text:
Kubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron)
- Also see info about the newest version, Precise Pangolin (12.04 LTS).
- On April 24, 2008 Kubuntu 8.04 was released.
- It is code named Hardy Heron and is the successor to Kubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon (Gutsy+1).
- Hardy Heron is an LTS (Long Term Support) release. The desktop will be supported with security updates until April 2011 (and the server will be supported until April 2013).
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How to find out what version of Kubuntu you're using
In Konsole type:
lsb_release -a
- and
uname -a
Newer Versions of Kubuntu
- Kubuntu has a six month release cycle, with releases in April and October
- Maverick Meerkat (10.10), released in October 2010. This is not an LTS version.
- Lucid Lynx (10.04 LTS), released in April 2010, is the next LTS (Long Term Support) version.
- Karmic Koala (9.10), released in October 2009. This is not an LTS version.
- Jaunty Jackalope (9.04), released in April 2009. This is not an LTS version.
- Intrepid Ibex (8.10), released in October 2008. It is no longer supported.
- Hardy Heron (8.04 LTS) is an LTS (Long Term Support) release.
Older Versions of Kubuntu
- Gutsy Gibbon (7.10) (no longer supported)
- Feisty Fawn (7.04) (no longer supported)
- Dapper Drake (6.06 LTS) (Desktop no longer supported. Server support until June 2011.)
- See this complete list of older and newer versions.
General Notes
- Kubuntuguide is unofficial and is not associated with Canonical Ltd.
- Kubuntu allows a user to accomplish tasks from either a menu-driven Graphical User Interface (GUI) or from a text-based command-line interface (CLI). In Kubuntu, the command-line-interface terminal is called Konsole, which is started: K-> System -> Konsole.
In this guide, text inside the grey dotted box like this should be put into a Konsole terminal.
- Many changes to the operating system can only be done by a User with Administrative privileges. 'sudo' elevates a User's privileges to the Administrator level temporarily (i.e. when installing programs or making changes to the system). Example:
sudo bash
- 'kdesudo' should be used instead of 'sudo' when opening a Graphical Application (such as the graphical text-editor application kate) through the "Run Command" dialog box or the CLI. Example:
kdesudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list
- "man" command can be used to find the help manual for a specific CLI command. E.g. "man sudo" will display the manual page for the "sudo" command. Example:
man sudo
- While "apt-get" and "aptitude" are fast ways of installing programs/packages, you can also use the Adept Package Manager (K -> System -> Adept Manager), a GUI method for installing programs/packages. Most programs/packages available with apt-get install will also be available from the Adept Package Manager. In this guide, when you see
apt-get install package
- you can simply search for package in Adept and install it that way. The GUI installer K -> Add/Remove Programs can also be used to install programs/packages (but not all programs/packages are available from this GUI).
- Many instructions use the text editor "nano" (which is universally available in Linux). However, it is often easier to use the text editor "kate" in Kubuntu instead.
- "K" or "K menu" means the bottom-left (or upper-left) button, akin to the Start button in Microsoft Windows®.
- If you are using the 64-bit version, replace any "i386" with "amd64".
Installing Kubuntu
Hardware requirements
Kubuntu Hardy Heron runs well with as little as 384 Mb RAM. (The installer requires a minimum of 256 Mb RAM, while the alternative installer can run using only 192 Mb RAM.)
The install takes between 3-4 Gb hard drive space, and 8-10 Gb will be needed to run comfortably.
If you have an older computer with less memory than this, consider Xubuntu (if between 256 Mb and 512 Mb RAM) or PuppyLinux or DSL (if less than 256 Mb RAM).
Fresh Installation
Download the latest ISO image from Kubuntu 8.04. See this guide for burning the ISO image to a CD ("LiveCD").
Use the CD for installation.
Dual-Booting Windows and Kubuntu
Rarely, a user may experience problems dual-booting Kubuntu and Windows. In general, a Windows OS should be installed first, because its bootloader is very particular. A Windows installation usually occupies the entire hard drive, so the partition needs to be shrunk, creating free space for the Kubuntu partition. (You should clean up unnecessary files and defragment the drive before resizing.) The Windows partition can be resized from within Windows Vista using the shrink/resize option in the Administrative Tools --> Disk Management tool. If using Windows XP (or other Windows OS), use GParted partition manager to shrink the Windows partition and thereby leave free space on the hard drive for the Kubuntu partition. If done this way, there is no problem installing Kubuntu as the second operating system and it is done automatically from the Kubuntu LiveCD. Allow the Kubuntu LiveCD to install to "largest available free space."
A Windows partition should be at least 20 Gb (recommended 30 Gb), and a Kubuntu partition at least 10 Gb (recommended 20 Gb). Obviously, if you have plenty of disk space, make the partition for whichever will be your favoured operating system larger. For a perspective on other partitioning schemes, see this Psychocats Guide to Partitioning.
Alternatives include:
- Wubi (Windows-based Ubuntu Installer), an officially supported dual-boot installer that allows Ubuntu to be run mounted in a virtual-disk within the Windows environment (which can cause a slight degradation in performance). Because the installation requires an intact functioning Windows system, it is recommended to install Ubuntu in this manner for short-term evaluation purposes only. A permanent Ubuntu installation should be installed in its own partition, with its own filesystem, and should not rely on Windows.
- EasyBCD, a free Windows-based program that allows you to dual-boot Windows Vista and Ubuntu (as well as other operating systems) by configuring the Vista bootloader.
Upgrading Gutsy to Hardy
If you are using an older version of Kubuntu, you should consider upgrading to Hardy.
You can only directly upgrade to Kubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) from Kubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). If you have a version older than Gutsy (7.10) then you must do serial upgrades. (For example, if you are still using Feisty, you must upgrade from Feisty to Gutsy, and then from Gutsy to Hardy.)
To upgrade from Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 to Hardy Heron 8.04:
- KMenu -> System -> Adept Manager (Manage Packages) -> Manage Repositories
- Enable the "Recommended updates" and "Pre-released updates" repository
- Version Upgrade --> Fetch Updates
- Click the Full Upgrade button
Kubuntu Resources
- Ubuntu Forums has a large community for online solutions (for both Ubuntu and Kubuntu).
- Kubuntu Forums has a large community for online solutions and help specific to Kubuntu.
KDE Project
KDE Eye-Candy Resources
Kubuntu Screenshots and Screencasts
New Applications Resources
- KDE Apps
- GetDeb - Features the latest versions of software available from the official repositories as well as software not available in the official repositories. Available in easy-to-install .deb files (see Apt and Package Basics).
Other *buntu guides and help manuals
- Ubuntuguide -- Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop.
- Xubuntu Desktop Guide -- Xubuntu can run with as little as 256 Mb RAM. It is better for older machines with limited resources. It uses the XFCE desktop.
Add Extra Kubuntu Repositories
Software packages and programs are freely available for download at multiple online sites with standardized structures, called repositories. There are repositories officially sanctioned and monitored by the Kubuntu/Ubuntu developer community, while other repositories are independently provided, without official sanction or supervision (and should be used with caution). Additional information is available from the Kubuntu Repository Guide.
Types of Repositories
- There are four major package repository types in Kubuntu:
- main - Supported and supervised by Canonical. This is the major part of the distribution.
- restricted - Software not licensed under the GPL (or similar software license), but supported and supervised by Canonical.
- universe - Software licensed under the GPL (or similar license) and supported by users.
- multiverse - Software not licensed under the GPL (or similar license), but supported by users.
- There are also these additional types of repositories:
- hardy-updates - Updates to official packages.
- hardy-backports - Current version software from Hardy+1 (Intrepid Ibex) that has been backported to Hardy Heron.
- hardy-proposed - Proposed updates & changes (bleeding edge stuff).
Third party repositories
Software developers often maintain their own repositories, from which software packages can be downloaded and installed directly to your computer (if you add the repository to your list). Many of these third party repositories and software packages have never been reviewed by the (K)Ubuntu/Debian community and can present a security risk to your computer. Trojans, backdoors, and other malicious software can be present at any unregulated repository. When using repositories not endorsed by the (K)ubuntu/Debian community, make sure you have utter confidence in that site before enabling the repository and installing a software package from it.
Add Repositories using Adept Package Manager
This is the preferred method.
- K menu -> System -> Adept Manager -> Manage Repositories.
- Here you can enable the repositories for Kubuntu Software and Third Party Software.
- For Third Party Software select Add... -> enter the repository's address. It will have a format similar to:
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted
- Example: To add the Medibuntu repository, Add:
deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ hardy free non-free
- Download the repository key to a folder.
- Example: The Medibuntu key can be downloaded from
- http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg
- Then add the key from:
- Adept -> Sources -> Edit Software Sources -> Authentication -> Import Key File...
- (Alternatively, you can manually add the key from the Konsole command line terminal. See Add Repository keys.)
- Refresh the package list from the new repository:
- Adept -> Adept -> Apply Changes, then Fetch Package list
Manually add repositories
- Do this at your own risk. Modify the default Kubuntu sources.list only if you understand what you're doing. Mixing repositories can break your system. For more information see the Ubuntu Command-line Repository guide.
- Create a backup of your current list of sources.
sudo cp -p /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list_backup
Note: sudo - runs the command with root privileges. cp = copy. -p = prompt to overwrite if a file already exists.
- Edit the list of sources:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
- or using a graphical editor:
kdesu kate /etc/apt/sources.list
- Note: To use your local mirror you can add "xx." before archive.ubuntu.com, where xx = your country code.
- Example: deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy main restricted universe multiverse indicates a repository for Great Britain (gb).
- Here is a sample sources.list. At the end have been added repositories for Medibuntu:
# See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to # newer versions of the distribution. deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted ## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the ## distribution. deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates main restricted deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates main restricted ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in ## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security ## team. deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy universe deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy universe deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in ## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu ## security team. deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy multiverse deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy multiverse deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates multiverse deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates multiverse ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports' ## repository. ## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as ## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes ## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features. ## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review ## or updates from the Ubuntu security team. deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-backports main restricted universe multiverse deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-backports main restricted universe multiverse ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's ## 'partner' repository. This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is ## offered by Canonical and the respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu ## users. deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu hardy partner deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu hardy partner deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security main restricted deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security main restricted deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security universe deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security universe deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security multiverse deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security multiverse ## Medibuntu - Ubuntu 7.10 "hardy gibbon" ## Please report any bug on https://bugs.launchpad.net/medibuntu/ #deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ hardy free non-free #deb-src http://packages.medibuntu.org/ hardy free non-free
- Download and add the repository keys to your keyring. See Add repository keys.
