This blog has been upgraded to WordPress 2.3. It is recommended to upgrade because this release addressed a lot of bug. Details can be found here.

New features include:

1. Tagging – I used to have Ultimate Tag Warrior. Need some time to study on this.
2. Update Notification – You will be notified whenever a new release of WordPress is available, and new release of plugins.
3. Improved post and draft management – New “Pending Review” option.

For more details, please check here.

Here’s a list of plugins which I have also upgraded.

1. HeadSpace2
2. Sociable
3. WP Contact Form
4. WordPress Database Backup
5. Google Sitemap Generator

Please leave a comment here if you find any problem in this blog. Thank you.

This blog has been upgraded to WordPress 2.3. It is recommended to upgrade because this release addressed a lot of bug. Details can be found here.

New features include:

1. Tagging – I used to have Ultimate Tag Warrior. Need some time to study on this.
2. Update Notification – You will be notified whenever a new release of WordPress is available, and new release of plugins.
3. Improved post and draft management – New “Pending Review” option.

For more details, please check here.

Here’s a list of plugins which I have also upgraded.

1. HeadSpace2
2. Sociable
3. WP Contact Form
4. WordPress Database Backup
5. Google Sitemap Generator

Please leave a comment here if you find any problem in this blog. Thank you.

I use my debian box to physically connect to the device with usb cable. Setting up the printer should be as easy as my previous HP PSC 1400 how-to. There’s one extra package needs to be installed for this model.

• hpijs-ppds

This is a collection of HP printers’ ppd files. 5610 appears to be in it.

Sharing HP Officejet 5610

Following my previous how-to, the device should be running fine on the Linux platform. Now let’s share it on the local network. Here’s my Samba config file for printers.

[global]
printing = cups               # tell samba that we'd like CUPS for printing
printcap name = cups

[printers]
comment = All Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
create mask = 0700
printable = Yes
browseable = No

[print$]
comment = Printer Drivers
path = /var/lib/samba/printers

[HP_OfficeJet_5610]
printable = Yes
printer name = HP_OfficeJet_5610
guest ok = yes
use client driver = yes
path = /var/spool/samba
printing = cups

[color=red]Note: Add necessary lines instead of copy and paste, do not remove your original config lines.[/color]

Restart your samba service after editing the config file.

/etc/init.d/samba restart

Installing HP Officejet 5610 as network printer on Windows

On Windows machine, we need to locate the device. Use Windows Explorer and search your network. For fast access I always input following line in the address bar.

\\\\ip_or_hostname\\

You should see a printer name “HP_Officejet_5610″(as my samba settings). Double click on the printer will prompt you dialog to install the printer’s driver. Unfortunately, bundled installation cd has no available driver for user to extract. We have to look for alternative here.

Thanks so much to the CUPS team, they have a windows version of CUPS driver available. You can download it here. Download the .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 version on to your windows machine. Extract the file to somewhere on your desktop.

During the selection of driver, click “Have Disk”, and browse to the latest extracted folder, the driver file will be “cups-windows-6.0\\i386\\cups6.inf“, and there you go, print your test page.

You can repeat this step on any other windows machine you wish to access the printer.

Here’s a test page of Windows XP using CUPS driver.

Please share your experience with me.

References:

http://www.mail-archive.com/hplip-help@lists.sourceforge.net/msg03674.html
http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=19385&start=0

Sorry I’ve been busy with a lot of paper works lately. I just bought a HP Officejet 5610 and has been printing quite a lot documents. This is an ALL IN ONE series, has the capability of scan, print and fax, ideal solution for small business environment. My previous HP PSC 1400 is passed to another friend.

I use my debian box to physically connect to the device with usb cable. Setting up the printer should be as easy as my previous HP PSC 1400 how-to. There’s one extra package needs to be installed for this model.

• hpijs-ppds

This is a collection of HP printers’ ppd files. 5610 appears to be in it.

Sharing HP Officejet 5610

Following my previous how-to, the device should be running fine on the Linux platform. Now let’s share it on the local network. Here’s my Samba config file for printers.

