Ubuntu Linux – Replacing Windows – Day 4

3 March 2009 1 views 3 Comments

Ubuntu in 7 Days: Day 4

Day1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

In this part, Day 4, I will be describing the essential software and applications that is required for me to work on this OS. I am hoping that I will never look back at Windows. Will it be so?

Internet Browser – Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is the the default browser that comes with Ubuntu or rather all Linux distribution. It is fast and secure. I have been using this for many years on my Windows machine and am totally comfortable with it in Ubuntu.

There is nothing much I can say about this. For basic web surfing, this is all you need.

Flash & Java

You cant live without these two on the Internet. Almost all sites are loaded with Flash animation and movies. Want to watch Youtube video clips? You gotta have Flash running. It is so perverse that it gets irritating sometimes. Imagine you are on a slow connection, you will be waiting forever. But that is a remote possibility as almost all of us have high speed connection.

Flash Installation

1. Go to http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer.

Ensure the download is for Linux x86.
Select ‘deb for Ubuntu 8.04′ from the drop down list.
Click Agree and Install.

2. Click ‘Save File’ and save to Desktop.
You should be able to see the package in the desktop.

3. Double Click the downloaded package on the Desktop

4. Click Install Package and let it install.

After installation is completed, restart your PC and launch your browser.
Try to surf any website with Flash content, it should be loaded.

Java Installation

Java is secure and platform independent application that developers love. All the developers gotta do is develop on one machine and all their applications will work across any Operating System. Be it Windows, Linux or Mac. In order for the app to work each OS must have a base Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.

I often do Internet Banking and this is important as all logon require Java to do proper authentication. So we shall proceed to install the JRE for Ubuntu Linux.

1. Click Application >> Add/Remove Applications

2. In the search box key in ‘java’
If nothing shows up ensure ‘All open source applications’ is selected

3. Tick the ‘OpenJDK Java 6 Runtime’ and Click Apply Changes

4. You will the following screen. Click Install All

5. After completion, restart your PC.

6 Launch your browser and go to http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 .

This is to verify that your Java is properly installed.

7. You might get a message that it is not the latest version.

But look closely it will tell that you have Java Version 6 Update 10 (or higher). No issues there. Leave it as it is.

The Players

Lets start with Media Players. I will need MP3 audio files play without any hassle, and it is supported by many application in Windows. Knowing MP3 codec is actually a proprietary format I was wondering if it will work in Ubuntu.

The default players in Ubuntu 8.10 – Totem Player & Rythmbox Music Player. Click Applications >> Sound and Video. This where your A/V applications exist. I don’t like these applications at all. It plays almost all music format you throw at it. If the codec is not present normally it goes out to find one and install upon your confirmation. MP3 codec is not installed by default, so lets get along to installing it. I will show you other players later on.

Rythmbox Music Player

There is nothing much to complain about this application. It is a simple and straight forward application to play your music.

1. Click Applications >> Sound & Video >> Rythmbox Music Player

On the left you the Library. This where you can view your playlist and albums if you have added your music to it.

To import your your music file or folder. Click Music >> Import File or Import Folder. Locate the folder and Click Open.

Since Ubuntu does not come with the MP3 codec by default, you will see the pop up to search and install the necessary codec.

Click on Search.

Select both options and click Intall.

If you notice, the second option is to install the necessary video codec. This will install the divx codec and others which can allow you to play video files.
Let it install and you are done. Now you will be able to play the mp3 files.

Totem Player

I have nothing much to say about this player. As long as the relevant codec’s are installed, this fella will play it.

Remember installing GStream ffmpeg earlier. Well, now divx movies are playable.

Just open any folder that contains a video file and this player will be there to save

The Editors

I have two more applications that need to be working. These are the Audio editor and video editor. In Windows, I normally use the Audacity. Main purpose is actually to rip my CD to mp3 and some other audio editing.

The Video editor of choice is Adobe Premiere Elements. Will there be a replacement or alternative to these two apps that I use?

Audio Editor

Audacity is an open source editor and is available for Linux users too. This solves my headache of finding a compatible or similar alternative.

Audacity can be installed easily, it is available in the repositories and supported by Ubuntu.

1. Click Applications >> Add/Remove Applications

In the Search key in “Audacity”.

Ensure “All Open Source Application” is selected from the drop down menu.

2. Click “Apply Changes” and let it proceed to install.

Cinelerra Video Editing for Linux

Cinelerra Video editor is one powerful editor. I will write a different review later on but here is how to install.

1. Got to Cinelerra.org and select Get Cinelerra on the left menu. Click here for Ubuntu Linux.

2. Follow the instruction as it is pretty straight forward.

3. Double click on the link I have underlined in red. Save the file to your desktop.

4. Double click the saved file and let it install.

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5. Click Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal

6. Key in ‘sudo apt-get update’ press enter

7. Key in ‘sudo apt-get install cinelerra’ press enter

8. You will need to key in ‘y’ to agree to installation.

9. Complete installation.

10. Cinelerra is installed to Applications >> Sound & Video

Conclusion

So here you are. Your basic needs to play any or almost any media has been solved. Your basic editing needs are there and quite met. Yes, you have to take sometime to learn the different application but isn’t that why you wanted to try out Ubuntu Linux?

Go ahead and explore and enjoy the adventure.