1. Home/
    2. Archives / Ji m

Archives For jimingkui

Speed Up Firefox in Ubuntu 14.04 By Moving Cache to RAM

Last updated: December 21, 2014

speed up firefox

There are a variety of ways to improve your Firefox browser’s page load times. If you have a lot of RAM to spare in Ubuntu, moving Cache to RAM can speed up Firefox since computer can access data in RAM much faster than on a hard drive.

Firefox has a built-in feature that uses the browser cache in memory instead of disk. Below I’ll you how to enable it:

1. In address bar of Firefox, type in about:config and hit Enter. Click the button says “I’ll be careful, I promise!” to pass the warning page.

Firefox Advanced Settings

2. Stop Firefox from caching to disk.

In the filter bar, type in browser.cache.disk.enable. Double-click on the result line to set value to false.

Disable Cache to Hard Drive

3. Enable cache to RAM and assign cache size.

To enable cache to RAM, type “browser.cache.memory.enable” in the filter bar and make sure the value of result preference is true!

To assign cache size, create a new preference:

  • right click on blank area -> select “New” -> Integer
  • type in name “browser.cache.memory.capacity” (without quotes)
  • type in a value, number in KB (for example, 100000 means 100,000KB or 100MB). You can set the value to -1 to tell Firefox to dynamically determine the cache size.

Enable Memory cache

When everything’s done, restart Firefox and check out the cache information by going to the about:cache page.

Firefox Cache Information

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Howtos , ,
 permalink

[Quick Tip] Enable Telnet Service in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: December 20, 2014

Ubuntu-tips

This is quick tutorial that shows you how to install and setup a Telnet server in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

TELNET (TELetype NETwork) is a network protocol used on the Internet or local area network LAN connections. It allows one computer to access a command-line interface on a remote host.

Telnet is insecure because the communication is not encrypted, your password and all other data will be transmitted as clear text. If possible avoid Telnet, and use Secure Shell (SSH) instead.

If you really want to enable the Telnet in Ubuntu, just run the command below in text console (terminal) to install Telnet server:

sudo apt-get install xinetd telnetd

Install Telnet Server in Ubuntu

The Telnet service is started automatically once the installation is done. And you can either run telnet serverip or use a Telnet client (PuTTy, SecureCRT, etc.) to access this server.

Telnet Login

To change the port (default is 23), edit the /etc/services file with your favorite text editor. Find out and change the number in the line below:

telnet        23/tcp

To apply changes, you have to restart the service by running the command below:

sudo /etc/init.d/xinetd restart

More configurations, see this document.

In Howtos ,
 permalink

First Alpha Of Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet Available For Download

Last updated: September 29, 2017

Ubuntu 15.04 Alpha 1

The first alpha of the next Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet has been released today. It features images for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu GNOME, UbuntuKylin and the Ubuntu Cloud images.

NOTE Pre-releases of the Vivid Vervet are *not* encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent breakage. They are, however, recommended for Ubuntu flavor developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting and fixing bugs as we work towards getting this release ready.

Alpha 1 includes a number of software updates that are ready for wider testing. This is quite an early set of images, so you should expect some bugs.

  • Kubuntu 15.04: The Plasma 5 is now the default.
  • Ubuntu Gnome 15.04:
    • Gnome-shell is still 3.12 for now (hopefully by Alpha 2, we shall have 3.14).
    • Few applications have been updated to 3.14 (hopefully by Alpha 2, most of the applications will be 3.14).
    • gnome-terminal has transparency again.
    • Window control Button layouts have been reverted to upstream default (only close); use gnome-tweak-tool if you want to get back the other controls.

Download Ubuntu 15.04 Flavors:

  • Kubuntu 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/vivid/
  • Lubunuu 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/vivid/
  • Ubuntu Gnome 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-gnome/releases/vivid/
  • UbuntuKylin 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntukylin/releases/vivid/
  • Ubuntu Cloud 15.04: cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/vivid/

via: fridge.ubuntu.com

In News
 permalink

Linux Kernel 3.18.1 Is Available For Upgrade

Last updated: December 18, 2014

Linux Kernel 3.18.1

The first update of the latest Linux Kernel 3.18 series has been released recently. Greg Kroah-Hartman urges all users of this kernel series to upgrade as soon as possible.

Linux Kernel 3.18.1 is a small release which brings some fixes to wireless and alsa drivers. If you’re using the Asus Z99He laptop, a EAPD fixup has been added to solve “internal speaker not working” issue. For details, see the Linux Kernel Mailing List page.

