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Category: Xubuntu (Page 2 of 4)

Time for a change of interface on on Xubuntu 14.04

2016-01-19 / / 0 Comments

I have a need for change lately, I have been shaking things up and reordering things here and there . I believe its healthy. Amongst the changes decided to do some remodeling on my computer.

As you may know I use Xubuntu Linux and Windows 8.1 side by side as a dual boot. And since I just reverted back to Windows 8.1 (coming back from Windows 10) there is no need to mess around that. So it was time to take a look at my Linux distribution.

I have been using the same interface for quite some time now (since April 2014 to be specific) and that seems like a very long time to spend around one interface.

XFCE works well and I configured it to work like I want. Using Docky and Kupfer to do my daily tasks. And it works too well I’m afraid!

XFCE is a minimalistic interface who focus on performance rather than visual appeal, that’s a polite way of saying it looks awful but works well.

The blue scheme is depressing! I felt a sudden urge to change the scenery ( not just editing the theme, NOPE!).

I took a look at the interface options available for my Ubuntu LTS 14.04 Trusty Taher:

  • Unity (Ubuntu’s default interface).
  • Gnome(Ubuntu’s former default interface).
  • Cinnamon(Comes with Mint).
  • KDE( I assumed it will be much bigger in size because its not Gnome based).
  • LXDE(has an even more minimalistic approach than XFE).

Back when I installed Xubuntu I made the system partition small, so this is going to be an issue. Added to the horrible Internet that Libyawears so proudly, I needed to make a sensible decision to accommodate all of these conditions.

Before going any further, I need to mention that a Linux interface isn’t a theme (there are themes available for every interface), its the upper layer of the system that has the visual elements, login controls, handler apps. While it sounds like a difficult thing to do, its actually very easy to install an interface. You can have multiple interfaces at the same time (if you have enough free space on your system partition.) and alternating between them is as easy as choosing the user on login!

It’s an easy change that feels like installing a whole new system without the hassle of starting over and installing everything like it was before, your apps will be safe but the apps that come with the interface will change from one to the other.
I divided this into parts, I’ll post the next part soon enough, let me know what you think in the comments section belows 🙂

Zim-Wiki: Where have you been all my life?

2015-12-26 / / 0 Comments

I’ve come across Zim-Wiki while searching for the best note pad application , in this review I shall talk about why it has become my go to application for almost everything!

A true al l in one solution!

Before installing Zim-w iki I used several software to do a part of the functionality it has!
Zim-Wiki logo
Zim-Wiki logo

I used Rednote book as a daily journal and Tasque to make to do lists while using basket notes as a personal knowledge database! Talk about a cluttered data life!

Now after migrating to Zim- wiki I replaced all o f that software for more versatility, more functionality and more focus!  Which in turn made me a lot more productive! Less resources an d more work done!

Zim -wiki is light weight and cross platform (Windows and Linux). It operates like a wiki so it makes it easy to store and retrieve data and link pages together.

It’s simple and easy to use. And the interface is pretty straight forward. And gets the job done.

  • I also look into the import / export feature as I need to backup and restore data quite often, and without it , it would be useless like Tomboy (now Gnotes).
  • It is amazing! Just look at t h e plugins like the  box backup. It seems perfect so far.
  • It has a journal feature, it can log events against days on the calendar, if you like to keep your program count down, it’s a good idea to use the embedded journal and abandon other applications. You can access the journal feature by clicking the calendar icon on the right.
Zim-Wiki interface
Zim-Wiki interface

Plugins

Zim Desktop wiki is expendable with the use of plugins, you can download and install many plugins from this site,  and access them from the menu :
 

Edit Preferences Plugins

It also supports word count and many other editor features to make the experience complete like the distraction free mode, just hit F11 and enjoy! It can be used to write a book as well, you can make your book the main folder and then distribute it on the pages and link it all together easily!

I did mention that LibreOffice is the best book writing software out there, looking closer at Zim-wiki, LibreOffice won by a nose!

 

Tags

You can use the tag feature by typing @ before any word, that will be a tag, and it will be displayed in the tag pane , it’s used to c ollect and sort da ta and make finding things easier inside notebooks.

 

Restoring after delete

If you delete a page by mistake you can easily recover it from the recycle bin (or trash, depending on your system).

 Check the help embedded for more cool tips on how to use Zim desktop wiki.

Download and install



You can download Zim wiki by visiting the website and downloading a .deb archive to install, or you can add the repository so it grabs updates automatically as a part of the system update.

sudo apt-get add-repository ppa:jaap.karssenberg/

zim
sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install zim

Z i m -wiki as a to do list app

I used to use Tasque to handle my daily tasks but not anymore! Now I enable d the Task list plugin and I was set! It’s that good! Enable the plugin by going to:  

 

E dit Preferences   Plugings Task list

 

After that you will see the checkbox icon, add the word todo to any line to make it a task, strike it through to mark it done!

If you want to see a checkbox then go to Insert Checkbox list.

 

Zim-wiki task list plugin
Zim-wiki task list plugin

Zim-wiki as GTD software

Although Zim-Wiki wasn’t developed to be a GTD (Getting Things Done) application, it can be edited easily to support the productivity plan, you can find this tut orial on Zi m -wiki’s site that tells you ho w to make it.

 

Markdown e d itor

If you like to use Markdown to style your documents and work then you don’t need to look for other tools! Zim-Wiki has you covered with Markdown support!

< ” Rati ng

Zim -wiki is awarded 4.95 on the Ubuntu software center receiving tons of positive feedback, so it has to be good! It’s also well received on Alternativeto.net

Honorable mentions

In this bit I’ll mention some other apps and why I stopped using each of them.
  • I started with Treepadlite and I didn’t like the interface.
  • I also tried CodeLib which was really good except the random crashes and the heavy memory foot print.
  • After that I used Tomboy which I really loved excepts the fact it doesn’t export notes which made me lose lots of notes. Also it’s tricky to figure which GTK library to use with on Window s.
  • I then adopted BasketNotes. Which was really really good. Except for one thing. It is a K D E application and for that I needed lots of libraries that Xubuntu didn’t have, and that made it heavy and prone to crashing.

So I decided to export the notes and find a suitable software for my needs. Here comes Zim-wiki!

 

What note keeping software so you use? What feature do you prefer the most?
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You are getting Windows 10 Whether you like it or not!

2015-10-21 / / 0 Comments
I haven’t been using Windows very often lately!

I am mostly on Xubuntu doing things light and easy. Today I logged in to defrag and checkout things. I also checked the updates, looking closely I found a bad surp
rise!

I was looking at the optional updates when an update number caught my attention. I had to look in the knowledge base to make sure, yes! It’s the notorious Get Windows 10!!
But.. I did my best to get rid of it! I even hid the update when presented with it!

I read some reports online that Microsoft are getting aggressive in terms of Windows 10 adaptation, they want you to install it and install it now!

My impressions so far

I didn’t think Microsoft would go that low! But here they are!
I tried it. Didn’t like it, uninstalled it and moved on! Why can’t you Microsoft?
There is no way on god’s green earth I’d go back to Windows 10. It’s just that bad!!
I have many reasons to stay away from Windows 10.  Being too pushy is now one of them.
Windows 10 is being shoved down our throats, I don’t want it, I don’t care for it. End of story..
Be careful and keep an open eye. They will not rest until you are using Windows 10, and that’s when the fun starts!!
If you installed the get Windows 10 by mistake. Check my tutorial on how to remove it and prevent it in the future!

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