Linux: Favourite Programs Revisted. November, 2009.

Welcome to the world of Linux, and if you’re not new — let me tell you what programs I use. The programs have varied through my experience with Linux, as well as distributions. As I’ve said in a prior blog post, I’m not using Ubuntu anymore, and that I’m using Debian 100% of the way now which is I think the best thing I’ve done thus far since I started using Linux 5 years ago. It might be longer now, I’m not really sure. Here’s a list of programs I use, and an outline of what they do:

So, I’ll go off by listing my Linux distribution of choice, which if you’re following this, you already know. I’m currently using Debian: Squeeze, which is Debian Testing, It’s not officially released yet, but will be the next release of Debian.I’m not totally sure when it will be release, but if the developers are still doing their same release cycle, it will be a long time before it is released. This reassures stability, maturity which Debian is know for.

My Desktop Environment of choice is GNOME just because it’s the thing I’m used to, and come accustomed to when dealing with Linux. If I wasn’t using GNOME, I would be using Openbox which is a Windows Manager. Openbox is generally highly configurable, just like any Desktop Environment, or Windows Manager, but there’s something about it I really like.. I would also like to think that if my hardware was a bit better than it is, or rather better supported — I would probably also use KDE4 since it looks quite nice, and I like the look. If KDE4 was released a lot sooner, my experience with KDE would have changed slightly too, I think. Just because it’s new and up to date, and a lot nicer than KDE3.5. They are very different in comparison. Google for some pictures in comparison, or even try the different version of KDE out, and tell me what you like.

For the generic programs I use with the distribution, as I said — they change from time to time. if something different, or something a lot more sound comes out, I’ll use that, and try to be content with it since use experience changes, and development of applications tend to be driven quick with new projects always emerging because of the user base, and developers. The system in place for distributions alike wiht different communities doing the same thing — trying to have free software with no point in proprieties. Or at least with any sane person nowadays. An act in community and common use.

Generally speaking, I do use most of the GNOME’s default programs, but there are others I use as well. So, the programs I use. Here’s a list and explanation on what programs I use currently. This list makes my other lists preceeded by this one:

Gnome Terminal: Which is indeed just a terminal emulator for all the BASH tinkering done. If you’re new at Linux, don’t be afraid of it — use the terminal as much as you can. I’m not saying to use a tty straight away, but some tasks are done faster with a terminal than pointing and clicking objectively.

Mozilla Firefox 3.5.5: A Internet Web Brownser: Basically, this version is completely beta, and in active development. Since Mozilla is quite strict on alpha, and beta releases — they frequently change when there’s significant change in the program. It happens quite often, and it’s also nice for Mozilla to have such a community following, just like Linux. When installing the Firefox betas, I usually put them in /opt/ and run from there in a separate folder, and just make an application launcher right on my Gnome Panel.

Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0b4: The version means I’m using Thunderbird version 3.0 beta 4 which is an EMail Client. Again, I download, and install the same way as Firefox, keeping it in /opt/ in a different directory, and just creating a application launcher in the panel pointing to the executable file to start Thunderbird. It’s also a huge improvement from the non-betas. I love the new direction Mozilla has taken, in creating such awesome applications to use with the community following. Being a community means helping developing, or developers develop the application by submitting bugs, suggestions, and possibly creating your own add-ons to submit to the Mozilla site where others like you can download, install, and use said add-on.

X-Chat: An IRC, or rather an Internet Relay Chat client that is simple to use, customize the layout and connect to multiple networks. There’s even a selection of networks you can configure to use. It supports all the newest fads in the IRC world. Some people like it, some hate it.

IRSSI: This brings me to a double post of a similar program, but the program is totally different, but does the same. It’s a lovely n-curses based program that will let you connect to IRC via a terminal emulator, or tty if XORG has a hiccup and you’re left in a tty. It’s also quite nice when used in Gnome Terminal. It has a slew of plug-ins you can use, and it’s generally an awesome companion when used with SCREEN a terminal multiplexer.

Empathy: This program is a multi-protocol chat client similar to Pidgin, but Pidgin is now deprecated because Empathy is far more superior and more Linux distributions are using it as default now. Telepathy is used as its back-end, which means that you can also use Telepathy with different clients, not just with Empathy. So develop a client that uses Telepathy and improve on Instant Messaging!

Gwibber: If you like social networking with people, making new friends and you’re running GNOME, check Gwibber out. It’s definitely a thing to get into, it’s also multi-protocol and can be used with different types of social networking. If Twitter hasn’t came to mind, then I suggest you get signed up to different social networking websites, and try this out. Even Facebook, and about 15 other services can be used with Gwibber.

OpenOffice.Org: Generally speaking, if you’re into making letters, spreadsheets or doing genereally productivity work with text — you should check this suite out. It has everything you need, and you can kiss Microsoft goodbye. Even if you like doing presentation, there’s presentation software in the suite. If you’re generally a busy-body using what you can, there’s an actual shortcut that will bring you to an applet and give you a selection of programs within the suite so you can choose from there. It’s quite genius to be fair.

Shutter: A screenshot utility that goes a lot farther than that. You can add text, select what you want to take a screenshot of, make thumbnails within a screenshot, add borders and do a lot more things. Shutter is an excellent screenshot tool if you’re trying to illustrate something in a screenshot, or trying to discover User Interface bugs and want to show people what has happened within a program.

