Another entry in the installer sweepstakes is Eve Installer. Unlike other installers for Ubuntu, Eve Installer is fairly simple and fairly barebones. It’s billed as a download manager that lets you install the main programs needed for the proper functioning of our Linux system.

Eve Installer won’t appeal to many hardcore users, but anyone else should find it useful.

Let’s take a look at how to use Eve Installer.

Downloading and installing Eve Installer

Head over to the developer’s website. It’s actually more of a blog than a website, so you’ll need to search for Eve Installer. The latest version (as of this writing) is 0.9.3.51. You can download English and Spanish packages for 32-bit and 64-bit computers, and a 32-bit installer for Linux Mint.

After downloading the file, open Nautilus and find the file eve-installer-0.9.3.51-[architecture]–[language].deb, for example eve-installer-0.9.3.51-amd64-EN.deb. Double click on the file to launch the Ubuntu Software Center (or GDebi package installer). Then, click Install Package.

Once the software has been installed, you can launch it by selecting System > Administration > EveInstaller.

Installing Software

Using Eve Installer, you can add any of the following:

• Software repositories (for example, the repository for the Medibuntu distribution)
• Basic applications and essentials for your Ubunutu distribution (for example, Flash Player or Dropbox)
• System tools
• Graphics applications
• Office software
• Audio and video applications
• Internet tools (like Web browsers and chat clients)
• Themes
• Games

The software that’s available is limited, but chances are you can find something new, interesting, and useful.

So, how do you go about installing software using Eve Installer? Say that you want to install Minitube, a desktop client for viewing YouTube videos. In Eve Installer, go to Multimedia. Then click the checkbox beside the entry in the list for Minitube.

When you’re ready to go, click Apply. A terminal window opens, showing the the progress of the installation.

When the installation is complete, you’ll need to click OK on the message that appears. Note, though, that Eve Installer doesn’t always add a shortcut for the program to your Applications menu.

Removing Software

OK, let’s say that you installed an application but it’s not really what you’re looking for. How do you get rid of it? Just find the application in Eve Installer. Click the checkbox next to the name of the application to deselect it. Then, click Apply.

Sometimes, Eve Installer will display a message stating that it can’t find the package that you want to remove from your system. To get rid of it, you might have manually delete the files from your computer — I’ve found that using apt-get at the command line and running Synaptic Package Manager don’t always do the job.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Eve Installer is easy to use and can install quite a bit of useful and interesting software on your computer. The amount of software is limited, and probably won’t be enough to appeal to a long-time Ubuntu user. But if you’re new to Ubuntu and don’t want to wade through the choices in Synaptic Package Manager or Ubuntu Software Center, then you should give Eve Installer a try.

Windows users will be familiar with the popular Ninite web app that packages up your favorite apps into one installer. You just need to run the installer to install all your applications in one go. The good news is, a Linux version is now available.

Similar to the WIndows version, Ninite for Linux allows you to choose from a series of applications and it will package the applications into a deb file. Linux users (or more exactly, Debian users) can double click the deb file to install all your applications.

1. Head to Ninite for Linux.

2. Check the applications that you want (the list is rather limited now)

3. Scroll down to the end and click the “Get Installer” button. Ninite will then proceed to package the applications.

4. It will then prompt you to download the deb file. After the download, double click the deb file to run the installer.

That’s it. As easy as that.

Note: deb file can only be used on debian based distro. Distros using rpm might have to use the “alien” script to convert the deb file to rpm format.

The only caveat at this moment is that the list of applications available for selection are just too little. You can do your part by suggesting the app (on the Ninite for Linux page) that you want them to include.

Have you tried Ninite for Linux?

Since installing AppBrain and now Fast Web Installer I have completely stopped using the default Market application. I either browse through the apps directly through AppBrain or I select it to install from the AppBrain website.

1. Signing Up

First, navigate to the AppBrain website and click on “Join AppBrain today!”

AppBrain is linked to your Google account so the sign-up process requires you to input your Google username and password.

After signing in with your Google account you will have to configure a few basic options including selecting an username. This username creates an unique webpage for you to display your installed applications. You also have the option of setting your account to private if you wish (see below).

2. Install the App

Next, you must install the AppBrain App Market application on your phone.

QR Code:

3. App Usage

Once installed, launch AppBrain and select “Manage my apps”.

AppBrain will immediately load all your installed apps.

However, before you can sync the apps to the AppBrain server, you must log in with your Google account.

Note: Selecting “Sign in” launches your web browser.

After signing in you will return to the app and your apps will automatically sync with the AppBrain server.

Once the apps sync, all the installed apps on your phone are added to your account on AppBrain. Then apps that have changes (for example those that have updates) show up in the “Pending changes” list.

You can then select “Perform installs” to automatically install all the items in the “Pending changes” list. Unfortunately, versions of Android 2.1 and older do not allow apps to install automatically and you will still have to click through the menus when installing, but using AppBrain is still much faster than updating through the default Android Market app.

Finally, clicking on the red “x” gives you the option to uninstall the app, skip the current update or to skip all updates of the app.

If you click on the red “x” on the apps under the “Installed apps” list the app will immediately uninstall.

