python 3 is now available.

> Want to rest Mandriva 2010 RC 2.

Mirror List:  Click here

I am going to test Mandriva 2010 Rc2 soon.

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Tiny Core 2.4 review

 Tiny Core Linux is a very small (10 MB) minimal Linux GUI Desktop. It is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, Busybox, Tiny X, and Fltk. The core runs entirely in ram and boots very quickly. Also offered is Micro Core a 6 MB image that is the console based engine of Tiny Core. CLI versions of Tiny Core's program allows the same functionality of Tiny Core's extensions only starting with a console based system.
It is not a complete desktop nor is all hardware completely supported. It represents only the core needed to boot into a very minimal X desktop typically with wired internet access.
The user has complete control over which applications and/or additional hardware to have supported, be it for a desktop, a netbook, an appliance, or server, selectable by the user by installing additional applications from online repositories, or easily compiling most anything you desire using tools provided.

Screenshot

Tiny Core V2.4 is now posted at http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/tinycorelinux/2.x/release/

Whats New :
Change log for v2.4

* Updated flwm v1.12, top side titles, aterm compatible, enhanced refresh menu, hotkey,s and color title bars.
* Updated flwm_restart to use new capability of menu refresh.
* Updated appbrowser. Dropped access to tce repository, "Install Local" defaults to optional/
* Updated wbar.sh to read extra configurations from $HOME/.wbar
* Updated flpicsee to v1,0 - replaced Alt with Ctrl hotkyes.
* Updated setbackground to process compressed logo template, saves much space.
* Updated .Xdefaults for aterm transparency mode.
* Updated .xsession to check and start flit and/or watcher.
* Updated .xsession so watcher, now at +0-0, does not overlay flit
* Moved both flit and watcher to extensions.
* Updated tc-config to process dependency files at boot.
* Updated tce-load. Dropped access to tce-repository, fixed out of loops bug.
* Updated /dev/loop to 255 loop devices (0, 254). Note: You still need max_loop=255
* Updated rc.shutdown to remove external call.
* Updated fstype to remove external call.
* Updated tc-config, startx, and .profile to make desktop environment reentrant & better support of microcore.
* New tce-setup to load all tce applications from a tinycore "base norestore text" boot
* Updated tc-config now calls tce-setup, as tce loading has been factored out.
* Updated tc-restore & filetool.sh to implement 'protect' blowfish encrypted backup.
* Updated tc-restore & filetool.sh for default backup to be located in persistent tce directory.
* Updated tce-load to fix bug regarding partial downloads of dependencies
* Updated /opt/.tcrc to tcz repository..
* Dropped 'checkfs' boot option. Use options 'base norestore' to check and fix filesystems and then start up complete system.
* Updated tce-setup, optimized code and calls tce-load via boot flag.
* Updated tc-config with more consistent and streamlined messages at boot. 
* Updated usbinstall to operate better when launched from system menu, added max_loop=255.
* Updated isolinux.cfg to include max_loop=255
* Fixed free loop after copy to filesystem (ram).
* Show extension load errors during boot procedure.
* Fixed doubling of tcz2ran.lst
* Fixed 'base norestore noicons' = no menu update bug.
* New showapps boot code to display extension names while booting.
* Added a wait $fstab_pid before tce access.
* Dropped pci.ids. Use extensions (pic-ids.tcz libpci.tczl).


Files likely in your backup or persistent store that need updating:
.xsession
.Xdefaults
.profile


Notes:

The desktop environment has been moved from tc-config into startx. This allows a microcore boot with base norestore, then manually (tce-load -i) the core elements together with your choice of window manager, wbar, flit, and/or watcher. Upon completion, still at the $ prompt, typing startx will bring up a working desktop environment. You can still exit to prompt, and run startx.

And with the new tce-setup, you can load all your PPR with a single command.
Just boot tinycore 'base norestore text   Then when ready.

$ sudo tce-setup
$ startx

Same with microcore, except, of course,  the text boot option is not needed


Notes: Hotkeys for Color Title Bars for flwm v1.12. ( Thanks to Mike L. for the many improvements to flwm! )

changed Alt+Enter to Alt+F1 to iconize a window

Ctrl Alt arrows moves the window
Ctrl Alt =         grows the window (unshifted + key)
Ctrl Alt -          shrinks the window
Ctrl Alt PgUp   grows the window veritcally
Ctrl Alt PgDn   shrinks the window vertically
Ctrl Alt ,           grows the window hortizontally (unshifted < key)
Ctrl Alt .           grows the window hortizontally (unshifted > key)
Ctrl Alt t           taller (sames as PgUp)
Ctrl Alt s          shorter (same as PgDn)
Ctrl Alt m          maximize widow
Ctrl Alt v          maximize vertical
Ctrl Alt h          maximize hortizontal

flwm now optionally supports environment variable FLWM_TITLEBAR_COLOR to set color for window title bars.
To set use hex rgb, e.g, 20:5F:20 (Currently supports fltk gtk+ scheme.)

Experience:

I think a nice experience because in 11MB it gives a whole desktop experience,credit should goes to Tiny Core developers.It’s a whole new way of running Linux on the desktop.

Multimedia:

After installing MPlayer I didn't find any problem to run my music and movie collection.

Conclusion:

Tiny Core is a new distro. It is developing at a rapid pace and implementing new features along the way. It really can change the way you think about running Linux. This edition is better than 2.3.

Distrowatch.com Ranking: 15

If you want to explore Tiny Core Linux 2.4 then please try it its so small .

Download Tiny Core 2.4

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