Native Spotify in Ubuntu (premium only)

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To install Spotify native Linux client paste the following line into the terminal(ctrl+alt+t or Applications->Accessories-> Terminal) and confirm with your password.

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://repository.spotify.com/ stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.sources.list' && gpg --keyserver wwwkeys.de.pgp.net --recv-keys 4E9CFF4E && gpg --export 4E9CFF4E |sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && apt-get install spotify-client-qt spotify-client-gnome-support

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Add application launcer:

System->Preferences-> Main Menu

Navigate where you want to add the launcher. In sound& Video is the most logical.

Click new item

name it Spotify and add “/usr/bin/spotify” (without the quotes) to the command. -> click ok. and in the menu it is.

The reason its premium only is the “poor” flash support in Linux. I could see that is valid for Mac, but Linux has excellent support for flash and even has a lot of different other software supporting flash. They are implementing a non-flash solution so it might be for the better anyways(since flash.. uh ..you know what i mean).

Why so little posts lately

First i have been doing my bachelor, second I have been addicted to “Assault cube” and third i have started making some slick software for Linux which is a surprise for you guys. And it’s the usual starting to have to do the university stuff syndrome.

So now you know im not quit, i might have taken it up a notch, but it’s just not enough time right now. I might consider not to post 12 posts on one day and and spread them more out in feature. Because many times i tend to be extremely productive.

Stay well

OSGUI Tech show

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OSGUI tech show(osgui) is run by a Tim which is a tech interested guy located in Australia. OSGUI Tech show is a very good channel. It’s mostly Ubuntu directed on the Linux side, but it has a pretty wide variety.  One think i really like about This show is the on scene video. Example there was a open source arrangement in Melbourne related to the open source freedom day, that was covered. And it’s good to to get to know a bit about these events because there is none near me and going to Australia is out of the question.

OSGUI covers Linux reviews, software reviews, tech reviews, some talks, howtos(not only software but also a bit hardware) and some random stuff.

Youtube  – http://www.youtube.com/user/OSGUIShow

Website – http://www.osgui.com/

Open source freedom day Melbourne - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWpgPJCpO2w

Review of Youtube channel: Thisweekinlinux

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This week in linux (thisweekinlinux) is a well established channel on youtube that is run by a guy called Jodan. There is usually a weekly news update plus some reviews and how-tos. The videos from this guy appears very well planned and professional. His news are about linux in general and very much of it is Ubuntu relevant. On the how-to’s side he currently has a very good section on kdenlive video editing that is very well executed and explained.

This channel is especially useful as entertainment, as a news source and also has high educational value.

Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/thisweekinlinux

Website – http://www.thisweekinlinux.com

Liferea a RSS feed reader

A RSS feed is a collection of summary files that websites can publish from their site. A RSS feed normally contains a small description of a post, but can also contain the entire text and images. Using a RSS feed reader can be quite similar to using twitter where you ad feeders(a link to a directory that contains feeds) to your list. Then you can update your feed reader which in this case is Liferea to see all the latest posts from different sites.

To install Liferea open the software center and type Liferea. Click install and wait for the install to finish. You can find Liferea in Applications -> Internet -> Liferea. When you open Liferea you can see that it already contains some sample feeds. Most these feeds are feeds about Linux or Ubuntu. To remove feeds you don’t want, use the folder navigation as a normal file manager. Right click and select delete.

Mostly Liferea will find the feeds itself. You just have to copy the link. To find feeds that are not auto detected you have to look around on the website you want to have the feed from. Some feeds are easy to guess. Example wordpress feeds which is url/feed which makes this blogs feed http://ubuntuper.wordpress.com/feed and another worpress blog will be http://<THE USER>.wordpress.com/feed. Normally on public sites the feed is linked in the bottom of the page, then it usually says RSS, one example of a site that does this (at the time i wrote this) is OMGUbuntu. When you have found your feed and want to add it to Liferea all you need to do is copy the link. Go in Liferea and click new subscription-> paste the feed link and click ok.

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Tip: as booklover206 said in the comments below: “you can also have services like google reader feed into your liferea.”

Kdenlive 0.7.8

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Kdenlive 0.7.8 The newest version of kdenlive. New features and bug fixes. Next release will most likely be a bug fix release(probably related to the all the new features). To read more about the new changes read the official post.

To install open a terminal and paste the line below(terminal= ‘ctrl+alt+t’ OR Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal):

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sunab/kdenlive-release && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install kdenlive

If prompted (y/n) type y and hit the enter key.

Kdenlive video tutorial by the guy behind Thisweekinlinux.

This is a very good video tutorial, it goes over the basics and a bit beyond. Showing the power of kdenlive and answering some questions from the crowd. Definitely worth taking a look at.

