TechSource: 5 Secure Alternatives to WhatsApp

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5 Secure Alternatives to WhatsApp Posted: 29 Jun 2014 11:15 PM PDT Ever since WhatsApp, a massively popular messaging app was acquired by Facebook, many of its users have started looking for alternatives to the service. Facebook, which itself, doesn't have a good track record when it comes to privacy, is the only reason users are on the lookout for good replacements to the service. The landmark acquisition deal that happened several months ago shocked many people, especially those who used WhatsApp as a regular chatting tool. As part of the deal, Facebook offered WhatsApp a whopping $4 billion in cash and $12 billion worth of shares. Starting 2014 with a big bang, the deal is one of the biggest deals that have ever happened in the tech industry. Biggies like Google and Microsoft were keen on buying WhatsApp but finally Facebook managed to woo the emergent startup and make history. WhatsApp has over 450 million monthly users, 72% of whom use the app everyday. After the deal, many developers started coming up with more secure alternatives to WhatsApp fearing privacy concerns. From that need, some fabulous apps have evolved. We have listed here some of the best apps to help you choose a better, more secure alternative to WhatsApp. TextSecure TextSecure is a free app that puts privacy first. With an advanced end-to-end encryption protocol, the application ensures that your every message is sent securely without any government snooping. What's more, TextSecure is open-source thus making easy for you to access the code just to make sure about your privacy. Security aside, TextSecure comes with all the basic features you need from a text-messaging app along with group messaging. Its UI is simple, easy to use, and faintly reminiscent of WhatsApp.  Threema Threema is an app whose popularity soared the moment WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook. With true end-to-end encryption, Threema is designed in a way that only the recipient reads your messages. Apart from putting focus on privacy, this app also excels in providing features that many competing messaging apps provide. Features like contact sync, group chat, media sharing (photos, videos, etc.), and location sharing make it a solid alternative to many apps that lack the security feature. Threema also offers ID scans (like BBM pins) so that you can add people you meet in person. Though not free, this app is a perfect choice if you are looking for a good all-round messaging app.  Telegram If you are having trouble saying goodbye to WhatsApp, Telegram is your best bet. With key focus on security, Telegram Messenger claims to be the fastest messaging app on the market. 100% free of ads, this one offers some interesting features like cloud storage, ability to function on the weakest mobile connection, and large group chats with up to 200 members. The app looks and feels pretty much like WhatsApp, thus making it a great app to migrate to. Wickr If you want to send private, encrypted, anonymous messages legally, Wickr is the app you are looking for. With exclusive focus on private communications, this service puts military-grade encryption (AES256, ECDH521, RSA4096, and TLS) on your chats. And yes, the keys stay with you. Designed to be cross platform, Wickr doesn't take any of your personal information. It is easy to set up and use and yes, it is completely free. Once installed, you can start using the service right away. It doesn't collect any of your private data and can also help you ensure that your messages leave no trace whatsoever. If, in an unfortunate situation, you feel that you are being spied on, Wickr can be your best bet.  Crypto.cat If you are looking for a web-based application that helps you send messages, crypto.cat is a great choice. With plugins for all major browsers and an app for iPhone, crypto.cat allows you to have encrypted chats with your friends. The service is a no-fuss, secure chatting tool that can be used by anyone whether they are on mobile or not.

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[Howtoforge] Newsletter 06/30/2014

HowtoForge Newsletter 06/30/2014
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New HOWTOs:
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* VNC Server Installation on CentOS 6.5
* Two factor authentication with OTP using privacyIDEA and FreeRADIUS on CentOS
* Samba Server Install on Debian 7 (Wheezy)
* Thunderbird Email Encryption with GnuPG2
* Install ownCloud with SSL and Nginx in CentOS 6.5
* How To Install VNC Server On Ubuntu 14.04
* The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 17 (Qiana)

