How to install Gnome 3 on Ubuntu 11.04

May 21, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 29 Comments

The default desktop in Ubuntu 11.04 is its own Unity. While some people liked Unity, many just don’t like it in comparison to good old GNOME. The latest version GNOME 3 has been released and is supported by Fedora 15 and OpenSUSE. While Ubuntu has decided to stay away from GNOME, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy the new, sleek and smart-looking GNOME 3. In looks I found GNOME 3 better than Unity. While in functioning (in my opinion) both are similar. GNOME3 can be installed by means of an external PPA.

Follow these simple steps to install Gnome 3:

Installing the GNOME3:

Open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3

Now run this command to update the system:

sudo apt-get update

Now upgrade the system with the following command:

sudo apt-get upgrade

Use the following command to install Gnome 3 shell:

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

Running the GNOME3:

Restart your computer. While at login (after clicking the user name and before entering the password), form the bottom of the desktop, out of various available options like Ubuntu, Ubuntu Classic etc choose Gnome Shell. If you choose Ubuntu you will still be in Unity, not in GNOME. Here is a snapshot of my GNOME3 desktop.

A word of warning:

This installation of GNOME3 may break the Unity system. Don’t panic. A simple un-installation of GNOME3 will fix the problem.

Uninstall GNOME3:

Uninstalltion of GNOME3 is done by running the following command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge sudo ppa-purge ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3

To get rid of the Ugly themes:

As suggested by a reader staticvoid if you don’t want to be greeted by ugly themes when your pc restarts do:
sudo apt-get remove gnome-accessibility-themes sudo apt-get install gnome-themes-standard

If you liked the post, don’t forget to rate/like the post. It is a token of appreciation that helps me in keeping my enthusiasm. Feedback, suggestions and a simple word of thanks is more than welcomed. Enjoy

How to know if I’m running 32 bit or 64 bit Ubuntu?

May 7, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 11 Comments

There are several ways to know the architecture of the Ubuntu you are using. I prefer “uname” command to find it out.

Type in the terminal: uname -a

Output: Linux desktop-name 2.6.38-8-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Mon Apr 11 03:31:24 UTC 2011 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Conclusion: x86_64 (or i686) denotes 64 bit and x86 (or i386) represents 32 bit.

Extra: To know the processor: “uname -p”

To know the hardware platform: “uname -i”

To know machine hardware name: “uname -m”

In all the above cases: x86_64 (or i686) denotes 64 bit and x86 (or i386) represents 32 bit.

How to run ex_ file by converting ex_ to exe file

April 11, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 15 Comments

Recently I came across a new type of file format which is “ex_” instead of “exe“. First I tried executing it by simply renaming it from “filename.ex_” to “filename.exe” but it did not work that way. “ex_” is actually compressed form of “exe” files and they need to be expanded. The most suitable way is to use command line. Follow the given steps:

Open the command prompt by going to “Start->All Programs->Accessories->Run” and then type “cmd” in Run window. Run can also be opened by pressing “Windows button + r“
In the command prompt go to the folder where your file “filename.ex_” is stored. For ease I would suggest you to manually copy the file into C drive. Make a new folder named say “new“
If you are in different directory than C then type “cd ..” and press enter. Do it a couple of time until you are :C directory.
Now use the command: expand filename.ex_ c:newfilename.exe
This command may result in following error: EXPAND.EXE Error Msg: Can’t Open Output File
The reason is very simple. You might not have write permission for the “filename.ex_” or for the folder “new” or for both
Right click on the file/folder and select properties. If the “Read Only” box is checked, de-select it.
Now run the previous command again. Use the expanded file in .exe format wherever you want.

Questions and Suggestions are welcomed. Enjoy

Sources: Microsoft

How to install Windows application (.exe) on Linux / Ubuntu with Wine

April 10, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 6 Comments

As a new Linux user I always miss Windows for some of the applications that are not available on Linux. Booting the computer to go back to Windows just to use some specific software is a real pain. And that made me think how to install Windows programs i.e. .exe files in Linux? This task can be accomplished by the use of Wine application on Linux OS. To use this application you don’t have to be a member of a real wine club 😛

Jokes apart, Wine offers a compatibility layer that allows Linux users to run Windows application on Linux based OS.This tutorial describes the necessary steps to install a Windows application on Linux. The tutorial is based on Ubuntu but similar steps can be followed for other Linux OS as well.

