Disabling touchscreeen on Ubuntu / Xubuntu

For temporarily disabling, touchscreen will be enabled after re-login, first we should identify touchscreen id. For this run following command in terminal:

xinput --list

It will show like this:

Virtual core pointer                    id=2 [master pointer  (3)]
⎜   ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer              id=4 [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ SYN1B7F:00 06CB:7DA2 Touchpad            id=17 [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎣   ↳ Xyz Touchscreen            id=9 [slave  pointer  (2)] 
Virtual core keyboard                    id=3 [master keyboard (2)]
    ↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard              id=5 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Video Bus                                id=6 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                            id=7 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Lid Switch                              id=8 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH Front Headphone            id=10 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH HDMI/DP,pcm=3              id=11 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH HDMI/DP,pcm=7              id=12 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH HDMI/DP,pcm=8              id=13 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH HDMI/DP,pcm=9              id=14 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HDA Intel PCH HDMI/DP,pcm=10            id=15 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HD WebCam: HD WebCam                    id=16 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Intel Virtual Button driver              id=18 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard            id=19 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Acer WMI hotkeys                        id=20 [slave  keyboard (3)]

From above it is clear that touchscreen id is 9

For disabling touchscreen, use command:

xinput disable 9

For enabling touchscreen, use command:

xinput enable 9

In the above procedure re-login will enable touchscreen. For permanent disabling, we have to edit the file /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf. for this run command

sudo gedit  /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf

or for xubuntu

sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf

This file will have entry like


Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "libinput touchscreen catchall"
        MatchIsTouchscreen "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "libinput"
EndSection


Change MatchIsTouchscreen "on" to MatchIsTouchscreen "off" like this

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "libinput touchscreen catchall"
        MatchIsTouchscreen "off"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "libinput"
EndSection

Save the file. Now touch screen is permanetly disabled

Adding / Deleteing users in Linux

In linux users can be added / deleted from GUI (graphical user interface). These options are in settings > Users and Groups. It is very easy and type of user can also be selected from options like Administrator, Desktop user, Custom user etc.

Sometime we need to add / delete user from command line terminal. The procedure is as below:

Command to add user "xyzabc"

sudo useradd xyzabc

Command to delete user "xyzabc"

sudo userdel xyzabc

If home directory (all files created by that user will be deleted) for this user has also to be deleted along with user deletion

sudo userdel -r xyzabc

Creating desktop shortcuts in Ubuntu 11.10

In Ubuntu 11.10 creating desktop shortcuts by right clicking on desktop is not possible. So, here are your ways out:

1. GCONF-EDITOR

The standard Home, Trash, Computer & Network icons can be easily added if you have already installed gnome-panel & gconf-editor (if you have not installed, go here - http://lin-tips.blogspot.com/2011/11/getting-gnome-panel-back-on-ubuntu-1110.html)

go to Applications > Other > Advanced setting

keep the buttons ON for icons required on desktop.

2. DESKTOP SHORTCUT

If desktop shortcut for any other folder is required, the following command can be used (assuming username xyzabc):

ln -s /home/xyzabc/Documents/test ~/Desktop/test123

This will create shortcut of folder named "test" (in /home/xyzabc/Documents) at desktop and shortcut would have name test123 (can be renamed later)

3. GNOME SHORTCUT

Another way is to use old style dialog boxby using command:

gnome-desktop-item-edit ~/Desktop/ --create-new

This will open launcher dialog box as below:

Installed Ubuntu - recommended programs

Here is my list of my recommended programs on ubuntu.

update & upgrade: First we should update repositories and update the system.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

ubuntu-restricted-extras : It includes usefull audio & video codecs, flash plugin, java etc.

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

After this you need softwares as per your choice:

Graphics:

GIMP is image editing software, just like photoshop.

kolourpaint is painting program for kids, just like mspaint but more powerfull than it.

tuxpaint is painting program for kids, kid would have fun using it.

Sound & Video:

VLC media player is a cross platform media player. Good for watching videos, with plenty of options.

Audacious is a lightweight audio player just like winamp classic versions. XMMS themes can be used with it (can be downloaded from http://gnome-look.org), copy the downloaded theme to /usr/share/audacious/skins to use themes (use sudo nautilus to get root access for copying)

Audacity is a good sound editor software, usefull if you are interested in sound editing stuff.

Rythmbox media player is good for managing songs, default is banshee media player in ubuntu 11.10 (I didn't like banshee).

Arista Transcoder is useful video converter for converting movies / video clips for various devices such as mobile phone / tablet / PC etc.

Internet:

Skype is for video & audio calls over VOIP

Chromium is a web browser just like Google chrome (actually google chrome is based on chromium, or chromium  = chrome - google). If you like google chrome you can install that also

Education:

Must have in this catagory is Gcompris. complete educational suit for children. some games require gnucap installed. So install both

Tuxmath is good for children for learning math.

If you you offline dictionary on ubuntu, Artha is a good software. It does not require Internet connection after installation.

Kstars is a planetorium software.