How to Upgrade to Kernel 3.18.1 in Ubuntu:

The Ubuntu Kernel Team has made the packages for the new kernel release, available for download at the link below:

Download Kernel 3.18.1 .debs

First check out your OS type, 32-bit (i386) or 64-bit (amd64), then download and install the packages below in turn:

  1. linux-headers-3.18.1-031801_xxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.xxx_i386/amd64.deb
  3. linux-image-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.xxx_i386/amd64.deb

For Ubuntu Server edition with graphical session, run below commands one by one to download & install the kernel debs:

For 64-bit system, run:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-headers-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-headers-3.18.1-031801_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-image-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.18.1-*.deb linux-image-3.18.1-*.deb

For 32-bit system, run:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-headers-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-headers-3.18.1-031801_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.1-vivid/linux-image-3.18.1-031801-generic_3.18.1-031801.201412170637_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.18.1-*.deb linux-image-3.18.1-*.deb

Once done, restart the machine.

If for some reason, the new kernel does not work properly for you, reboot with the previous Kernel (Grub boot loader -> Advanced -> select previous kernel) and run below command to remove Linux Kernel 3.18.1:

sudo apt-get remove linux-headers-3.18.1-* linux-image-3.18.1-* && sudo update-grub

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Howtos ,
 permalink

Install Virtual CD/DVD Drive ‘CDemu’ in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: December 17, 2014

CDemu Vritual CD DVD drive

Looking for a virtual cd/dvd drive software for Ubuntu? CDemu is an open-source software suite designed to emulate an optical drive and disc (including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs) on Linux.

CDEmu consists of:

  • a kernel module implementing a virtual drive-controller
  • libmirage which is a software library for interpreting optical disc images
  • a daemon which emulates the functionality of an optical drive+disc
  • textmode and GTK clients for controlling the emulator

Optical media emulated by CDemu can be mounted within Linux. Automounting is also allowed.

cdemu GTK client

Install CDemu in Ubuntu 14.04:

There is an unofficial PPA repository that contains the CDemu packages for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and Linux Mint 17.

To add the PPA, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal. When it opens, run the command below and type in your user password when it asks:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cdemu/ppa

After added the PPA, update system package lists and install the emulator by running below commands one by one:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gcdemu cdemu-client

Install cdemu in Ubuntu

Once installed, start the GTK client gCDEmu from the Dash or Menu. Or run cdemu -h to get the command line help.

In Howtos ,
 permalink

Install Battle for Wesnoth 1.12.0 In Ubuntu 14.04/14.10

Last updated: December 16, 2014

Battle For Wesnoth in Ubuntu

The Battle for Wesnoth game has reached a new stable series by releasing the 1.12.0 release. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu from PPA.

The Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy video game with a fantasy setting, featuring both single-player, and online/hotseat multiplayer combat. In Wesnoth, the player attempts to build a powerful army by controlling villages and defeating enemies for experience. The game is loosely based on the Sega Genesis games Master of Monsters and Warsong.

The latest Wesnoth 1.12.0 was released a few days ago, which brings forth loads of new features for players and content creators, as well as a vast number of bug fixes and small enhancements. A new multiplayer faction, a refurnished game interface, and an improved map editor comprise only a small fraction of the changes this new version has to offer to veterans from previous versions.

For details, go to the official web page.

Screenshots:

wesnoth-1.12.0-1 wesnoth-1.12.0-2
wesnoth-1.12.0-3 wesnoth-1.12.0-4
wesnoth-1.12.0-5 wesnoth-1.12.0-6
wesnoth-1.12.0-7 wesnoth-1.12.0-8

How to Install Battle for Wesnoth 1.12.0 in Ubuntu:

An unofficial PPA has made the new release into PPA, available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10 and Linux Mint 17.

To install the game, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run the commands below one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:vincent-c/wesnoth

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install wesnoth-1.12

Above commands will add the PPA repository, update your system package cache, and finally download & install the game.

In Howtos ,
 permalink

Install Synapse Application Launcher in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: December 14, 2014

synapse app launcher

Synapse is a powerful app launcher for Ubuntu Linux, which allows to start applications as well as find and access relevant documents & files by making use of the Zeitgeist engine.

Synapse supports keyboard shortcuts. By default, you can:

  1. press Ctrl+Space on keyboard to bring up the search box
  2. type anything and use top/down arrow keys to navigate among results.
  3. finally hit Enter to start application or open the document or file.

Synapse launcher in Ubuntu 14.04

With the default enabled plugins, Synapse launcher also allows you to:

  • find and execute arbitrary commands
  • calculate basic expressions
  • log out current session and lock screen
  • shutdown, restart, suspend, hibernate computer
  • share images using imgur
  • connect to host with SSH
  • search the web.

synapse-ssh-command

Install Synapse in Ubuntu 14.04:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run commands below one by one to add Synapse stable PPA, update system cache and install the program:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:synapse-core/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install synapse

If you don’t want to add the PPA, download & install the synapse and synapse-dbg packages(.deb packages) from the launchpad page.

Once installed, open the program from the Dash or Menu. When it opens, you can configure the auto-start, keyboard shortcuts, and plugins from the indicator menu preferences window.

