25 Ubuntu tips for beginners

Tutorial: Break into Linux with our expert Ubuntu tips

By PC Plus

Dig around in Synaptic Package Manager and you'll find all kinds of free goodies

Taking a trip into the weird and wonderful world of Linux with the world's most popular distro isn't always the easiest of tasks, particularly if you're used to Windows' clean embrace.

This isn't helped by the fact that Ubuntu isn't as fully featured as it should be from the start.
Learn a bit about the OS, and get up and running with some interesting and helpful tools by following this guide


1. Run essential updates
Any Linux installation worth its salt will alert you immediately to any changes that need to be made after installation, particularly if you've installed from a Live CD that might not be entirely up to date.
Ubuntu alerts you to this with an orange flash in its taskbar. Click on it, enter the administration password you set during installation and use the Update Manager to install the essentials. You'll also find it at 'System | Update Manager'.

2. Manually update packages
The auto-updater isn't the only way to get your system up to speed. The package manager – which deals with downloading, installing and configuring new programs – might need a little kick, however.
Open a terminal window (select it from the menu, or hit [Alt]+[F2] and type gnome-terminal), then type sudo apt-get update to ensure that Ubuntu's knowledge of packages is up to date.

3. Perform package upgrades
The next step is to turn your installed packages into the shiny new versions, which you can do using a slightly different command in the terminal window: apt-get upgrade.
Insert it (remembering to prefix it with sudo, which tells Ubuntu to perform the action as a super user) and apt-get will hammer through the list, marking and installing any packages that have fallen behind the times.
4. Upgrade the distribution
Apt is a monster of a tool. It can help you stay right on the cutting edge with little or no effort on your part.
Let's say, for example, you've had an Ubuntu installation running for a while, but you want to install the latest version of the OS. You need to do a full backup, burn a new disc, sit through a reinstallation process and cross your fingers, right? Wrong.
Type apt-get distupgrade to bring your installed distro in line with current standards automatically.

5. Manage repositories easily
Apt doesn't conjure packages out of thin air. It uses repositories – vast databases of software packages that ensure the latest versions of software are always easily available from (almost) one place.
To add more repositories, we recommend starting by installing a repository manger.
Type sudo wget http://mac4deb.googlepages.com/addrepo -O / usr/bin/addrepo into a terminal window to install addrepo, then sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/addrepo to set its permissions properly.

6. Add new repositories
Adding another source for software is easy; once you've installed addrepo, you can do it in the terminal by typing something along the lines of addrepo deb http://mirror2.ubuntulinux.nl/ lucid-seveas all.
If you find new repositories online, they will usually give you the right details to enter. You could also do it graphically by going to 'System | Administration | Software Sources | Third Party Software | Add'.

7. Check the package manager
Ubuntu's package management tools are, as you might have noticed, not restricted to the command line. Synaptic Package Manager is an excellent graphical interface for apt.
To open it, go to 'System | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager'. Part of the fun of repositories is hunting around them for interesting packages – feel free to have a poke about!

8. Install restricted extras
Ubuntu is free software, so many features are left out by default for licensing reasons. That doesn't stop you installing them yourself, though.
To get the Flash plug-in, support for MP3 and DVD playback, and standard TrueType fonts (among other things), search Synaptic Package Manager for 'ubuntu-restricted-extras' and install it. All the essentials are in that single package.

9. Get some games
Ubuntu's default selection of games is a little weak. There's a wealth of gaming gold on the default repositories, though.

Search for and check out the following: Tremulous, a decent first-person shooter; FlightGear, a seasoned and accurate flight sim; Gridwars, a flashy topdown retro shooter; and vDrift, a track-based racing simulator. All deserve a place on your hard drive.

10. Enable more tweaks
There's a single package that will open up a world of further customisation options, and that's ubuntu-tweak. You can download the DEB package installing a repository manger.
Type sudo wget http://mac4deb.googlepages.com/addrepo -O / usr/bin/addrepo into a terminal window to install addrepo, then sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/addrepo to set its permissions properly
.
11. Set up Gnome-Do
Adding functionality to Ubuntu starts with Gnome-Do, which simplifies and speeds up searching for programs and files, or activating functions. Look in the package manager for 'gnome-do' (or install it using apt-get) to add it. You'll now find it in the Ubuntu menu.

12. Understand the panes
Get Gnome-Do running, then hit [Super]+[Space]. [Super] is the [Windows] key on a standard PC keyboard. The left-hand pane contains the item you're searching for, while the right-hand pane will eventually contain the action to be applied to it.

13. Try it out
We'll use Firefox as an example application for Gnome-Do. Start typing firefox and it should appear in the left window after a few letters – that's all you need to type. Now hit [Tab] to switch to the second pane, and start typing the action you wish to perform, such as Minimise or Close.
14. Use further features
The arrow keys are a satisfying way to navigate around Gnome-Do. Start typing in the first pane, then hit [down] to see all the possible options. Use [right] to expand folders or panels. Choose one, hit [Tab] and use the [down] arrow to select the action to perform on it.

