How to make Docky icons smaller than 24px

The following tip may pander to a ‘niche’ desire but it has the knock on effect of letting you create a rather surreal desktop experience…

Docky icon size: stuck at 24px (or is it?)

After finding Docky’s default minimum size for icons was still a bit too big, reader Luke Nunns poked around for a solution.

“I found that if you go to gconf-editor > apps > docky2 > Docky  > Interface > DockPreferences and then select the dock that you want to change the icon size of then you can change the “IconSize” to less than the normal minimum of 24.”

Note that Docky needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.

Related posts:

1. Add a main menu to Docky
2. Remove anchor icon from docky
3. Enable 3-D Mode In Docky [Updated]

Source

‘Wallpaper Gallery’ is a Shotwell friendly wallpaper changer for Ubuntu

Like wet Gremlins snacking after midnight, there are some categories of apps where the amount of choice available borders on crazy .

Wallpaper changing applications are very much of this breed, so what makes ‘Wallpaper Gallery’ – a new ‘timed wallpaper changer’ app for Ubuntu – more Gizmo and less manic Mogwai?

Shotwell.

Features

It’s the headline feature and one that really sold this app to me; I have a large library of images in Shotwell and rather than make me sift through them Wallpaper Gallery only asks me to select tag(s) – and does the rest.



Other features/options present include: -

• View and edit Shotwell image title
• Overlay image title on wallpaper
• Set random or sequential image display
• Specify transition rate
• Ability to exclude images smaller than screen size
• Set program to auto-run on login

Download

Adding the application from PPA is easy. Open a new Terminal session and enter: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:olmecs/ppa
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install wallpapergallery

Alternatively grab a .deb package @ launchpad.net/~olmecs/+archive/ppa/+packages

Related posts:

1. Indicator-wallpaper changer anyone?
2. Shotwell 0.8 adds YouTube uploading, folder watching, wallpaper slideshows, more
3. Shotwell 0.5.0 Released – Gains Tagging, Picasa web support, more

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Scribes: Powerful yet minimal text editor

Scribes is an “ultra minimalist text editor” designed to make you more productive by ‘intelligently optimizing’ your workflow.



Features include:

• Python plugin system
• Remote editing (ftp, sftp, ssh, samba, webdav, webdavs)
• Snippets
• Auto word completion/correction/replacement
• Automatic indentation
• Powerful text processing and manipulation functions
• Bookmarks and smart navigation
• Document Switcher
• Syntax colors for over 30 languages

Install

The latest version of Scribes can be installed using the following official PPA: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mystilleef/scribes-daily
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install scribes

Thanks to Kota

Source

‘NotifyLog’ aims to never let you miss Ubuntu notifications

Ever been frustrated at just missing a notification bubble in Ubuntu by a split second?

Whether you’re off grabbing coffee, tying your shoelaces or sitting there totally entranced by the Boogie Boogie Hedgehog on YouTube, chances are you’re going to miss a notification.



The idea for a ‘Notification log system’ proved popular on Ubuntu Brainstorm so many will be pleased to hear of Onno Steenbergen‘s work  on creating an application that does exactly this.

As well as creating the daemon (background process) that writes notification information to a log file (stored in ‘/var/log/Notifications.log’) Onno also found time to add in a ‘data provider’ for Zeitgeist and an Application Indicator.

With the project so very fresh from the mind to the binary the accomplishments achieved so far really are commendable.

Features

NotifyLog is currently able to: -

• Writing notifications to a log
• Displaying notifications in Gnome Activity Journal
• Show an Indicator Applet when notification arrives
• Hide when there are no notifications
• Ability to clear all or remove one notification
• Quick access to log viewer

Catch a video of the application in action @ steenbe.nl/etc/notification_test.ogg

Download

The source code is available @ code.launchpad.net/~owhno/+junk/notifylog. A stable release has yet to be made.

Source

What does ‘Natty Narwhal’ actually mean? You’ll be surprised…

Two words that form the code name for the new version of Ubuntu – but both are rather unique. Here we take a look at where each word came from and what it means today…

Natty

‘Natty’, which means to look smart in appearance, is a presumed derivative of ‘neat’.

• dictionary.reference.com/browse/natty

Synonyms for ‘Natty’ include ‘Dapper’ and ‘Jaunty’ – both previously used in Ubuntu codenames (Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake and Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope, respectively.)

