Linux Evolution

Rai    Linux     compiz, desktop, Gnome, gui, KDE, Linux, ubuntu, windows

Found another great video of how Linux evolved these past years. Interestingly enough, the video compares the evolution of Windows and Linux. Personally, I like the Windows ‘oops’ videos

Anyway, watch the video and enjoy

Tip: How Change Default OS in Dual Boot Ubuntu

Rai    Linux, Tips     boot, boot loader, default, grub, Linux, Microsoft, operating system, ubuntu, windows

My Acer 5570 Notebook is setup to dual boot Windows XP, for my online games and other Windows applications, and Kubuntu 7.10, my main operating system for stuff that I do most of the time like web browsing and blogging. Then my brother and I are now sharing the same notebook and he prefers Windows over Linux, not that I refuse to introduce him to Ubuntu but he had to use Microsoft Office for his office documents.

Windows and Ubuntu dual-boot systems are set boot Ubuntu first by default, so I decided to change the dual-boot order to default to Windows, since my brother will be using the notebook more.

To make Windows the default operating system in dual boot Ubuntu, follow these steps:

1. Press Alt+F2 to open the run dialog box.
2. Type in sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst. Type in root password.
3. Edit the line that looks like this:

default 0

Change the number to the equivalent order of Windows in the operating system list in GRUB boot screen. The number 0 means that GRUB will boot the first operating system, and so on. If Windows is in the 4th line, change the number to 3.

4. Save the file and exit.
5. Reboot to check the change.

Windows should boot as default.

Hide Files Inside An Image File

Rai    Microsoft     archive, hidden files, Microsoft, windows

Did you know that you can hide files inside an image file like jpeg? A simple image when opened or previewed looks like an innocent JPEG or any image file, but when uncompressed using any archiving software, it extracts files that were hidden from plain view.

However, in this video, Windows was used. I have yet to discover if this is possible in Linux.

Unpopular But Useful Windows Shortcut Keys

Rai    Microsoft     alternate, command, fast, keys, Linux, shortcut, windows

I may be a Linux user but from time to time, I use Windows since I have it as my workstation OS and my Linux runs as VM. Then I found these tips from technotraits.com that should make my work in my Windows machine a little faster and more efficient.

The best thing about these shortcuts? Some are also applicable to Linux machines.

Windows Explorer

1. F2
Rename files by highlighting the file and pressing F2. Same goes to Linux.

2. F6
Lets you move across various panes of Windows Explorer.

3. Alt + Enter/ Alt+Double Click
Highlight a file in Windows Explorer and hit Alt+Enter or Alt+Double Click to view the file properties.

4. SHIFT+Right Click
Show the right context menu listing alternative commands.

5. SHIFT+Double Click
Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the right context menu).

6. BACKSPACE
Move one folder up.

7. Ctrl+Double Click
Open a folder in a new explorer window.

8. SHIFT+Click Close Button
When using Shortcut #7, pressing Shift while closing the window will close the parent windows as well.

9. SHIFT
Autorun will not start if Shift is pressed while inserting CD/DVD.

10. F3
Hit F3 in Explorer and Search will open to search for files and folders.

11. Ctrl
Press Ctrl Key and drag files to another folder to copy the selected files.

12. Ctrl+Shift
Press Ctrl+Shift and drag a file to another location and shortcut will be created.

13. ALT+SPACE
Open up the active window’s system menu.

Windows Management

14. CTRL+ESC
Open the Start Menu.

15. Windows Key+M
Minimize all open windows.

16. Shift+Windows Key+M:
Maximize all open windows.

17. Windows Key+D
Same with Shortcut #15

18. ALT+F6
Press F6 to switch between windows of the same program.

19. F5
Refresh. Same with Firefox, IE and Linux

20. CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Switch between tabs of properties window.

Miscellaneous

21. SHIFT+F10
Opens up right context menu. Similar with right click.

22. Windows Key+Pause/Break
Open System Properties Box.

23. Windows Key+L
Lock your current screen.

I tried most of the commands here and they work! If you find these shortcuts useful or otherwise, you can use the comment form below.

Linux File Directory Structure

Rai    Linux     directory, file, hierarchy, Linux, navigation, structure, windows

When I am introducing Linux to new users like students, I noticed that it takes time for the new user to get used to Linux, particularly the directory structure. Since most are Windows users, they know how the directory structure of Windows looks like, and expects that it will be the same with Linux. To properly illustrate the Linux directory structure, linuxconfig.org has an illustration of the Linux File Hierarchy for easy explanation:

Understanding the directory hierarchy of Linux will result in ease of navigation while running the OS, regardless of the distro (Ubuntu, Red Hat, Fedora, etc.).