Nord: A Beautiful Glassy GNOME Shell Theme

Nord is a new glassy GNOME Shell theme based on Zukitwo, created by WebUpd8 reader rAX.

The theme is currently in beta and there are some known bugs but it already looks great, featuring some unique elements like the switches which look amazing (see the screenshots). If you use GNOME Shell, you must really give it a try!

Here are a few screenshots:

To use Nord, either extract it in the ~/.themes/ folder and use GNOME Tweak Tool or ThemeSelector GNOME Shell extension to apply the theme or rename the extracted folder from "gnome-shell" to "theme" and replace the /usr/share/gnome-shell/theme folder.

Download Nord GNOME Shell theme

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

Conky Lunatico Rings

Conky Lunatico Rings is a really nice Conky configuration based on Conky Orange which displays rings for the CPU, memory, disk and network usage, in the form of gauges.

You can download Conky Lunatico Rings from HERE.


Because there were some spacing issues on my system, I've tweaked the configuration a bit so it looks like this:

(Using the original configuration, it looks like this on my system)

But maybe the original Conky Lunatico Rings works better on your computer (it's most probably related to the font configuration) so try the original firstly. If you want my tweaked version, you can get it from HERE. 

Because the wireless ring is useless for me, I've removed it - so if you don't want the wireless part and don't know how to do it, you can download my modified Conky Lunatico Rings without wireless from HERE. Here's a screenshot with this config:

But you can of course tweak it some more by yourself, it's really not that difficult.

Usage

Firstly, install Conky. In Ubuntu, use the following command in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install conky

To use Conky Lunatico Rings, you'll need to install the Ubuntu font - this is already available on your system if you use Ubuntu 10.10+ or you can manually download it from font.ubuntu.com.

Then, download Conky Lunatico Rings (links above), extract the downloaded archive, create a folder called ".conky" in your home directory and move the "conky_lunatico.lua" and "conkyrc_lunatico" files into this folder.

And finally, run it using the following command:

conky -c ~/.conky/conkyrc_lunatico

To add Conky Lunatico Rings to startup, open Startup Applications, under "Name" enter "conky" and under "Command", enter this:

conky -p 50 -c /home/YOUR_USERNAME/.conky/conkyrc_lunatico

Where "YOUR_USERNAME" is yes, your username :) This will delay the Conky startup which is required for it to function properly.


For more Conky configurations, check out our Conky tag.

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

DoudouLinux 1.0

DoudouLinux is a Linux distribution for children, designed to be both educational and fun. It can be used from a CD/DVD or an USB stick so you don't have to install it. We've reviewed it a while back so check out that post for more info.

The first stable DoudouLinux version was released earlier this month. DoudouLinux 1.0 "Gondwana" is based on Debian Lenny and supports 15 languages, using 5 different alphabets. Here are the most important changes in DoudouLinux 1.0:

• three new applications: Songwrite (a simple song editor and player which defaults to use fingerings and tabs instead of the musical notation), Stopmotion (animation movie creator - using this app, you can make videos from a series of photos in which the characters are slightly moved from one shot to another) and Jukebox (a small launcher that plays the music files in the user’s Music directory)
• new startup / shutdown graphics and music
• songs for children
• better hardware support, especially for networking and wifi (Network Manager has replaced lxnm)

Songwrite and Stopmotion aren't exactly for young children, but there are quite a few applications for children of any age, like: Tux Paint, Piano Keyboard, Childsplay and lots more.

DoudouLinux 1.0 is the last release based on Debian Lenny and the next version will use Debian Squeeze as a base and will be ported to the ARM platform.

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

Get Rid Of PPA "404 Not Found" Messages When Running "apt-get update"

If you type the wrong PPA address when adding a PPA or you add a PPA that doesn't provide packages for your Ubuntu version, you'll get a "404 Not Found" error message when running "apt-get update".

These errors are pretty much harmless (though they probably slow down "apt-get update" a bit) but if you want to get rid of them anyway, you must disable the PPAs that cause the 404 errors via Software Sources. If you want an easier, automated way to disable the PPAs that cause these errors, give "fix404" a try.