Narwhal

The origin of the name ‘narwhal’ is a bit more disturbing.



Ancient sailors traversing the bitter cold seas around Greenland, near the Arctic, often came across the sole-horned creature and so likened its skin to the pallid colour of the dead that it’s name in Old Norse - narhval – literally meant ‘corpse whale’.

It’s from this macabre description that ‘Narwhal’ is derived.

Image Credit: amutalrespect.org

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Document foundation challenge aims to raise €50, 000

The Document Foundation has launched a ‘donation challenge’ to its supporters to raise a giant €50, 000 by March 21st 2011.

The organization say that the money is  needed in order to allow it to register as a legal entity in Germany.

Writing in the challenge announcement they say:

“The decision not to set-up the foundation right at the launch of the project was a deliberate choice to leave the doors open to potential contributors, and to allow everyone to take part in shaping it.”



“During the last few weeks, the Steering Committee of The Document Foundation evaluated various options for establishing the legal entity.



To legally form The Document Foundation in Germany, a minimum of 50,000 Euros is needed.  Therefore, we’ve launched this public 50,000 Euro challenge to raise the funds through donations.”



For more information – or to donate – point your browser of choice to challenge.documentfoundation.org

Source

Chromify-OSD gives Chrome web apps native Notifications in Ubuntu

The Chrome web-browser recently added support for webapps (and various google services) to pop-up ‘notifications’ on your desktop. Whilst a neat idea in theory the non-native look of them jars against the consistent look and behaviour of applications on the Ubuntu desktop.

But now a new extension for Chrome enables Ubuntu users to receive Chrome notifications using Ubuntu’s default desktop notification system, resulting in web apps and desktop apps seamlessly notifying you in the same way.



Install the plugin from the chrome webstore at the following link: -

• chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nmgdlkljbfeeinemfljcbmnkmbeligmn

Being release numero uno you may come across issues. These should be lodged on the project bug tracker @ bugs.launchpad.net/chromify-osd

Image stolen from Jorge Castro

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This Ubuntu One Concept hides some neat ideas under option overload

As far as Ubuntu One has come over the last year there are things people think it could – or should – do better.

I’m not sure that the ‘everything bar the kitchen sink’ approach, as ~usrnametaken proposes in his mock-up below, is entirely the right approach – but I can admit to running out of fingers counting options I see in the mock-up that I’d love to find available in the Ubuntu One Dashboard – particularly the inspired ‘Ubuntu One Backup Service’.

What features/options would you love to see land in Ubuntu One?

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Share your feedback and ideas for OMG! Ubuntu! via Get Satisfaction

Good news, everyone! As part of our increasingly important goal of including our readers in more and more of what we do, we’ve now set up a Get Satisfaction page for you to share your ideas, ask questions and report issues with OMG! Ubuntu! and other Ohso products.

For those who aren’t familiar, Get Satisfaction is a cool service that lets companies and organizations track feedback from their customers. Everything from new ideas, issues with products and questions can be posted on a company page with the idea being an official representative will get back to you.

Users can also vote ideas up or down too, which is pretty neat.

We thought this sounded cool – and hey, we love you guys so it makes sense for us to get a bit more bonding going on between us and you. Let’s take our relationship to a whole new level.

(We’d move in with you, but we don’t like cats).

What’s that annoying thing on the right?

If you look to your right, you’ll see a floating tab sticking out. This is the Feedback Tab which we are trialling on OMG! Ubuntu! for a bit.

Basically, you can click on that, and a window will pop up that lets you share your feedback whenever you have one of those “aha!” moments.



Unfortunately it only looks like that when you’re logged into Get Satisfaction, so for most of you (who probably don’t have accounts) it won’t be as cool until you sign up.

So head on over to getsatisfcation.com/ohso or click on the Feedback tab and share that awesome-wicked-cool idea you’ve had for so long and have just been bursting to let us know.

And finally, you’ll be satisfied!

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Meet the Cardboard computer: sustainability with style

Meet the Recompute – an Ubuntu running sustainable computer with ideals fastened on saving the environment.



The Recompute  was designed to be a ‘Full life cycle’ PC; eco-friendly in materials, manufacture processes and subsequent disposal.

But cardboard… fo real?

The cases are made using recycled moisture resistant cardboard in a design harnessing the ‘corrugated’ folds for adequate ventilation. It’s held together with non-toxic ‘white glue’ and coated in NASA-grade non-toxic flame retardant, making it sustainable, stylish and safe.