Kdenlive vs Openshot – Video editing Ubuntu

I think it’s time to take another look at the video editing battle in Linux. I recently got a feeling of trying out my old favorite video editor for Linux after watching a clip on the youtube channel Thisweeklinux. Openshot stole my favorite state of video editor early 2010 when i was having a lot of issues with it. And i found Openshot which is a very good video editor as well. The main differences then came down to.

Openshot
Looks better.
Has better presets for rendering.
No irritating bugs.
And was more intuitive.(easy to navigate, logical)

Kdenlive
More and better effects.
Better workflow.
Better (automatic) time line control.
Not the best presets, but good customization of export settings.

Recent conclusion:

After trying kdenlive lately, I found the bugs I to be gone. That makes me currently a Kdenlive fan. But i also have a lot of love for Openshot. If i was going to recommend a editor for a person that does not grasp technology very fast I would recommend Openshot right of the bat.

For many users i believe that even Kdenlive is intuitive and easy, getting used to Kdenlive is not a difficult task. Also the planed features for kdenlive is interesting. I will keep an eye on Openshot, its still a very interesting project as well.

Fresh install vs Upgrade, benefits and negatives with both.

The reason I don’t have a current OS or distro in the heading, is because most of it goes for all Linux, windows and mac distros/versions. Ill start of with pros and cons and i try to keep them general. I know if your a nerd you can copy settings folders and make backup lists and so on, but this is more directed to the general user. If you are a nerd or pro you don’t need this post anyways.

Pros update and cons Fresh install:

1. A update is easier and less time consuming.
2. A update keeps your settings.
3. A update means you don’t need to backup your files.(But you should do so anyways)
4. You don’t have to create a boot up media.
5. If you don’t know how to set up your OS and programs it will help you skip the process.

Pros Fresh install cons update:

1. You get rid of all the programs you really don’t use.
2. Security: Potential bad-ware goes away and your system file permission structure stays up to date with new security fixes in OS default settings. Changes in file system, apparmor etc..
3. Fresh programs without mistakes and bloat that has been added in time.
4. Added repositories that no longer suits for your distro’s version without you knowing it, is removed. Thereby reducing the risk of errors and bugs. Example you added medibuntu repo in jaunty and are currently running Lucid you will still have medibuntu Jaunty software on your system.
5. It’s a perfect time to make clean desktop and personal folders and organize you files into a better backup than the usual/”non backup plan” most are using.
6. New versions of software and new architectures works better together.
7. Upgrades often makes something break. (this has happened 3 out of 5 times for me and i had to do a fresh install anyway).
8. Repeating basic tasks like like installing programs and changing settings makes you learn how things work and you are more able to help yourself and others.

My opinion:

This is a personal post which is reflected in my opinions and experiences. I know this issue has a widespread meaning field. If you disagree in my opinion i don’t really care, but if you really want to argument against me at least use arguments like pros and cons. I guess there is one person out there that is gonna be like “uahhhh… oh my god, uuuhhh… that is just so stupid…bla..bla..bla..”, but i don’t care.

My recommendation is always do a fresh install instead of an update. Always as in every time. A fresh install is healthy once in a while and helps keep your system clean and safe. When else are you going to get an opportunity to get a fresh start. If you are a noob or a non technical person a update might be the best solution.

Review of Youtube channel: LinuxNativeGaming

This is a review of a fairly fresh Youtube channel. Called LinuxNativeGaming. The  Channel consists of gameplay clips from different games for Linux. I believe this channel deserves more views than it gets but that is probably a question about time. The consistency is directly stunning. It’s pure game play clips with no duplicates and other material. I would say this is a very good channel if you are looking for games for Linux in any context. The clips are short and skip right into the core gameplay so it is very effective in time usage. I expect a lot more good footage to come from this angle.

Ten examples of LinuxNativeGaming clips featuring different styles of games.

1.

Quake 4:

First person shooter

2.

Hedgewars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8esFer9JG2o

Worms clone, You can have a lot of different hats and use “quotes” to make worms speak with bubbles.

3.

And yet it moves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UdJyFrMvP0

Special innovative game. Walk trough a world with obstacles with some helpful gravity control.

4.

Astromenace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh6NbUJLlMQ

2d classic space scroller game with good graphics considering the genre.  Has a good 3d look.

5.

Bridge construction set

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n52IjI0WvKk

Who wont forget bridge builder. Bridge construction set ads a dimension. Have fun.

6.

Lugaru (from wolfire)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOEh1aMkpPU

Lugaru is a adventure fighting game with a a story.

7.

Conquer’er the world/risk in space style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOEh1aMkpPU

Conquer different planets, when the planet is conquered your population on the planet will grow. Use your units effectively.

8.

Neverball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Td1oOeTBXc

Controll the ball trough different courses.

9.

Air forte

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX3ArbSznZA

Educational game. Great for kids.

10.

Supertux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKSannrMHg

2d left scroller, Are you a fan of the classics, like: Super Mario? You are going to love this one.

Last, but not least. Don’t forget to like rate and subscribe to LinuxNativeGaming.
Stay well..