[global]
printing = cups               # tell samba that we'd like CUPS for printing
printcap name = cups

[printers]
comment = All Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
create mask = 0700
printable = Yes
browseable = No

[print$]
comment = Printer Drivers
path = /var/lib/samba/printers

[HP_OfficeJet_5610]
printable = Yes
printer name = HP_OfficeJet_5610
guest ok = yes
use client driver = yes
path = /var/spool/samba
printing = cups

[color=red]Note: Add necessary lines instead of copy and paste, do not remove your original config lines.[/color]

Restart your samba service after editing the config file.

/etc/init.d/samba restart

Installing HP Officejet 5610 as network printer on Windows

On Windows machine, we need to locate the device. Use Windows Explorer and search your network. For fast access I always input following line in the address bar.

\\\\ip_or_hostname\\

You should see a printer name “HP_Officejet_5610″(as my samba settings). Double click on the printer will prompt you dialog to install the printer’s driver. Unfortunately, bundled installation cd has no available driver for user to extract. We have to look for alternative here.

Thanks so much to the CUPS team, they have a windows version of CUPS driver available. You can download it here. Download the .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 version on to your windows machine. Extract the file to somewhere on your desktop.

During the selection of driver, click “Have Disk”, and browse to the latest extracted folder, the driver file will be “cups-windows-6.0\\i386\\cups6.inf“, and there you go, print your test page.

You can repeat this step on any other windows machine you wish to access the printer.

Here’s a test page of Windows XP using CUPS driver.

Please share your experience with me.

References:

http://www.mail-archive.com/hplip-help@lists.sourceforge.net/msg03674.html
http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=19385&start=0

AmaroK with lyrics auto-loaded.

Locale Settings

First, you have to make sure that your locale environment is setup properly. In my environment, I’m able to input chinese(big5 or GB) and English, switching with hotkey CTRL-SPACE. Files can be saved in chinese file names(big5 or GB). It is useful if you can save your chinese music files in chinese file names, I will tell you why later.

Download This Script, Lyrics CN

This script is created by sanfanling. He’s uploaded the script to kde-apps.org. Many thanks to him.

However, the original version did not work properly for me. I had to tweak a small portion of the codes to make it work in my environment. Download my tweaked version here.(Please change the file name to ‘Lyrics_CN.amarokscript.tar.gz‘ after download, strange WordPress behaviour). It is a python script, you will need to have python installed on your system.

Install Lyrics CN

After you have the Lyrics_CN.amarokscript.tar.gz in place, open your AmaroK -> Tools -> Script Manager
. Click on ‘Install Script’ button to browse the location of the .tar.gz file and open it. Highlight the “Lyrics_CN” entry in the script list and click on “Run”.

How does it work

This script will make use of your media’s title, artist, and album tag information, send a query to various lyrics databases, including mp3.baidu.com, sohu.com, yahoo.com.cn, lyrc.com.ar and hk.music.yahoo.com. It is crucial that you have your media’s tags organized, so there is sufficient information for the query. Successfully loaded lyrics will be displayed in Context Browser -> Lyrics tab. The script will send query to baidu.com as default, if the lyric is not found, you will have options to search from sohu.com or yahoo.com.

Tips for Chinese Media Files

Always store your media files in chinese file names. For example, I always save music albums this way “Artist – Album/trackNo.title.mp3″, then make use of the “Guess Tags from filename” button in Track Information. In this way I don’t have to input the tags manually. Filename scheme for above file saving technique will be “%artist – %album/%track.%title“, make use of this feature will save you a lot of time.

As For Windows

Sorry, AmaroK is not for Windows. If you can read mandarin, and don’t mind using a full mandarin program, please try ttplayer. It has a very cool line by line lyric display feature.

Share your experience with me please.

My second AmaroK entry, you can look at the first entry here. Auto loading lyrics has been an useful feature in AmaroK, it really saves a lot of time for me.

AmaroK with lyrics auto-loaded.

Locale Settings

First, you have to make sure that your locale environment is setup properly. In my environment, I’m able to input chinese(big5 or GB) and English, switching with hotkey CTRL-SPACE. Files can be saved in chinese file names(big5 or GB). It is useful if you can save your chinese music files in chinese file names, I will tell you why later.

Download This Script, Lyrics CN

This script is created by sanfanling. He’s uploaded the script to kde-apps.org. Many thanks to him.

However, the original version did not work properly for me. I had to tweak a small portion of the codes to make it work in my environment. Download my tweaked version here.(Please change the file name to ‘Lyrics_CN.amarokscript.tar.gz‘ after download, strange WordPress behaviour). It is a python script, you will need to have python installed on your system.