- Refresh the packages list from the new repositories:
sudo apt-get update
Add repository keys
- Download the gpg keys for the repositories and automatically add them to your repository keyring:
- Example: To obtain and add the Medibuntu repository key:
wget --quiet http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O - | sudo apt-key add -
- Example: To obtain and add the Google repository key:
wget --quiet https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub -O - | sudo apt-key add -
Note: wget - retrieves a file from a network location. --quiet = no output. -O - = Output downloaded item to the screen. The | (pipe symbol) is used to capture the output from the previous command and use it as an input for the piped command (i.e. apt-key, which adds it to the keyring).
Kubuntu Updates
Apt and Package Basics
- Read General Notes
- Read Add Extra Kubuntu Repositories
Here is some basic information on how to use the APT package management tools from a terminal. The functionality of these tools is also provided in Adept Manager's GUI, but many people prefer to use the terminal to save time or for other reasons.
Open up a Konsole terminal (K -> System -> Konsole)
- Installing packages
sudo apt-get install <packagename>
- Examples:
sudo apt-get install mpd sbackup
- Removing packages
sudo apt-get remove <packagename>
- To remove all dependencies type
sudo apt-get autoremove
- Examples:
sudo apt-get remove mpd sbackup
- Searching for packages
sudo apt-cache search <keywords>
- Examples:
sudo apt-cache search Music MP3 sudo apt-cache search "Text Editor"
- Updating Apt database (used after adding/removing Apt repositories)
sudo apt-get update
- Upgrading packages
sudo apt-get upgrade
- Upgrade entire distribution
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
- Install downloaded Ubuntu/Kubuntu (Debian) package (.deb)
sudo dpkg -i package.deb
- Remove Kubuntu/Ubuntu (Debian) package
sudo dpkg -r package
- Reconfigure/Repair installed package
sudo dpkg-reconfigure packagem
- Examples:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure mpd
- Handling ".tar.gz" (Tar/GZip) and ".tar.bz2" (Tar/Bzip2) Archives
- To extract:
tar xvf package.tar.gz
Command explained: tar is an application which can extract files from an archive, decompressing if necessary.
-x means extract. -v means verbose (list what it is extracting). -f specifies the file to use. (You could extract this package by first using the command gunzip (for .gz) or bunzip2 (for .bz2), and you would be left with a .tar file.)
- To create .gz:
tar cvfz package.tar.gz folder
- To create .bz2:
tar cvfj package.tar.bz2 folder
Note - bz2 is a newer, more efficient compression method.
- Decompressing ".bz2" files
bunzip2 file.bz2
- Decompressing ".gz" files
gunzip file.gz
- Building from Source
Make sure you have all the necessary development tools (i.e. libraries, compilers, headers)
sudo apt-get install build-essential sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`
"uname -r" lists the current kernel you are using.
Extract your package (as detailed above)
tar xvf package.tar.gz
Commence the build process
cd /path/to/extracted/package ./configure make sudo make install
Note - typing ./ before a filename in the current folder allows unix to try and execute the file as an application even if it is not in the set of folders (known as the path) which it searches when you type a command name. (The current folder is not in the path for security reasons.) If you get "permission denied" the file is not marked as being executable, which sometimes happens if packages have not been created properly. To fix this:
chmod +x filename
If build is successful, consider making an Ubuntu (Debian) package (.deb) for future use:
Install package tools:
sudo apt-get install checkinstall
Rebuild package using "checkinstall":
cd /path/to/extracted/package ./configure make checkinstall
Keep the resulting ".deb" file for future use. It can be installed using:
sudo dpkg -i package.deb
Note: These are basic instructions that may not always work. Some packages require additional dependencies and optional parameters to be specified in order to build them successfully.
aptitude is a terminal-based package manager that can be used as a drop-in replacement for apt-get. One of the main features of aptitude is that it marks packages that are automatically installed and removes them when no packages depend on them. This makes it easy to remove applications completely. To use Aptitude, replace apt-get with aptitude in the command line. Examples:
sudo aptitude install <packagename> sudo aptitude remove <packagename> sudo aptitude update sudo aptitude upgrade
For an ncurses-based user interface, type
sudo aptitude
For more information, see the aptitude documentation.
Manual Updates
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Use Adept Update Manager: K > System -> Adept Manager -> Fetch Updates > Full Upgrade
Automated Updates
- Open K menu.
- In the System menu, open Adept Manager.
- In the Adept menu, select Manage Repositories.
- Open the Updates tab at the top of the screen.
- Make sure Check for Updates has an X in the box.
- Use the selection box to the right of that to determine how often you'd like to check for updates.
- Click the close button.
- Close Adept Manager.
Add/Remove Programs
- K menu -> Add/Remove Programs
- Search for the sort of program you want to add. Example: type MP3 to see a list of mp3 software.
- Check the box next to the software.
- Click the "Apply Changes" button.
- The selected program(s) will be automatically installed.
Kubuntu Addon Applications
Commercial Applications
Commercial Applications require a license which can be obtained from the relevant vendor either at a cost or free of charge (such as VMWare server).
sudo aptitude update sudo aptitude install virtualbox
Accept the license: navigate to OK by using the Tab key and press Enter. Use right arrow key to highlight Yes and press Enter.
Add user to it:
sudo usermod -G vboxusers -a user
replace "user" with your username.
Restart KDE using CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE and re-login. Navigate to VirtualBox by K > System > innotek VirtualBox Virtual Machine
For more help on creating and managing visit ubuntugeek
Transgaming Cedega
Cedega is a commercial application (similar to Wine), for installing and running some Windows applications. Cedega is designed specifically for games, contains 3D support, software acceleration support, and a high level of DirectX support. It is available at http://www.cedega.com or through the main site for TransGaming at http://www.transgaming.com. Installation instructions are found there.
Edutainment Applications
Edutainment Applications make learning easier and faster.
Genealogy Trees (Gramps)
sudo apt-get install gramps
run by typing in:
Google Earth (World Map Utility and Flight Simulator)
sudo apt-get install googleearth
To install the latest Linux binary, download and save the GoogleEarthLinux.bin package from Google Earth downloads. Then install:
chmod +x GoogleEarthLinux.bin ./GoogleEarthLinux.bin
KDE Edutainment Suite
This is a collection of edutainment software from the official KDE release. Package: kdeedu
sudo apt-get install kdeedu
KDE Toys (Collection of toys and passtimes)
sudo apt-get install kdetoys
Mnemosyne (free flash-card tool)
Mnemosyne is a sophisticated free flash-card tool which optimizes your learning process. To install the latest version in the repositories run the following command
sudo apt-get install mnemosyne
Bibletime (Bible)
Bibletime is a Bible study tool for KDE. It ships with the King James Bible with Strong's Numbers. Although, it has many extra bible versions, books, dictionaries and commentaries, in many languages, available for download from it's built in library.
sudo apt-get install bibletime
Zekr (Quran)
Zekr is an Islamic Quran Software. It has translations in many languages from authentic authors.
sudo apt-get install zekr
Proprietary Applications
Proprietary software helps you maximize your Internet experience, but is not open source. The software available includes Multimedia Codecs, Java Runtime Environment, and plug-ins for Firefox and Konqueror.
Restricted Extras
The Kubuntu Restricted Extras will install Adobe Flash Player, Java Runtime Environment (JRE) (sun-java-jre) with Firefox and Konqueror plug-ins (icedtea), a set of Microsoft Fonts (msttcorefonts), multimedia codecs (w32codecs or w64codecs), mp3-compatible encoding (lame), FFMpeg, extra multimedia codecs for K3b, the package for DVD decoding (libdvdread3, but see below for info on libdvdcss2), and the unrar archiver. This is a single command approach.
sudo apt-get install kubuntu-restricted-extras
You could also use Ubuntu Restricted Extras, but it installs plugins for the Gstreamer platform (the default in Gnome) and does not install the K3b codecs, so it is not recommended.
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Eye Candy Applications
Eye Candy Applications refer to the decoration of the Interface. These can be added on icons, themes, wallpapers etc. As well as the 3D effects that are available with the use Compiz Fusion.
Compiz Fusion
sudo apt-get install compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-plugins libcompizconfig0 compiz-kde compiz-plugins compizconfig-backend-kconfig compizconfig-settings-manager kicker-compiz kicker-taskbar-compiz
Before starting Compiz you will have to make some changes so that the Desktop Preview & Pager and the Taskbar behave correctly. Open Kcontrol(alt+f2 then type in 'kcontrol') and navigate to Desktop >> Multiple Desktops and change the number of desktops to 1. Close Kcontrol and remove the Desktop Preview & Pager and the Taskbar from the panel. Right click on the panel and select 'Add Applet To Panel'. Add 'Desktop Preview & Pager - Compiz' and 'Taksbar - Compiz' to replace the old ones.
Note: in KDE 4.1 there is a Plasma that replaces Kicker so there is no way how you can install those applets. In this case the installation command will be as follows:
sudo apt-get install compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-plugins libcompizconfig0 compiz-kde compiz-plugins compizconfig-backend-kconfig compizconfig-settings-manager
Note: if the Compiz Settings Manager you do not see any icons then you might want to install librsvg2-common which fixes this bug
sudo apt-get install librsvg2-common
To start Compiz
compiz --replace
Fusion Icon
Fusion Icon is a tray icon that allows you to easily switch between window managers, window decorators, and quick access to the settings manager
sudo apt-get install fusion-icon
Emerald is an alternative window decorator that provides more features and integration with Compiz.
sudo apt-get install emerald
To start Emerald
emerald --replace
Kicker-Applets (Extra Applets for the Panels) in KDE3
sudo apt-get install kicker-applets
Use by right clicking a panel > Add Applet To Panel
Note: This will not work for KDE4 as there is Plasma which replaces Kicker
Google Desktop
Download .deb file from Google Desktop Download Website
Browse to the file location:
cd <location>
cd /home/username/Desktop
Install by running:
sudo dpkg -i google-desktop-linux_current_i386.deb
Kicker-Kickoff (Suse Style K Menu)
The original Kicker-Kickoff program was first made available at kde-apps.org by Ruffinius. Currently he supports KickerQT but due to dependency problems many cannot install this more updated version on any Kubuntu release. Kicker-Kickoff has since been removed from kde-apps.org. Fortunately Technoshaun (The contributor of this piece) makes Kicker-Kickoff 1 a part of all his KDE theme packages at kde-look.org. If you download any of the KDE theme packages he has made available and unpack the tarball inside is a folder labled kicker_kickoff_1 with kicker-kickoff_1_i386.deb inside. Here is a cut from his readme file on istalling Kicker Kickoff:
Kicker_Kickoff_1 is the original Kubuntu kickoff package from Ruffinius. It is included for those who cannot install KickerQT due to conflicts or other issues. Though not as pretty it does work. It will also work on Mepis (except Mepis 7.0) and other Debian/Kubuntu based distros running KDE 3.5.5 through 3.5.8, provided dependencies can be met.
