It Came From The Internet - One Humanoid's Adventures And Findings

More Great Google Chrome Extensions

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-03-13T07:40:45Z

Not long ago I posted some Google Chrome Extensions that I found useful, but that was early on, and the developers out there have been quite busy! So here are some new ones I've stumbled across and became fond of, I choose things I'll actually use as opposed to just "that's cool" extensions.

Give 'em a whirl...

Dust Theme for Chrome (Looks great in Ubuntu 9.10)
Theme intended to compliment the Ubuntu Dust theme

Android Theme for Chrome
An unofficial Android™-inspired theme for Chrome

Chromed Bird (Twitter)
Chromed Bird is a Twitter extension that allows you to follow your timelines and interact with your Twitter account.

TV Chrome
World TV in your Google chrome browser.

AddThis!
Share to Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Posterous, Instapaper, and 200 more. Translate pages. Autoconfigs based on usage.

NPR
Listen to NPR stories as you browse the web, check the latest headlines and set up custom feeds based on a keyword.

What extensions do you love? Any good finds?

Use Shutter For Screen Capture Then Convert To PDF

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-03-12T06:11:27Z

Shutter is an excellent screen capture program that has a bunch of great effects plugins, but a useful one for even the non-designer is the ability to quickly convert an image into a pdf document. This quick video shows you how easy it is.

You might want to watch it fullscreen in 1080p for detail at YouTube. But if that's not an option, just install Shutter in your Linux distro, click the button to capture the full screen or a specific window (your choice), then click Screenshot in the menu, followed by clicking on Execute a plugin, then choose PDF Export. Save the PDF. Done!

Installing Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Alpha 3 (64bit) in Virtualbox 3.1.4 r57640

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-28T15:18:21Z

Installing Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Alpha 3 (64bit) in Virtualbox 3.1.4 r57640 from WebThingy on Vimeo.

How to install the latest Alpha version of Ubuntu's upcoming release 10.04 in Virtualbox for those who want to try out alpha software in a safe environment. The final stable version will be released on April 29, 2010.

You'll want to watch this video in HD at full screen over on the Vimeo site to be able to read everything. The part where it does the actual installing is a little dull, so when you see the slideshow of featured applications during installation, feel free to skip ahead a bit

I am excited that Lucid Lynx includes PiTiVi Video Editor! Every distro has been lacking a preloaded video editor (that works) for a looooong time and I have complained about that many times. YouTube is playing a billion videos a day but for some reason it took this long for the crowd to figure out that "average users" are using video? Yikes. Anyway, better late than never I guess!

Another thing I am pleased about is that Gwibber also comes included, and is integrated nicely into the panel. This will make for even smoother social networking and I think a lot of people are going to dig it.

There are some other nice tweaks and peaks in 10.04, and it appears to be shaping up to be a great LTS release.

There is no catchy song to go with this because I don't like being sued. Pop on a song of your choosing.

Gwibber for Twitter, Facebook, identi.ca and more!

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-23T06:20:26Z

Gwibber is an open source microblogging framework and desktop client for GNOME. You can find it in your package manager for most major distributions. Currently it supports Twitter, Identi.ca, FriendFeed, Facebook, Jaiku, Digg, Flickr, BrightKite, Qaiku, and OpenCollaboration. Word is when Google opens the Buzz API that Gwibber will include support for Buzz too.

In Ubuntu, I love that I can minimize Gwibber down to the tray on close and see bubbles with the latest updates. Being able to manage multiple Twitter accounts plus Facebook, identi.ca etc. is really convenient as well. I added Gwibber to my startup applications list so I don't even have to launch it, it's there as soon as I login to my computer. I hear you can install it on the Nokia N800, N810 and N900 too if you're willing to do some tinkering, not sure I have time for that one at the moment.