Install Lyrics CN

After you have the Lyrics_CN.amarokscript.tar.gz in place, open your AmaroK -> Tools -> Script Manager
. Click on ‘Install Script’ button to browse the location of the .tar.gz file and open it. Highlight the “Lyrics_CN” entry in the script list and click on “Run”.

How does it work

This script will make use of your media’s title, artist, and album tag information, send a query to various lyrics databases, including mp3.baidu.com, sohu.com, yahoo.com.cn, lyrc.com.ar and hk.music.yahoo.com. It is crucial that you have your media’s tags organized, so there is sufficient information for the query. Successfully loaded lyrics will be displayed in Context Browser -> Lyrics tab. The script will send query to baidu.com as default, if the lyric is not found, you will have options to search from sohu.com or yahoo.com.

Tips for Chinese Media Files

Always store your media files in chinese file names. For example, I always save music albums this way “Artist – Album/trackNo.title.mp3″, then make use of the “Guess Tags from filename” button in Track Information. In this way I don’t have to input the tags manually. Filename scheme for above file saving technique will be “%artist – %album/%track.%title“, make use of this feature will save you a lot of time.

As For Windows

Sorry, AmaroK is not for Windows. If you can read mandarin, and don’t mind using a full mandarin program, please try ttplayer. It has a very cool line by line lyric display feature.

Share your experience with me please.

Most users are not aware that, there are also Linux native games available on the market. For example, Quake, Unreal Tournament 2004, and my favorite Neverwinter Nights. All these have Linux native versions available.

This is a list consists of 371 Linux native games, free or commercial, compiled by Zakk from icculus.org. Please spend your time go through it and see if you can find any of your taste. The list here.

Most Linux users will have the impression that gaming on Linux will more or less involve Wine, to run Windows native games on Linux. Some hardcore Linux gamers prefer Cedega, a paid service offered by Transgaming Technology, developed based on Wine.

Most users are not aware that, there are also Linux native games available on the market. For example, Quake, Unreal Tournament 2004, and my favorite Neverwinter Nights. All these have Linux native versions available.

This is a list consists of 371 Linux native games, free or commercial, compiled by Zakk from icculus.org. Please spend your time go through it and see if you can find any of your taste. The list here.

DeKorator

DeKorator is a KDE native window decoration, consider it as a kwin-style plugin, because installing it will not give you anything visually. You will need to find its related theme online, DeKorator themes.

The program is available in Debian Unstable repository, kwin-style-dekorator. Use your favorite package manager to install it. Once it is installed, you should be able to select it in Control Center -> Appearance & Themes -> Window Decorations. Now look at the interface.

DeKorator Theme Installation

New DeKorator themes can be installed using the “Install Theme” button. All you need to do is copy and paste the download link from kde-look.org into the pop up window. You can find the list here. For example, let’s choose Plastic for DeKorator. Just right click and copy the download link and paste it into the pop up window after you click on “Install theme”. Once the theme is installed, highlight it in the list and click on “Set Theme Path” button, and then apply, you will be good to go.

Alternative Installation Method

The Install Theme Button did not work for me somehow, but this is Linux hey! After a little bit of testing, I’ve found out an alternative way to get DeKorator themes installed. Just download the theme file(.tar.gz or .tar.bz2), save it somewhere on your desktop. Extract the file into ~/.kde/share/apps/deKorator/themes, and open up Control Center, the theme will be in the list, just set the theme path and there you go again.

Note: The directory name of the theme must be ended with “theme”. So in the path, it will look like this “~/.kde/share/apps/deKorator/themes/Plastic-theme”. This is specified in the DeKorator’s help file.

Share your experience with me please. I’m currently using the Theme-Manager’s theme, Smooth Gray.

Yes, back with some tweaks on my debian box. For someone who faces monitor most of the time, boring desktop can kill the day. This is another post for the KDE desktop fans, look at this window decoration.

DeKorator

DeKorator is a KDE native window decoration, consider it as a kwin-style plugin, because installing it will not give you anything visually. You will need to find its related theme online, DeKorator themes.