 

Games:

hex-a-hop : game with thinking & logics, addicting game.

hedgewars : strategy single / multi-player game. It is played turn by turn. In your turn you can shoot any one weapon on opponent.

supertuxkart : Car racing game with weapons to damage opponent's vehicles.

supertux2 : Mario like game.
Extreme Tux racer : A racing game, with you playing as penguin sliding down the snowy hills and eating fishes.
Airstrike : plane fighting single / multi-player game.
X-Moto: Motor bike game, its all about controlling. 

Getting GNOME panel back on Ubuntu 11.10

Ubuntu 11.10 comes with Unity desktop manager. Some users didn't like the default Unity desktop Manager. To get back GNOME panel run:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel

sudo apt-get install gconf-editor

Or you can install these packages from Ubuntu Software Center also (gnome-panel & gconf-editor). Logout and re-login with GNOME classic. The difference from GNOME 2.x is - to add, remove or move items to panel we have to use Alt key. (Alt+Right click or Alt+Left click).

Another change is no theme with minimise, maximise and close buttons at right side of window. To move minimise, maximise and close buttons to right side of window:

Open terminal, and run

gconf-editor

Now browse to apps>metacity>general, on the right pane double click on button_layout. Change the value from.

close,minimize,maximize:

to

:minimize,maximize,close

 










This will effect setting for current user only

In new version use this command:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout 'menu:minimize,maximize,close'

Getting Compaq CQ62 internal speakers working

Sound does not work from the internal speakers of Cq62 laptop using Ubuntu 10.04.for getting the sound give following command and reboot:

sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-alsa-lucid-generic

change the settings in alsa-mixer and enjoy

Joining splitted files in lunux

1 Hjsplit files:
hjsplit(for windows) software files into small sizes which can be joined later to get original file. we can join these files on linux through command line without any software.

say we have following files in /home/user/Downloads folder

aaa.avi.001
aaa.avi.002
aaa.avi.003

we want to join these files to get aaa.avi file, go to download folder
cd Downloads

use Concatenate FILE(s) command

cat aaa.avi.001 aaa.avi.002 aaa.avi.003 > aaa.avi

it will join all these files and give output aaa.avi file

2 RAR files
**********
EDIT:
just extract the first file aaa.part1.rar, remaining files would be joined automatically.
**********
for files splitted with winrar we need software called rar, so install it

sudo apt-get install rar

say we have following files in /home/user/Downloads folder

aaa.part1.rar
aaa.part2.rar
aaa.part3.rar

we want to join these files to get aaa.avi file, go to download folder

cd Downloads

use rar command

rar x -y aaa.part1.rar

it will join all these files and give output aaa.avi file

Removing pppoeconf settings

I was having broadband connection, which i configured using pppoeconf command. now i configured my modem in always on. but i was unable to edit network settings of pc (as now i have to use dynamic ip). so following worked for restoring settings:
To have NetworkManager manage all interfaces without editing ifupdown/interfaces files, this should work.
Check /etc/network/interfaces.

Open Terminal and give command

gksudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces

Remove everything but

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

Then Check /etc/NetworkManager/nm-system-settings.confOpen Terminal and give command
gksudo gedit /etc/NetworkManager/nm-system-settings.conf
Remove everything but
[ifupdown]
managed=false

Restart computer or NetworkManager service.
From now on, only configure the network using the NetworkManager applet in the notification area (aka system tray).

For more info See: http://wiki.debian.org/NetworkManager

Playing VCD files in ubuntu

for playing VCD files (*.dat) in ubuntu ffmpeg software is required
go to
system > administration > synaptic package manager

search for ffmpeg and install it or run on terminal
sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

PS: files from VCD can not be copied in linux. so you have to copy *.dat files in windows. follow this procedure for playing the files in linux (already copied in windows)

Enabling medibuntu repository

Medibuntu (Multimedia, Entertainment & Distractions In Ubuntu) is a repository of packages that cannot be included into the Ubuntu distribution for legal reasons (copyright, license, patent, etc). Some of these packages include the libdvdcss package from VideoLAN and the external binary codecs package (commonly known as w32codecs) used by MPlayer and xine.

This command should be run in the Terminal (Applications → Accessories → Terminal):

sudo wget --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list && sudo apt-get --quiet update && sudo apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get --quiet update

Changing ownership of files using chown command

chown command is used for changing ownership of files, for help run in terminal


chown --h

Usage: chown [OPTION]... [OWNER][:[GROUP]] FILE...

for example : if ownership of files under folder /home/xyzabc/Pictures (including subdirectories) has to be assigned to user "xyzabc" 

sudo chown -R xyz /home/xyzabc/Pictures

where -R means recursive - operate on files and directories recursively

Fixing Virtual Box after kernal update

After kernal update the following error displayed in virtual box:

Result Code: NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005)
Component: Machine
Interface: IMachine {13420cbb-175a-4456-85d0-301126dfdec7}

Just use following command to fix the same

sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup

it will recompile virtualbox

Change machine name in ubuntu

To change machine name in ubuntu use following command:

sudo gedit /etc/hosts /etc/hostname

for Xubuntu use command

sudo nanao /etc/hosts /etc/hostname

It will open two files in different tabs of geditor. Change hostname in both the files and save. Quit the geditor / nano

The machine name has been changed, re-login to see the change.

