How to configure network connections

  • System -> Administration -> Networking
  • Network settings
      Connections Tab -> Select "Ethernet connection" -> Properties
Connection -> Enable this connection (Checked)
Connection Settings -> Configuration: Select "DHCP/Static IP address"
DNS Tab -> DNS Servers -> Add/Delete






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How to activate/deactivate network connections

  • System -> Administration -> Network
  • Network settings
      Connections Tab -> Select "Ethernet connection" -> Activate/Deactivate

Note: in Feisty, the network names have changed. Instead of "Ethernet connection", you may have "Wireless connection", "Wired connection" and "Modem connection". Also, they don't have an Activate/Deactivate option. Instead, go to "Properties", and activate or deactivate from there.







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How to configure Pidgin for Google Talk

First, you'll need to configure your client to connect to the Google Talk service.

To configure your account:

  1. Open Pidgin.
  2. From the Accounts menu, select Add/Edit.



  3. Click Add from the Accounts window.



  4. Enter the following information in the Add Account window:

    • Protocol: XMPP
    • Screen Name: your Google Talk username (without any @ symbol or domain).
    • Server: Enter a server value depending on your type of account:

      • Gmail account users should enter gmail.com
      • Google Mail accounts (example@googlemail.com) should enter googlemail.com
      • If you're signing in with a Google Account that's not linked to any Google email service, enter gmail.com
      • Google Apps users, please visit the Apps Help Center for instructions

    • Password: we suggest leaving this field blank for increased security, but if you'd like to log in automatically, enter your password
    • Local Alias: leave this field blank
    • Remember password: check the box if you'd like Pidgin to remember your password (you won't be prompted to enter it each time you log in, if you select this option)
    • New mail notifications: check the box if you'd like Pidgin to notify you of unread email in your inbox.



  5. Click Save.
Congratulations! You're now ready to connect to the Google Talk service using Pidgin.








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How to disable root user account

To disable root user Password type below command in terminal:-

sudo passwd -l root




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How to set/change/enable root user password

To set/change/enable root user password type command below in terminal:-

sudo passwd root




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How to Install Pidgin


Pidgin is a graphical IM program that lets you sign on to AIM, Jabber, MSN, Yahoo!, and other IM networks. It uses GTK+. It was formerly called Gaim.

Install Pidgin 2.0.0 on Ubuntu Feisty

Download Pidgin 2.0.0 packages from here or here

wget http://download.ubuntu.pl/_Feisty_Fawn/pidgin/pidgin_2.0.0-1_i386.deb

Install .deb packages using the following command

sudo dpkg -i pidgin_2.0.0-1_i386.deb

If you want more details after installation check here

Install Pidgin 2.0.0 Plugin Pack on Ubuntu Feisty

This plugin pack contains the following plugins

Plugins in the Plugin Pack

1. Album
2. Auto Accept
3. Auto-rejoin
4. Auto Reply
5. awaynotify
6. Bash.org
7. Buddy Icon Tools
8. Buddy List Options
9. Buddy Note
10. buddytime
11. chronic
12. convcolors
13. Dice
14. DiffTopic
15. Magic 8 Ball
16. Flip
17. gRIM
18. Group Message
19. Hide Conversation
20. IRC Helper
21. Irssi Features
22. Last Seen
23. List Handler
24. Marker Line
25. My Status Box
26. napster
27. New Line
28. Nick Said
29. Offline Message
30. Old Logger
31. Plonkers
32. Schedule
33. Separate and Tab
34. Show Offline
35. Sim Fix
36. Slash Exec
37. SSL Info
38. Stocker
39. Switch Spell
40. Talk Filters
41. XMMS Remote
42. XChat-Chats

You can download Pidgin 2.0.0 Plugin Pack from here or here

wget http://www.kalpiknigam.com/blog/uploads/purple-plugin-pack_1.0-1_i386.deb

Install Pidgin 2.0.0 Plugin Pack Using the following command

sudo dpkg -i purple-plugin-pack_1.0-1_i386.deb

This will install all the plugins menctioned above.