The program is available in Debian Unstable repository, kwin-style-dekorator. Use your favorite package manager to install it. Once it is installed, you should be able to select it in Control Center -> Appearance & Themes -> Window Decorations. Now look at the interface.

DeKorator Theme Installation

New DeKorator themes can be installed using the “Install Theme” button. All you need to do is copy and paste the download link from kde-look.org into the pop up window. You can find the list here. For example, let’s choose Plastic for DeKorator. Just right click and copy the download link and paste it into the pop up window after you click on “Install theme”. Once the theme is installed, highlight it in the list and click on “Set Theme Path” button, and then apply, you will be good to go.

Alternative Installation Method

The Install Theme Button did not work for me somehow, but this is Linux hey! After a little bit of testing, I’ve found out an alternative way to get DeKorator themes installed. Just download the theme file(.tar.gz or .tar.bz2), save it somewhere on your desktop. Extract the file into ~/.kde/share/apps/deKorator/themes, and open up Control Center, the theme will be in the list, just set the theme path and there you go again.

Note: The directory name of the theme must be ended with “theme”. So in the path, it will look like this “~/.kde/share/apps/deKorator/themes/Plastic-theme”. This is specified in the DeKorator’s help file.

Share your experience with me please. I’m currently using the Theme-Manager’s theme, Smooth Gray.

Surprisingly, logging of Thunderbird has to be done outside the program. Here’s how I did it, on both Debian and Windows machine.

On Debian

All you need to do is prepare a shell script on your desktop, double click it to run Thunderbird instead of your previous desktop icon. Name the file runTB.sh, or any name you prefer.
[code]
#!/bin/sh

MYDATE=`date "+%Y%m%d_%H%M%S"`
NSPR_LOG_MODULES=POP3:4,SMTP:4
NSPR_LOG_FILE=~/Desktop/icedove_${MYDATE}.log
export NSPR_LOG_MODULES NSPR_LOG_FILE

/usr/bin/icedove &
exit $?
[/code]

As simple as that. Please remember that the name “icedove” is a fork of Thunderbird in Debian. You should not be using this if you are using other distros.

On Windows

Similar approach, we are going to create a Batch file here. Create a text file, name it runTB.txt or any name you prefer. Input following codes into the txt file.
[code]
set mydate=%date:~-4,4%%date:~-7,2%%date:~-10,2%
set mytime=%time:~0,2%%time:~+3,2%

set NSPR_LOG_MODULES=POP3:4,SMTP:4
set NSPR_LOG_FILE=C:\\TBLog\\TB_%mydate%_%mytime%.log
start thunderbird
[/code]

After editing the txt file, change its file extension to .bat instead of .txt. Please note that the log file location can be changed based on your preference.

Available Protocol Options

According to Mozilla Page, available protocols for logging are: IMAP, POP3, NNTP, or SMTP. There is another option “ALL“, which will dump everything into the log file. Use it wisely.

Available Logging Levels

According to above help page. There are,

• 0 = Nothing
• 1 = Always printed
• 2 = error messages
• 3 = warning messages
• 4 = debug messages

Actually, there is also 5, which they did not document. Just take it this way, the greater the number, the more detail will get printed in the log file.

If you need help to understand the log file, please take a look at this page. Please send in your feedback.

References:

http://www.mozilla.org/quality/mailnews/mail-troubleshoot.html
http://wiki.dovecot.org/Debugging/Thunderbird
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_logging_for_mail/news

Often you will find yourself in situation that needs a little bit of debugging. I am today, something in my Icedove mail client(thunderbird) is not right, keeps connecting to the server with 15 – 30 connections at the same time, so I wanted to know what’s going on. I figured maybe there will be some options available in the program, however, it’s not there.

Surprisingly, logging of Thunderbird has to be done outside the program. Here’s how I did it, on both Debian and Windows machine.

On Debian

All you need to do is prepare a shell script on your desktop, double click it to run Thunderbird instead of your previous desktop icon. Name the file runTB.sh, or any name you prefer.
[code]
#!/bin/sh

MYDATE=`date "+%Y%m%d_%H%M%S"`
NSPR_LOG_MODULES=POP3:4,SMTP:4
NSPR_LOG_FILE=~/Desktop/icedove_${MYDATE}.log
export NSPR_LOG_MODULES NSPR_LOG_FILE

/usr/bin/icedove &
exit $?
[/code]

As simple as that. Please remember that the name “icedove” is a fork of Thunderbird in Debian. You should not be using this if you are using other distros.