Unetbootin: If you still love to install via a graphic installer and your distribution of choice has a Live CD, well, you can use unetbootin which will let you put an ISO of a distribution on a USB thumb-drive, and install from that provided you have your BIOS set proper and if it has that option to do so. I love using it because I can have a no waste policy since I don’t have to burn CDs, or DVDs and throw them out AFTER a newer version of the distribution has came out and you’re left with a coaster. Simply, load up the partition editor such as GParted, format into ext2, rename the partition if you want, load up unetbootin load the ISO onto thumb-drive.

Brasero: A default program if you want to create audio, video, or data CDs for backup or other personal use. But again, why waste CDs when you can buy a 32gb thumb-drive and just backup on that? Save yourself, and the environment some stress!

MyPaint: A painting program that will let you paint with paint, charcoal, crayons, different types of paint, watercolour, anything under the sun. You can even change the type of paper. It has unique keybindings that lets you paint a lot faster, and the quality is very nice. A tablet is needed to paint with the program. You can change opacity, size, and erase with a keybinding while having your stylus in hand. This increases productivity to a level where you’ll become a better artist is more time, and learn how to paint with a tablet if you’re of student level, as I am.

Alchemy: Basically, it’s a program where you paint/ draw spontaneously which is good for the mind, and spirit and makes your mind start to flow better with creativity. You basically select different settings you want, start by pressing the stylus to the tablet, and spontaneous shapes will appear. Shapes, lines, different copying methods, mirrored methods, etc.. It generally is quite a neat program that you’ll love. If works in PNG, PDF, JPEG, and other formats in layers as well.

Inkscape: Which is a vector graphics program that is awesome for what it does. It has every option in the book, and has a huge following of users.

The Gimp: Gimp is a photo-manipulation program that will help you with your photography needs, and you can also draw with it. You can use a tablet if need be.

Pencil: If you need to make some animations, by that I mean figure, logo, or scene animations — check it out! You can use a tablet with this program too. It’s generally based on drawing animations, and things similar. The program is limited, but it’s nice when it works. The interface is also great. If you’re looking for a upfront timeline, it has it.

Banshee: A music player with attitude, it can do a lot of things.. It has support for mid-sized playlists, video, radio, mp3 player support as well. It’s you’re all around goodness when it comes to sound. It’s quite large, but it’s really nice.

MPD & Sonata: If you want something for LARGE playlist support, I’m talking making a database for fast retrieval, network play, and a very fast player, check MPD out. MPD stands for, Music Player Daemon. MPD is the back-end of the player which supports many different clients. My client of choice is Sonata because the interface is so small, but it also can be maximized. It also supports radio stations, and playlists. It’ll take a bit for you to set it up, but the customization will only be worth it. It also has n-curses clients, too.

CMUS & MOC(P): Both on the same scale, they are n-curses music programs that work in the tty, or terminal emulator like Gnome Terminal. The user interfaces are different, but very similar. Keybindings work, too. These types of programs generally are very very light, and will make you love n-curses program all the more. I bet you didn’t think this stuff was possible in the terminal!!

Well, I think this concludes this lengthy blog post. Don’t be afraid to use google to check the programs out. Also a good idea would be to look them up on YouTube. YouTube will provide you with experienced users demonstrating the programs at hand and will give you a general idea in what you’re getting into. So, please, make use of what I’ve said. Leave a comment, or question and I’ll be glad to answer.

Have a good one.

Learning Bash

Ever since I’ve had Linux installed which I think is roughly 2-3 years and it’s an ongoing process in learning the BASH shell. BASH stands for Bourne Again Shell. It’s been quite rough, but I can say that I haven’t really limited my evironment to just tty’s, or terminals. I do have Gnome and KDE4 installed, but I only use Gnome as a Desktop Environment. It’s not the only UI I do like though. I also like OpenBox, but I haven’t really installed the Window Manager yet. I probably will sooner or later. But, I will have to configure it to use it, which isn’t too hard but a bit time consuming.

With Bash, I know only limited things, and I know if you want to work in a fast evironment Bash is the way to go since you’re using commands to complete tasks and not using the mouse to drag and drop, delete, or making a new file or folder. The commands I do know get me by to what I want to do, but now I want to start learning how to actually write scripts with Bash and not just using it when I choose.

A couple months ago I turned my server back on, reinstalled Ubuntu back on it, and configured the lamp installation with no UI, just bash, and tutorials I followed from another computer and website. That is, I think one of the best things I’ve done. Not only is the server running a lot more better, but it’s headless, and I can SSH into, configure what I want with a bit of direction and go on with the day. The overall server performance has I think increased since I’ve done it this way. Other people can’t exploit anything on my server. I shouldn’t say they can’t. If they know enough about Ubuntu, LAMP installation, and how the kernel works. I’m sure something could be done easily. But the server is less likely to wreck havok.

In the near future, I’d like to find a nice book that will show me more about BASH so I can learn how to script a bit more, and move onto greater things. I’d like to learn a lot more than what I do now, so that way my interaction with Bash will be a lot better, and my computers and server will run a lot smoother. I’m not too sure what I want to move onto though. If Bash leads me into the direction I want to go, then I will probably start learning another scripting language. If I don’t like it, I will try and find a programming language to learn, and put forth some effort in learning such things.

I know it won’t happen over night, but I do know the more time I work with Bash, the better I will be at it, and will move onto something better.

This won’t be my last post this month. I’m still conjuring up another post. Thinking and gathering my wits and what nots about our economy, and how money is spent. Stay tuned for a very political intervening post.

Justin