How to install *.rpm in Ubuntu / Debian based operating system

There are times when you need to install an application that is only available in *.rpm package in Debian GNU/Linux or Ubuntu operating system. One of the main obstacles is that Debian / Ubuntu are using *.deb based packaging system which is incompatible with RPM.

However you can easily convert RPM package to *.deb and install it afterwards, here’s how to do it :

  • Install alien, its available in Debian, Ubuntu repository
  • Convert rpm package using command “sudo alien -k some-binary-package.rpm”
  • Install it using this command “sudo dpkg -i some-binary-package.deb

That’s all about it! Have fun installing application in your application.

Install Ubuntu Theme for Windows

Love Ubuntu but can’t live without Microsoft Windows? Then this might be the solution for you. As funny as it sounds, there are people who took time the to port the Ubuntu-feeling for Windows users to experience.

Read How To Make Windows look like Ubuntu Linux article from The Indie Tribune for a quick guide to make your Windows look like an Ubuntu machine. Have fun!

[tags]ubuntu,gutsy,gutsy gibbon,gnome,windows,windows vista,vista,windows xp[/tags]

HP Officejet 5680 – How to Send Fax from Ubuntu Linux Computer

This serves as a continuity from my previous post, I got myself a new and flexible Printer – HP Officejet 5680 All in One.

HP Officejet All-in-One Under Ubuntu
Its all seems rather easy at the way I left off, the printer is fully functioning by just plugging it to my Ubuntu pc, the scanner works well without I having to do anything special, the phone is fully functioning (yeah it is included with the printer) and I am able to send and receive fax without a hitch, something that I cant do without installing 350MB of companion application (half of it was crapware) under WIndows Vista.

Everything worked, what left to do?
What left to do is figuring out how can I send fax directly from Ubuntu (or other Linux base operating system) using only digital files (*.txt, *.pdf, *.ps, *.jpeg), so I don’t have to print those files and fax them one by one anymore.

HP Linux Imaging and Printing project
Through googling, I found that Hewlett Packard (HP) has published open source software tool to deal with their printers. Free and Open Source drivers and printer-specific application directly from manufacturer, which is very cool!

Fortunately Ubuntu already installed HPLIP tools by default with CUPS in my machine. The next step that I should take is to run ‘hp-setup’ as root to configure my printer port and run the ‘hp-sendfax’ application to send the faxes.

Both of these tool requires python-qt3 package which is available from Ubuntu software repository.

Now I can fax my pdf documents directly without having to print them first, a huge saving over ink and paper cost.

hpfax11.png

hp2.png

Conclusion
If you are planning to get a new printer, then I would suggest you get a HP printer. Not only because HP printers are reliable, but they also comes with Free and Open Source drivers and applications for the Linux based operating system. Well that’s a good reason to get HP printers.

Please visit HPLIP project website for more information about HP printers support under Linux based operating system.

[tags]hp,hewlett packard,printer,linux,opensource,ubuntu,foss,drivers,hardware,scanner,officejet[/tags]

Portable Pidgin Instant Messenger (Windows)

This is sweet! Ady Romantika has packaged a portable version of Pidgin which runs straight from USB drive!

Although the portable Pidgin only available under Windows operating system (just like other PortableApps applications), it is interesting to note that portable Pidgin allows you to try out Pidgin without installing it in your operating system.

Pidgin Gaim Open source instant messenger logo
You can download Portable Pidgin from this website : My Version of Pidgin Portable (.zip)

Other Resources

[tags]instant messenger,im,gaim,pidgin,portableapps,opensource,open source,windows[/tags]

The PC, Mac and Linux ads Spoof by Novell

Remember the Mac advertisement about PC and Mac from Apple? Here’s a spoof video made by Novell that adds Linux to the scene.

[coolplayer width=”425″ height=”350″ autoplay=”0″ loop=”0″ charset=”utf-8″ download=”1″ mediatype=””]
PC,Mac and Linux
[/coolplayer]

Download the high quality video from : Mac vs. PC: How Would Linux Fit?

[tags]linux,mac,windows,pc, computer,opensource,novell[/tags]

Download NetBSD Live! 2007 LiveCD

netbsd live mypapit

NetBSD Project has released NetBSD Live! 2007 based on NetBSD 4 Beta. The LiveCD comes with an array of softwares that include KDE 3.4.5 (includes KOffice), Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.6 (renamed Deer Park for copyright reasons), GIMP 2.2, vim 6.2.14, gcc 4.1.2 and various utilities for accesing foreign filesystems.

Instead of using the normal bsd bootloader, NetBSD Live! uses GNU GRUB that has been adapted for use with the livecd. NetBSD Live! offers 3 kernel; generic kernel, ACPI-enabled kernel and a Laptop-optimized kernel. These kernels are available for boot at the GRUB bootloader screen

Sadly, i’m unable to use the LiveCD on the laptop that i tried (Compaq Presario v2613), because the LiveCD can’t detect the laptop’s keyboard input. However I manage to get it work on my desktop, which works almost flawlessly.

I think it’s about time NetBSD has its own LiveCD. I always think LiveCD as a preview CD. which simplifies the task of demonstrating operating system and as a multipurpose rescue cd.

The NetBSD Live! 2007 iso is available from NetBSD mirrors or via Bittorrent

[tags]netbsd,bsd,livecd,distro,knoppix,freesbie[/tags]