On Windows

Similar approach, we are going to create a Batch file here. Create a text file, name it runTB.txt or any name you prefer. Input following codes into the txt file.
[code]
set mydate=%date:~-4,4%%date:~-7,2%%date:~-10,2%
set mytime=%time:~0,2%%time:~+3,2%

set NSPR_LOG_MODULES=POP3:4,SMTP:4
set NSPR_LOG_FILE=C:\\TBLog\\TB_%mydate%_%mytime%.log
start thunderbird
[/code]

After editing the txt file, change its file extension to .bat instead of .txt. Please note that the log file location can be changed based on your preference.

Available Protocol Options

According to Mozilla Page, available protocols for logging are: IMAP, POP3, NNTP, or SMTP. There is another option “ALL“, which will dump everything into the log file. Use it wisely.

Available Logging Levels

According to above help page. There are,

• 0 = Nothing
• 1 = Always printed
• 2 = error messages
• 3 = warning messages
• 4 = debug messages

Actually, there is also 5, which they did not document. Just take it this way, the greater the number, the more detail will get printed in the log file.

If you need help to understand the log file, please take a look at this page. Please send in your feedback.

References:

http://www.mozilla.org/quality/mailnews/mail-troubleshoot.html
http://wiki.dovecot.org/Debugging/Thunderbird
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_logging_for_mail/news

Think Thick, however, has gathered some facts, for those who really want to try out Linux. I’ll quote the 10 facts here.

1. The basic installation of most mainstream Linux distributions is very easy, but a first time user might run into trouble when trying to depart from the defaults.
2. If you want a proper Linux installation, you are going to have to mess around with the partition table.
3. You will have to learn how to use the command line.
4. All those pretty effects of wobbly windows and cube desktops require some work from the user.
5. Yes, more hardware works with Linux than with Windows. No, not all hardware works 100% like it’s supposed to.
6. If you need/want to install a package not included in the repositories, or install from source, you might need to do some research.
7. Most mainstream software manufacturers forget about Linux.
8. Linux is not for the meek of heart.
9. Linux is almost entirely virus/trojan/spyware free, but you will still need some kind of protection.
10. Linux assumes that you are an intelligent person.

How’s that sound? Read the full article here.

I’m a Linux supporter, went through a lot of learning process to get where I am today, never looked back ever since. I often encourage friends, family, business contact to try Linux, with tone like “It’s just that easy!!”, without telling them the time and sweat. I thought it’s a common sense, that you have to learn it, if it’s new to you. Unfortunately this is not the case, people tends to expect everything just work out of the box. So, my experience is, don’t tell someone about Linux, when he/she asks about how to connect to Internet with Windows.

Think Thick, however, has gathered some facts, for those who really want to try out Linux. I’ll quote the 10 facts here.

1. The basic installation of most mainstream Linux distributions is very easy, but a first time user might run into trouble when trying to depart from the defaults.
2. If you want a proper Linux installation, you are going to have to mess around with the partition table.
3. You will have to learn how to use the command line.
4. All those pretty effects of wobbly windows and cube desktops require some work from the user.
5. Yes, more hardware works with Linux than with Windows. No, not all hardware works 100% like it’s supposed to.
6. If you need/want to install a package not included in the repositories, or install from source, you might need to do some research.
7. Most mainstream software manufacturers forget about Linux.
8. Linux is not for the meek of heart.
9. Linux is almost entirely virus/trojan/spyware free, but you will still need some kind of protection.
10. Linux assumes that you are an intelligent person.

How’s that sound? Read the full article here.

Compiz is OpenGL-based compositing and window-manager for Linux. Sort of 3D Desktop, like what you get in Windows Vista, only it has relatively more features and plugins. It is pretty much in development, so some tweaks have to be made in order to make it work. Ubuntu has it integrated in the desktop environment pretty well I’ve heard. Let’s get on to it.

First, get these packages in the Unstable pool. Apply necessary dependency.

• compiz
• compiz-core
• compiz-gnome
• compiz-gtk
• compiz-kde
• compiz-plugins
• libdecoration0
• gconf-editor

Please be informed that you must have the latest Nvidia video driver installed.(I’m using Nvidia 1.0.9755-1 as of writing)

You need to edit your xorg.conf at /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Please do not copy and paste the following entirely, add in lines section by section.

