TechSource: Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander): To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade

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Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander): To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade Posted: 29 Nov 2013 06:14 AM PST Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" brings a very few remarkable changes to the table. Considering Canonical's history of making radical changes to the UI, this seems like a rather bland release. In fact, the changes in this release are so obscured that many users are struggling to find enough reasons to upgrade to Saucy. There are, however, another bunch of users who feel that they should upgrade to Ubuntu 13.10. That's why we have come up with a few arguments for and against upgrading leaving you to decide what is best for you. Reasons to Upgrade to Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander): Whether you are a new Ubuntu user or a seasoned distro hopper, there are few solid reasons to upgrade to this release. No matter what the naysayers say, the following reasons ensure that your upgrade won't be a waste of time at all. 1. The latest and the greatest software applications Be it the latest version of Firefox or the increased stability of the updated LibreOffice, it's always great to have the bleeding edge at your disposal. Saucy brings along a lot of important updates to some of your favorite tools like Rhythmbox, Nautilus, Shotwell, and Firefox. 2. Smart Scopes Smart Scopes allow you to search for anything you want right from your desktop by intelligently gathering data from your computer as well as the web. Consider this feature like Google Now for your Ubuntu desktop. Type in your query and you'll get a blend of bespoke results that have been curated from a variety of sources from the Internet. Smart Scopes alone can be considered a great reason for upgrading to Saucy. It sets the perfect foundation for a more web-oriented convergent desktop that we will see -- hopefully -- in 2014. 3. Updated Unity Unity has been polished to the max with this update. Unity 7, the latest and the best release, gets rid of those little annoying bugs and brings a new level of stability to the desktop. Earlier, Unity had received a rather bad reputation for bringing radical changes that broke the desktop and created bugs that didn't exist. Those days are gone now. Ubuntu 13.10 brings a more stable, more refined desktop experience for everyone. 4. Latest Kernel Ubuntu users will find a lot of under-the-hood improvements one of which is the inclusion of the latest kernel 3.11. This release brings better support for graphic cards from AMD along with improvements in performance. Reasons Not to Upgrade to Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander): The vox populi is on your side if you choose not to upgrade. Internet forums are abuzz with fanboys and fangirls whining about the lack of novelty in this latest Ubuntu release. Choosing not to upgrade to Saucy, we assure, won't be such a regretful decision after all. 1. There's nothing exciting Though there are a few new features, there's nothing 'exciting' about this release. Upon updating, you won't find anything dramatically awesome that would blow your mind. In fact, post update, you'll feel as if you've just rebooted your computer. Nothing except the wallpaper would be different. 2. No UI changes No major UI changes or improvements have taken place in this release. Everything from Dash to Nautilus stays the same. There are no new indicator applets (except the keyboard applet) and nothing different to speak of. 3. No changes in default software applications You won't find any major changes in Rhythmbox, Firefox, or LibreOffice. None of your favorite apps get a redesign, either visually or under the hood. The release, overall, is a subtle set of changes, which will not satisfy the appetite of some Linux fanboys or fangirls. 4. You're happy with Ubuntu 13.04 If you're happy with every feature in Ubuntu 13.04 then there's absolutely no big reason for you to upgrade to this release. Even though 13.10 seems a little bland, you can choose to wait for 14.04 instead which is going to be a huge release for Canonical. If you're taking the plunge, feel free to go to ubuntu.com and download the OS right now. You can also upgrade using the software manager. Have you upgraded yet?

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TechSource: How To Use Google Play Books As Your Ultimate E-Book Reader Across Linux and Android

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How To Use Google Play Books As Your Ultimate E-Book Reader Across Linux and Android Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:02 AM PST These days, Amazon seems to have taken over the publishing world. Jeff Bezos, the innovative and long term-thinking CEO of the company has decided that e-books is the future and the future is right here and right now. Furthermore, thanks to the immense popularity of iPads, which were also marketed as e-book readers, books in the traditional paper format seems to have become outmoded all of a sudden. In fact, such is the growing popularity of e-books that France has passed a new bill that restricts Amazon from selling e-books at low prices so as to keep the local bookstores in business. In other words, the age of e-books is here and sooner or later, you'll have to jump on the bandwagon. That said, as lucrative as the Kindle or the iPad looks, investing money in a big device just for e-books might seem like a waste if you already own an Android tablet. Whether you have Nexus 7 or a Note-like 'Phablet,' there are ways in which you can enjoy the best e-books no matter where you go. In fact, having used Kindle before, I'd go so far as to say that the e-book-reading experience on Android is more convenient and liberating as well. So, if you own an Android device and want to turn it into an ultimate e-book reading device that works across all platforms, here are some tips: Step 1: Install Google Play Books Though Google Play Books comes installed with most of the latest Android devices, there are some devices that might not have it already. If so, go to the Play Store and install the app on your device. Step 2: Upload all your books If you have a lot of e-books on your computer already, simply upload them to your Play account by going HERE. If you don't have any e-books, you can purchase DRM-free e-books from O'Reilly. Also, there are other sites that offer similar service as well. Which format to use for uploads? Personally, I have found that ePubs work best with Google Play Books. I've tried uploading PDFs and they don't give you the features that ePubs give. Step 3: Start Reading Google Play Books works across all platforms, including Linux as well! So, once you upload all your books, simply start reading them on your desktop or your Android device. The reason Google Play Books is better than other competitors is that it syncs your highlights and notes across all platforms. Also, if you'd left off reading at a particular page on your phone or tablet, Play Books will sync that position with your desktop as well. Furthermore, when compared to Kindle, which works on Linux as well, it is much more lightweight and gives you faster page turns. Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