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How to enable Compiz

Compiz is a compositing window manager that uses 3D graphics acceleration via OpenGL. It provides various new graphical effects and features on any desktop environment, including Gnome and KDE.One more cool thing about ubuntu feisty fawn is Compiz will be installed by default.

Compiz Features

Easily extendable through plugins.

A growing, friendly community of users.

Increases productivity and enjoyment.

Impresses your family and friends.

Compiz is actively developed.

Install nVidia drivers in Ubuntu Feisty

First you need to install nvidia drivers using the following command

sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

sudo nvidia-xconfig --add-argb-glx-visuals

Enable Desktop Effects

Compiz will be installed by default in Ubuntu Feisty Fawn just you have to enable this.

Go to System->Preferences->Desktop Effects, click the ‘Enable Desktop Effects’ button.

If you want to get the cube to work do the following commands

gconftool-2 --type int --set /apps/compiz/general/screen0/options/hsize 4

gconftool-2 --type int --set /apps/compiz/general/screen0/options/number_of_desktops 1

If you want to configure compiz use the following command

gconf-editor





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How to install FluxBox


Fluxbox is a popular minimalist Window Manager. To Install Fluxbox Tpye below command in your terminal :-

    sudo aptitude install fluxbox
Make it start when you login through GDM
    echo "exec startfluxbox" > ~/.xinitrc
Make it make the pretty sound on login
    sudo aptitude install sox
gedit ~/.fluxbox/startup
  • Find this line:
    exec /usr/local/bin/fluxbox
  • Put this above it somewhere:
    play /usr/share/sounds/login.wav > /dev/null 2>&1 &
  • Listen happily.

How to Install XFCE (Xubuntu)


To install Xubuntu desktop Environment type command below.

    sudo aptitude install xubuntu-desktop

The xubuntu gdm theme will be set as the default.

  • System -> Quit -> Log Out
  • To log in to XFCE click on Sessions and choose XFCE

How to Install KDE (Kubuntu)

To Install Kubuntu (KDE) Desktop Environment type below command in your terminal.


sudo aptitude install kubuntu-desktop
Note: This installation will require ~400MB of disk space

The system will ask you if you want to use kdm or gdm. gdm is recommended.

  • System -> Quit -> Log Out
  • To log in to KDE click on Sessions and choose KDE

How to mount Windows Partition

Step 1:

Install NTFS-config in Ubuntu Feisty

You can install NTFS-config from Ubuntu Feisty repositories

sudo apt-get install ntfs-config

This will install all the required packages for ntfs-config including ntfs-3g

Step 2:

Using Ntfs-Config

If you want to open this application go to Applications—>System Tools—>NTFS Configuration Tool

Step 3:

Now it will prompt for root password enter root password and click ok

Step 4:

It will show the available NTFS partition as follows in this example /dev/sda1 in NTFS partition

Step 5:

You need to select the partitions you want to configure,add the name of the mount point and click on apply.

Step 6:

Select the NTFS Write support which is suitable for you i.e internal or external

Step 7:

If you are using external hard drive select external option and click on ok. If you using dual-boot with Windows select internal option.

Step 8:

Then you can see the mount point on your Desktop.


How to install Multimedia Player (MPlayer)

    To Install Mplayer,Tpye command below in your terminal 

sudo aptitude install mplayer libxine-extracodecs
  • Note: Kubuntu users may also want to install the KDE user interface for MPlayer
       sudo aptitude install kmplayer
  • An MPlayer plug-in for Firefox can also be installed:
       sudo aptitude install mozilla-mplayer




How to install MIDI sound server (Timidity++)

  • Timidity allows for the playback of MIDI by those who do not have MIDI hardware or MIDI processing built into their sound card (most users) via a software synthesizer.
  • First install Timidity
        sudo aptitude install timidity
  • Set up Timidity to start on boot
        sudo gedit /etc/default/timidity
  • Uncomment the following line (remove the "#" sign)
       #TIM_ALSASEQ=true
  • Set the required modules to load as well
        sudo gedit /etc/modules
  • Add the following modules to the end of the file
        snd-seq-device
snd-seq-midi
snd-seq-oss
snd-seq-midi-event
snd-seq
  • Restart your computer


