Ubuntu 11.04 – A Review

The open source OS just got a whole lot better.


Ubuntu has just released ‘Natty Narwhal’, the latest Linux operating system that is available for a free download from it’s website. The OS, featuring the Unity desktop, is sleek, fast and very easy on the eye.

Interface


With a simplistic interface that is very easy to navigate through, Ubuntu 11.04 is a fun experience. It boasts a launcher on the left of the screen, that plays host to your quick-access icons. This is, of course, customizable.

A dash is also a new feature in Ubuntu 11.04. On the top left of the screen, there is a Ubuntu logo which when clicked opens up shortcuts to your favourite programs. Additionally, you can work in four workspaces.

Applications, Web and Ubuntu Software Centre

Ubuntu offers many in-built applications like the Mozilla Firefox 4 web browser, Adobe Flash, Liferea feed reader for your RSS feeds (integrates seamlessly with Google Reader), the LibreOffice package that is a useful substitute for users of Microsoft Office, instant messengers like Pidgin, the Banshee audio player and many more. The popular Google Chrome web browser can be downloaded too.


If you feel the need to download new applications, the Ubuntu Software Centre has them all. Simply head over to the Software Centre, discover thousands of new applications and download them instantly.

The advantage, as is with all Linux-based operating systems, is that Ubuntu is completely virus-free. Updates are released every six months and can be downloaded for free from the Ubuntu website.

Ubuntu has also introduced Ubuntu One. Create an account in Ubuntu One and sync all your files across your operating systems. They would be present on the cloud, and can be accessed from anywhere.

How To Download Ubuntu

Ubuntu can be downloaded from the website directly, or via torrents. It can be directly downloaded on to a USB drive or a CD-ROM and can be installed from there.

To make installation easier, try the Wubi Ubuntu installer for Windows. Ubuntu can be installed directly from your Windows OS using Wubi.

Verdict

The new Ubuntu is much better than previous editions of the Linux-based operating system. Unity makes navigation a great experience, and the presence of applications completes the operating system, just like Windows or the Mac OS. You can always switch to the GNOME desktop, if Unity doesn’t work for you. Overall, Ubuntu 11.04 is quick, simple, free and fun to use.

[For more information, visit the Ubuntu website.]

Access Your Music Everywhere With mSpot

mSpot – Music on the cloud.


mSpot is a free music service that stores all your favorite music on its servers, and allows you to access the music from anywhere.

Download the music uploading software from mSpot and select all the music you want to upload to mSpot.

Log in to mSpot from anywhere, and access your music collection. To access music on your phones, download the mSpot apps available on Android and Apple’s App Store.

The service offers upto 5 GB of storage free.

Related Reading: More Music Tips

Download Internet Explorer 9 Beta

Internet Explorer’s newest Beta version is available for download.


Microsoft has released the Beta edition of Internet Explorer 9. It can be downloaded from the Internet Explorer 9 website.

The browser has introduced a speed dial, adds suggested sites, has a brand new design and is more secure. You can read more about the new features on the website itself.

The Beta version is available for Windows Vista and Windows 7 only.

vChatter – Facebook Video Chat

Chat with your Facebook friends via video.


vChatter is a Facebook application that enables video chatting in Facebook’s instant messenger.

Head to vChatter and connect the application with Facebook. Once in Facebook, enable chat and you can then ping any of your friends who are online at that instant. Allow access to your computer’s web camera and start chat.

Related Reading: More on Instant Messaging

Epic Web Browser

An India-themed web browser from the folks at Mozilla.


Mozilla have come out with a web browser that has been designed keeping India in mind. The India-themed web browser has a similar interface to the popular Firefox web browser.


It also adds extra features, like the ability to write in Indian languages, view live cricket scores and open a summary of news headlines from various Indian news sources. The themes and wallpapers it offers are India-special.

The browser also provides social networking services like Facebook, Twitter and Orkut on it’s sidebar that makes it easier to directly access these popular websites.

Epic browser is available for a free download from it’s website. [Download Epic Browser]

Windows Live Messenger For iPhone

Download the official Windows Live Messenger for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. For free.

Microsoft has released an official edition of the Windows Live Messenger for users of its Hotmail service.


You can download the app for free from the App Store. The service is also linked with Facebook, where in you can comment on your friends’ statuses from Windows Live.

Download Windows Live Messenger for the iPhone here.