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TechSource: 7 Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 13.10 “Saucy Salamander”

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7 Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 13.10 “Saucy Salamander” Posted: 23 Nov 2013 04:50 AM PST The release of Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" didn't cause a lot of excitement among Ubuntuers. It was, nonetheless, a very important iteration to one of world's most popular operating systems. Not only did Saucy bring a lot of bugfixes to the Linux desktop, it also set a right foundation for building a solid convergent OS. Overall, this release brings the best of what Linux has to offer in a very solid and stable package. If you've just installed the update, you might be wondering what to do to get started. If so, don't worry, the following guide will help you get the most out of Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander". 1. Install restricted codecs By default, Ubuntu doesn't come with the codecs you need to play your favorite music and videos. Thankfully, you can overcome that restriction by installing the following codecs. To install the restricted codecs, all you have to do is open your terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and then paste or type in the following commands: sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras 2. Try out the new scopes Probably the most noteworthy feature in Ubuntu 13.10 is the addition of Smart Scopes. So, what are smart scopes really? Smart Scopes allow you to search for anything you want right from your desktop by intelligently gathering data from your computer as well as the web. This means that when you search for let's say Paris, the Dash will now query a variety of sources from the Internet and then will give you an intelligent response. So, typing Paris in your Dash will give you Wikipedia entries for Paris, and also the weather. Similarly, if you are looking for a song that's on your computer, you can enter the artist's name and the albums list by that artist will show up in the Dash. By clicking a link, you can start playing the song. However, if you wanted to know more about a particular artist, you can scroll down the Dash to see the artist's Wikipedia entry. For example, typing Katy Perry gives you the song list as well as her Wikipedia information. You can further tweak this feature by enabling or disabling specific sources. Let's say you are not that interested in learning about the weather, you can simply disable the weather results by turning off the Weather Channel filter. The best way to make the most out of this feature is to try it out a few times till you get a hang of it. If you are a Reddit user, though, you are in for a treat as the Dash can now let you search the site across all subreddits. 3. Enable Additional Drivers Go to Dash and search for 'Software & Updates' without quotes. Then, in the Software and Updates window, click on the tab that says Additional Drivers. The software will search the right drivers for your device thus allowing you to make the most out of your desktop. 4. Get your gaming gloves on Install the Steam application from the Ubuntu Software Center and start playing some of the best games out there. Gone are the days when you had to reboot into Windows to play your favorite games. 5. Install VLC Let's face it. VLC is the most versatile media player out there. Throw anything at it and it will play that stuff without any glitches. Whether you want to play the latest HD movie or listen to your favorite song recorded in some cryptic format, VLC is your go-to media app. sudo apt-get install vlc 6. Make Unity Yours Tweak Unity to the max by installing either Ubuntu Tweak or Unity Tweak tool. Both applications give you the ability to make Ubuntu behave your way. Be it getting rid of minor quirks or trying on the latest themes like Faenza, tweaking tools are best suited not just for power users but for new users as well. sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool 7. Install Communication Apps Though one might tend to get lost in the awesomeness of Linux, it is important to stay in touch with our loved ones and friends. That's why no installation is complete without a set of cool communication apps such as Skype and Viber.  To install and run Viber, type in the following commands in the terminal: wget http://download.cdn.viber.com/cdn/desktop/Linux/Viber.zip unzip Viber.zip cd Viber ~/Viber/Viber.sh Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

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TechSource: How To Track Your Health With Android