In the "kicker_Kickoff_1" folder use the command "sudo dpkg -i kicker-kickoff_1_i386.deb" (or other appropriate install method) then use the command "sudo dcop kicker kicker restart" to start the kickoff menu interface.
SuperKaramba Desktop Widgets / Gadgets
If you are using KDE 3
sudo apt-get install superkaramba
If you are using KDE 4
sudo apt-get install superkaramba-kde4
Webilder (Automatic Flickr/Webshots Wallpaper Changer)
Yakuake drop down Konsole
sudo apt-get install yakuake
Enable it by going to K > System > Yakuake
Use it by pressing F12
Hotwire Graphical Terminal
Download .deb package from here:
Browse to the correct directory downloaded to:
cd <file location>
Install by:
sudo dpkg -i hotwire_0.599-1~getdeb1_all.deb
Run by going to K -> System -> Hotwire Shell - Command prompt
deKorator is a window decoration engine for KDE. You can easily install lost of themes with this engine.
Install deKorator for KDE 4
Download source code from http://kde-look.org/content/show.php/deKorator?content=87921 and follow the instructions to compile and install deKorator.
Games Applications
There are hundreds of games available under Linux. The following is a selected list of the best games.
KDE Games
A collection of games from the official KDE release is available from the Ubuntu repositories.
Package: kdegames
sudo apt-get install kdegames
GNOME Games
These are the games included with the GNOME desktop enviroment. They will also run on KDE.
Package: gnome-games
sudo apt-get install gnome-games
Alien Arena
Multi-player first person shooter
sudo apt-get install alien-arena
Nexuiz 2.3
Nexuiz 2.3 is a multi-player first person shooter based on the Darkplaces engine, which is an advanced Quake1 engine.
sudo apt-get install nexuiz
There is a map pack available from http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?groupname=nexuiz&filename=nexmappack_r2.zip&use_mirror=superb-west that features 35 new maps. To install extract the map pack to /home/username/.nexuiz/data
Open Arena
Multi-player first person shooter.
sudo apt-get install openarena
Tremulous - a halo like multiplayer only game.
sudo apt-get install tremulous
UrbanTerror 4.0
- UrbanTerror 4.0 is a Multi-player First Person Shooter. The Game uses the open source quake 3 engine and features many real weapons and free to use servers for multi-player functionality.
More information can be found at UrbanTerror
- You can manually download and install UrbanTerror from the following webpage UrbanTerror_Download
- Or you can enjoy an automated install by downloading and executing the linux install script from either of the following links: urt40-linux-installer.sh_1 or urt40-linux-installer.sh_2
- After downloading the script open Terminal into your download directory then make the script executable with the following command:
sudo chmod +x urt40-linux-installer.sh
- Now double click on the script to execute and follow the directions
- The install will take awhile as the script executes a download of the necessary files which are about 541MB
- After the install you will have a nice UrbanTerror icon on your desktop (unless you installed as root)
This easy install script is courtesy of Nexu from the UrbanTerror Forums.
PrBoom - the classic Doom2 game
sudo apt-get install prboom timidity timidity-interfaces-extra
Similar to Bust-a-Move, this gave has the player launching bubbles to match colors.
Package: frozen-bubble
sudo apt-get install frozen-bubble
Penguin Racer
Fast (well, if you have a 3D accelerator card) and addicting race game.
Package: planetpenguin-racer
sudo apt-get install planetpenguin-racer planetpenguin-racer-extras
Board Games
Classic Mahjongg game
Package: kmahjongg
sudo apt-get install kmahjongg
Play chess against computer
Package: pouetchess
sudo apt-get install pouetchess pouetchess-data
Super Nintendo Emulator (ZSNES) 1.510 for i386/AMD64
- Read #General Notes
For support or questions see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=588744
- Add a 3rd Party Repository
echo "deb http://packages.dfreer.org gutsy main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list wget http://packages.dfreer.org/7572013D.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - sudo apt-get update
- Install using one of the lines below
sudo apt-get install zsnes32 #for amd64 users sudo apt-get install zsnes #for everyone else
- K -> Games -> zsnes or zsnes32
Playstation Emulator (pSX) 1.13 for i386/AMD64
- Read #General Notes
For support or questions see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=394097
- Add a 3rd Party Repository
echo "deb http://packages.dfreer.org gutsy main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list wget http://packages.dfreer.org/7572013D.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - sudo apt-get update
- Install using one of the lines below
sudo apt-get install psx32 #for amd64 users sudo apt-get install psx #for everyone else
- K -> Games -> pSX or pSX32
DosBox (DOS emulator)
- DosBox is a DOS emulator that enables older DOS programs (and games) to be run. Install:
sudo apt-get install dosbox
- Tweak the DosBox settings if necessary. For more info, read the DosBox instructions (man dosbox in a command-line terminal).
Pingus is a lemmings clone that uses penguins instead of lemmings. It also comes with a level builder.
sudo apt-get install pingus
Graphics Manipulation Applications
Graphics Manipulation Applications allow you to edit your favourite photos or create stunning 3D drawings.]
CinePaint (Graphics and Video Editor)
sudo apt-get install cinepaint
KdenLive (Non-linear Video Editing Suite for KDE)
sudo apt-get install kdenlive
Kino (Non-linear Video Editing Suite)
sudo apt-get install kino
Cinelerra (Non-linear Video Editing Suite)
Cinelerra Community Version is a complete high-end open source video editing suite that is a derivative of a similar commercial system. Follow the installation instructions for Ubuntu Hardy.
Dia (Diagram editor)
sudo apt-get install dia
GIMP Image Manipulator
sudo apt-get install gimp
There is an extra set of brushes, palettes, and gradients for The GIMP.
sudo apt-get install gimp-data-extras
Inkscape Vector Illustrator
sudo apt-get install inkscape
KSnapshot (Screen Capture)
KSnapshot is the default screen capture program included with Kubuntu. Run:
- K menu -> Graphics -> KSnapshot Screen Capture program
Istanbul (Desktop Session Recording)
sudo apt-get install istanbul
recordMyDesktop (Desktop Session Recording)
sudo apt-get install recordmydesktop
Kivio (Flow Chart Creation)
sudo apt-get install kivio
Digikam (Photo Organizer, Photo Management and Editor)
Digikam is a comprehensive digital asset managment (DAM) tool and photoeditor.
sudo apt-get install digikam kipi-plugins digikam-doc
Picasa Photo Organiser
Download from Google website (proprietary program):
Browse to the file location:
cd <location>
cd /home/username/Desktop
Install by running:
sudo dpkg -i picasa_2.2.2820-5_i386.deb
Wink (Desktop Session Recording)
sudo apt-get install wink
Camorama (Web Cam)
sudo apt-get install camorama
Internet Applications
Internet applications enable you to make full use of your Internet connection. You can get hold of Web Browsers, Email Clients, Instant Messengers and many more applications here.
Filesharing / P2P
Do not share copyrighted material or content that is otherwise illegal to share.
This application is included with Kubuntu.
Azureus (BitTorrent Client)
sudo apt-get install azureus
QTorrent (PyQT-based Bitorrent Client, suppose to be very fast)
sudo apt-get install qtorrent
Transmission (BitTorrent Client)
sudo apt-get install transmission
Apollon (P2P Filesharing)
sudo apt-get install apollon gift libfasttrack-gift
MLDonkey (P2P eMule/eDonkey2000 Client)
sudo apt-get install kmldonkey
PGP (Message Encryption)
PGP (OpenPGP and GnuPGP) is a tool to encrypt your messages (such as email) to be unlocked only by someone who has a key to unlock it.
KGpg is the GUI for KDE to manage the key pairs and other options of GnuPGP.
Tor (Network Privacy)
Tor is a project to allow privacy while using the Internet and limit usage tracking. TorK is the KDE interface. privoxy is the proxy module. See these installation tips. Install:
sudo apt-get install tork tor privoxy
then see the installation guide.
- Whenever I started TorK (or stopped it and later started it again), I had to manually kill any running privoxy and tor processes first, otherwise I would get various error messages.
sudo killall privoxy sudo killall tor
Torbutton allows you to choose whether to use Firefox through the Tor anonymizing network or not. Install:
sudo apt-get install torbutton-extension
You can also install this as an add-on from within Firefox, which allows Firefox to update it automatically.
Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse all Add-ons -> Torbutton
Email Clients
This default email application is included with Kubuntu. Access it by clicking on the Kontact icon on your panel.
PGP and Kmail
PGP-encrypted messages can be emailed using Kmail. See this tutorial.
- Kmail -> Configure Kmail -> Security -> Crypto Backends
This is the Gnome email client. Installing it will install several Gnome packages.
sudo apt-get install evolution
Mozilla Thunderbird is a licensed and trademarked free open-source email client that is compatible with Firefox. Install:
sudo apt-get install mozilla-thunderbird
Enigmail is an add-on to Thunderbird that allows you to easily encrypt your email using OpenPGP, which is included in the kernel by default. It also allows you to create and manage the encryption keys. Go the website and click "Download Now". Install:
- Thunderbird -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Install -> select downloaded file
New Mail Icon for Thunderbird
"New Mail Icon" is an experimental tray add-on which notifes you of new mail. Download from the website. Install:
- Thunderbird -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Install -> select downloaded file
Instant Messengers
This application is included with Kubuntu. You can access it by going to K Menu --> Applications --> Internet --> Instant Messenger (Kopete). You can access multiple services with it.
Pidgin is an open source IM application. It is the default in the Ubuntu (Gnome) desktop, but will work in Kubuntu (KDE). You can access multiple services with it.
sudo apt-get install pidgin
sudo apt-get install amsn
To enable Drag-and-Drop capabilities to aMSN for easy file transfer follow this link:
Emesene is a MSN messenger client. You can download the latest .deb version from http://apt.emesene.org/ . To install open the Konsole and cd into the directory where you saved it. Now enter:
sudo dpkg -i emesene_version-no.deb
Kmess is a MSN messenger client aimed at integration with KDE.
sudo apt-get install kmess
FTP Clients
Although Konqueror can use FTP via kioslaves, you might wish to ue a dedicated FTP client.
sudo apt-get install filezilla
FireFTP for Firefox
Install FireFTP as an extension within Mozilla Firefox. Visit the FireFTP Homepage.