Using no-proxy setting in firefox

as in internet explorer and opera browsers we can add ip ranges (in format 192.168.* for ip range 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255) for which no proxy should be used, but firefox handles this setting differently, it does not accepts wild cards *. for the same range 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 setting in firefox should be:
Goto>> Edit >> prefernces (Tools >> options) for windows)

Goto > Advanced >> Network

in Settings use manual proxy settings
in no proxy for settings there should be localhost, 127.0.0.1
for adding above mentioned ip range add 192.168.0.0/16 and it should look like
localhost, 127.0.0.1, 192.168.0.0/16

192.168.0.0/16 means, starting from 192.168.0.0 to 2^16 ipaddress

(2^8 = 256 & 2^16 = 256x256)

Using remote desktop connection on ubuntu

Remote desktop: for accessing windows machine's desktop from ubuntu, use following command:

rdesktop 192.168.1.2

where 192.168.1.2 is the ip address of remote machine (windows). 

More options:

rdesktop 192.168.1.2 -f -u xyzabc

will open dektop of 192.168.1.2 in full screen with username "xyzabc", we have to enter password in login window (username has alredy been given)

Adding Windows like icons on Ubuntu desktop

For adding windows like icons on ubuntu desktop run following command from terminal:

gconf-editor

go to apps>> nautilus>> desktop

check the boxes against icons (for desktop icons you want) like
computer_icon_visible
documents_icon_visible
network_icon_visible
trash_icon_visible

Formatting pen drive in ubuntu

Gparted is the software for formatting USB pen drive in ubuntu with simple graphical user interface. It can be installed from ubuntu repositories by Synaptic Package Manager.

Alternatively, it can be installed by giving command in terminal:

sudo apt-get install gparted

Insert USB drive, right click on it and select unmount. Now open gparted by giving command in terminal:

sudo gparted

select the pen drive carefully from gparted>>devices
it will show like:
/dev/sda (149.05GiB)
/dev/sdb (249.79MiB)

as in my case for 256MB pen drive it is showing /dev/sdb (249.79MiB)

after selecting click on Partition>>format to>>fat32

click on Apply to Format.

Installing Realplayer on ubuntu

1. Download the RealPlayer11GOLD from http://www.real.com/linux to your home directory.
2. Open Terminal and gove command

sudo chmod +x RealPlayer11GOLD.bin
sudo "./RealPlayer11GOLD.bin"

3. Follow prompts. It'll start the installer. Do as it instructs and hit Enter.
4. It'll ask for the install path. Default is fine and hit enter.
5. It'll ask for a confirmation of install path. Press F to Finish the install.
6. It copies files, installs icons, etc. When you get the prompt, it's done.

You have installed RealPlayer 11 on Ubuntu.

To launch the app, go to Applications > Sound & Video > RealPlayer 11.

Enabling AMR-NB plugin

"The playback of this movie requires a Adaptive Multi Rate NarrowBand (AMR-NB) decoder plugin which is not installed."

sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install build-essential subversion git-core zlib1g-dev checkinstall libgpac-dev libfaad-dev libfaac-dev liblame-dev libtheora-dev libvorbis-dev gpac

cd ~/
svn checkout svn://svn.mplayerhq.hu/ffmpeg/trunk ffmpeg
cd ffmpeg

wget http://ftp.penguin.cz/pub/users/utx/amr/amrnb-6.1.0.4.tar.bz2

Extract the libamrnb wrapper and go to the source directory. Configure, build and install it

./configure --prefix=/opt/libamrnb

make && sudo make install

Internet in linux via mobile - Data cable

**********
EDIT: For 10.04 onwards, the procedure is simple.

Connect mobile via usb. select "PC suite mode" on mobile when prompted.
Then open network connections from panel or System>Preference>Network
Make new Mobile Broadband connection (follow the instructions)
**********
I am writing instructions for airtel gprs, you can replace with any provider. All you need is access point, which is
for bsnl(north): gprsnorth.cellone.in
for airtel: airtelgprs.com
Set the access point in your phone settings. for nokia it is under settings>> connection>>packet data>>access point
Connect your mobile and plug the data cable to pc and run this command:

Code:

tail /var/log/messages

not down where your device is attached. it should be like ttyUSB0 or ttyACM0
to configure the connection use

Code:

sudo pppconfig

(only keyboard works, use up, down, space, enter keys)
Select: Creat a New connection
Provide name: airtel
Configure servers(DNS): Dynamic Use dynamic DNS
Authentication Method for airtel: PAP Peer Authentication Protocol
User Name: replace_with_your_login_name
Pasword: replace_with_password
Speed: 115200
Pulse or Tone: Tone
Phone number: *99#
Choose Modem Config Method: Yes
Now give your device here ie. ttyUSB0 or ttyACM0

Now save this configuration and exit

i have used airtel as the name of provider. here is final screenshot from pppconfig.

to connect use

Code:

pon airtel

to disconnect use

Code:

poff airtel

to view log use

Code:

plog airtel

add network monitor to panel for indication of sucessfull connection. you can create desktop shortcut (launcher) for connection