15. Add more plug-ins
Gnome-Do can act on just about any software. Bring up the window with [Super]+[Space], click the little down arrow at the top-right corner and select Preferences. You can then add plug-ins for everything from Google tools and Twitter to music players such as RhythmBox.

16. Change your wallpaper
Ubuntu features some pretty – clearly Mac-inspired – purple desktop backgrounds, but no operating system is really yours until you've plastered a picture of your cat all over it. Right-click the desktop and choose 'Change Desktop Background' to load one in.

17. Switch window styles
You can change the look of your desktop's windows from the 'Appearance Preferences' window. Click the Theme tab, then click on a style to see how it will look. If you click 'Customise', you can combine elements from different themes.
18. Install hardware drivers
To get the most out of your Ubuntu desktop, you'll need the optimal drivers for your graphics card. They're not installed by default, but if you go to 'System | Administration | Hardware Drivers', you'll see your options. Select the latest driver, install it and restart.

19. Set up desktop effects
You'll get a fancier looking desktop if you switch on visual effects ('System | Preferences | Appearance | Visual Effects'). Install the 'compiz' settings application – search Synaptic for 'compizconfig' – and you'll have access to many more stylish tweaks.

20. Add a dock
There's a neat little desktop application, based on the code behind Gnome-Do (discussed elsewhere), that emulates the dock from Mac OS X. It's worth a try. Search Synaptic for 'docky', install it, and you'll be able to configure its minutest details by simply clicking the icon on the far left.

21. Play Windows videos
Type this into a terminal: sudo wget http://www.medibuntu. org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_ release -cs).list –outputdocument=/ etc/apt/ sources.list.d/medibuntu. list. Then run sudo apt-get install w32codecs to get the appropriate files.

22. Install VLC
You'll find VLC listed in Synaptic under a search for 'VLC'. Like most apps, it installs a number of other programs at the same time, which it needs in order to run. However, it doesn't install the Firefox plug-in – search for 'mozilla-plugin-vlc' to find it if you want media handled in your browser.

23. Set up Samba
Sharing files with Windows computers? You need Samba. Search for 'samba' within Synaptic, mark the packages 'samba' and 'system-config-samba' for installation and click 'Apply.' You can use the configuration app to set up permanently linked shares.
24. Mess with panels
Ubuntu's default layout is a mix of OS X and Windows. To fiddle with its panels, right-click an empty spot and select 'Properties'. You can also add or remove elements with the appropriate command. If you've installed Docky, you may need to shift at least one panel out of the way.

25. Unleash GIMP
There's one premier artistry app for Linux, and that's GIMP. If there were an award for 'most Photoshop features aped', it would win two of them. It doesn't come on a standard Ubuntu Live CD, but it deserves to, so grab it from Synaptic Package Manager and get doodling.

20 reasons you should switch to Linux by ditching OS X and Windows

There are hundreds of compelling reasons why Linux is better than all the rival operating systems. Here are just 20.

1. Linux is free
No matter how many computers you install it on, the cost of Linux remains the same: zero.
In these days of multi-computer households, this can be a massive saving, especially when you consider the cost of all the programs you have to add to a standard Windows installation.

2. Software repositories
Having all the software you need in one place saves you having to trawl the web to find the program you're missing. It also means the software has been independently checked and digitally signed by the distro's developers, making it almost impossible to pick up a root-kitted version.

The same developers also keep track of updates and add them to the repository, providing you with automatic updates without every program needing a 'phone home' feature.

3. Live CDs
Live CDs are one of the best innovations of the Linux world. To be able to load a complete desktop on any computer by booting it from a CD or USB stick is a great way of using your favourite distro away from home, demonstrating Linux to yet-to-be-converted friends, checking hardware compatibility or fixing a broken Windows system.

4. Rapid evolution
Windows Vista took five years to appear, and was seen by many critics and users alike as a big step backwards, if not a complete flop. Since Windows 7 would take another three years to come along, that was virtually an eight-year wait for an operating system upgrade!
In contrast, most Linux distributions have an updated release every six to nine months (with the obvious exception of Debian). If you don't like the upside-down menus or whatever features Ubuntu decides to add to its current release, you can skip it – the next version will be only months away.

5. Linux is free
Didn't we already mention this? Yes, but this is a different free: it's the freedom to do whatever you want with the software. This isn't restricted to copying, but also hacking.
Even if you don't have the skills to do so, you can take advantage of the efforts of others. In fact, you probably already do so, as most distros use a modified version of the standard Linux kernel.

6. Powerful shell
While some criticise Linux for its use of the shell, this really is a powerful advantage. Easy GUIs are good, and we need to be able to carry out standard administration and configuration tasks using a GUI, but sometimes a shell can be so much faster and more flexible, unlike a DOS box.

