Let's Dual Boot!

Our latest video has gone live and it covers the topic of setting up a Dual-Boot system.  We will cover what dual booting is and why it is handy for those who like to play around with other operating systems without wanting or having the ability to sacrifice your existing partitions, data, etc.

At one point in time, dual booting tended to be a rather daunting process and could easily overwhelm those new to the concept.  However, it has become so common place (especially among Linux user's) that the process has been somewhat streamlined and is not all that different from performing a clean install on a fresh hard drive.  In this video we will be using Ubuntu 11.10 to setup a dual-boot system with Windows 7.

So, with that said; checkout our latest video:



Dual-Booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu 11.10

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Video: Installing Media Codecs in Linux Mint 11

In our latest video we will step through the process of installing multimedia codecs in Linux Mint 11 'Katya'.  By default the version of Linux Mint 11 I used to install in our previous video does not include the Multimedia Codecs.  Simply put, no mutlimedia codecs = very limited support and playback of things like videos, music, and flash based content.  So, why use such a limited release?

There are several versions of the Linux Mint 11 'Katya' Live CD.  The reason a 'No Codecs' version was made available is for distributors such as magazine companies or disk suppliers who may not have the legal rights to the licenses for some of the 3rd party multimedia codecs.  So, Mint has a 'No Codecs' version which squeezes the operating system on a single CD-ROM without the multimedia codecs.  If you so desire, there is a full version which does include the multimedia codecs and some extra software packages preinstalled.  This version however is quite a bit larger in file size and is designed to fit a DVD.

So without further delay, feel free to checkout our video on installing Linux Mint's multimedia codec packages.

Install Multimedia Codecs in Linux Mint 11

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Video: Installing Linux Mint 11 'Katya'

In our latest video we will step through the basics of installing Linux Mint 11 'Katya'.  'Katya' is the latest distribution release of Linux Mint with version 12's Release Candidate just being announced.  Mint is based on Ubuntu and in some circles is considered to be one of the best Linux distributions out there (next to Ubuntu).  There is also a version of Mint that is Debian based and features rolling distribution updates; meaning, you get the major updates as they roll out instead of doing a "mass-upgrade" on the entire OS.  That's nice.

The version of Linux Mint 11 being used in this video is the GNOME, 32bit version without Multimedia Codecs.  In our next video, we will step through quickly and easily installing these codecs.

Installing Linux Mint 11

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Ubuntu 11.10: Installing IceWM

If you love using Ubuntu and want the latest the greatest without the bloat of Unity maybe because your computer is holder and refuses to play nice with Unity than checkout IceWM.  IceWM is an alternate desktop environment for Linux.  If you are looking for a sleek and elegant looking desktop with lots of eye candy than IceWM probably isn't for you.

Installing IceWM is pretty easy to do via the Terminal or you can use the Ubuntu Software Center to install it as well.  I will also install the 'icewm-themes' package as well during the course of this video.  Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you can stay updated as to when new videos go live!

Ubuntu 11.10: Installing IceWM

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Installing LXDE in Ubuntu 11.10

As we continue our search for alternate desktop environments for Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot' we now arrive at LXDE.  LXDE is short for the "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment".  It's mission is a simple one: to be "extremely fast performing".  LXDE is great for older computers or computers with lower resources than most have by today's standards.  Running LXDE will give you the best of both worlds: a great experience as your desktop environment, and the latest advantages with Ubuntu.

The great thing about LXDE is that even if you don't use Ubuntu, you can install LXDE in other distributions as well.  Another perk for LXDE is it makes a nice desktop environment for people who are trying to migrate from the Windows world.  You can even customize LXDE to a certain extent as well.

So without further delay, feel free to give our video below a watch:

Ubuntu 11.10: Installing LXDE

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Ubuntu 11.10: Switching Login Managers

I received several emails after our posting our video about installing KDE in Ubuntu 11.10 concerning the login screen being changed.  If you followed along with our video we actually set the login screen to use KDM instead of the default for Ubuntu 11.10 which is LightDM.  Both login screens work the same way, but they look very different.

If you decide you like the original Ubuntu 11.10 login better than KDM's login screen, then watch the video below.  It's under 3 minutes long and a simple Terminal command will have you back up with LightDM in no time.

