Linux

You have probably noticed how the Magic Lamp minimize effect has been disabled by default in Ubuntu Hardy. I'm not sure why this is but it's not that hard to add back.

The first thing you need to do is install the Compiz Settings Manager using Synaptic.

So once you have the Compiz Settings Manager installed, do the following:

1.) System->Preferences->Advanced Desktop Effects Settings
2.) Once in ADES, click on Animations under the Effects category.
3.) Let's say you want the Magic Lamp effect for the Minimize action. Choose the Minimize Action tab and click on the Add button below the Animation Selection box.
4.) In the Edit window, choose the Magic Lamp effect from the dropdown menu. Set the duration to 400.
5.) Paste this
Quote:
(type=Normal | Dialog | ModalDialog | Utility | Unknown)
to the Window Match input box in the Edit window and click OK.
6.) Click the Up button with Magic Lamp effect selected in the Animation Selection box to make it the default effect instead of Zoom.

That should do it!

When Ubuntu Linux is loaded on many laptops, the sound does not work initially. This is true for the Gateway MX7118. So what's up? Well, it's pretty simple. Linux is sending the sound to an external speaker. The problem is that you don't have an external speaker. So here is how to fix the issue.

1) Double click on the speaker icon in the System Tray to bring up the mixer.

2) Go into preferences and make sure that "External Amplifier" is selected to show on the mixer.

3) When you go back to the mixer, you will have a new tab "Switches." Select that tab.

4) Uncheck the only box on that tab. It's the box marked external amplifier.

5) Close mixer. Your sound will now work!

For more info, go to ubuntuforums.com

Ok, lately I've been playing around a LOT with Linux. I have a Gateway MX7118 that I use as my main computer. In the past few weeks I have reloaded it several times going back and forth between Linux and Windows Media Center. I have also used VMWARE to run a virtual version of both. I have really settled with UBUNTU. It's easy to load and there is a lot of documentation available on their forums.

Linux isn't always the easiest OS to work with. It really stinks in the area of wireless networking, but that is coming along too though. But, it is an amazing OS. It's ultra stable. There are thousands of free apps available. Overall, this has been a great experience for me.

I'll be blogging about my experience in the near future.