Danny's Space

Somewhere in the cacophony of patches issued out for Ubuntu something better happened to Rhythmbox. I used to complain about last.fm streams in my Rhythmbox. I went to Edit-->Preferences-->Playback and increase the memory cache and performance increased considerably. You have to see for or hear for yourself. My slow connection really is the main problem but until that gets fixed this is a welcome troubleshooting response from the development community. Thank you.

I don't see how Canonical can improve Ubuntu Gutsy version 7.10. Even as they update the kernel and the download manager, I am now using Firefox 3 beta 4 in Gutsy courtesy of the Mozilla download. Gutsy just feels very happy working with the latest browser. Can I just download the latest Gnome version 2.22 and be done with it? I also want to know why Synaptic isn't prompting me for an update to Pidgin because the last time I checked Pidgin already released a new version. I am wondering if it is safe to just go to the Pidgin website and download Pidgin version 2.40. I guess that's why Ubuntu is released every 6 months because not only is the operating system being updated but also the software and the package are replaced with updated versions and some of the not-so-needed ones left out of the new release. Some people like me just can't wait. I am a fan. I just want to express my admiration of the developers and people who prepare Ubuntu for the twice a year releas...

The browser of the future is now being designed and tested. Mozilla is coming out with Firefox 3 and Microsoft is coming out with Internet Explorer 8. Several other niche browsers such as Flock and Epiphany are enjoying the loyalty of their own communities. I use Mozilla browser with my Gnome desktop. Firefox has been in the forefront of browser security and update service since it came out in 2005. Now that Firefox 3 is on beta 4, I am impressed with the improvements. From the new Gecko 1.9 rendering engine to the improved memory usage, firefox 3 is set to gain more users to the detriment of Internet Explorer. There are improvements too in the area of web site evaluation which will result in improved user browsing. This new Firefox is truly an internet browser built for the savvy cyber surfer. Even at this stage, a beta release of Firefox 3 proves more stable and nimble in my Ubuntu linux Gnome environment than any browser including its predecessor, Firefox 2. Firefox 3 looks and ...

I want to write about blogging using Ubuntu software for a long time now. I want to focus on Gedit because it comes by default with Ubuntu Gnome. OpenOffice.org the open source answer to MS Office comes with the Ubuntu package too. Gedit is lightweight and fast. This is what I use in my typing, word processing and blogging. It is quick and painless hacking. Copy and paste has never been easier. If I need to print to a formal document I just open OpenOffice.org, copy / paste, and edit settings to my liking. I can always print directly from Gedit but to tweak the settings and check for spellings and use the thesaurus I open OpenOffice.org. Gedit uses tabs so I can open multiple files and switch between them if I need to. I can open as many as I want and not worry about memory and my hardware. Gedit has Autocheck Spelling and Search/Replace text functions. Be sure you download the necessary language dictionary through Synaptic and set language in the tools menu. It can automatica...

So four months after downloading Ubuntu gutsy, I am compelled to report that my Linux experience has been an eye opener. I am using the latest version of Ubuntu in a desktop computer. I have a Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz, 1,024 mb of RAM and a GEForce Nvidia 64mb video card. The Gibbon is not without its bugs. Sometimes the panels disappear for no reason at all. Application freezes are frequent especially Evolution and Rhythmbox. I do suggest that anyone new to Linux or Ubuntu configure and select the default settings first before going into the woods. If you do go into the woods, be sure you have the contacts in the Ubuntu forum to turn to if you need directions. I used to dual boot with XP when I was using Ubuntu feisty. It was a fine transition but my goal is to be freed from Microsoft and proprietary software. Open Source and free software just gives you that freedom. That's all. With Gutsy, no more anti virus, anti malware third party software to run everyday to keep my data saf...

I became a linux fan after several interesting experiences with the default operating system of the world. A proprietary software especially an operating system is constricting, clashes with my inate tendency to explore and modify things around me. I suppose all these inate characteristics are common to human beings. Yes, it sounds like the declaration of independence. I know. First, the operating system most used by the world failed us in security. We trusted it to handle our computer. We trusted it to safely store our personal data. We let it handle our family photos. We let it protect our identity. While linux is not the perfect system too at its core users like me does not have to worry about a very simple way to steal all that I want protected. Secondly, a proprietary operating system I legitimately purchased declares war on its own users and makes them suffer for problems it created on its own, is not very friendly. I go home from work and find myself locked out of my ho...

I left the comforts of Firefox and fired up the Synaptic Manager to fetch Epiphany. Epiphany is the lightweight browser derived from Firefox itself. It boasts simplicity and usability. I really like its personalized features. Rendering is very quick. Even faster than Firefox. I have been using Epiphany since Christmas 2007. I have not encountered any crash yet. It has automatic reporting of bugs and crushes. Although X.org has given me several annoyances namely sudden unresponsive instances. Several times windows borders disappear. Annoying but not show stoppers.