7. Multiple desktops

Have you ever watched a Windows user trying to juggle several programs and windows on screen at once, assuming they have enough resources to run several programs? Multiple desktops makes it easy to have many programs and windows open all at once, but only have to deal with the ones you are using right now.
For example, you could have your email and internet on one desktop, a game on another, and the work you're supposed to be doing on another. A flick of the mouse is all that's required to switch between them.

8. Independent distributions
Distributors are responsible for selecting and packaging software. Even if the distributor employs some of the programmers of a particular program, it isn't obliged to use that program irrespective of any shortcomings, unlike the situation with a certain large, monolithic software company. Software evolves because the distros only include what they feel is the best or most appropriate.

9. Drivers included
Some claim that Windows 7 supports more hardware than Linux. In fact, the reverse is true. Windows 7 supports very little hardware – most hardware requires you to install drivers from the manufacturer.
On the other hand, the majority of hardware is supported directly by the Linux kernel, so you can just plug and play – this is one of the reasons live CDs work so well.

10. Runs on any platform
Linux runs on just about any hardware you can name, from mobile phones to supercomputers. The open source nature of the kernel and software means it can be ported to another architecture by a third party if the existing developers see no need. The end user doesn't need to care about the underlying hardware.

11. No commercial deadlines
The release of a commercial operating system requires much planning in terms of coordinating marketing and promotion, so release dates are adhered to, even if the software isn't ready.
Linux distros have no such pressures, and tend to adopt a 'release it when ready' approach, which means there are fewer post-installation bugs to deal with.

12. Interoperability
Linux plays well with other systems. It recognises that there's a place for Windows and Mac OS X and will install alongside them, share files with them, and generally be nice to them. This is very different from the Windows view that multibooting means choosing between Windows 7 and Vista.

13. Community support
The community support of Linux is unparalleled, mainly because there is no clear demarcation between developers and the rest of the community. Web forums and mailing lists are frequented by the software developers themselves, giving prompt and authoritative help, as well as the opportunity for users to give direct feedback and discuss suggestions with the developers.

14. Any colour you like, except brown
Everything on Linux has an alternative, from the desktop you use to the package manager and even the filesystem holding it all. You can pick what's best for your needs, whether you want impressive eye candy or fast and light for older hardware.

15. Pick and mix
With Linux, there is no commercial vendor trying to lock you into certain products or protocols. Instead, you're free to mix and match and choose what works best for your business. If you want to run KDE programs on a Gnome desktop or even the other way round, you can. If you want to cherry pick the best bits from each distro, you can. There are even DIY distros, such as Gentoo, that enable you to build a custom environment.

16. Security
Linux is inherently more secure than Windows, because security is a feature of the core system, not a boltedon afterthought. With a firewall at the heart of the kernel and the virtual impossibility of slipping malware into the software repositories, a Linux computer can devote all its resources to running your programs, rather than being bogged down with security programs running all the time.

17. Lack of malware
Malware is virtually unheard of on Linux. This is mainly down to the open source nature of the software. If you install from your distro's repositories, you know the software has been checked by them.

18. Thousands of programs included
A Linux distro is not just an operating system; it comes with thousands of free applications. While other systems consider a desktop, web browser and mailer to be all you need, a typical Linux distro includes everything you could possibly want: internet tools, office software, multimedia and games. If it's not on the installation disc, there are thousands more available for download.
19. No reinstallations
When problems occur in Linux, they can be fixed directly. You don't even need to reinstall when you want to update to the latest version of your distro.

20. Pick a distro
And if you don't like it, pick another, and another. Most distros keep user data on a separate partition, so you can flit between distros like a hyperactive butterfly, and still keep all your settings, emails and so on intact.

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First published in Linux Format Issue 138

Liked this? Then check out 10 best Linux distros for 2010

10 best Linux distros of the year (2010)

so as the year comes to an end lets see the 10 linux distros of the year

PCLinuxOS is the best linux distro if you're migrating from a PC

Hardware compatibility, ease of use, the size of a software repository. These three attributes are unique to each Linux distribution. But at the same time, each Linux distribution is at liberty to take and mix whatever it wants from any other.
This creates a rather unique situation, where good ideas quickly spread, and bad ones fail. And as a result, there are dozens of distribution updates each month, hundreds each year, in a race to leap-frog the each other in the race to the top of the DistroWatch.com charts.
This is why the answer to the question, of which distribution is best for you, changes with the tides, and why we're keen to keep on top of distribution developments. What follows is our recommendations for this year, split by typical users. Try them yourself. They're all free.
1. The best distro for beginners: Ubuntu 10.10
There can be few people who haven't heard of Ubuntu. It's a word that's become synonymous with Linux, raising both praise and chagrin from the Linux community in equal measure. But outside the community squabbling, there's no doubt that this is a distribution to be reckoned with. Especially if you're a beginner.
Ubuntu is the antidote to a world of uncertainty. For the vast majority of installations, it will just work. You won't have to worry about hardware incompatibility, software installation and configuration. Stick the disc in the drive, answer a few easy questions, and you'll find yourself looking at the beautiful new design of version 10.10, the so-called Maverick Meerkat.
Unlike most other distributions, Ubuntu developers know how to make a desktop look good. The aurora-like swathes of purple, orange and black may have taken their inspiration from Cupertino, but they easily beat the tedious dull-brown of previous versions.
What's not so great, for seasoned users, is that the window control buttons, such as close, minimise and maximise, are now on the top-left border. But new users, especially those used to OS X, won't find this a problem, and neither did we after a couple of days to acclimatise.
Ubuntu is still ahead of the game, and for new users it's unbeatable. It offers the best looking default desktop, an unparalleled software repository, easy installation of proprietary software like Flash and Nvidia drivers, and incorporates one of the largest and most accessible communities on the internet. It's still a winner.

