There are a LOT of Linux distros out there, so when it comes to distro reviews, we here at MakeTechEasier usually only go in for the ones offering something unique. Nearly all operating systems these days seem to be transitioning toward a faster and more web-centric experience. Some have embraced it more than others, and Google took it to the extreme by putting all Chrome OS applications into the browser. Peppermint OS takes a different approach than Chrome and tries to blur the line between desktop and Internet by creating a fast, minimal Linux system that treats web apps just like local apps, using Mozilla Prism. The result is a surprisingly small and speedy OS for the heavy web user.
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Peppermint OS – A New Take on the Web-Centric Desktop
By | June 3, 2010 |
How to Run Multiple Dropbox Accounts in Mac and Linux
By | May 24, 2010 |
Previously, we have done a tutorial on setting up multiple Dropbox accounts in Windows 7. There is no reason for us to leave out Mac and Linux as well. So here is it, the tutorial to run multiple Dropbox accounts in Mac and Linux.
Note: The below tutorial assumes that you have already installed (and configured) your primary Dropbox account in your computer. The Linux tutorial is based on Ubuntu Lucid and the Mac tutorial is based on OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
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Lubuntu Review: A Lightweight Ubuntu Variant
By | May 6, 2010 |
Other than the default Ubuntu that we all know of, there are also the Kubuntu (KDE), Xubuntu (XFCE), Edubuntu, Mythbuntu etc that run different desktop environment and serve different purpose. And yes, there is a new buntu addition to the family. Let’s welcome: Lubuntu.
Lubuntu is a Ubuntu variant built using the LXDE desktop, which is in turn based on Openbox. It’s designed to be a lightweight and easy-to-use desktop desktop environment.
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Qjoypad: Keyboard to Gamepad Mapping for Linux
By | May 3, 2010 |
Gaming on Linux can be a wonderful, irritating, or anything in between. Sometimes you get things exactly the way you want them, and other times, you have to improvise. Ideally, every game would support the devices you want to use with it, but there are a few instances where games do not yet support joysticks and gamepads. Some of the developers for these games may not have any plans to ever support gamepads, but since we like to make tech easier, that is simply unacceptable.
There are three situations where it might be necessary to map keyboard/mouse movements to your gamepad:
1. A native Linux game that does not yet support joystick input.
2. A wine/cedega game that, for whatever reason, does not recognize your gamepad.
3. You just want to use your joystick to control your desktop, multimedia application, etc.
With Qjoypad, you can have all three and even create separate profiles for each game/application. It is a free and open source QT-based application that “takes input from a gamepad or joystick and translates it into key strokes or mouse actions, letting you control any XWindows program with your game controller.”
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Linux File Managers Roundup
By | April 29, 2010 |
Whatever your desktop environment of choice, it likely came with its own file manager. Some have one pane, some have two panes, some work in Gnome, others in KDE, and they all have different options. If the default doesn’t work for you, how do you find the best replacement? How do you know if it will work in your favorite desktop environment? In this guide we’ll cover many of the most popular file managers for Linux and include the details to help you decide which one is right for you.
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Beginner’s Guide to Grep
By | April 1, 2010 |
There is a classic bit of computer wisdom that states “If you’ve got a problem, and decide to solve it with regular expressions, now you’ve got two problems.” This of course stems from the perception that regular expressions are a complicated mix of magic characters and Voodoo. Regular expressions can allow you to achieve elegant and concise program logic quickly and easily, but only once you’ve learned to understand how they work and why. Just about any Linux or Mac system comes with a powerful regex tool call grep and learning grep is an essential task for any power user or system administrator. Today, we’ll explore some of what you can do with grep and how it can be one of the most powerful tools in your geek arsenal.
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Quick Review: What You Should Expect For Ubuntu 10.04
By | March 28, 2010 |
Ubuntu is set to release their next Long Term Support version at the end of April, and we now have a beta version to look at and see what we can expect. There are some pretty big changes coming in Lucid Lynx, many of which are partly or fully implemented in the current beta. There are the surprising changes, the controversial changes, and the just plain cool. Though the full release is still a month away, Ubuntu 10.04 is clearly shaping up to be an impressive release.
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XMind: A Cross-platform Mind-mapping Solution
By | March 8, 2010 |
The human mind can be a beautiful thing. Great human minds have constructed towering structures, synthesized cures for diseases, and created works of art that inspire millions with hope and compassion. But even the best of minds need a little help, and often times, the more a person has floating around in his/her mind, the more likely it is to become a jumbled mess.
Mind-mapping is a way to organize one’s thoughts before taking action. One excellent free and open source mind-mappoing solution is XMind. Whether you need to brainstorm, create an outline, or even design an organizational chart, XMind is the perfect tool for the job.
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How to Run Fullscreen Games In Linux With Dual Monitors
By | March 1, 2010 |
As with all operating systems, the way a Linux game behaves on a computer is largely dependent on the design of the game, the graphics hardware and drivers the user has, and the settings one chooses. Native Linux games are typically better at supporting the computer’s default resolution without much tweaking, but the way it handles fullscreen display on a a dual-monitor system depends on the game engine employed.
After about an hour of trying to configure all of your games, you might very well find yourself drowning in sea of techno-babble and configuration files. But have no fear, MakeTechEasier has come to your rescue yet again.
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How to Turn Your Linux Box into a Home Theater with Boxee
By | February 25, 2010 |
Boxee is a home theater PC software program that runs on Linux and has been designed to be used like an interactive TV, somewhat like the Xbox 360 interface. In fact it’s based on another program called XBMC which was originally created to run on the first Xbox consoles. These days, you can use Boxee to not only manage local music and videos, but stream audio, video, and image content from places all over the web. There are connections to popular media sites like Last.fm, Flickr and YouTube, and a custom web browser to get additional content without leaving the Boxee environment.
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