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How To Track Your Health With Android Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:26 AM PST If we put our trust into the rapid progress of science, there will soon come a day when you won't have to go to the doctor for a health checkup. You'll have all the resources and devices that will actively monitor your health and keep giving you information. If, at all, something goes wrong, it will automatically inform your doctor that something is wrong. Thus, you won't have to worry about your health as much as you have to right now. But what about the present? Are there any devices that let you monitor your health? Well, there are plenty. In fact, on your Android device itself you can find some great tools that will help you track your health like a pro. Following is a list of Android apps that could help you improve your health. Jawbone UP Jawbone UP is one of the best wearable tools when it comes to tracking your health. The service lets you buy a band that you can wear around your wrist so that every detail of your health is tracked by it. Once started, Jawbone can track your sleep, your physical activity and your calories burnt. Furthermore, if you are health conscious, Jawbone provides a well-integrated system that motivates you to workout and burn some calories. For example, if the band detects that you've been idle for a while, it automatically reminds you to step outside and workout. Also, the band has a smart alarm that slowly wakes you up without jolting you out of your bed. All the stats, health goals, and the progress, can then be tracked using the Jawbone Android app that connects with the device.  MyFitnessPal Many people who are planning to lose weight are advised to keep a food journal. That way, they can track whatever they ate thus making them more mindful of their eating habits. MyFitnessPal is an app as well as a service that lets you keep an intelligent food journal that not only lets you track your foods but also counts the calories for you. So, for example, you ate a large pizza, all you have to do is open up the app and search for pizza. The food then automatically gets added to that day's journal showing you how many calories you have consumed today. What's more, you can also set target weights on the app so that you can restrict your caloric intake in such a way that you achieve those targets in a set period of time. Endomondo If you like running, or simply walking outside, Endomondo is a great app to track how many meters you walked or ran. Not only does it track your movement using GPS, it also gives you a rough estimate of the number of calories you burned during that particular activity. Like in the aforementioned MyFitnessPal, you can set caloric targets to achieve your goals. Furthermore, you can also set distance-based goals that will help you push your limits. Overall, it is a worthy app if you like doing outdoor activities. Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate

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TechSource: Best Alternative Themes for Ubuntu Unity

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Best Alternative Themes for Ubuntu Unity Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:06 PM PST Ubuntu Unity was a big change for Canonical. Not only did it bring forth a completely new interface, it also managed to set a foundation towards Shuttleworth's biggest goals: convergence. Being a long-term thinker, Mark Shuttleworth has set his eyes on innovating the way operating systems work. His idea is that the same operating system should be there on each device be it a tablet, phone, TV, or a computer. No matter where the user goes, he or she should always feel like home that's why, Unity was developed. It is a solid, shell interface that makes it easy to search for stuff right from your desktop. It's not too flashy but it isn't that ugly either. The aim for the shell is to make sure that the operating system itself doesn't get in the way of you and your work. As good as it sounds, many people hate Unity because of its lack of customization options. In other words, once you download Ubuntu, there's very little room for tweaking around and theming as you used to do during the GNOME 2 days. No wonder, people say that they miss GNOME 2. However, since times have changed, the decision to stick with a uniform interface makes sense. But, wait. What about customization? Will I ever be able to customize my interface? Don't worry; you will. There are plenty of themes on the Internet that allow you to change the look of your desktop almost completely. Though the basic elements of the desktop remain the same (shell, indicator applets etc), you'll still be able to give it a fresh coat of paint. You can change the icons, and the theme itself. So, if you are looking to give your good old desktop a makeover, here are some of the best alternative themes for Ubuntu Unity: Note: To install these themes, you will need Unity tweak tool, which you can get from the Ubuntu Software Center: apt:unity-tweak-tool Numix Numix, which is not just a theme but also a full-blown customization project, never fails to amaze me with its beauty and simplicity. The icons are flat, keeping up with the modern trends. (Yep, flat is so trendy that even Jonathan Ive couldn't resist it) Furthermore, there's a reddish hint to it that makes it fresh and trendy. If you notice the icons, you'll find that they've been carefully crafted and designed so as to make it work with the rest of the Unity interface. Trying it out on my Unity desktop, the theme makes all my indicator applets blend in with the interface. Yep, even the very new application called Copy, which we discussed in our earlier article gets its own icon. Also, I'm amazed at how many icons the designers have spent time working on. Even if you are not an avid themer, this project is worth giving a shot. To install Numix theme, type in or paste the following commands in your terminal: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:numix/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install numix-gtk-theme Mediterranean Night Series The Mediterranean Night themepack fills in all your needs as far as theming is considered. Not only does it beautifully transform your Unity interface into a sleek minimalistic desktop, it also gives you plenty of choices. You can choose between 12 amazing themes, each giving a different experience. Some of them are dark, while some are light. Take your pick. To install, type in or paste the following commands: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install mediterraneannight-gtk-theme Zukitwo Zukitwo is a clean and fresh theme that works great across GNOME Shell, Ubuntu, and GNOME 2 as well. In its dark and light variants, it never fails to impress those who seek minimalism. Zukitwo, as compared to Numix or any other theme, is relatively easy on the eyes. It has a very unassuming look to it, so much so that you wouldn't mind if Ubuntu changed its default theme to Zukitwo. If you are looking for a theme that's neither too flashy nor too plain jane, this is your best bet. To install, type in or paste the following commands: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install zukitwo-theme-all Tip: Try combining these themes with the popular Faenza icon set until you come across something that totally makes your desktop stand out from the crowd. The Faenza icon set can be downloaded from the following PPA: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tiheum/equinox sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install faenza-icon-theme