UBUNTU: Easy installation, a massive package repository and a dedicated user community help keep Ubuntu a great choice for newcomers
Also consider: Mandriva 2010.1
2. The best distro for experts: Fedora 14
The Fedora distribution takes a trail-blazing, no compromise, approach to free software. It offers many of the same advantages of Ubuntu like excellent hardware support, a refined desktop and great package choice, with some of the core-philosophy ideals that have helped make Linux such as a success.
As a result, it's not an ideal distribution if you're looking for proprietary and closed software. MP3 codecs, Adobe Flash and Nvidia drivers are not easy to install, and get even less easier with each new release. Instead, you'll want to stick with the open source alternatives provided by Fedora.
Which isn't such a bad thing. The new version includes the fantastic, hardware accelerated, and open source, Nouveau Nvidia driver, while the new photo manager, Shotwell, is an interesting alternative to the potentially patent crippled F-Spot.
Version 14 is the latest Fedora release to tackle the growing popularity of Ubuntu, and as a result, it's one of best looking and usable distributions around, regardless of your politics. But it's also a distribution you can easily make your own.
Creating a development environment is easy, for example, and the locations used by shared libraries, configuration files and kernel headers strictly adhere to long established standards. This means that with Fedora 14 you get the best of both worlds. A good looking, usable desktop straight from installation CD, and a completely customisable, standard and stable environment from which you can build your perfect distribution.

FEDORA: The result of a fusion between a noble cause and an uncompromisingly corporate business plan
Also consider: Slackware
3. The best distro for Windows Migrants: PCLinuxOS
This is the first distribution we've looked at to use the KDE desktop environment by default. Although you can grab versions for all the other major desktop environments, we consider KDE to be the best match for Windows power-users. This is because it's an environment who's slate grey and blue surface belies an underworld of configuration options, complexity and customisation on the interior.
The 4th generation of KDE has experienced stability problems, but the current 4.4 cycle has finally been able to throw off the puppy-fat pain of earlier versions.
And thanks to the quarterly ISO update cycle of PCLinuxOS, it has become an excellent choice for users who want to stay ahead in the KDE features and stability game. The latest, for example, includes significant updates to the K3b Blu-Ray, CD and DVD burner, the Digikam photo management tool, the Choqok social networking tool and the Amarok media player, all wrapped around the very latest KDE release.
Combine this with the bundled Flash player, proprietary drivers and a visually stunning desktop, and you have a great choice for users who have spent the last couple of years getting the most from the Windows File Manager, the Registry Editor and the Aero effects of the Windows 7 desktop.

PCLINUXOS: One of the few distributions to dramatically change the look of the default KDE desktop
Also consider: Mepis 8.5
4. The best distro for older Hardware: Puppy Linux 5.0
Linux's great strength is its flexibility. It runs on everything from mobile phones to space ships. As a result, it's extremely good at scaling, and makes a good choice for older hardware. Unlike some other operating systems, you won't have to resort to running older versions either. There are plenty of distributions that will take the latest software, the latest kernel and the latest drivers, and build them into a distribution tailored for older bits of kit.
The best we've found is Puppy. It's a diminutive, yet fully functional, operating system that runs from your system's memory for extra speed. Just burn the 128MB ISO to a CD and boot. What's most impressive about Puppy is that while it may be only be running from RAM, it still writes your changes back to the spare space on your CD or DVD boot media, getting the most from both possible worlds.
But the best thing about version 5 is that it now uses the same package repository as Ubuntu. This gives you immediate access to thousands of the most popular packages and means that, while your installation may start small, it's likely to grow into the perfect fit for whatever hardware combination you're using.