Gwibber has replaced all my other social networking clients, I just hope the Buzz support happens. Check it out, should be in your package manager.

http://live.gnome.org/Gwibber
http://twitter.com/gwibber
http://identi.ca/gwibber

New To Linux? Try These Softwares Out!

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-18T03:50:39Z

Most all of these are available in your package manager (especially if you use Ubuntu), and you should always get programs from your package manager if you can. If they aren't in your package manager you can find them online. Make sure you select the right architecture and distro for your system. A few of these might will be found in Synaptic Package Manager if they aren't in your distros on package management tool. I am primarily a GNOME, XFCE and LXDE user, so I am sure I have left many wonderful KDE programs off this list, nothing personal, you can always recommend some in the comments section. Depending on your Linux distro, some of these may work better or worse than they do on a different distro, or may require additional configuration. In Ubuntu, these all work for me well.

These are some of the applications I prefer to use and/or recommend:

Office & Desktop Publishing: OpenOffice, Scribus, PDFedit, Gnome Office, AbiWord

Email, Calendars and Organizers: Evolution, SunBird, Thunderbird,

e-Book Reader: Calibre, FBReader

Graphics: GIMP, Blender, Crystal Space, OpenOffice Draw, Inkscape, Xara Xtreme, KIconEdit

Screenshots (fancier): Shutter

FTP Programs: gFTP, Filezilla

Web Broswers: Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Midori, Flock

BitTorrent Clients: Deluge, Transmission

Finances: HomeBank, GnuCash, Eqonomize

Programming/Coding: Netbeans, Bluefish, Aptana Studio, Screem, QuantaPlus

Video Conversion: WinFF, Arista Transcoder, MakeMKV, Transmageddon, iriverter

Audio Conversion: SoundConverter, WinFF, OggConvert

Video Editing: Kdenlive, Pitivi, Avidemux, LiVES

Basic Audio Recording/Editing: Audacity, Ardour Digital Audio Workstation, GNUSound, Gnome-Sound-Recorder, Kstreamripper

Audio Tag Editors: EasyTag, ExFalso

Audio Media Manager/Players: Rhythmbox, Exaile, Listen, Banshee, gMusicBrowser

CD Burning Software: Brasero, GnomeBaker, K3B

iPod Manager: gtkPod iPod Manager

Desktop Recording/Capture: gtk-RecordMyDesktop

DVD Ripping: Thoggen, MakeMKV, AcidRip, OGMrip, dvd::rip

Audio CD Extractor: SoundJuicer, Serpentine

Media Players: VLC, Gnome Mplayer

Webcam: Cheese, Camorama

IM (multi-client): Empathy, Pidgin

Security: RKhunter, Firestarter

Science: Google Earth, Stellarium, Celestia

Font Managers: Font Matrix, Fonty Python, Font Forge

Digital Camera/Photo Managers: Picasa, F-Spot, DigiKam, gtKam

Mobile Device Browser: gMobileMedia

Journal: Lifeograph

Virtualization: Virtualbox, QEMU

Media Servers: MediaTomb, VLC

Active Directory: Likewise-Open

ISO Management: ISO Master, Furius

PS3 Controller for Flight Simulator in Google Earth

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-18T02:21:15Z

If you have seen the flight simulator that's been in Google Earth for awhile now, but didn't like using keyboard commands, and happen to have a Playstation 3 controller...good news, the sticks on the PS3 controller work well with the flight simulator. Still have to use a mouse to start it and stop it though.

I'm using Ubuntu 9.10 64bit, and I just plugged the PS3 controller into my computer with it's USB cable and it worked right away.

So, give it a try

5 Really Useful Blackberry Apps

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-17T06:37:42Z

While I'm stuck in my contract and eagerly awaiting the time when I can get a Nokia N900 running Maemo 5 or perhaps an Android phone, I have to make due with my Blackberry Curve. Which isn't a bad phone (despite the radiation) but it is a very closed and proprietary little beast unfortunately.

