How to Optimize KDE Desktop Effects

KDE desktop effectsSince its official inclusion in KDE, the Desktop Effects component of KWin has received mixed reviews. Many of the negative reviews point to performance problems, some of which are the result of the dramatically diverse offering of Linux drivers available for graphics cards.

Not all graphics cards are equal, but one would expect them to perform the same or close to the same on one operating system as they do on another. Unfortunately, the lack of cooperation from some graphics chip manufacturers and the slow development of some open source drivers have created an environment where every user’s experience may be different.
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Steel Storm: Burning Retribution Review

Steel Storm Burning Retribution artOnce in a while, an indie game comes out that reminds us that great games need not come from huge companies with large development budgets. Steel Storm was one such game, as my previous review of Steel Storm: Episode I highlighted.

The developers of Steel Storm, Kot-in-Action Creative Artel are back again with the next installment, Steel Storm: Burning Retribution. The formula is still the same, an action-packed top-down shooter with strategy elements woven throughout. This time around, there are new weapons, more maps, new enemies, new missions, bonus campaigns, and new multiplayer features.  Steel Storm: Burning Retribution also includes Episode I, so you can play it again or, if you are new to the game, for the first time.
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Steel Storm Indie Game Review

White ship icon for Steel Storm with red backgroundAs the indie game market continues to grow, we thought it would be timely to kick off 2011 with another game review. Steel Storm, a game produced by a small company called Kot in Action Creative Artel, is a top-down arcade shooter that puts you in control of a small futuristic aircraft. Like the addictive space shooters of the past, Steel Storm keeps the action and explosions coming.

Steel Storm: Episode I is available for free download for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Episode II is still in beta, but those who pre-order at a reduced price can play the beta version now. This review will cover Episode I.
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Linux Game Review: Sun Blast

Sun Blast logoRemember those insane arcade games that kept you up all night, blasting away at ship after ship, leading up to a showdown with a massive star destroyer that relentlessly hurled various dangerous objects at you? More than likely, the game you remember offered a 2D top-down or side-scrolling view of space. But now take a moment to imagine all of that in 3D.

Sun Blast is a cross-platform, independent game from OBLONE Software that offers you exactly that experience. With it, you will feel like you are immersed in the arcade action, as space debris, enemy vessels, and menacing star ships all take aim at you.
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Using Compiz As A Window Management Tool

compwin-mainYou’ve seen the wobbly windows, you’ve seen the cube, you’ve seen the raindrops. Compiz is just a bunch of useless eye candy right? Wrong. While the flashy effects get most of the attention, Compiz is a top-notch window manager in its own right. In fact, it’s got so many workspace and window management tools that many people use Compiz for years without ever knowing about some of the most useful features. This guide will cover each of the best window management plugins for Compiz and explain how each can be used to create a more productive desktop, with or without wobbly windows.
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Get Compiz-like 3D Effects In Your Firefox

foxtab-mainIf you are into eye-candy and are always looking for ways to impress your non-geek friends with 3D graphical effects, here is another one to add to your collection. FoxTab is a Firefox extension that transforms Firefox into a 3D browser with Compiz-like graphical effects.

The good thing about FoxTab is that it is cross platform compatible (works in Windows, Linux and Mac) and it doesn’t require a high end computer to run. I got it to work in my netbook and it runs without any lag.
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Reinvent Your Desktop With BumpTop

bumptop-logoAre you already tired of your plain, ugly desktop? Have you thought of spicing it up a little bit, perhaps change it into 3D perspective and put your graphics card to full use? If that is so, then BumpTop is definitely the one for you.

BumpTop is a software that transforms your desktop into a fun and intuitive 3D desktop. It allows you to maximize your screen real estate by providing several walls that you can pin your stuffs onto and also keeps you organized and stay productive with several useful file/folder management tricks.

BumpTop is currently available for Windows and Mac. Linux users, I am sorry, you have no luck here.
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