"fix404" is a simple script that checks for "404 not found" messages for all the PPAs added to your software sources and prompts you to disable them:

"fix404" will prompt twice for each PPA - that's because it needs to disable both the binary and the source line.

By the way, if you want to check which Ubuntu versions are supported by each PPA you've added, use "checklp".

Installation

The "fix404" PPA is only available for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal - add it and install it using the commands below:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:lkjoel/fix404
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install fix404

For other Ubuntu versions, you can download the .deb file from HERE.

To use "fix404", run the following command in a terminal:

sudo fix404

Update: the last command is required because I've found a bug in this script (the permission of the modified .list files is changed). I've reported the bug so hopefully it will be fixed. The bug has been fixed. In case you've ran fix404 before the fix and get an Update Manager error, run this command in a terminal: "sudo chmod 644 /etc/apt/sources.list.d/*".


Also see: Launchpad-Getkeys, a tool to automatically import all missing PPA GPG keys.

Thanks to lkubuntu for the script!

 

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8http://www.webupd8.org/2011/07/get-rid-of-ppa-404-not-found-messages.html#more

5 Beautiful Plank Themes

Plank is new dock for Linux written in Vala, developed by the Docky team.

1. Glass Pill:

Download

2. Ubuntu Panel:

Download

3. HUD:

Download

4. Froyo:

Download

5. Rounded Glass:

Download

Usage

To install Plank in Ubuntu, use the commands below (this will add the Plank/Docky testing PPA):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/docky
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install plank

The above PPA is available for Ubuntu Oneiric, Natty and Maverick.


To use a theme, make a backup of the original Plank theme under ~/.config/plank/theme/ and then extract the downloaded theme into this folder (~/.config/plank/theme/), replacing the already existing files. Note: ~/.config/ is a hidden folder in your home directory so press CTRL + H to see it.


Themes thanks to Cassidy James; via elementaryositdev

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

Android App To Send And Receive Text Messages Via Gmail Or GTalk: DesktopSMS

DesktopSMS is an Android application that forwards SMS messages from your phone to GMail or Google Talk. You can even reply to these text messages, either using Gmail or using your favourite IM client (it needs to support Google Talk).

While replying to text messages via Gmail is as easy as replying to an email, using DesktopSMS with Google Talk makes it a bit annoying because you have to add each contact that texts you to your Gtalk. Also, when someone sends an SMS for the first time, Google Talk displays a pop-up to add that person as a friend, but the initial SMS is not displayed.

DesktopSMS was created by the ROM Manger developer and is currently in beta. In my initial test, there was a delay when replying to text messages via Gmail, but this didn't happen in a later test. Still, this is currently in beta so you may encounter delays or other bugs, so use DesktopSMS at your own risk.

Download DesktopSMS

Thanks to Matt for the tip!

Written by Andrew in Wep Upd8

Facebook Notifier With Ubuntu Messaging Menu Integration: FBuntu

FBuntu is an application that integrates Facebook into the Ubuntu Messaging Menu and displays NotifyOSD notifications for each new Facebook notification you receive.

The application is a bit difficult to set up but I've tried to make it easier so all you have to do is copy/paste a few commands:

1. Install BZR and get FBuntu using the commands below:

sudo apt-get install bzr
cd
bzr branch lp:fbuntu

2. Click THIS link to authorize FBuntu with Facebook. After authorizing the application, copy the link to which it redirects and paste it into the url="" field (it's on line 24) in the auth.py.example file (you'll find it in the fbuntu folder in your home directory).

3. Use the commands below to copy the facebook.png file into the ~/.icons folder, rename auth.py.example to auth.py and run Fbuntu:

cd
mkdir -p ~/.icons
cp fbuntu/facebook.png ~/.icons/
mv fbuntu/auth.py.example fbuntu/auth.py
python ~/fbuntu/fbuntu.py

The last command above should start FBuntu.