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VNC Server Installation on CentOS 6.5
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This guide explains how to configure VNC-server in CentOS 6.5 server. It is a very convinient way of administrating the CentOS 6.5 with the help of GUI(Graphics User Interface). The GUI can be access any where with the help of the VNC-client on any OS. The basic condition is that the connecting OS must have VNC-clients installed in it.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/vnc-server-installation-centos-6.5




Two factor authentication with OTP using privacyIDEA and FreeRADIUS on CentOS
=============================================================================

In this howto we will show, how you can set up a the two factor authentication and management system privacyIDEA on Cent OS 6.5. privacyIDEA is a system that can manage authentication devices - especially OTP tokens of any kind.

We will set up the system to be served via Apache2, store the token information in a MySQL database and provide authentication via FreeRADIUS server, thus being able to add two factor authentication to all services accessible via RADIUS like SSL VPNs and pam_radius.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/two-factor-authentication-with-otp-using-privacyidea-and-freeradius-on-centos




Samba Server Install on Debian 7 (Wheezy)
=========================================

This guide explains how to install and configure Samba server in Debian 7 with anonymous and secured samba servers. Samba is an Open Source/Free Software suite that provides seamless file and print services to SMB/CIFS clients. Samba is freely available, unlike other SMB/CIFS implementations, and allows for interoperability between Linux/Unix servers and Windows-based clients.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/samba-server-install-on-debian-7-wheezy




Thunderbird Email Encryption with GnuPG2
========================================

This tutorial describes the configuration of Thunderbird and GnuPG2 to send and receive encrypted email.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/thunderbird-email-encryption-with-gnupg2




Install ownCloud with SSL and Nginx in CentOS 6.5
=================================================

CentOS has upgraded a lot packages, and the post that I've wrote 1 year ago no longer works in CentOS 6.5 updated up-to-date. I did a research and it looks like this will be the first tutorial in 2014 how to install owncloud in centos with nginx, postgresql and ssl. You ain't gonna find CentOS and owncloud installation with nginx nowadays, because most people don't know how to resolve simple issues.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/centos-owncloud-nginx




How To Install VNC Server On Ubuntu 14.04
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This guide explains the installation and configuration of a VNC server on Ubuntu 14.04 server. I use a server here to show you a ay to have a remote desktop on a root server in a datacenter. The same steps will work for Ubuntu desktops as well.VNC is a very convinient way of administrating the Ubuntu 14.04 desktops remotely. The GUI can be accessed from anywhere over the internet or local network with a VNC client on any OS. The only requirement is that the connecting OS has a VNC-client installed on it.


You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-vnc-server-on-ubuntu-14.04




The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 17 (Qiana)
=================================================================================================

This tutorial shows how you can set up a Linux Mint 17 (Qiana) desktop that is a full-fledged replacement for a Windows desktop, i.e.that has all the software that people need to do the things they do on their Windows desktops. The advantages are clear: you get a securesystem without DRM restrictions that works even on old hardware, and the best thing is: all software comes free of charge. Linux Mint 17 is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that has lots of packages in its repositories (like multimedia codecs, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Skype,Google Earth, etc.) that are relatively hard to install on other distributions; it therefore provides a user-friendly desktop experience even for Linux newbies.

You can find the document here:
-------------------------------
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-17-qiana


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TechSource: Smartwatch Battle: Pebble Steel vs. Galaxy Gear 2

