Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
Today I got an email from a mailing list I am currently subscribed to and someone pointed out that a new version of Skype for Linux was released. The last release of Skype for Linux (2.0.x) was indeed plauged with bugs, refused to let me (or any one else I know) use both mics built into my Dell laptop. Video would stutter, drop calls were frequent, and crashes happened more often than not. All in all by any real definition Skype sucks. Unfortunately, the OS X client works well (although still not as well as the Windows one) but still lacked the full love of the dev team. Worst of all, Skype just has not worked since I (and a friend of mine) switched to Jaunty (Actually Linux Mint 7) and Pulse audio is the new default. A few weeks ago, the Skype for Linux blog was updated saying a new beta was on the way. Beta? Nearly a year of work and all you have is a new Beta? For a second I was confused but then I remembered this is Skype, closed source, take it or leave it, Skype.
Mozilla Prism – Blurring the web, desktop, and mobile apps
When visiting my friend Mark, he introduced me to a simple app called fluid. This OS X application captures web apps and lets you run them as embedded in a window like a native application. Then he showed me why that was even significant. He then pulled up a digg link he made. Then a reddit one. He continued to show off other cool features and stuff. Then he told me some sad news. Fluid is only for OS X. Then after he knew he had crushed my spirits, he told me about prism being "The one for Linux." When I finally got-round to checking it out, I realized I had indeed heard about it a while back and that being more than just "the Linux one" it was fully cross platform.
Tweaking Firefox
Firefox has grown a lot over the last few years. It's US market share is currently greater than 21%. With so many of us on line every day, that means a huge chunk of people are using Firefox. By no means is Firefox the best browser in every aspect but because is does a damn fine job at the majority of things. It is constantly becoming better using thanks to the active community of developers and users. The best thing though, is it modular architecture. The Gecko engine that they use allows people write many useful plug-ins while also allowing users to easily tweak many settings to improve performance. Taking a look at my favorites, you will hopefully see why Firefox remains my preferred browser.
Updated Block Lists
Yesterday I posted about tweaking Deluge. In there I also talked about the block lists.Today I decided I would take the time to update the script that compiles all the blocklists to one file every weekend.
Tweaking Deluge
Yesterday I noted that I prefer the Deluge BitTorrent client for my torrenting (is that a word yet?) listing several reasons. Today I want to show you how to set it up to maximize its usefulness. From configuring network connection settings, to setting up the block list plug-in, there are plenty of features to tweak for more speed and reliability. Going tab by tab (in the settings window) I will be sure to point out what is most important.
Current Poll
Current Netbook OS
- Major Desktop Linux (Ubuntu UNR, OpenSUSE, Fedora, etc...) (75%, 3 Votes)
- Lightwight Linux (Puppy, #!, DSL, etc...) (25%, 1 Votes)
- Factory Custom Linux (Linpus, Xandros, etc...) (0%, 0 Votes)
- Windows XP Home (0%, 0 Votes)
- Windows 7 Starter (0%, 0 Votes)
- OS X (Hackintosh) (0%, 0 Votes)
- Custom Linux (Arch, Gentoo, LFS, Slack, etc...) (0%, 0 Votes)
- Somthing totally mindblowing? (Quad boot OS X, Win7, Chromium OS, Ubuntu off 2 SSD and 2 SDHC cards!?!) (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 4
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- Siva Prasad on Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
- giancarlo on Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
- Tim Goodwin on Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
- NC on Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
- MoM and Gummaw on Skype Beta – Testing nearly 18 Months of Work
