Gp2x laucher GMenu2x

I prefer this front end to the default. Although it doesn't uninstall the default. It launches from the boot with a script with the default running in the background. Its better because it allows you to make links to various program, emulators and games. Its not only a laucher, its also has a built-in overclocker, gamma and volume configuration and ram timings tweaker. Above all it looks better.

The default


The GMenu2x

If you don't like the look of it you can skin it. Its not hard. All you need is the Gimp or a copy of photoshop. Resize a wallpaper and save it as the bk.png in the img folder. The bars at the top and bottom and be colourised from within the options.

You get the sd card files from gmenu2x.sourceforge.net/page/GMenu2X
Just stick all the files /directories and the autorun.gpu on the root.

I suck at manic miner

Ubuntu dude has a dell shirt

Yeah the shock. Not quite. Something like this bound to happen. Maybe its ubuntu's way of paying homage to dell.
http://www.ubuntu.com

Use xterm in ubuntu

If you're always running the odd command, say a apt-get or bash script. Why not use xterm. Its not as pretty as the gnome terminal but it doesn't need to be. Its small and lightweight. Opens like lightening compared to gnomes terminal. I once showed a friend xterm while chatting. She was very impressed by how fast it started.

To try xterm just (ironically) type xterm into your terminal. As you can see its basic. If you want to make use of it you can add it to your menu.
Right click applications menu and click on edit menus. Pick a applications category to put the xterm menu item into. You will probably want it where your defualt terminal is, in accessories. When you have selected a category goto new item and enter the details like below.



Give it a name, like 'xterm' or 'terminal'. Give it the command xterm. And if you like give it a comment and a nice icon. Done.

No xterm ? install it with
sudo apt-get install xterm

The importance of a back up environment

I think its important for any ubuntu, linux user, and unix user to have a back up desktop environment.

A few days ago I had problems with gnome. Put basically it crashed. After which I couldn't login without a crash at the start of loading it. I'm guessing it might have been a problem with the previous session and gnome wasn't liking it. So what can you do in a situation like this?

Well if your like me, you know your bash, then its not the end of the world. You could try installing another desktop environment. I installed the xfce desktop package and logged into that without fault. After that gnome was able to login fine. All you have to do is start ubuntu in recovery mode or from the login screen (gdm) select a terminal login. Recovery mode is normally the 2nd option on the loader (when you start your machine a menu appears with all the operating systems.) This will start a terminal.
Once you have a prompt ready you will need to connect to the internet or network. This could be different for everyone. I have a dial script for a usb modem so I run that. When your connected you can install a chosen package.

For XFCE
sudo aptitude install xubuntu-desktop

For something smaller, fluxbox
sudo aptitude install fluxbox

Make fluxbox selectable from gdm
echo "exec startfluxbox" > ~/.xinitrc

If you wanted to you could install kde but I think its too big really for a backup desktop environment.

Tomatoes

You think we got enough or is this a gardening centre?

Gnome main menu

Makes a better menu in ubuntu if you ask me.
sudo apt-get install gnome-main-menu
You can add it by right clicking your panel and clicking "add to panel...". It will be in utilities called 'Main Menu' with a computer like icon. To get shortcuts to programs, you goto 'More Applications...' and right click then add to favorites.

Pidgin on ubuntu

Just a quick blog. While playing with ruby on ubuntu I thought I would upgrade gaim. I like the new Pidgin.
Gaim now Pidgin thanks to aol ([sarcasm] great company [end of sarcasm]. If you want to install it you can find an unofficial package from www.freshnet.org/wordpress... I have to be honest the ubuntugeek.com... method didn't work for me because I wanted to keep gaim. However which ever way works best.

Although, having wrote all that, iv read pidgin will be in the feisty repositories within a week (rumor or true?). So you may just want to wait a few days.

Richards Barley Wine

a.k.a Barley wine #2

It maybe a bit young but last night I had a try. And today I had a craving for it. The keg is full of gas. When I get pour some into a glass its got a 3cm head on it. The Picture doesn't do it justice but you cant buy this stuff in the shops! The only way to taste real strong barley wine is to make it yourself. Yeah you can buy some small seasonal barley wines and then there's gold label. But it's not the same to me. This stuff is so strong you only need a little glass and you can feel the effects. Unfortunately like an ass I didn't take a o.g reading but I used a basic calculator on the web estimated it at 8% but dam it tastes stronger. The aroma is a sweet smell with a little toffee/honey hint. The taste is sweet with a little tiny sour kick, its very warming. No way I'm giving this recipe out :) The best thing I ever brewed. Will be making some more at some point for the winter. Maybe experiment a bit.

Joe Strummer - The Future Is Unwritten Trailer

Cannot wait to see this film, Joe Strummer is a legend. Looks like another good film by film four to me.