Recompute LNX

The Recomute is available to buy with Ubuntu 10.04 pre-installed. The dual-core 2.2ghz, 2GB RAM and 250GB HDD set-up will set you back $499.95.

The case alone sits amongst the line up for $199, whilst two Windows 7 models – with higher specs – round out the top tier.

More information, press spiel and pretty pictures can be found @ sustainable-computer.com. Follow them on twitter @RECOMPUTE.

Thanks to William

Source

Inside the OMG! Ubuntu! office

Over the last few days I’ve been posting a few photos of our new office, a space in the Centre for Innovation at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand thanks to The Distiller.

The guys and gals on our Facebook page have enjoyed the photos, so I figured it’d be a good idea to post a few of them here for you guys to have a look too.

Enjoy!

Obviously a massive shout-out to the Distiller and the Centre for Innovation for having some room available for us to squeeze into. No doubt we’ll be even more productive with a dedicated Ohso space.

Related posts:

1. Share your feedback and ideas for OMG! Ubuntu! via Get Satisfaction

Source

Unity panel to follow users GTK theme

Tweakers, customizers and theme fans rejoice: Ubuntu 11.04 will, in an update later today, add theme support for Unity’s top panel.

The Unity desktop’s sole panel has, until now, been non-themeable in Ubuntu 11.04. From later today the  top panel in Unity adhere to a users chosen GTK+ theme.



Panel opacity can be adjusted from the Unity plugin in Compiz Conig Settings Manager.



Thanks to N.J.Patel

Source

Meet the Cardboard computer: sustainability with style

Meet the Recompute – an Ubuntu running sustainable computer with ideals fastened on saving the environment.



The Recompute  was designed to be a ‘Full life cycle’ PC; eco-friendly in materials, manufacture processes and subsequent disposal.

But cardboard… fo real?

The cases are made using recycled moisture resistant cardboard in a design harnessing the ‘corrugated’ folds for adequate ventilation. It’s held together with non-toxic ‘white glue’ and coated in NASA-grade non-toxic flame retardant, making it sustainable, stylish and safe.

Recompute LNX

The Recomute is available to buy with Ubuntu 10.04 pre-installed. The dual-core 2.2ghz, 2GB RAM and 250GB HDD set-up will set you back $499.95.

The case alone sits amongst the line up for $199, whilst two Windows 7 models – with higher specs – round out the top tier.

More information, press spiel and pretty pictures can be found @ sustainable-computer.com. Follow them on twitter @RECOMPUTE.

Thanks to William

Source

Work on Libre Office application menu support progressing

Alberto Ruiz from Codethink has posted a status update on the work he’s been doing on an extension to bring global application menu support to Libre Office.

With Firefox and Thunderbird work already well underway this is one of the final large pieces of global application menu support left to do.



Here’s the quick fullsize animated .gif of the menu in progress.

You can find the code at launchpad.net/lo-menubar. Alberto passes along that in its current state “that this is bleeding edge, expect zombie unicorns puking greyscaled rainbows”. When finished the extension will be made available in universe (and not turned on by default for Natty).

Source

Software Center adds ‘inappropriate rating’ link, and more

An update to Software Center in Ubuntu Natty brought a couple of changes to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ feature, including the ability to mark a review inappropriate, disability to review an app if it isn’t installed, and many more.

Below are some screenshots (click the images to see larger versions):



Upon clicking the ‘Inappropriate?’ link this dialog opens:



The report is submitted to the Software Center moderators for review, who assess such reports, and, if required, delete inappropriate reviews.

The home screen of Software Center now also shows star ratings for featured and new apps:



No big changes in today’s update, but it did bring the above Little Changes that Matter™.

Source

Firefox 4 RC coming next Friday

One year on since the first Alpha of Firefox 4 was made available for testing the worlds second most popular browser may finally have the finish line in sight.

In a post to the Mozilla Development Planning team, Mozilla developer Damon Sicore calls on the Firefox 4 development team to"…finish [the] last few bugs" in order to "…finish [the] RC by Feb 25th."

The release date depends on a ‘drive’ to fix a handful of ‘blocker bugs’ proving successful. In the intervening time a 12th beta of Firefox will be released for testing.

Earlier this month Mozilla announced intentions to release versions 5, 6 and 7 of  the flagship browser this year.