This application is included with Kubuntu.
Following instructions to install RSSOwl do only work with version 1_2_3 of RSSOwl.
This application is a in Java written RSS | RDF | Atom Newsfeed Reader.
In order to use the internal browser, install first the packages xulrunner and firefox , either via Adept Manager or by typing this command into Konsole:
sudo apt-get install firefox xulrunner
Change to your "opt" directory by typing this command into Konsole:
cd /opt
Download the tar.gz-archive into your opt directory by typing this command into Konsole:
sudo wget http://belnet.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/rssowl/rssowl_1_2_3_linux_bin.tar.gz
Extract the archive and remove the extracted file by typing this command into Konsole:
sudo tar zxvf ./rssowl_1_2_3_linux_bin.tar.gz && sudo rm ./rssowl_1_2_3_linux_bin.tar.gz
Make a startscript by typing this command into Konsole:
sudo vim /usr/bin/runRSSOwl.sh
and add the following lines to your starter-script file /usr/bin/runRSSOwl.sh
export MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME=/usr/lib/xulrunner export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:${MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME}:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH} cd /opt/rssowl_1_2_3_linux_bin ./run.sh
Make the startscript executable by typing this command into Konsole:
sudo chmod u+x /usr/bin/runRSSOwl.sh
Now you always can start RSSOwl by typing this command into Konsole:
After having started the application "RSSOwl":
Go to --> View and enable "View Newstext in Browser".
Then go to --> Tools --> Preferences... --> General and enable in misc-section "Open any news automatically in browser".
Go to --> Tools --> Preferences... --> Browser and enter the path to the executable (my path was /usr/lib/firefox/firefox). Finally enable "use external browser" at the bottom.
Formerly known as Gnomemeeting, Ekiga is a SIP compliant fully functional open source VOIP and videoconferencing program.
apt-get install ekiga
Skype is a proprietary VOIP and video conferencing program similar to Ekiga.
sudo apt-get install skype
Web Browsers
Konqueror is the default web and file browser included with Kubuntu.
Konqueror plug-ins
KGet (Download Manager) plug-in for Konqueror
KGet is a download manager for the Konqueror browser, but it can also work with Firefox as part of the FlashGot plugin.
sudo apt-get install kget
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is the ubiquitous web browser. Based on open source components, it is trademarked and cannot be altered or re-distributed with any change that involves the name or trademarks. Install the current version:
sudo apt-get install firefox
Firefox Plug-ins
Adblock plug-in (block ads in a web page)
Adblock Plus blocks ads that appear in web pages. You can subscribe to a free filter service, and can add ads to block with a single click.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-firefox-adblock
- You can also add this extension from Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse All Add-ons. (This method will also ensure that automatic updates are installed by Firefox.)
Noscript plug-in (controls scripts)
The Noscript plugin is considered one of the most important security measures for browsing the Internet. Most viruses and trojans gain access to computers from the Internet through scripts. This plugin allows you to choose which scripts to allow and blocks the rest.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-noscript
- You can also add this extension from Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse All Add-ons. (This method will also ensure that automatic updates are installed by Firefox.)
User Agent Switcher plug-in for Firefox
The User Agent Switcher plugin allows a browser to masquerade as another browser, allowing (most of the time) browser-specific content to be displayed.
- You can add this extension from Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse All Add-ons. (This method will also ensure that automatic updates are installed by Firefox.)
Video Download Helper plug-in for Firefox
The Video Download Helper plugin allows the download of videos from sites like YouTube.
- You can add this extension from Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse All Add-ons. (This method will also ensure that automatic updates are installed by Firefox.)
Unplug Download Management
The UnPlug add-on lets you save video and audio which is embedded on a webpage.
- You can add this extension from Firefox -> Tools -> Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> Browse All Add-ons. (This method will also ensure that automatic updates are installed by Firefox.)
Adobe Acrobat Reader for Firefox Plug-in
sudo apt-get install acroread mozilla-acroread acroread-plugins
Adobe Flash Player for Firefox Plug-in
To install the official Adobe Flash plugin (Flash 10) for Firefox:
sudo apt-get install adobe-flashplugin
Gnash Plug-in (Open source Flash Player replacement)
Gnash is available in a 64-bit version as well as a 32-bit version. It is the open source replacement for Adobe Flashplayer.
sudo apt-get install gnash
After installing, change your web browser's Preferences -> Applications so that SWF and SPL files use Gnash.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for Firefox plug-in
This package must be installed to run Java in Firefox, even if JRE is installed using kubuntu-restricted-extras or when installing OpenOffice.
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-jre
Note: You must accept the license to use this product.
Kaffeine Plug-in for Firefox
This package also installs the Kaffeine player.
sudo apt-get install kaffeine-mozilla
MPlayer plug-in for Firefox
This package also installs MPlayer.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-mplayer
VLC plug-in for Firefox
This package also installs the VLC player.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-plugin-vlc
Helix player plug-in for Firefox
This package also installs the Helix player, which is the open source player that plays Real Player content in Linux.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-helix-player
FireFTP for Firefox
FireFTP is a Firefox extension for FTP transfers.
Firefox Widgets
IceCat is Firefox distributed without the Mozilla trademark restrictions. It is endorsed by the Debian project (on which Kubuntu is based). It is formerly known as IceWeasel and is also known as IceApe Browser. Install the current version:
sudo apt-get install iceape-browser
SeaMonkey is an open-source integrated internet application suite (web browser, IM (IRC) client, Email client, RSS/News reader, and web development tools). It is based on the same components as the Mozilla products (Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.) and shares the same trademark and branding restrictions. There are many plugins, similar to those for Thunderbird and Firefox. Install the current version:
sudo apt-get install seamonkey
IceApe is an open-source integrated internet application suite (including web browser, IM (IRC) client, Email client, RSS/News reader, and web development tools). It is based on the same components as the Mozilla product SeaMonkey, but has no restrictive trademark licensing, and is endorsed by the Debian project (on which Kubuntu is based). Install the current version:
sudo apt-get install iceape
Opera is a proprietary browser and internet suite (currently free on PCs) also used in some mobile devices and gaming consoles. It includes email, an address book, IRC chat, integrated BitTorrent, and webfeeds. A limited number of plugins are also available.
sudo apt-get install opera
Download Managers
Package: kget
sudo apt-get install kget
KGet can be easily configured to work with Konqueror.
Download Manager (Downloader for X)
sudo apt-get install d4x
Multimedia Applications
Multimedia Applications enable you to make full use of your Linux system. There is a vast variety of Applications available for Multimedia under Linux, and most of them are very stable.
CDs and DVDs
K3b (CD/DVD burner)
K3b (KDE Burn Baby Burn) is the default KDE CD and DVD burning utility included in Kubuntu. This includes the ability to burn VideoDVD's. K3b is included by default in most Kubuntu installations. If not, install:
sudo apt-get install k3b
Install MP3 support for K3b
Due to licensing requirements, mp3 capabilities for K3b must be installed separately. (Note: this package is automatically installed as part of kubuntu-restricted-extras). Install the libk3b2-mp3 package:
sudo apt-get install libk3b3-extracodecs libk3b2-mp3
K9copy DVD-Ripper
sudo apt-get install k9copy
Ripper X CD Ripper/Encoder
sudo apt-get install ripperx
DVD Playback Capability
To play encrypted DVDs, the libdvdcss2 package is essential. libdvdcss is a simple library designed for accessing DVDs like a block device without having to bother about the decryption. Some more information about this package can be found at http://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html.
sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2
However this command may not work for you. In this case you can try the following script to automatically download and install libdvdcss2
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh
Or you can use guidelines provided at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu
FFMPEG video / audio conversion
FFMPEG is the swiss-army knife of video and audio format conversion. It succeeds when no other program can. It is free and open source. If it not yet installed on your system as part of another package (it is used by many video/audio editors), then install it:
sudo apt-get install ffmpeg
To convert many different formats, read the FFMPEG documentation.
Example: To convert a saved Flash video (.flv) to an Mpeg-2 format playable on a DVD, convert:
ffmpeg -i samplevideo.flv -target ntsc-dvd samplevideo.mpg
Then use K3b to write the mpg file to a New DVD Data Project.
- For PAL use -target pal-dvd. For widescreen, add the parameter -aspect 16:9 (but see these tips). For other conversion tips, see this forum. (Note: Most Flash video has very low resolution, with a screen size of 360x240, for example. You may see a slight diminishment in resolution if you wish to convert it to 720x480, which is the NTSC standard size. You can keep the original resolution by omitting the -target ntsc-dvd parameter.)
WinFF is a free, GPL-licensed open source GUI frontend for FFMPEG. See the website for installation instructions.
Audacity (Audio Editor and Recorder)
Audacity is the leading cross-platform free open source (GPL-licensed) audio recorder and editor. It can be used to record, splice, edit, and manipulate sound files similar to tools found in recording studios. Install:
sudo apt-get install audacity
Internet TV
Miro Player (formerly Democracy TV Player)
Democracy Player allows you to watch user-generated content via the Internet.
sudo apt-get install democracyplayer
Myth TV
See MythTV
Sopcast Internet TV
Sopcast is a live stream program. Here is how to install it:
Retrieve the package by running:
wget http://sopcast.fuerzw.de/download/1.1.0/sp-sc.tgz
Untar the package:
tar -xvf sp-sc.tgz
Move sopcast base application to /usr/bin/
sudo mv sp-sc/sp-sc /usr/bin/
Now you have two options to run the program:
Command Line:
sp-sc sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/6098 3908 8908 > /dev/null &
replace sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/6098 with the stream address given to you.
Open the Stream in Mplayer or VLC player
mplayer http://localhost:8908/tv.asf
vlc http://localhost:8908/tv.asf
GUI version:
Multimedia Players
Amarok is the default multimedia player in Kubuntu.
Banshee Music Player
sudo apt-get install banshee
Elisa Multimedia Player
Exaile Music Manager and Player
sudo apt-get install exaile
Listen Music Manager and Player
MPlayer Multimedia Player
sudo apt-get install mplayer
Dump a video stream to disc
You can dump a video stream to disc using Mplayer:
mplayer -dumpstream streamurl
If you don't know the exact URL of the stream you wish to save, you can discover it from the webpage it is embedded in by using the Firefox add-on UnPlug. Do not save streams that are illegal to download.