Related Reading: More Apple Tips

How To Download And Install Apple iOS 4

iOS 4 is Apple’s latest operating system for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. For free.


Apple has released the iOS 4 operating system for the iPhone and iPod Touch. If you are purchasing an iPhone 4, it comes built-in with that particular model.


Users of iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and the iPod Touch (Not all models) can download the iOS from iTunes.


Simply connect your phone/iPod to your Mac or PC with the USB connector and open iTunes.

Once your device connects and syncs, an option will pop up asking you to authorize the download of the iOS 4. [Click ‘Check for Update’ as shown above]

You have to accept terms and proceed to download the 366 MB file. Once that is done, it will install on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

WHAT IF IT DOESN’T WORK THIS WAY?

If you cannot download the iOS 4 because of a lost network connection or any other unforeseen error, then you can download the .ipsw package that contains the iOS from here. Remember to download the specific version for your iPhone or iPod from the list.


Now, create a backup of your iPhone or iPod Touch. To do this, right-click your iPod/iPhone device as shown above and select ‘Back Up’.

Once you have backed up your device, you should do this. Shift+Restore and double-click the .ipsw file.

Your phone will now be restored to default settings and iOS 4 will be installed.

After iOS 4 is installed, you can take a look at it on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You will find that all of your data is now erased.

Now, you must restore the iPod/iPhone to your original settings (and data).

iTunes will ask you to either set your device up as a New device or restore your last backup to the device.

Choose to restore the latest backed-up iPhone/iPod and allow the syncing to take place. It will take a while if you have backed up a lot of data.

Once this backup is complete, your iPhone/iPod will now have both the iOS 4 and the data from your back-up.

Read in detail about the new features of the iOS 4 here.

Related Reading: iPhone 4

FixIt – Instantly Resolve Common Windows Errors

Microsoft’s new tool helps you fix common Windows errors. With a click.


FixIt is a free Microsoft tool that automatically resolves common Windows errors, offering instant troubleshooting.

Simply head to FixIt Center and download the freeware. The Center offers a list of common Windows problems and the option to solve the issue with a single click.

You can view details of the errors and view reports of how specific errors were resolved, and which are yet to be resolved.

The tool is similar to another freeware called FixWin. You can read about it here.

Latest: The Beta test is currently closed. Watch this space for updates.

Official Twitter App For iPhone

Tweetie is now available as the official Twitter app for the iPhone/iPod Touch. For free.


Twitter has released it’s official app for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. You can download it for free from the App Store.

It is a version of the popular Tweetie app that was priced at $2.99 in the App Store. But Twitter For iPhone is available for a free download.

Get it here.

Related Reading: More Twitter Tips

Echofon For Mac

Popular Twitter client Echofon is now available for the Mac OS.


Echofon has released a Mac version of it’s popular client for Firefox, iPhone and iPod Touch.

The Twitter client is available for a free download on it’s website. You can also sync the client with your iPhone’s Echofon to have unread tweets available on the iPhone.

Related Reading: Twitter Tips

Download Opera Mini for iPhone

Opera Mini web browser comes to the Apple iPhone.


The popular mobile web browser, Opera Mini, is now available for download on the iPhone.

Head to the iTunes App Store in your iPhone or iPod Touch and get the app. It is free of cost.

6-Month Free Subscription To McAfee Antivirus Software

If you are a user of Facebook, then you can try McAfee’s Antivirus Plus for 6 months. For free.


Facebook and McAfee have partnered to give away a free 6-month subscription to McAfee security software.


All you are required to do is become a fan of McAfee’s page on Facebook to obtain your complimentary subscription to the software.

You can also share it with your friends, and spread the message on Facebook.

FixWin – Fix Windows Issues in Seconds

Fix common Windows issues with a single click.


FixWin is a lightweight application that corrects common Windows errors with a single click.

The utility basically lists over 50 common errors that your Windows operating system might be having, and repairs them with a single click (as shown in the screenshot above).

The makers of this useful tool suggest that a system file check is first done, after which you should setup a restore point (basically a point to which you can come back in case you have made changes to your operating system you do not like) and then proceed to fix issues.

It is also recommended that you reboot your system in between fixes.

The tool offers fixes in your explorer, internet, media tools and other system tools.

Download FixWin [Free download for Windows operating systems Vista and 7].

Related Reading: 30 Ways to Instantly Speed Up Your PC

RocketDock Application Launcher

RocketDock – a useful desktop application launcher.