Source

Ubuntu 10.04.2 released

The second maintenance update of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS has been released.

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS will be supported with routine maintenance updates until April 2013 on desktops and April 2015 on servers.

The release integrates ‘numerous post-release updates’ including security updates and ‘corrections for high-impact bugs, with a focus on maintaining stability and compatibility with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.’

A full Change log for Ubuntu 10.04.2 can be viewed on @ wiki.ubuntu.com/LucidLynx/ReleaseNotes/ChangeSummary/10.04.2

Download

Ubuntu 10.04.02 can be downloaded @ ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Related posts:

1. Ubuntu 10.04.1 released
2. ubuntu 10.04 lucid lynx release candidate released

Source

Navisurfer II serves up Ubuntu in a fresh way

Have you gone the extra mile to install Ubuntu on every device you possibly can, even your kitchen toaster? When you get yourself a shiny new car, is the first thing you do customize it? Then the Navisurfer II is just what you need to “pimp your ride”.

The Navisurfer II UBU-3G is a car PC that embeds into the dashboard of your vehicle. Notable features are HSDPA modem, Broadband TV & Radio, touch screen, GPS with Software & Maps. If you guessed Ubuntu 10.10 fuels the magic, then you my friend deserve chocolate.

Specifications

• Processor: 1300 MHz (Intel Celeron M)
• Hard Drive: 250 GB
• Memory: 2GB DDR2
• GPS receiver/GPS antenna (included) Navit Navigation System)
• Double DIN
• 3G HSDPA BroadBand Connection – Internet Radio & TV
• Customized Ubuntu 10.10 for in car use
• Bluetooth Connection (built in)

Connections

• 3 x USB 2.0
• 2 x PS2
• 1 x Mic-in
• 1 x Line-in
• 1 x Line-out
• 1 x Serial Port
• 2 x DC 12V input
• 2 x AV-in (Monitor only)
• 1 x Rear View Camera auto switch

The OS is a customized version of Maverick; no Unity. It looks like a very odd quadrupole Gnome gnome panel with a launcher on the desktop. First, the right/left sides of the UI seem be dressed up panels. Second, there are two panels one on top the other at the bottom. And yes, why the cheap Gnome panel fish is there by default confuses me too. All defaults in 10.10 are include along with additions such as AMSN, Miro, the fish, etc.

The UI could use some work, a few rough edges and inconsistencies are visible just in this screen shot. Why Unity or even UNR wasn’t used is the question we should all be asking.

Installation

For those who know a little something about car audio systems, The Navisurfer II is a double DIN unit that works with 12V / 24V car batteries with adapter. If you don’t know, you can always learn how to change out a cars radio.

All-in-all, the entire setup should cost you only 300$.

For more information visit the official website.

No related posts.

Source

Work on Libre Office application menu support progressing

Alberto Ruiz from Codethink has posted a status update on the work he’s been doing on an extension to bring global application menu support to Libre Office.

With Firefox and Thunderbird work already well underway this is one of the final large pieces of global application menu support left to do.



Here’s the quick fullsize animated .gif of the menu in progress.

You can find the code at launchpad.net/lo-menubar. Alberto passes along that in its current state “that this is bleeding edge, expect zombie unicorns puking greyscaled rainbows”. When finished the extension will be made available in universe (and not turned on by default for Natty).

Source

Software Center adds ‘inappropriate rating’ link, and more

An update to Software Center in Ubuntu Natty brought a couple of changes to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ feature, including the ability to mark a review inappropriate, disability to review an app if it isn’t installed, and many more.

Below are some screenshots (click the images to see larger versions):



Upon clicking the ‘Inappropriate?’ link this dialog opens:



The report is submitted to the Software Center moderators for review, who assess such reports, and, if required, delete inappropriate reviews.

The home screen of Software Center now also shows star ratings for featured and new apps:



No big changes in today’s update, but it did bring the above Little Changes that Matter™.

Source

Unity theme for DockBarX

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Serial designer – and perennial OMG! favourite – BigRZA has begun a work-in-progress theme for panel applet ‘DockBarX’ that aims to admirably ape the look and feel of Ubuntu 11.04′s Unity launcher, which is itself a work in progress.

The video below shows it in action.

Download

Download the theme @ http://bigrza.deviantart.com/art/unite-11-04-theme.

