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Friday, September 7, 2012

TechSource: Best Kid Friendly Google Chrome Apps

TechSource: Best Kid Friendly Google Chrome Apps


Best Kid Friendly Google Chrome Apps

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 03:04 AM PDT

We've already seen some of the best Educational Android apps for kids and we've also touched upon the most download-worthy kid-friendly Linux distros before. Though most of these apps and distros whet the appetite of most of the fun-loving kids out there, they don't, however, manage to please the more web-inclined toddlers.

Whether you have a Chromebook or if you're just addicted to doing all things web, there are some great Chrome apps out there that you can let your child play with and learn at the same time. These tools let your children have fun and educate themselves at the same time, making the web browser more than just a web-browsing tool. So, if you're looking for some good Chrome Apps for kids, read on as we list the best ones:


Pictico


Pictico is a fun coloring application for kids. Emulating the good old coloring book, this application lets your kid color some cute images without messing his or her hands. Pictico allows children to choose from a lot of colors making it easy for them to create beautiful pictures. Finally, once they are done with their masterpiece, you can share it via Twitter, FB, or Gmail.



Brainy Kids Puzzles

This Chrome app contains 50 colorful jigsaw puzzles to keep your kid busy. Research has shown that jigsaw puzzles aid in the development of the brain, so adding them to your kid's daily activities list won't be such a bad idea. The jigsaw puzzles in this app are specially designed for children as they show colorful pictures and come with large buttons. There are also some cute graphics and sounds to ensure that your child doesn't get bored along the way.



Kids Paint

Kids Paint is a simple drawing app for kids that make sketching much less messier. Aimed at kids from ages 3 to 12, this free application lets your child paint his or her imagination with a variety of tools like pencil, curve, fill draw, and more.



Math Counting Puzzle


This free application makes it easier for your kids to learn counting. Teaching children how to count up to 9, Math Counting Puzzle is a simple app that your toddler will find useful.



Kids Puzzle Planet

This is a simple online jigsaw puzzle for kids. Filled with funny, colorful pictures, this application helps your child train his or her brain and enjoy at the same time.



Santa vs. Deer

This web app lets your kid play tic-tac-toe with deer and Santa. You play Santa and your job is to defy the deer. Every time you win, the deer will add a gift to Santa's bag. Overall, a simple yet fun game for kids of all ages.



Word Bubbles For Kids


This is a simple game aimed at children of all ages. Starting with the toddler zone, kids can learn new words by simply popping bubbles. Each time they pop a bubble, the app reads out the alphabet. Similarly, there are games for kids of all ages, including a game for grown-ups like us.



Treasure Hunt


In this game, you play a flying pig that is trying to catch diamonds, lollipops, ice creams, and other goodies. The goal is to collect all goodies and break your own record. An interesting and fun game, Treasure Hunt can be enjoyed by kids of all ages, and even adults too.



Making Way Beta

This is a fun little puzzle game designed for little kids. Aimed at children ages 7 to 13, Making Way involve the player use his or her puzzling skills to help kids find their way to school. The objective of the game is to ensure that kids reach there before the school starts.



Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.


Thursday, September 6, 2012

[HowtoForge] Newsletter 09/06/2012

HowtoForge Newsletter 09/06/2012
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*** Version 1.3 of the ISPConfig 3 Manual ***
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The next update of the ISPConfig 3 Manual is available in PDF format (version 1.3 for ISPConfig >= 3.0.4; Date: 10/25/2011).

Version 1.3 for ISPConfig >= 3.0.4 (Date: 10/25/2011)
Author: Falko Timme
333 pages

The manual can be downloaded from these two links:

http://www.ispconfig.org/ispconfig-3/ispconfig-3-manual/
http://www.howtoforge.com/download-the-ispconfig-3-manual


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ISPConfig Monitor App for Android Phones
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With the ISPConfig Monitor App, you can check your server status and find out if all services are running as expected. You can check TCP and UDP ports and ping your servers. In addition to that you can use this app to request details from servers that have ISPConfig installed; these details include everything you know from the Monitor module in the ISPConfig Control Panel (e.g. services, mail and system logs, mail queue, CPU and memory info, disk usage, quota, OS details, RKHunter log, etc.).

Download/Usage
==============

For download and usage instructions, please visit http://www.ispconfig.org/ispconfig-3/ispconfig-monitor-app-for-android/ .