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Smartwatch Battle: Pebble Steel vs. Galaxy Gear 2 Posted: 26 Jun 2014 07:14 PM PDT Before Google comes in with its own smartwatches, consumers have two mainstream devices to choose from. On one hand, there is the Galaxy Gear 2, coming from a reputed brand like Samsung and there's Pebble Steel by Pebble Technology Corporation that gained popularity after a successful Kickstarter funding campaign for their first watch. When we consider the turf of wearable devices, there's nothing much to boast of, except, of course, Google Glass. Apart from Pebble and Gear, the tech industry is impatiently waiting for the Motorola smartwatch, which will be made in collaboration with Google. The wait, however, doesn't have to be this hard. If you are someone who wants to get their hands on a smartwatch right now, both the Pebble and the Gear 2 are excellent choices. Both have their own merits, and also their own demerits. But then, which to choose between the two? Well, that's why we are here. In this article, we'll be doing a quick comparison between the Pebble Steel smartwatch and the Galaxy Gear 2. Let's see who wins:  Design Both the Pebble Steel and the Galaxy Gear 2 are well-designed gadgets. When compared side-to-side, they look very similar, though not the same. Pebble Steel looks more like a classy watch with a stainless steel body, while the Gear 2 slightly looks more gadget-ish. While the Pebble Steel is slightly curved, the Gear 2 is squarish with a bigger bezel.  Pebble Steel If you are someone who wants to show off the latest gadgets, Gear 2 is perfect for you. If, however, you want a gadget that looks and feels like a real watch, something you can wear for any occasion, Pebble Steel will definitely win you over. The understated design of Pebble Steel makes it great for everyday use. Be it a party or a formal occasion, it looks very classy and elegant. However, that's not to say that Gear 2 looks bad. It's just not as good as Pebble. Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 Winner: Pebble Steel  Display The Gear 2 features a Super AMOLED multi-touch display. The screen is 1.63" with a 320x320 resolution. With the colored display, you get a PPI of 278, which is not that bad. In simpler terms, the Gear 2's screen can be likened to that of a smartphone. The Pebble Steel on the other hand has a 1.26" screen that is quite small compared to Gear 2. Also, the display is not colored as it features a sharp LCD e-Paper display that is similar (but not the same) as what we see on Kindle. This means that you'll be able to read the screen from multiple angles even in broad daylight. Though, on paper, the Gear 2's display looks better, Pebble somehow steals the show by having an always-on display that runs for hours and hours. In other words, all those traditional watch fans would never be disappointed by this gadget. Winner: Pebble Steel  Features This is an area where Samsung's Gear 2 wins hands down. The sheer amount of goodies that this watch comes packed with, makes it a lucrative gadget to lust over. Firstly, there is the ability to accept, reject, and even answer calls all using your watch. While this might make you look like a secret agent from some spy movie, we have to admit, it is kind of cool to use that. Then there's the pedometer, the heart-rate sensor, the sleep tracker, and the music player, giving the users a lot more than they asked for. And last but not the least, there's the 2MP camera. While many won't find it that useful right away, it's still good to have one. The Pebble on the other hand, can't take calls, can't play music, can't track your heart rate, and can't even take pictures. If those are the features you don't need, Pebble is still a great choice. It does have a pedometer and a sleep tracker thus making it a little less disappointing in this department. Winner: Galaxy Gear 2  Compatibility This is where the Pebble proves to be a true rockstar. It is compatible with most of the popular Android phones, and yes, it works with the iPhone too. The Gear 2, on the other hand, needs a Samsung Galaxy phone with Android 4.3+ to work -a huge drawback on Samsung's part. Both watches vibrate when new notifications come in. You can choose which apps you get notifications from, and yes, both watches work very well with third-party app notifications. If you miss any notifications, you can check them later in the notification center. Winner: Pebble Steel  Water Resistance Both watches are water resistant giving them equal points in this round. Don't worry even if you go swimming with the Pebble, it will work just fine. Winner: Tie  Battery This is another area where Pebble beats the Gear 2. The Pebble Steel's battery lasts for almost 5-6 days while the Gear 2 can run for 2-3 days max without charging. Undoubtedly, the Pebble Steel wins this round hands-down. Winner: Pebble Steel  Performance and Specs Given the fact that the Pebble Steel is designed to be a minimalistic gadget designed for displaying nothing more than text-based apps, it lacks severely on the specs front. If you are someone who wants a smartwatch that can act like a smaller smartphone, Pebble isn't for you. It features a 120 MHz single-core processor and 1 MB storage that allows you to install only 8 apps. The Gear 2, on the other hand, comes loaded with 4GB storage and 1GHz dual core processor. Now these are the specs that you usually find on an entry-level smartphone. So, if you're looking for a device that's future-proof, Gear 2 is a great choice. Winner: Galaxy Gear 2  Price / Value for Money The Gear 2 costs $50 more than the Pebble Steel. If you opted for the Galaxy Gear 2 Neo instead, you can save more money as it costs $200 only. Coming to the pricing of the two main smartwatches, the Gear 2 costs $300 while the Pebble Steel costs $250. So, if you are looking for a smart companion for your Galaxy phone, you can spend $50 more and get a good smartwatch. The result for this round is a tie as both offer excellent value for money. Winner: Tie  Verdict If you are looking for something classy, something less gadgety, then Pebble Steel is a good investment. It won't do much except a few basic things, but given its open nature and huge compatibility, it is something that can be used as a companion gadget by practically anyone. Samsung's Gear 2, on the other hand, is severely limited due to its lack of compatibility with other phones. This means, if you own a Galaxy phone already, this is an investment you won't regret. The watch pairs beautifully with the phone making it a great utility. If you don't own a Galaxy phone however, buying one for a Gear 2 watch, isn't a smart investment. Instead, either you can wait for Motorola to come up with its own smartwatch, or you can go for Pebble. Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