Install Wine application on Ubuntu. You can use Synaptic Package Manager or use this command: sudo apt-get install wine
In this tutorial I am trying to install Rynga, a VoIP application. Download the .exe file of the application. Right click on it and choose properties. In the properties dialogue box go to the Permissions tab. In here check the Allow executing the file as program box.
Now go to the open with tab and select Wine Windows program loader. Close it.
Now double click the .exe file and follow the usual Next-Next step as in Windows.

I wish this tutorial helped you to install Windows programs in Linux. Questions and suggestions are welcome.

P.S. Compatibility issues may be there with some applications.

How to run or install .bin files in Ubuntu (Unix)

April 9, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 2 Comments

Being a beginner with Unix OS is a painful but interesting experience. I guess I learn almost everyday few things which might be very basic but definitely challenging for a newbie like me. Few days back I wanted to install Adobe Reader on my Ubuntu 10.10. Most of the ready to install packages for Ubntu are in .deb format which can be installed like an executable file in Windows. But this package was in .deb format. Interesting! I thought. This one is not click and install package but it requires no extra terrestrial effort for sure. Following steps should be taken:

Open the terminal and go in the directory where the /deb package is saved
Change the access rights / permission for the .deb file/package. Most easy way is to give all rights (read, write and execute) to all users by following command: chmod a+x name_of_file.bin
Now run the file with the following command: sudo ./name_of_file.bin

How to update Google Chrome

March 16, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 1 Comment

Ever think of updating your Google Chrome web browser? Usually Chrome doesn’t notify for updates like Mozilla Firefox does. It claims that it updates automatically but if you want to check whether you are running the latest stable version of Google Chrome you can do it easily by checking the setting options. It also updates the browser from the same options Follow these simple steps:

Look for the “wrench” symbol in the top-right corner of browser. Click on it and choose “About Google Chrome”.

Clicking on “About Google Chrome” opens a Dialogue box which states the current version you are using and also tells you to download if a newer version is available.

Once it finishes the download it asks you to restart the browser.

On the contrary, if you are running the latest version, the screen looks like:

Enjoy

How to install and run Nessus on Ubuntu, Linux or other Unix like OS

March 14, 2011 By Abhishek Prakash 7 Comments

Nessus is a great network security tool but installing it correctly can be a real pain some time even for advance user. I faced few problems and that is why I noted down all the necessary and sufficient steps. The steps below are explained for Ubuntu but I think similar steps can be used for other Unix like OS.

Step1: Download the ubuntu package from the website:http://tenable.com/products/nessus/nessus-download-agreement
and Run it.
Step2: To start nessus, type this command in super user mode: sudo /etc/init.d/nessusd start
Output of this command will result in:

$Starting Nessus : .
takshak@takshak-NB:~$ Missing plugins. Attempting a plugin update…
Your installation is missing plugins. Please register and try again.
To register, please visit http://www.nessus.org/register

Step3. Go on the given link and resgister on the home version, check ur mail get the license and use the command specified in ur mail as super user. It will register the Nessus and will also downlaod the missing plugins.

Step4. Run the nessus by using command: sudo /etc/init.d/nessusd start
Running Nessus command nasl gives an error “nasl : command not found”

(i) Try this command: whereis nessus
output will look something like: nessus: /opt/nessus/bin/nessus

(ii) Check the path see if the mentioned directory is added in the path or not by using command: echo $PATH
If the output of the command is: /usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games
then the command is not added to the path

(iii) Add the dirctory to the path by using the command: export PATH=$PATH:/opt/nessus/bin

Step5: Then start nessus by using command: sudo /etc/init.d/nessusd start

Step6: To run a nasl file use: nasl -t target_ip filename.nasl

Computer And You

Making Your Computer Experience Better