Linux Community Magazine

If like me, you have thought of an excellent board or card game and played it with family and friends, you will want to produce something more aesthetically pleasing than cut out cards from a scrap book. You do have the option of having a designer do all the work for you, however generally the cost is prohibitive when you start out.

In many communities there are free or very inexpensive computer classes for beginners. The instructors will be able to advise you of the best computer to suit your needs. The price of new PC's (personal computers) has reduced dramatically and even the cheapest laptop purchased would be fast enough to handle Board Game Design.

Having the correct software is essential in the design, quality and finish of your game. Imagine if you could achieve all required tasks using FREE Software.

Windows users would normally use Adobe Photo-shop to design the artwork needed to improve the appearance of the game. They would then use Microsoft Word to add this artwork to the Instructions, Cards and Outer Box. And then use Adobe Writer to convert the Word Document into a PDF Document required by the printers to manufacture the playing cards. These are the most basic programs needed and they all cost money.I prefer to use free software and I would like to share with you how I do this. The following are equivalent quality programs available for free download that will replace all of the above programs and more. The following guide is included to help those that choose to use Free Software. If you enjoy spending money, feel free to skip this article.

1. Install Ubuntu to Replace Microsoft: For an operating system use "Linux-Ubuntu" on your PC. I am not a Microsoft person. I run my entire business, have created my own board games and use Ubuntu to create and maintain my own website completely without Microsoft. I am writing this article using OpenOffice.org in Ubuntu and I will upload it to my blog in Firefox.Try Before You Buy. No Try Before you Download for Free.If you decide to install Ubuntu, you can keep Windows on your PC also. First BACKUP EVERYTHING!! Copy your personal files you cannot afford to lose onto a portable hard drive, DVD or CD. You don't need to backup programs that you have the original disc to reinstall. Just your photos, music and stuff.

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for the outcome of you following this article. This is only a guide. If everything important is backed up then you shouldn't have anything to lose. Type Ubuntu Beginner into your browser's search engine and read through some tutorials very thoroughly first to familiarise yourself with the process before you begin.

(Tip: Microsoft needs to be installed on the PC first. If you put Linux Ubuntu on first and then try to add Microsoft; Microsoft will not recognise Linux and will probably format over the top of it.)

To get your free copy of Ubuntu, type Ubuntu Download into your browser's search engine to go to ubuntu.com. Download or FTP it to your hard drive. It will take long time to download, so let it download overnight and install it in the morning. Usually the downloaded file will be an ISO Image. Use Nero or something similar to burn the image to disc. The CD you have created will start automatically when your computer is restarted, unless you place the ISO image inside a folder on the CD.

When you have created the Ubuntu disc, put it back into the CD drive and restart the PC. The setup will begin and will ask if you want to install Ubuntu beside Windows on a separate partition or install it instead of Windows. Put it beside Windows for now until you find you no longer need Windows.

You will need to give Ubuntu at least 5 gig of hard drive, but more would be better if you have it. You will need a fast PC suitable to run XP. Ie 1 GB CPU with 512MB Ram.Unless you have previously installed Windows yourself, I suggest you read the Ubuntu site thoroughly first. Ubuntu setup is much the same as Windows setup and asks the usual questions.

What country is your location?What is the current Timezone?Do you use a US Keyboard?Create a Username and Password etc.

After install has finished, your PC will restart. You will be prompted to choose which operating system to start. Use the up down arrows to select Ubuntu.If you try to play mp3's, WMA, WMV etc. You will be prompted to download and install restricted extras. The legalities depend on your country.

2. OpenOffice.org is included in the Ubuntu operating system and will automatically replace Adobe Writer, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You can open documents you have created in Microsoft Office and you can save documents, OpenOffice.org has created, as Microsoft Word Documents. You can export a document as a PDF document.(I prefer not to use Microsoft, but I will mention you can download and install OpenOffice.org on your Windows operating system)

3. KolourPaint will replace Microsoft Paint to save and edit images. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for KolourPaint and install.

4. GIMP will replace Adobe Photo-shop. GIMP (Graphics Image Manipulation Program) is capable of completing every task achieved by Photo-shop. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for GIMP and install.(I prefer not to use Microsoft, but I will mention you can download and install GIMP on your Windows operating system. To get your free copy of GIMP, type GIMP Download into your browser's search engine).

5. Firefox Web Browser is automatically included in Ubuntu and will be used to replace Internet Explorer. You may use Ubuntu Software Centre to search for and install other browsers such as Google Chrome if you prefer.

6. Evolution Mail is automatically included in Ubuntu and will be used to send and receive email as a replacement to Outlook Express. You may use Ubuntu Software Centre to search for and install Mozilla Thunderbird or another email program if you prefer.

7. KompoZer is a program used to create a website as a HTML or CSS Editor. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for KompoZer and install.

8. GnomeBaker is a program used to burn CD's & DVD's. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for GnomeBaker and install.

9. Rhythmbox is automatically included in Ubuntu and will be used to play music on your PC or add music to an iPod or MP3 player.

10. AcidRip to rip DVD's and Asunder to rip audio CD's. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for AcidRip or Asunder and install.

11. Wine (Windows for Linux) to run some Windows programs. Not all software written for Microsoft will run using Wine, but some will, i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Notepad. There is no need to use Wine because Linux Ubuntu has programs to do all Windows tasks, I have just included Wine for you to play around with. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for Wine and install.

12. KlamAV for virus protection. (Ubuntu is not vulnerable to virus's and therefore does not need virus protection. However if you Internet Bank you still need virus protection to satisfy the banks requirements). To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for KlamAV and install.

13. KTorrent for torrent downloads. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for KTorrent and install.

14. XSane to operate your scanner. XSane is automatically included in Ubuntu.

15. KGet is an excellent download manager. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for KGet and install.

16. Totem Movie Player is automatically included with Ubuntu and will play the same music and videos as Windows Media Player. VLC will play the videos that Totem cannot. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for VLC and install.

17. FileZilla to send files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). This is needed to send the artwork to the manufacturer/printer. To add some programs that were not included with the Ubuntu install. Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre and Search for FileZilla and install.

18. Games are included in Ubuntu such as Mahjongg, Solitaire, Spider, Mines, Sudoku, Freecell and Klondike and if you like games there are many - many more that can be downloaded for free.

Now the fun part - Learn Linux!It will seem unfamiliar at first, but if you give Linux a chance you may get to like using free software. Like many others you may even leave the windows sheeple for good. This will be a day of celebration indeed.Ubuntu seems to run faster and more securely and you will notice the difference. If you need help or just want to read a tutorial, go to:/

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