So, if you (or someone you know) happen to also be using a Blackberry and are looking for some really useful apps to keep you connected, here's some I recommend:

1.) Opera Mini is the little dynamo web browser that beats the pants off the Blackberry browser, and you can subscribe to and manage RSS feeds in it too! A much better and faster mobile surfing experience. (free)
http://www.opera.com/mini/

2.) BeejiveIM lets you simultaneously IM on AIM®, iChat®, MobileMe®, MSN®/Windows Live®, Yahoo!®, MySpace, GoogleTalk®, ICQ®, Jabber, and Facebook IM all from a single application. It auto reconnects if your connection is dropped, it's reliable, and is wifi support with wifi enabled phones! (30 day free trial, $9.99 for a license)
http://www.beejive.com

3.) ÜberTwitter is a powerhouse Twitter client for Blackberry that is loaded with features and is easy to setup and use. If you are a Twitter addict, or use Twitter to update your other synced social networking accounts, then you have to get ÜberTwitter! (free)
http://www.ubertwitter.com

4.) Google Mobile App gets you into Gmail, Reader, News, Picasa, Calender, Maps and more! Easy to use and clean interface that brings the best of Google quickly and easily to your phone. (free)
http://www.google.com/mobile/

5.) Pandora gives you endless music without having to take up all your storage space, this Blackberry app works great and is a must have for music lovers. (free)
http://www.pandora.com/on-the-go

Pandora, Google Mobile App, Beejive and Opera Mini are also available for other brands of phones too.

Ok, now just try not to wear your fingers down to the bone typing

Aptana Studio For Powerful Development On Linux

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-02-09T13:59:25Z

Build your web applications quickly and easily using the industry leading web application IDE -- Aptana Studio.

Aptana Studio is a complete web development environment that combines powerful authoring tools for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with thousands of additional plugins created by the community.

Studio Highlights

Unified Editing for Web Apps
Aptana Studio's editors provide world-class HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code completion, reference, and validation at your fingertips.

Ajax and JavaScript Libraries
Get unrivaled support for popular libraries including jQuery, Prototype, YUI, dojo, Ext JS, MooTools, and others.

Ruby on Rails, Python and PHP
Add powerful plugins and ready-to-use runtimes for Ruby on Rails, Python and PHP. Eclipse users can easily add Studio as a plugin.

Desktop Ajax
Use your skills to create desktop web applications with our plugin for Adobe AIR.

Free, Open Source and Cross Platform
Download Aptana Studio for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Both the standalone and Eclipse plugin distributions are free, open source software.

Yeah, it's in there.
Multi-browser previews, SQL database tools, an awesome JavaScript debugger, server tail views, and tons more.

New Studio 2.0 File Workflow from Aptana, Inc. on Vimeo.

This video shows off the new integrated file, project, SFTP view and the new workflow associated with this view.

Aptana Studio now includes support for the AIR 2.0 Beta Runtime, including a wicked cool Memory Profiling feature. Use the little green gear icon in the toolbar to install it, but be sure to uninstall the AIR 1.5 plugin and restart first.

Note that Aptana has some issues in 64bit Linux currently that require workarounds to get it working properly, however, it's fine on 32bit systems.

Kipdola Twitter Sync posts Twitter status updates on Facebook Fan Page Wall

nospam@example.com (WebThingy) — 2010-01-26T10:22:02Z

Kipdola Twitter Sync (Kipdosync) is a beta Facebook app that works well and does what many have been searching for. It takes your status updates on Twitter and posts them to your Facebook Fan Page Wall! And no, you do NOT have to add #fb like other apps require. If that weren't enough, you can convert Twitter tags (@username) to Facebook tags, the ability to use inclusion & exclusion keyword and tweet-chaining!

To add it to your Fan Page click here, click the Add To Page link, choose your Fan Page (not your regular profile), then in your applications edit the settings to put in your Twitter username, and make sure you give the app permissions otherwise it won't work. Done!