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TechSource: Best Android Apps For Managing Your Taxes

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Best Android Apps For Managing Your Taxes Posted: 24 Jun 2014 01:57 AM PDT It's the end of a fiscal year and the beginning of a lot of headaches. It's as if every part of your body screams "pay your taxes!" But hey, who has the time to sit down and crunch all those numbers? It gets even more difficult to manage them if you are always on the move. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don't worry. We have a list of Android apps you can use to help you manage your taxes no matter where you go. Tax Code and Regs Before you start filing your taxes it is always a good idea to have some knowledge about tax regulations and tax codes. Instead of Googling for random codes and regulations, having a handbook ready by your side makes the tax filing a much easy affair. Tax Code and Regs is an app that contains complete reproductions of the official laws published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the United States House of Representatives, the Treasury Department and the U.S. Government Printing Office. The app can more or less be used as a book with added features of searching and bookmarking. What's great about this application is that it is constantly updated according to the latest rules and regulations. So, if there are any major changes in the tax codes, simply updating the app will help you stay abreast of the revisions. You can read the codes in full-screen, change font size, and even take notes on particular topics thus making it a must-have app not just for regular tax filers but also for accountants who are in need of some good reference material. DOWNLOAD HERE TurboTax SnapTax Perhaps the simplest app on the list, TurboTax SnapTax lets you e-file your tax returns by simply using a camera. Simply install the app, upload a snap of your W-2, answer a few questions, and you are done. This is a perfect choice for people who travel a lot and have less time to file their taxes.  DOWNLOAD HERE BNA Quick Tax Reference If you are looking for something more intuitive then BNA Quick Tax Reference is your best bet. The app allows you to calculate your tax rates with just a few clicks. Be it corporate tax schedules or individual tax rate schedules, you just have to move the slider around, input your data, and you are done. The app also calculates standard mileage rates, income tax rates for real estates, and trusts or gift taxes. Much like the aforementioned Tax Code and Regs app, BNA too is regularly updated making it a great choice for your current fiscal planning.  DOWNLOAD HERE TaxCaster by TurboTax Want an even simpler app just to calculate your tax refund? TaxCaster might be your answer. This free app, once installed, asks you for some basic information. Then, after a few clicks, shows a quick chart about your federal tax refunds. The app is dead simple and is perfect if you are looking to calculate your tax refunds while on the move. DOWNLOAD HERE IRS2Go This is the official app of IRS that helps users get a good idea about the status of their tax refunds. If you are a taxpayer, you can also get helpful tips directly to your phone. Overall, the app doesn't do much but it is still a must-have if you are in the process of managing your taxes on the go.  DOWNLOAD HERE H&R Block While filing taxes on your own might work for some people, some of us always need a bit of help. H&R Block is an application that comes in handy by providing you access to tax professionals who know how to ease the situation. Once installed, it can help you quickly estimate your tax refund. For those in need of outside help, the app shows you a list of H&R professionals nearby on a neat-looking map. From there, you can schedule an appointment in just a few clicks. DOWNLOAD HERE Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

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TechSource: OnePlus One: Is this Smartphone the New Nexus Killer?