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*** HowtoForge Now Has Its own Facebook Page ***
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We at HowtoForge are proud to announce that our new Facebook page is now available under http://www.facebook.com/howtoforge. As most of you probably have a Facebook account, we want to use this additional channel to post updates and get feedback from you. Therefore we would like you to "Like" our page, share it with your friends, post comments, etc.

http://www.facebook.com/howtoforge
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New HOWTOs:
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* Virtualization With KVM On A CentOS 6.3 Server
* Running New Shopware Version 4.0.x On Nginx (LEMP) On Ubuntu 12.04
* Creating Simple Virtual Hosts With mod_mysql_vhost On Lighttpd (Ubuntu 12.04)
* Serving CGI Scripts With Nginx On Ubuntu 12.04
* Chrooting Apache2 With mod_chroot On Debian Squeeze
* Installing The PHP WebDAV Extension On Debian Squeeze

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Virtualization With KVM On A CentOS 6.3 Server
==============================================

This guide explains how you can install and use KVM for creating and running virtual machines on a CentOS 6.3 server. I will show how to create image-based virtual machines and also virtual machines that use a logical volume (LVM). KVM is short for Kernel-based Virtual Machine and makes use of hardware virtualization, i.e., you need a CPU that supports hardware virtualization, e.g. Intel VT or AMD-V.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/virtualization-with-kvm-on-a-centos-6.3-server




Running New Shopware Version 4.0.x On Nginx (LEMP) On Ubuntu 12.04
==================================================================

This tutorial shows how you can install and run the new Shopware version 4.0.x on an Ubuntu 12.04 system that has nginx installed instead of Apache (LEMP = Linux + nginx (pronounced "engine x") + MySQL + PHP). Shopware is a feature-rich ecommerce platform; I will use the Community Edition here which is free. nginx is a HTTP server that uses much less resources than Apache and delivers pages a lot of faster, especially static files.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/running-new-shopware-version-4.0.x-on-nginx-lemp-on-ubuntu-12.04




Creating Simple Virtual Hosts With mod_mysql_vhost On Lighttpd (Ubuntu 12.04)
=============================================================================

This guide explains how you can use mod_mysql_vhost to create simple virtual hosts on a lighttpd web server on Ubuntu 12.04. With mod_mysql_vhost, lighttpd can read the vhost configuration from a MySQL database. Currently, you can store the domain and the document root in the MySQL database which results in very simple virtual hosts. If you need more directives for your vhosts, you'd have to configure them in the global section of lighttpd.conf, which means they'd be valid for all vhosts. Therefore, mod_mysql_vhost is ideal if your vhosts differ only in the domain and document root.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/creating-simple-virtual-hosts-with-mod_mysql_vhost-on-lighttpd-ubuntu-12.04




Serving CGI Scripts With Nginx On Ubuntu 12.04
==============================================

This tutorial shows how you can serve CGI scripts (Perl scripts) with nginx on Ubuntu 12.04. While nginx itself does not serve CGI, there are several ways to work around this. I will outline three solutions: the first is to proxy requests for CGI scripts to Thttpd, a small web server that has CGI support, while the second and third solution are very similar - both use a CGI wrapper to serve CGI scripts.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/serving-cgi-scripts-with-nginx-on-ubuntu-12.04




Chrooting Apache2 With mod_chroot On Debian Squeeze
===================================================

This guide explains how to set up mod_chroot with Apache2 on a Debian Squeeze system. With mod_chroot, you can run Apache2 in a secure chroot environment and make your server less vulnerable to break-in attempts that try to exploit vulnerabilities in Apache2 or your installed web applications.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/chrooting-apache2-with-mod_chroot-on-debian-squeeze




Installing The PHP WebDAV Extension On Debian Squeeze
=====================================================

This article shows how you can install the PHP WebDAV extension for PHP5 on a Debian Squeeze system. The PHP WebDAV extension allows easy access to remote resources through the DAV protocol from PHP scripts.

You can find the document here:
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http://www.howtoforge.com/installing-the-php-webdav-extension-on-debian-squeeze


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You can now support HowtoForge by becoming a subscriber:

HowtoForge Subscription
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*** New! We now accept RBS WorldPay payments in addition to PayPal. ***

For a monthly fee of 5 EUR or 25 EUR for half a year, you can become a HowtoForge supporter and help us cover our costs (servers, bandwidth, etc.) and support ISPConfig development. In return, you receive the following benefits:

1. Download the ISPConfig 3 Manual (from http://www.howtoforge.com/download-the-ispconfig-3-manual).
2. Access the whole HowtoForge web site without any ads.
3. Download the results of our tutorials as VMware images (where available) (a list of downloadable VMware images is available here: http://www.howtoforge.com/list-of-downloadable-vmware-images).
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5. View our tutorials as printer-friendly pages.
6. You will be marked as a "HowtoForge Supporter" in your forum posts.
7. Plus, you support the ISPConfig development.

If you have the free VMware Server or Player installed, you can import our VMware images and start playing around with the results of our tutorials immediately. It's a great way to track down problems with your own setup or simply to save time. ;-)

More details can be found on http://www.howtoforge.com/subscription.

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Your HowtoForge Team
Email: info@howtoforge.com
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

TechSource: How to Install Software Packages in Ubuntu Without Internet Connection

TechSource: How to Install Software Packages in Ubuntu Without Internet Connection


How to Install Software Packages in Ubuntu Without Internet Connection

Posted: 05 Sep 2012 12:08 AM PDT

Installing new software in Ubuntu is a piece of cake. Just go to Software Center, find your favorite app, and then click on Install. 3 steps and you're pretty much done. But what if you wanted to install the same software, but didn't have a working Internet connection? Well, don't worry; it's not as hard as it sounds. There are a few ways in which you can install software on Ubuntu without having a working Internet connection.