Section "Extensions"
        Option          "Composite"             "enable"
EndSection

I did not have “Extensions” section in the conf, this is a whole new section.

Section "InputDevice"
#key board section
        Option          "XkbOptions"    "altwin:super_win"
EndSection

Applying a new key to your keyboard’s “Window Key”, it’s called the “Super Key”.

Section "Device"
        Option          "AllowGLXWithComposite"         "true"
        Option          "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"         "true"
EndSection

Applying GLX in the device section.

Section "Screen"
        Option          "AddARGBGLXVisuals"             "true"
        Option          "DisableGLXRootClipping"        "true"
EndSection

Another 2 values in Screen section.

After applying the changes above, restart your X by holding CRTL + ALT + BACKSPACE.

Now in your KDE desktop, open Konsole and type

compiz --replace gconf & kde-window-decorator &

[color=red]NOTE: It’s two dashes “––” for “––replace”[/color]
You should now notice when you minimize or maximize window, it has the wobbly effect. If something is not right, for example you don’t see borders for your window. Simply switch back to kwin with this command

kwin --replace

Additional Compiz Configurations

To achieve more satisfying results from Compiz, you can tweak its config with gconf-editor. Simply type gconf-editor in Konsole. Compiz config is in apps > compiz > general > allscreens > options

Active plugins is where you specify the plugins you would like to use, simply edit the key and add in value(refer to apps > compiz > plugins). Plugins I’ve found useful are screenshot, png, fade, minimize. Please do not remove those enabled by default.

Compiz General Features

1. Zoom – Super Key(the “Windows” key) + Mouse Wheel.
   Wonderful feature when viewing web pages, direct zoom for better visuals.
2. Transparency – Mouse over a window, then ALT + Mouse Wheel Down.
   Useful when you want to keep a window opened in full size but still need to refer to another window’s content.
3. Expose – Point your mouse to the TOP RIGHT CORNER of your screens.
   This is another useful features when you have many windows opened at once without minimizing them. You can get to the window you want right away.
4. Screenshot – Super Key + Left-Click Drag(Select a region)
   Instant png saved to your desktop, just the area you selected! How cool is that? No need to edit with GIMP for desired image anymore.

These are the features I find useful for a power desktop user. Of course there are more, you can check in the sources I list down below.

Autostart Compiz with KDE

In order to start compiz automatically when log on to KDE. Create a new file ~/.kde/Autostart/compiz.desktop, with the following content

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=compiz --replace gconf & kde-window-decorator &
GenericName[en_US]=
StartupNotify=false
Terminal=false
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-KDE-autostart-after=kdesktop

That’s it, kind of troublesome but it definitely worths it. Please discuss with me if you have any tip or encounter any problem.

Sources:
http://compiz.org/How_to_compile_and_run_Compiz_for_nvidia_card_users
http://wiki.debian.org/Compiz
http://technowizah.com/2006/10/debian-how-to-aiglx-compiz.html

It’s been a while since I wrote about Debian, I don’t have much time to try anything new recently so I just use it as it is. During my latest package update, I’ve found out that Compiz has been added into the Unstable repository. Quite an exciting finding to me, I’m always into desktop eye candy.

Compiz is OpenGL-based compositing and window-manager for Linux. Sort of 3D Desktop, like what you get in Windows Vista, only it has relatively more features and plugins. It is pretty much in development, so some tweaks have to be made in order to make it work. Ubuntu has it integrated in the desktop environment pretty well I’ve heard. Let’s get on to it.

First, get these packages in the Unstable pool. Apply necessary dependency.

• compiz
• compiz-core
• compiz-gnome
• compiz-gtk
• compiz-kde
• compiz-plugins
• libdecoration0
• gconf-editor

Please be informed that you must have the latest Nvidia video driver installed.(I’m using Nvidia 1.0.9755-1 as of writing)

You need to edit your xorg.conf at /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Please do not copy and paste the following entirely, add in lines section by section.

Section "Extensions"
        Option          "Composite"             "enable"
EndSection

I did not have “Extensions” section in the conf, this is a whole new section.