To add an ‘expose’ icon to your launcher (or Docky, etc.) see our quick tutorial here.

Source

Navisurfer II serves up Ubuntu in a fresh way

Have you gone the extra mile to install Ubuntu on every device you possibly can, even your kitchen toaster? When you get yourself a shiny new car, is the first thing you do customize it? Then the Navisurfer II is just what you need to “pimp your ride”.

The Navisurfer II UBU-3G is a car PC that embeds into the dashboard of your vehicle. Notable features are HSDPA modem, Broadband TV & Radio, touch screen, GPS with Software & Maps. If you guessed Ubuntu 10.10 fuels the magic, then you my friend deserve chocolate.

Specifications

• Processor: 1300 MHz (Intel Celeron M)
• Hard Drive: 250 GB
• Memory: 2GB DDR2
• GPS receiver/GPS antenna (included) Navit Navigation System)
• Double DIN
• 3G HSDPA BroadBand Connection – Internet Radio & TV
• Customized Ubuntu 10.10 for in car use
• Bluetooth Connection (built in)

Connections

• 3 x USB 2.0
• 2 x PS2
• 1 x Mic-in
• 1 x Line-in
• 1 x Line-out
• 1 x Serial Port
• 2 x DC 12V input
• 2 x AV-in (Monitor only)
• 1 x Rear View Camera auto switch

The OS is a customized version of Maverick; no Unity. It looks like a very odd quadrupole Gnome gnome panel with a launcher on the desktop. First, the right/left sides of the UI seem be dressed up panels. Second, there are two panels one on top the other at the bottom. And yes, why the cheap Gnome panel fish is there by default confuses me too. All defaults in 10.10 are include along with additions such as AMSN, Miro, the fish, etc.

The UI could use some work, a few rough edges and inconsistencies are visible just in this screen shot. Why Unity or even UNR wasn’t used is the question we should all be asking.

Installation

For those who know a little something about car audio systems, The Navisurfer II is a double DIN unit that works with 12V / 24V car batteries with adapter. If you don’t know, you can always learn how to change out a cars radio.

All-in-all, the entire setup should cost you only 300$.

For more information visit the official website.

No related posts.

Source

Unity theme for DockBarX

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Serial designer – and perennial OMG! favourite – BigRZA has begun a work-in-progress theme for panel applet ‘DockBarX’ that aims to admirably ape the look and feel of Ubuntu 11.04′s Unity launcher, which is itself a work in progress.

The video below shows it in action.

Download

Download the theme @ http://bigrza.deviantart.com/art/unite-11-04-theme.

To add an ‘expose’ icon to your launcher (or Docky, etc.) see our quick tutorial here.

Source

Unity launcher icon size to be resizable?

The Unity Launcher may, after all, end up with a few user-adjustable settings.

A recent Unity launcher ‘hack’ by Andrea Azzarone allows icons on the  Unity launcher to re-sized. By dragging a simple slider within Unity’s CCSM settings page icons can be made as small as 32px or as big as 64px.
<br />The video below shows the feature in action.

Mark Shuttleworth has expressed interest in the feature, calling for it be reviewed for inclusion.

However issues pertaining to Unity’s recently added counters and progress bars are likely to affect any eventual outcome nf the feature being included.

Tip via Andrea Azzarone

Related posts:

1. Unity Launcher API: ready when you are
2. Natty’s Unity launcher adds icon theme support
3. Docklet API ‘coming’ to Unity Launcher [updated]

Source

Ubuntu Pocket Reference app for Android

Being an avid user of Android I’m always on the hunt for Ubuntu related apps on the Market place.

A few days ago I came across ‘Ubuntu pocket reference’ – a free application for Android that claims to list  ‘the most popular and most useful Ubuntu/Linux commands.’

How good is it?

The guide is divided into sections – Firewall, System, Network, etc. This helps finding a command for a specific purpose so much easier than needing to wade through an index or perform a search.

Sadly this simplistic approach also hinders the app.

Being forever being at war with Wi-Fi dongles, I’d love have seen a more in-depth ‘Network’ section with examples of the commands in use.

Many of the commands within the guide are useful but a number are also out dated.

It’s hard to criticise a free application and this guide will certainly come in handy to those suddenly caught offline.  For me the lack of updated commands or command use-cases make ‘Android Pocket Reference’ a neat if rather irrelevant offering.

Download market.android.com/details?id=org.androidstack.ubuntu

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