PUPPY: Pull out that old machine from the loft, Puppy Linux will turn it into a fully fledged 2010 Linux powehouse
Also consider: Slitaz
5. The best distro for your desktop: Linux Mint 
Linux Mint, with its beautiful imagery, simple aesthetic, and 'go-do' attitude, gets our vote in a competitive field for the best Linux distribution for everyday desktop use. It may be based on Ubuntu, but it isn't afraid of challenging people expectations by combining the best pre-built tools and desktop environments with its own unique take on how a desktop should feel.
The default Gnome version is the perfect example. Gnome's top-bar is gone, leaving the lower status window as the only screen ornamentation. The launch menu gets the same treatment, replacing Gnome's trio of 'Applications', 'Places' and 'Administration' with the singular Mint Menu.
The new version is a solid upgrade, adding right-click support and transparency. If you use a lot of applications, this is a massive improvement over Gnome's default, and is easier to configure and modify. Alongside Ubuntu's prodigious packages, Mint includes quite a few of it own.
These are available through a new software manager that's better than Ubuntu's, thanks to the sporadic reviews and screenshots. You can also enable desktop effects, Compiz, and other bits of eye candy easily through a new desktop setting panel embedded within a custom Control Center application that's growing with each release. The end result is a distribution that stands on the shoulders of giants to become one the best contenders for your desktop.

MINT: Blows a breath of fresh air across a world dominated by brown, blue and purple 



6. The best distro for netbooks: Ubuntu UNR 10.10
Great hardware compatibility, a refined GUI and a redesigned launch menu help make UNR our number one choice for netbooks
While Apple is slowly pulling the carpet out from underneath the netbook market, there's still great demand, and some great bargains to be had, for these diminutive PCs.
And despite a terrible start with distributions like Linpus and Xandros, Canonical's UNR really does hit the mark. It's quick, boots in around 20 seconds, and provided your hardware is listed as compatible, you get great battery life with suspend/resume and faultless wireless for the vast majority of Atom-based netbooks.
Canonical has also spent a great deal of effort redesigning the desktop. The borderless window managers lets you switch between Ubuntu applications that can make maximum use of the available screen resolution, and the Clutter-based launch menu gives you painless access to whatever you've got installed.
The new Epiphany messenger system also makes good sense on a netbook, rolling email, instant messaging, status updates and social networking into a single, invisible application.
It's also the platform that makes best use of Ubuntu's new on-scren notification system, informing you of low battery levels, new Tweets and incoming email in a pop-up, configurable window. All of which helps to make UNR feel far more functional and together than its closest competitor.

Also consider: MeeGo 1.0
7. The best distro for sys admins: Debian 5.0
Debian has become the paternal grandfather of the Linux new wave. Ubuntu, originally based on Debian, has inherited many of its strengths, including its package format, its breadth of packages, configuration files and locations.
And as a result, so has Ubuntu's own derivatives, including Mint, Crunchbang and gOS. This gives Debian a great advantage. It's already going to feel familiar to millions of people who have never used it. And for that reason, it's the perfect choice for system administrators who have used one of its derivatives.
But there's another, more important, reason. Major version Debian releases are generally years apart, and the software that makes the final cut has been tested to the point of destruction. The current version, Debian 5, is due for replacement later this summer, when version 6.0 should arrive.
It will build on what is already the perfect platform for your own tools, utilities and solutions, and enable you to install almost anything you need through the package manager. A task that Fedora can't quite compete with. Debian might not have the commercial backing of Fedora, but it's still enviably secure, bundling SELinux, the latest X server and desktops, and a new found ability to run as a Live CD, which is perfect for ad-hoc troubleshooting.

DEBIAN: Despite being part-named after the founder's girlfriend, Debian has matured into a stable, sensible and sober distribution for discerning Linux users
Also consider: Arch Linux
8. The best distro for the office: OpenSUSE 11.3
This is only the second distribution in our list to use the KDE desktop by default. The other is PCLinuxOS, which we've recommended for Windows migrants, and OpenSuse is chosen for a similar reason: the desktop is likely to feel most familiar in an office environment.
But where PCLinuxOS is a relatively small project with very little support, OpenSuse is the last great hope of Novell, the once dominant network-layer provider. As such, not only is it well supported at the desktop level, but also in the world of enterprise computing, where Novell competes with Red Hat Linux for server space.
This means that if your office systems are critical to your success, OpenSuse has both the pedigree and the functionality you'll need. It also helps that Novell makes a significant contribution to the OpenOffice.org suite of applications, which is likely to be the main application suite running in an office, alongside its own (paid-for) Microsoft Exchange interface and a close affiliation with Microsoft itself.
OpenSUSE 11.3 bundles the latest version of KDE, as well as Mono. This is the Microsoft .Net compatibility library that has recently been removed from both Fedora and Ubuntu, and its inclusion might be important if you're working in a cross-platform environment, and you need greater compatibility with Microsoft's products. Which is exactly what Novell wants you to think.