How to install DVD playback capability

gstreamer dvd plugin is available as part of plugins-bad (or ugly?) and does not work reliably. However, Totem works with the xine backend to play back DVDs. This will keep you going until gstreamer gets dvd playback. Note that you do not have to install xine-ui or mplayer.

   sudo aptitude install libdvdread3

sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh

sudo aptitude install totem-xine
   sudo aptitude install libdvdcss2




How to install Multimedia Codecs

      sudo aptitude install ubuntu-restricted-extras libxine-extracodecs gstreamer0.10-plugins-base gstreamer0.10-plugins-good \
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-pitfdll

The "ubuntu-restricted-extras" is a meta-package that installs : flashplugin-nonfree, gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly, gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse, msttcorefonts,sun-java6-jre and sun-java6-plugin Important note: that w32codecs are copyright infrigement since they are basically exact copies of DLLs that are shipped by various Windows software to handle media formats.

     sudo aptitude install w32codecs

Note to Kubuntu Users: Technically the only packages needed for Kaffeine to play extra codes are libxine-extracodecs and w32codecs. However the installation of all the above packages doesn't hurt anything, as these packages might be needed by other programs (e.g., Open Office Impress uses a gstreamer plugin to display video in presentations).

How To Install Beryl (NViDIA)

  • Ensure all packages up to date
      sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude dist-upgrade
  • Back up xorg.conf
      sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
  • Install Nvidia Driver for Graphics Card*
    • System -> Administration -> Restricted Driver Manager

Enable Nvidia Drivers

Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to confirm Nvidia Drivers are working correctly

  • Install Beryl
      sudo aptitude install beryl emerald-themes beryl-manager
  • Start Beryl
      beryl-manager
  • Start Emerald (if it doesn't start on its own)
      emerald --replace
  • Have Beryl and Emerald load on login
    • System -> Preferences -> Sessions
    • Startup Programs -> New
      beryl-manager

and

      emerald --replace
    • If, on reboot, program menus aren't displaying in the correct layer (you can't see them when you select them because they are displaying behind the window) then right click on the 'Beryl Manager' icon in the panel (the red gem icon) and select 'Reload Window Manager'. The problem should be solved the next time you reboot.
    • If when you start Beryl you find your windows have no title bar (with the minimise, maximise and close buttons) or borders, you may need to add the following line to the device section of the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf (See this page http://forum.beryl-project.org/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1631 for details):
        Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"

and change to

        DefaultDepth 24

in the "Screen" section.


How To Install Beryl (ATI)

Please note: There are 2 ways of installing Beryl for ATI Cards: The open source way and the closed source way. The Open source way is listed first, it should be the first way that you test to see if you can get Beryl working, however undo steps are provided in case it does not work, or you would like to use the closed source drivers that may have frame rate improvements and support your card better.

Open Source Method: (As of 01/05/07 this has been confirmed and tested on a 64 bit system as well) - I found this worked better for me (especially on older ATI cards). I would suggest trying this first as it is very simple and no damage should be caused to your system. It is also very easy to revert if it does not work (without a fresh install).

This assumes that you are not going to use the proprietary drivers and that the (Open Source) radeon drives are working ok for you. It will also use AIGLX. If direct rendering is not working for you yet this will software render (slowly) until you can get that up and running.

Step 1 : Edit your sources.list file adding

 deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org feisty main

to the bottom of it.

Step 2 : Add the GPG key. Open terminal and type

 wget http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Step 3 :

 sudo aptitude update

Step 4 :

 cp -p /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorgold.conf
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

(Note any changes so you can revert back if needed).

Under Section "Module", make sure that the following lines are included, and add them if they are not:

 Load "dri"
Load "vbe"
Load "glx"

Also ensure the bottom of the file has:

 Section
"DRI" Mode 0666
EndSection

Step 5 : Reboot the system (Please don't restart only X. I had odd things happen to me when I skipped rebooting until my next proper restart).

Step 6 : In a terminal:

 sudo aptitude install beryl beryl-manager emerald-themes

Step 7 : type into terminal

 beryl-manager --no-force-window-manager

(this will start beryl but wont activate it yet).