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TechSource: iPhone 5s vs. Galaxy S4: Apple's Best Bet vs. Samsung's Superstar

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iPhone 5s vs. Galaxy S4: Apple's Best Bet vs. Samsung's Superstar Posted: 12 Nov 2013 10:04 PM PST Just when you thought the smartphone wars have subsided a bit, a fresh contender comes up creating new waves in the market. The same thing happened when Apple launched the iPhone 5s. From the looks of it, it seems like any other iPhone with a new OS and a fresh coat of paint. However, the sales and the heavy feature set managed to push this heavyweight into the league of the top smartphones out there. Whom else could it compete with other than the stellar Galaxy S4 from Samsung? It's been only a few months since Galaxy S4's release and everyone expected Apple to come up with a strong reply. And boy it did. The iPhone 5s not only looks spectacular, but also brings along features that might be a hardcore smartphone lover's dream. But does it stand against the mighty S4? Let's find out. Aesthetics and Design The iPhone 5s, especially the gold version, is a treat to look at. The design, in every single way, speaks elegance. Made of aluminum and glass, the shiny device looks like a premium product from every angle. The Galaxy S4, on the other hand, disappoints with its plasticky feel. If only Samsung put as much effort in building a solid design as it puts in making gimmicky features very few people use. Hands down, this department is Apple's and Apple's only. Winner: Apple iPhone 5s Display Galaxy S4 comes with a huge 5-inch screen that is backed by AMOLED technology. This means that the device can give you a 1920 x 1080p resolution, something that you'd still find on many desktop monitors. Compare this to the iPhone 5S, which has a 4-inch screen, the S4 looks like a giant. The iPhone can display resolutions up to 1136 x 640, which is not bad. But when you compare that to the S4, it is not up to the mark. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S4 User Interface This is a tough call, but if you see Samsung's TouchWiz interface, it has none of the elegance of the iOS7 interface, or even vanilla Android interface for that matter. When you compare modern interfaces, the standard set by Android (with HOLO) and Apple (with its iOS7 release), are way too high for Samsung to sport a plasticky and bloated interface on a high-end device. Again, there are some people who swear by TouchWiz, but in this department, I'd have to hand it to Apple again. Winner: Apple iPhone 5s Performance Though many tech fanboys were whining about the lack of any new advancement in iPhone 5s, very few managed to notice the power of the A7 processor. One of the biggest reasons for this was that during the release, the smartphone wasn't benchmarked. But when it was, it has completely overtaken Galaxy S4 in most of the departments. What makes the iPhone really special is that the A7 chip is made for the future, but sadly, there aren't any good apps that make full use of it. Winner: Apple iPhone 5s Battery Life The iPhone 5s comes loaded with a 1,560 mAh battery while the Galaxy S4 on the other hand has a 2,600 mAh battery. Now, remember that battery life is not just about the capacity. It's also about the optimizations in the software. Several reviews across the Internet have revealed that the battery life on both phones is almost the same, despite the heavy-duty nature of the S4. In other words, both can last a full day. That's why we'll have to hand this one to both of them. GSMArena has a good comparison of the battery life of both phones. Verdict: Tie Software The Galaxy S4 comes with a lot of gimmicky features: Smart Stay, Air View, and much more. However, how often do you find someone using his or her palms to skip through content? Secondly, the smartphone comes with applications like S-voice, S-translate, and S-health. Though we appreciate Samsung's decent efforts to separate itself from the crowd, they're just not good enough to compete with what iOS7 or vanilla Android offers. A full-blown, well-integrated set of applications along with an eye-catching feature like TouchID makes the iPhone 5s a winner in this department. Winner: iPhone 5s Conclusion Though despite being a die-hard Android fan myself, I'd have to hand this one to Apple for the first time. They've managed to craft a solid, future-proof device that will only step up the competition and push Google to come out with a mind-blowing Nexus device. Despite its high pricing, the golden colored iPhone shines in every single way. That's not to say, however, that Samsung did a bad job. One of the main reasons Apple wins this one is that the device was released months after the release of Galaxy S4. Keep your fingers crossed for another battle soon to take place between the Nexus 5 and the iPhone 5s. Now, that would be a good fight to watch! Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate

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