OPENSUSE: Thanks to strong links with Microsoft, OpenSUSE is a great option if your office needs to work with Office
Also consider: gOS
9. The best distro for Servers: CentOS 5.5
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is almost untouchable in the business market. It's one of the most profitable and well supported areas of the Linux ecosystem, and as you might expect, it's expensive. It's only available if you're willing to pay for the service, support and upgrades, at prices that put it out of reach of cash-strapped upstarts.
But RHEL is still open source, and while the binary packages might not be available, the source code for those packages has to be. Which is where CentOS comes in. It takes the source code and rebuilds RHEL in its own image, feature for feature, for each release. It gets close enough to be almost 100% compatible with third-party RHEL packages, and is the best choice for many online projects that can't stretch to a supported RHEL contract.
Version 5.5 was released in May, less than two months after the equivalent RHEL release. You get the same packages, the same fixes, the same Gnome desktop and applications. The only thing missing is support, but the CentOS community is very active, and always more than happy to help, making CentOS the only option for real-world critical performance at almost no cost.

GOS: The only real difference between CentOS and RHEL is the logo and desktop themes
Also consider: PC-BSD (we know this isn't strictly Linux, but it's a brilliant BSD distribution)
10. The best distro for multimedia: Ubuntu Studio
Linux has thousands of creative software titles, but the average distribution isn't always the best platform to use them. This is especially true of music software, which needs a specially configured kernel and a specific configuration of audio drivers to work at its best. Adjusting your everyday distribution to accommodate those changes isn't easy, which is why there are plenty of distributions that attempt to do the job for you.
The best is Ubuntu Studio. It's designed for music and audio, but you can install anything from the standard Ubuntu repositories. Thanks to the realtime kernel, audio latency is low, and you shouldn't have any problems running resource heavy applications like The Gimp loading a large image.
You won't have to hunt around for the best software either, as the developers have chosen the cream of creative applications to install by default, including audio, video and graphics editors and a customised desktop.
The latest version, for example, is a 1.7GB DVD image, rather than the CD size of Ubuntu, and installation from this can save you a lot of time. But the best thing about this distribution is that it includes a working 'Jack' configuration, a low-latency audio layer that can transform your Linux desktop into a virtual recording studio. A task that isn't very straightforward without a little help.

UBUNTU STUDIO: Forget the complexity of building a working music studio yourself. Just run Ubuntu Studio and start recording
Also consider: PureDyne

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6 Ways To Jailbreak Your Latest iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Jailbreaking is one of the must things you will want to perform on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch having an iOS. Jailbreaking is a process which allows users to gain root access and unlock the operating system thus removing any limitations imposed upon them by Apple. There are many ways with which you can jailbreak your apple device but here are some shortest, easiest, convenient and free ways to jailbreak your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and get the most out of your device.

Recently, I have written articles about iPhone 4 review and greatness of iPhone. Below, I am listing down 6 ways to jailbreak your apple device and some of them are included with videos for your easy reference and so that you can do it yourself. Enjoy

1. GreenPois0n

This is the latest tool released to jailbreak apple devices which has the capability to jailbreak even the newer OS which is iOS4. This software is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS so you may choose your platform to download and get things done. Watch the video below to know how to jailbreak.














2. Limera1n

This tool too is a latest released in the market to jailbreak iPhone or iPads having iOS4. This is a very easy to use tool and available for windows, Linux and Mac platform as well. Watch the video below for jailbreaking process.






3. ToolJail 2.2

ToolJail is designed for iPhone newbie’s to help them jailbreak and unlock their iPhone and iPod touch. It contains all the necessary jailbreak and unlock instructions, along with how-to’s on DFU and Recovery Mode, downgrading firmware, and direct download links for all the necessary tools required.







4. JailBreakMe

This is an application which you need to install directly on your device and can perform the jailbreaking operation. You need to visit the site jailbreakme.com via your device browser, get the application and then watch the video below








5. RedSn0w


The Dev-Team released the iOS4 jailbreak for iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G. Still no iPhone 3GS or iPod Touch 3G support but it shouldnt that long before those devices will be supported. Download the tool from HERE. Watch the video below.













6. Your Way!


Do you have any other way which is not listed in the above list ? Do you know any other good method which should be used to jailbreaking iPhone or any other apple devices ? Do you have a link to share ?


Feel free to share your suggestion, views, reviews and words with us by commenting below. I hope you liked this article. Thanks

iPhone 4, Is It All That Great?!

Apple released its first iPhone back in 2007 and since then, they have been working hard to improve the quality and its features and released many new versions like 3G, 3Gs and now iPhone 4. The new iPhone 4 contains many new rich features which can attract any gadget freak but as it is said, nothing is perfect and it goes same for the new iPhone 4 as well. Apple knows how to advertise their iPhone but still they somehow remains one step behind the other phone providers. In this article, I am going to discuss if the new iPhone is worth having or not. Do share your views.


The features that made the iPhone popular

I believe the features of the iPhone that made it a premium phone since it’s very first release was:

1. The capacitive touch screen.
2. The screen form factor was cleverly selected and designed.
3. iOS.

These key features are now fairly common in many of the smart phones today. actually many smart phones now has better feature set than that of the iPhone 4, but still, iPhone 4 makes it to the top of the US smart phone market again.
This makes me believe that the key feature and the greatest advantage this phone has is a very clever and smart marketing team that knows how to sell the not so premium phone as the most prestigious gadget in the electronics market today.

