A Xubuntu user experience journal
lsb_release prints distribution information.
Open a terminal window and run:
$ lsb_release -i
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
$ lsb_release -d
Description: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
$ lsb_release -r
Release: 12.04
$ lsb_release -c
Codename: precise
# Options can be combined (-s for short format)
$ lsb_release -sirc
Ubuntu
12.04
precise
Usually the color picker tool from graphics applications don't allow color picking outside the program. So Gcolor2 becomes useful because it allow to pick a color anywhere within the desktop.
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo apt-get install gcolor2 -y
Gcolor2 can be accessed via Applications Menu > Graphics > Gcolor2 or typing the following command: gcolor2.
Update 07/01/2015 Synapse is no longer officially maintained (it's not even available on Ubuntu repositories since version 14.04) so its stability is not assured.
Synapse is a semantic launcher written in Vala that you can use to start applications as well as find and access relevant documents and files by making use of the Zeitgeist engine.
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo apt-get install synapse -y
Synapse can be accessed via Applications Menu > Accessories > Synapse or typing the following command: synapse.
Synapse runs on the background and can be activated using the keyboard combination Ctrl+Space. This combination and other settings (like add to startup) and be altered accessing the preferences dialog:
UPDATED: 26/07/12
Whats is "Deep Freeze"? Deep Freeze, by Faronic, is an application for Microsoft Windows and MAC OS X which restores the computer back to its original configuration each time the system is restarted.
In Xubuntu the same can be accomplished using Ofris. Ofris is a command line tool, easy to use and offers options to lock the system for a specific user or for all users. Please be aware that Ofris only freezes the users' home directory; applications installed while the system is locked with remain installed after unlocking.
There's also an AppIndicator available that goes by the name of Gofris, which makes all the Offris options available with a couple of clicks.
Even though Ofris and Gofris work on recent Xubuntu distributions, there's no package available on the PPA, so instructions for both older and newer Xubuntu releases are provided. Instructions should work for 32 and 64 bits machines.
Please note that Ofris and Gofris are conflicting packages. This means that you have to choose one to install, can't install both.
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tldm217/tahutek.net -y
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install ofris-en -y
Open a terminal window and run this line:
if [ $(uname -m) == "x86_64" ]; then deb="http://goo.gl/DleLl"; else deb="http://goo.gl/V94Qs"; fi && wget -q $deb -O ofris.deb && sudo dpkg -i ofris.deb && rm ofris.deb
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tldm217/gofris -y
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gofris-en -y
Open a terminal window and run this line:
if [ $(uname -m) == "x86_64" ]; then deb="http://goo.gl/zKLBw"; else deb="http://goo.gl/kPLSQ"; fi && wget -q $deb -O gofris.deb && sudo apt-get install python-all && sudo dpkg -i gofris.deb && rm gofris.deb
Ofris can be accessed typing the following command in the command line: ofris-en. After running this command a option menu is displayed on the terminal. The options description is quite clear and to select one just type the corresponding number.
$ ofris-en
===================================================
Dafturn Ofris Erdana - Locking your Systems
By : Muhammad Faruq Nuruddinsyah
===================================================
Your choice :
1. Freeze the system for this User only
2. Freeze the system for specified User
3. Freeze the system for all Users
4. Unfreeze the system
5. View status
6. Exit
Please insert your choice number :
If you want to see Ofris in action, here's a video created by gotbletu:
Grofris can be accessed via Applications Menu > System > GOFRIS or typing the following command: gofris-en. Gofris will make all Ofris options available on Xfce's panel. Just click on the indicator icon an choose a option from the popup menu.
Gofris uses system notifications to give user feedback.
Grub Customizer is a graphical grub2 settings manager. It allows the configuration of the boot entry list, default entry, visibility timeout, foreground/background colors, resolution and some other boot parameters.
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer -y
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install grub-customizer -y
Grub Customizer can be accessed via Applications Menu > System > Grub Customizer or typing the following command: grub-customizer. It'll prompt for authentication before running.
Hotot is a opensource microblogging client that supports Twitter and Identi.ca.
Hotot main features are (more information about them can be found here).
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo apt-get install hotot -y
Hotot can be accessed via Applications Menu > Internet > Hotot or typing the command in a terminal window: hotot.
Hotot interface can be summoned using the Alt+C keyboard combination when it's running in the background.
Symptom: The LibreOffice applications (Writer, Calc, ...) don't have the same look as the other applications on your Xubuntu desktop.
Open a terminal window and run:
sudo apt-get install libreoffice-gtk -y
After installing the libreoffice-gtk package, the LibreOffice Applications will have the system look-and-feel.
