Yahoo! Messenger Alternative on Ubuntu

As a MS Windows user, one of the first things I look is the Instant Messaging program in Ubuntu. Back then it was GAIM which later on become Pidgin. Pidgin is installed by default and can be used to communicate with your Yahoo! buddies. The only function lacking with Pidgin is webcam and voice support.

KDE branch of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, has another IM program named Kopete. I read it has webcam and voice support but I haven't tried yet.

To use the webcam on Ubuntu, I resort in using GYachE. Its a IM application also with Webcam support on Yahoo!. This application is the actual equivalent of YM for me.

To Install GYachE, you need to add Sir Loell's PPA package at https://launchpad.net/~loell/+archive and then update your system. Just search the gyachi package using the Synaptic Package Manager.

GYachE is not a user friendly program for me. Hope it can be designed in a way it looks like a regular IM app. I tried many things to have the webcam work. I haven't tried the voice support but it should be supported too.

The good thing is... it just works and thats ok for me.

MSI Wind U100x

Got my self a new toy for Christmas two weeks ago.

Probably, the best netbook of 2008.

Probably, the best product of 2008 (iPhone 3G comes dead second).

The MSI Wind U100

The first time I saw my consultant with the Wind, it was love at first sight.

I bought the Wind without an 0perating system (and thus built-in bluetooth not available) and installed the latest Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex. Everything came out-of-the-box except for the wireless device. I checked the MSI forums and found the solution and got everything working.

MSI Wind comes with the latest Intel Atom, 10.1 inch screen, 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam and mic, 4-in1 card reader, 3 USB slot, ethernet, wifi and bluetooth (whichj I believe is included in the windows version of wind).

Since day one, it has been OH and AHs.

Things to do after installing Ubuntu

There are so many blog entries regarding these and I'll just show you mine.

1. Updating Software Sources

Go to System -> Administration -> Software Sources


click the Updates tab.and click Close. It will ask you to Reload or Close. If you're already connected to the internet then I suggest to click reload so you can get your updates.

2. Updating your system

There are two ways to update. One is by going to System -> Administration -> Update Manager and the other one is by using the Terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal) and type this code: sudo apt-get update

3. Adding third party repository: MEDIBUNTU

Pls check this link for instructions: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu

4. Enable ubuntu-restricted-extras

By default, ubuntu won't let you use proprietary codecs which enables us to watch movie and listen to mp3s. Ubuntu-restricted-extras allows as to do this. To install; open terminal and type sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras.

5. Install VLC

VLC is the best movie player! To install go to terminal and type sudo apt-get install vlc.

My Machine...

I've been using this machine for a month now. This is a second-hand IBM ThinkPad R31 (2656-L6U).

• Processor : Intel Celeron 1.2 Ghz
• 1Gb RAM
• 13.1 XGA (1024 x 768) 8MB integrated memory
• 40Gb HDD
• 8x DVD-ROM
• Ethernet
• 802.11b wireless/Modem(MPCI)

I never really wanted to have a high-end machine to try Ubuntu since its promise is to make old hardware to run and be useful again. I'm happy with this machine.

I'm currently, using Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) 8.04 and its running well except for the trackpoint that goes crazyfrom time to time. Ubuntu Forums says the cause was hardware related and not Ubuntu. Workaround is to edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and add "i8042.nomux=1" on boot (click here). Compiz works in this machine very well. (edit: (05/03/2008) Compiz freezes the machine)

The first machine I used last January was also a ThinkPad but its an IBM ThinkPad R30 (2656-40J). Its a much lower specs than my current. Its a Celeron 800mhz and has 384RAM (then upgraded t0 768 RAM). I've tried many Linux distro on that machine. OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Dreamlinux, Linux Mint, Elive, Foresight, Zenwalk... and a lot more (I can't remember all right now) but I still ended up with Ubuntu (I believe it was love at first sight in 2006, hehehehe).

Then only problem I encountered with the R30 is than when I boot the Live CD I need to add additional boot options "floppy=thinkpad pci=noacpi" to boot properly. Xorg doesn't recognized the video card of this machine. The R30 uses a old Trident Cyberblade card. I was able to install Ubuntu Gutsy properly but Ubuntu Hardy only gives 800 x 600 resolution.... and no Compiz Fusion.

Welcome...

Just to keep this blog site started... I'd like to welcome everyone for visiting.

I'm a complete Ubuntu newbie. I just started to use Ubuntu on a full-time basis just last January 2008 when I purchased a second hand IBM ThinkPad.

I've heard about Ubuntu and was able to try it's Live CD since 2006. I think that was Ubuntu 6.06 LTS. I was impressed with its usability because for something that its FREE I get a complete OS solution. I have everything I need for word processing and desktop publishing (OpenOffice), Instant Messaging (GAIM/Pidgin), and Web Surfing (Firefox) out of the box.

For four months... Ubuntu have been a journey for me. My greatest achievement to-date is that I was able to convert my family (this includes a 60 year old mom and 2 "Windows baby" sister) to Linux especially to Ubuntu. Their using our desktop PC now for almost a month already.

I'll be posting my discoveries, problems, and frustrations with Ubuntu on this blog which I hope will be helpful to other newbies in the future.

Hope you guys enjoy your own Ubuntu journey. Thanks!