RealPlayer 10 Multimedia Player
The Linux Realplayer is actually based on the open-source Helix player. Helix itself can be installed as a package easily (Read Helix plug-in) and use it instead of Realplayer. These instructions are to install the proprietary version of RealPlayer only.
Download Real Player official linux player
Open a terminal and cd to the directory you have downloaded realplayer's .bin file. Then issue the following commands
chmod +x RealPlayer10GOLD.bin sudo ./RealPlayer10GOLD.bin
When it asks for installation path enter /usr/local/RealPlayer
For all other questions just choose default by pressing enter.
If you have installed mozilla-mplayer package you will need to delete the mplayer firefox plugin for real player videos. Other wise all real player files will open with mplayer. For that please do this
cd /usr/lib/firefox/plugins sudo rm mplayerplug-in-rm.*
Please remember to restart firefox and when ever you click on a real player video choose the option open with and use /usr/bin/realplay
SMPlayer Multimedia Player
SMPlayer is a rich user-friendly-interface to the popular MPlayer
sudo apt-get install smplayer
Songbird Music Player
Follow the guide from psychocats.net. Songbird is still in development, you should only use it for testing purposes.
StreamTuner Stream Directory Browser
Xine-UI Multimedia Player
sudo apt-get install xine-ui
VLC Multimedia Player
VLC is a cross-platform multimedia player that supports many formats without need for additional codecs. It can not only receive video streams (also see here to convert it to mp4), but can act as a server for video streams, as well. It is one of the only players that can view and backup almost any DVD format, no matter which copy protection is used. See these tips for using VLC to backup/rip encrypted DVDs.
sudo apt-get install vlc
However if you want to install the latest version of this player you might want to do the following actions.
At first it is recommended to remove the previously installed version if any:
sudo apt-get remove vlc vlc-nox sudo apt-get autoremove
Then add repositories and install debs
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/c-korn/ubuntu hardy main deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/c-korn/ubuntu hardy main sudo apt-get reload sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-nox
XMMS Music Player
sudo apt-get install xmms
Multimedia Servers
MPD Multimedia Playing Server
Timidity++ MIDI Sound Server
Timidity adds Midi functionality.
sudo apt-get install timidity
Multimedia Encoders
KRec (Sound Recorder)
sudo apt-get install krec
SOX (encodes/decodes audio)
sudo apt-get install sox
Run by typing in:
Internet Radio
Last FM
sudo apt-get install lastfm
Home Automation / Home Theater / Home Security
Complete Systems
Linux MCE (Media Center Edition)
LinuxMCE is an integrated home theater/home security/home automation/telephone PBX/intercom system for your home. It incorporates MythTV, Pluto home automation, Motion security surveillance, Asterisk PBX, VDR video disk recorder, and other home automation/security/theater packages in an integrated platform. It is available in 32 and 64 bit versions. LinuxMCE can run either as a standalone Home Theater PC or can co-ordinate a fully networked home, using the networking capabilities that are intrinsically part of the Kubuntu Linux OS. For more info see the LinuxMCE website.
The most recent version runs on Kubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy). A version for Kubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) is due out soon. LinuxMCE can be installed at the same time as the Kubuntu OS (on a new PC with an nVidia graphics card), with a single DVD installation. Alternatively, Kubuntu can be installed first and LinuxMCE then installed from a 2 CD installation.
PVR (Personal Video Recorder)
MythTV is a PVR (personal video recorder) for retrieving, recording, and playing broadcast and Internet TV and other multimedia content.
sudo apt-get install mythtv
Mythbuntu is an integrated Ubuntu (Xubuntu) desktop optimised for MythTV usage. In can be used instead of adding MythTV to a Kubuntu desktop.
Home Security
Zoneminder surveillance system
Zoneminder manages surveillance cameras and stores images on the hard disk. Images can be viewed using a (LAMP) server remotely. X10 devices can be triggered using built-in perl scripts. For more info see the Zoneminder website.
Installing the latest Zoneminder version
- Minor tweaks are required to install the latest version of Zoneminder on Hardy. See the Zoneminder forums.
Using the repository package
- There is a Zoneminder package for Hardy (that was the package from Gutsy). You should be able to install the package from Synaptic Package Manager.
- Detailed instructions that appeared to work for Gutsy are at the Zoneminder Installation Wiki.
Original Feisty installation instructions
- However, if that does not work, try the original instructions that worked for Feisty:
- You must have the LAMP server installed. In addition, you will need additional modules:
sudo apt-get install ffmpeg libarchive-tar-perl libarchive-zip-perl libdate-manip-perl libdevice-serialport-perl sudo apt-get install libjpeg62 libmime-perl libstdc++6 libunwind7 libwww-perl zlib1g
- Download the .deb package from the package manager's website:
- Install using the Debian package manager. (No other method seems to work.)
dpkg -i zoneminder_1.22.3-8_i386.deb
- (Note: If some dependencies are still unsatisfied, make sure you have these packages installed):
sudo apt-get install libc6 libc6.1 libgcc1 libgcc4 libstdc++6
- (These should already be installed as part of the LAMP installation):
sudo apt-get install apache2-mpm-prefork libapache2-mod-php5 libmysqlclient15off mysql-client mysql-server php5 php5-mysql
Setup Zoneminder configuration
If your installation is successful, you will now need to set up the configuration files and databases for Zoneminder.
- Copy the configuration file and restart the Apache2 server.
sudo ln -s /etc/zm/apache.conf /etc/apache2/conf.d/zoneminder.conf sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 reload
- View Zoneminder from your web browser:
- Set up a MySQL database for Zoneminder
- If this is the first time you have used MySQL, the default global MySQL superuser root will not have a password. You should set one now. Instructions for setting mySQL initial privileges are here.
- In short:
mysql -u root mysql> UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD('your_new_password') WHERE User='root'; mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES; mysql> quit
- In addition, you can set up an additional global MySQL user (such as mysql_user, for example) by following the instructions here. That way you can reserve root login for emergencies.
- In short:
mysql -u root mysql> CREATE USER 'mysql_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'mysql_user_passwd'; mysql> quit
Now you must create a MySQL database for use by Zoneminder. This is an administrative MySQL command, so you must use one of your global MySQL users (either root or mysql_user, as created in the example above). You can name your Zoneminder database anything you want, instead of zmdatabase.
mysqladmin -u root -p CREATE zmdatabase
mysqladmin -u mysql_user -p CREATE zmdatabase
Create users for the Zoneminder database. As always, I create a root user for emergency use. I use the same password for root as I do elsewhere on my system. Then I also create a user named zm_user (but you could also creat a user named mysql_user, to keep everything consistent). [I use a unique user here because this is a home security system, after all, and I don't want it breached.] These users are specific to this database; they can be the same users as used elsewhere in the system or can be unique users.
mysql> GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, DROP, INDEX, ALTER, CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES, LOCK TABLES ON zmdatabase.* TO 'zm_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password'; mysql> GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, DROP, INDEX, ALTER, CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES, LOCK TABLES ON zmdatabase.* TO 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password'; (I used my usual root password here). mysql> quit mysqladmin reload
Note: mysql commands (i.e. any entered at the mysql> prompt) must end with a semicolon. If you forget the semicolon, nothing will happen.
Myth Zoneminder
MythZoneminder allows you to view your security cameras through Myth TV, essentially. It is a plugin that interfaces the two packages Zoneminder (which must be working on your system) and Myth TV (which must also be working.) See the installation instructions.
It can be found in Adept as the mythzoneminder package.
sudo apt-get install mythzoneminder
Productivity Applications
Office Suites
KMyMoney2 (Personal Finance Management)
sudo apt-get install kmymoney2
Open Office
Open Office is installed by Default with Writer (Word equivalent), Presentation (PowerPoint equivalent), Calc spreadsheet (Excel equivalent), and Base relational database (Access equivalent).
Open Word 2007 Documents in Open Office
OpenOffice add ons
Opening .docx files in OpenOffice
First we need to download the converter, it can be found here> [1] Download the "odf-converter-1.0.0-5.i586.rpm"
Now install alien, if you have not yet
sudo apt-get install alien
Then we need to convert it, we do not want a .deb package for this, so we use the -ct switch not the -k The -ct converts it to a .tgz
sudo alien -ct odf-converter-1.0.0-5.i586.rpm
Once it is converted you need to unpack it
tar xvf odf-converter-1.0.0.tgz
Now there should be three dirs on you desktop or where ever you un tared these You now run
sudo cp usr/lib/ooo-2.0/program/OdfConverter /usr/lib/openoffice/program/
sudo cp usr/lib/ooo-2.0/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Filter/MOOXFilter_cpp.xcu /usr/lib/openoffice/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Filter
sudo cp usr/lib/ooo-2.0/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Types/MOOXTypeDetection.xcu /usr/lib/openoffice/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Types
Then you are done, you can now open and edit .docx files.
Install the KOffice suite by installing the koffice package:
sudo apt-get install koffice
AbiWord is a fast, collaboration-enabled word processor. For the most current version see the AbiWord web site. To install from the repositories:
sudo apt-get install abiword
Mozilla Sunbird
Sunbird is a group calendaring project that interfaces with Thunderbird and Firefox. It is also known as SeaMonkey Calendar.
sudo apt-get install mozilla-calendar
Oracle Calendar Desktop Client
Download Oracle Calendar Desktop Client
wget http://www.k-state.edu/infotech/calendar/oracle-10-clients/DesktopClients/Linux/cal_linux_1011.tar.gz
Extract after the file downloads
tar -xvf cal_linux_1011.tar.gz
CD into the Extracted files
cd OracleCalendar_inst/
Do some magic to prepare the files for Ubuntu
mv cal_linux cal_linux.bak; cat cal_linux.bak | sed "s/export LD_ASSUME_KERNEL/#xport LD_ASSUME_KERNEL/" > cal_linux; rm cal_linux.bak
Change some permissions
chmod +x gui_install.sh cal_linux
Start the GUI installer
sudo sh gui_install.sh
Planner (Project planning & management (like MS-Project))
sudo apt-get install planner
Scribus (Desktop Publishing)
sudo apt-get install scribus
Groupware solutions include shared calendars, group email servers, groups address lists, group projects, and internal messaging. They require (one or more) servers with LAMP or similar server stacks.