Ever wanted an Apple Mac-style dock for launching applications instantly, instead of a normal desktop full of icons? You can try RocketDock.

RocketDock is a completely customizable application launcher, that is very useful in launching commonly used Windows applications and folders instantly.

The application would contains links (as shown in the screenshot above) of applications that you choose to put in the dock. The application is available for download, free of cost.

Related Reading: Launch applications in seconds with Launchy

A Video Monitoring Software For Your PC Or Mac

Vitamin D – Monitors your home or office, verifies people and does much more.


Vitamin D is a very interesting video monitoring tool, that helps you optimize upon what your PC or Mac’s web cameras or other network cameras capture.

You can install the Beta edition of Vitamin D, which provides various features like people recognition, highlight reels of when there was any activity and identifies based upon previously recorded videos.

Check out the video demo of Vitamin D here.

Download Vitamin D Beta. [For PC and Mac]

Send Short Notes To Your Email

Scribbly is a lightweight application that allows you to send important notes to your email inbox.


Send short scribbles to your email address with a very useful lightweight application called Scribbly.

The freeware has a simple interface, where you can set up notes to be sent to your email address for future reference. Scribbly uses Adobe AIR.

If you are a user of GMail, organize notes effectively by creating a filter for emails from Scribbly and automatically labelling them. Learn more here.

Web Downloads Made Easy With Orbit Downloader

Downloads from MySpace, YouTube or Rapidshare are better managed with Orbit Downloader, a free tool.


Orbit Downloader is a download manager that you must use if you surf on social websites like MySpace and YouTube, and have to download music or videos from them.

Orbit is also a good service for you to manage downloads from multimedia sharing websites like RapidShare. With the freeware, you can manage your downloads and make the process easier.

Download Orbit Downloader [For Windows]

Post Longer Tweets With Twitzer

Twitzer – A Firefox add-on that helps you exceed the 140-character tweet limit on Twitter.


Ever wanted to tweet more text, but were restricted by the 140-character limit in Twitter? Well, install Twitzer, a Firefox add-on, to get over that problem.

Twitzer allows you to type longer text, which it then converts into a special URL, restricting your tweet to a total of 140 characters, for your followers on Twitter to read.

All you would require to do is to right-click and select the option to ‘Twitzer’ the text, which would create a URL. Twitzer even expands short URLs for you.

Install Twitzer for Firefox [Size: 22 KB]

Related Reading: Everything About Twitter

Automate Common Windows Tasks

Do It Again – a useful tool that completes routine tasks automatically.


Do It Again is a very useful free tool that completes common tasks in Windows automatically. All you have to do is perform the task once, which would be recorded like a macro by Do It Again.

The next time you need to perform the same task again, simply open Do It Again and select the particular task and watch it being done.

You can set various common tasks to be done again, like burning a CD or regularly emptying the Recycle Bin.

Download Do It Again. [For Windows]

5 Useful Free Tools From Microsoft

Free downloads from Microsoft, that help you do useful stuff.


1. Microsoft SharedView


Microsoft SharedView is the company’s response to Google Wave. Work, share and collaborate in real-time with SharedView. All you require is a Windows Live ID, and you can work together with upto 15 people.

Read our full post on SharedView.

2. Windows Live Writer


A very useful tool that is available as a free download from Microsoft is the Windows Live Writer. Live Writer is basically a writing interface for bloggers. It makes content publishing on various blogging platforms much easier to go with, as does it simplify easy uploading of photos and videos on blogs.

Get Windows Live Writer.

3. Windows SteadyState


Working on your computer in a shared environment? Do you have multiple users logging in to your PC every now and then? Well, you should download Windows SteadyState from Microsoft to ensure that your computer stays the same, irrespective of how many are using it.

Windows SteadyState protects privacy and settings of custom users. The application works on Windows XP and Vista.

Get Windows SteadyState.

4. Windows Mail


A useful substitute to Microsoft Outlook, Windows Mail essentially allows you to access multiple web-based mail accounts in a dedicated email client. Mail may not be as extensive as Outlook, but makes it easier to work with web-based email accounts in one interface.

Get Windows Mail.

5. Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery is a photo management tool from Microsoft, that allows you to easily work with and share photos uploaded from a digital camera onto your computer. You can also edit your photos with Photo Gallery’s features.

Get Photo Gallery.