Step 8 : Right click on the diamond near the clock - select advanced beryl options and change the window manager to metacity(GNOME) also change rendering path to copy. Also under advanced change rendering platform to force AIGLX.

Step 9 : Right click the diamond again. This time - select window manager - Beryl.

If it all works and you can spin the cube ok etc. you can try changing the rendering path back to automatic. If it all freaks out just reboot and start beryl again with:

 beryl-manager --no-force-window-manager

Step 10 : Assuming it all worked ok you need beryl to start automatically on boot : Click System-Preferences-sessions. Click add and type

 beryl-manager

Now reboot - beryl should all be sweet.

If you have broken everything - Help! Everytings broken!! Section:

Ok so you did all this and it didn't work for you and your GUI is now broken etc. Revert all changes by following these steps.

Step undo 1 : Drop to console outside GUI. and type

 rm ~/.config/autostart/beryl-manager.desktop

This removes beryl from startup.

 copy -p /etc/X11/xorgold.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf

This will copy your old xorg settings back

Reboot - your GUI is now working. (Unless you followed some other steps not listed here...)

Step undo 2 : sudo nautilus from terminal. Then show hidden files. Browse to you users home directory and delete the .beryl folder. Alternatively do this from via command line but your GUI should be working now.

Step undo 3 :

 sudo aptitude purge beryl beryl-manager emerald-themes

Step undo 4 : Edit your sources.list file again and remove the added source for beryl.

That's it. Your system is back as it was before you started. All the undo steps can be done without a GUI from the console

Good luck - I can vouch this method works for me on at least 2 different notebooks and a PC.


Alternate method: Using closed source FGLRX drivers from ATI.

  • Open a terminal:
 Applications > Accessories > Terminal
  • Verify our system is up-to-date:
 sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude upgrade
  • Install Xgl (This is the main problem with ATI cards. The fglrx driver will not support the built-in Compiz feature in Ubuntu and we need Xgl to run our new version of Beryl with an ATI card.):
 sudo aptitude install xserver-xgl
  • Write a script so Xgl can start on its own:
 sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
  • Enter and save this script information:
 #!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session
  • If you are missing your shutdown and restart buttons, use this instead:
 #!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session
  • Make the script executable:
 sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
  • Now, we need to put in a Xgl option in our GDM login screen:
 sudo gedit /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop
  • Enter and save this script information:
 [Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=GNOME with XGL
Comment=
Exec=/usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application
  • Also make this script executable:
 sudo chmod a+x /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop
  • Disable the universe repositories (these provide Beryl software that is incompatible with the fglrx driver).
 Go to System > Administration > Software Sources
Uncheck Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)
Click Close

Back in our terminal:

  • Add the correct repository key:
 sudo wget http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
  • Add the correct repository to the top of your apt source list:
 sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Enter: deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/ feisty main
Save and close gedit
  • Update your apt sources:
 sudo aptitude update
  • Install the correct Beryl applications:
 sudo aptitude install beryl emerald-themes

Apt should retrieve all of the dependencies such as plug-ins and libraries

  • Install your ATI drivers (if needed):
 Go to System > Administration > Restricted Drivers Manager
Check the Enable check box for your ATI graphics card

You will need to reboot to enable the card.

  • After a reboot and choosing Xgl from your sessions list at your login screen, test Beryl. In a terminal:
 beryl-manager
emerald --replace

You should see the Beryl diamond next to your clock, and you should try moving a window. You may need to right-click on the diamond, select "Beryl" from the "Select Window Manager" flyout, and select "Standard Beryl Decorator (Emerald)" from the "Select Window Decorator" flyout. You may also need to click Reload for each one of these under the same menu.

  • If you are using ATI with XGL, you'll get an error that beryl-xgl is missing. Solution is not elegant, but it's working:
 Download beryl-core deb from http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/pool/feisty/main/0.2.0/beryl-core_0.2.0~0beryl1_i386.deb
Unpack beryl-xgl from archive to ie. ~/Desktop
From terminal run: sudo cp ~/Desktop/beryl-xgl /usr/bin/beryl-xgl

  • If everything seems to work OK, add Beryl and the Emerald themes to your start-up programs:
 Go to System > Preferences > Sessions
Click the New button
Type "Beryl" (no quotes) for the Name text box
Type "beryl-manager" (no quotes) for the Command text box
Click the OK button

Click the New button
Type "Emerald Themes" (no quotes) for the Name text box
Type "emerald --replace" (no quotes) for the Command text box
Click the OK button

Congratulations! Hopefully, you have Beryl working now. You can now re-enable your universe repositories, but make sure you do not let it update anything related to Beryl. Hopefully, the Beryl apps in the universe repositories will soon work with the ATI cards without Xgl.



