Linux only: Linux users already have a powerful Gmail notification tool in Checkgmail, but the advanced functionality doesn’t always fit the bill, or even just work, for some users (including yours truly). For those seeking a more streamlined notification window, or perhaps just the same kind of tool for non-Gmail POP or IMAP accounts, cGmail is a handy taskbar tool. Once you’ve installed and configured your account, it’s just one click to have cGmail load on startup, and the app integrates nicely with the GNOME desktop’s keyring manager. cGmail is a free download, available in .deb, .rpm and source downloads for Linux systems only.
Category: Linux
One-Click Video Conversion in KDE Menus
Linux only: Convert your video files for DVDs, iPods or easily-playable formats from inside your file browser using a simple script. Users of Linux systems running on a KDE desktop just need to download the ffmpegmenu script and place it in the appropriate file browser folder, and a new “Video Encoding” menu will appear in your sidebar. Detailed instructions and download links are at the link below. The ffmpegmenu script works in Linux only and requires a KDE environment, or at least the majority of the KDE tools installed in any desktop.
Give gedit the Power of TextMate
TextMate is a super-powered word processor beloved by coders and productivity geeks like Merlin Mann and Matt Haughey and available in a Windows port, but where does that leave Linux users? If they haven’t already fallen under the sway of Vi or Emacs, they can download a few files and plug-ins to give GNOME’s default text editor, gedit, many of the features—including word completion, quick file browsing, and highlighting switches—that Mac users have enjoyed for so long. Some of the plug-ins touted by the handy guide below are installed by default in gedit and just require an enabling click, while others require a bit of unpacking and placement. For writers and coders just getting started, it could make gedit a great learning tool with a gentler learning curve.
Lock Up Your Passwords with MyPasswordSafe
Linux only: Free security application MyPasswordSafe offers a single space to store usernames and passwords for all your desktop and web applications. All your password info is locked away with the Blowfish algorithm devised by security expert Bruce Schneier. When called up, the passwords are passed into your clipboard without being displayed, defeating over-the-shoulder hackers. MyPasswordSafe can generate random passwords (as recommended by Bruce), and dual-booters can also store their safes in a format compatible with the Windows equivalent. MyPasswordSafe is a free download and available in most popular Linux repositories.
Fedora 8 Werewolf Improves Multimedia, Laptop Support
Fedora 8, the newest version of Red Hat’s publicly-released Linux distribution, is available for download as a live or install CD or DVD in both the GNOME and KDE desktop flavors. New in this release, code-named “Werewolf,” are a Codec Buddy feature that helps users find and install support for MP3s and other media formats, improvements to laptop compatibility—key function, power management and suspend modes in particular—better sound control through the PulseAudio server and other improvements. Fedora 8 is a free download and runs on Intel, AMD or PowerPC-based systems.
