Ubuntu Tips And Tricks

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)

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

Facebook Notifier With Ubuntu Messaging Menu Integration: FBuntu

Complete List of Ubuntu Unity Shortcut keys & Mouse Tricks

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