How to install Beta Graphics Driver (NVIDIA)

The nVidia driver has been split into different branches; latest and new legacy. See http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/1.0-9755/README/appendix-a.html

  • to find out which driver you should be using. Latest=97xx / New Legacy=96xx
        sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Add ONE of the following lines based on your architecture
        deb http://www.albertomilone.com/drivers/edgy/latest/32bit binary/
deb http://www.albertomilone.com/drivers/edgy/latest/64bit binary/
        deb http://www.albertomilone.com/drivers/edgy/newlegacy/32bit binary/
deb http://www.albertomilone.com/drivers/edgy/newlegacy/64bit binary/
  • Save the edited file
  • Add the GPG key
        wget http://albertomilone.com/drivers/tseliot.asc
gpg --import tseliot.asc
gpg --export --armor albertomilone@alice.it | sudo apt-key add -
  • Update and install
       sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx
sudo apt-get upgrade
  • The upgrade should update your linux-restricted-modules & linux-restricted-modules-common packages.
       sudo nvidia-xconfig
  • Add a menu option for nVidia Settings
       sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/NVIDIA-Settings.desktop
  • Insert these lines in the new file and save
       [Desktop Entry]
Name=NVIDIA Settings
Comment=NVIDIA Settings
Exec=nvidia-settings
Icon=
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Application;System;
  • Restart the computer and your new drivers should be installed.
  • Test the install with these 2 programs
       glxinfo
glxgears


How to install Graphics Driver (NVIDIA)

          sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx nvidia-kernel-common
sudo nvidia-xconfig
  • Should the above not enable the new driver, you can enable it manually by opening the X config file:
          sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

  • and replacing "nv" with "nvidia"
  • Enable XvMC by creating the nVidia XvMC configuration file
          sudo gedit /etc/X11/XvMCConfig
  • Insert the following line into the new configuration file, to tell the players the name of the nVidia XvMC shared library:
          libXvMCNVIDIA_dynamic.so.1
  • To use XvMC to accelerate video playback, use the following flags. See [[1]] for more details.
          xine -V xxmc filename.ts
mplayer -vo xvmc -vc ffmpeg12mc filename.ts


How to Install Quran researching tool (zekr) and/or Gnomesword (bible program)

Quran install:

Zekr is an open platform Quran study tool for simply browsing and researching on the Holy Quran. It is a Quran-based project, planned to be a universal, open source, and cross-platform application to perform most of the usual refers to Quran. The main idea is to build an as generic as possible platform to accept different Islamic resources.

Currently Zekr has English, Persian, French, German, Arabic, Indonesian, Russian, Dutch, Kurdish, Malay, Turkish and Urdu built-in language packs. In addition, it includes English, Persian, and Russian Quran translations.

  • Make sure that Sun JRE is the default JRE (zekr also works with the new version of gij).
  • Run the following command in the terminal:
        sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Add The following line at the end of the file:
        deb http://siahe.com/zekr/apt feisty main
  • Add the GPG key
        wget -q http://siahe.com/zekr/apt/zekr.debian.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
  • Run the following commands in the terminal:
        sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install zekr
sudo aptitude install ttf-farsiweb ttf-arabeyes ttf-me-quran ttf-scheherazade
  • If you are upgrading from a previous installed version of zekr, to use the new font configuration of zekr run the following command in the terminal:
        mv ~/.zekr ~/.zekr-backup
Bible install

Step 1: Open terminal and enter:

       sudo aptitude install gnomesword sword-language-pack-en sword-text-web

This installs the english version of the program. If you require other languages type:

       sudo apt-cache search bible
Take a look at the sword-language-pack's and the sword-text's for additional languages and install as needed. Gnomesword is found under Applications-Accessories