That said, most of these methods use another computer with a working Internet connection on it and a USB device for transferring packages from there to the desired device and installing them. So, it's important that you have other computer, probably your friend's device, and use it as downloading portal for your offline installation needs. Otherwise, you can simply use the following tools to help you install software packages in Ubuntu without Internet connection:


Keryx

Keryx is a free tool that lets you manage packages on an offline Debian system. The application runs from a USB drive and can work across Windows, Mac, and Linux. This means that you can download your favorite packages without the need to be chained to a Linux device. One advantage of this feature is that you can go to your friend's house -- chances are that he or she might be a Windows user --, then download the packages you want on a pendrive, come home, and enjoy the latest stuff. Keryx is mainly built for Ubuntu but works well with other distributions too.



Sushi, huh?

Sushi, huh? is a free program that allows users to download packages from one computer, transfer them to a pendrive, and install them on the computer that is without a connection. According to the site,

"Sushi, huh? is a program that allows downloading all the packages needed to install the programs you want on GNU/Linux without an Internet connection on your own computer.

Sushi, huh? is designed for people, which for example cannot afford monthly Internet connection.

As installing software on GNU/Linux is a hard and complex process for those newcomers to the world of GNU/Linux, which itself does not have an Internet connection, Sushi, huh? simplifies this task, making it as automatically as possible."

This open-source tool allows users to download their favorite software from Windows or Linux and then take them over to the PC without a connection. The tool is still in alpha, so don't expect much stability from it.



APTonCD


APTonCD is an open-source tool that lets users create a CD or a DVD of all the packages you've downloaded to your system. This makes sure that you have a removable repository of all the fresh software at hand. With APTonCD, you can backup, transport, download, and share your favorite software without hassles. One of the best ways to use the software is borrow a friend's Linux computer, take a backup of all of his or her packages, and then install those packages on your system.



Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.


Monday, September 3, 2012

TechSource: Best Arcade Games for Android

TechSource: Best Arcade Games for Android


Best Arcade Games for Android

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 05:57 AM PDT

Arcade games are one of the best ways to spend your free time. They have short levels, intuitive controls, simplicity, and difficulty that increase over time. The best part about these games is that you can enjoy them no matter where you are and get lost in them for hours. Not so great a choice for the productive ones and the workaholics, arcade games do help us kill our time on a busy commute.

If you're on Android and are looking for some good arcade games around, here's a list of the best ones.


Temple Run


When Temple Run, one of the most popular iOS games ever arrived on Android, Droid fanboys and fangirls went crazy with joy. Here is a game that will keep you hooked for hours and trust me folks, you'll never get tired of it.

The premise of the game is that you have stolen a cursed idol from the temple, and now you have to save yourself and the idol from the Evil Demon Monkeys who are chasing you. The game tests your reflexes as you are forced to race down dangerous cliffs and ancient temple walls. Controls of the game are really simple: just swipe to turn, jump and slide to avoid any oncoming obstacles.

The farther you run and the more points you collect, the more you score. You can then share your high scores on Twitter or Facebook. The coins you collect will allow you to unlock special items like wallpapers and new characters. Overall, Temple Run is one of the best games out there on this platform. Also worth trying is the Temple Run spin-off by Disney called Temple Run Brave.



NinJump

NinJump is a unique arcade game wherein you, an adventurous ninja, has to rise as high as possible while braving killer squirrels, angry birds, the bad ninjas, throwing stars, and exploding bombs. The higher you reach the more points you get.

NinJump's controls are simple. All you have to do is tap so that you can jump from one wall to another. Collecting shields helps you to knock down opponents easily making the game even more fun.

Overall, a fast-paced, beautiful, and immersive game that you can enjoy at any time of the day.



Falldown Classic


If you prefer things old school, then how about trying Falldown? Yeah the same arcade game that you used to enjoy so much when you were young. Bringing the same experience on Android comes Falldown Classic. Simply tilt your device to navigate the falling ball and the rest is easy.



Labyrinth Lite

Another classic game for your Android is Labyrinth Lite wherein you have to control a steel ball by tilting a labyrinth.



Dragon, Fly! Free

Another one-touch arcade game to kill your time is Dragon, Fly! Free. You are a newly hatched baby dragon who's too young to fly. In the realm full of curvy hills, you take your first flight as you slide along the hills and build enough momentum to touch the sky. A simple game with even simpler controls, Dragon, Fly! has been rated 4.5 stars out of 5 in the Google Play Store.



Yoo Ninja! Free

Another Ninja game on the list is Yoo Ninja! This is a simple, one-touch arcade game that involves you, a ninja, jumping up and down to get through different barriers. Of course, all's not that easy when there are dangerous darts out to kill you.


The game features a story mode with 34 different levels as well as an endless mode wherein you can play the game for as long as you want. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, Yoo Ninja! is freely available for download from the Play Store.