CPU and Memory monitor on Ubuntu Panel and Unity on Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

Unity users can easily monitor CPU and Memory usage by using indicator-sysmonitor application.

Conky mypapit ubuntu

To install it, you just need to add alexeftimie PPA repository using these simple command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexeftimie/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-sysmonitor

Note that this doesn't work on previous Ubuntu 10.xx releases.

Alternatively, you can install Conky by running the command:
sudo apt-get install conky

Conky mypapit ubuntu

Installing GNOME 3 on Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

Note that this is an unofficial way to install GNOME 3 on Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal), things might be broken, so proceed with caution.

Step 1: Add GNOME 3 PPA repository
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3

Then update the apt-get repository database by running:
sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install the Gnome 3 Desktop environment using this command
sudo apt-get install gnome-desktop3

Note that this might screw up your installation, you’ve been warned.

How to Embed Web Browser in Python GTK application using pymozembed

Embedding web browser or a screen for parsing HTML is easy in PyGTK. You only need to import the pymozembed, and add a few lines of code in your pygtk library, and you are set to go.

Here’s a sample PyGTK application that embeds a web-browser as well as a “Back” button for demonstration purpose :

PyGTK + browser Screenshot
PyMozEmbed PyGTK+ Mypapit Demo

[python]
#!/usr/bin/python
#
# demo by mypapit (info@mypapit.net) – Sept 2009
# http://blog.mypapit.net/
#
import pygtk
pygtk.require(‘2.0’)
import gtk
import gtkmozembed

class PyMoz:

def delete_event(self,widget,data=None):
print(“Exit”)
return False

def destroy(self,widget,data=None):
gtk.main_quit()

def button_clicked(self,widget,data):
data.go_back()

def __init__(self):
#init mozembed
self.moz = gtkmozembed.MozEmbed()
#create a Vertical Box Container to whole the browser
#and the “Back Button”
box = gtk.VBox(False,0)

#create a basic GTK+ window
win = gtk.Window()
win.add(box)

#create and connect “Back” button, to add functionality
self.button = gtk.Button(“Back”)
self.button.connect(“clicked”,self.button_clicked,self.moz)

#include both back button and the browser in the vertical box
#and the GTK+ window
box.pack_start(self.button,False,False,0)
box.pack_start(self.moz,True,True,0)

#load the URL
self.moz.load_url(‘http://blog.mypapit.net/’)

#set the window title
title=self.moz.get_title()
win.set_title(“browser demo”)

#show all the stuffs on screen
win.show_all()

#connect the delete_event and destroy event to make sure
#the app quits when the window is closed
win.connect(“delete_event”,self.delete_event)
win.connect(“destroy”,self.destroy)

if __name__ == “__main__”:
PyMoz()
gtk.main()

[/python]

Download demo source code : pymoz.py

Working hard publishing papers and learning PyGTK

For the last few weeks I’ve been working hard to finish up my research project, most of it concerning about on mobile phone application usability and context-aware applications. This leaves me with less  time to devote for this blog and I started to realise that I might have a ‘burn-out’ issue at the same time.

I’m still using Ubuntu in my daily work if you are curious (Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04 for netbook) and Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope for my Intel Core 2 Duo Desktop PC. Besides writing those research papers, I’ve use what left of my time to learn PyGTK to enable me to code RAD app for GNU/Linux desktop environment.

I found out the references around the internet regarding PyGTK is very helpful to aid me in understanding the GTK+ bindings in python, which is not much different from its C counterpart.

Now that I’ve some time to spare until Hari Raya, I’ll try to use that time wisely to fill up this blog with a couple more of fresh new posts. So, keep reading!

New GNOME Weather Applet does not have Alor Setar option!

I’m frustrated with the new GNOME Weather applet included with Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex. For some reason, my hometown is not included in the list.

Weather Applet

I wonder why, as my hometown is present in all previous releases of the Weather Applet. Seems now I can’t monitor the weather condition of my hometown (Alor Setar) anymore from my desktop :(

This bugs me as I use it occasionally to monitor weather conditions and to make decision on my ham radio activities.

Is your hometown / place listed on the Weather Applet?