Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex Installation

One thing that I definitely take for granted since migrating my computer to Linux is how easy it is to upgrade and install an operating system like Linux. I have installed and reinstalled Windows XP before and accepted the fact that installation up to the point where I can personally use it takes 3 days to a week. That long because I had to find where my email archive and contacts are so I can back them up and restore them. The whole business of backing up and restoring is in itself like Magellan circumnavigating the globe. You prove it works after you see it works. Scary and adds years to my age.

I have my documents, data and settings saved in a separate partition. The operating system resides in another partition which is mounted to the root. In Linux you have to mount a partition manually so data don't get deleted or modified by others in the network so easily or by mistake. Linux is truly an operating system built for the connected devices because security is built into the system.

This new version of Ubuntu called the Ibex (Intrepid) has an updated file handler; Nautilus the local file navigator has tabs now. I am finding more and more reasons to depend on this new feature than on any other function of the OS past or present. I can search for files and folders within Nautilus and it's really darn fast at it.

The other new thing with Ibex that I absolutely enjoy is the updated version of GIMP the photo and graphical software bundled with Ubuntu.

I am still waiting for voice and video inside the instant messaging application just like how Yahoo IM implemented it. But I read that Google is introducing voice and video within its Google Mail in the Web. I haven't tried that one yet. The way it is implemented now with a separate application (Ekiga) handling voice and video I fear wont hold with users. I look forward to the day when we can send email, manage contacts, call and get live video plus throw in our one line instant messages in one application. I want to see a communications hub within the operating system.

Appindicator In Natty Ubuntu 11.04

Previously ranted about the blind alley Ubuntu 11.04 seemed to be leading us when it comes to some applications not being ready yet for the dropping of system tray. What I should have done is press on. There are posts about editing a white list with a recommended GUI tool to help us out here , here and here . Like everything in Linux, there's a configuration file for it, if you can find it and if you have the inclination to go ninja. If not then there's dconf-editor. Download dconf-tools from Software Center. Navigate to desktop>unity>panel. Add your application in the white list. Then close the window. No save button. mmm. So far I have added Shutter, Dropbox and Keepassx in the white list. Before... After.

Evolution Mail on GNOME 3.26

There's a slight change in the user interface. A To Do column now appears to the rightmost after the GNOME 3.26 update. Also there's a noticeable stability increase, what with goa-daemon stopping its RAM usage creep. I don't have to kill it every couple of hours.

New Converge ICT Plan Max with Sky Now

I pulled the trigger on Converge Max plan 400Mbps with Sky channels. I went to their sales office and asked for the upgrade. No charge at all and they didn't ask me to return the old modem. It looks like they will pull it when they install the new modem.e It came with a black box for the TV. The configuration is easy but it took me 3 days to figure out the Wired connection. It should be fine except I have to jiggle it in the config (GUI). Turn 802.1x on and off to finally connect. Here's the speed for the Wired connection:

Danny's Space

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