For enabling inbox notifications, see the README file. In my test, I got a lot of notifications after enabling this so it may be better to leave this off.


If you want to report a bug or contribute code, you can find FBuntu @ Launchpad.

Thanks to Greg for the tip!

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

Complete List of Ubuntu Unity Shortcut keys & Mouse Tricks

Super Key(Windows Key) - Opens dash.
Hold Super Key - Invokes Launcher.
Hold Super Key and hit 1, 2, 3 etc - Open an Application from Launcher. When you hold the Super Key, specific numbers will be displayed in order above each application.
Alt + F1 - Put keyboard focus on the Launcher, use arrow keys to navigate, Enter launches the application, Right arrow exposes the quicklists if an application has them.
Alt + F2 - Opens dash in special mode to run any commands.
Super + A - Opens up application window from launcher.
Super + F - Opens up files and folders window from launcher. Both these shortcuts can be viewed by simply holding the Super Key as well.
Super + W - Spread mode, zoom out on all windows in all workspaces.
Super + D - Minimize all windows(acts as Show Desktop). Hitting it again restores them.
Super + T - Opens trash can.
Super + S - Expo mode (for everything), zooms out on all the workspaces and let's you manage windows.
Ctrl + Alt + T - Launch Terminal.
Ctrl + Alt + L - Lock Screen.
Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right/Up/Down - Move to new workspace.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left/Right/Up/Down - Place window to a new workspace.
F10 - Open the first menu on top panel, use arrows keys to browse across the menus.

Mouse Shortcuts/Tricks for Ubuntu Unity

• Clicking and holding an icon and then dragging it around will allow you to reorder it on the launcher. You can also drag it off to the right of the launcher to move it around. Note that you need to make an explicit movement to the right to move the icon off the launcher before you can move it around.
• Dragging and Dropping an icon into the trash can will remove it from the Launcher.
• Moving and holding the cursor on the left side for a few seconds will launch Unity dock.
• Moving the cursor to top-left corner(near Ubuntu icon) will launch Unity dock as well.
• Scrolling the mouse wheel while over the Launcher scrolls the icons if you have too many and need to move around quickly.
• By Scrolling the mouse wheel while over the Sound icon on top panel helps you increase or decrease system volume.
• Middle click on an application's launcher icon - Open a new instance of the application in a new window. Very useful at times. In laptops with touchpads, hitting left/right click buttons together is akin to middle click.
• Maximizing - Dragging a window to the top panel will maximize it.
• Restore/Unmaximize - Dragging the top panel down OR double clicking on the top panel will do.
• Tiling - Dragging a Window to the left/right border will auto tile it to that side of the screen. One of the highlights of new Unity experience.

And Some Useful Window Management Shortcuts

Alt + F10 - Toggle between Maximize/Unmaximize current window.
Alt + F9 - Minimize current window.
Alt + Tab - Toggle between currently open windows.
Alt + F4 - Closes current window.
Alt + F7 - Moves the current window(both keyboard and mouse can be used)

28 Beautiful HD Wallpapers You`ve Seen On WebUpd8

1. ".56"

Download

2. (no name)

Download

3. (no name)

Download

4. Aqua Pro

Download

5. Calm

Download

6. Hole

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7. Order

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8. Rotatory

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9. Solid

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10. Ubuntu Clear

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11. Striped

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12. Serenity

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13. Mirrored

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14. Embraced

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15. When It Falls

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16. Woodism

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17. Meerkats in the sun

Download

18. Abstraction Wave

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19. Stadium Doors

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20. Surface I Wallpaper

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21. Sunset

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22. Snow Blind

Download

23. Road

Download

24. Persistence Wallpaper

Download

25. Green Mist

Download

26. ".28"

Download

27. Mystical Forest Path

Download

28. Whirl

Download

Written by Andrew in Web Upd8

Laptop Mode Tools - Laptop power saving package for Linux systems

Laptop Mode Tools is a laptop power saving package for Linux systems. It allows you to extend the battery life of your laptop, in several ways. It is the primary way to enable the Laptop Mode feature of the Linux kernel, which lets your hard drive spin down. In addition, it allows you to tweak a number of other power-related settings using a simple configuration file.

