Ubuntu Desktop : Something for Everyone

          For the Linux newbie, Ubuntu Desktop is the oft recommended distro, for a few different reasons. It's easy to set up, works on a lot of hardware, and doesn't require a manual to understand how to manage it. For the same reason, Ubuntu Desktop seems to get a bad rap from more experienced Linux users. I say there's no need of it, and I'm about to explain why.

          Several people, particularly those familiar with my usual anecdotal writing, will be a little confused at this particular editorial. It's not really filled with wit and witticism (I don't think), it doesn't have several differently constructed layers to guide a subtle point home to those who really didn't bother to think this way before.

          No, my friends, this is more of a rant - one that I hope you will read, understand, and maybe even agree with. It's not meant to change the world, and I know at least one of you will tell me that it would have been better if I'd written some deeper content instead of this "fluff," and that's alright.

          My name is Brett, and I am an Ubuntu Desktop user. Place your "n00b" epithets and insults here.

          The goal as a writer of any sort is to make the idea of conveying information an easy process. If we at Techgage write well, you as readers understand the product or process we're describing. If our testing and methods are solid, you can use the information in your purchasing decision tree (we hope). All in all, our job is to educate - to disseminate useful info to those who want to read it.

          I have spent years attempting to do this with Linux, from how-to articles to forum walkthroughs. I'm far from an expert, but I started on Gentoo and worked my way through Debian, Slax and Ubuntu Desktop. And at the end of the day, I type this on a Linux Mint box, which is an Ubuntu Desktop derivative. I like it.

          With that said, recently I was posting on the forums for one of my favorite distros - BackTrack. For the uninitiated, BackTrack is all about security (ok, mostly breaking it) - it's a great tool for learning, if you're willing to put in the time. BT4's Pre-release has been available for a little time, so I figured I'd give it a whirl to replace my BT3 distro. What a wonderful change when I found that the guys had built this version on Ubuntu  Desktop instead of the old, clunky Slax. Aside from the developers, I guess I was alone in that joy.

Date: September 30, 2009
Author(s): Brett Thomas

Ubuntu desktop Is An Alternative Operating System

"Ubuntu Desktop" is an alternative, "open source" operating system. It is "alternative" because it runs on the same hardware that the market share leader (Microsoft Windows) runs on, "open source" because it is not only freely obtained (via various channels such as online downloads, free CDs that come with magazines and books, etc...), but also because it's source code (the actual computer instructions that make the software work) is also freely accessible and modifiable.

The fact that Ubuntu desktop is freely available for anyone to obtain and tinker with has been a boon for the adoption and use of Ubuntu desktop with computer enthusiasts, geeks, nerds and the like. These enthusiasts like the fact that the code is right there in front of them for them to change to their needs. A competent programmer, even a hobbyist, can customizeUbuntu desktop to their needs to a much more refined level than they could with MS Windows, Apple's Mac OS, and even other more proprietary flavors of UNIX.

There is a very active and thriving developer community surrounding Ubuntu desktop. There are literally thousands of websites out there devoted to the subject matter. All sorts of knowledge bases, forums, chat rooms and message boards are dedicated to the goings on in the Ubuntu desktopand open source community.

Another excellent facet of the Ubuntu desktop community is the fact that the majority of the software applications written for the operating system is also made available with the same "open source" license, which means that an enthusiast (or a professional for that matter) can build and customize a Ubuntu desktop system that is perfectly tailored to their needs with little to no investment beyond the initial purchase of the hardware.

A sound studio engineer, for example, could build a Ubuntu desktop machine that has been custom tailored to run the effects on a sound board or to function as a recording device for digital audio, while a graphic artist may build a machine that has been built from the ground up to be an efficient design machine.

Credit: hunter

Ubuntu Desktop Wallpaper Changer

Wallpapoz

Gnome desktop wallpapers configuration tool

Wallpapoz application enables you to configure Gnome Ubuntu desktop wallpapers in unique way. You could have Gnome Ubuntu desktop wallpaper changes when the specified time has passed. The most important feature is you could have Gnome Ubuntu desktop wallpaper changes when you change workspace. It means you could group your wallpapers into specific workspace. It offers quick orientation cues where you are. You can manage it so when you change to first workspace, your desktop wallpaper will be picked from wallpapers group for that workspace. When you change to second workspace, it will be picked from wallpapers group for second workspace. So you could have situation like this. You change to third workspace and you will get cartoon desktop wallpaper (wallpapers group for that workspace consists of cartoon wallpapers only). You change to fourth workspace and you will get abstract desktop wallpaper (wallpapers group for that workspace consists of abstract wallpapers only). I think you get the idea. Off course you can disable this feature if you just want your desktop wallpaper changes when the specified time (specified by you) has passed and does not change when you change workspace.

Wallpapoz 0.4.1

You can set options from the menu preferences.

Download Wallpapoz 0.4.1: http://www.mediafire.com/?mrwmjegqwnm