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OnePlus One: Is this Smartphone the New Nexus Killer? Posted: 19 Jun 2014 08:53 PM PDT There's a new kid in town. Yes, this is the same town that is ruled by the widely popular Galaxy smartphones, the shiny-looking iPhones, and the ever-reliable Nexus devices. In other words, this is a tough market to break in and yet another Android device entering into this market seems like a premature death sentence. However, it isn't. Meet OnePlus One, a new flagship phone that has taken the Android fanbase by storm. Seems like every other fanboy or fangirl is trying to get their hands on this device. And yes, it's selling like hot pancakes at the moment. So, what is so special about OnePlus One? Neither is it made by a big company, nor does it run a specially customized Android. It's just another flagship phone with Cyanogenmod on it and somehow it has become the talk of the town. The real question is, will this be the new Nexus killer? Why OnePlus One is a Nexus Killer * Ridiculously Low Price This is a biggie. HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S5 both are $700 off contract. Nexus 5 is $350 off-contract. OnePlus One, however, retails for just $300 for 16GB and $400 for 64GB off contract. This is a big selling point for a device that has very high specs, specs that are as good as most of the high-end phones. If you got the main features of Galaxy S5 at just $300 won't you buy it? * Awesome Specs Here are some of the specs of OnePlus One: * 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor * Adreno 331 GPU * 3 GB of RAM (yep, you heard that right!) * 3100 MaH battery * 13 MP Camera The specs, in short, are something at par with S5 or HTC One MX giving it a premium feeling at a low price. Even the Nexus 5 feels a little weak when compared to those specifications. Furthermore, the phone won't be running a heavily customized Android. It's Cyanogenmod with Android KitKat, so expect a buttery smooth performance all around. * Good Build When compared to the premium-priced Galaxy S5, the build quality on the OnePlus One is something to be admired. It has a superbly built body that looks and feels like a premium phone. Even the Nexus 5 looks a bit understated when compared to this phone. * Software While you won't get pure Android on this one, but this is the closest experience you'll have to getting what Google offers. Running Cyanogenmod, the OnePlus One is a phone that doesn't disappoint. There are no bloated features, no unnecessary apps, and the UI is very close to stock Android. * A Brilliant Camera The OnePlus One has a superb camera. A 13 MP shooter that is just as good as the competition. Moreover, the interface of the camera is really simple and yes, it does shoot 4k video so it surely beats the Nexus in this department. Why it isn't a Nexus Killer * Cyanogenmod Yes. As well reputed as Cyanogenmod may be, it is still not stock Android. Many people who use Android think that stock Android or even customized Android is much stable than Cyanogenmod and somehow the latter is somewhat reserved for geeks and tinkerers. This reputation of CM does work against the device. Imagine showing the phone to a friend and him asking you "So which OS is it?" And when you say Cyanogenmod, expect a puzzled look on his face. * Bugs Cyanogenmod is still not as stable as stock Android. There are some nasty bugs in the OS that are yet to be fixed and it will take a while before CM comes at par with stock Android. * Invite-based system and low availability The OnePlus One is currently overflowing with demands. It is highly possible that the company might not be able to keep up with those demands any time soon. So, if you are someone who's planning to give this phone as a gift for your friend's birthday, you might want to opt for another phone. * Support While the OnePlus One is well-built phone, after-purchase support is something that every phone needs. Since it's a new company, the support might not be as good as what you have with big companies like LG and Samsung. This is even more true if you buy the smartphone outside the U.S.  Conclusion: Rumors strongly suggest that the Nexus line is about to be discontinued permanently. So, if there is no Nexus 6, One Plus One has created a new market for itself. In other words, yes, it is a Nexus killer. Much like Nexus, it won't enjoy the mainstream attention of Galaxy devices, it will, however, take the market of Android-based flagship devices to a whole new level. If you are a die-hard Android user, this is a dream come true for you. This is the "one" you were looking for all along :-) Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