Ubuntu has a laptop-mode-tools package, which is installed by default on laptops. However, laptop mode is disabled by default in Ubuntu Edgy (6.10), because some people have been experiencing hangups with it on certain laptops (mostly Thinkpads). Until now, nobody has any clue what is happening here. To reenable laptop mode, edit /etc/default/acpi-support and set ENABLE_LAPTOP_MODE=true.

If you want to use the latest version of laptop mode tools, you can use the Debian packages, they are compatible enough to work out-of-the-box on Ubuntu. In fact, I would definitely advise using these packages -- the Ubuntu packages are crippled so that some options don’t work, the most notable of which are ENABLE_LAPTOP_MODE_ON_AC, ENABLE_LAPTOP_MODE_WHEN_LID_CLOSED and DISABLE_LAPTOP_MODE_ON_CRITICAL_BATTERY_LEVEL.

Install Laptop Mode Tools on ubuntu
Make sure you have a kernel that supports laptop mode. Any version starting from 2.6.6 should do, or any version that includes the file /proc/sys/vm/laptop_mode.
Now you need to download lastes version of .deb package from here
Once you have deb package you can install by double clicking on that or run the following command from your terminal

sudo dpkg -i laptop-mode-tools_1.47-1_all.deb

If everything went OK, laptop mode will be activated automatically the next time you unplug your laptop from the mains (except when you have an APM laptop). You can configure laptop mode tools using the config file, which is in /etc/laptop-mode/laptop-mode.conf. You can read more about the configuration options using
man laptop-mode.conf

Udev Discover - Tool for udev testers, coders, hackers and consumers

Udev discover aims for being a gnome-device-manager-like app using gudev instead of HAL, and to provide some fancy features for udev users and hackers.

Main features:
Browsing the sysfs tree via udev
Reports udev device info and udev properties
Filter and search devices
Monitorize udev device events

Install Udev Discover on ubuntu Natty
Open the terminal and run the following commnads

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:fontanon/udev-discover
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install udev-discover

You can run this application using the following command from your terminal

udev-discover

Screenshot

New GNOME 3 Icon Theme By Tiheum: Faience

Tiheum, who is best known for the Faenza icon theme and Equinox GTK themes has started working on a new icon theme for GNOME 3 / GNOME Shell called "Faience". The theme is work in progress (this is the first public release) and it currently depends on the original Faenza for many icons, but it looks really promising and it already comes with 3 folder color variations.

(Faience Azur)

(Faience Ocre)

Faience icon theme is especially designed for GNOME Shell so it's not recommended to use it with Unity / GNOME 2.

Tiheum is also working on a GNOME Shell and GTK2/3 theme which will complete the "Faience" pack. The GTK2/3 theme is not yet available but you can already use the Faience GNOME Shell theme:

(Faience GNOME Shell theme and the original Faience folder icons)

Installation

Faience icon theme

To use Faience, you must firstly install the Faenza icon theme. If you run Ubuntu, you can install it from its official PPA using the commands below:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tiheum/equinox
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install faenza-icon-theme

Alternatively, download Faenza icon theme from DeviantArt, extract the downloaded archive and copy it to the ~/.icons folder.

Faience is not yet available in the above PPA so to install it, download the archive and copy all the 3 folders (Faience, Faience-Azur and Faience-Ocre) to the ~/.icons directory (if this folder doesn't exist, create it), then use GNOME Tweak Tool to apply the icon theme:

Faience GNOME Shell theme

To use the Faeience GNOME Shell theme, download it from HERE, extract it to the ~/.themes folder and use GNOME Tweak Tool to apply it. If for whatever reason you don't want to use GNOME Tweak Tool (like... you can't install the user-theme extension which is required by this feature), just remove all the files under /usr/share/gnome-shell/theme and copy the Faience GNOME Shell theme files to this folder.

Download: Faience icon theme | Faience GNOME Shell theme


Written by Andrew in Webupd8