Hidden Utilities in Ubuntu April 13, 2009
Posted by rsentana in : computer, linux, open source , add a commentThe original post is located here.
Ubuntu has alot of good stuff, and some if it is never talked about. So just for you, I’ve compiled a list of Ubuntu goodies that you’ve probably never heard of.
Control Panel Center
Believe it or not, Ubuntu has a control panel [correction: actually, it is Gnome Control Panel, but a lot of newbies might think it is only inherent to Ubuntu]. Firstly, it’s just called the control center, and secondly it’s kinda hidden.
To enable it, right click the Ubuntu menu from your panel and click “Edit Menus”. A new window titled “Main Menu” should appear. From the left pane, click “System”. In the right pane, you should see the Preferences, Administration, and Control Center. Check the box next to control Center, and you now will be able to see it under the System menu.
Music Player Applet
The music player applet allows you to control your music player from your panel and gives you information about the current track. It has a wide range music support, so don’t worry if you’re using something a bit different from everyone else [except SongBird].
To install, open terminal and type: sudo apt-get install music-applet
File Browser Applet
This applet allows you to turn any directory into a menu on your panel.
The menus will expand as long as you have folders, but it also will put a link at the top of each drop-down to open that folder. Multiple menus are also supported.
To install, open terminal and type: sudo apt-get install file-browser-applet
Mirage
Mirage is the equivelant of iTunes’ Genius, but it’s for Banshee. While this may not really be a “Ubuntu” secret, it certainly isn’t talked about too much (unless i haven’t notcied properly) and it is in the Ubuntu repos. It’s pretty simple to work with, and get. You just scan your library, then drag and drop a track into the playlist generator and then magically similar tracks will appear.
To install, open terminal and type: sudo apt-get install banshee-extension-mirage
OnBoard
This is an onscreen keyboard, and that’s all there really is to it, apart from the fact that you make your own layout.
If you want to enable this, right click the Ubuntu menu from your panel and click “Edit Menus”. From the left pane, click “Preferences”. Now in the right pane, scroll down to where there is an entry called “OnBoard” and check the empty checkbox next to it. Underneath it there is also the settings app for this program.
Also if you are looking for linux Handwriting Recognition, CellWriter has you covered.