How To Install Wine

sudo aptitude install wine
How to use utorrent under wine

This assumes you have downloaded utorrent and installed wine.

   sudo gedit /usr/bin/utorrent

Paste the inside of that file

   #!/bin/sh
cd ~/YOURPATH/utorrent
if [ "$1" != "" ]; then
var="`echo $1 | sed 's/\//\\\/g'`"
var="Z:${var}"
wine utorrent.exe "$var"
else
wine utorrent.exe
fi

Replace "YOURPATH" with the location of uTorrent. Save and exit then type the following to make it executable.

   sudo chmod a+x /usr/bin/utorrent




How to install P2P BitTorrent Client (Deluge)

  • Download deb installation file here if you run i386 or here if you run amd64 and then double-click on it when downloaded.

OR

  • Download dependencies, get latest source, build the source, and install
       sudo aptitude install subversion build-essential python-all-dev python-all \
python-support libboost-dev libboost-thread-dev libboost-date-time-dev \
libboost-filesystem-dev libboost-serialization-dev \
libboost-program-options-dev libboost-regex-dev zlib1g-dev && \
svn checkout http://deluge-torrent.org/svn/trunk deluge && \
cd deluge && python setup.py build && sudo python setup.py install
  • Remove install files
       cd .. && rm -Rf deluge/
  • Launch the program by going to: Applications -> Internet -> Deluge BitTorrent Client


How to install P2P BitTorrent Client (Azureus)

        sudo aptitude install azureus
  • Launch the program by going to: Applications -> Internet -> Azureus


How to install Flash Player (Macromedia Flash) Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox

EDIT: Please note that there is a free open source way of using flash posted below. This is using GNASH - a gnu flash replacement. Its not perfect (yet) however for those interested in open source software please skip below. It works on both 32 and 64 bit Ubuntu. - Pete

Note: The best way to install the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in for Mozilla Firefox is to use Firefox and visit Adobe.com: Version test for Adobe Flash Player. Then you will see a note about firefox missing a plugin for flash. Click this note and follow any steps that firefox tells you to follow. Normally firefox installs this plugin automatically when you click "install now".

It could also be done using a package manager:


   sudo aptitude install flashplugin-nonfree
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox

Note: if sound doesn't work in Flash Player (for example on YouTube):

   sudo aptitude install alsa-oss
gksudo gedit /etc/firefox/firefoxrc

Change:

   FIREFOX_DSP=""

To:

   FIREFOX_DSP="aoss"
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox. Now sound should work in Flash Player.

This doesn't work for amd64, since there's no 64-bit firefox plugin. A 32-bit firefox is necessary. Ubuntuforums provides special scripts for configuring some 32-bit applications in amd64.

If after trying the above you still don't have sound in Flash try this:

How to setup PulseAudio Sound Server

I actually found PulseAudio to be a better solution, firefox shares the sound with other apps.


GNASH open source alternative


64 bit users please note - this is a better workaround than installing 32 bit firefox. If you require only simple flash (ie not YouTube etc) the you can use the GPL version of flash within your browser. For a workaround to playing YouTube and Google video please keep reading.

code:

sudo aptitude install mozilla-plugin-gnash

This works for most flash sites other than Youtube and Google video. However as this is a showstopper for a lot of People and I have been hearing NOTHING but complaints about this so I have located a workaround for all of you.

Goto the website

http://1024k.de/bookmarklets/video-bookmarklets.html 

Where the site states "bookmark this link" right click and book mark it.

Then head over to youtube. Try to watch a video and note it does not play :(

Then go to your newly created bookmark. You can now download the file as a video file. I use VLC to play the files (so see installing VLC later in this guide).

All you have to do is download the file to your desktop and open with VLC. GNASH is soon going to be updated as a fully working version that can play youtube videos so this workaround will only be temporary anyway. So go on - support open source software so we can stop relying on Adobe for its flash player.



How to install J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) v6.0 with Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox

To Install :-   

sudo aptitude install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
  • When asked, agree with DLJ license terms.

