Linux Community Magazine

Open Source Alternatives to Google

[ Thanks to James Maguire for this link. ]

"Is it feasible to drop Google for a period of time in exchange for unfettered open source alternatives?
"When I first pondered the notion of such an idea, I figured I must be losing my mind. Drop Google? The search giant, regardless of how well-intentioned it may be, has an octopus-like hold on the Internet ? its tentacles are everywhere.
"Oddly enough, though, it turned out to be easier than I expected. Let?s look at the mindset, software choices and habit changes needed to make this idea doable.
"Dropping Google
"Considering Google's contributions to the open source world, why would anyone want to stop supporting such a company? Well, the problem with Google is that despite their support of open source developers, their track record with privacy concerns is spotty.
"Perhaps even worse, the fact is that we are becoming entirely too dependent on Google products over those from smaller vendors. Everything from document management to revenue generation is almost entirely tied to Google these days. Ask anyone using the Web regularly and the odds are huge they're using at least one Google product."

Complete Story

Related Stories:
Ubuntu Embraces QT Toolkit: Blurring Linux Development?(Jan 24, 2011)
How Unemployed Developers Use Open Source to Get Hired(Jan 19, 2011)
Top 20 Open Source Applications to Cut Business Costs(Jan 10, 2011)
Switching to Linux (For the Right Reasons)(Jan 06, 2011)
Why Linux Isn't Used in Broadcast Media(Dec 27, 2010)
Ubuntu Myopia Continues Among Users(Dec 20, 2010)
Non-Profits Lead The Way With Linux(Dec 13, 2010)

View the original article here

7:39 AM | Labels: Alternatives, Google, Source | 0 Comments

How to Assign/Remap Keyboard Shortcuts For Better Productivity [Linux]

How to Assign/Remap Keyboard Shortcuts For Better Productivity [Linux]
Feb 7, 2011, 15 :02 UTC (0 Talkback[s]) (715 reads)

"By default, Ubuntu comes with a set of keyboard shortcut that you can use straightaway. However, some of these keyboard shortcuts might not be desirable, troublesome, or obstructive and disrupting your productivity. For example, if you have a keyboard with a media button, that button is automatically mapped to Rhythmbox. If your favorite media player is Banshee, or Exaile, you might want to change the keyboard shortcut to your favorite application.
"There are several ways to manage your keyboard shortcut in Linux. You can do it via Xmodmap (and Xkeycaps), Gnome Keyboard Shortcut or Compiz. In this article, we will focus mainly on Gnome Keyboard Shortcut and Compiz. Gnome Keyboard Shortcut
"The Gnome keyboard shortcut is by far the easiest way to assign/remap a shortcut key in any Gnome-based distro. Go to System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts."

Complete Story

Related Stories:
It's too hard is no excuse(Dec 28, 2010)
Xmodmap - on the way to writing hieroglyphs quickly(Oct 19, 2010)
Replacing the physical keyboard for good! How to do it!(Oct 15, 2010)
5 of the Best Free Linux Typing Tutors(Jul 26, 2010)
Weekend Project: Configure Your Keyboard Into Submission(Jun 19, 2010)

View the original article here

9:06 PM | Labels: AssignRemap, Better, Keyboard, Linux, Productivity, Shortcuts | 0 Comments

SCALE 9X across the snowy horizon

"Slammed by a blizzard, surrounded by bored kids, and achingly tired of what Winter has brought me this year, it's enough to make me say, "Calgon, take me away!"
"Er, metaphorically speaking, of course.
"Still, there is some well-deserved relief in sight: this year, after a rather long hiatus, I will be attending the ninth edition of the Southern California Linux Expo (SCALE) in the has-to-warmer-than-Indiana city of Los Angeles.
"SCALE has the distinction of being the first "community" trade show I ever attended, and because of that it holds as a standard for what community shows should be. This is the community event that sets a bar for many of the other events to reach, with strong tracks for users and developers.
"Vendors and experts from Linux and open source deliver top-notch content, at a level that belies the "amateur" label one might put on a community-organized show. There's nothing amateur about SCALE."

Complete Story

Related Stories:
SCALE 9x Schedule Firms Up(Feb 03, 2011)
SCaLE 9x Keynote Speakers Announced: Jane Silber and Leigh Honeywell(Jan 20, 2011)
The SCALE 9x Call For Papers: Deadline Extended Until Friday December 17th(Dec 16, 2010)
SCALE 9x: Is your paper submitted?(Dec 06, 2010)

View the original article here

2:23 AM | Labels: across, horizon, SCALE, snowy | 0 Comments