One final point is that the AppBrain App Market does not run in the background, so you must always select “Sync with AppBrain” whenever you launch the app to sync your local apps with the AppBrain server.

4. AppBrain Web Interface

The real power of AppBrain is the ability to easily install and uninstall apps from its web-interface.

From the AppBrain homepage you can select “Browse” to browse new apps, “My Apps” to view the apps on your phone, or you can use the search bar to find new apps.

The “My Apps” page shows you a list of all the your installed apps:

From this page you can uninstall your apps and set your apps list to “Public” or “Private”.

To install an app using the AppBrain web-interface, browse to the app and select “Install”

You can immediately cancel the install of this app by selecting “Cancel install”

To complete the installation process launch the AppBrain App Market app on your phone select “Manage my apps” and “Sync with AppBrain”.

The app you want to install will appear in the “Pending changes” list and you can install the app by selecting “Perform installs”.

Finally, hit “Sync with AppBrain” to ensure that everything is synced up.

4. Fast Web Install

The current process of installation takes some time as you must first navigate the website and then manually install on the phone. To speed up the process AppBrain has created a new app called Fast Web Installer.

AppBrain Link: http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.appspot.swisscodemonkeys.apppusher

After installing this app, simply launch it and follow the prompts. It will automatically enable all the relevant settings required for an automated install on your phone.

Now, whenever you select “Install” from the AppBrain web interface, the app will immediately install on your phone. There is no need for you to select anything on your phone. However, this form of auto installation is dangerous as the permission settings would not be visible. To overcome this problem, the permission settings show up on the AppBrain web interface after you select “Install”.

Although, the app installs automatically it is still necessary to select “Sync with AppBrain” to ensure that all your apps are synced up and the latest install has been read by the AppBrain web-interface.

What are you waiting for? Go install some apps!

In a nutshell Ninite is an app downloader and installer. However, it offers more than just a directory of apps to download. What makes Ninite special, is they take all the crap that most people done want — toolbars — and saves you from having to click next 50 times. Kinda makes you wish you got off your lazy butt and did created something like this doesn’t it?

What apps does it work with?

Most of the apps are open source software like Firefox, Skype, Chrome, VLC, GIMP and Filezilla. There are a lot of others too. The landing page is broken down into categories; web browsers, messaging, media, imaging, documents, security, runtimes, file sharing, utilities, other, compression and developer tools. In total, there are currently 71 different apps to download and install via Ninite.

How do you use it?

1. I’m telling you, it’s super simple. Start by selecting one or more applications you’d like to install on your Windows computer. I am selecting CutePDF, Evernote, Defraggler and Recuva. (1 click if you are installing 1 app)

2. Click on the big Get Installer button. Are you still waiting for the hard part? (Click 2)

3. You will be taken to a screen showing all of the apps included in the installer you will be downloading.

4. At the bottom of the screen—using Chrome—you will need to click to save the installer to your desktop. (Click 3)

5. Go to where your files download to. You will see a new file that bears the Ninite logo. You will also notice the file name includes all of the apps you have chosen to download.

6. Double click the installer to start the installation. (Click 4 and 5)

7. On my netbook, I had to click one more popup to run the installer, you may not need to depending on your security settings. (Click 6)

You will then see a progress bar.

The whole installation is completely hands off. Go get that coffee refill or something. When you get back, everything will be done. Seriously, that’s all there is to it. Here are the desktop shortcuts created by the installer.

Something to note about using the free version of Ninite (yes there is a pro subscription). The installer(s) you download need an internet connection to download files from Evernote or Mozilla or whatever app you are installing.

If you are setting up a new computer with all of your favorite apps, browsers and other essentials, This is definitely a site you will want to keep in mind. If you are setting up computers very regularly, the pro subscription has some features to make your job easier and faster. Here is a link to the page talking about the Ninite Pro paid version if you need more features. For my personal needs the free version works fantastic.

How many clicks does it take you to install an application? As a comparison, I counted to see. It took me 16 clicks to install 1 program (CCleaner) right from piriform.com/ccleaner. I installed 4 apps (2 apps are from the same company who makes CCleaner) using Ninite in 6 clicks.

What other time savers do you have when setting up a new computer?

Installing ImgBurn

The first and foremost step is to download and install ImgBurn in your computer.

Burning Windows 7 ISO image

• Open ImgBurn software. You will find many options in front of you.

• From the given options, select “Write image file to disc“.

• Navigate to the “Browse for a file” option.

• Locate the location of the ISO image in your computer. Select the ISO image file from the location and click “Open“.
• Immediately a new screen appeared requiring you to click on the “Write” option.

• ImgBurn will now burn your ISO into the DVD. (It is highly recommended to check the Verify box. This will force the software to verify the ISO image).

• Laptop users may get an error message (as shown below), but don’t panic. Just click “OK” to continue.

• The burning process will resume. After sometime, you should see the following message assuring you that your ISO image has been burned successfully.

• You should have a working Windows 7 installer DVD now. We strongly recommend you to Verify your DVD works before booting it to install Windows 7. Do this by going to Computer, double clicking on your optical drive’s icon, and double clicking on setup.exe. The Windows 7 install tool should load.