Section "InputDevice"
#key board section
        Option          "XkbOptions"    "altwin:super_win"
EndSection

Applying a new key to your keyboard’s “Window Key”, it’s called the “Super Key”.

Section "Device"
        Option          "AllowGLXWithComposite"         "true"
        Option          "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"         "true"
EndSection

Applying GLX in the device section.

Section "Screen"
        Option          "AddARGBGLXVisuals"             "true"
        Option          "DisableGLXRootClipping"        "true"
EndSection

Another 2 values in Screen section.

After applying the changes above, restart your X by holding CRTL + ALT + BACKSPACE.

Now in your KDE desktop, open Konsole and type

compiz --replace gconf & kde-window-decorator &

[color=red]NOTE: It’s two dashes “––” for “––replace”[/color]
You should now notice when you minimize or maximize window, it has the wobbly effect. If something is not right, for example you don’t see borders for your window. Simply switch back to kwin with this command

kwin --replace

Additional Compiz Configurations

To achieve more satisfying results from Compiz, you can tweak its config with gconf-editor. Simply type gconf-editor in Konsole. Compiz config is in apps > compiz > general > allscreens > options

Active plugins is where you specify the plugins you would like to use, simply edit the key and add in value(refer to apps > compiz > plugins). Plugins I’ve found useful are screenshot, png, fade, minimize. Please do not remove those enabled by default.

Compiz General Features

1. Zoom – Super Key(the “Windows” key) + Mouse Wheel.
   Wonderful feature when viewing web pages, direct zoom for better visuals.
2. Transparency – Mouse over a window, then ALT + Mouse Wheel Down.
   Useful when you want to keep a window opened in full size but still need to refer to another window’s content.
3. Expose – Point your mouse to the TOP RIGHT CORNER of your screens.
   This is another useful features when you have many windows opened at once without minimizing them. You can get to the window you want right away.
4. Screenshot – Super Key + Left-Click Drag(Select a region)
   Instant png saved to your desktop, just the area you selected! How cool is that? No need to edit with GIMP for desired image anymore.

These are the features I find useful for a power desktop user. Of course there are more, you can check in the sources I list down below.

Autostart Compiz with KDE

In order to start compiz automatically when log on to KDE. Create a new file ~/.kde/Autostart/compiz.desktop, with the following content

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=compiz --replace gconf & kde-window-decorator &
GenericName[en_US]=
StartupNotify=false
Terminal=false
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-KDE-autostart-after=kdesktop

That’s it, kind of troublesome but it definitely worths it. Please discuss with me if you have any tip or encounter any problem.

Sources:
http://compiz.org/How_to_compile_and_run_Compiz_for_nvidia_card_users
http://wiki.debian.org/Compiz
http://technowizah.com/2006/10/debian-how-to-aiglx-compiz.html

Today, when I stumbled upon this stunning page of Microsoft, I can’t help but to share it with all of you. I’m not going to make the link active here, please copy and paste if you may.
[code]http://www.microsoft.com/canada/getthefacts/default.mspx[/code]

Go read, and then laugh. I couldn’t help thinking is this a April’s Fool prank page that they forgot to remove? Now they are talking about reliability? Actually I wanted to conduct a detail survey, maybe one or two friends about their Windows 2k, or 2003 servers. How is the performance, the speed, or the reliability. You know, stuffs like that. Unfortunately, after searching my contact list, I couldn’t find anyone is using or maintaining a Windows server.

Okay, maybe you’ll say I’m one tiny prick that cannot afford Microsoft’s product and all I do is whining. You’re right, I cannot afford to buy Windows 95, then Windows 98, then Windows ME, then Windows XP, then Windows Vista, and I also cannot afford, Office 97, then Office XP, then Office 2003 and then Office 2007. There are many others I cannot afford too

• I cannot afford the frustration of BSOD(Blue Screen of Death)
• I cannot afford the stupidity of security hole that let MBLAST to auto shutdown my computer
• I cannot afford the time automatic update has to restart my computer.
• I cannot afford the cost to actually play a DVD on my computer

And so on.

Now you guys really need to get THE REAL FACTS. Google for “company that uses linux” or something like that. Don’t be fooled by this ridiculous page of Microsoft.