Ubuntu 11.10: Switch Between KDM to LightDM Login Screens

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Video: Let's Install Xfce in Ubuntu 11.10

In this video we will cover how to install yet another alternate Window Manager using Ubuntu 11.10.  We will be installing Xfce.  Xfce can also be installed directly from a fresh install by using the Xubuntu release of Ubuntu 11.10.  But for those who maybe upgraded directly from a previous version of Ubuntu only to find out we were being force fed the Unity Desktop than you may not want to take the time to wipe and do a clean install of your operating system.

Why choose the Xfce desktop?  What'ts so great about it?  Well for one, it's pretty fast.  Xfce manages to cut a lot of the excess stuff out of it that you would normally find in a fresh desktop.  The menu effects and extra stuff that tends to use a little more resources is gone.  This is especially nice when you want to use the latest and greatest Ubuntu release, but have an older computer that maybe doesn't play as well with Unity.  The big downside for a lot of people would probably be the appearance of Xfce.  It definitely lacks the elegance and eye candy of other desktop environments.  However, what it lacks in cosmetic appearance it makes up for in speed and low resource usage.

*Note: I do recommend to make sure you have all of your files and data backed up before performing any major install or change to your system just to be on the safe side.  With that being said, we will use the Ubuntu Software Center instead of the Terminal to accomplish this install.

Installing Xfce in Ubuntu 11.10

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Help Ubuntu!: Speed Up Ubuntu

The latest video in our 'Help Ubuntu!' video series has gone live!  In this video we will cover a few basic tips that will help us speed up our Ubuntu 11.04 installation.  And we will not have to uninstall any software packages or even touch the Terminal!

Who would need to do this?  Anyone running older hardware that seems to have issues keeping up with the new Unity desktop environment or the speed demon who is constantly trying to get their computer to boot as fast as it possibly can.  Let me go on record to say that there are more advanced ways to speed up Ubuntu by removing some packages, language packs, etc.  This is probably fine for the more experienced Ubuntu user.

But for those who are newer to the operating system and may not be ready to jump into the Terminal and hammer out a string of commands for which they have no clue what it does, only on the promise that it will work, we'll try to start you off easily.  That way when you get to the point where you can understand what Terminal commands handle what functions, it will make that learning experience a lot easier (trust me, I've been there).

So, without delay see our latest video below.  Feel free to leave a comment or visit and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/techiesmarts

Help Ubuntu!: Speed Up Ubuntu

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Help Ubuntu!: Overview of Some Default Apps in Ubuntu 11.04

Our latest video has just gone live over on our YouTube Channel!  Be sure to check it out.  It's entitled "Help Ubuntu!: Default Apps in Review".  And it covers a quick review of some notable apps that as a new Ubuntu user you'll no doubt come to find useful.

From the terminal to office software, and even multimedia software.  We touch on a little bit of everything to help get you comfortable with what Ubuntu has to offer.

So be sure to check out this video, and our previous videos either over at our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/techiesmarts or at our 'Help Ubuntu!' section here at TechieSmarts.com!

Help Ubuntu!: Default Apps in Review

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Windows 7 for Starters: Tricks with Windows & Controlling the UAC

Our latest video in the Windows 7 for Starters series has gone live!  In this video we will learn a few tricks and shortcuts for managing open windows on our desktop.

We will also cover how to take control over the User Access Control feature within Windows 7.  For those of you who migrated from Windows Vista, you will already be familiar with the UAC control.  So why not learn how to tame it before it tries to drive you insane?


As always, be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and 'Like' our video and be sure to subscribe to our channel to stay up to date when new videos get posted!  Visit us at: http://www.youtube.com/techiesmarts




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Windows 7 for Starters: Basics for Getting Around In Windows 7 video

For our Windows 7 users, we have the second video in our 'Windows 7 for Starters' video series.  This video covers the Basics of Getting Around In Windows 7.

This video is of course for those new to Windows 7.  We discuss using the Start Menu to get around, what is the Taskbar and how to use it, what is located in the Control Panel, and what is the System Tray.

If you have a friend or family member who needs a quick lesson on the basics of using Windows, let them watch.

Windows 7 for Starters: Basics of Getting Around in Windows 7

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