Once the verification is successfully done, you are ready to install Windows 7 from the DVD.

Download

The Windows download for KDE is not very obvious on the main KDE download page. It is not clear if this is deliberate, since it is still unstable, but the Windows installer for KDE is actually available on the KDE website.  Download the .exe file and save it. Double-click it to run the installer, just as you would for any other Windows program.

Install

At this point you have only downloaded the small installation file and not the actual KDE packages. Therefore, select the first option in the installation window “Install from Internet”. The next screen will present you with several options about how to install KDE. Unless you are a developer or have some specific reason to choose the other options, just choose “End User”. This will install the binary packages for KDE, whereas the other options all require you to compile KDE from source.

On the next screen, you can choose which KDE programs to install. As you will see, there are quite a few KDE applications now available, although some are still missing. Select as many or as few as you like. Even if you realize that you want to install more software, the installer will let you install just those later on, without having to reinstall the previous ones.

Click next and follow the rest of the instructions just as you would with a normal installer. When it is complete, it will ask you if you want to run System Settings. Check the box and proceed.

Configure and Use

The System Settings program is currently functional, although many settings are not yet available to Windows users.  Click on the “Advanced” tab and then click the “Platform” button. This is a unique non-Unix feature that allows you to select the level of Windows integration. Currently, Plasma is not available but apparently will be in the future.

Next, click on the “General” tab and click “Appearance“.  Click the “Style” button and choose the widget style you prefer. KDE can integrate with the default Windows style or use the default KDE style: Oxygen.

Finally, run KDE applications just like you run regular Windows ones: directly from the Start Menu. KDE games work particularly well, as does the KDE text editor, Kate, which we covered two weeks ago. Always keep in mind that this software is not yet complete, but what they do have available works pretty well. For information and customization options, be sure to read the KDE TechBase documentation on Windows. KDE is free and open source software, which you can freely download, install, and redistribute.

In this tutorial, we will go through the way to create a Snow Leopard USB installer disk.

Requirement

• An existing Mac with functional DVD-ROM
• Snow leopard installer DVD (upgrade set or box set)
• A USB thumb drive of at least 8GB in size

Creating a USB installer disk

1. Plug in your USB drive. Backup all the data in the USB drive.

2. Insert your Snow Leopard Installer DVD into the DVD-ROM.

3. Go to Utility -> Disk Utility. You should see the USB drive and the SL installer DVD entries on the left pane.

4. Select the USB drive. On the right pane, click on the Partition tab.

5. Here are few things that you need to do:

• Under the Volume Scheme, select ’1 Partition‘ from the dropdown
• At the Name input field, enter a new name for the partition (I choose to give it the same name as the SL installer DVD).
• At the Format field, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the dropdown.

At the bottom, click on the Options button.

Select GUID partition table.

Click Apply. This will repartition and reformat the USB drive.

6. Once it is done, click on the Restore tab. You will see two input field: Source and Destination.

Drag the SL Installer DVD entry to the Source field.

Drag the newly formatted USB entry to the Destination field.

Click Restore.

This will copy the image from the DVD Installer to the USB drive. You can go for a coffee break now as the whole process takes about 30 mins.

When the whole process is done, you will be able to boot and install Snow Leopard from the USB drive.

To boot your Mac from USB, you just need to select the respective entry in System Preferences -> Startup Disk.

The application that I am talking about is WinToFlash. This is a small application (only 2.1MB) that allows you to convert your Windows installer CD/DVD to a bootable USB drive. Not only is it easy to use (nearly idiot-proof and does not require you to have any technical knowledge), it is also fully portable – No installation is required and you can bring it wherever you are.

Preparation

Before you start, here are some stuffs that you need to take note of:

1) You need to have a USB drive of at least 3GB space in order to create a Windows 7 bootable USB drive.

2) The process will format and wipe off all your files in the USB drive. Remember to backup before you proceed.

3) You need to have a Windows 7 installer DVD and an optical drive to read the DVD. If you have only the ISO file (downloaded directly from Microsoft), you can use Virtual Clone Drive to mount the ISO in your computer.

Installation

Download WinToFlash

Put in your Windows 7 installer DVD and plug in your USB drive.

Unzip the folder to your desktop and run the WinToFlash.exe file

Some of you might see the “WinToFlash DLP_NotFound” error message. You can safely ignore this error message.

On the main screen, click on the Window Setup Transfer Wizard. This will bring you to the wizard mode where it automates (almost) the whole process for you.

On the next screen, there is an option for you to go into the Advanced mode and tweak some of the settings. You can ignore that (if you are not into tweaking) and click Next to proceed.

Point the Windows file path to the Windows Installer DVD directory.

Point the USB drive to the USB directory.

Click Next.

Accept the agreement.

Preparing your USB drive. Make sure you have backup all the important files before you proceed. This will erase all your data.

Transferring in progress. This might take a while. Go for your coffee break.

Once you see the following message, the whole process is done. You can now boot Windows 7 from the USB drive.

Some computers require you to change the bootup setting in the BIOS before you can boot from USB. Look into your motherboard/computer manual for more instruction.