Here’s a list I’ve found
http://mtechit.com/linux-biz/

Also stumbled upon a blog entry of Sarah, “Everyone uses Linux“. You should visit her dad’s website too. Title of the site reads “free the people, too”, disclaimer of the site reads “This is not a commercial site. I’m not trying to sell you anything. Except maybe the idea that not everything is for sale.”. Pretty much the idea I want to share.

If you have read my previous post “Microsoft is Tripping“, you should more or less getting the idea that Microsoft is seeing Open Source Software as its No.1 threat in the market. Until now I have not heard any news about the infringement case, most likely they’ve learned the fact that they do not have a case unless they are willing to publish the “possible” alleged patents.

Today, when I stumbled upon this stunning page of Microsoft, I can’t help but to share it with all of you. I’m not going to make the link active here, please copy and paste if you may.
[code]http://www.microsoft.com/canada/getthefacts/default.mspx[/code]

Go read, and then laugh. I couldn’t help thinking is this a April’s Fool prank page that they forgot to remove? Now they are talking about reliability? Actually I wanted to conduct a detail survey, maybe one or two friends about their Windows 2k, or 2003 servers. How is the performance, the speed, or the reliability. You know, stuffs like that. Unfortunately, after searching my contact list, I couldn’t find anyone is using or maintaining a Windows server.

Okay, maybe you’ll say I’m one tiny prick that cannot afford Microsoft’s product and all I do is whining. You’re right, I cannot afford to buy Windows 95, then Windows 98, then Windows ME, then Windows XP, then Windows Vista, and I also cannot afford, Office 97, then Office XP, then Office 2003 and then Office 2007. There are many others I cannot afford too

• I cannot afford the frustration of BSOD(Blue Screen of Death)
• I cannot afford the stupidity of security hole that let MBLAST to auto shutdown my computer
• I cannot afford the time automatic update has to restart my computer.
• I cannot afford the cost to actually play a DVD on my computer

And so on.

Now you guys really need to get THE REAL FACTS. Google for “company that uses linux” or something like that. Don’t be fooled by this ridiculous page of Microsoft.

Here’s a list I’ve found
http://mtechit.com/linux-biz/

Also stumbled upon a blog entry of Sarah, “Everyone uses Linux“. You should visit her dad’s website too. Title of the site reads “free the people, too”, disclaimer of the site reads “This is not a commercial site. I’m not trying to sell you anything. Except maybe the idea that not everything is for sale.”. Pretty much the idea I want to share.

1. Linux Kernel – 42 patents
2. Linux’s User Interface – 65 patents
3. OpenOffice.org Suite – 45 patents
4. Open source email applications – 15 patents
5. Other open source softwares – 68 patents

While this claim does not sound convincing to me at all, listen to what the involved parties have to say.

1. First of all, Father of Linux, Linus Torvalds.
2. Novell
3. OpenOffice.org
4. Open Invention Network
5. And most of all, the users.

My Two Cents

A company at that level, there’s no need of any publicity to be made by this approach. They are afraid of the situation now. Dell is going distribute pc and laptops with Linux pre-installed. US Health and Human Services(HHS) department signed a major deal with novell. Open source softwares are getting more and more market share.

FUD(Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt), this is a marketing approach with no doubt. I would advice them to spend more time on Vista, maybe release the service pack sooner? Setting the wrong priority may irritate the users.

P/S: Any Vista user care to share his/her experience?

On 12 May 2007, Microsoft claimed that open source softwares violated 235 of its patents. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel, broke down the alleged violations as following.

1. Linux Kernel – 42 patents
2. Linux’s User Interface – 65 patents
3. OpenOffice.org Suite – 45 patents
4. Open source email applications – 15 patents
5. Other open source softwares – 68 patents

While this claim does not sound convincing to me at all, listen to what the involved parties have to say.

1. First of all, Father of Linux, Linus Torvalds.
2. Novell
3. OpenOffice.org
4. Open Invention Network
5. And most of all, the users.

My Two Cents

A company at that level, there’s no need of any publicity to be made by this approach. They are afraid of the situation now. Dell is going distribute pc and laptops with Linux pre-installed. US Health and Human Services(HHS) department signed a major deal with novell. Open source softwares are getting more and more market share.

FUD(Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt), this is a marketing approach with no doubt. I would advice them to spend more time on Vista, maybe release the service pack sooner? Setting the wrong priority may irritate the users.

P/S: Any Vista user care to share his/her experience?