This doesn't work for amd64, since there's no 64-bit firefox plugin. A 32-bit firefox is necessary. Ubuntuforums provides special scripts for configuring some 32-bit applications in amd64.k

An alternative for amd64 is to use blackdown Java. However it is buggy and not all Java applications work. It is also a closed source application so no benefit can be derived from using it. It is the default Java application for distributions like Gentoo however.

    sudo aptitude install j2re1.4-mozilla-plugin

This installs blackdown Java.

Alternate Methods Using apt

First Step:

  echo "deb http://www.getautomatix.com/apt feisty main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

Second Step:

  wget http://www.getautomatix.com/keys/automatix2.key 

Third Step:

  gpg --import automatix2.key

Fourth Step:

  gpg --export --armor E23C5FC3 | sudo apt-key add -

Fifth Step:

  sudo aptitude update

Sixth Step:

  sudo aptitude install automatix2

Automatix2

Automatix2 is a proprietary script that tries to install some software, and often fails and breaks systems. The Ubuntu community doesn't provide support for it, and we strongly discourage its use. Problems caused by Automatix are often hard to track and solve, and it might sometimes be easier to install a fresh copy of Ubuntu.

        sudo dpkg -i automatix2_1.1-3.10-7.04feisty_i386.deb
  • Automatix2 is available in Applications > System Tools > Automatix

Add and Remove Programs

Using the Add/Remove feature is very easy and it will not damage your Ubuntu installation.

  • Click at the Programs menu. Choose "Add/Remove".
  • Search for the sort of program you want to add. Example: type MP3 to see a list of mp3 software.
  • Check the box next to the software.
  • Click the "Apply" button.
  • It will show you a list of the software packages that it will install. Click OK

Manual Update

To Update Ubuntu manually type command below in Terminal

sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude upgrade
sudo aptitude dist-upgrade

OR

Use Update Manager: System -> Administration -> Update Manager

Apt, Software and Package Basic

Here is some basic information on how to use the Apt package management tools.

  • Installing packages
       sudo aptitude install 

Examples:

       sudo aptitude install mpd sbackup
  • Removing packages
       sudo aptitude remove 

Examples:

       sudo aptitude remove mpd sbackup
  • Searching for packages
       sudo aptitude search 

Examples:

       sudo aptitude search Music MP3
sudo aptitude search "Text Editor"
  • Updating Apt database (used after adding/removing Apt repositories)
       sudo aptitude update
  • Upgrading packages
       sudo aptitude upgrade
  • Upgrade entire distribution
       sudo aptitude dist-upgrade
  • Install downloaded Ubuntu (Debian) package (.deb)
       sudo dpkg -i package.deb
  • Remove Ubuntu (Debian) package
       sudo dpkg -r package
  • Reconfigure/Repair installed package
       sudo dpkg-reconfigure package

Examples:

       sudo dpkg-reconfigure mpd
  • Handling ".tar.gz" (Tar/GZip) Archives

To extract:

       tar xvzf package.tar.gz

Command explained: tar is an application which can extract files from and archive. It cannot decompress them. -x means extract. -v means verbose (list what it is extracting). -z means filter through gzip. gzip is what compresses the archive (tar cannot compress them remember?). -f specifies the file to use. You could extract this package by first using the command gzip, then you would be left with a .tar file. You would then not have to specify the -z switch as it would no longer be compressed.

To create:

      tar cvfz package.tar.gz folder
  • Handling ".tar.bz" (Tar/BZip) Archives

To extract:

      tar xvjf package.tar.bz

To create:

      tar cvjf package.tar.bz folder
  • Extracting ".bz" Archives
      bunzip2 file.bz
  • Extracting ".gz" Archives
      gunzip file.gz
  • Building from Source

Make sure you have all the neccesary development tools (i.e. libraries, compilers, headers)

      sudo aptitude install build-essential
sudo aptitude install linux-headers-`uname -r`

"uname -r" lists the current kernel you are using.

Extract your package (as detailed above)

      tar xvzf package.tar.gz

Commence the build process

      cd /path/to/extracted/package
./configure
make
make install

Note - typing ./ before a filename tells unix to try and execute the file as an application.