 Why I wouldn’t Buy iPhone 4

As I mentioned before, there are many many phones that have a better feature set and capabilities that the iPhone 4, that includes better camera and video recording, better multitasking, better file management,better app store (android market) … etc 

Also, iPhone 4 has so many problems reported by the users and the reviews websites. many users have reported and actually returned their iPhone because of call drops, the problem happens when the phone user places his thumb over the upper left part of the iphone frame blocking the antenna of the phone; Other problems are the easy to scratch glassy back and the inverted volume buttons.
My main reason for not buying iPhone is, I wont pay premium if I can get better at less cost, besides, I won’t eat an apple if someone has taken a bite of it before me.



My suggestions for a better smart phone

Well, actually the term “smart phone” is a bit vague to me, when some body mention this term i wonder does he/she mean that the phone can do multitasking? or have a touch screen ? or can access the companies mail through the exchange server? or has a well known OS?

To me, a smart phone is a phone that can handle a fairly complex jobs and applications that a small computer can handle, so I includes all the above and more. any way, here are my suggestions for a better smart phone than the iPhone :

1. Samsung Galaxy S
2. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
3. LG Expo
4. Samsung Beam
5. HTC Desire HD
6. Nokia N8

The above list is just a quick list that I have put from my memory right now, feel free to comment with your top 5 smart phone list below.

All You Need To Know About iPhone 4 !

One of the giant in the technology world and smartphone world as well, Apple. Launched its latest and probably the best smartphone in the world and named it as : The iPhone 4 ! Here at thecopypasteblog.com, I am bringing you the best review of this phone studded with all features. So, Enjoy !

This iPhone 4 has the world’s latest OS called iOS4 which has 1500 new upgradation from the previous OS of iPhone 3G ! Below are some of the specifications of the new iPhone 4.

Tech Specs

1. 24% Thinner than iPhone 3G (9.3 mm depth)
2. Dual camera (front and rear)
3. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS
4. 960 * 640 display with 360 ppi
5. 300 hours of battery stand-by

Main Features

Well this new iPhone has some of the very exciting features including video calling and video recording.
This new iPhone has Retina displa. With its 960*640 display and 360 pixel per inch, makes it the highest resolution phone ever. The normal human eye can distinguish only till 300ppi so this makes the graphics vivid.


It has one more interesting feature which is named as FaceTime. With faceTime, Video calling via iPhone is possible but it is possible only through wi-fi. For more info about this feature, watch the video below.


There are many more exciting features coming up in the next iPhone 4. Check out this link for more details and the video below to unleash and explore the full power of iPhone 4 !



The iPhone 16 GB is priced at 199$ and the 32GB is priced at 299$ ! So, Are you going to put your hands on it ?

20 Ways to Get Followers on Twitter

Twitter is a really powerful tool for online social networking, promoting your online work and getting to know people in the web world around you. To maximize your use of Twitter, you want to gain followers on the site. The more people that you have following you there, the more likely it is that they will see what you’re doing and be interested in your work around the web. There are many different things that you can do to increase the number of people who follow you on Twitter. Here’s a look at the twenty things that you should do first to get more Twitter followers.

1. Use Twitter’s tools for finding and adding your existing contacts.

If you follow them, they’ll likely follow you. Don’t stop there, however. Follow up with an email  to each of those people letting them know why you really hope that they’ll follow you on Twitter. This follow-through increases the number of followers that you’ll get.

2. Make an announcement on your other social networking sites that you’d like to be followed on Twitter.

Let your Facebook and MySpace friends know where they can find you to follow you on Twitter. Don’t just make this announcement once either; update your Facebook status with this info every two or three weeks to keep getting people’s attention back to your Twitter. You can also post to Facebook from Twitter and it will show up on Facebook that you did that so people will know that you’re using Twitter.

3. Add your Twitter information to your email signature.

Every time that you email anyone, they’ll see that they can follow you on Twitter.

4. Blog about your use of Twitter.

Mention regularly in your blog or on your website that you are a Twitter user and be sure to link to your Twitter contact information.

5. Add the Twitter widget to your website.

In addition to mentioning your Twitter use yourself, you can actually show others what you’re Twittering by adding the Twitter widget to your site or blog. This encourages readers to check out your activities on Twitter and therefore to follow you.

6. List yourself in Twitter directories.

Directories like JustTweetIt and WeFollow are great places to provide others with information about who you are and how to follow you on Twitter.

7. Improve your page.

You can customize Twitter with a better background, avatar and bio info. The better your page looks, the more likely it is that people who see that page will want to follow you.

8. Be active on the site.

The best way to get followers is to follow other people and then respond regularly to the things that they post. The more active that you are on Twitter, the more people are going to want to follow you. You can also schedule your tweets when you can’t be active.