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TechSource: Best Weather Applications for Linux

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Best Weather Applications for Linux Posted: 15 Jun 2014 05:42 PM PDT It is hard to keep up with the weather at times. If you are living in a place where the weather is unpredictable, knowing if it is going to rain or not makes a huge difference to you. That's why you need to keep yourself updated about the weather from time to time. If you are using Ubuntu or other Linux distro, this isn't hard to do. Linux offers a plethora of options for users to keep an eye on the weather. Here is a selection of some of the best weather applications for your Linux desktop. Weather Extension for GNOME Shell If you are a GNOME Shell user, this extension lets you check the weather from the title bar. Simply install it and the current temperature will show up at the top. If you click the temperature, it will show up a more detailed weather report. Ubuntu Weather Indicator Ubuntu Weather Indicator remains one of the most popular indicator applets out there. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, this application allows you to check your weather from Ubuntu's top bar. The latest version of Ubuntu Weather Indicator is much stable and improved thanks to bugfixes by the developer. sudo apt-get install indicator-weather My Weather Indicator My Weather Indicator is a good alternative to the aforementioned Ubuntu Weather Indicator if you are looking for something more stable. It's simple, easy to use, and has some extra features. Once installed, you'll be able to glance at a detailed weather forecast by clicking on the top bar. One of the best things about My Weather Indicator is that it shows NotifyOSD notifications for any major weather changes. This is a great utility to have if you live in places where the weather is stormy and unpredictable. To install My Weather Indicator on Ubuntu, open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type in or paste the following command: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/atareao sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install my-weather-indicator Stormcloud Stormcloud is a beautiful-looking weather application for Ubuntu users. Inspired by elements from the Flat UI trends and a bit of Metro interface, Stormcloud is a gorgeous way to glance over your daily weather. Once installed, the application sites like a nice tile on your desktop letting you quickly take a look at the temperature and the weather. Depending on the weather outside, Stormcloud shows a nice icon on the card along with the temperature in bold fonts. The city's name is written on top while the temperature for the past two and the coming two days is shown at the bottom. The cards that show the weather come in different colors, yet maintain the high-contrast beauty of the application. Despite being one of the best weather apps for Linux, Stormcloud is neither free nor open source. For around 3 bucks, you can get your hands on this app from the Ubuntu Software Center.  However, if you are not someone who likes to invest hard-earned cash on proprietary software, don't fret. There's an open source fork of Stormcloud that you can install on your desktop right away. Titled Typhoon, this application offers pretty much the same functionality and interface as Stormcloud. To install Typhoon on your Ubuntu desktop, open up the terminal and type in the following commands: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apandada1/typhoon sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install typhoon Weather (command-line utility) If you like doing things old school, then Weather is the perfect application for you. Basically, it's a command-line utility that allows you to check the weather very quickly. Once you install the application on your computer, you can check the weather any time by simply typing in the command "weather" followed by a couple of required parameters. Though mainly geeks would use it, there's no harm in giving it a shot even if you're relatively new to Linux. Unity Cities Lens If you are a hardcore Unity user coming from an older version of Ubuntu, simply install the Cities Lens to help you look up the current weather very quickly. Once installed, you'll be able to enter your city's name into the Dash and look up the current forecast. sudo add-apt-repository ppa:scopes-packagers/ppa sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install unity-lens-utilities unity-scope-cities

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