Kolab is the most comprehensive open-source groupware solution available, as is made to integrate with KDE/Kubuntu (including Kontact). It is completely open source, unlike other groupware solutions. It is scalable to large organizations and is Outlook (MS-Exchange) and Mozilla compatible.
sudo apt-get install kolabd
Citadel is a turn-key fully open source groupware solution (that is also Kolab compliant) with a structure rooted in bulletin-board systems, and is therefore user friendly. Installation instructions are found at the website.
eGroupware is a robust and stable fully open source groupware solution based on the LAMP stack (the default server stack included with Kubuntu server).
sudo apt-get install egroupware
Open-Xchange is a proprietary groupware solution that has released a "community edition" based on older commercial versions. It is compliant with many different types of clients, including Kontact, Outlook, and Palm PDAs. Installation instructions are at the website.
OpenGroupware is a groupware solution based on the postgreSQL database. There is an enterprise version and a limited open source version, and development appears to have been stagnant in 2008. Installation must be from source, as packages are very outdated. See the website for details.
Zarafa is the leading European MS-Exchange replacement/groupware solution. It is proprietary, but an open-source community edition was released in 2008. Download instructions are available from the website.
Zimbra is a proprietary groupware solution that offers a pseudo-open source "community" edition. The community edition is limited in features. This software does not have an open-source license and is owned by Yahoo.
The latest version is for Hardy Heron 8.04 LTS and can be downloaded as a .tar.gz file from the website.
Zimbra Desktop
Zimbra Desktop is a desktop that collaborates with Zimbra servers. See the Zimbra Desktop FAQ. For more info also see Ubuntugeek's Zimbra Desktop Installation Guide for Hardy 8.04.
Wiki software
Wiki software allows an orgnaization to have a manual that can be edited by a number of collaborators. Wikipedia is the best known example.
MediaWiki is the free, open source server software that Wikipedia uses. It is scalable to very large uses. It runs on the LAMP server stack (which uses the MySQL database), available as an installation option with the (K)ubuntu server, or can be used with a postgreSQL database. Installation instructions are here.
Twiki is an open source wiki engine used by many small to medium size companies internally. It has an active development team with multiple plugins. See the website for installation instructions.
BlueFish Web Development Editor
sudo apt-get install bluefish
Kompozer Web Development Editor
sudo apt-get install kompozer
Quanta Plus (Web IDE)
sudo apt-get install quanta kompare kxsldbg cervisia
Netbeans IDE
sudo apt-get install netbeans5.5
Web Publishing
Drupal Web content publishing
Drupal is the leading open-source website creation and content collaboration tools. A modular approach to website building, from simple out-of-the-box websites to complex sites is possible with a short learning curve. Get more info on how to get started.
Drupal is available as a package from Adept.
sudo apt-get install drupal5
Joomla Web content publishing
Joomla is a powerful open source website creation and content management tool that allows website creation for use in every arena from the simple to complex corporate environments. Info for beginners is a good place to start.
Science & Maths Applications
Science & Maths Applications are the e-Learning programs available under Linux.
Utilities are meant to facilitate every day tasks that are performed such as a front-end to the IP Tables (Firewall), keeping clock up to date, zipping utilities and many more.
Archiving Utilities
BChunk is a command-line utility that allows you to convert .cue and .bin file into .iso so they become useful on Kubuntu and you can open them. Warning: If the bin/cue image has audio tracks, they will be lost.
Get BChunk
sudo apt-get install bchunk
To convert .cue and .bin files navigate to the folder and run this command (replacing filenames with your own ones):
bchunk inputfilename.bin inputfilename.cue outputfilename.iso
After the file is converted into ISO; you can easily mount it using:
sudo mount -o loop outputfilename.iso /media/output
Navigate to /media/output and you should see all the content there, you can copy it to anywhere you want.
To unmount:
sudo umount /media/output
HJSplit Files Joiner/Splitter
HJSplit for Linux (Java version) Make sure you have Java Runtime Environment installed
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre
Download the HJSplit JAR file
wget http://www.freebyte.com/download/hjsplit/hjsplit_g.jar
Create the directory for HJSplit
sudo mkdir /opt/hjsplit
Move the file to an appropriate directory
sudo mv hjsplit_g.jar /opt/hjsplit/
Run by:
cd /opt/hjsplit/ && java -jar hjsplit_g.jar
You can also make a terminal shortcut to the above in K Menu Editor.
sudo apt-get install rar
This application is a 40-day trial.
sudo apt-get install unrar
This application is free for noncommercial use.
sudo apt-get install p7zip-full
The open-source 7-Zip archive format was originally designed for Windows (and, to a lesser extent, DOS) but is also available for Ubuntu. The GNU/Linux version of 7-Zip does not come with a GUI, but Ark can hook into 7-Zip to handle 7z archives.
Firestarter (Firewall)
sudo apt-get install firestarter
NTP (Clock Synchronizer)
sudo apt-get install ntp
KDiskFree (Disk, CD free space and other properties monitor)
KDiskFree is a KDE utility for monitoring free disk space, etc.
sudo apt-get install kdf
However, this has been integrated into KInfoCenter in the newest update of Hardy Heron. Access it:
- K menu -> System -> KInfoCenter -> Storage Devices
QTParted (Hard disk partition editor (like Partition Magic))
sudo apt-get install qtparted ntfsprogs
dd (disk backup)
dd is a *nix command that enables the copying of files or an entire disk using a single command. Parameters must be precisely specified to avoid risk of accidentally erasing data. See these brief instructions or these instructions for detailed options. You cannot copy a hard drive that contains the operating system you are currently running. Instead, boot into a LiveCD and run the dd command that way. An example command to copy Hard drive X to Hard drive Y is:
dd if=/dev/hdx of=/dev/hdy
- ddrescue is a variation of the dd command that allows working with potentially corrupted datasets, partitions, or hard drives.
Run Kubuntu LiveCD from a USB pendrive
The Kubuntu LiveCD can be installed on and run from a USB pendrive. Settings can be "persistently" saved (but the LiveCD kernel modules can not be upgraded). Programs can be installed and run, however, and files saved to the USB drive. (The installed programs will remain installed). See these Pendrivelinux instructions. A Kubuntu Live CD is needed to do the install.
The USB "LiveCD" can also be used to install Kubuntu on computers (including netbooks) that do not have CD-ROM/DVD drives.
USB pendrives to be used to run Kubuntu should have a minimum of 2 Gb (preferably 4 Gb). If you wish to install a fast, fully functional Linux system on a pendrive that has less memory than that, use PuppyLinux.
Create a boot CD to allow booting from the USB drive
Many computers do not allow booting from a USB drive (but they do allow booting from the CD-ROM). You can create a CD-ROM using these Pendrivelinux instructions and set your BIOS to boot from this CD-ROM. When you boot from this CD-ROM, it will use the bootup files on the Kubuntu USB drive you previously created (in the step above).
KNemo (Network interfaces monitor for systray)
sudo apt-get install knemo
Windows Applications
These applications allow you to install and run many of the applications available for Windows on Linux.
Package: wine
sudo apt-get install wine
Also consider installing Microsoft's TrueType fonts. In this case, enter:
sudo apt-get install wine msttcorefonts
Internet Explorer 6
Make sure you have wine and cabextract packages:
sudo apt-get install wine cabextract
Download IEs 4 Linux and install:
wget http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/downloads/ies4linux-latest.tar.gz tar zxvf ies4linux-latest.tar.gz cd ies4linux-* ./ies4linux --no-gui
KDE or the K Desktop Environment, is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. It is supported by the KDE Project team having HQ site on http://www.kde.org
KDE 3 is an extremely mature platform with a wide range of third party applications and distribution support, and may be attractive to some use cases.
KDE 4, the next major incarnation of the KDE desktop, was released on the 11th of January 2008. With completely redesigned frameworks and libraries, KDE 4 is a major step forward from the KDE 3 series. KDE 4 includes the new desktop shell Plasma, built in compositing for desktop effects and many application improvements.
How to install KDE 4.1.1
The updated packages for Kubuntu 8.04 are located in the Kubuntu Member's KDE 4 Personal Package Archive (PPA) repositories. To update to KDE 4.1.1, please follow these instructions:
1) Follow the Kubuntu Repository Guide and add the following to your 'Third-Party Software' tab:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-members-kde4/ubuntu hardy main
2) You can now update any existing KDE 4 installation to the most recent version using the Adept Updater tool in your system tray.
3) Install the package called kubuntu-kde4-desktop, if you are still running KDE 3 and want to install KDE 4 along your current desktop
sudo apt-get install kubuntu-kde4-desktop
4)Now you should be able to select your new KDE 4 desktop as session in your login manager. In KDM for example: Click the Session Type option and select KDE 4, then proceed with the usual login steps.
Note: kdeplasma-addons contains new Plasma fun.
Kubuntu System Administration
Automating Tasks
- Cron is a system daemon that runs tasks in the background according to instructions found in a crontab file. To edit the crontab file for the current user:
crontab -e
Tasks that normally require administrative (sudo) privileges should be added to the root user's crontab:
sudo crontab -e
Add commands using the format specified here (or see the Ubuntu Community Help). The crontab command format can also be found using:
man crontab
Boot Menu
Default Applications
- Open the Adept Manager by going to K -> System Settings -> Default Applications
- Select from the following options: "Email Client", "Embedded Text Editor", "Instant Messenger", "Terminal Emulator" and "Web Browser".
- For "Embedded Text Editor" or "Instant Messenger", click the drop down menu and select the desired program
- For other selections, click either the first "Default Component" option to select the default application or the second option to set your own preferred program.
- To set your own preferred program:
- Click the "..." at the end of the text field
- Select the application you want
- Click "OK"
- To set your own preferred program:
- Press "Apply". The "Apply" button will only become available if you made a change.
- Close the "Default Applications" window.
Digital Cameras
See the Ubuntu webcam guide for more info.
EasyCam2 is a utility for finding and installing drivers for your webcam. See these installation instructions.
Linux drivers for the digital iSight camera (connected by FireWire), using ALSA for sound, are here. The video component is already supported by current kernels (see here for more information).
Luvcview (USB webcam viewer)
Luvcview can be used to view your USB webcam to test it. Install:
sudo apt-get install luvcview
View your webcam:
luvcview -f yuv
Enabling NUM LOCK On Startup
K Menu->System Settings. Select Keyboard & Mouse under Computer Administration. Under Keyboard settings turn on Numlock on KDE Startup. Click apply.
Graphics Card
Install Latest Nvidia/ATI drivers
Fix Intel 915 resolution problem
sudo apt-get install 915resolution
Reconfigure xserver-xorg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Hard Drives and USB Storage
Activate side-mouse-buttons in FireFox
Just add two lines to xorg.conf will activate side-mouse-buttons in FireFox. This should work with most 5-button mouse. Here is a list of mice that worked with this instruction.