Synapse launcher preferences

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Howtos ,
 permalink

Install Mac OS X-Style Dock Launcher in Ubuntu 15.04/14.10

Last updated: December 13, 2014

OS X style app launcher in Ubuntu

Want the Mac OS X-style Dock application launcher on Ubuntu desktop? Well, Plank is the open-source project to approach the job.

Below is my Unity desktop with Plank dock (Unity Launcher is hidden).

OS X like dock in Ubuntu

Plank is meant to be the simplest dock on the planet. The goal is to provide just what a dock needs and absolutely nothing more.

To install it, open terminal from the Dash (or press Ctrl+Alt+T). When it opens, run the commands below one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/docky

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install plank

Above commands add the developer’s PPA, update system cache and finally install the dock. Works on Ubuntu 15.04, Ubuntu 14.10, and the two LTS (Ubuntu 14.04 & 12.04).

Once installed, start the dock from the Dash / Menu. You can add app shortcuts by opening an application and then pin the shortcut to dock from its context menu.

To configure the dock, right click on the first icon on the dock and select Preferences. There you can change theme, position, icon size, auto-hide behavior, and more.

Plank dock settings window

There are only 3 themes available by default. You can download & install the Plank Themer to get 25 more themes, just download & install the “plank-themer_***_all.deb” package via Ubuntu Software Center.

To autostart Plank dock at login, open Startup Applications utility from the Dash and add plank into the list.

Autostart Plank

In Howtos
 permalink

How to Stream Android Music / Audio to Ubuntu over WIFI

Last updated: December 12, 2014

stream audio from android to ubuntu

Want your Android Phone’s music plays out of the Ubuntu machine’s speaker over WIFI? Well, here’s step by step howto using DLNA/UPnP. Tested with Ubuntu 14.04 and LG E960 (Nexus 4).

First take a look at result. Android phone plays music, and sound comes out of my Ubuntu laptop’s speaker.

Steam music from Android to Ubuntu

To get started, first do below steps in Ubuntu machine:

1. Open Terminal from the Dash/Menu, run below command to install rygel, PulseAudio Preferences, and Volume Control utilities.

sudo apt-get install rygel rygel-gst-launch rygel-tracker rygel-playbin rygel-preferences wavpack paprefs pavucontrol

Type in your user password when it asks and answer yes to confirm the install process.

Install PulseAudio Preferences utility

2.Open PulseAudio Preferences utility from the Unity Dash or Application Menu. When it opens, check to enable every option under Network Server tab.

Setup DLNA/UPnP server

3. Finally start the rygel service by running command rygel in terminal window so that your Android phone can see Ubuntu machine.

Start Rygel Service in Ubuntu

Leave the terminal window open as long as you want to stream the music plays.

Now do below steps in Android device:

First you need a music player with DLNA/UPnP support. Here I installed the BubbleUPnP from Google Play.

1. Open the DLNA/UPnP player/client and select Ubuntu machine as audio renderer. In my case, it’s Audio/Video playback on trusty (see the picture below).

Select Renderer

Restart Ubuntu machine and start the rygel service if you don’t see it in the drop-down list.

2. Now browser music from library (Both local and remote libraries are OK), add to playlist and play them. Depends on the required bandwidth, there might be a time delay before music starts playing.

Here the sound from Ubuntu machine’s speaker? If not, make sure you have selected the right output from Ubuntu’s sound setting utility.

Select Sound output

In Howtos
 permalink

Install Nuvola Player 2.5 in Ubuntu 14.10 / Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: December 10, 2014

Nuvola Player

Quick tutorial shows you how to install the latest release of Nuvola Cloud Music Player 2 the official way in Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04 and derivatives such as Linux Mint 17/17.1.

Nuvola Player is a free and open-source player that runs web interface of cloud music service in its own window and provides integration with a Linux desktop (system tray, Ubuntu sound menu, dock menu and notifications).

Currently available services in Nuvola Player 2.x are:

  • Amazon Cloud Player
  • Bandcamp
  • Deezer
  • 8tracks
  • Google Play Music
  • Grooveshark
  • Hype Machine
  • Logitech Media Server
  • Pandora
  • Rdio
  • This Is My Jam.

Nuvola Player select music services

The latest 2.5 version has been released recently which added new music services Jango, Spotify, Grooveshark Mobile (HTML5) support.

Nuvola Player Spotify

Install Nuvola Player in Ubuntu the official way:

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+T or search & open terminal from the Unity Dash.

Open Terminal

2. (64bit systems only – amd64 architecture) When the terminal opens, run the command to enable multiarch:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

3. Run command to add the Nuvola Player stable repository for Ubuntu. So for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 12.04 and derivatives are supported.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nuvola-player-builders/stable

Type in your user password when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

4. After that, you have to refresh the system package cache:

sudo apt-get update

5. For the flash plugin as well as dependencies, you have to install system updates:

sudo apt-get ugprade

Add Nuvola Player repository

6. Finally install the player via your package manager or just run the command:

sudo apt-get install nuvolaplayer

Once installed, open the player from the Dash or Menu and enjoy!

In Howtos
 permalink