How To Use Ventrilo On Ubuntu

Well, sort of anyway.

After install, and you should notice how similar it is to Ventrilo. This program was written specifically for Linux users who wanted to join their friends in the world famous VoIP program Ventrilo. There has supposedly been a Linux friendly release of Ventrilo "In development", but its displayed that on their site for many years and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I don't blame them, really. Not many games run on Linux, or run well. So there just isn't the need I guess.

To be perfectly honest, Mangler functions better than the original and even has a more pleasing interface. I wish they'd release a Windows version!

Get it from here:

X64 for Ubuntu
X32 for Ubuntu

HELP! My Window Title Bars Disappeared In Ubuntu 11.04!

I've had some strange things happen in Ubuntu, but the single most annoying one is having the title bars of open windows disappear. I haven't figured out a more convenient way to fix this, but here's what I have found will.

Type this into Terminal:

metacity --replace

Hopefully when its completed, your title bars will be back. I have no idea why this happens, I know you can close them in the same way by hitting the little down arrow on the far right of the title bar but I can't seem to find a way to re-open them. This is probably a noobie post, if you know a better way or want to say "hey dummy, here's how", please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

My Favorite Ubuntu Tweaks

This is a small list of my favorite tweaks for Ubuntu, specifically 11.04. I found these on various websites/google searches and wanted to share them with you. Run all of the below commands in Terminal.

[Encrypted DVD Playback]
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

[Install LAME (for use with Asunder, or other ripping applications)]
sudo apt-get install lame

[Right-Click Admin Context Menu]
sudo apt-get install nautilus-gksu

[Remove 'Unity Place Applications' & 'Unity Place Files' (from the Unity panel)]
sudo sed -i '14i ShowEntry=false' /usr/share/unity/places/files.place
sudo sed -i '12i ShowEntry=false' /usr/share/unity/places/applications.place

If you own a Logitech G15 keyboard, you'll be happy to know that it has 'some' support in Ubuntu. It will display a clock, day and date. If you use Mangler, it will display information on whose talking. I'm sure there are other applications it works with, but I'm unaware of them at this time. Here's how to get your G15 going:

 Search in the Ubuntu Software Center for the following packages:

g15daemon
g15stats
libg15render1
libg15-1
libg15daemon-client1

Once those are all installed, open Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+F) and type "g15daemon" and hit Enter. Then type "g15stats" and hit Enter. Your G15's screen should now be displaying the time, day and date. Press the buttons under the screen to change some of the settings, though its limited. When you run Mangler, it will automatically switch the screen to show Mangler's information.

How To Disable Authentication For Ubuntu Software Center

I don't care for typing a password in just to install software in Ubuntu. In fact I don't care for this in any platform, even the app store from Apple on my iPhone. So I've disabled it as I'm the only user of this computer. Here is how to do it:

1. Hold down ALT and press F2, this will bring up the "Run a command" dialogue box.

2. Type this exactly, copy and paste doesn't work here (for me, anyway) into the box:

gksudo gedit /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/org.debian.apt.policy (do not put .xml at the end)

This will open gedit with the proper access for editing this policy, which is owned by ROOT.

3. Hold CTRL and hit F, in the search box copy and paste this:

org.debian.apt.install-or-remove-packages

4. Under the line that says <defaults>, edit the next 3 lines to this:

<allow_any>yes</allow_any>
<allow_inactive>yes</allow_inactive>
<allow_active>yes</allow_active>

5. Hit Save and exit, you do not need to restart Ubuntu.

Now go to the Ubuntu Software Center and find something you wish to install, did it ask for your password?