* Logitech MX310 * Logitech MX510 * Logitech MX518 * Logitech MX700 * Logitech MX Revolution * Intellimouse Explorer (first edition) * Razer Copperhead
Backup X.org configuration file
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak
Modify the X.org configuration file
kdesu kate /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Find the Input Device section for your mouse and add two lines as shown below. You may also increase the number of buttons if your mouse has more than 7, just fix the rest of the section based upon the number of buttons (remember back/forward, wheel click & tilt left/right all count as buttons)
Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Configured Mouse" Driver "mouse" Option "CorePointer" Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice" Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2" Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true" EndSection
Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Configured Mouse" Driver "mouse" Option "CorePointer" Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice" Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2" Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true" Option "Buttons" "7" Option "ButtonMapping" "1 2 3 6 7" EndSection
Monitors / Displays
Configure Dual Monitors with nVidia
Please make sure that the nVidia driver has been installed and is functioning properly on your first screen. Also, make sure both monitors are connected.
We will use the NVIDIA X Server Settings application to do all of the work. This can be found in K->System Settings. However, we will need to be root to make the configuration stick. So we will launch it from a terminal. Open Konsole and type:
sudo nvidia-settings
Then select "X Server Display Configuration". You should see 3 boxes (2 if your card doesn't have an S-Video out). From here you can configure all of your card's outputs. Select the "(Disabled)" box and hit "Configure..." below. The most common choice is TwinView. Select it and hit OK.
Now, take the time to setup the desired screen resolutions and positions of your two active displays. The new display will likely have resolution set to "Auto" to match your first. Feel free to change this if you wish. Leave the first screen's position as "Absolute" and set your second display's position relative to that. "Clone" means the same output on both.
Once you are satisfied with your settings, hit Apply to test them. Note: if your displays are side-by-side, the kicker may extend across both screens as well as any maximized applications. This will be corrected when the X server is restarted. If everything else is ok, hit "Save to X Configuration File". Now hit Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to restart X. You now have 2 screens!
Troubleshooting: if the X server fails to reload you can recover your old X configuration. In a terminal:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Optical Drives
Printers & Scanners
The new CUPS interface recognizes many printers. Specific printers not recognized can often be installed using instructions found at the Linux Foundation OpenPrinting database.
For Synaptics Touchpads:
sudo apt-get install ksynaptics
Wireless Cards
Atheros Cards
The Atheros 802.11 b/g integrated card on my laptop did not work until I installed drivers manually.
- Download the latest 'snapshot' driver from Madwifi. When I was doing it, the version was:
- Extract the files
- Make sure your linux headers and build-essential packages are installed:
sudo apt-get install build-essential sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)
- Unload any drivers already running.
ifconfig ath0 down ifconfig wifi0 down
- Change to the directory where you extracted the driver.
cd <directory_where_driver_unzipped>
- From that directory, run the installation scripts:
cd scripts ./madwifi-unload ./find-madwifi-modules.sh $(uname -r) cd ..
- Complete the installation by compiling the source and installing it.
make make install
- Add the installed drivers to your system.
modprobe ath_pci
Following this, Network Manager was able to see the wireless card and I was able to configure everything elese (WEP key, etc.) from there.
Complete instructions are available at MadWifi UserDocs.
Note: Because this is a manual installation of a driver, I have to repeat these steps every time the kernel is upgraded.
Tux Mobil has a list of Linux applications for use with GPS devices, and compatible hardware. Two GPS packages are available from the Ubuntu/Kubuntu respositories:
- Viking is a free open source package to view GPS data in maps, and to plot co-ordinates. This has been reviewed as the best Linux GPS mapping program.
sudo apt-get install viking
- GPS Drive is a free navigation software package that displays your position on a zoomable map using your GPS device. It is GTK-based but can be used in Kubuntu. It uses the gpsd daemon that interfaces with a variety of GPS hardware. A .deb package of the current version is also available from the website. Install:
sudo apt-get install gpsdrive
Voice Over IP (VOIP)
Configure Google Talk
See Google's instructions at http://www.google.com/support/talk/bin/answer.py?answer=57557
Samba File Sharing
Enable File Sharing Server With User Login (Very Reliable Method)
Do the following on the machine that has the files to be shared:
Install Samba
sudo apt-get install samba
Add current user to Samba:
sudo smbpasswd username
(replacing username with your login username)
Open the samba config file:
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
Add the directories to be added (right at the end) in the following format:
[Pictures] path = /home/username/FOLDER_TO_BE_SHARED
(Replace username with your username and FOLDER_TO_BE_SHARED with the folder you want to share)
Press CTRL+X and then Y to save.
Restart Samba
sudo /etc/init.d/samba restart
On Windows access the folder in the following format in Windows Explorer:
(replacing 192.168.x.x with your actual IP address of the server serving the folder)
On Linux type the following in Konqueror or Nautilus:
(replacing 192.168.x.x with your actual IP address of the server serving the folder)
Note: If you use Sharing in KDE's System Settings panel, be aware there's a small bug, reported here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kdenetwork/+bug/95452 To summarize, you need to comment out/delete any instances of these two lines in /etc/smb.conf :
case sensitive msdfs proxy
Recognizing Win98 machines
Microsoft networking is extremely quirky. To enable recognition of PCs with Windows 98, edit your Samba configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
Then add the following lines to the file:
[global] # THE LANMAN FIX client lanman auth = yes client ntlmv2 auth = no
Local Area Network
Modems / Dial-up
While previously one had to use scanModem tool to find out what kind of software modem he/she was using, now it works out of the box, after you accept to use restricted drivers.
For dialing, use KPPP application.
There are two applications you might try:
knetworkmanager (default Wireless Manager in Kububtu Gutsy)
sudo apt-get install kwifimanager
KWifiManager only supports WEP encryption.
Manual configuration
3 steps for WEP:
sudo iwconfig eth[N] essid [SSID] sudo iwconfig eth[N] key restricted s:[PASSWORD] sudo dhclient
WPA is more complicated:
su mkdir /etc/wpa_supplicant cd /etc/wpa_supplicant echo network = { > wpa_supplicant.conf echo ssid="SSID" >> wpa_supplicant.conf echo key_mgmt=WPA-PSK >> wpa_supplicant.conf echo psk="PRESHAREDKEY" >> wpa_supplicant.conf echo } >> wpa_supplicant.conf cd /etc/network vim interfaces
Now add after "auto eth[N] ..." & "iface eth[N] .." (press 'i'):
wpa-driver wext # or whatever driver your network card needs wpa-conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
Save the file ('Esc', ':x', 'Enter') and restart your system.
Remote Access
OpenVPN is a free, GPL-licensed open-source cross-platform VPN solution based on SSL (not IPSec). Install:
sudo apt-get install openvpn bridge-utils
Secure Shell or SSH is a network protocol that allows data to be exchanged over a secure channel between two computers. Encryption provides confidentiality and integrity of data. SSH client is installed by default in Feisty so you can connect to another computer running SSH server, while if you want to run an SSH server you have to install it:
sudo apt-get install openssh-server
- XDMCP is not secure over the Internet. It is turned off by default in Kubuntu. To enable it, edit the KDE configuration file:
kate /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc
- Find and change the line from false to true so that it reads:
[Xdmcp] Enable=true
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop sharing system which uses the RFB protocol to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard and mouse events from one computer to another, relaying the graphical screen updates back in the other direction, over a network. VNC is platform-independent — a VNC viewer on any operating system can usually connect to a VNC server on any other operating system.
On Kubuntu, a VNC viewer is installed by default under K-Menu -> Internet -> Krdc To connect to a vnc server, simply type vnc:/SERVER_IP_ADDR
You can also install XVNC4Viewer if you prefer it over Krdc using:
sudo apt-get install xvnc4viewer
To install a VNC server to share your desktop with other computer, type each of these commands in order:
sudo apt-get install x11vnc mkdir ~/.vnc && x11vnc -storepasswd YOUR_PASSWORD ~/.vnc/x11vnc.pass echo "/usr/bin/x11vnc -rfbauth ~/.vnc/x11vnc.pass -o ~/.vnc/x11vnc.log -loopbg -display :0" > ~/.kde/Autostart/x11vnc.sh chmod +x ~/.kde/Autostart/x11vnc.sh
You can test the server by running the shell script (just type ~/.kde/Autostart/x11vnc.sh) and after restarting KDE, the script should start the VNC server automatically. For customization of x11vnc server, edit the commands in the x11vnc.sh file enter after viewing "man:/x11vnc" in konqueror, where a description of parameters for x11vn is given.
System Backup
- Go to K > System > Keep (Backup System)
- Click "Add a Directory to Backup"
- Select directories you wish to backup
- Select a location to place the backup
- Set how often you wish the backups to take place, and how long to keep them
- Click "Backup Now"
- Select the directory groups you wish to backup, and click OK.
System Recovery
- Go to K > System > Keep (Backup System)
- Click "Restore a Backup"
- Select the directory groups you wish to restore, and click OK.
System Resources
User Administration
- Go to K > System Settings
- Click on "User Management"
- Click the "Administrator Mode" button on the bottom right of the window
- Enter the administrative password (Usually the password of the main user)
Adding New Users
Perform the actions under "User Administration", and then:
- Click the "New" button
- Change the "Login Name" to the desired username
- Click the "Passwords and Security" tab
- Enter the desired password
- Click "OK"
Modifying Users
Perform the actions under "User Administration", and then:
- Select the user you wish to modify
- Click the "Modify" button
- Change the desired fields
- Click "OK"
Removing Users
Perform the actions under "User Administration", and then:
- Select the user you wish to remove
- Click the "Delete" button
Windows Compatibility
Mounting NTFS Partitions(with read/write privilege)
Install NTFS-3G:
sudo apt-get install ntfs-3g
Edit fstab:
sudo vi /etc/fstab
When kubuntu installation finished, kubuntu mounted all ntfs partisions automatically with ntfsprogs. Change(maybe slightly different in your machine):
UUID=8466268666267956 /media/sda1 ntfs defaults,gid=46 0 1
UUID=8466268666267956 /media/sda1 ntfs-3g defaults,nls=utf8,locale=zh_CN.UTF-8,umask=000,gid=46 0 1
In my case, I have a Chinese language windows installed on my first partition. set the locale parameter so that my Chinese documents can display correctly. set umask=0 let me write the partition without sudo.