9. Be interesting on the site.

Don’t just be active without saying anything. Post things that are actually interesting so that people will be interested by you.

10. Offer to guest post on the sites of big Twitter users.

Find Twitter users who have a lot of followers. Check out their blogs. Offer to guest post on the blog in exchange for promotion of the post on Twitter. This increases attention to you on Twitter and creates more followers.

11. Write articles around the web and promote them on Twitter.

There are many sites that you can write articles on (Your blog being one of them) so write a few about Twitter and link to your profile. (Here’s my Twitter information!)

12. Participate in forums and blog comments about Twitter.

The more that you’re talking about Twitter, the more that you’re going to get attention from other people online who are using Twitter and who may want to follow you on the site.

13. Request support from your Twitter followers.

Once you’ve established a bit of a following, Tweet that you’re looking for more followers and would love people to let their Twitter followers know where to find you. Some just might help you out.

14. Create some sort of contest related to Twitter.

Make up your own creative contest on your website or Facebook page that ultimately leads to benefits to someone else for supporting you on Twitter. For example, you might giveaway something to the friend who refers the most people to follow you on Twitter.

15. Make a Twitter Landing Page.

This is a tip from Problogger that basically says to replace your website home page with a Twitter landing page which informs people about your use of Twitter so that they can follow you. Then they can check out your website.

16. Add your Twitter URL to your business cards.

Make sure all printed promotional materials that you have include a link to your Twitter profile.

17. Follow people often.

Follow new people every single day. They may follow you back. Follow everyone who follows you. Their followers may follow you back.

18. Join Twitter Groups.

There are online groups that are all about Twitter and if you join them then you’ll meet people who use the site and who want to friend other users on the site.

19. Go to TweetUps.

These are in-person meetups of Twitter users that are springing up all over the country. Meet people in person, put a face to the name and then you can follow each other on Twitter with some real impact.

20. Get creative.

The main thing is to do all that you can to keep thinking of new ways to drive traffic to your Twitter account so that you gain followers. The more creative you get, the more likely it is that you’ll see success on the site.

Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows 7 Super Fast

This is the 3rd tutorial of our "Master Tutorial" series. We have already posted 2 other tutorials for Windows XP and Windows Vista in past and now its turn of Windows 7.

Although Windows 7 is already very fast and reliable but this tutorial will help you in getting the max performance out of your system.

So without wasting any time, here we start our tutorial:

1. Registry Tweaks:

Following topic contains a few registry tweaks to optimize your system performance and add a few useful extras:

Collection of Registry Tweaks for Windows 7

You just need to DOWNLOAD the ZIP file, extract it and run the file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it. Restart your system to take affect.

2. Right-click on Computer icon on Desktop and select Properties (or press WIN + Pause/Breakkeys). Now click on Advanced system settings link in left side pane (You can open it directly by givingsysdm.cpl command in RUN or start menu search box). Now click on Settings button in Performancesection:

It'll open another window. Disable all unnecessary options in Visual Effects tab, you can leave following options enabled according to your requirements:

• Enable Aero Peek (If you want to use Aero Peek feature)
• Enable desktop composition (If you want to use Windows Aero theme)
• Enable transparent glass (If you want to use transparency in Windows)
• Show thumbnails instead of icons (If you want to show thumbnails in Explorer)
• Show window contents while dragging (If you want windows to show contents while moving them)
• Smooth edges of screen fonts (If you want to show smooth fonts)
• Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop (If you want to show shadows under desktop icon labels)
• Use visual styles on windows and buttons (If you want to use Windows Aero or Basic theme)

3. Open Windows Explorer and go to "Organize -> Folder and Search Options" and click on "View" tab.

Now disable following options:

• Display file size information in folder tips
• Hide extensions for known file types
• Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
• Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items

4. Right-click on Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage (You can also open it directly by givingservices.msc command in RUN or start menu search box).

Now go to Services & Applications -> Services. Here you can set a few unnecessary services to Manual, so that these services don't start automatically with Windows and you can get a faster startup.

Visit following tutorial to know which services can be set to MANUAL to increase system performance:

Windows 7 Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL

5. Type msconfig in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter. Now go to Startup tab and disable unwanted startup entries. You can disable your graphics card's driver utility, Sound Card utility, etc to speed up the system startup and to increase system performance.

6. Open Sound applet in Control Panel (or type mmsys.cpl in RUN or Startmenu search box and press Enter). Now go to Sounds tab and select No Sounds from Sound Scheme section. You can keep some of your favorite sounds enabled but make sure to set Exit Windows, Windows Log off, Windows Logon and Start Navigation to (None).

Also disable "Play Windows Startup sound" option to disable the sound clip which is played at login screen.

7. Also don't forget to:

• Defrag the hard disk regularly
• Install only necessary software
• Use the latest device drivers
• Keep your Windows up-to-date

After following all the above mentioned points, you'll definitely notice major improvements in your Windows 7 performance.