If build is successful, consider making an Ubuntu (Debian) package (.deb) for future use:

Install package tools:

     sudo aptitude install checkinstall

Rebuild package using "checkinstall":

     cd /path/to/extracted/package
./configure
make
checkinstall

Keep the resulting ".deb" file for future use. It can be installed using:

     sudo dpkg -i package.deb

Note: These are basic instructions that may not always work. Some packages require additional dependencies and optional parameters to be specified in order to build them successfully.

Adding Extra Repositories

You can add extra repositories using the Software Sources application, which can be found in the menu: System -> Administration -> Software Sources. Check the repositories you think you will need (main, universe, restricted, multiverse). You probably won't need the 'sources' repository. This is the recommended way to add extra repositories:

  • Another way to add extra repositories is to use following steps (do this at your own risk):
  • Create a backup of your current list of sources.
           sudo cp -p /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list_backup

Command explained: sudo - runs the command with elevated privileges. cp - copy. -p - prompt to overwrite if a file already exists.

  • Open the list of sources in a text editor (gedit for example is a graphical text editor)
Ubuntu (GNOME) users:
          sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Kubuntu (KDE) users:
          sudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list
Other users (if the above don't work):
         sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Use the following lines as a template to guide you in editing the repositories in sources.list:
You can try replacing the current contents of sources.list with the following lines
To use your local mirror you can add "cc." before archive.ubuntu.com, where cc = your country code
e.g. deb http://lv.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty main restricted universe multiverse
## See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
## newer versions of the distribution.

## Add comments (##) in front of any line to remove it from being checked.
## Use the following sources.list at your own risk.

## Uncomment deb-src if you wish to download the source packages

## If you have a install CD you can add it to the reposity using 'apt-cdrom add'
## which will add a line similar to the following:
#deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 7.04 _Feisty Fawn_ - Beta i386 (20070322.1)]/ feisty main restricted
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty main restricted
#deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty main restricted

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates main restricted
#deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates main restricted

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty universe
#deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty universe

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
## security team.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty multiverse
#deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty multiverse

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
#deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security main restricted
#deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security main restricted
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security universe
#deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security universe
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security multiverse
#deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-security multiverse

## PLF REPOSITORY (Unsupported. May contain illegal packages. Use at own risk.)
## Medibuntu - Ubuntu 7.04 "feisty fawn"
## Please report any bug on https://launchpad.net/products/medibuntu/+bugs
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ feisty free non-free
#deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ feisty free non-free

## CANONICAL COMMERCIAL REPOSITORY (Hosted on Canonical servers, not Ubuntu
## servers. RealPlayer10, Opera, DesktopSecure and more to come.)
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu feisty-commercial main

## enlightenment e17 beta, use at your own risk
## E17 is in Beta and may break or break your system
#deb http://edevelop.org/pkg-e/ubuntu feisty e17
#deb http://e17.dunnewind.net/ubuntu feisty e17
#deb-src http://edevelop.org/pkg-e/ubuntu feisty e17

  • Save the edited file
  • Download needed gpg keys; e.g., use the following command for the PLF repository's gpg key:
            wget -q http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Command explained: wget - retrieves a file from a network location. -q - quiet (no output). -O- - Output downloaded item to terminal.

This command then completes. the | (pipe symbol) is used to capture the output from the previous command (in our case the screen) and use it as an input for the command piped.

"sudo apt-key add -" could actually be read as "sudo apt-key add - mQGiBEVmMkE...=QrqU" which is (shortened) the output of the previous command. If you type the previous command without the section after the pipe you will see the full key.

  • If you wish to try out the E17 beta, you will also need to download it's gpg key:
          wget -q http://lut1n.ifrance.com/repo_key.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
  • Refresh packages list:
         sudo aptitude update


  • Modify the default Ubuntu sources.list only if you understand what you're doing. Mixing repositories can break your system.

Ubuntu ScreenShot and related guide

Where to view Ubuntu screenshots / screencast

Where to view Kubuntu screenshots / screencast

Where to view Xubuntu screenshots / screencast

Where to look for new programs

Where to look for style elements for your desktop

Are there other *buntu guides?

Upgrade Ubuntu Edgy to Ubuntu Feisty