Mounting FAT32 Partitions
Tips & Tricks
Restore Konqueror as Default File Manager
Run kcontrol (e.g. with K-menu -> Run command)
Open KDE components -> File Associations -> inode
Choose directory. In the right part of the window, change the application preference order so that Konqueror would be the first app in the list.
Do the same with system_directory.
Create a symlink from a file to another location
A symbolic link (also known as a symlink) is a method in Linux of referring to a file (or directory) in one location from another location. Usage:
ln -s /path/to/source /path/to/destination
If /path/to/destination requires superuser rights, then use:
sudo ln -s /path/to/source /path/to/destination
This is similar to, but more powerful than, creating Shortcuts, with which former Windows users may be familiar.
Get a root prompt without assigning a root password
In other GNU/Linux distributions you can switch to a root user prompt with su. However, in Ubuntu no password is set for the root user, and sudo is used instead. You can still get a root prompt in Ubuntu by typing:
sudo su
You can also get a prompt for any other user on the computer by typing:
sudo su <username>
Mount and Unmount a device
To mount a device:
mount /dev/hda
replace /dev/hda with the location of the device.
To unmount a device:
umount /dev/hda
replace /dev/hda with the location of the device.
Assign a root password
To be able to log in as root directly, you must assign a root password. This can be done with:
sudo passwd root
Afterwards, you can use
to get a root prompt.
Autostart a program at bootup
Any program (or script) can be made to Autostart at bootup by creating a symbolic link to that program (or script) in the ~/.kde/Autostart folder.
For example, to start Firefox at bootup, create a symbolic link:
sudo ln -s /usr/bin/firefox ~/.kde/Autostart
Run a script from a menu item
It is possible to place a short script in a menu item / shortcut to answer an interactive query (such as a password query). Here is an example that is used to enter a password during an SSH negotiation. First, install the utility expect:
sudo apt-get install expect
The use a command in the Menu Item / Shortcut similar to:
expect -c 'spawn ssh -l sshuser -L 5900:127.0.0.1:5900 remoteserver.remotedomain.org -p 22 ; expect assword ; send "sshpassword\n" ; interact'
In this example the password sshpassword is returned when the ssh program requires a password. Expect waits for some text to be displayed in the command-line terminal then returns text in return. The Menu Item must be "Run in terminal", therefore.
Remove Konqueror thumbnails temporary files
When browsing files locally Konqueror builds up thumbnails of images viewed. To remove those, put this in the Konsole (substituting "user" with your username):
cd /home/user/.thumbnails/normal rm -rf *.png cd /home/user/.thumbnails/large rm -rf *.png
Screen snapshot
- K menu -> Graphics -> Ksnapshot Screen Capture Program
Save any streaming Flash video
Most Flash videos download to the /tmp directory while you watch the video, creating a randomly-named video file there (such as Flashuh4G6s). When you close the webpage, this file in the /tmp directory will be erased. After the entire video has downloaded, but before you close the webpage, copy that file (such as Flashuh4G6s) to your home directory (where it will not be erased). Of course, for this to work, you must change your Flash (or Gnash) settings to allow an unlimited buffer. While watching your Flash video, right click to bring up the Flash -> Settings window. Set the Buffer to "Unlimited."
Once you have copied the file, rename it appropriately with the .flv added to the filename. You can then watch it using VLC or Mplayer.
Here is another method that involves making a symbolic link.
Eye Candy Tips
Change USplash Boot Screen
You can download splash screens at http://kde-look.org/
Go to K Menu->System Settings. Click on Splash Screen. Click on Add... then browse to your splash screen tar archive file and select it. Click Apply. Restart to see your new splash screen.
Compiz Fusion Installation Configuration
Software Troubleshooting
Amarok Troubleshooting
Amarok permissions error on Amarok startup
If you get a permissions error when launching Amarok, try the following:
sudo chown -R user /home/user
("user" replaced with the actual username)
Codeweavers Crossover Office 6
Crossover Office 6 NOT creating any menus in Gutsy
This is a bug within Crossover Office and NOT Kubuntu Gutsy. Here is an easy fix (from start):
Install Crossover Office 6 (presuming you have the .deb file):
cd /browse/to/the/directory
("/browse/to/the/directory" replaced with the actual directory holding the .deb file)
sudo dpkg -i crossover-pro_6.0.0-1_i386.deb
("crossover-pro_6.0.0-1_i386.deb" replaced with the actual name for the .deb file)
You will get the following error after installation (you can just ignore it):
fileparse(): need a valid pathname at /opt/cxoffice/lib/perl/CXMenuXDG.pm line 254
Now edit the following file:
sudo nano /opt/cxoffice/lib/perl/CXMenuXDG.pm
Near line 254 replace the following:
my $dir=dirname($self->{filename});
With this:
my $dir=dirname($self->{menu});
Press CTRL + X and then Y to exit.
Now run the following command:
/opt/cxoffice/bin/cxmenu --crossover --install
(NOTE: You must not do this as "sudo" user).
Now to finish off do:
killall kicker kicker
You can check that the menus are now created!
Katapult Troubleshooting
Katapult Configurations
Katapult is pre-installed in Kubuntu and gives you easy access to all the programs on your computer. To use it press ALT+SPACE, then enter the first few letters of the program you want to access.
To enable the Calculator in Katapult, press ALT+SPACE followed by CTRL+C > Configure Katapult > Catalogues. Here you can move the Calculator option from the left to the right, and click OK. From now you can access Calculator via ALT+SPACE followed by the number you wish to calculate.
K3B Troubleshooting
Cdrecord has no permission to open the device error
If you receive the "cdrecord has no permission to open the device" error while burning using K3B, open a terminal and type:
sudo chmod 777 /dev/scd0
- replacing "/dev/scd0" with your own device.
Linux is largely a community of volunteers and as such represents one of the largest altruistic efforts on earth. This includes companies who decide to contribute their own software into the public domain for free use. The continued success of sharing depends on licenses that keep software free and usable for anyone who wants to use it. However, there must be a method for Linux users and developers to make money, as well. Licensing helps protect each of these efforts. See the Wikipedia Free Software Licensing article and the GNU operating system licensing page for more complete information.
GPL license
The GPLv3 license intends that the software module or package is free to use in any environment, and furthermore, any software that relies on that GPLv3-licensed module must in turn also be completely free. Commercial and proprietary software packages can't use or incorporate GPLv3-licensed modules.
LGPL license
The Lesser GPL license intends that the software module or package is free to use in any environment, including in commercial and proprietary software packages. This allows companies to develop proprietary packages which includes LGPL-licensed modules, from which they can make a profit. The disadvantage is that their products (which benefit from the LGPL-licensed modules) are not required to be in the public domain in turn. (Many companies often later donate their entire package into the public domain, however, after they no longer make a profit from them.)
Proprietary licenses
There is a vast array of proprietary licenses, all different. You never know what your limitations for software are unless you read every word. Most are attempts by lawyers to have an opportunity to create a lawsuit in the future. Some may be called "free" licenses but have many limitations which you will not be aware of until you are in the middle of a lawsuit. No license outside of the GPLv3 licenses is recommended. Be careful when committing your organization to a mission-critical software package with a proprietary license. Also see this outstanding article on the Open Source Enterprise Trap.
If you have Kubuntu requests that you would like to be part of this guide, put them here. Once you have found the solution yourself, please add it to the guide!
- How to manually mount an external drive (fat 32)
- How to set up software RAID prior to fresh Feisty installation
- How to make bluetooth work
- How to make Kubuntu look like OSX
- How to setup a network printer
- How to install Nvu
- How to fix Mplayer showing video extremely bright
- How to reverse engineer PDF into DOC format
- How to add group for user in kcontrol
- How to configure Kubuntu Startup programs
- How to add NTFS
- VMware Server
- Win4Lin (Installation of Windows 9X/ME/2000/XP) -> See the win4lin.net support area
- Crossover Linux
- Maple 11 Statistics Tool
- How to install PaX, ProPolice, and DigSig
- How to install a driver for the Canon PIXMA IP1600 printer
- Choose and configure Power Management, CPU frequency scaling, power applet
- How to set up energy saving options; hibernate, suspend, etc
- How to configure second screen on ATI
- How to enable s-video tv out on ATI


text:
Group Booking Terms and Conditions
Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking
General Group Booking Terms
By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.
- In order to make a group reservation on Hostelworld.com it is necessary to pay a deposit. The balance is due directly to the hostel according to their payment conditions.
- The booking deposit is non-refundable.
- Please note that any cancellations must be notified directly to the hostel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the hostel's conditions.
- Hostelworld.com are not responsible for changes or amendments to your reservation once it has been processed. All correspondence with regard to changes to your booking need to be dealt with directly with the hostel.
- Cancellations for reservations must be made directly with the hostel and must conform with the individual hostels cancellation policy (see below)
- It is your responsibility to pay the balance of your accommodation cost to the hostel in accordance with their payment conditions (see below). Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled by the hostel.
- Individual hostels may have special booking conditions relating to group stays, please read the hostel booking conditions carefully before making your reservation.
Hostel Specific Terms & Conditions
The remainder of the amount due will be charged to your credit card 2 weeks prior to arrival. Should numbers or room selection change, the per person deposit times the number of people who actually travelled will be deducted from the total accommodation charge levvied by the hostel.
Cancellation / No Show & Reduction in Numbers Policy
Groups can modify or cancel up to two weeks prior to arrival.
All cancellations, changes must be by email to email@example.com
Additional Terms and Conditions
Please have 1 Chaperone per 10 kids if youth groups involved
Additional Info:
Groups are a specialty for us! We offer newly renovated rooms, PRIVATE ROOMS some shared WC and some Ensuite. A great comfortable lounge for meeting people, internet and great high-tech facilities ensure a great stay for your group. And our location is where both the airport bus stops and the Renfe airport train from BCN Airport.
Groups may be required to pay a deposit of 20% after making the reservation. Your Group Sales Manager will email you right after booking if deposit is needed.
Any cancellations resulting from agreement to these terms and conditions under false pretences will result in loss of deposit.
" Firstable i rented a Room for two guests. I was supposed to Pay 70 euros. They told me they dont Have my Friend to they Change me 128 instead plus de 24 dollars they say it Is your comission. We check online and we found a hotel next block for the same price but they told us they will charge me anyway. I told them we can stay one day and then go to the other hotel and they said no. They told us they will charge us two nights anyway. I have two stay and it was horrible it was so hot I could not b "- 匿名の
Hostelworld モバイルアプリ
Hostelworld モバイル用アプリで外出中でも予約可能です。

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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